Longboat Observer 10.6.22

YOUR

Spray-painted message

Residents of the north end of Longboat Key recently discov ered a staple of big-city life has appeared in their slice of paradise.

Graffiti was found on a sup port beam of the Longboat Pass bridge and was reported to police, who sent an officer to check it out.

There was no immediate indication of when the graffiti was painted or if it would be removed by either town Public Works teams or Florida Depart ment of Transportation crews.

Church offers comfort

The right combination of cool and hot is just what the Rev. Dave Marshall aims to provide at All Angels by the Sea Episco pal Church’s hurricane comfort center this week.

“We heard that Publix wasn’t serving coffee, but we can,” he said.

Featuring air conditioning, electricity and, yes, coffee, the station operates at the church from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily as long as it’s needed.

The free service is in col laboration with the town of Longboat Key, which reached out to the church ahead of the hurricane.

Turtle tracks

Dr. Michael O’Neil of Long boat Key Dental and Dr. James Reed of Reed Medical Group are sponsoring the effort.

Courtesy photo

Lesley

Kat

Hurricane Ian’s effects on Longboat

not as severe as originally feared

After a forecast called for potential catastrophe and prompted evacuations, the town ends up on the less-destructive side of the Category 4 storm.

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

Since late last week, town offi cials, first responders and utility workers have been working to restore Longboat Key as quickly as possible after the effects of Hur ricane Ian blew through. The deadly

Category 4 storm landed about 70 miles to the south, though forecasts last week were more dire.

Fire Chief Paul Dezzi and Town Manager Tom Harmer made rounds of the town after the storm around 6:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 29. How ever, Dezzi had already been on the island that morning around 1:30 a.m. to make initial assessments.

“We went through most of the neighborhoods and the mobile home parks, and there were trees down in all parts of the island but nothing significant,” Harmer said.

Ian’s predicted course of early last week shifted from a landfall in Tampa Bay, then near Bradenton and near Venice, ultimately landing in Lee County. Had Ian’s center land

ed north of the area, Longboat Key would have been exposed to hours of onshore hurricane-force winds and perhaps 10 feet or more of surge.

The majority of damages in town were downed trees and power lines. Widespread power outages were reported but flooding, as seen with Eta in 2020, did not materialize.

“We have been so fortunate here on the island as a barrier island, we tend to be in the front lines of hur ricanes,” Harmer said.

“In this particular case, because it came in the way it did, we caught the top end of the storm. Overall, we fared very well.”

The town will assess the state of the beaches and where erosion might have taken place and where

sand might have built up during the storm, though initial looks appear to indicate the shoreline was not badly damaged.

Dezzi was also one of the last emergency personnel off the island, leaving around 11:30 p.m. Sept. 27.

Longboat Key police officers were off the island shortly after around midnight.

In a conference call Monday morn ing, Dezzi reported that emergency personnel received no medical calls during the storm.

As Florida Power and Light has made strides to restore power, spots of the town still remain without electricity. As of early this week, more than 1,000 FPL customers on the island still did not have power.

Water service was shut down to the island and other barrier island communities by Manatee County utility officials to protect the sys tem from potential damage, a move that required a boil-water advisory for about 72 hours after the system was repressurized. Following tests to assure the water was consistently safe to drink, town officials rescind ed the boil-water order on Monday afternoon.

When driving down and through the island, the majority of individu als seen cleaning up debris were employees of landscaping services, which Harmer said is typical on the island as many residents already have existing contracts with com panies who service their properties throughout the year.

Storm debris collection was scheduled to begin this week. Debris placed in the right of way does not need to be bagged or bundled to be picked up. Town staff asks that resi dents keep vegetation debris and construction debris separated.

Harmer estimated it could take weeks for debris collection to be completed.

“We’re fortunate that we have had no serious injuries or serious dam ages on the island,” he said. “We had some property damage, but it is rela tively light.”

In the aftermath of the storm, island firefighters have been taking shifts down in North Port with their high water vehicle to aid in recovery efforts.

“We will be down there through out the week as needed,” Dezzi said.

