Key Life Spring 2025 by The Observer Group Inc.

STYLE KEYLIFE

THE BARRIER ISLANDS’ COMMUNITY, NATURE, PEOPLE

LOCAL COLOR

These Key artists take inspiration from their surroundings.

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FORT MYERS | NAPLES | PINELLAS PARK | SARASOTA | TARPON SPRINGS

Nowhere but here.

From awe-inspiring beaches and captivating sunsets to vibrant world-class arts and abundant recreational activities, a luxurious lifestyle awaits on the picturesque Suncoast. For nearly 50 years, independently owned Michael Saunders & Company has been dedicated to the local real estate market, connecting with customers around the world to consistently deliver exceptional results. We are proud to be the name trusted by buyers and sellers from near and far.

Longboat Key | A4628022 | $12,500,000 The Walter Group | 941-809-0907

| A4631200 | $10,495,000 Dee Munn | 407-346-4422

Sarasota | A4641071 | $7,500,000 Barbara May | 404-822-9264

Key | A4640254 | $5,500,000 Bruce A Meyer, PA | 941-266-8152

Key | A4636226 | $11,000,000 Jonathan Fox, Pa | 941-544-6649

Sarasota | A4641930 | $9,975,000 Barbara May | 404-822-9264

Sarasota | A4642187 | $7,500,000 Kim Ogilvie | 941-376-1717

Sarasota | A4637354 | $5,450,000 Lisa Allen | 312-848-1636

Key | A4631842 | $10,750,000 Kim Ogilvie | 941-376-1717

Key | A4643044 | $9,495,000 The Walter Group | 941-809-0907

| A4640931 | $5,700,000 Kathy Valente | 941-685-6767

Siesta Key | A4642882 | $5,200,000 Rudy Dudon | 941-234-3991

Casey

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SARASOTA’S BARRIER ISLANDS

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SARASOTA’S BARRIER ISLANDS

Whether you're buying or selling, I’m here to make the process smooth and stress-free. With in-depth knowledge of Sarasota’s top neighborhoods and exclusive barrier islands, I provide expert advice and personalized attention to help you make the best decisions. Whether you're hunting for your dream home or a smart investment, I’m dedicated to giving you a real estate experience that’s easy, enjoyable, and perfectly tailored to your needs.

SARASOTA’S BARRIER ISLANDS

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty

400 Barcelona Avenue, Venice, FL 34285

Email: Lisa.Napolitano@premierSIR.com | Phone: 941-993-0025 LISA

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty

400 Barcelona Avenue, Venice, FL 34285

Email: Lisa.Napolitano@premierSIR.com | Phone: 941-993-0025

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty 400 Barcelona Avenue, Venice, FL 34285

Email: Lisa.Napolitano@premierSIR.com | Phone: 941-993-0025

Aqua is the best in service. I had a minor problem that wasn’t an emergency, but needed attention. I called yesterday, and they gave me a 1 1/2 hour window of time the next day. The window was from 4:00 to 5:30. At 3:00, I received a text introducing the technician and saying he was on his way. He arrived shortly thereafter, just before the earliest expected time. The customer service support team and technicians are top-notch. Highly recommended!! - Brad

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SPRING 2025

76 POWER COUPLE

The Morganroths use their involvement — not just their checks — to make an impact.

FEATURES

ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

Local creators share how their home bases on the Keys give them an artistic boost. 68

TOP DOLLAR

Why $30 million listings have come to our area, and why they’re here to stay.

Photo by Lori Sax

Joel and Gail Morganroth have lived on Siesta Key for about 12 years.

20 FROM THE EDITOR

HOT TOPICS

Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce gets back to business in its new office, sea turtles have a successful season and Casey Key continues its post-storm comeback.

40 KEY PEOPLE

Anne Essner works to preserve Sarasota’s notable buildings for all to enjoy.

44 MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Oyster shells can create habitat for all kinds of water-cleansing critters. Two brothers have made it their mission to spread them far and wide.

48 CALENDAR

From April through October, the area has a packed list of things to do to get you out and about.

54 STYLE

Embrace the great outdoors with these stylish finds to brighten up your exterior space.

89 OASIS

This beachfront mansion, complete with guest suite, gives a nod to its origins as the house that pretzels built.

100 ART AND ABOUT

Theater, art and a walk in a musician’s garden highlight our top arts picks.

102 BEHIND THE MENU

With six restaurants to helm at the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, Chef Damian Manfré shares his favorites.

106

President and Publisher Emily Walsh

EDITORIAL

Executive Editor and COO — Kat Wingert

Managing Editor — Su Byron

Design — Melissa Leduc and Nicole Thompson

Contributors

Marty Fugate, Nancy Guth, Mark Gordon, Elizabeth King, Heidi Kurpiela, Louis Llovio, Robert Plunket, Lori Sax and Eric Snider

ADVERTISING

Chief Revenue Officer — Jill Raleigh

Advertising Managers — Kathleen O’Hara, Penny Nowicki and Lori Ruth

Advertising Executives — Richeal Bair, Jennifer Kane, Honesty Mantkowski, Toni Perren, Laura Ritter and Brenda White

CREATIVE SERVICES

Director of Creative Services — Caleb Stanton

Creative Services Administrator — Marjorie Holloway

Graphic Designers — Luis Trujillo, Taylor Poe, Louise Martin and Shawna Polana

CONTACT KEY LIFE

To submit story ideas or calendar listings, contact Kat Wingert at KWingert@YourObserver.com. For advertising inquiries, call 941-366-3468.

LUXURY REAL ESTATE DEFINED

WHO DO WE THINK WE ARE?

It’s a joke that I recalled making years ago when hearing about the first downtown Sarasota condos — without beach access or even a water view — priced at more than $5 million each. Seriously? In Sarasota?

This was before the pandemic caused hyperinflation, when many of the condos that dot our skyline were just blueprints. A group of us discussing the project and its prices smirked: Good luck with that.

The joke is on us. Now, we see condos going for twice that — something we only imagined could happen in Naples. We’ve grown up, Sarasota, and we’ve been discovered.

That’s one of the explanations real estate experts gave contributor Louis Llovio in his story exploring top area listings now reaching the $20 million and even $30 million tiers (Page 68). They also explained who these uber-wealthy buyers are, and why the barrier islands are attracting so many of them.

This kind of growth and wealth often draws cynicism. Indeed, it has the potential to change paradise as we know it. But some of those changes are good.

The good is attracting people like Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth to our community, who have given more than $30 million to local nonprofits since their arrival in 2009 (Page 76). They have gotten involved in a way that has boosted many organizations both monetarily and operationally.

Another good change: Our area is now home to top-notch restaurants and hospitality experiences, such as the new St. Regis Longboat Key Resort. It’s evident in contributor Marty Fugate’s interview with resort Chef Damian Manfré (Page 102) that we’ve reached a new level of culinary delights with

this addition.

And, although we have always been Florida’s cultural coast, the more support our arts organizations get, the more they can do. The slate of upcoming events reflects this (Page 100).

Now, we know not all growth is good. Often it comes at the expense of the environment. For our area, two areas of concern are water quality (hello, red tide), and preserving the animals who have called our beaches home long before we did.

In our story on the Oyster Boys (Page 44), we discuss a simple idea that has powerful implications for cleaning up local waterways. The more people there are to implement it, the better.

And forces for good also grow with our area. Just look at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium and local volunteers with the Longboat Key Turtle Watch. Thanks to their efforts over the decades, our sea turtle nesting numbers have grown exponentially since the 2000s (Page 30).

But the trick, for all of us who have been here awhile, is to ensure our area’s history, culture and values get passed on by welcoming our newbies and engaging them in our community. You can get nice beaches in a lot of places, but our communal fabric is our secret sauce. Just as the real estate folks told us, it’s our community and sense of place that makes us special.

It’s up to us to make sure that never changes.

Kat Wingert Executive Editor

Courtesy image

This property at 8501 Midnight Pass Road in Siesta Key is listed for $31.5 million.

CRAFTED WITH BRILLIANCE

Dr. Arne

HOT TOPICS

TIMELY PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS

After taking a battering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Casey Key roars back to life.

PAGE 34

News Junkies

An all-in-this-together mindset is prevalent at the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce as it, and the community, gets back to business after the storms of 2024.

BY ERIC SNIDER | CONTRIBUTOR

There’s no such thing as too much good news. And that’s especially true of a community like Siesta Key, which — like all of Sarasota-Bradenton’s barrier islands — was hammered by two major hurricanes in a two-week span.

And so it happened that on the morning of Feb. 19, as local attorney Eric Fleming arrived at a board meeting of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, a colleague approached him and said, “Did you hear the news this morning?”

Tripadvisor had named Siesta Beach the No. 4 beach — in the world.

G ood news, indeed.

Fleming, the chamber’s board chair who has a law office on Siesta Key, is fond of the phrase “open for business.” Being named one of the premier beaches on the planet certainly helps support that claim.

In a mid-February interview, Fleming says “99%” of Siesta Key’s businesses had reopened. The slowest recovery was in the accommodations sector, “where about 60%” of the rooms were back online, he adds.

In all, Fleming is proud of the way Siesta Key’s businesses and the community overall rallied to recover from a double whammy of powerful storms. “We really came together,” Fleming says. “Businesses that had employees displaced borrowed employees from businesses that weren’t open yet. That helped service workers get paid. And the residents chipped in too, literally helping shovel sand out of businesses and helping clean up.”

Continued on Page 28

Photos by Lori Sax

Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Eric Fleming is fond of saying the chamber, and Siesta Key, is open business.

Continued from Page 26

‘ASK FOR HELP’

The chamber opened a new office and visitor center in April of last year. The organization caught a break when its headquarters suffered no damage from the hurricanes. “It became kind of the central nervous system for the recovery effort,” Fleming says, “a home base for communications, a place people could stop by to ask for help, or see if they could lend a hand.”

Ten days after Hurricane Milton, the chamber held an emergency board meeting. The members had a key decision to make: whether to go forward with the Siesta Key Crystal Classic, or cancel.

The renowned sand-sculpting competition, the chamber’s marquee annual event, was scheduled just five weeks out, and as the meeting approached, neither the beach nor the storefronts were ready to go. “People were still shoveling sand out of their businesses,” Fleming says.

To move forward with the Crystal Classic, the chamber needed Sarasota County to step in and step up its recovery efforts. “A lot of debris had to be picked up very, very quickly,” Fleming says. The Sarasota County Parks and Recreation department could not make that commitment, he adds. “So I talked to Commissioner [Mark] Smith and said, ‘There’s a question as to whether we can hold the Crystal Classic or not.’”

Smith is an ally, a former member of the chamber board who had been involved in the Crystal Classic since its inception in 2010. “Obviously, all of Sarasota County had been hit hard with the hurricanes,” Smith says. “And because of all that was going on, the chamber didn’t know if our staff would be able to focus enough resources on Siesta Key and the beach.”

Smith says he spoke to County Administrator Jonathan Lewis, telling him “we needed to make this happen, that it’s a great opportunity to show that Sarasota County is open. He saw the value in it all, and so did the staff.”

Armed with assurances from the county, the chamber board voted unanimously to go ahead with the Crystal Classic. The cleanup crews

“Fleming says there is “a sense of normalcy coming back to the Key. You still see some of the scars from the hurricanes, but it’s very busy here.”

came through, and Siesta Key was ready when crowds descended on the beach to witness two dozen world-class sand-sculpting artists create their works. “The weather was perfect for us,” Fleming recounts about the fourday festival held in mid-November. “A lot of businesses saw a huge spike. At the time, about 65% of them were open. Overall attendance was down a little bit, but we were very pleased with the turnout.”

NORMAL ROUTINE

Three months later, during the height of tourist season, Fleming says there is “a sense of normalcy coming back to the Key. You still see some of the scars from the hurricanes, but it’s very busy here.”

The chamber of commerce has regained its equilibrium as well, although it did lose some members in the wake of the storms. “Some of the businesses, especially on the accommodations side, had to drop us,” Fleming says. “But they told us, ‘Once we’re back up and running and can pay dues, we want to rejoin.’”

With a full-time staff of four, and a budget this year of $436,000, the organization is busy fostering tourism, fielding queries from potential visitors, promoting its own events and others on the island, advocating for businessfriendly solutions and looking out for the interests of its 400-plus members.

In other words, the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce is open for business.

Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Eric Fleming is joined by walk-in visitors to the chamber, Vicki Briggs and Tim Landes of Boise, Idaho, on a recent Friday morning.

Slow Walks on the Beach

Sea turtles love our area as much as people do — but they need a little help from their human friends.

BY BETH LUBERECKI CONTRIBUTOR

The middle of the night isn’t what most people would consider prime beach time.

But if you’re a female sea turtle, it’s an ideal time to come ashore to nest.

Loggerheads are the most common sea turtles to nest in these parts, and they’ve been dragging their 200- to 350-pound bodies from the water to the sand to lay their eggs for millions of years. They tend to return to the same general area to nest, which is an amazing feat since they have brains that are about the size of an adult human thumb.

