Longboat Observer 2.9.23

A split decision

Mote’s manatees made their Super Bowl LVII picks on Tuesday morning, but it’s a split decision. Buffett swam his big snout straight to the Philadelphia Eagles sign, while Hugh pointed his flipper to the Kansas City Chiefs.

“We’ve done this for 15 years, and Buffet has selected right 11 out of 15 years, so he’s 11-4. Hugh is only 6-9,” Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium Vice President for Communications and Strategic Initiatives Kevin Cooper said.

The now 16-year tradition is based on target training, which is necessary for the manatees’ basic care. Knowing a treat will follow, the more than 1,000-pound mammals will happily agree to a blood draw or a Super Bowl pick.

Public enemy No. 1?

Kat Wingert

Severe weather... in February?

Although hurricane season is still months away, we know that Longboaters are like Boy Scouts — they always like to be prepared.

Which may explain why the Town Commission declared Feb. 6-10 Severe Weather Awareness Week.

Both Mayor Ken Schneier and Fire Chief Paul Dezzi emphasized the importance of residents being armed with knowledge to keep themselves, their families and properties safe.

Hurricanes and tropical storms are just some of Florida’s extreme weather events. Not to be forgotten are extreme heat, heavy rain and the occasional tornado.

Rest assured, Dezzi said, he and the rest of the fire department have residents covered with educational resources and classes to make sure everyone’s prepared.

Rose-colored glass.

champions Caitlin

Lesley Dwyer

Lauren Tronstad

Residents and colleagues Challenge accepted

bid

Tom

Major projects make progress on Longboat

Over a dozen projects were included in the town’s January update.

LAUREN TRONSTAD

STAFF WRITER

With nearly a dozen major projects in progress, the Longboat Key Public Works department provided town commissioners with an update to ensure they know what’s happening with each.

Here are the highlights from the January update.

TOWN CENTER GREEN

The town center project, which will completed in three phases, is well into phase two of construction.

Phase two includes installing pedestrian walkways, a master stormwater system, a donor-funded pavilion, restrooms, night-time walkway lighting, landscaping and electrical, sewer and water connections.

The construction contract was awarded to Jon F. Swift Construction for about $2.23 million.

Site work and the pavilion construction, which will be named after the primary donors Paul and Sarah Karon, is underway. The phase is on track for completion in June.

Phase three of the project has been classified as a “longer term effort” as the town has been in discussions with Sarasota County regarding a partnership toward a multi-purpose community center, which would include a county library location.

The county has budgeted $1 million in fiscal year 2023 for planning and design of the project. Prior to Tom Harmer’s departure as town manager, he and county officials worked to craft a “principles of agreement” document. The agreement has been reviewed by town commissioners and the Sarasota County Commis-

sion voted to support the agreement as well.

GREER ISLAND SAND SPIT

The town is getting closer to completing a plan to maintain the Greer Island spit. Tidal forces work to build up the spit around Greer Island, also known as Beer Can Island, over time. This reduces navigation and water flow around the island.

In 2022, the town conducted an emergency clearing project to dredge the southern part of the spit to keep water flowing and sand from connecting it to the mainland. Spit growth reduces canal 1A access and flushing of the island’s lagoon.

The project of moving sand from the spit to the Gulf side has gone out for bids. Once those are received and approved, the department anticipates the project to take about 120 days from start to finish.

CANAL NAVIGATION MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

The town is still in the process of developing a canal navigation dredge program to maintain the town’s 81 canals in hopes of alleviating the need for a major dredge project every few years.

The last major dredge of canals the town completed was in 2003.

The town has identified 14 priority canals, but the list may grow since the original study was conducted in 2016. Priority canals were categorized as such due to the condition of the canal and its ability to meet its designed intent: navigation.

Department employees are continuing to work with canal-fronting property owners to assist with private dredging interest prior to implementation of a program.

An update to the Town Commission is scheduled for the Feb. 21 workshop.

SEA LEVEL RISE STUDY

The final phase, implementation, is all that is left to complete for the

town’s sea level rise study. A final presentation to commissioners is expected at the Feb. 21 workshop.

The town already has American Rescue Plan Act funding of $1.8 million set aside to help offset costs of this project and the neighborhood drainage assessments, but the town is also seeking grant funding for these two projects.

NEIGHBORHOOD DRAINAGE ASSESSMENTS

Reports for assessments made for the Sleepy Lagoon and Buttonwood Harbor neighborhoods have already been completed and were presented to commissioners in December.

The town is pursuing grant funding for the first set of action items for both neighborhoods. The same $1.8 million in ARPA funding set aside for the sea level rise study is planned for use toward projects in this category as well.

COUNTRY CLUB SHORES LEFT TURN LANE

The town’s initial project design has been completed and the Florida Department of Transportation per-

mit has been obtained. The town is seeking FDOT construction funding, which requires additional design review and new construction cost estimates. The project is currently targeted for fiscal year 2024 to bid the project.

BROADWAY AT GULF OF MEXICO

DRIVE ROUNDABOUT

Design is about 90% complete for the north end roundabout project. A complete design is expected this month.

COMPLETE STREETS CORRIDOR

PLAN

The Gulf of Mexico Drive complete streets corridor plan is complete, and the town has applied for SUN trail grant-funding for the multiuse trail component. Next steps include discussing options with FDOT to fund a portion of corridor plan improvements.

TOWN HALL HAZARD MITIGATION

GRANT PROGRAM

The town was awarded a grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to fund improve-

ments including replacement of the Town Hall generator, hardening and improving window openings and the roof. Improvements require additional funding, which the town is hoping to receive from federal grants. Completion is pending budget and schedule feasibility.

COUNTRY CLUB SHORES

ASBESTOS PIPE REPLACEMENT

Design of all project phases has been completed with phases one and two being advertised for bid this spring.

The town budget currently has $7.1 million planned for the project. If bids come in over budget, the town will re-advertise as a smaller, revised project.

STREETS RESURFACING PROGRAM

The department has been reviewing streets identified by residents, staff and vendors to develop priorities for resurfacing. The first round of repairs is underway. Jungle Queen Road is among streets next up on the list.

A program to manage sand on the Greer Island spit are among projects in the works on the barrier island.

BAD NEIGHBORS

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

Raccoons have become the talk of the town again on Longboat Key.  The barrier island and surrounding areas have always had some issues with the so-called “trash pandas,” but they have gained the spotlight again.

Resident John Frank has expressed continual issues with a nearby dumpster at restaurant Euphemia Haye. Frank, who lives near the restaurant, has a photo and video of dozens of raccoons scurrying around the dumpster, which has its lid open and the gates around it open. The video was shown to town commissioners Monday, eliciting gasps from those in attendance.

“That’s an unforgivable, unacceptable scene that we just saw,” Mayor Ken Schneier said of the video.

Frank says the state of the dumpster provides a sizable nuisance to himself and nearby property owners.

HISTORICAL PROBLEM ANIMALS

n Raccoons: Not only are they a nuisance to humans, but it is crucial they are kept away from sea turtle nests during nesting season as they are notorious for digging in the nests and eating the eggs.

n Peacocks: When peacocks had their moment as the town’s issue animal, some residents were displeased with other’s desire to limit their presence on the island. When the birds were frequenting the island, specifically Longbeach Village, the town’s approach was to remove all female birds, but allow for 10-12 male birds to maintain their residence.

n Coyotes: The last time reports were made of coyote sightings in the town was in 2021. Reports to the town began in 2018 with a two-year break in between. The police department was the lead contact and aided in the issue and since then no additional reports of sightings have been forwarded to the town.

“I have recently learned in the last month of a number of our neighbors that have been attacked, both themselves and their pets, by raccoons that frequent the dumpster at Euphemia Haye,” he said. “...What has happened is the raccoons are no longer satisfied with frequenting the dumpster area. They have gone out into the neighborhood.”

He recounted instances of raccoons acting as greeters at the doors of the restaurant, friends and neighbors wary of taking usual walks in the neighborhood and a friend carrying a golf club with him on walks with his dog to ward off aggressive raccoons.

Commissioner Debra Williams recalled an email she had received from a neighbor about a year ago regarding an issue with raccoons at the same restaurant.

Planning, Zoning and Building Director Allen Parsons said he wasn’t aware of that complaint, but the town has been working with Euphemia Haye to see if another type of dumpster might solve the issue.

“Our code enforcement officer has made contact with the restaurant to let them know about this and help facilitate a replacement dumpster,” Parsons said.

According to Euphemia Haye owner Amy Whitt, the new dumpster was already purchased by the town and is now in its new home.

“There’s only so much we can do,” she said. “More people might be seeing us have this issue than other restaurants because of the location of our dumpster.”