After Hurricane Ian’s exit, town leaders began surveying damage, which was not widespread, and the state of the town’s beaches.

BUDGET ADOPTED

The Longboat Key Town Com mission adopted the fiscal year 2023 budget during a special workshop Monday.

The fiscal year 2023 budget was originally slated to be passed at the town commis sion’s Sept. 27 meeting. Due to Hurricane Ian, the meeting was rescheduled for Monday and the passed budget is in effect as if it was originally slated for Oct. 1.

The budget will end Sept. 30, marking the start of fiscal year 2024.

The budget was passed 6-0. Commissioner Debra Williams was absent.

The budget includes $17,849,000 in general fund spending against $18.5 mil lion in general fund revenue. The budget that also includes capital project funds, enter prise funds, debt service and special revenue funds includes $85 million in spending, $49.5 million in revenue, a beginning fund balance of nearly $91 mil lion and more than $55 million in the fund balance at the end of fiscal year 2023.

The millage rate has been set at 1.9900 and produces a 7.17% change from the rolledback rate of 1.8568 for 2022.

The passed rate is estimated to increase ad valorem revenue to $999,819 to fund the budget.

Eric Garwood

Teams of Longboat Key firefighters and the town’s high-water vehicle are helping out in North Port.

Kat Hughes

SEEIN’

When it comes to the aftermath of Hurri cane Ian on Longboat Key, the signature of the storm was one of wind rather than water, with large trees uprooted in neigh borhoods, on the Key’s two golf courses and along its roadways.

Most of the storm’s effects were concentrated mid-Key to the south. Although the north portion of the island showed less damage, downed trees and debris lined Gulf of Mexico Drive on Sept. 29, just

From Iwo to Ian

Longtime Longboat Key resident Harold Ronson, 96, is one of the few surviving veterans of the Battle of Iwo Jima. He said the sound and fury of Hurricane Ian evoked that memory, along with that, Ronson describes as “the knotty sensation in your gut that comes with the knowledge that this day just might be your last one on earth.”

Ronson had a front-row seat for both the “I’s.” His daughter, Norma Ronson Koppel, arranged for him to evacuate from his L’Ambiance condo to the clos est available hotel room. But it was in … Fort Myers.

Harold said he feels like he shouldn’t complain; it’s been more than 75 years since he faced that kind of danger at Iwo and his post-war life has been both safe and successful. Like many members of the Greatest Generation, he went on to a successful career (in the textile industry) before retiring on Longboat Key, where he became known both as a competitive senior tennis player and a substantial supporter of local nonprofits, including the Senior Friendship Center and the Sarasota Opera, serving on its board of direc tors for some 15 years.

IAN

hours after residents were allowed back after crews had worked all day to make sure roads were clear.

Water and sewer remained off at that time, and much of the Key remained without power.

Mark Richardson, facilities and recreation man ager of the town of Longboat Key, said the town’s Tactical First-In Team started working around 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 29 to sweep the island and note issues, and crews began at 9 a.m. to clear roadways, starting north and working south.

He said more of the damage was on the southern end, but it still didn’t compare to the effects Long boat encountered during its last brush with a major hurricane.

“Debris-wise, this is still so much better than what we had with (Hurricane) Irma,” he said.

Here are some the stories we found around the island:

St. Armands dodges damage

Mikael Sandstrom, part of the family that runs Oliv ia Fashion Boutique, said he had spent a stressful Wednesday preparing for the worst. He arrived at the shop at 7 a.m. on Sept. 28 to board up the windows, and then he went home.

Sandstrom said he lost power at home around 5 p.m. Sept. 28 but never felt he was in actual dan ger from the storm. After a restless night, he made his way across the bridge to check out the store on Thursday morning and was relieved with what he found.

“There’s no damage here,” he said. “There was a little bit of debris. This piece of piping for water

drainage fell down. Other than that, we were pretty fortunate. No actual damage.”

Sandstrom said that if there’s anything Sarasota residents and business owners know how to do, it’s prepare for and react to the immediate after-effects of a storm.