“They have tiny, tiny pea brains

that are really not built for cognitive problem solving,” says Melissa Macksey, senior biologist in the Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. “They’re very instinct driven ... and are somehow still able to migrate thousands of miles across the ocean and find the area where they are supposed to nest. To be able to do that with a tiny pea-size brain is so incredible to me.”

In 2024, Mote logged 4,325 loggerhead nests and 42 green turtle nests in the area from Longboat Key to Ven-

Continued on Page 32

A loggerhead hatchling heads to the water after being released.

Photos Courtesy of Mote Marine

Continued from Page 30

ice. That’s on par with recent years and continues the exponential growth in sea turtle nesting Mote has been seeing since the early 2000s. That growth is thanks to some forward thinking in years past. “We have to give a lot of credit to people working 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago on conservation efforts,” says Macksey.

That includes things like the Endangered Species Act becoming law in 1973 (sea turtles are protected under that law) and the establishment of Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program in 1982.

Cyndi Seamon first volunteered with Longboat Key Turtle Watch in 2003, after moving to the area from Minnesota. She’s now the vice president of the nonprofit, which helps monitor the northern section of Longboat Key under the permit issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and held by Mote. Seamon and other volunteers do everything from mark and monitor nests to educational outreach.

“I didn’t know anything about sea turtles, coming from the Midwest,” she says. “But if we can have a healthy place for them to live and nest, then it’s a healthy place for us to enjoy the beach, enjoy the water and enjoy our environment. That’s why we live down here, to enjoy the beach and the water and everything that goes with it.”

Sea turtles like our beaches and many others in Florida for some pretty simple reasons. “Any sandy beach is a potential nesting beach in an area that has the right climate for it,” says Macksey. “But beaches that are generally more sloped with a bigger grain size that’s not holding as much water tend to host more nests than areas that are really smooth and flat and hard packed with fine sand. North Siesta has a really pretty beach for people, but turtles don’t seem to love it as much as other areas.”

If you’re on our beaches between May and October (and sometimes even earlier), you’ll probably spot the familiar markings of sea turtle nesting season: wooden stakes connected by tape bearing a sign with the words “Do Not Disturb: Sea Turtle Nest.” These

DID YOU KNOW?

cordoned-off nests can be found high up on the sand or closer to the water, depending on where the turtle felt inspired to lay her eggs.

“There’s a lot of variation that helps them hedge their bets as to which nests are going to survive,” says Macksey. “They might lay as many eggs as they can in as many different environments as possible so hopefully someone will survive to replace them.”

Macksey says there were about 3,000 nests on the beaches Mote monitors when Hurricane Debby traveled along the Gulf Coast in August, and about 1,200 of those were lost to the storm. When Hurricane Helene came along in September 2024, all nests still remaining at the point were wiped out.

Hurricanes aren’t the only challenges sea turtles have to deal with. Climate change is also causing questions and concerns as water and sand temperatures rise. “Males incubate at cooler temperatures, so there’s always talk at turtle conferences of, ‘Are there too many females being produced? What is the sex ratio we want in order to have enough males?’” says Macksey.

Climate change can also cause habitat loss. And powerful hurricanes not only impact turtle nests but also dunes and other beach vegetation.

All told, while sea turtles keep on coming, and laying eggs along the beaches, us humans can keep on help -

ing them thrive.

“If turtles aren’t doing well, that means a lot of other things aren’t doing well,” says Macksey. “Turtles have been around for millions of years and have been able to tolerate a whole lot of change that has happened on Earth. The way their populations grow and shrink is kind of a sign of how healthy the Earth is in general.

“Do we really want to be what causes the downfall of a species that has been around for millions of years and been able to survive things that even the di nosaurs couldn’t?” she continues. “Or do we want to help make it a better place for everybody?”

n The temperature of the sand determines the sex of the turtle hatchings. Just remember the phrase “hot chicks, cool dudes.”

n Something as simple as a small sandcastle can be a major obstacle to a nesting turtle or hatchling. So knock it over, fill in any holes you dig, and take all your chairs and other gear off the beach when you call it a day.

n Nesting females stay still during most of the process, which can last up to one to two hours.

n Two leatherback turtles nested in our area in 2024, a rare occurrence. And both nests hatched, which has never happened

Mote’s Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program monitors 35 miles of local beaches for signs of sea turtle nesting activities.

In 2024, Mote logged more than 4,300 loggerhead nests from Longboat Key to Venice.

Road to Recovery

The past hurricane season hit Casey Key hard. Yet a sign things are getting better lies

in the renewal of a popular beach pastime: parking hassles. ‘The biggest complaint

I’ve seen from people,’ says one business owner, ‘is [lack of] beach parking.’

BY ELIZABETH KING | CONTRIBUTOR

Arecent afternoon at Nokomis Beach appeared, on the surface at least, serene. Every parking space in all the lots was filled. Cars were hovering. The sun was shining. High Season was in high gear.

That scene, combined with other signs — restaurants are serving grouper, milkshakes are being spun at a local ice cream shop — points to a positive development: After taking a beating from Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton, Casey Key is, albeit slower than some would like, returning

to some kind of normalcy.

Another example lies in real estate.

To wit: a drive across the island revealed a slew of “for sale” signs along Casey Key Road.

Realtor Kelley Anne Ayers, co-owner of Ayers & Associates Real Estate on Albee Road, near Lyons Bay, says the storms will change the landscape of the island. Similar scenes, of devastation and rebuilding but under new codes and market forces, have played out in other communities on the west coast of Florida, most recently in Fort Myers Beach.

“There’s a lot of people selling,” Ayers

says, noting there are 28 listings for sale as of mid-February on Casey Key, which contains 400-plus homes total.

Some older residents say they do not want to rebuild, Ayers says, and “people are taking losses.”

Hurricane Helene pushed boulders through the windows of some homes in September, Ayers says, while Hurricane Milton piled up “drifts of sand inside houses as tall as we are” in October.

“Quite a few” Casey Key residences are being torn down, Ayers notes. “Some of the cottages that were dar-

Continued on Page 36

Casey Key suffered extensive damage from the 2024 hurricane season.

Photos by Dex Honea

ling are gone.”

One of her listings is 608 N. Casey Key Road, which used to contain the oldest house on the island, built in 1918.

“That ended up getting torn down due to the storm,” Ayers says. “Milton took off half the roof.”

A much talked about challenge is the 50% rule. That is a National Flood Insurance Program regulation that prohibits improvements to structures exceeding 50% of its market value unless the structures are brought fully into compliance with current flood regulations. The 50% rule, according to Ayers, makes it unfeasible to rebuild some of these properties.

Says Ayers: “There’s going to be more land available.”

RESTAURANT RETOOLS

Meanwhile, at Casey Key Fish House, a widely known restaurant that is decades old, everything is new again. That’s because the business on Blackburn Point Road had to replace all of its equipment after Hurricane Milton.

“Even the Coke machine” got destroyed in the storm, says Casey Key Fish House Manager Joe Zax.

The restaurant reopened Dec. 13, and “since then it’s been going really good,” Zax says, looking out over the parking lot filled with cars on a recent February mid-afternoon.

In addition to getting new equipment inside, the fish house was pressure-washed and repainted outside since it was hit with the storm surge.

“Snowbirds and locals were waiting for us to open,” Zax says, noting the establishment has gained a loyal following since opening in 2000.

One of its annual traditions is closing each September. Because the weather is hot, rainy and windy, the business packs up all its tables and chairs in a back room and shutters for the month, according to Zax. Due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, however, this year’s closure lasted longer than usual.

“October and November, there wasn’t anybody on the island anyway, so we would have been dead,” Zax says. He notes the Tiki hut across the parking lot sustained no damage but did take a blow during Hurricane Ian in 2022. Continued from Page 34

STARTING FRESH

Just off the key on Albee Road, Pop’s Pizza — a new restaurant — opened for business Dec. 27. It is owned by Joe and Kristen Farrell, who are also behind Pop’s Sunset Grill across the street.

“We’ve just been cruising along,” General Manager Taylor Martin says, building a following and getting the restaurant’s name out there.

Pop’s Pizza had been in the works for a couple of years, Martin says. His godfather, Joe Farrell, purchased the building at 820 Albee Road for $1.9 million in 2022, property records show. Permitting and utilities took a while to get straightened out, Martin says. Now there are four apartments above the pizza place, he adds, and the plan is also to lease out some office space next door.

Pop’s Pizza just added its own delivery service to its offerings, and it uses third party services like DoorDash and Uber Eats as well. That said, a number of customers are coming up to get their orders at the takeout window.

Some people have come by the pizza shop just to avoid traffic when the bridge to Casey Key goes up, Martin says.

“A lot of our regulars right now

live very close to here,” Martin says. “They’re driving by every day, or they cruise over on the golf cart.”

‘WE GOT HURT’

Other businesses along Albee Road are seeing a similar climb in foot traffic in the months since the hurricanes as the tourist season picks up.

Because of Hurricane Milton, Sweet Melissa’s Ice Cream Shop had to close for 10 days, says owner Bruce Bellerose. Then the shop was without internet for about two weeks.

“We got hurt. Everybody hurt,” says Bellerose, reflecting on hurricane season.

As far as damage, Bellerose says his business was not impacted too badly since it is elevated off the ground. “We were very fortunate, because we’re high up,” Bellerose says.

“Now that we’ve got decent weather,” he notes, business has picked up. “The biggest complaint I’ve seen from people is [lack of] beach parking.”

On a day in February, Bellerose recalls, he had a family of customers who went to multiple beaches but were unable to find parking, so they stopped instead to get ice cream at his shop before heading home.

Casey Key Fish House General Manager Joe Zax and owner Jimmy Von Hubertz at the local staple, where they say business has been steady in 2025.

Kelley Anne Ayers, co-owner of Ayers & Associates Real Estate, says “a lot of people” on Casey Key are looking to sell homes and properties now, after the rough storm season.

George Balanchine’s Serenade

Jerome Robbins’ In the Night

Sir Frederick Ashton’s A Wedding Bouquet

Marijana Dominis, Macarena Gimenez, and Daniel Pratt in George Balanchine’s Serenade | Photo by Frank Atura

HIGH TIDES

THE HEART OF COMMUNITY ON THE KEYS

Two brothers clean up our waterways — one oyster shell at a time. PAGE 44

Anne Essner

Anne and her husband, Bob, fell for the Sarasota School’s sleek, modern aesthetic when they moved to Lido Shores. Now, as board chair of Architecture Sarasota, she’s a leading voice for preserving and celebrating mid-century design.

BY ERIC SNIDER | CONTRIBUTOR

When Anne and Bob Essner first visited Sarasota in 2009, looking to escape the cold, gray winter days of New York City, they were thinking condo. Apartment living is what they knew. Then, at the urging of a friend, they toured Lido Shores, a haven for mid-century modern homes built in the 1950 and ’60s.

Instantly enchanted by a design style they were not familiar with, the

Essners bought a home — a waterfront home that happened to be across the street from the renowned Umbrella House, which was designed by Paul Rudolph, one of the founders of the Sarasota School of Architecture.

“It was missing the umbrella on it at the time,” Anne Essner says, referring to the shade structure that covers the house and pool. “So it just looked like a little cube house. It was not that intriguing.”

Within six years of moving to Lido Shores, the couple purchased the Har-

kavy House, also designed by Rudolph, and bought and restored the Umbrella House, outfitting it with mid-mod furniture.

Anne Essner grew up in Plattsburgh, New York, about 25 miles from the Canadian border, and earned her MBA from Columbia University. She met Bob while on a job interview with the Sandoz pharmaceutical corporation. They became colleagues in the marketing department and married in

Continued on Page 42

Photos by Lori Sax

Anne Essner, board chair of Architecture Sarasota, is a passionate advocate for the preservation of mid-century architecture.

Continued from Page 40

1987. Bob retired as chairman of the board and CEO of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in 2006.

Since their arrival in Sarasota, the Essners have been active philanthropists. Anne, in particular, became ensconced in the city’s rich architectural scene. In 2021, she helped facilitate the merger of the Sarasota Architectural Foundation and Center for Architecture Sarasota into Architecture Sarasota. She is the organization’s board chair. Anne is also a board member of Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

The couple resides in the home they originally bought and have never lived in the Umbrella House. They make it available for charity fetes, monthly tours and other events celebrating Sarasota’s architecture.

Here are edited excerpts from a conversation with Anne.

I was one of those “Fountainhead”reading teenagers who for a brief moment wanted to be an architect. And then I found out you had to take physics to apply for architecture school. We had a terrible physics professor, and my dreams died right there.

My husband retired, and we were in New York over the winter. And he just couldn’t get used to the dark, gray days. He’d been in an office all the time, and it didn’t even occur to him there was weather outside. And he was like, “I can’t live here.”

We had spent some time on the east coast [of Florida] and we knew that wasn’t what we wanted.

We went to a lot of galas when we first moved here. It was such a change. You didn’t see many ball gowns in New York. But here, people really got dressed up. They really got into it. One year, we accepted invitations that got us out and dressed up 31 nights in a row.

We had not lived in places where there was a lot of mid-century modern architecture. Sarasota is highly known for its mid-century modern. And, so, we just sort of fell in love with the simplicity of it.

With mid-mod, you’ve got this inside-out idea. Your room is not just your room. It’s the outside area as well — it’s your terrace, it’s your pool, it’s your gardens that visually expand the small rooms in the house.