The dumpster sits in the restaurant parking lot, which is near Joan Durante Park, a historic favorite residence of many raccoons on the Key.

“We don’t want to put anyone in

KEEPING RACCOONS AWAY

Raccoons are pesky creatures, and the general public has little to no knowledge of removing them and keeping them away from their homes for the long term.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are a few humane ways to potentially rid your yards and garbage cans of raccoons. For yards, repellent can be applied to the perimeter. The website lists capsaicin as a potential repellent. Keeping exterior lights on can confuse the raccoons

danger,” she said. “We just ask customers not feed or approach them.”

Whitt hopes the town will take a larger step into the situation and begin keeping tabs on the raccoons that live in the park.

The removal of the raccoons is a bit of a tricky subject, Parsons said. This is largely because Florida Fish and Wildlife does not consider raccoons to be a nuisance species.

“Even if there isn’t a specific tightly closed dumpster regulation, it’s pretty clear that what’s going on at that site would rise to the level of a public nuisance,” Schneier said.

While neither Schneier or other commissioners had a clear answer on how to solve the issue, they were all in agreement that something has to be done — and soon.

“I think it’s incumbent on us to ensure there isn’t an issue of these raccoons being rabid,” Commissioner Sherry Dominick.

In hopes of addressing this issue

and tip you off of their presence. Sprinklers can also be used to frighten approaching raccoons. Keeping raccoons out of trash cans be a slightly larger investment, physically and financially. The organization suggests purchasing garbage cans designed to keep out wildlife, securing lids with bungee cords, ropes or weights and limiting the time the can is out by the curb. When the trash can is not out by the curb, it is suggested it be kept inside a shed or garage.

and others, the town is in the process of adopting new property maintenance codes. The new code would help residents and the town ensure garbage cans and dumpsters are not left out or are open or uncovered.

The current code does not require dumpsters and garbage cans have lids that are closed and secured, but the new code would.

Residents would also not be allowed to leave their garbage cans at the end of a driveway for longer than 48 hours before or after their designated pickup date.

However, commissioners were mindful of making the rules reasonable for residents to follow and the town to enforce. The Commission unanimously voted to forward the revised code to its March 6 regular meeting for second reading and adoption.

Neighbors of Euphemia Haye have brought forth issues with the restaurant being overly attractive to raccoons.

Raccoons have long been residents of Joan M. Durante Park, but lately have been showing up en masse to dine on Euphemia Haye’s dumpster.

Lauren Tronstad

Raccoons are fond of Euphemia Haye’s dumpsters. The dumpster pictured has since been replaced.

“Even if there isn’t a specific tightly closed dumpster regulation, it’s pretty clear that what’s going on at that site would rise to the level of a public nuisance”

— Ken Schneier

Town celebrates Harmer’s tenure

Dozens of town staff, residents and county colleagues attended his retirement party Monday.

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

Former Town Manager Tom Harmer made his final trip to Longboat Key Town Hall Monday, opting to walk to give him the opportunity to soak in the town and reminisce on his career.

Dozens of town staff, residents and colleagues from surrounding jurisdictions stopped by to congratulate Harmer on his retirement and thank him for his years of service.

The celebration, which lasted about two hours, provided time for everyone to connect with Harmer, his wife, Dee, and one another — and to reflect on his five years with the town.

On Monday, Harmer attended his final Town Commission meeting as an aid to now Town Manager Howard Tipton. Originally, Harmer was set to retire in December, but he agreed to stay on when Tipton wasn’t able to start until Jan. 30. In characteristic fashion, Harmer said a smooth transition was more important than him adhering to his planned end date.

Following the meeting, he and his wife will be making the drive to Winter Garden, where he is moving to be near his sons and grandchildren.

Along with refreshments, town staff put together a sign with messages from members of staff wishing him well in his retirement.

“Congratulations on everything you have achieved both while serving the citizens of the Town of Longboat Key and Sarasota County,” a note from Special Services Director Carolyn Brown said. “You have exemplified everything extraordinary in a town manager and county

administrator, including incredible dedication, leadership and professionalism.”

People who attended the meeting were also able to write personalized notes to Harmer before placing them in a box that were given to him at the end of his party.

Assistant to the Town Manager Susan Phillips compiled a list of the challenges Harmer faced with her during their six years working together, including peacocks, coyotes, red tide, COVID-19, hurricanes, pickleball and 178 commission agendas.

“I assure you, the office was never dull — we went from coyotes to (COVID-19) pretty quickly among so many other surprises that are part of the job,” Phillips said in an email.

“I hope you take pride in knowing you left things better than you found them,” Planning, Zoning and Building Director Allen Parsons wrote in his note to Harmer.

Commissioners took the first portion of their Feb. 6 meeting to wish Harmer well, and all of them expressed gratitude for projects he oversaw and communication between citizens and the kind of town government that he fostered.

Specifically, under Harmer’s management, the town posted monthly “Talk of the Town” videos to keep citizens updated on town projects and activities. The annual citizen satisfaction survey also began during his tenure.

Following his formal recognition and a standing ovation from audience members, Harmer described feeling “humbled, honored and fortunate” for his 45 years in public service ending on the barrier island. He said he garnered some interest from other municipalities when they learned of his retirement, but after working on Longboat, he knew this would be his last place of employment.

“I have no interest in working anywhere else,” Harmer said. “If I did, I would not be leaving the town.”

Town of Longboat Key ATTENTION VOLUNTEERS

TO

The Town of Longboat Key is accepting applications for appointment to the following boards and committees:

The Town of Longboat Key is accepting applications for appointment to the following boards and committees:

Planning and Zoning Board

All applications must be submitted to the Office of the Town Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on February 23, 2023. All applicants must be registered voters of the Town of Longboat Key. Late applications may not be accepted. Any member who fails to attend two of three consecutive scheduled and called regular meetings without cause, and without prior approval of the chairman shall automatically forfeit the appointment, and the Town Commission shall promptly fill the vacancy.

Planning and Zoning Board

All applications must be submitted to the Office of the Town Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on February 23, 2023. All applicants must be registered voters of the Town of Longboat Key. Late applications may not be accepted. Any member who fails to attend two of three consecutive scheduled and called regular meetings without cause, and without prior approval of the chairman shall automatically forfeit his appointment, and the Town Commission shall promptly fill the vacancy.

All members of the Planning and Zoning Board are required to file a financial disclosure form within 30 days after appointment and annually thereafter for the duration of the appointment as required by Florida Statues Chapter 112.

The Town Commission may schedule a Meet and Greet with applicants at a later date. Please call the Office of the Town Clerk at 941-316-1999 for an application or if you have any questions. Applications may be submitted to:

All members of the Planning and Zoning Board are required to file a financial disclosure form within 30 days after appointment and annually thereafter for the duration of the appointment as required by Florida Statues Chapter 112.

Town of Longboat Key

Office of the Town Clerk

501 Bay Isles Road

The Town Commission may schedule a Meet and Greet with applicants at a later date Please call the Office of the Town Clerk at 941-316-1999 for an application or if you have any questions. Applications may be submitted to:

Longboat Key FL 34228

Town of Longboat Key

Office of the Town Clerk 501 Bay Isles Road

Longboat Key FL 34228

Town staff submitted notes of congratulations and well wishes for Tom Harmer’s retirement as town manager.

Tom Harmer and his wife, Dee, will be moving to Winter Garden to be closer to their sons and grandchildren.

Photos by Lauren Tronstad

Brad Johnson, Howard Tipton, Ed Lavallee, Mark Cunningham, Jonathan Lewis, Tom Harmer, Steve Botelho and Sheriff Kurt Hoffman gathered at Harmer’s retirement party.

St. Armands’ Winter Spectacular: One and done?

Sarasota City Commission wants data from staff before deciding whether to permit a return of the Winter Spectacular.

ANDREW WARFIELD

STAFF WRITER

Depending on whom is speaking, the first holiday season Winter Spectacular at St. Armands Circle was either a rousing success or a colossal nuisance.

Both sentiments were on clear display Monday as organizers of the sixweek festival were back before the Sarasota City Commission seeking to not make the first Winter Spectacular the last.

Twenty-three St. Armands-area residents, business owners and others spoke in roughly even numbers of support and opposition during Monday’s commission meeting, ranging in claims from taking an hour to get out of a driveway to traffic actually being lighter than usual. On the agenda was a request by Tom Leonard, owner of Shore restaurant and Jeff Koffman of Ride Entertainment to consider issuing a use permit for to operate the event again in 2023.

Leonard is also chairman of the St. Armands Business Improvement District board of directors. His involvement in the festival, though, is a personal endeavor not affiliated with the BID.