“I went through Irma,” he said. “I was raised here. I’ve been here since 1986. I’ve been through every hurricane, so it’s like a routine. I know the steps and checklists and everything like that.”

Photos by Kat Hughes

Workers from the Longboat Key Public Works Department work to clear a tree blocking Halyard Lane the day after the storm.

Workers from the Longboat Key Public Works Department work to clear a tree blocking Halyard Lane Sept. 29.

Mark Richardson, facilities and recreation manager of Longboat Key, checks the list of issues his team set out to fix after the storm.

A large tree fell in St. Armands Circle Park, revealing its roots.

Some things can’t be replaced

David Loccisano sifted through Tom and Norma McCarthy’s belongings on Sept. 29 to help Norma find her photographs and Fiestaware after Ian ripped the walls of their plastic shed apart.

“They’re the king and queen of this place,” Loccisano said of the couple.

The Loccisanos, along with the majority of the Gulf Shores mobile home park, suffered no major dam age from the hurricane. So he and his wife, Sheila, walked around checking on neighbors and lending a hand.

The McCarthys’ home was one of the more damaged units. The roof over their entryway door collapsed, but the interior was intact. After see ing that, Norma was more focused on the memories and treasures spread over the pavement to the side of their

home.

“The house is fine; we have insur ance,” she said as she headed straight to the pile of her things.

Miraculously, the shed blew apart while smaller bins of Fiestaware and Christmas decorations stayed put. Fiestaware became popular because people loved the dinnerware’s bright colors and durability. Ian didn’t leave so much as a chip or scratch inside Norma’s plastic bin full of it. And Loccisano was able to find and gath er all the old photographs.

No exit

Winds toppled an enormous ficus tree, blocking the south exit of Bay Isles. It was horizontally splayed across the drive like an oversized boom gate slammed down. By Sept. 29, the tree was chopped into pieces and stacked on the curb.

Comfort Food

In Country Club Shores, Ingrid Summers was check ing in on neighbors while her husband, Marcus, was busy keeping the larger community safe. Marcus works for the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, so he had to be off the island longer than most residents.

As cleanup efforts were underway in their neigh borhood, Summers filled a yellow wagon with good ies and took to the streets.

“She ordered trays of sandwiches from Publix,” neighbor Debbie Calpin said. “She was also knock ing on doors to see if anyone needed anything.”

Summers offered food to neighbors, workers and officials alike. No one was staying or leaving Country Club Shores hungry.

“It’s people like this that make Longboat Key such a special place to live,” Calpin said.

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Photos by Lesley Dwyer David Loccisano (right) helps Norma McCarthy gather photos from her damaged home.

A large tree blocks the exit at the southern end of Bay Isles.

Fixing things the old fashioned way

“You can’t charge battery-operated tools; that’s why I’m doing this all by hand,” said Doug Ward. “The old-fashioned way, the way we learned back in trade school: Get down and get it done.”

Ward came from Sarasota to perform repairs at one of the more badly damaged mobile homes in Gulf Shores, but he was only there to fix a pipe.

Luckily, the homeowners are snowbirds and have another place to stay. Wind tore through the siding and nearly pulled the roof off their mobile home that overlooks the marina.

The water pipe broke underground. Ward was pulling away plant roots with his hands trying to get to it. Most of the park had water when the town turned it back on, but the broken pipe prevented it from flowing to residents around the mari na and the back section of the park.

Ward said he can get water to that unit when the home owners need it, but for right now, he had to isolate and cap their pipe to get the rest of the park up and running again.

Drift wood Beach Home and Garden.

A home in Gulf Shores is damaged with a broken pipe under ground.

Waiting game

Heather Rippy, owner of Driftwood Beach Home and Garden, is in a holding pattern as her store has yet to have power restored.

“We are hoping to have power back by 11 a.m. (Wednesday),” she said. She and her family evacuated the island but returned Thursday once the all clear was given by the town. Even without power, she has been working to clean up and reset her store back to its pre-storm condi tion.