After we’d lived here a couple years, we decided we needed to look for a guest house and a music space. My husband is a big audiophile. We found this house down the street, designed by Paul Rudolph. The Harkavy House. It was our first cube house. We bought an electric golf cart so we could go back and forth quickly.

I kind of got on a classical music bent when I was young. I played instruments. But I rarely just sit down and listen, whereas Bob can’t carry a tune but loves music and will sit for hours and listen.

You’ve got to like Steely Dan if you’re going to like Bob and Bob’s going to like you. I like Steely Dan too — but I picked that up from Bob.

It’s so typical that people don’t always value what’s right in front of them. I think a lot of people here in Sarasota don’t realize the international reach of [the Sarasota School].

Sarasota has a tremendous amount of high-rise building going on, and

“

Within six years of moving to Lido Shores, Anne and her husband, Bob, purchased the Harkavy House and also acquired and restored the Umbrella House, both celebrated for their iconic midcentury design.

some of that’s appropriate. But some of it, you have to wonder: What are we losing here?

I’ve had people who come into the Umbrella House and they’re like, “Wow, I’ve seen pictures, but being in the house is so much different than seeing images of it.” And I think that’s one of the reasons why it’s been so important to me that we save these houses, because it’s an entirely different experience to be in them.

You’ve got to come down [to Lido Shores] some time. I promise you, you’ll leave here saying, “Oh, now I get it.”

The house we live in was designed by Adrienne Vittadini, who had a wellknown knitwear brand. I used to wear her sweaters in college. She sold the brand in the ’90s.

I have two stepdaughters and one son who was born of our marriage. The oldest is going to be 50 shortly, the next one is 42, and my son is 35. As a stepparent, you always worry that a blended family may not click. But these kids are very close. Our family is very fortunate.

For information on touring the Umbrella House, visit ArchitectureSarasota.org.

The Harkavy House, designed by architect Paul Rudolph in 1957 with a 2006 vertical addition by John Quinn, is renowned for its distinctive, minimal pavilion design.

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Half Shell

Two Sarasota brothers — both under 30 — have big ambitions for a nonprofit they founded focused on water quality and improving the area’s ecosystem.

BY ERIC SNIDER | CONTRIBUTOR

Most of us think of oysters as vicious critters we shuck and slurp. The shells? They’re usually headed for the trash. Not a good idea, according to environmentalists.

Those shells can be put to work.

Oyster Boys Conservation, a Sarasota County nonprofit founded in 2022 by brothers Dom and Vince Marino, collects the shells and ultimately returns them to the water in the form of vertical oyster gardens. Known as a VOGs (pronounced “vog”), they consist of 20 shells strung together with rope and hung from docks into the water. More than 1,000 VOGs, courtesy of the Oyster Boys, can now be found in various bodies of water around the area’s barrier islands.

The shells attract oyster larvae and produce new mature oysters, which can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, removing excess nutrients and sediment. Do the math. A single VOG has the potential to filter 1,000 gallons of water per day. That, in turn, assists in the growth of seagrass, which has been on decline in local waters for decades. Seagrass is crucial in improving

water quality, reducing erosion and providing habitats for marine species. It’s also a vital food source for our beloved manatees.

VOGs are a fairly new phenomenon. Oysters used to primarily congregate in large beds, but “our problem is that there’s not nearly as many of those around anymore,” says Dom Marino. “We’ve lost 90% of them over the past century due to development of our coastlines.”

In 2021, Dom, 29, got the idea for Oyster Boys Conservation when he returned home to south Sarasota from college in Missouri and heard manatees were dying at a record-setting rate. “I

said, ‘Why is it happening?’” he recalls. “I did some research and found out that oysters can help.”

Dom recruited Vince, who’s six years younger, and a few friends. Within a year, they set up a 501 (c) (3) and a VOG program. Here’s how it works:

Vince and Sam Jeffcoat, the Oyster Boys field operations co-directors, collect shells from participating restaurants, which set them aside in buckets. Lefty’s Oyster and Seafood Bar, Walt’s Fish Market, Captain Eddie’s Seafood and Dockside Waterfront Grill are the primary donors. The Oyster Boys gath-

Continued on Page 46

Photos by Dex Honea

From right to left: Brothers Dom and Vince Marino and their friend and colleague Matt DeMasi seek to grow the profile of Oyster Boys Conservation.

Continued from Page 44

er the shells on pallets so they can dry and rid themselves of stink.

At first, the organization stored and cured them on Dom’s front lawn in Osprey. Then Elizabeth Moore, a prominent Sarasota philanthropist who focuses on the environment, heard about the nonprofit’s efforts and offered space on her ecology-conscious Moore Bliss Farm. “I love their mission,” she says of the Oyster Boys. “All those shells are a whole mecca of biodiversity.”

ANCHORS AWAY

The Oyster Boys drill holes in the shells, then hold VOG workshops, where volunteers gather and string them with heavy-duty rope made of coconut fiber and tie it at the bottom. Moore Bliss Farm hosts workshops once a month, and Oyster Boys also hold them in schools, retirement homes and other locations. Each session produces 50 to 100 VOGs.

The Oyster Boys crew then fastens VOGs onto the bottom of residential docks, as well as those at bait shops and marinas, “pretty much anywhere in the entire Sarasota Bay estuary,” Dom says.

In May 2022, the Oyster Boys hung its first VOGs at a community dock in the Osprey neighborhood where the Marino brothers grew up. “My parents still live there,” Dom says. “It’s a small community called Sunset Place, about eight houses. When we were kids, we were always fishing and boating, swimming, jumping off the dock.”

Dom estimates Oyster Boys Conservation has installed close to 1,400 VOGs, and collects about 10,000 pounds of oyster shells per year. Those numbers are sure to increase, and soon. Thus far, the nonprofit has operated on a small budget, but “turned a corner this year,” Dom says, with the hiring of Abby Hendershot as operations coordinator. She’s the organization’s first paid employee. “We were birthed with a mantra of ‘ready, fire, aim,’” Dom says. “So Abby’s job is to get us organized and coordinated, making sure we follow through on everything. She’s also active in data collection. We want to quantify how much true impact we’re having. That helps when you’re

applying for different grants and seeking donations.”

A payroll boosts the budget, of course, and that means fundraising. Oyster Boys has a 2025 goal of $50,000. “We’re less than halfway there,” Dom adds. So far, they have received two $10,000 grants — in 2024 and 2025 — from the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, and $7,000 from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

“Fundraising is a focus for us this year, especially with Abby on board, because we know that we need money coming in to sustain her position and move the mission forward,” Dom says.

Part of this year’s Sarasota Bay Estuary Program grant went toward an initiative that saw the Oyster Boys partnering with the Pelican Cove HOA, not far from Little Sarasota Bay, to build and hang 680 VOGs on the community’s docks.

TAKE ACTION

Oyster Boys’ other key focus is education. The organization has partnered with groups at State College of Florida and the University of Florida, and has set up a program with Roger Williams University in Rhode Island to implement vertical oyster gardening in New England.

All told, the oyster is our world, or at least a more significant part of it than most of us thought. They’re remarkable, complex creatures.

“Many people — myself included not too long ago — don’t realize how critical they are to our well-being,” Dom says. “People can take action and help in what is a sacred cause. We want them to understand that they can be part of the solution.”

HELP WANTED

Oyster Boys is looking to expand the number of restaurants that participate in its shell recycling program and is always seeking people or businesses willing to make their docks available. Contact the organization at Howdy@OysterBoys.org.

Matt DeMasi drills holes in oyster shells, which is part of the process to create the vertical oyster gardens.

Oyster Boys Conservation has installed some 1,400 vertical oyster gardens, known as VOGs

Make A Plan.

Bill and Kathy Grieder and Beth and Jim Daday dance during the March 2024 Savor the Sounds.

SPRING 2025

APRIL

POP-UP LIBRARY

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month, the Sarasota County Pop-Up Library visits Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. The mobile library brings about eight full carts of books, story time for children, a hot spot to connect to the internet, technology tutorials, library cards and other traditional library services.

n Visit LongboatKey.org.

COQUINA BEACH MARKET

The Coquina Beach Market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at South Coquina Beach, 1800 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. It continues Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays through June 29.

n Visit CoquinaBeachMarket.org.

5 RUN FOR THE TURTLES

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium hosts its annual 5K and 1-mile races to support sea turtles at Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key. The 1-mile fun run begins at 7:30 a.m.; the 5K begins at 8 a.m. An award ceremony will follow the 5K. Registration is $40 for adults and $30 for kids age 13 and younger. n Visit Mote.org.

BRADENTON GULF ISLAND CONCERT

Enjoy a concert by progressive bluegrass band The Infamous Stringdusters at The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. Doors open at 6 p.m. with an opening act at 7 p.m. and the headliner at 8 p.m. Tickets from $55. n Visit CenterAMI.org.

5-6

COQUINA BEACH SPRING ART & CRAFT SHOW

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at Coquina Beach, 2651 Gulf Drive, Bradenton Beach, browse jewelry, ceramics, mixed media, bath and body products, and other work from artisan vendors.

n Visit DaniellesBlueRibbonEvents. com.

SIESTA KEY FARMERS MARKET

From 9 a.m. to noon at Siesta Key Village, 5104 Ocean Blvd., the Siesta Key Farmers Market features a variety of vendors selling produce, rum, bread, wellness products, artwork, natural candles and more. Continues every Sunday.

n Visit Instagram.com/SiestaKeyFarmersMarket.

‘MUSIC IN MOTION’

The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, hosts a performing arts program led by percussionist Scott Blum and his quartet featuring jazz standards and Sarasota Contemporary Dance Director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott. The program is from 3-4:30 p.m. Registration is $30 for members or $35 for nonmembers.

n Visit TBIEducationCenter.org.

THE MARKET ON LONGBOAT KEY

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, browse the wares of dozens of local vendors, including produce, art and home goods. Admission is free. The final market of the season is April 21.

n Visit Facebook.com.

‘CELEBRATE! JOIN THE PARTY!’

In celebration of its 15th performance season, handbell ensemble Ring Sarasota invites you on a vibrant musical journey through the year. Pieces include “Singing in the Rain,” the “Ghostbusters” theme and “Sleigh Ride.” The concert begins at 5 p.m. at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, 40 N Adams Drive, St.

Continued on Page 50

File photos

SARASOTA’S MOST Extraordinary NEW ADDRESS

Bold design. Breathtaking views. Boundless possibilities. This is 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Kolter Urban’s newest luxury condominium at the Quay waterfront district. Here, striking condominium residences will mingle effortlessly with a hospitality-inspired lifestyle, overlooking The Bay Park, Sarasota Bay and the Quay Harbor. We invite you to be among the first to discover this curated collection of premium amenities and coastal urban indulgences. Come live the art of having it all.

Residences are priced from $1.4 Million.

Artist’s Concept

Continued from Page 48

Armands Key. Tickets are $20. n Visit RingSarasota.org.

EASTER EGG HUNT

Children ages 1-8 are invited to the annual Siesta Key Easter Egg Hunt, which begins at 9 a.m. at Siesta Key Chapel, 4615 Gleason Ave., Siesta Key. Ages 7-8 may only participate in the 10:40 a.m. heat. The Easter Bunny will be available for photos, and all registered children will receive a goody bag. n Visit SiestaKeyChamber.com.

SAVOR THE SOUNDS

The final Savor the Sounds of the season features Easy Street Band. The concert starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Karon Family Pavilion at Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. n Visit LongboatKeyChamber.com.

25-27SUNCOAST BOAT SHOW

Boat enthusiasts will assemble for the annual boat show in Sarasota Bay to admire cruisers, motor yachts and other types of watercraft on display. Admission is $18; military and children 15 and under are free. The show will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Marina Jack, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota.

n Visit SuncoastBoatShow.com.

MAY

CRYSTAL CLASSIC SAND SCULPTING LESSON DAY

Test your sand-sculpting skills with this lesson day from sand master Andy Daily, who will share insights on creating the ultimate sand masterpiece. Registration is free. The event begins at 4 p.m. at Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key. n Visit SiestaKeyChamber.com.

CORVETTES ON THE CIRCLE

View more than 100 classic American cars at Skyway Corvette Club’s annual Corvettes on the Circle. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at

St. Armands Circle Park. Registration is $50 in advance or $60 day-of to show a car. Admission to view is free.

n Visit StArmandsCircleAssoc.com.

17 AMI HOGFISH SWIM

The Speedo Salt Series returns to Anna Maria Island for the fifth annual Hogfish Swim. Race in a 1.2-mile or 2.4-mile open water swim. The races are open to all skill levels — whether it’s your first open water swim or you’re training for a triathlon. The weekend also includes an unofficial meetup swim and a happy hour. Registration is $65 for the 1.2-mile or $70 for the 2.4-mile for adults, $50 or $55 for youths, and includes a swim cap and welcome gift.

n Visit SaltySportsSociety.com.

JAZZ ON THE WATER

Board the Marina Jack II for an afternoon cruise to hear live jazz featuring the Eddie Kinder Quartet perform throughout Sarasota Bay. The cruise leaves at 3 p.m. from Marina Plaza, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota. Tickets are $40; Jazz Club members $35.

n Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

from artisans from across the U.S. Admission is free.

n Visit ParagonFestivals.com.