In addition to generating more customers for Circle merchants, Leonard said the festival boosted revenue for the city parking deck just off the Circle. He said data from the city’s parking department reported 47% more fees collected in December compared to the year prior — not from more cars, but rather cars parked there longer.

Koffman told commissioners the festival attracted approximately 20,000 visitors, but because they were dispersed over time during

festival hours, the additional traffic generated was negligible.

“We can continue to control crowds through the disbursements of tickets through time slots, diminishing any concerns about traffic, and the issue is traffic,” Koffman said. “At our peak, we had 400 people in a two-hour period. If you assume three people per car, that’s about a car a minute.”

Those speaking in opposition ranged from traffic complaints to questioning the legality of permitting an event that charges admission to be held in a public space. City Attorney Robert Fournier reminded commissioners the circle park at St. Armands, as public right of way on a state highway, belongs to the Florida Department of Transportation, which has long-since ceded authority over use of the space, if not ownership, to the city. In addition, he

said, FDOT had no objection to the festival.

Leonard and Koffman pitched the Winter Festival to commissioners last October as a fitting celebration of the city’s $286,000 grant to replace St. Armands’ 20-year-old holiday tree. Pulling off the event in only 28 days, they brought their request early this year to facilitate more planning.

Citing most of the information provided by the two was anecdotal, commissioners unanimously voted to continue the matter to a future board meeting. They’re looking for traffic data, incident reports from the Sarasota Police Department, parking statistics and other numbers to take into consideration.

Commissioner Debbie Trice suggested continuing to an April meeting. Vice Mayor Liz Alpert asked if the research could be completed

sooner. Deputy City Manager Pat Robinson responded that staff is already working under his direction to collect the data.

“We have been working on that since about mid-week last week, and as there are four or five different departments that are feeding into that I’m getting streams of information,” he said. “Instead of trying to piecemeal them out, I’d rather put something together and report back holistically on it, especially consid-

ering there’s been additional comment and questions that have come out of some of the citizens’ input some of the businesses’ input.”

Among festival opponents’ claims were charges that commissioners favor business interests over residents. That didn’t set well with Commissioner Erik Arroyo.

“Everything we do is for our residents. Now however, the question that we have to ask ourselves is which residents?” he said. “Some people believe that St. Armands belongs to the residents that live on St. Armands, whereas there’s another whole group of residents that believe that St. Armands, as a commercial district, is for everyone. It’s for all the residents of the entire city and even beyond.

“So that’s the rub. Does it belong to all residents or does it belong to a few residents?”

Added Mayor Kyle Battie: “We look out for the residents. You may not agree with all the decisions that we make, but make no mistake about it, we do have to take in consideration the residents of the city no matter where they are.”

Merchants who support the return of the festival told commissioners they noted no traffic impact in the Circle throughout the event. Residents who live off the Circle painted a different picture. Trice said the forthcoming traffic report may clear up that inconsistency, positing that drivers traveling to and from Lido and Longboat keys might have avoided the Circle and instead traveled neighborhood streets.

“”We have to take into consideration that the impact on the residents and what is being seen by the merchants on the Circle could be two different things,” Trice said. “I want to get the information on the staffing, on the cost and the impacts, and I want a better understanding of the impact on the actual stakeholders — the merchants, the business owners, the residents and the barrier island residents who have to go back and forth.”

Religious Life

Perspective.” Rabbi Singer is Rabbi Emerita of Sarasota’s Congregation Kol HaNeshama and a member of the Renewal Movement of Judaism. All are invited.

The role of women in religious life was embraced January 13, with a Women’s Shabbat service

Organized by Sheila Kasdan and the Ritual Committee, with participation of the Beth Israel Women’s Club, the entire service was written and conducted from the female perspective.

Social Action

the Women’s Shabbat Service.

Being Jewish is being part of a larger community. Sponsored by the TBI Social Action Committee, on February 23, a capacity crowd of TBI members will board the Newtown Trolley for a two-hour ride exploring the history of Sarasota’s African American communities.

The Newtown Trolley rolls through history.

Food & Fellowship

On February 12 at 9:30 am, the Men’s Club brunch will feature Eric Heller’s talk on “Everything You Want to Know About Amazon.” The event will be held at TBI and the cost is $15. Registration is required – please call 941-383-3428

File photo

A synthetic ice skating rink was a main attraction during the Winter Spectacular at St. Armands Circle.

“So that’s the rub. Does it belong to all residents or does it belong to a few residents?”

— Erik Arroyo

Millions for wastewater

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

Anew wastewater pipeline under Sarasota Bay is a step closer to its funding needs after receiving $3 million in federal grants for the project.

The project is one of two that is working to replace the town of Longboat Key’s sewer main after a break occurred in June 2020, spilling millions of gallons of effluent in Manatee County.

The other project focuses on relining the mainland portion of the pipe and is nearly complete.

When the town will receive the funding is still unknown, but depending on when and how the funds are received, the design-phase portion of the project under the bay could be completed sooner than anticipated.

The town said the $3 million it received matched its request when it applied for federal funds. The appropriation follows approval of the 2023 Omnibus budget approved by Congress in December.

“The portion under the bay still needs to be fully designed with potential permit modifications, so those would most likely be the next steps,” Public Works Director Isaac Brownman said in an email. “... Originally, funding for final design completion was not anticipated until town fiscal year 2024, so depending on when and how this funding is disbursed, this could advance the completion of design sooner.”

The town has final permits from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and United States Army Corps of Engineers for the

underwater portion.

MAINLAND STATUS

When the town decided to feed a new, smaller and more durable pipe into the existing one, it was also able to reduce the total replacement costs for that portion of the project. Previously, the plan was to build a new pipe parallel to the existing one, which went into service in the 1970s.

The original pipe was built to accommodate more than 50,000 residents on the Key. The reality is a peak season population of about half that number after a 1984 decision to rezone the island changed the trajectory of its growth and development.

Th reality of that smaller peak population allowed the town to pursue  the alternate, cheaper replacement method for the pipe.

Upon completion of the mainland portion, about 5,000 feet of the pipe will have been lined. That portion is expected to cost about $2.6 million,

including engineering, permitting, materials and construction.

The entirety of the pipeline from the town to the county’s treatment facility measures about 4 miles. About 1.2 miles were identified for work within the mainland project.

The total cost for replacing the entire sewer line was originally estimated to be about $24.8 million when the town was going to build the parallel pipe, but with the new method for the mainland portion the new estimated cost is about $21.7 million.

Due to the environmental damages caused by the sewer main break, the town entered into a consent order with FDEP in February 2021 to help offset some of the damages in lieu of a penalty payment. Payment was not entirely avoided as the agreement required the town to pay $15,000 to the Nature Coast Mitigation Bank.

Final steps in the agreement include the replacement of the

wastewater pipeline, approval from FDEP of the town’s restoration plan and post-construction monitoring of restoration areas following pipeline replacement.

PLANNING FOR FUTURE COSTS

In 2022, the town launched an incremental increase in water and sewer rates in anticipation of borrowing not only for the pipeline project but also to replace water pipes in Country Club Shores.

The town’s water and sewer rates were also reset last year to begin climbing to help pay for the sewer line and the work in Country Club Shores. From an average bill of $74.75 in 2021, bills will climb to $105.30 by 2029. With the additional revenue, the town will borrow the remainder of what it needs to complete the two water and sewer projects.

The funding will aid in covering costs for the portion of the project running under Sarasota Bay.

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LONGBOAT

The War of Education

The inevitable has been exposed: State-controlled, taxpayer-funded education doesn’t work. The power needs to shift from politicians to parents.

terrible place for public education.

In the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress, Florida’s fourth graders ranked second in reading (behind Massachusetts and Wyoming) and third in math (behind Wyoming, Massachusetts and Nebraska).

While that is worth celebrating, when you look at student proficiency in these subjects, the percentage of students who are proficient is dismal. Reading proficiency: 39%; math: 41%.

MATT WALSH

The second front of our nation’s Civil Cultural War continues: The War of Education: Who Will Control the Schools and Our Children’s Minds — the Progressive Elites and Professional Educrats? Parents? Or Politicians?

Perhaps another way to state the above is that we have reached the climax of the predictable results of our nation’s 175-year-old, government-controlled, taxpayer financed education system: Inevitable failure.

More and more parents aren’t going to take it anymore. The war for dramatic change — total parental choice — is underway. And Florida has become one of the fiercest battlegrounds.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican Legislature are using the force and power of the law as heavy artillery; ordinary, grassroots parents are in hand-to-hand combat with school boards; and the deeply entrenched, establishmentelitist, progressive educrats are scrambling inside their institutional fortresses to fortify the gates.