“I removed about half the inven tory before evacuating,” she said, pointing at empty clothing racks. “If

the clothing got wet, that would be ruined inventory.”

Behind her store, picnic tables remain pushed closer to the back door and boards still cover the win dows for the time being.

Rippy looks forward to when her and other businesses in Whitney Plaza are able to reopen and return to normal operations.

(Compiled by Lesley Dwyer, Lauren Tronstad, Kat Hughes and Eric Gar wood of the Observer staff)

Picnic

Lauren Tronstad

Damaged and undamaged mobile homes in Gulf Shores.

Ward digs up a broken pipe under

Sheltering in place

They were presented with a difficult decision. Leave or stay inside. They chose to ride out Hurricane Ian in their homes.

They knew the risks. And they weathered the storm on Lido Key.

But Carl Shoffstall will tell you himself that he’s not sure he made the smartest decision.

Shoffstall, the president of the Lido Key Homeowners Association, and his wife, Cindy, endured a rough night at their home during Hurri cane Ian. The water was turned off on Lido Key at 7 p.m. Sept. 27, and they lost power for 10 hours during the peak of the storm.

“We made up our mind,” Cindy Shoffstall said. “We didn’t waffle.”

The couple has lived in Sarasota for 20 years, and Carl Shoffstall said that the worst storm they lived through was an unnamed event back in the 1990s that caused tornados.

But this time? They said their property only had minor damage, such as broken tree limbs.

There were no broken windows. No flooding. Shoffstall said he lives across the street from the beach and didn’t see any storm surge at all — and he had a secondary plan in case.

“We had friends from Ohio who are here,” he said. “And we could’ve gone upstairs.”

Five years ago, Shoffstall said, they made the opposite decision. They decided to evacuate during Hurri cane Irma, and they drove all the way to their house in Plant City.

Only one small problem: By the time they arrived, Irma’s eye was over Plant City.

Photos by Spencer Fordin

This tree and sidewalk were part of the damage caused by Hurricane Ian on Lido Key.

MAKE

This time, they saw another hard truth about evacuation.

Shoffstall said he was talking with a couple from Longboat Key on Wednesday who were thinking about leaving. By the time they decided, the closest hotel available was in Immokalee.

Two-and-a-half hours away. Through the storm.

Shoffstall said he took that to mean that the safest thing meant shelter ing in place and hoping for no storm surge.

“You can run from the wind,” Shoffstall said. “But the water will kill you.”

Another Lido resident, Brandon Snyder, said he spent a restless night literally holding the wind back from opening the back door of his home. First, Snyder propped a chair against his back door, and then he leaned against it while reclining on his Tee ter inversion table.

All in all, Snyder said, it really wasn’t that bad as far as hurricanes go.

“I lived through Hugo in St. Croix back in 1989,” he said. “I lived through Charley, and I lived through Irma.

“Now I’ve lived through this one. I’ll tell you one thing: If what hap pened down in Fort Myers had hap pened here, this island would’ve been underwater.”

Snyder, who has lived in Sarasota for seven years, said he spent part of the storm watching some sparrows that had nested into cubbyholes on the side of his house.

He went out to the bird feeder in

the morning to fill it, and he was soon

greeted by a flock of hungry birds.

Snyder said he never considered evacuating, and he also said he was relieved that there was no storm surge.

He spent the storm looking down Ford Street waiting for water to come, and if he had seen the waters rising, he planned to high-tail it for a nearby second floor landing.

Snyder spent much of Thursday morning riding around Lido Key and documenting damage.

He saw one chimney askew and a sign for the Holiday Inn knocked down. There were trees fallen and sidewalks broken. But nothing that couldn’t be fixed.

“There’s going to be a lot of clean up. But we dodged another bullet,” he said. “With hurricanes, you prepare, you survive and then you clean up.”

Brandon Snyder was wearing an “I Survived Hurricane Irma” T-shirt on the day af ter Hurricane Ian.

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MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS

Cindy and Carl Shoffstall made the difficult decision to stay put in Lido Key for Hurricane Ian.

Thankful? Great. Now be helpful.