31 SSOVA VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

The Sunshine State Outdoor Volleyball Association brings its annual tournament back to Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key. The Adults Open begins at 8:30 a.m. as double elimination with Olympic crossover, and the Men’s/Women’s AA-BB begins at 9 a.m. as pool play/ single elimination playoffs. Juniors and coed tournaments are at 8:30 and 9 a.m. Sunday, June 1. Registration is $85-$150 per team.

n Visit SSOVA.org.

THE GRAND CARNIVAL

Project Pride SRQ kicks off Pride month with the return of its Grand Carnival fundraising gala. Details to come.

n Visit PPSRQ.org.

Continued on Page 52

Isabelle Urfer, 3, sorts through eggs at the 2024 Siesta Key Easter Egg Hunt.

Everyone

The

Everyone

widerembrace

Everyone

The Tidewell Foundation is committed to supporting compassionate full

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care for everyone in our community who needs it. With your help, we can assure a wider embrace of services for all.

Let’s

Let’s brighten lives together. For

Continued from Page 50

JUNE

3

KIDS’ SUMMER BEACH RUNS

Kids hit the beach with the summer favorite 1-mile run at Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key. Participants receive a ribbon after each run and a T-shirt after their fourth run. Free. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. and the race at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday through July 29. There is no run the week of July 4. n Visit SarasotaCountyParks.com.

7-8

ST. ARMANDS CIRCLE CRAFT FESTIVAL

The 22nd annual Craft Festival returns to St. Armands Circle from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Browse jewelry, pottery and more crafts from artists from across the U.S. Admission is free.

n Visit ArtFestival.com.

JULY

4

FOURTH OF JULY FREEDOM FEST

Celebrate the Fourth of July with the “shortest parade in America.” The parade along Bay Isles Road begins at 9 a.m. at Bicentennial Park, 2730 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key. Afterward, head into the park for games, food and the famous “Hot Diggity Dog” pet costume contest. The event is free.

n Visit LongboatKeyChamber.com.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND PRIVATEERS

FOURTH OF JULY PARADE

The Anna Maria Island Privateers will again bring swashbuckling fun to the Fourth of July with the annual public parade. The event is free and open to all interested parties, including local businesses, families and other salty sea dogs who are looking to live the pirate life. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. at Coquina Beach, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach, and goes to City Pier Park, Anna Maria. n Visit AMIPrivateers.org.

VENICE FIREWORKS

There are few better ideas than traveling down Tamiami Trail to

catch the impressive fireworks show launch from the south jetty at Venice Beach around 9 p.m. The free 20- to 25-minute show can be checked out at several area beaches from Caspersen to Nokomis. The south jetty and Jetty Jack’s Refreshment Deck will be closed to the public.

n Visit VeniceGov.com.

SIESTA KEY COMMUNITY FIREWORKS

The Siesta Key Community Fireworks show draws families and friends to Siesta Key’s white-sand beaches for an evening of fun. The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce hosts the community event on Siesta Beach. The fireworks are free, but the event has sponsorships available that provide free parking, free beverages and snacks, as well as preferred seating at the hospitality area for the best view. Details to come.

n Visit SiestaKeyChamber.com.

5 LIBERTY LITTER CLEANUP

If you’re wanting some civic engagement to follow your Fourth of July festivities, try the Keep Sarasota County Beautiful’s annual cleanup event. Liberty Litter Cleanup has hundreds of volunteers picking up trash and refuse at locations including Lido Beach, Siesta Beach, North Jetty Park and Ted Sperling. The cleanup starts at 7 a.m. sharp and wraps by 9 a.m. Registration is required and will open in May.

n Visit SCGov.net.

12 RUN MANATEE

Manatee County hosts a three-part 5K series at Bennett Park on April 12, Coquina Beach on July 12 and Rye Preserve on Nov. 22. The Coquina Beach 5K begins at 5:30 p.m. at 1495 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach. Awards are at 7 p.m., and a yoga cooldown begins at 7:15 p.m. Registration is $30 for one race or $75 for all three.

n Visit RunSignUp.com.

SEPTEMBER

EXOTIC CARS ON THE CIRCLE

Ferrari Drivers SRQ supports Flight to the North Pole with the annual Exotic Cars on the Circle.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Armands Circle Park. A $25 donation is requested to show a car. Admission to view is free.

n Visit StArmandsCircleAssoc.com.

27-28

ST. ARMANDS ART FESTIVAL & CRAFT MARKETPLACE

The fall Art Festival & Craft Marketplace returns to St. Armands Circle from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Browse jewelry, pottery and more crafts from artists from across the country. Admission is free.

n Visit ArtFestival.com.

OCTOBER

11 FLAMINGO 5K

Strut your stuff while supporting breast cancer awareness at the Flamingo 5K or 1-Mile Frolic. All participants receive a flamingo-themed finisher’s medal and enjoy a post-race party with food, music and awards. The races begin at 8 a.m. at Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key. Registration is $35 for the 5K and $30 for the 1-mile; prices increase Aug. 4.

n Visit RunSignUp.com.

Athletes play from early morning to sunset at the SSOVA Volleyball Tournament.

BY EMILY LEINFUSS | CONTRIBUTOR

Backyard Bliss

Turn your outdoor spaces into cool coastal retreats with a few well-chosen treasures. Chic pillows, weatherproof furniture, seainspired art, and the perfect garden clippers set the scene. Ready to hunt? Your map to intriguing finds on the keys starts here.

Driftwood Beach Home and Garden

6838 Gulf of Mexico Drive

941-217-5068

DriftwoodBeachHome.com

Every treasure here is hand-selected by owner Heather Rippy, whose eye for coastal beauty defines the shop. Inside, find artful home décor, handcrafted jewelry and seaside-inspired finds. Step out back to a garden paradise brimming with garden delights, including stylish tools from The Floral Society, like a hand-finished ergonomic watering can and exquisite Japanese-designed floral clippers.

White watering can: $110

Japanesedesigned floral clippers: $80

Green Turtle Shell & Gift City

6525 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key 941-349-4751

Facebook.com/GreenTurtleSiestaKey

This longtime family-owned Siesta Key emporium offers a colorful mix of coastal treasures, including touristy gifts, jewelry and home décor, T-shirts, breezy cover-ups and swimwear. Beach supplies, toys and sweet treats round out the selection. Outside, sea-inspired statuary — from a graceful mermaid to a heartwarming manatee and baby — add a touch of coastal charm to any garden.

Ace Hardware, Longboat Key

4030 Gulf of Mexico Drive 941-383-1313

LongboatAce.com

This Ace Hardware offers more than just handy tools — it’s a destination for vibrant, sustainable outdoor living. For over 40 years, owners Ginny and Reed Savage have thoughtfully curated a selection that goes beyond hardware, including Right Side Design’s colorful indoor/outdoor pillows and C.R. Plastic’s recycledplastic outdoor furniture. Whether refreshing your garden or upgrading your patio, this Ace is a must-visit.

Longboat Key Garden Club

LBKGardenClub.org

Continued on Page 56

The Longboat Key Garden Club nurtures a love of gardening, protects the island’s natural beauty, and promotes environmental stewardship. To support its mission, the club recently created the “Longboat Key Garden Cookbook,” a collection of 140 plant-inspired recipes from its members. Proceeds help sustain the club’s efforts, from beautification projects to youth education, ensuring Longboat Key’s landscapes and wildlife thrive for generations to come.

$45

Longboat Key Garden Club cookbook:

Mermaid sculpture: $199.99

Manatee and baby sculpture: $799

C.R. Plastic’s 100% recycled garden bench: $750

Right Side’s tribal turtle pillow: $119

from Page 55

Garden Argosy

18 S. Boulevard of the Presidents, St. Armands Circle 941-388-6402

GardenArgosy.com

Three years ago, Florence and Scott Keenen took the reins of this cherished shop, a local favorite for 27 years. They’ve kept its whimsical spirit alive with an eclectic mix of books, artwork, jewelry, and decorative pieces, along with charming finds like Think Outside’s recycled handcrafted

bird houses and Custom Decor’s

Décor seahorse garden flag: $14.99

Think Outside’s bird house: $128.50

Cosmetics, Implants and Bite Reconstruction

Actual Patients

Smile Makeovers and Veneers

Dental Implant Surgery and Reconstruction

On-Site Laboratory with Master Technicians to Customize and Control Results

Burr Bakke, DDS

• Fellow of the American Dental Implant Association

• Fellow of International Congress of Oral Implantologists

• Fellow of the American Academy of Dental Facial Esthetics

• Member of American Academy of Implant Dentistry

• Post Doctoral Instructor of Full Mouth Reconstruction

Jill Morris, DMD

• Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (only 550 accredited dentists worldwide)

• Fellow of the American Academy of Dental Facial Esthetics

• Post Doctoral Instructor of Full Mouth Reconstruction

• Member International Academy of Oral Biological Dentistry and Medicine

• Practicing dentistry for 33 years

Cameron Johnson, DMDSydney Johnson, DMD

• Member of North American Association of Facial Orthotropics

• Member of the American Orthodontic Society

• Member of the International Association of Orthodontics

• Member of American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine

• International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology

• Member of International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology

• Member of International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine

• Member of Academy of Holistic Dental Association

• RG Recognized Dental Laboratory Technician

KEY ARTISTS

FOR THESE ARTISTS, THE KEYS ARE BOTH HOME AND MUSE.

LESLIE BUTTERFIELD

Siesta Key resident Leslie Butterfield’s artistic journey spans continents and careers. With degrees in fiber arts, design and art history, she has been an artist, tech entrepreneur and software executive. Since retiring to Sarasota in 2015, she co-founded Art in Common Places, a nonprofit bringing art and poetry to public spaces, and has served on Sarasota’s Public Art Committee and Sarasota County’s tourist development grants panel. Butterfield’s colorful paintings blend abstract forms with figurative collage, fostering reflection, gratitude and connections between art, poetry and community.

A SIESTA KEY SENSIBILITY. “Our home is on Bayou Louise, a natural waterway on the north end of Siesta Key. Much of our shoreline is populated with mangroves, and I see shorebirds and manatees from my studio window. My husband and I kayak frequently around Sarasota Bay, where we encounter dolphins and other local sea life. This beautiful nature shows up in my work literally and expressively.”

CREATIVE PROCESS. “I work with acrylic paint, watercolor paint and a variety of transparent mediums. Working in layers, I then might add elements such as embroidery thread, feathers, shells or found objects. Water-based media is flexible and quick drying, allowing me to experiment easily throughout my process.”

THE COLORS OF HER MIND. “Juxtaposing teal and orange is my go-to palette. It gives my work a bold feeling, especially when I add other bright colors. These blue-green hues are likely inspired by the water that surrounds my home and the orange comes from the

exciting sky colors of sunrise and sunset that we enjoy from our third-story view across Big Pass and the Gulf.”

STORMY WEATHER. “Experiencing the devastation from hurricanes Helene and Milton deeply impacted my work. I recently created mixed-media paintings incorporating miniature debris found on my property and in Bayou Louise, expressing the shock of seeing such widespread destruction.

More information: Contact Leslie at Leslie.Butterfield@comcast.net.

Photo

Lori Sax

Siesta Key resident Leslie Butterfield says that Siesta’s natural surroundings show up in her work literally and expressively.

“Pelicans Discuss the Impact of Red Tide” by Leslie Butterfield

These seven artists don’t just live on Sarasota’s barrier islands — they draw endless inspiration from them. Their shimmering palettes and dynamic subjects reflect the beauty and rhythm of life by the water. Recently, they shared how island living shapes their creative process and offered a glimpse into the deep connection between their art and this paradise they call home.

BY SU BYRON | MANAGING EDITOR

SUSAN COYNE

Susan Coyne’s diverse career has always been driven by aesthetics. From fabric and fashion to earning a degree in landscape design, her work explores the connection between objects and the emotions they evoke. Living on both Longboat Key and Nantucket, her love for the ocean and boats deeply influences her art. She believes the space between objects is as meaningful as the objects themselves, often depicting minimal scenes to convey more. Her background in landscape design and coastal surroundings shape her vision, with light, fog and horizon lines often featured in

her work. These images, inspired by childhood memories and coastal landscapes, invite viewers to engage with the scene and create their own narratives.

ARTIST ORIGIN STORY. “I was born in England and spent time on the coast with my aunt in Cornwall, who was an artist. She encouraged me to sketch on the cliffs. This led me to join the plein air group, Light Chasers, where I developed my love for painting outdoors around Sarasota and the keys.”

COASTAL VIBE. “Living on Longboat Key for 23 years, I’m surrounded by everything I need for my work: the rhythm of the waves, the colors of the Gulf’s waters and the tranquility of the white sands. There’s never a shortage of inspiration here. I’m deeply grateful every time I return home.”

CREATIVE PROCESS. “My creative process begins with inspiration — often from reading poetry, researching, taking photos and creating studies. I then execute the final piece based on these ideas and visual references. Starting a painting with the tools of oil and cold wax, I enjoy experimenting with textures using squeegees, bowl scrapers and brayers to create interesting marks.”