For nearly two centuries, the public-education rulers, university presidents, tenured professors and education union leaders have fooled most Americans into believing the taxpayer-funded, state-run public education systems have been the bedrock and source of America’s societal success.

But shame on us baby boomers.

More than any generation, baby boomers have ignored the obvious signs of what was always known about socialism and socialistic institutions: In time, they fail, leaving incalculable devastation behind.

Employers know the effects well. Just talk to them about the quality applicants coming from our schools.

As these socialistic, central-government systems reach their end, as happened after more than a century with Communism and the Soviet Union, their failures are exposed for all to see. And that’s what happened with the Chinese coronavirus and resulting shutdown of our schools. They brought to light what has been happening for decades in our children’s classrooms:

The nation’s public education institutions became indoctrination factories and laboratories to spread anti-American, radical, leftist beliefs, emphasizing diversity, equity and inclusion at the expense of academic achievement and teaching students how to think.

For three generations, American students have flatlined in academic progress. U.S. fourth graders rank 36th out of 79 countries in math and 13th in reading, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. But from the pandemic in 2020 to 2022, average scores for 9-year-olds declined five points in reading and seven points in math, the largest average score decline in reading since 1990 and the first ever decline in math, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

As a state, Florida has been a rising star, compared to its longheld and earned reputation as a

Ok, we know the argument: The teachers and schools cannot control what parents are doing or not doing at home. Garbage in, garbage out.

But that goes back to pointing fingers at baby boomers. Products of an era when there was more emphasis on fundamental academics and almost none on saving the earth or DEI, baby boomers sent their children to the state-controlled public schools with confidence that the schools did what boomers experienced as students. We boomers let our children be treated as wards of the state.

But public education succumbed over the decades to what Milton Friedman wrote: the Theory of Bureaucratic Displacement. That is, “in a bureaucratic system, an increase in expenditure will be matched by a fall in production.”

In Florida and every other state, per-pupil spending increased year after year. Teacher unions flourished, embedding themselves with their legislators. Lawmakers in turn meddled and increased the state’s control over what went on in the classrooms.

Education became monolithic; parents had almost no choice.State centralization reduced the power of the consumers (parents) and increased the power of the producers (educrats and the state).

In 1999, though, Gov. Jeb Bush single-handedly began the state’s shift toward school choice and vouchers. Since then, Florida has become among the top three states for offering choice to elementary, middle and high school students. But expanding choice has been an intense battle for nearly 25 years. Proponents of choice still encounter fierce resistance at every step from the public-school believers. While Republican lawmakers continued to pass additional schoolchoice legislation, unbeknown to many, on the state’s university campuses the tentacles of the social justice believers (e.g. America is systematically racist) spread.

In May 2021, this space reported for our readers how the state’s major universities had entered the vortex of incorporating Critical Race Theory into every aspect of their operations.

Then UF President Kent Fuchs sent a letter to all students and faculty outlining the school’s plans:

n “UF will require training of all current and new students, faculty and staff on racism, inclusion and bias.

n “UF’s Office of Research will make available this academic year competitive grants to faculty on topics of race, equity, justice and reconciliation.

n “The 2020-21 academic year will focus on the black experience, racism and inequity. Each of our colleges will feature speakers, seminars and courses.…”

Simultaneously, when the pandemic required Florida public school children to attend school remotely, many parents suddenly became shocked by what was being taught. The Sarasota County School Board became ground zero for parent-school board confrontations.

The War on Education hit full scale — with Gov. DeSantis the Gen. Patton of being determined

to destroy education wokeness in Florida.

“We will never surrender to the woke mob,” DeSantis told his inauguration audience. “Florida is where woke goes to die.”

Yes, get rid of woke in the schools.

But in the process of eliminating woke-ism in education, DeSantis is also demonstrating what has been and will forever be a mortal flaw of State-funded and State-controlled education: It will be at the mercy of whatever politicians are in power. Customers will never be in control.

To be sure, DeSantis is working on behalf of Florida parents and students to shift the state system’s focus back on teaching students how to write, read, do math and think. That’s the way it should be.

But consider his handling of New College of Florida and the Legislature’s new laws governing what books are allowed in the schools.

n New College: Dissatisfied with the school’s performance, DeSantis used his authority to pursue what he wants — a state-supported version of Hillsdale College.

With his authority and the belief he is doing what is right, he handpicked conservative trustees to change the direction of the school. In turn, the trustees abruptly fired President Patricia Okker, giving her and the board no time to determine whether she could do the job.

The perception of this to the public was not good: Authoritarian governor ousts university president because he thinks she is woke.

And then, DeSantis pledged, according to the Tampa Bay Times, an infusion of $15 million into New College to be spent on hiring new faculty and scholarships for students, with $10 million more every year thereafter.

Again, the perception: Authoritarian governor funneling taxpayer money into a university venture that in its 60 years of existence hasn’t proven to be financially viable. Call us a skeptical cynic, but it reminds us: Throwing good money after bad.

n Book vetting: In DeSantis’ and the Legislature’s efforts to keep inappropriate LGBTQ and transgender literature and pornography out of elementary and middle schools (Hear! Hear!), the Legislature created a new layer of education bureaucracy. It has the right intention, but when you read about the labyrinthine process for vetting books and multiply that by 67, you can’t help but think: More government control, more bureaucracy. The Politburo at work.

To be fair, you can argue DeSantis is doing what any governor would do — trying to shape state institutions to reflect what he believes is best for the taxpayers of Florida.

But therein is the fatal flaw of State-owned education: The power is in the hands of the politically powerful, not the hands of the marketplace or customer.

As long as Florida and the United States continue to have State-controlled, taxpayer-funded schools, the nation’s education system will be what it is today — in turmoil, mediocre at best, at the whims of political power. Ugh.

Longtime readers know we have advocated over the years (12 years ago, the last time) that U.S. education should be entirely privatized.

It’s not a realistic proposition, given how Americans have been so bamboozled over the value of taxpayerfunded education.

But in this War of Education, great progress is occurring toward giving parents choice. Arizona is the model. For all Arizona children in kindergarten through high school, they can receive from $6,000 to $6,500 a year from the state to attend any private school or

A FEW TRUTHS ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION

Milton and Rose Friedman

“Free to Choose”

First edition, 1979

n “Public education is, we fear, suffering from the same malady as are so many of the programs discussed in the preceding and subsequent chapters.

“More than four decades ago Walter Lippmann diagnosed it as the ‘sickness of an over-governed society,’ the change from ‘the older faith … that the exercise of unlimited power by men with limited minds and self-regarding prejudices is soon oppressive, reactionary and corrupt, … that the very condition of progress was the limitation of power to the capacity and the virtue of the rulers” to the newer faith “that there are no limits to man’s capacity to govern others and that, therefore, no limitations ought to be imposed upon government.”

n “… Power has gravitated to professional educators. The sickness has been aggravated by increasing centralization and bureaucratization of schools …”

n “There is no case for subsidizing persons who get higher education at the expense of those who do not. Insofar as governments operate institutions of higher education, they should charge students fees corresponding to the full cost of the educational and other services they provide to them.”

n “We believe that the growing role that government has played in financing and administering schooling has led not only to enormous waste of taxpayers’ money but also to a far poorer educational system than would have developed had voluntary cooperation continued to play a larger role.”

Murray Rothbard “Education: Free & Compulsory,” 1971

n “… Since the State began to control education, its evident tendency has been more and more to act in such manner as promote repression and hindrance of education, rather than the true development of the individual.”

n “One of the best ways of regarding the problem of compulsory education is to think of the almost exact analogy in the area of that other great educational medium — the newspaper.

What would we think of a proposal for the government, Federal or State, to use the taxpayers’ money to set up a nationwide chain of public newspapers and compel all people, or all children, to read them?

“What would we think furthermore of the government’s outlawing all other newspapers, or indeed outlawing all newspapers that do not come up to the ‘standards’ of what a government commission thinks children ought to read?”

purchase state-approved tutoring, educational courses and materials for home schooling.

The tax dollars go with the child. In Florida, that should be the next step. The results will create what is needed capitalistic competition — the true bedrock of America’s social success.

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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predicted for New College of Florida in this space Jan. 19:

“[W]e can all expect another tumultuous chapter in the college’s

six-decade history, one that is likely to last at least two years …

“[E]xpect a lot of headlines and controversy. Turnarounds and throwing out old ways are never easy or

comfortable. Often, they are nasty and ugly.

“But for sure, (Gov. Ron) DeSantis has sent his opening message: New College cannot and will not maintain the status quo …

“Whenever a business brings in new leadership and a new direction,

those two things result in a lot of blood, executions and exoduses of the old guard.”