Amidst the wreckage Hurricane Ian left behind, the rainbow after the storm emerges: When our neighbors need help, we know how to respond.

Whew. That was a close one. It’s a sentiment we’re familiar with here on Longboat Key, because as many times as we have been targeted for direct hits or scathing blows from storms, we have really lucked out.

But just as we are counting our blessings from Hurricane Ian, another sentiment hits: There are people all around us who were not as lucky.

A Facebook post from one of our colleague’s said it best: “We have gratitude, but know that our relief is someone else’s loss.”

Indeed, and as we see the pho tos of destruction and stories of heartbreak coming out of areas around us, this thought carries a lot of weight.

There’s still a lot of work left to be done and a lot of need out there.

But the silver lining to any of these storms is the response we see from our community members reaching out to help those in need. Disasters like this always attract the tried-and-true forces of national nonprofits, and it certainly takes their scale and heft to help all those in need.

But it also takes local efforts — both large and small — to rebound, and those are the stories that give us faith in the well-being of our community and the feeling that no matter what happens, we can get through anything — together. Here are just a few of the efforts we’ve witnessed of neighbors helping neighbors.

MEALS ON THE MOVE

On the large-effort side, at Michael’s On East, which is usu ally packed with more than 300 businesspeople for lunch or serving cocktails to guests at a charity ball, the ballroom was in business for a much different reason after Hur ricane Ian hit.

In past hurricane disasters, Michael’s On East Co-Proprietor Phil Mancini and his catering staff would go directly into the devas tated areas and set up buffet meals.

This year, they partnered with World Central Kitchen founded by José Andrés, who will be a part of Ringling College Library Associa tion’s Town Hall lecture series on March 13. World Central Kitchen is a nonprofit organization that is the first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitar ian, climate and community crises. Instead of a buffet, World Central Kitchen has specific guidelines and requires individually packaged meals.

Even though Midtown Plaza lost 30,000 square feet of roofing, the Michael’s kitchen, ballroom and restaurant never lost power, which meant Mancini was ready for action. After learning that Restau rant Depot was open at 9 a.m. the morning following Ian’s landfall, Mancini decided: “I’m going to go shopping. I called a bunch of my guys in and we started prepping. We gave them 3,000 meals by noon on Friday.”

Thankfully, Michael’s On East had staffed up just in time for cater ing season and had nearly 40 people working assembly lines in the ballroom. Mancini said they had 20 people working in the kitchen and 15 people in the ballroom plating, utilizing every piece of equipment around the clock. Starting at 6 a.m. every morning, the Michael’s team had eight convection ovens running in the kitchen and six convection ovens outside cooking food. “We got it down to where we can pack age 1,000 meals every 45 minutes,” said Mancini.

This operation, which was led by Executive Chef Jamil Pineda, went through 5,000 pounds of chicken, 2,000 pounds of hamburger, 2,000 pounds of pasta and more than 200

cases of produce, to deliver more than 10,000 meals to Port Charlotte and Fort Myers. Pineda worked 15-hour days for six days in a row.

But they’re not stopping there. On Monday, 15 minutes after break ing down the assembly tables and ovens, Mancini received a phone call with a request for 1,500 more meals. “I will do as much as I can,” he said.

PUPS ON PLANES

Just up the road at the Humane Society of Sarasota County, another crew of people was working around the clock for a different purpose: transporting and caring for animals coming in from damaged shelters down south.

The day after the storm came through, HSSC put out an all-call for volunteers in the community on its website and social media to clean up the shelter property and keep operations running. About 20 people responded outside of HSSC’s regular volunteers, and they got to work doing everything from cleaning up storm debris and clear ing walkways to cleaning kennels.

“We had a lot of our regular volunteers who couldn’t be here because of damage to their homes, as well as staff members,” said HSSC Marketing Coordinator Alissa Jackson. “So it was really great to see people from all over the community coming to help.”

Tapping support from national organizations such as the Bissell Pet Foundation, Best Friends Animal Society and Race for Life Rescue, the shelter became a regional hub for animal rescue and transport efforts, coordinating with shelters down south, particularly Humane Society Naples, to evacuate animals from damaged areas and fly them to safety, including in other states.