LOCALLY SOURCED INSPIRATION. “Sarasota’s galleries, museums and coastal scenery are constant sources of inspiration. Recently, the silence and solitude I experienced through fog wrapping the landscape left a lasting impression on me.”

SIGNS OF COMPLETION. “A painting is finished when it has nothing more to say to me.”

More information: Visit SusanCoyneStudio.com

Photo by Lori Sax

Susan Coyne has lived on Longboat Key for 23 years, finding endless inspiration in the area’s beautiful surroundings.

“Currents” by Susan Coyne

CHERYL TAUB

Longboat Key resident Cheryl Taub is an expressionistic painter whose figurative works capture raw emotions, depicting subjects that feel honest and unguarded. These paintings explore inner turbulence and vulnerability, reflecting the complexities of the human experience. In her landscapes, Taub creates harmony through texture and color, using broad, defined brushstrokes to invite the viewer into the intensity of the moment. She often incorporates collage, blending photographs, scraps of paper and found objects to create a dialogue between the spontaneity of paint and the intentionality of collage, allowing these mediums to intersect in unexpected ways.

ARTIST ORIGIN STORY. “I was drawing pictures with my father, who was a lawyer but loved art, since I was old enough to hold a crayon. That desire to create art started way back then.”

LAYERS OF LIFE. “I want my figures to explore the vulnerability that defines our lives. My landscapes reflect

the beauty and peace of nature. My cityscapes are designed to represent the harsh brick and mortar of buildings, bridges and vehicles surrounding the lives of people who live there.”

AN EPHEMERAL CREATIVE PROCESS.

“My technique is to take my own photographs or find them at flea markets, print them on paper, manipulate them in Photoshop, wet them and crumple them and adhere them to canvas. I embellish them with all types of ephemera, and I paint on the canvas with acrylics.”

COLOR PALETTE. “I love black and white photos and am drawn to blues, yellows and sepia to get a vintage effect.”

COMMUNING WITH OTHER CREATORS.

“When I became a member of Creative Liberties two years ago, I found a community of talented, interesting fellow artists who have been a true inspiration to me. We’re a family.”

More information: visit CherylTaub.com.

Continued on Page 64

Largest Selection of Stools.

Photo by Lori Sax

Cheryl Taub has been drawing since she was old enough to hold a crayon.

MIRIAM CASSELL

Lido Shores denizen Miriam Cassell is a fine artist and activist whose work has been shown in museums and galleries around the nation and world. She advocates for justice, feminism and inclusivity in a wide range of mediums. Her provocative “Screamers” series depicts people expressing unmasked emotion without hypocrisy. Cassell also challenges all forms of prejudice with engaging and highly personal portraits and studies. Her nude portrait of her 70-year-old mother celebrates ageless beauty and defies societal norms.

ARTIST ORIGIN STORY. “I moved from New York to Sarasota for its beautiful beaches and warm climate year-round. My husband and I fell in love with a 1952 Philip Hiss-designed Sarasota School of Architecture mid-century house with an attached art studio in Lido Shores, right next to the beach. The peaceful surroundings and vibrant arts community have deeply inspired my creative process.”

ART AS AN ACTIVIST ACTIVITY. “I’m a versatile fine artist and outspoken art

MEG KRAKOWIAK

Siesta Key resident Meg Krakowiak is an award-winning artist best known for her vibrant use of color. Initially inspired by Degas and the beauty of pastels, Krakowiak creates work exploring color, light and texture. Ten years ago, Krakowiak created a business model combining both her working studio and retail gallery into one space on Palm Avenue in Sarasota. This allows the artist to create, meet clients and showcase her work all at the same time. Krakowiak is known for her imaginative color combinations and creating art that “brings happiness into your home.”

SIESTA SENSIBILITY. “When I start painting, I think about the concept and the composition, but my inspiration always comes from the colors. The ever-changing color palette and imagery on Siesta Key with its white crystal sands and reflective waters provides a treasure of color combinations that I can re-create on the canvas.”

“Walking with Sunshine” by Meg Krakowiak

I WAS DRAWN TO PASTELS AT A YOUNG AGE. “I like the way the chalk picked up the texture of the paper. In many of my pieces I’ll use a somewhat dry bush and ‘color’ more than paint.”

A PIECE IS FINISHED WHEN. “I spend more time just looking at it and less time painting! Or put differently, I can’t think of one thing I could change that would make it better.”

Visit MegKrakowiakStudios.com.

activist. For over five decades, I’ve created works that address issues such as injustice, intolerance, hypocrisy, discrimination and other social wrongs. My art seeks to raise awareness, inspire compassion and push for justice across all walks of life, aiming to bring attention to marginalized groups regardless of age, ability, or gender.”

MEDIUMS AND TECHNIQUES. “I work in a variety of mediums and techniques, from life-size pastel and acrylic paintings to digital art, fiber art, photography, collage, book art, wearable art, silk screen and wall hangings. My art is often presented in large installations that invite the viewer to engage with the message on a deeper level.”

ARTISTIC MISSION AND VISION. “From the beginning of my career, my goal has been to create a body of work that challenges viewers to rethink their perceptions and make a positive impact on the way they view the world. I hope my art encourages people to engage with social issues, see humanity’s struggles more clearly, and act with greater empathy and compassion.”

Photo by Nancy Guth

Lido Shores denizen Miriam Cassell is an artist and activist whose work explores such social issues as injustice, feminism and inclusivity.

Courtesy of the artist

Siesta Key resident Meg Krakowiak is best known for her vibrant use of color.

EXIT ART AND PETER STANICK

Debbie and Peter Stanick founded Exit Art in 1990 at the Centre Shops on Longboat Key, later expanding to a second location at the Charthouse in 1997. Inspired by MoMA’s design store concept, Exit Art evolved to focus on clothing and jewelry alongside art. Debbie describes their curatorial approach as “deeply personal,” rooted in lasting relationships with artists and their work. Peter Stanick, one of the gallery’s signature artists, has work in such prestigious collections as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Carnegie Museum of Art. Known for his precise ink-on-aluminum technique, his style is intentionally mechanical, appearing “more machine-like than human” and is influenced by James Rosenquist, Robert Rauschenberg, and Roy Lichtenstein.

Continued on Page 66

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Photo by Lori Sax

Peter Stanick is a master of the Pop Art style.

Courtesy images

“Coyote” by Peter Stanick.

“Martini” by Peter Stanick.

KATE HENDRICKSON

Kate Hendrickson maintains studios in Chicago and Siesta Key. She holds an MFA from the University of Denver and has taught at Barat College and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. A former international art dealer specializing in late 19th- to mid-20thcentury works on paper, Hendrickson eventually returned to her own artistic practice. Locally, she has exhibited at Grace Howl Contemporary Art, Art Center Sarasota, and SPAACES. She shows some of her work at 502 Gallery in Sarasota. An avid cyclist, Hendrickson recently shared the inspiration behind her colored pencil series, “Bicycle Dynamism.”

“Cycling is more than a physical activity — it’s a liberating journey filled with energy, connection and freedom. Riding shoulder to shoulder, the dynamic flow of a pace line or the thrill of a sprint reflects cycling’s vitality. The bicycle itself is a marvel of timeless engineering, its geometric elegance enduring for over a century. In my drawings, I capture this essence

through bold colors, dynamic shapes and spatial relationships, echoing the sport’s expressive nature. Like cycling, art is transformative — a joyful pursuit that invites others to experience the beauty, freedom and exhilaration of the ride.”

Visit KateHendrickson.com.

Courtesy photos

Kate Hendrickson in her Sarasota studio.

“Life is Better on a Bike” by Kate Hendrickson is part of her “Bicycle Dynamism” series.

Hope grows at home.

of hope for cancer patients and their families. Today, as our population grows, so does the need for cancer care. The new outpatient Milman Cancer Pavilion will expand critical patient programs and services. Many are fully supported through philanthropy.

You can play a vital role in ensuring that families continue to find the hope and healing they deserve.

Learn how you can make an impact, call 941.917.1286 or visit smhf.org.

TOP

The high-end waterfront market in the area is getting pricier and pricier, with multiple homes listed for $10 million and up.

END

A few top $20 million — and even a few more are hitting $30 million.

BY LOUIS LLOVIO | CONTRIBUTOR

Browsing real estate listings on the barrier islands these days can seem a lot like watching an episode of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles.

There is a $25 million house on the market on Longboat Key one day and a $24.5 million house on Lido Key the next. Then, when you think you’ve seen them all, a $31.5 million listing pops up in Siesta Key. Meanwhile, there are headlines about a condo selling for $21 million on Longboat to a couple from Taylor Swift’s hometown. (That $31.5 million Siesta Key listing, on Midnight Pass Road, is the newest entry, having been listed by Coldwell Banker agent Roger Pettingell Feb. 19.)

And then there are the amenities: Infinity pools, Viking ranges, wine cellars, private beaches. The lists go on. Sometimes it feels as if the only difference between us and Beverly Hills are mountain views.

And you wouldn’t be wrong to feel that way.

The luxury real estate market on the barrier islands off Sarasota-Manatee is seeing a growing number of listings starting at $10 million and topping out at or above the $20 million for some highly unique properties. As recently as 2020, a $10 million listing was a rare sight. But in late February, Realtor.com showed 24 houses listed for more than $10 million on the barrier islands. Five condos topped the price point as well.

ON THE MOVE

In one sense, $10 million listings aren’t necessarily surprising, says Sarasota luxury real estate broker Steve Walter of Michael Saunders & Co.

While there has been an increase in the number of listings over $10 million, Walter, of MS&C’s Walter Group, says it is more the result of housing prices going up naturally, just as they have in neighborhoods across the area — and the rest of Florida. Just to give you an idea of how the market has changed, the median house price in Sarasota County has risen from $289,798 in 2019 to $505,000 in 2024 — up 74.2%, according to data from the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee. In Manatee County, the median house price is up 58.1%, from $316,000 in 2019 to $499,875 in 2024.

Continued on Page 70

So, the house that would have sold for $8 million just two years ago has simply gotten more expensive. And the reality is that the minimum entry point for a house on the beach nowadays is $10 million.

“Are there more listings on the beach? Well, I don't know. Maybe yes. Maybe no. Are there more over $10 million?” Walter asks. “The an swer is absolutely yes because 100% of them are over $10 million, not just 50% or 60% like they had been.”

As for the houses in the $20 million and up range, one can’t just attribute the higher price points to market factors.

New construction in the area, whether it be units at The Residences at The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort or standalone homes, have been built with a focus on premium features and amenities — expansive gulf views, resort-like living experiences, elaborate pools and water features. Some properties even have private putting greens and deep-water docks.

These homes, naturally, are catering to wealthy buyers who want something special.

At 5861 Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key, for example, a nearly 2-year-old house on the market for $20.99 million sits behind an 8-foot entry gate made of solid concrete and Brazilian hardwood. The listing says past the gate there are two “accessory buildings” with garage space for five

Continued on Page 72

Listing price: $31.5 million

Address: 8501 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key Size: 5 bedrooms, 6 ½ bathrooms, 10,001 square feet.

Details: The house, which is named Crystal Waters and sits on 2.7 acres, went up for sale in late February. Features include a tennis court, extended dock with room for a 34-foot boat, floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the water, glass French doors and European oak hardwood flooring throughout. And for the gourmets, the chefs kitchen comes with a La Cornue Range. Brokerage: Coldwell Banker

Continued from Page 70

vehicles and an elevator lobby. The main house has 70 feet of glass facing the gulf and a handcrafted wine cellar.

“You're seeing a lot of wealth coming to Sarasota,” says Adnan Dedic, a real estate advisor specializing in luxury properties for Compass. He is listing a 13,035-squarefoot home under construction at 3990 Higel Ave. on Siesta Key priced at $29.99 million.

RealestateagentAdnan

“You have a lot of tech CEOs. You have a lot of hedge fund managers,” he says. “You have owners of big, huge corporations. They all live within Sarasota.”

Dedic says the nearly $30 million price for his listing is a relatively new phenomenon in the area and historically more in line with the Naples market, where a $10 million price tag can sometimes feel ho hum. Naples, after all, is where in late February six properties were actively listed on the market for more than $60 million. That list includes one for $175 million and a compound, whose price was recently reduced 28%, to $210 million.

JUST RIGHT

Some buyers who may have been attracted to the Naples market are shifting their attention north now because there are more opportunities to work with and a dollar goes farther when purchasing a home, several local luxury brokers say.

There are also buyers over the past couple of years looking at the area from Miami, which has been overbuilt, and California. The weather is similar, but the area is far less expensive in comparison. And, for those from out

Listing price: $13.95 million

Address: 50 Lighthouse Point Drive, Longboat Key Size: 6 bedrooms, 7 baths, 7,450 square feet. Details: The house is on Lighthouse Point, a 13-acre community with 16 estate homes on Longboat Key. It was completely renovated starting in 2015 and includes a private beach and deck as well as a private boat dock and outdoor gourmet kitchen. A 2024 upgrade brought a new flat tiled roof and hurricane-impact windows and doors. Additional storm protection measures include the concrete block construction and a seawall. Broker: Coldwell Banker Realty

Listing price: $11.7 million

Address: 6161 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key Size: 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 4,224 square feet

Details: The Key West style house sits behind a private gate and has been upgraded to include a metal roof, downspouts and gutters, as well as impact windows and doors on the gulf side. There is a chef’s kitchen with Sub-Zero appliances, Viking double ovens and Neff cabinetry. Across the road there is a private boathouse with updated decking and a 12,000-pound boat lift.