The new New College Board of Trustees fired NCF President Patricia Okker Jan. 31 in its first meeting.

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Publisher of the Longboat Observer, East County Observer, Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer, Palm Coast Observer, Ormond Beach Observer, West Orange Times & Observer, Southwest Orange Observer, Business Observer, Jacksonville Daily Record, LWR Life Magazine, Baldwin Park Living Magazine and Season Magazine

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Passion for pickleball surges

Bayfront Park pickleball courts sport long waitlists at peak play times.

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

There can never be too many pickleball courts — or at least that’s the sentiment of the sport’s fans on Longboat Key. And they’re making it known to the Town Commission.

As the busy season has ramped up, so has the demand for use of the town’s pickleball courts.

Tuesday morning at around 10:30 a.m. about 25 people were waiting for their next turn to use Bayfront Park’s pickleball courts.

Even so, many said that such a crowd was milder than it would have been earlier in the morning.

“We wait upwards of 30 minutes sometimes for a 10-minute game,” Jim Wolohan said.

Wolohan has been playing for seven years and has seen firsthand the growth in popularity the sport has seen in recent years.

“The sport is really exploding,” he said.

Over the last few Town Commission meetings, fans of pickleball have taken the opportunity to ask for aid in the ever-present problem at the Bayfront Park courts.

As resident Dave Levine told commissioners, parking is nonexistent as upwards of 40 people wait their turn to use the pickleball courts at Bayfront Park. The park currently has five courts available, which allows for a maximum 20 people to play the sport at any given time.

However, the adjacent tennis courts typically remain empty. Residents have been asking commissioners to consider allowing pickleballers to use the tennis courts with privately funded rollaway nets when tennis

players aren’t present. Levine said pickleball players would be informed of the court’s primary use and notified that if a group arrives wanting to play tennis, they must exit the court, move aside the nets and go to the front of the line of those waiting for the designated pickleball courts.

“I understand that is stretching our imagination in terms of how we could treat each other with civility and friendship, but I think we can do it,” he said.

The issue has begged another concern for commissioners. Is the demand for pickleball keeping others who may want to take a walk or bring grandchildren to the playground from enjoying the area? The answer is most likely yes.

“My biggest concern is that the park is just getting overrun and there being no parking for anybody else,”

Commissioner Mike Haycock said. “Our dog-lovers can’t use the park anymore because they can’t park anywhere; our beach-goers can’t use the beach anymore because they can’t park … there is just no parking for anybody.”

Commissioners came to a consensus to pick up the discussion again at their Feb. 21 workshop.

Citizen survey deadline nears

All answers to the approximately 50 questions included in the survey will be anonymous.

The final week to fill out Longboat

Key’s fourth annual citizen satisfaction survey has arrived.

In early January, the town sent each household a letter in the mail with a unique code and a set of instructions for completing the survey.

Anyone who missed the letter or didn’t receive one can still take part by contacting Support Services Director Carolyn Brown at CBrown@ LongboatKey.org or  941-316-1999.

The survey closes Feb. 11.

Homeowners can access the survey online from their home computers, tablet or phone. If desired, residents can also fill out the survey at digital the kiosk in Town Hall as long as they come prepared with their letter showing their unique code.

A variety of topics are covered in questions to residents and include the quality of town beaches, parks and town-owned amenities, departmental services such as police, fire and public works and events residents would like to see available at the Town Center. Many of these questions are asked annually as a means of tracking trends.

New questions for the 2023 edition of the survey include use of emergency personnel, levels of social media use, hurricane preparedness and the amount of time a resident actually lives on the Key.

The final report is expected to be completed and presented to town commissioners in advance of their April strategic planning retreat.

The town remains contracted with the John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government at the University of South Florida.

The survey costs the town about $23,000 annually.

Residents have until Feb. 11 to complete town’s annual check up on services.

File photo Hurricane preparedness is among topics introduced in the 2023 survey.

Lauren Tronstad Jim Wolohan and Alice Green play pickleball at Bayfront Park Tuesday morning.

SATURDAY, JAN. 28

WATCH-IDENTIFIED NON-EMER-

GENCY

1:03 p.m., 4200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious incident: An officer was dispatched following word that a 911 text was received with no response. Contact was made with the individual, who said he has had recurring issues with his Apple Watch sending the text messages.

TRASHY ROAD

2:36 p.m., 800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Traffic hazard: While traveling south, an officer noticed a large black trash bag blocking traffic. He removed the bag, placed it on the side of the road and requested the town’s Public Works Department to remove it.

SUNDAY, JAN. 29

NO PARKING

8:16 a.m., 600 block of Broadway Street Parking citation: An officer noticed a white Ford sedan parked illegally in front of a property. No Longboat Key parking permit or guest pass was on the vehicle. A parking ticket was issued.

NO PRIVACY ISSUE

1 p.m., 200 block of North Shore Road Citizen assist: A call was made to the police about a man piloting a low-flying drone near sunbathers. After arriving at the location, the officer met with the individual who said he was filming for his business’ website and showed the officer his certification. The officer deemed

that no laws were being broken.

SHOO, SNAKE

1:43 p.m., 500 block of Bayview

Drive

Animal complaint: An officer was sent to a residence after the caller said a black snake was behind the sofa. The officer and homeowner worked together using two brooms to guide the snake back outside.

MONDAY, JAN. 30

DEAD BATTERY

9:21 a.m., 3100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Citizen assist: The officer met up with the caller, who was with an individual needing assistance with their motorized wheelchair. The wheelchair’s battery was dead, making the individual unable to get home. The officer was able to put the wheelchair in the back of his vehicle and drive him back home.

TUESDAY, JAN. 31

REMINDED ANYWAY

5:12 p.m., 500 block of Putter Lane

Noise complaint: Construction noise after hours warranted a complaint to the department. The officer dispatched did not observe a noise ordinance violation as workers were cleaning up the job site. Workers were still reminded of the ordinance.

GRASSY WINDOW PAIN

8:54 p.m., 600 block of Old Compass Road

Citizen assist: Officers responded to a call about a shattered window on a property listed for sale. The homeowner recalled the Realtor was there earlier that day before the window was broken. When inspect-

GUN SHOW

Guns,

ing the window, officers discovered grass clippings amid the damage. The homeowner went on to say that the landscapers could have caused the damage as they usually come that afternoon. The resident did not want to file a criminal complaint, but would be calling the landscapers about the issue.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1 MOON ADMIRER

3:30 a.m., 100 block of Broadway Street

Suspicious vehicle: While on patrol, an officer noticed a vehicle parked illegally after hours near the Broadway Street beach access. The owner of the vehicle was nearby

SUNDAY, JAN. 29

GAS MONEY REFUND, KEEP THE GAS

10:19 a.m., 400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: An officer was dispatched to help after a woman called about a suspicious charge to her credit card after buying gas. The officer spoke with a gas station employee, who said the card was charged $50 when $43 was spent. The employee assured the officer the extra $7 would be refunded within a few days. If the charge was not corrected, she was told to call back the police department.

and said they were trying to take photographs of the moon and had the camera with him to prove it. Officers told the photographer about the town’s ordinance about parking in beach accesses before sending him on.

FRIDAY, FEB. 3

HELP IS ON THE WAY

12:30 a.m., 200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: An officer was dispatched to the area regarding a broken-down vehicle. The officer was told that roadside assistance had already been called and was on its way. Roadside assistance arrived shortly after.

Observer Challenge volleys between competition and fun

matches.”

While Thayer estimates about 75% of participants are members, teams came from clubs in Sarasota, Bradenton and Siesta Key.

was a team from Indiana that was actually playing in it, and one of the people got hurt really badly, so I ended up going to their team and played with them for years.”

champions in Spain. Enrique also played for the national soccer team and vied for the Davis Cup. In 1972, Ute was an Olympic fencer.

THE WINNERS

DIVISION 1

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Rackets and spirits were high at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center this weekend for the 22nd annual Observer Challenge.

This is the tournament’s second year back since a forced hiatus due to COVID-19, so participation numbers are still recovering. Before the pandemic, the tournament typically saw over 100 players and had four divisions. The past two years, it’s down to about 70 players and three divisions. The upside is more play.

“We’ve always had to do single elimination because we didn’t have the courts,” Tennis Center Director Kay Thayer said. “But this time, everybody got to play at least two

The Division 2 champs live parttime on Longboat, but hail from West Virginia. When they won, David Campbell seized the chance to shout, “Cue ‘Country Roads!”

“At West Virginia University, when a football or basketball game is won, they play ‘Country Roads’ afterwards, and everybody stays in their seats,” Campbell said.