Broker: Michael Saunders and Co.

of state, Florida, of course, has no income tax.

(As for concerns about hurricanes, brokers say these buyers more often than not own more than one home and can jet off as storms approach. Some have even forsaken property and flood insurance because of the high cost, choosing instead to self insure.)

The reason this area is so attractive to these types of buyers, the thinking goes, is that the Sarasota market is the only one of the state’s west coast cities that offers both beach life and actual city life. Naples has beaches, but it doesn’t have the city life Sarasota has. Tampa is a major city, but it doesn’t have the close-by beaches. And St. Petersburg has a little of each, but not to the level of the other localities.

In other words, $10 million along the keys in Sarasota gets you a lot more than in Naples and elsewhere, says Dedic.

“I think that's kind of what happened. Sarasota has been underneath the radar for quite some time, and I think Covid obviously projected that, and once it did, people started realizing that Sarasota is the place to be and is probably the best, one of the best, cities in the country to live in because you can’t match what we have,” he says of what helps drive prices for these types of homes up.

RealtorRogerPettingell

“You have the beautiful beach. You have the downtown lifestyle. You have the arts culture,” he says. “You have the entertainment culture. You have everything all bundled in one, and it’s kind of all coming on the radar now.”

Continued on Page 74

Continued from Page 73

SAND DOLLARS

But it’s not just about the buyers driving the phenomenon. Sellers — and their brokers — see the interest and are naturally looking to capitalize.

Property owners, both of the newer houses and some who have owned them for years, see an opportunity and are pricing their properties high. Yes, there are market reasons for that, but views, architecture and big square footage mean a premium can be charged if the right deep-pocketed buyer can be found.

And if one can’t, there is a practical reason for high listing prices: bargaining room.

“You're talking 5,000 to 10,000 square feet of an actual house, multiple levels, and they want to give room for negotiation,” says Jeffrey Aumiller of the Gulf Coast REGroup. “So, you know, list it for $21 million and sell it for $18 million. There’s several million dollars’ worth of room for negotiation there.”

But in the end, as those familiar with real estate know all too well, it’s an industry of booms and busts, ups and downs. That’s especially true in Florida. Which raises questions about whether the current local luxury market is sustainable, and can these prices hold?

Realtors, who are by nature an optimistic bunch, say these are different types of homes with different types of buyers, so the market and prices should stay relatively strong.

And, who knows, in this case there may be room for optimism. Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles has been on the air for 15 seasons, after all.

“I think it’s part of the reason the prices are what they are is because they’re so unique, you can’t find this anywhere else,” Aumiller says of the properties on the barrier islands. “In a lot of these, you can walk out your back door and in 15 feet you’re on your own private beach.”

Listing price:

$19.95 million

Address: 3799 Flamingo Ave., Siesta Key

Size: 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2 half baths, 8,138 square feet.

Details: Pulling into the house you drive up a custom-designed driveway that leads to a grand entrance with waterfalls and fire that, the listing says, “sets the stage for the luxury that lies within.” Once inside, there are glass walls along with wood and stone floor materials throughout with a home theater and meditation room.

Broker: Premier Sotheby’s International Realty

$10.75 million

Address: 1776 Casey Key Road, Casey Key Size: 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 5,794 square feet

Details: With 200 feet of private shoreline on both the Intracoastal Waterway and the gulf, the house was designed as a family compound. One feature is a five-hole putting green. And for the non-golfers, there’s a private dock with a covered boat lift. Inside there’s a foyer with a granite waterfall, a chef-inspired kitchen with Neff cabinetry and a bay-side bath with custom dressing room and heated floors in the primary suite. Broker: Michael Saunders and Co.

$24.5 million

Address: 162 Emerson Drive, Lido Key Size: 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 8,777 square feet

Details: The most surprising part of the house is that it doesn’t exist. Not yet at least. The property is a vacant lot with 135 feet of water frontage right now. But the house to be built on the site will have unobstructed views of the beach as well as smart home automation and custom built-in and motorized blinds throughout and a gourmet chef’s kitchen with Sub Zero and Wolf appliances. The property itself is at the end of a road where on-street parking is prohibited. Broker: Coldwell Banker

$10.5 million

Address: 501 Harbor Point Drive, Longboat Key Size: 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 6,125 square feet

Details: The house underwent a two-year redesign led by architect Clifford Scholz that was completed in 2023. It sits on a corner lot in Bay Isles and has hand-scrapped wood floors and extensive woodwork throughout, along with a chef’s kitchen with Italian soapstone countertops, custom cabinetry, built-in coffee station and a butler’s pantry. The media room comes with custom leather theater seating, and under the staircase is a climate controlled 506-bottle wine cellar with an old-world marble floor. Outside, there’s a pool with a sun shelf, spa, firepit, outdoor shower and dog wash, and pet turf. Brokerage: Compass

$14.8 million

Address: 6680 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key Size: 6 bedrooms, 6-and-a-half bathrooms, 6,408 square feet. Details: There are actually two houses sitting on this two-acre estate, a main house and a three-bedroom, 1,800-square-foot guest house. It is on the north end of Longboat Key and has deeded access to the gulf. It has 165 feet on the water with two docks and three boat lifts on Bishops Bayou. Among the features in the main house is a 15,000-gallon pool with a 1,000-gallon spa, a custom-built wood burning fireplace with a gas option, a safe room, elevator and a natural gas generator. Broker: Barrier Island Realty

Erika Wise Borland, MA, Vice President; Susanne S. Wise, RN, MBA, CEO & Owner; Courtney Wise Snyder, MSG, CMC, President

Time and Treasure

It’s hard to remain low-profile when you have donated more than $30 million to some of the region’s iconic institutions — entities known by a word or acronym like Selby, Ringling and SMH. Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth have nearly pulled it off.

BY MARK GORDON | CONTRIBUTOR

As Siesta Key resident Dr. Joel Morganroth nears his 80th birthday, there’s a lot of names, monikers and titles he’s had over the past eight decades. A partial list includes: cardiologist, medical educator, author, innovator, visionary, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Even more important titles: husband to Gail for more than 50 years, dad to three adult children and, more recently, grandpa of two toddlers.

Continued on Page 78

Photos by Lori Sax Joel and Gail Morganroth have lived on Siesta Key for about 12 years.

Another name to describe Morganroth, if not a title, would be, simply, curious.

That’s the consensus of multiple people in Sarasota who have served on a nonprofit board with Morganroth; been a recipient of the generosity of Morganroth and his wife, Dr. Gail Morganroth, which tallies at least $30 million in the past 15 years; or have merely shared a conversation or meal with him or went on art tours with the couple. That curiosity, and generosity, has led to some big-time changes at some big-time places across Sarasota, particularly in the past six years.

“He always wants to know why,” says Ringling College of Art and Design President Larry Thompson. “He’s like a little kid, curious about everything.”

Adds Thompson, notably: “He’s great at asking questions. When he asks questions about something, they are incredibly significant. And then he processes information quickly. He’s brilliant.”

Thomoson and a handful of others who know the Morganroths well stress Joel Morganroth’s brand of curiosity is purposeful, not pesky. He challenges the people around him, they say, to think bigger, deeper and differently about an issue or problem. “He always asks a lot of questions, wanting to find this out, find that out,” says Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation President Stacey Corley, who has worked with the Morganroths on major donations at both the foundation and Ringling College. “He always brings it back to what we are (focused) on, which I love about him.”

The Morganroths might seek answers, but, despite having long and distinguished careers in medicine and giving large swaths of money to a host of prominent organizations, one thing they don’t seek is publicity. Joel Morganroth, for example, spoke on behalf of himself and Gail for this story — a nugget that doesn’t surprise most people who know the couple well.

‘ENCOURAGE OTHERS’

Yet there’s a lot to publicize. The Morganroths, who moved to Sarasota in 2009 (Siesta Key came a few years

later) from Philadelphia and maintain a second home up north, have been strategic about their gifts, says Morganroth. Those donations include:

■ In January 2018, the couple donated $15 million to Ringling College, in what the school said was its largest single gift ever and the first eight-figure gift since the institution was founded in 1931. Morganroth says he got to know Ringling, Thompson and other school

Continued on Page 80

He always wants to know why. He’s like a little kid, curious about everything.

RINGLING COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN PRESIDENT LARRY THOMPSON

Dr. Joel Morganroth was a cardiologist, clinical researcher and consultant for the FDA, among other roles.

Continued from Page 78

leaders soon after they moved to town, mostly because he wanted to know more about Ringling’s cutting-edge programs, like virtual reality. “I’ve always been incredibly interested in innovation,” Morganroth says.

Corley recalls the nine-month or so process with the Morganroths on the donation wasn’t only to answer questions about what Ringling would do with the money. Another query lingered: Would the Morganroths be OK with bestowing their name to the gift, or keep it anonymous? They ultimately decided it would be OK, Corley says, because they “wanted the gift to encourage others.”

■ A year later, in January 2019, the Morganroths donated $5 million to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in downtown Sarasota. That gift, at the time, was the largest single donation toward the 10-year, $42.5 million master plan at Selby. The couple donated another $5 million in late 2024 to Selby. The Morganroths have given not just

money, but time to Selby. Joel chairs the $99 million-asset organization’s board, while Gail, along with Sarasota philanthropist Audrey Robbins, are co-chairs of the Phase Two fundraising campaign.

■ Joel Morganroth has been on the board of the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation since 2018, and his family’s gifts there include, in February 2024, $2.5 million to support the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute under construction at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Their gift will help train medical staff, expand SMH’s residency programs and attract and retain medical professionals nationwide, the foundation says.

DOCTOR, DOCTOR

The Morganroths have donated money to several other organizations in the area, from one-off $5,000 and $10,000

Continued on Page 82

Dr. Gail Morganroth was a med school administrator prior to retiring.

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gifts to some $6 million for the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee. The latter gift included funds earmarked to redevelop the campus, and Morganroth also led the Federation’s CEO search, which brought Shep Englander on board in spring 2021.

Another aspect of the Morganroths’ donation story comes from commitment: to each other and to their careers — both of which led them to have the financial means to be philanthropic in this stage of their lives. The Morganroths met in the early 1970s — he was a resident, she was an intern, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the teaching hospital of Harvard. They got married, Joel says, in 1972. They worked together at the National Institutes of Health and lived in Bethesda, Maryland, before making their life and career home in Philadelphia.

Gail Morganroth, a board-certified nephrologist, a doctor who specializes in kidney care, spent most of her career in administration at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School

of Medicine.

Joel Morganroth, meanwhile, was a practicing cardiologist, clinical researcher and a consultant for the FDA for a large part of his career. From 1993 through the late 2000s, he was also a top executive for a Philadelphia company, then named eResearchTechnology, that provided technology and software for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. In 2010, Morganroth was named to PharmaVOICE magazine’s 100 Most Inspiring People in the Life Sciences Industry list, for, in part, leading the team that invented ERT’s “breakthrough and proprietary technology platform for centralized electronic electrocardiograph data collection and management.”

Gail Morganroth has two degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, and Joel Morganroth has one. And the Penn Quaker spirit runs deep in the family: All three of the couple’s children have degrees from the Penn Wharton School; one daughter is a

neurological fellow at Columbia University, while another daughter works in media content for Amazon Studios in New York City. Their son works in real estate finance. The grandkids? They are 2 and 8 months old and live up north, so while the Morganroths see them, “it’s not nearly enough,” he quips.

GOOD SHAPE

Joel Morganroth’s dad had a furniture business and Gail’s dad was a pharmacist while her mom worked for a printing company. Both grew up middle class, and their moms volunteered, but neither of them came from especially philanthropic families.

Morganroth says he and his wife, as they got into their 70s, knew “we wanted to do something transformative because we have the money to do so.”

That led Morganroth to get curious

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with the organizations. He says there are two ways he thinks about donating $500,000 and up to a nonprofit.

One is like a horse race. First, you look at the horse, and the breeding and the organization. “Are they in good financial shape, are they doing the right things?” Morganroth asks. “Then you look at the jockey just as you would look at an organization’s leaders.”

Another way he thinks about giving is treating the organization like the stock of a startup. Asks Morganroth: “Do I believe in the product, the mission and the board?”

“I do a lot of research,” he adds. “I kick the tires. Hard. I don’t just read an (IRS public tax form) 990. I want to be incredibly involved and aware of what the organization is doing.”

NICE FIND

The Morganroths discovered Sarasota like many other Northeasterners: by checking out the state’s east coast first and liking this side better. They came

Window

here in 2009 to visit friends, and, says Morganroth “we immediately fell in love with Sarasota.”

They first bought a condo at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Residences on Lido Key. A few years later they bought a Carl Abbott-designed home on Higel Avenue on Siesta Key known as the Dolphin house. A few years later they moved into their current home, on north Siesta Key.

Sarasota Memorial Health Care President and CEO David Verinder, like Larry Thompson at Ringling and Stacey Corley at the foundation, says he appreciates the Morganroths both for being here and being so giving. Verinder says he looks forward to an occasional lunch with Morganroth, to talk SMH as well as health care models and leadership.

“They have been an amazing addition to the Sarasota community,” Verinder says. “There are some people who come and go here, but there are others who really make this community better, and that’s the Morganroths.”

The Morganroths lived in Philadelphia before moving to Sarasota.

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OASIS

INSIDE THE ISLAND LIFESTYLE

Sunny family memories on Casey Key. PAGE 90

A beach cabana provides the perfect spot for lazy afternoons on the sand.

A Home Built on Love, Legacy and a Twist of Dough

Memories and more fill a lavish Casey Key estate.

BY ROBERT PLUNKET | CONTRIBUTOR

You know what it’s like when you’re looking for a $10 million house. They’re always missing something you want. Sure, they all have home theaters and separate guest suites. An elevator, of course. But what about the 200 feet of secluded beach front? The covered boat dock? The beauty parlor?

That’s what’s so interesting about this estate on Casey Key. It really does have everything — including a heartwarming backstory. See that oddly shaped hedge in the center of the motor court, the one that looks like a pretzel? Well, it is a pretzel. And check out the stair railing up the graceful curving stairway that climbs to the main entrance. More pretzels, this time made of wrought iron.

The estate’s name? Pretiola Sands.

This was the family vacation home of Bill and Betty Mann. Bill Mann didn’t invent the pretzel — that happened in back in 610 when an Italian monk twisted dough into a heart shape to reward his students for their good work. He called them “pretiolas”— little rewards. Bill Mann started his pretzel business in 1978, and it became such a success that the rewards were far from little. Pretzels, Inc., became an industry leader, and Pretiola Sands was perhaps the biggest reward of all.

The Manns picked out the 1.4-acre lot on Casey Key back in 2000 and set to work. Betty was the leading spirit in its design and construction. “The gulf to bay lot was her huge white canvas, with its endless palette,” her daughter Kim remembers. “It provided an outlet for my mother’s gift for style, creativity and flare. It became the big, happy hub of our family.”

And it was a big family. The Manns had four children, 13 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. In this “more the merrier” atmosphere, the Manns packed a quarter century of unforgettable memories.

Pretiola Sands never forgets that it is a vacation house — Bill and Betty’s main residence was up near the business in Bluffton, Indiana — and its amenities can easily surpass most resorts. Its crowning glory is the pristine stretch of white sand beach it overlooks. The location in mid-key gives it an appropriate measure of privacy and a beach cabana provides the perfect headquarters for a day in the sun. You’ll find a dressing room, outdoor shower, even Wi-Fi, though you would have a hard time being distracted from the spectacular gulf view.

On the bay side of the home is a covered boat dock with water and electricity and a fish cleaning station, along with a 9,000-pound boat lift. But most of the action takes place around the spectacular saltwater pool. It was said to have the second largest pool cage

Continued on Page 92

Bill Mann didn’t invent the pretzel — that happened in back in 610 when an Italian monk twisted dough into a heart shape to reward his students for their good work.

A pretzel-shaped topiary welcomes visitors and hints at surprises to come at this lavish Casey Key estate.

Photos courtesy of Kim Ogilvie, Michael Saunders & Company

Betty’s taste and attention to detail is evident throughout the home.

Continued from Page 91

in Florida, enclosing the graceful infinity pool, along with the with spa and tropical vegetation. Nearby you’ll find a five-hole lighted putting green, complete with sand trap.

Betty’s taste and attention to detail is evident throughout the home. It’s flooded with tropical light and water views from virtually every window. In fact, the upstairs guest rooms are known as Sunset North and Sunset South or Sunrise North and Sunrise South, depending on what side of the

house they are on. There are surprises everywhere — look for the granite waterfall in the entrance hall and the striking polished steel balustrade.

The formal living room and formal dining room are what first greet the visitor; the mood becomes much more casual in the open kitchen and family room. Here, the seating area is two stories high, with a fireplace and views out to the Intracoastal. Sliding glass doors open to an outdoor living area overlooking the pool area. It also has

Continued on Page 94

The two-story family room looks out onto the Intracoastal Waterway.

Look carefully for more pretzels adorning the entrance to the home.

The expansive primary bath offers one of the best views in the house.

A peaceful library is tucked away on the main floor.

The Most Wildly Successful New Waterfront Community

Models Open

Wild Blue at Waterside has captivated homeowners with its Lakewood Ranch location, incomparable residences and resort-style amenities. This award-winning community by Stock Development features single-family homes by some of the area’s most notable builders and incredible lifestyle amenities, including the 13-acre Midway Sports Complex,

opening soon, plus a social clubhouse with indoor and outdoor dining, two pools, a movie theater, fitness center, and a 9-hole premier putting course. Ideally situated minutes from Waterside Place, the waterfront shopping and dining destination, now is the time to discover Sarasota’s most desirable nature-centric luxury community.

Today. 8396 Sea Glass Court, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240 l 941.313.3852 From University Parkway turn south onto Lorraine Road and follow the signs to Wild Blue at Waterside

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Continued from Page 92

a fireplace.

The kitchen is family-style with a touch of class. There are two islands, both with stainless steel sinks, plus an array of warming drawers, built-in microwaves, convection ovens, two refrigerators and four dishwashers.

Pretiola Sands’ layout offers a great deal of flexibility when it comes to handling a large extended family. There’s a separate guest suite with its own kitchenette and, throughout the home, there are flexible spaces, some of which can sleep extra grandchildren. In addition to the beach and the pool, the grandchildren can take advantage of the whimsically decorated movie theater complete with refreshment stand and special lighting effects or play on the puppet stage in a nearby bedroom, while the older ones might shoot pool in the game room and use the gym and the massage room or the beauty parlor station.

Bill Mann’s lifetime passion was bak-

Continued on Page 96

The estate spans from beach to bay. Note the extra large pool cage and covered boat dock.

The home theater features a snack bar and cinematic décor.

The oversized pool is the center of the action for visiting grandchildren.

Morgan Stanley is proud to congratulate

The Bellwether Group

Named to Forbes’ Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams: 2023, 2024 & 2025

Being named to Forbes’ Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams list is a testament to your experience, focus, and dedication to your clients’ financial future. Thank you for the work you do each day and for carrying forward the standard of excellence at our firm.

The Bellwether Group at Morgan Stanley 2 North Tamiami Trail, Suite 1100 Sarasota, FL 34236 941-363-8515 advisor.morganstanley.com/the-bellwether-group

L-R: Rochelle A. Nigri, QPFC, Financial Advisor; Richard T. Williams III, CFA,® Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor; Aimee Cogan, CFP,® CIMA,® Managing Director—Wealth Management, Wealth Advisor; Scott Rockwell, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor; Paul C Alexander, CRPC,® Vice President, Financial Advisor

CFP Board owns the marks CFP,® CFP Board owns the marks CFP® in the U.S. 2023, 2024, 2025 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Management Teams

Source: Forbes.com (2023, 2024, 2025) Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams ranking awarded in 2023, 2024 & 2025. Each ranking was based on an evaluation process conducted by SHOOK Research LLC (the research company) in partnership with Forbes (the publisher). This evaluation process concluded in March of the previous year the award was issued, having commenced in March of the year before that. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors paid a fee to SHOOK Research LLC, for placement on its rankings. This ranking is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each Financial Advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research LLC and may not be representative of any one client’s experience; investors must carefully choose the right Financial Advisor or team for their own situation and perform their own due diligence. These rankings are not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is not affiliated with SHOOK Research LLC or Forbes. For more information, see www.SHOOKresearch.com.

Continued from Page 96

ing pretzels. “He often quipped that it was ‘the only legitimate crooked business,’” Kim remembers. Betty’s passion was Pretiola Sands itself. “Every child and grandchild has their own wonderful memories,” she states. Hers include “the fresh citrus/sage smell of the house when you walk in, the sound of the many dishwashers being unloaded, the putting tournaments out by the pool. Whether it was a holiday, beach wedding, spring break or a golf tournament, the home provided us with a warm and comfortable place to reconnect, celebrate, reflect and appreciate how and why this magical place exists.”

Bill and Betty have both died, and Pretiola Sands is now on the market. “As a new family takes over, our hope is that they enjoy all that this house offers,” Kim states. “It’s not just a tropical getaway but a gathering place for family and friends where memories continue to be made.”

The entrance hall with the formal living room at the right.

Art in Full Bloom

Add these five sizzling arts events to your spring calendar.

SU BYRON MANAGING EDITOR

HUMAN FOLLY IN ALL ITS GLORY

Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” is a tragicomic story of human folly and mistaken identity. Director Jonathan Epstein offers a fresh take in this FSU Asolo Conservatory production. The play begins with jealousy, misunderstanding and false imprisonment: King Leontes falsely accuses Queen Hermione of infidelity, imprisons her, and abandons their newborn daughter, Perdita, in the wilderness. Shepherds find and raise the child. Sixteen years later, Leontes is wracked with remorse, believing Hermione to be dead — and it’s all his fault. But in a magical twist, a statue of Hermione comes to life. No magic; she’s no statue! Hermione’s been in hiding, and Perdita’s alive, too. The play ends with a joyful family reunion, a laugh at human folly, and the hope of healing. April 1-27. Visit AsoloRep.org/Conservatory.

REVOLUTIONIZING CLAY

“Radical Clay” highlights 40 gamechanging ceramic pieces by 36 vision-

ary female artists in Japan. Since World War II, these creators have redefined the field, often working outside maledominated traditions. This exhibition showcases their bold innovations since 1970 — pushing form, technique and concept in new directions. Spanning pioneers like Tsuji Kyō and Mishima Kimiyo to emerging talents like Mori Aya, their work isn’t just evolution — it’s a revolution in clay. “Radical Clay” celebrates their creativity, technical mastery and lasting impact. It brings long-overdue recognition to the women who’ve transformed contemporary ceramics in Japan. Through May 11. Visit Ringling.org.

SIZZLING DIVAS

Florida Studio Theatre’s “Divas” celebrates iconic hits by legendary talents from Aretha Franklin to Whitney Houston to Cher. Expect a dynamic blend of soul, pop and rock anthems performed by the stellar trio of Dakota Mackey-McGee, Jannie Jones and Aja Goes. With high-voltage choreography

The Ringling “Bag Work” by Tanaka Yu Fukuromono, “Red Vessel” by Ogawa Machiko, and “Untitled (Crushed Asahi Beer Box)” by Mishima Kimiyo are part of the “Radical Clay” exhibit at The Ringling through May 11.

Courtesy of

Courtesy of FST

Aja Goes, Jannie Jones, and Dakota Mackey-McGee are part of the dynamic trio in “Divas,” celebrating legendary female vocalists at Florida Studio Theatre through June 22.

and captivating storytelling, “Divas” honors the artistry and resilience of the trailblazing women who redefined music. This electrifying cabaret is the brainchild of Rebecca Hopkins, Richard Hopkins and Ben Liebert, with sizzling musical arrangements by Jim Prosser. Through June 22. Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

REIMAGINING THE SACRED

For more than 50 years, Gale Fulton Ross has made an indelible impact on the art world, using her expansive talents to reflect the cultural movements, emotions and experiences that have shaped her life. A powerful voice in American art, her work speaks to the depth and complexity of the Black experience. Her portrait commissions include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with pieces held in esteemed collections such as Harvard University and The Charles H. Wright Museum. In “Divine Love” at Art Center Sarasota, Fulton Ross reimagines traditional depictions of the Virgin Mary through an African American lens, challenging viewers to reconsider themes of race, family and spirituality. “Embracing art is more than a choice,” she says. “It’s a responsibility toward a more inclusive, enlightened and harmonious world.” Through April 19. Visit ArtSarasota. org.

ALL THINGS MUST GROW

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ “George Harrison: A Gardener’s Life” explores the legendary musician and composer’s deep connection to gardening. The Beatles’ lead guitarist described himself as “just a gardener” in a 1979 Rolling Stone interview. In 1970, Harrison purchased Friar Park, a oncegrand estate in England, and revitalized its neglected gardens with his wife, Olivia. His creative, whimsical approach to gardening inspired this exhibition, which blends Harrison’s music and lyrics, and excerpts from Olivia’s poetry, with vibrant horticultural displays throughout the gardens. This immersive experience celebrates Harrison’s timeless legacy through the power of plants. Through June 29. Visit Selby.org.

PERFORMANCE

CAC’s seasonal shows feature world-class circus talent and collaboration.

TRAINING

CAC offers circus arts programs to local children and adults after school, in school, and recreationally.

OUTREACH

Circus arts-integrated education teaches science, language arts, and math to thousands of area students annually.

LEGACY

CAC preserves and advances the circus arts, honoring Sarasota’s rich heritage.

Ryan Gamma Photography

George Harrison’s love of gardening is highlighted in “George Harrison: A Gardener’s Life” at Selby Gardens through June 29.

“Virgin Madonna” by Gale Fulton Ross, below, is showing at Art Center Sarasota through April 19.