To which his wife, Sandy, interjected, “It doesn’t happen very often.”

Division 3 was swept by home teams. The champions and finalists were all from Longboat.

The Division 1 winners were from The Landings Racquet Club. Angie Eason can’t remember if this is her 12th or 14th year playing. She never actually signed up to play that first year, but she has every year since.

“I played with the guy that grooms the court here,” Eason said. “There

One of her teammates this year, Kaitlin McCormick, flew in from Chicago. The tournament is as social as it is competitive. Spectators surrounded the courts rooting for their friends. And the “Canada team” bought themselves patriotic red and white T-shirts that read, “Tennis and Beer: That’s why I’m here.”

“It’s a fun team event. There are very few team oriented events in tennis. It’s always kind of an individual sport,” Andy Sawyer said. “So we can cheer on the girls when they’re playing their ladies doubles, and they can cheer for us, and then we have the mixed and the singles.”

But don’t let the merriment or retirement fool you; professional athletes play this tournament. They got edged out this year for the Division 1 win, but finalists Enrique and Ute Vela are former national doubles

“We won this tournament here at least four times, and we’ve been in the finals probably four or five times,” Ute said.

The team aspect and tournament format also allow for strategy according to longtime Observer Challenge competitor and champ Bob Dreyfus. Thayer agrees. Once the men’s and women’s doubles rounds finish, strategizing begins for the more seasoned teams.

“Maybe you put your strongest players in the mixed doubles, and then you put maybe your weaker players in the singles and hope that you’ll win the mixed doubles or one of the singles,” Dreyfus said. “It’s all strategy, and you don’t tell each other until the women’s doubles and men’s doubles are done. My team, we knew what we were going to do before we started because husbands and wives play together all the time.”

Champions: Caitlin McCormick, John Hutchens, Lou Desmarteaux and Angie Eason

Finalists: Enrique Vela, Ute Vela, Yuka Pearl and Mark Halpin

DIVISION 2

Champions: David Campbell, Sandy Campbell, Shannon Elliot and Andy Elliot

Finalists: Nelson Cabrera, Tracy Fang, Melissa Stanley and Gustavo Gomez

DIVISION 3

Champions: Bob Gary, Valerie Poley, Joyce Welch and Chip Elitzer

Finalists: Silvava Nandin, Ken Gorman, Amy Davidson and Don Davidson

The 22nd annual Observer Challenge was held at the Public Tennis Center.

Division 1 champions Caitlin McCormick and Angie Eason

Division 2 champions David Campbell, Sandy Campbell, Shannon Elliot and Andy Elliot

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Division 3 champions Bob Gary, Valerie Poley, Joyce Welch and Chip Elitzer

& shop

New members ace their golf group debut

The

“We’re

With no hole to putt toward in the Harbourside ballroom, the 18-hole Women’s Golf Association took shots at a sugar bowl.

“We’re having a little putting contest now,” Donna Pettinato said. “We have a little entertainment, brunch, and golf afterwards.”

The luncheon is held every year to welcome new members to the club. On a typical year, that’s about a dozen women. Pettinato doesn’t know what prompted the rise in membership this year, but the club welcomed 23 new golfers.

MONDAYS: 10-11 Stretch & Strengthen, 1 -3 Thinking Out Loud Discussion Group

TUESDAYS: 10-11 Qi Gong, 11:15 -12:15 Yoga, 1-3 Mah Jongg *

WEDNESDAYS: 10-11 Beginner Tai Chi

THURSDAYS: 10-11 Zumba & Pilates, 1 -3 Open Mah Jongg

FRIDAYS: 10-11 Intermediate Tai Chi **, 11:15-12:15 Qi Gong & Meditation** Walk-ins welcome for fitness classes & discussion group! **No Tai Chi 2/10 **No Qi Gong 2/17

*For Tuesday Mah Jongg, RSVP at: MaryAnnBrady@TheParadiseCenter.org

— LESLEY DWYER

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Jan Van Iten, Sandy Finnegan, Margaret Lachman and Donna Pettinato

Betsy Granite takes a putt.

Books, bargains and lobster on the lawn

The Longboat Library brought the books outside for a sale on Saturday.

STAFF WRITER

The Longboat Library threw a lawn party on Saturday — not exactly, but it looked and felt like one. An ordinary book sale doesn’t have cafe tables set up and the Maine Line lobster truck parked next door.

There was also a broad selection of books at bargain prices. Nothing was tagged over $5 except the vintage and antique titles. Volunteers researched each old book online and discounted them 60% from their Amazon prices.

“There was something from the late 1800s, but somebody bought it,” library President Mary Baker said. “It was a first edition with uncut pages, and it’s gone, so somebody recognized the value of that.”

Still on the table was a hardcover of Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass,” printed in 1926 and still in its original slipcase. The Amazon price is

$123.80; the library’s price was $20.

Not on the table was a machete and a reproduction of an antique firearm; both were donated with a box of books and good intentions. The strangest of donations to date, the weapons were passed on to Goodwill.

Every shelf in the library is stocked with donations. It’s a completely self-funded and volunteer-run operation, and with that comes a level of personal service that can’t be matched.

“We get to know our customers, and we try to make them happy,” Baker said. “It’s a service we provide.”

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

Here are five of Baker’s recent favorites. She says many of the library’s patrons have enjoyed them too.

1. “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus

2. “Mad Honey” by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

3. “West with Giraffes” by Lynda Rutledge

4. “Horse” by Geraldine Brooks

5. “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt

EXCEPTIONAL VACATION RENTALS

LESLEY DWYER

Lesley Dwyer Jean Markell picks out the perfect book for her husband Lee, a landscape architect.

Christ Church enjoys Braden River choir

Members and friends of Christ Church of Longboat Key experienced a rare treat on Wednesday, Jan. 18.

Following a delicious multicourse meal, the elite Braden River High School Chorus performed a wide-ranging repertoire including classical songs, an African Freedom chant and a cappella arrangements.

The chorus, led by Steven Armstrong, will soon be competing in the Smoky Mountain Spring Choral Festival held in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

— MARC FORS

• Live-stream at AllAngelsLBK.org to participate on-line • Discussion Groups on Tue & Wed at 10 a.m. 563 Bay Isles Rd • 941-383-8161 AllAngelsLBK.org

Growing in Jesus’ Name

Worship With Us at Our Church

Sunday Ser vice 10 : 00 AM

The Rev. Dr. Norman Pritchard

Men’s Bible Study: Monday @ 9:00

Women’s Bible Study: Wednesday @ 10:00 Watch Our 10:00 AM Ser vice Li ve: www.bit.ly/cclbksermons or www.christchurchof lbk.org ( follow YouTube link )

W INTER C O N CERT S ERIES

CONCERTS ARE FREE VISITORS & RESIDENTS WELCOME

SUNDAY • FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • 2:00 PM

Born of a desire to marry the best of both Celtic and chamber music in exciting and creative ways, the Cleveland Celtic Ensemble blends Scottish and Irish bagpipes, whistle, flute, fiddle, and harp to create a Celtic style all their own. Revel in blazing bagpipe duets, sublime harp airs, soaring songs, and sweet fiddle tunesall in an intimate and ethereal chamber music ensemble setting.

Featuring: Brian Bigley on uilleann pipes and flute, Kristen Bigley on violin, Ian Crane on Scottish smallpipes and vocals, Tiffany Schaefer on Celtic harp and vocals.

Please join us for worship in person on Sunday at 10 a.m. or online at our website and Facebook Live Stream at 10 a.m.

Warehouse hours are 9:00 - 1:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays

All are Welcome

Saturday at 5pmContemporary Style Worship Sunday Worship at 9am &11am(Coffee Hour at 10am)

Contact: michael@saklc.com

Would like to Welcome & Invite You, Your Family Members & Friends to Celebrate Mass with Our Parish Community

Sharing Values, Friendship, and Faith

To learn more about our Temple and all our educational, cultural, and social programs,

Photos courtesy of Marc Fors

The Braden River High School Chorus performs at Christ Church.

Karen Gardiner and Dawn Hallsten welcome people at the check in desk.

Sally Rauch, Lutie Uihlein, Bennie Dods and Andy Sawyer get ready to serve dinner.

Sue Hammond, Fred Finks and Bob Hammond

Lynn Baron, Joyce Wartinbee and Holly Finks

YOUR NEIGHBORS

A MATCH.COM MADE IN HEAVEN

Walter and Gale Frank are in their 80s and celebrated their first wedding anniversary last month.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Walter and Gale Frank were both married for 53 years, but not to each other.

Gale’s husband had a brain tumor and died after a stroke in 2017; Walter’s wife died in 2019 to emphysema, among other chronic conditions.