Photo of the artist by Michael Kinsey

Chef Damian Manfré of The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort

This culinary mastermind keeps one eye on the traditions of the past and another eye on the innovations of the future.

BY MARTY FUGATE CONTRIBUTOR

Chef Damian Manfré is known for his expertise in curating innovative menus and creating unforgettable dining experiences. Recognized for his disciplined yet creative approach to running kitchens and leading staff, Manfré oversees The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort’s diverse culinary offerings at six restaurants: Riva, CW Prime, Aura, Oshen, St. Regis Bar and Monkey Bar. The chef’s culinary journey began at the Argentine Gastronomic Institute, followed by valuable experience at top restaurants in Argentina. His pursuit of excellence then led him to the threeMichelin-starred Lasarte in Barcelona and the renowned Paul Bocuse restaurant in Lyon. After rising through the ranks in the world’s finest kitchens, he now brings his expertise and passion to our shores. Manfré spoke to us recently about his new role and his life.

My culinary journey began with … My family! I come from a family where food played an important role. My grandparents were from Sicily, and Sunday family gatherings were always a gastronomic ritual. Watching my Grandpa José entertain the family with his roasts, rabbit pomodoro, homemade pasta, and other delicacies was what inspired me to pursue my career as a chef. It was magical. At 9, I told my mom I wanted to be a chef.

My culinary odyssey was officially launched at … The Argentine Institute of Gastronomy. The core techniques they taught me led to my first job at Ruta de Es-

pecias, a local Vietnamese restaurant owned by Ricardo Kaminski, my first mentor. Working there I learned the importance of precision, technique, and the creativity behind every dish. Those early lessons have stayed with me throughout my career.

My experience at Michelin-starred restaurants taught me … Three vital lessons. Discipline is first;

precision and focus are critical. Urgency is second; kitchens are fast-paced, and you need to be able to adapt quickly. And finally, establishing the creative process as a habit. As chefs, we need to stay motivated, and that often comes from the chance to innovate. Whether it’s creating new dishes, designing new menus, or experimenting with techniques, that creative spark is what keeps us passionate.

THE MUST-TRY LIST

AsrecommendedbyChef Damian

Manfré

Riva: “Our classic arancini served with smoked scarmoza cheese and tomato jam — such a comforting, yet flavorful dish. Also, the truffle mushroom agnolotti is a favorite of mine.”

CW Prime: “Our signature beef tartare is a must. The heart of the restaurant is our Josper charcoal and wood oven, where we grill our Angus and Wagyu cuts. My personal favorite is the 35 days, 16-ounce, dry-aged Kansas striploin — truly exquisite.”

Aura: “The local catch ceviche — it’s fresh and vibrant. And the grilled adobo chicken skewers that come with street corn salad and arepas are perfect for a more savory option.”

Oshen: “The Wagyu Lomo Saltado and the toro tartare; both dishes come with lots of umami flavors.”

Monkey Bar: “You have to try the Murph & Dog, our signature hot dog, which is a tribute to the Colony Resort that used to be here.”

Photos by Lori Sax

Chef Damian Manfré is known for his expertise in curating innovative menus and creating unforgettable dining experiences.

I foster creativity among my staff by … Involving the whole team in the process and giving them the chance to contribute ideas, present new dishes, and make them part of the creative journey. Creativity thrives when everyone feels like they have a voice in the kitchen.

The peak guest experience at a St. Regis restaurant . . . Starts from the moment the guest enters the restaurant. It’s not just what’s on the plate. We create a seamless, exceptional experience that goes beyond the food. Everything is important — how we welcome the guest, how we interact with them, and how the dish is presented at the table. It’s the entire journey.

Sustainability isn’t just a trend . . . It’s essential for the future of gastronomy, and it’s something we take very seriously in our approach to both ingredients and operations at The St. Re-

gis Longboat Key Resort. We’re committed to incorporating sustainable practices into everything we do in the kitchen. We’ve implemented various strategies, from reducing waste levels to using ecological materials that help minimize our environmental impact.

My top three global dining destinations are …

Zitz Sum in Miami; Chef Pablo Zitzmann has made it the best restaurant in the city. My second is Albert Adrià’s Enigma in Barcelona. What they do there is nothing short of from another planet. It’s a complete culinary journey. Finally, in Rosario, Argentina, there’s a gem called Fondo, by the great Chef Juan Cimino. The cuisine is incredibly comforting, packed with flavor, and it feels like home but with a beautiful twist.

If I wasn’t a chef, I’d be working in … Marketing. I even have a diploma in it. Just like cooking, marketing involves creativity and storytelling.

I maintain work-life balance by … Running and focusing on personal nutrition. Running helps me unplug from a busy routine; a healthy diet keeps me sharp. Staying physically and mentally fit is crucial in the demanding culinary world.

My wife cooks at home . . . . . . and I am very grateful for that! It’s a nice break from the kitchen, honestly. I cook for special family gatherings and it’s those meals shared together that inspired me to choose this beautiful career.

IF YOU GO

The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, 1601 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, 941231-1000; Marriott.com/ en-us/hotels/srqls-the-st-regislongboat-key-resort/overview

offers a rich and satisfying take on a classic. Riva’s avocado toast with creamy burrata and cherry tomatoes atop thick focaccia and finished with microgreens and a drizzle of chili oil.

At Riva, the Maine lobster

FOR THE FLORIDA LOOK!

benedict

CAFE GABBIANO

In this intimate dining getaway located on Siesta Key, Chef Paolo di Costanzo, hailing from Ischia Italy, brings you a diverse seasonal menu. Certified sommelier, Marc Grimaud, specializes in pairing the perfect wine with your food. Enjoy dining in one of our wine rooms, or choose outdoor seating in our climate-controlled patio.

• Open Daily at 5pm

• Locally Sourced

• Award-Winning Wine List

• Handmade Pasta

• In-House Aged Steaks

• Events & Catering Available

5104 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key 941-349-1423 | www.cafegabbiano.com

C’EST LA VIE

Locally-owed and operated by Christophe and Geraldine Coutelle, this award-winning local favorite opened in 1997. Experience an authentic Parisian café for breakfast, lunch, coffee, house-made French dessert, or glass of wine! Featuring monthly winepairing dinners on select evenings, C’est La Vie is also available for creating party platters and customized cakes and desserts!!

9118 Town Center Pkwy, Lakewood Ranch 941.961.0111 • Open Tues-Sun 7:30am-5pm

1553 Main St, Sarasota • 941.906.9575 • Open Mon-Tues 7:30am-6pm, Wed 7:30am-9pm, Thurs-Sat 7:30am-9:30pm, Sun 8:30am-9pm

cestlaviesarasota.com

CHEF ROLF’S NEW FLORIDA KITCHEN Restaurant, Tiki Bar, Fine Dining & Ballroom

Chef Rolf offers the perfect location at the CASEY KEY RESORTS MAINLAND for your private event and can accommodate up to 200+ people.

Enjoy all of Chef Rolf’s Amazing Dining Experiences:

• The TIKI BAR serving lunch and dinner daily from 12-9pm, happy hour & live music.

• INSIDE DINING ROOM open daily for dinner and Sunday brunch.

• CORAL ROOM FINE DINING open daily for dinner.

• THE OSPREY CAFE serving breakfast daily 8-11am and Sunday brunch 11-2pm.

21660 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey 941.966.2121 | www.ChefRolf.us

GILLIGAN’S ISLAND BAR

Step into a world of vibrant energy and tropical delights at Gilligan’s Island Bar, where the island spirit comes alive with every sip and bite. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, our tiki bar offers an unforgettable escape filled with refreshing cocktails, mouthwatering dishes, and the best live entertainment on Siesta Key.

Don’t miss out on the ultimate island experience; Join us today and let the good times roll!

Sunday-Wednesday: 11:00am - 12:00am

Thursday-Saturday: 11:00am - 2:00am

5253 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key 941.346.8122 | GilligansIslandBar.com

MOJO RISIN’ COFFEE CO.

For a really cool break in the day, walk yourself into Mojo Risin’ Coffee Co. located in Siesta Key Village next to Gilligan’s Island Bar. This tropical retro coffee bar features all locally private roasted coffee and espresso including our World Famous North Shore roast. Join us for Bloody Mary Happy Hour from 7am-9am or sip an Espresso Martini on one of our patios. Hungry? Enjoy something from our selection of fresh made empanadas or one of our fresh fruit smoothie bowls.

A visit to Siesta Key is not complete without a relaxing stop at Mojo Risin’ Coffee.

Free Wi-Fi, Indoor and Outdoor seating available.

Open Daily 7:00am - 5:00pm

5251 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key, FL 941.349.6656 | https://MojoRisinCoffee.com/

Siesta Key Oyster Bar, or “SKOB” as the locals call it, is the hangout with the laid-back, beachy atmosphere that will put you in the Island Spirit. Our food is just one of the reasons we are #1 on the Key!

From Raw Oysters and Fresh Seafood to All-Natural Burgers and Chicken Wings, there is something for everyone on the menu. With over 21 beers on tap including Local Craft Beer, Domestic and Specialty Imports plus a variety of creative Specialty Cocktails you will not go away thirsty!

We have live music every day and night with some of the best local musicians around.

So, the next time you are in the heart of Siesta Key Village and want to relax with a frosty beverage, enjoy some fantastic food, or listen to great live music, stop by SKOB, the Hot Spot in Siesta Key. You’ll be glad you did!

NOW SERVING BRUNCH 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM every Sunday

5238 Ocean Blvd, Siesta Key 941.346.5443 | skob.com

KEY ENCOUNTERS

PHOTO BY NANCY GUTH

There’s a threshold between land and sea, where the water glows an impossible jade. Longboat Pass Bridge, a single-leaf bascule connecting Longboat Key and Coquina Beach, stretches across it, a quiet witness to shifting tides and time.

On one side, Longboat Key hums with coastal comfort and manicured lawns. On the other, Bradenton Beach beckons

with Old Florida soul and touristy temptations. And tucked in between, at LBK’s northernmost whisper, Beer Can Island waits — half-forgotten, half-discovered. Once, only the boldest wanderers found their way here. Now, boats drift in, drawn by the promise of sand, solitude and something untamed. Driftwood reaches from the shore, sculpted by salt and sun.

Beneath the waves, the world

transforms. The lens slips below, revealing a dreamscape of turquoise and emerald. Above, the bridge stands steady while the water moves in its own rhythm — fluid, eternal. Beer Can Island is not marked by signs, only by footprints soon washed away. It remains what it has always been — a fleeting escape, best found, not followed.

Bridge view from the shallows of Beer Can Island.

Teri A Hansen • Marianne and Bill McComb • Keith Monda and Veronica Brady

Drs. Joel Morganroth and Gail Morrison Morganroth • Jeannie Russell • Martin and Zelia Trueb

T HE JE AN & ALFRE D G OLD ST E IN EXHIBITIO N SERI ES

PRESE NTING SEASO N SP ONSORS

Key Life Spring 2025

STYLE KEYLIFE

THE BARRIER ISLANDS’ COMMUNITY, NATURE, PEOPLE

LOCAL COLOR

Nowhere but here.

Consider Yourself our Primary Patient.

Love where you live.

Nowhere else compares.

SARASOTA’S BARRIER ISLANDS

Nowhere else compares.

SARASOTA’S BARRIER ISLANDS

SARASOTA’S BARRIER ISLANDS

CONTENTS

SPRING 2025

76 POWER COUPLE

FEATURES

ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

TOP DOLLAR

EDITORIAL

ADVERTISING

CREATIVE SERVICES

CONTACT KEY LIFE

LUXURY REAL ESTATE DEFINED

WHO DO WE THINK WE ARE?

CRAFTED WITH BRILLIANCE

HOT TOPICS

TIMELY PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS

News Junkies

‘ASK FOR HELP’

NORMAL ROUTINE

Slow Walks on the Beach

DID YOU KNOW?

Road to Recovery

RESTAURANT RETOOLS

STARTING FRESH

‘WE GOT HURT’

HIGH TIDES

THE HEART OF COMMUNITY ON THE KEYS

Anne Essner

Half Shell

ANCHORS AWAY

TAKE ACTION

HELP WANTED

Make A Plan.

SPRING 2025

APRIL

5

RUN FOR THE TURTLES

BRADENTON GULF ISLAND CONCERT

COQUINA BEACH SPRING ART & CRAFT SHOW

SIESTA KEY FARMERS MARKET

SARASOTA’S MOST Extraordinary NEW ADDRESS

EASTER EGG HUNT

25-27SUNCOAST BOAT SHOW

MAY

CRYSTAL CLASSIC SAND SCULPTING LESSON DAY

CORVETTES ON THE CIRCLE

17

AMI HOGFISH SWIM

31

SSOVA VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

THE GRAND CARNIVAL

widerembrace

JUNE

3

7-8

JULY

4

SIESTA KEY COMMUNITY FIREWORKS

5

LIBERTY LITTER CLEANUP

12

RUN MANATEE

SEPTEMBER

EXOTIC CARS ON THE CIRCLE

27-28

ST. ARMANDS ART FESTIVAL & CRAFT MARKETPLACE

OCTOBER

11

FLAMINGO 5K