“My wife had been in declining health for a number of years, so I recognized the probability was that I was going to outlive her. The prospect of living alone for the rest of your life after you’ve been married 53

DATING ADVICE FROM THE FRANKS

The Franks also volunteer at the Education Center. Gale was the director of an education program for homeless and at-risk children for 17 years. She leads a women’s group on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Walter spent a nearly 40-year career as a portfolio manager and financial advisor. He leads a financial roundtable on Wednesdays from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

In this case, their relationship success serves as their expertise, so the Observer asked the sweethearts for some Valentine’s Day dating advice.

Be social. Walter ended up on Match because COVID-19 left everyone stuck at home, but he initially thought he’d meet someone by virtue of how socially active he is.

“I’m involved with temple. I’ve gone to the Education Center. I’m part of the sailing community,” he said. “We’re fortunate because we have good health, but you have a lot of life to live.”

Be realistic. “We have another couple that we’re friendly with through the temple, and they met through Match.com. It does happen,” Walter said, “But you have to be realistic that the odds are not great. You have to use different venues.”

Be careful. “It’s like anything else you do, you have to do a little bit of checking,” Gale said. “There’s nothing wrong with that. You’re not going into their personal bank accounts and stuff like that, it’s just to make sure somebody is legitimate.”

Be present. Once you’ve found that bashert connection, nurture it.

“At five o’clock, we stop everything, no matter what’s going on, and we make a drink. He puts on music. We sit down,” Gale said. “It’s a time just for us. Nothing goes on around us, and we do that every single day.”

years wasn’t appealing,” Walter said. “Both of us really respect and honor the marriages we had, and it’s a new chapter for us.”  Gale, 82, and Walter, 85, celebrated their one-year anniversary Jan. 16. The wedding was held at Grand Bay, where they reside part of the year.

Thanks to Gale’s encouraging and technologically savvy son, Charles, the Franks met online.

“I had been widowed for threeand-a-half years, and I said to myself ‘I’d like to get my life restarted,’” Gale said. “I wanted to get back to finding someone I could have dinner with and I could go to the movies and the theater and things like that.”

So she asked single, 49-year-old Charles how to meet people, and he told her to go online. Not the answer the self-described private and introverted Gale was hoping for, but she begrudgingly agreed to try it for one month.

Charles refused to write Gale’s profile for her, but he suggested Match.com, walked her through the process and background checked each suitor.

“I met a few very nice men. I have no argument on that part, but I got disappointed, so I decided to scroll down all the pictures instead of having them recommend somebody,”

Gale said.

That’s when she saw Walter with the big smile, who loves to sail, did graduate work at New York University and was looking for intellectual conversation. Gale is originally from Westchester County, New York, so there was one hesitation.

“I thought to myself, ‘He’s New York and he’s looking for intellec-

tual conversation.’” Gale said. “Well, New York men who are looking for intellectual conversation usually means that they want to do all the talking.”

Walter quickly translated: “They’re snobs.”

The couple plays off each other like milk and cookies. When Gale told Walter that her maiden name is Frank, he dryly responded, “We might be related.”   It took Walter a whole six days to respond to Gale’s first message. He joked that she had “the world’s worst Match picture.” Gale shrugged her shoulders and said, “I took a selfie. I didn’t care.”  But Gale fit Walter’s “checklist.”

She was close in age and shared similar interests. Proximity helped too. Walter was in Cincinnati at the time, and Gale was living in Columbus. When she offered to split the hourand-a-half drive with him, her considerate nature caught his attention.

Like teenagers, they shared twoto three-hour telephone calls before that first lunch date. Since then, they’ve done just about everything together, including a month-long cross-country road trip in their Cadillac SUV with their two dogs in the backseat.

The relationship has been fully

vetted, and not just in a confined space for 30 days, both families approve and were onboard from the start. Gale’s grandchildren, especially, took an immediate liking to Walter.

The couple have so many things in common that Walter refers to their relationship as “bashert,” which is a Yiddish term meaning a soulmate that’s meant to be.

“My husband had said many times that if anything happened to him, he would not want me to be alone or stay without someone, so I felt very comfortable.” Gale said. “We come from a generation where I think it is expected to mourn, maybe for the rest of your life, I guess.”

Not for this active couple. The Franks are out on the town at least two to three nights a week.

The matchmaking son of Gale, Charles Hacker, and his date, Jody Roy.

“We come from a generation where I think it is expected to mourn, maybe for the rest of your life.”

— Gale Frank

Courtesy photos Walter and Gale Frank on their wedding day.

THURSDAY, FEB. 9

CLASSES IN THE GARDEN:

BRUNCH BOARDS

From 10 a.m. to noon at Driftwood Beach Home & Garden, 6838 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Resident chef Tina Anderson demonstrates how to make brunch boards for entertaining. The cost is $65; call 960-0568 to reserve a spot.

FRIDAY, FEB. 10

PARKINSON’S COMBINED

SUPPORT GROUP

From 1-2 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Designed for both people with Parkinson’s and their care partners. Free, walkins welcome. Call 383-6493.

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: A

JEWISH PERSPECTIVE

5:30 p.m. at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Guest Rabbi Jennifer Singer addresses the timely issue. Singer is a member of the Renewal movement of Judaism, which strives to shape Jewish law into a living way in the modern world. Free and open to the public. Call 383-3428 for information.

SATURDAY, FEB. 11

ROOTS OF RHYTHM:

DRUMMING AND DRUM CIRCLE

ACTIVITIES

From 1-2:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. An interactive percussion experience, no experience necessary and the instruments are provided. $20 for members and $25 for others. Call 383-8222.

TUESDAY, FEB. 14

ROBERT FROST, HIS OWN WAY OF FOOLING

From 3-4:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. This lecture presented by Michael Lasser looks at Robert Frost’s life and poetry to illuminate the man and his work. $15 for members and $20 for others. Call 383-8222.

RECURRING EVENTS

WEEKDAYS

LONGBOAT LIBRARY

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, 555 Bay Isles Road. On Wednesdays, most books are

BEST BET SUNDAY, FEB. 12

DANCING THROUGH THE DECADES

From 4-7 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Dress up in clothes from your favorite decade and dance the night away at the annual fundraiser. Cash bar and Harry’s Continental Kitchens is catering. Tickets cost between $80 and $100 depending on drink tickets. Call 383-6493.

on sale for $1 or less. Call 3832011.

MONDAYS GENTLE CHAIR YOGA

From 9 to 10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Improve flexibility, strength and overall physical functioning while stabilized in a chair. Eight sessions through Feb. 27, $95 for members and $110 for others. Pay as you go available. Call 383-8222.

STRETCH AND STRENGTHEN

From 10 to 11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Focus is on strength training and flexibility for balance. Suzy Brenner leads the class. Fee is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

THINKING OUT LOUD: TIMELY

TOPICS WITH MIKE KARP

From 1 to 2:30 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Topics will include U.S. and world current affairs, popular culture and topics relevant to seniors. Cost is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS

MOVING FREE YOGA STRETCH & STRENGTH

From 11:15 a.m to 12:15 p.m. at

Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Strength training and body sculpting with weights, resistance bands and towels. Instructor is Mirabai Holland. Cost is $10 for members, $15 for others. Call (201) 956-1466.

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS

PUMPING THE PRIME

From 10 to 11 a.m. at Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Low-impact cardio and strength exercises to boost metabolism, strengthen muscles and bones. Instructor is Mirabai Holland. Cost is $10 for members, $15 for others. Call (201) 956-1466.

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS

LORD’S WAREHOUSE THRIFT STORE

The thrift store will be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 6140 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Donations are accepted during business hours. Call 383-4738.

TUESDAYS

QI GONG FOR HEALTH AND VITALITY

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Improve balance and flexibility, plus loosen joints and relax. Eight sessions from Jan.

10 to Feb. 28, $95 for members and $110 for others. Pay as you go available. Call 383-8222.

QI GONG

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Qi gong is a mind-body-spirit practice designed to improve mental and physical health. Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

YOGA

From 11:15-12:15 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Debbie Debile of Feel Good Yoga & Massage leads a gentle yoga class that can be done on a mat or in a chair. Cost is $15, free for members. Call 383-6493.

MAH JONGG

From 1-3 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Fun time for experienced players. To check availability at the tables, email MaryAnnBrady@TheParadiseCenter.org.

ROTARY CLUB

Meets at 5 p.m. on first and third Tuesdays in All Angels Parish Hall, 563 Bay Isles Road. To learn more, call Nancy Rozance at 203-6054066 or email Info@LongboatKeyRotary.org.

TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS

BREATH BALANCE AND BLISS

YOGA

From 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Cost is $10 for members, $15 for others. Call 3616411 ext. 2212.

WEDNESDAYS YOGA POTPOURRI

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. A gentle, slowpaced blend of simple yoga postures focusing on balance, alignment, strength, breathwork, flexibility and relaxation. Eight sessions from Jan. 4 to Feb. 22, $70 for members and $80 for others. Pay as you go available. Call 3838222.

BEGINNER TAI CHI

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise

Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

MARIACHI MUSIC

From 5-8 p.m. at La Villa Mexican Grill, 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Enjoy dinner and a serenade by Mariachi Contemporaneo. Call 383-8033.

THURSDAYS

KIWANIS CLUB OF LONGBOAT

KEY

At 8:30 a.m. at Lazy Lobster, 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive. This service organization meets every first and third Thursday of the month for breakfast and a speaker. Breakfast is $10. Email Lynn Larson at lynnlarson@comcast.net to register.

SLOW FLOW YOGA

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Simple yoga routines incorporating a range of several hatha yoga styles for all fitness levels. Eight sessions through Feb. 23, $95 for members and $110 for others. Pay as you go available. Call 383-8222.

ZUMBA AND MAT PILATES FOR SENIORS

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. The class, designed for active seniors, starts with Zumba and shifts to all-level mat Pilates at 10:30 a.m. Come for 30 minutes or the full hour. Cost is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

FRIDAYS INTERMEDIATE TAI CHI

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Reuben Fernandez teaches the class outdoors, weather permitting. Free for members, $15 for others. Walkins welcome. Call 383-6493.

QI GONG AND MEDITATION

From 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, take qi gong and meditation with Sandi Love. Free for members, $15 for others. Call 383-6493.

#1 LONGBOAT KEY TEAM

Michael Saunders & Company

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2067 HARBOUR LINKS DRIVE, #4 Offered at $779,000

2067 HARBOUR LINKS DRIVE, #4 Offered at $779,000

2067 HARBOUR LINKS DRIVE, #4 Longboat Key | Offered at $779,000 MLS# A4178487

2067 HARBOUR LINKS DRIVE, Longboat Key | Offered at $779,000 MLS# A4178487

2067 HARBOUR LINKS DRIVE, Longboat Key | Offered at $779,000 MLS# A4178487

2067 HARBOUR LINKS DRIVE, Longboat Key | Offered at $779,000 MLS# A4178487

Partyin’ in Pajamas

— TONY BRITT

Photos courtesy of Tony Britt Tamara Currey

Carole Chrisman

Barbara Sylvester models some

PJs for the ladies.

Michael Saunders Foundation donates to 47 causes

Agents and employees of the Sarasota real estate company contribute to the twice-a-year grant distribution.

OBSERVER STAFF

The philanthropic arm of Michael Saunders & Co. continued its 11-year mission of providing assistance to nonprofit organizations across Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties during its year-end grant distribution last week.

Company agents, managers and executives gathered at the Lakewood Ranch sales office to present checks to 47 local organizations. Representatives from each of the nonprofits shared details about their cause and how the money will be used.

“Each organization represented here today is a critical part of the philanthropic effort the community counts on,” said Drayton Saunders, president of Michael Saunders & Co. and vice president of the MSC Foundation.

“You represent the best of what our community does. We are honored to recognize and support so many organizations that are committed to doing vitally important work.”

The foundation’s twice-a-year grant distribution is made possible through donations by agents who give portions of their real estate commissions and staff who make payroll deductions and special gifts throughout the year.

Since its formation in 2011, a total of $1.2 million has been donated to 256 organizations throughout the tri-county area — from youth, family, homeless and mental health services to underserved arts and literacy programs.

Courtesy photo Drayton Saunders and Michael Saunders pose with representatives of all of the organizations that received grants during the Jan. 26 grant distribution event at the company’s Lakewood Ranch office.

Lido Key condominium sells for $2.63 million

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Acondominium in Park Residences of Lido Key tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. LP Holdings

I LLC sold the Unit E105 condominium at 159 Taft Drive to Winston Taft LLC for $2.63 million. Built in 2016, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,228 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,496,700 in 2016.

JOHN RINGLING ESTATES

Brian Moran and Lenore Savio, of Lavallette, New Jersey, sold their home at 165 Tyler Drive to Tyler LLC for $2 million. Built in 1939, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,184 square feet of living area. It sold for $440,000 in 2011.

MARINA BAY

Edward Joseph Kelly, of Stamford, Connecticut, sold the Unit 242 condominium at 2450 Harbourside Drive to Brian Scott Harris, of Longboat Key, for $1,995,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 2,830 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,025,000 in 2016.

BIRD KEY

Lynn Marmer sold her home at 519 Blue Jay Place to Mindy Renee Wright, of Franklin, Tennessee, for $1,725,000. Built in 1968, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,415 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,875,000 in 2022.

SLEEPY LAGOON

Patrick and Saundray Bogert, trustees, of Ontario, Canada, sold the home at 6500 Gulfside Road to 6500 Gulfside Road LLC for $1.4 million. Built in 1967, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,015 square feet of living area. It sold for $53,700 in 1978.

FAIRWAY BAY

Leonard and Tina Scavron, of Longboat Key, sold their Unit 1701 condominium at 2044 Harbourside Drive to Mary B. LLLC for $860,000. Built in 1985, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,370 square feet of living area. It sold for $770,000 in 2021.

THE RIVIERA OF LIDO BEACH

Jeffrey Thomas Marchand and Cheryl Allison Marchand, of Quebec, Canada, sold their Unit 4-A condominium at 131 Garfield Drive to Mark and Amy Doyle, of Pittsford, New York, for $730,000. Built in 1978, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,215 square feet of living area. It sold for $458,000 in 2021.

SARASOTA HARBOUR

APARTMENTS

David and Michelle Sylvester, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 26 condominium at 763 John Ringling Blvd. to Marianne Elizabeth Felice, of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, for $650,000. Built in 1963, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 816 square feet of living area. It sold for $300,000 in 2018.

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

SUTTON PLACE

Michael Chevalier, trustee, of Queensbury, New York, sold the Unit 101 condominium at 605 Sutton Place to Brit Remodeling & Construction LLC for $525,000. Built in 1973, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,148 square feet of living area. It sold for $152,000 in 1997.

SPANISH MAIN YACHT CLUB Frederick Beyerlein and Karen Weissenstein, trustees, of Colchester, Vermont, sold the Unit 1122 condominium at 546 Spanish Drive S. to Dana June Wilson and Christopher Leigh Bringle, of Ellenton,

JAN. 23-27

for $500,000. Built in 1966, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 1,241 square feet of living area. It sold for $96,000 in 1981.

SEAPLACE Jay Schlorf and Michelle Lynn Proft Schlorf, of Maple Grove, Minnesota, sold their Unit G6-306-C condominium at 1855 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Paul Howey and Lisa Howey, trustees, of La Salle, Michigan, for $454,000. Built in 1978, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 933 square feet of living area. It sold for $212,000 in 2011.

159 Taft Drive, Unit E105 sells for

PET PICS

Have photos of your four-legged family members? We want to see them! Share them at YourObserver.com/contests/petpics to be published online and for a chance to see them in print!

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Build your dream home Bayfront on oversized lot. 100ft on the Bay, beach access across the street & side canal for privacy. PLUS elevated separate guest house: a bonus structure no longer permitted for new builds.

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RECENT SALES

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Enjoy sunrise and sunset views from this 2 bed, 2 bath | 1,458 Sq Ft

Bright and happy great room, dining, kitchen all with forever Gulf of Mexico views. This community offers semiprivate elevator, onsite manager, pool, guest suite, social room, and fitness.

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511 Putter Lane

P A R K R E S I D E N C E S O F L I D O K E Y

3 bed + den, 2 bath

Updated home with no bridges to Sarasota Bay, on deep and very wide sailboat water. Dock, Lift, Landscaping, Roof, AC and Duct. With deeded beach access.

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FORECAST NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH TIDES

By Luis Campos

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“H’D U MHX TKAUSAS. H’D ZSRHBX ZP

SAHB HZ HB MJZ H VP ZCHBL HZ’T U BHIA TAUTPBHBX PG WUBXJUXA.”

PWHFHU IPWDUB

“SY S EDFKA WLC WDRSCP S MXDWLWKU TDFKA WFI S’KK IZKK UDF

SC IBZ GLNZ WXZLIB, S KDOZA SI PXDTSCP FM.” HDCLIBLC WLCVG

Puzzle One Clue: L equals K Puzzle Two Clue: R equals X Puzzle

Three Clue: W equals F

sudoku

I’M

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