As of Tuesday, HSSC has helped transport more than 198 animals to states ranging from Pennsylvania and New York to Tennessee, Ala bama and Illinois.

WAYS TO HELP

n A Hurricane Ian Relief Concert presented by Sarasota Orchestra and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall will take place 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7 at the Van Wezel. The concert will feature uplifting music and will benefit the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. The Patterson Foundation match all funds raised up to $750,000. To purchase tickets, visit VanWezel.org.

n United Way of South Sarasota County, Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County are all accepting donations to

In addition to the efforts to trans port animals to safety, HSSC also has provided food to 30 dogs and 15 cats at the shelter at Philippi Shores Elementary school. And through all of this, the nonprofit has been ask ing locals to take foster pets to help alleviate the strain on the transport and shelter system.

“Right now we need to make as much space as possible” in the shelter, Jackson said. “So the less animals we have here, the better.”

Jackson said the community response has been touching. This includes HSSC staff who stayed on-site during the storm and have continued to work since it passed, even after they were given an opportunity to go home.

“It really goes to show the spirit of people who love animals,” Jack son said.

POLICE AND PRAYER

The Sarasota Police Department and the North Port Police Depart ment were in close communication prior to Hurricane Ian’s landfall.

When North Port Chief Todd Gar rison advised Sarasota Chief Rex Troche that they could use some assistance, SPD sent 20 officers to help with rescue missions, amphib ious vehicles and high-water Hum vees, and an additional team to help prepare and serve food and deliver water, ice and meals-ready-to-eat.

While assisting in North Port on Monday, Oct. 3, Troche, Deputy Chief Scott Mayforth and Public Information Officer Genevieve Judge pulled into a 7-Eleven with food and water.

There they encountered an older gentleman who had been trapped in his house and was seeking ice and trying to find something to eat.

“He said that God must have sent us there,” recounted Troche. “We were able to give him several bags of ice and food, and you would have thought it was the biggest miracle that ever occurred.”

Although these efforts show the

recovery

to Serfdom,”

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help with local recovery efforts. n Humane Society of Sarasota County is in need of monetary donations, as well as pet food to stock its public pet food pantry.

Those interested can donate money on its website at HSSC. org or bring pet food to its shelter at 2331 15th St., Sarasota. HSSC is also asking for people to foster animals, which can be done through an online application on its website.

n World Central Kitchen continues to provide food and disaster relief. To support its efforts, donate at WCK.org.

many more grassroots efforts ongo ing. All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church on Longboat Key opened a comfort station for people to enjoy some air conditioning, charge their phones or just enjoy a cup of coffee and some post-storm camaraderie.

Christ Church of Longboat Key organized a food drive for Wednes day to gather nonperishable items, toiletries and diapers for Our Daily Bread in Bradenton.

After helping a neighbor rescue their parents in North Port who had been stranded after their roof came off, Kristy Cail, owner of Kristy Leigh Cail Creative and mother of two, Jaxon, age 12, and Caitlin, age 10, said she couldn’t sit still and not do anything. But she also knew that she should stay out of the experts’ way. “There were people that I knew in Venice, some of Cait lin’s classmates who didn’t have any power or running water. So I thought, ‘Why not make a bunch of meals?’”

Cail made 25 individually pack aged lasagnas and posted on Facebook that she was offering the free hot meals. Cail’s friend, Tim Mitten, saw the post and collected the remainder of the lasagnas and took them to families in Englewood to whom he was already delivering ice, gas and generators.

In the Southgate neighborhood in Sarasota, residents simply ran a power cord from their house out to the street, where they set up a chair and a charging station for weary neighbors without power.

For all the bad news we’re inundated with, all the images of building carnage and floodwaters and destruction, we have hope that these large and small acts of love, kindness and generosity will continue.

So for those who feel lucky or grateful, don’t forget the loss. Your community needs you, and the good news is, there are plenty of ways to help.

Emily Walsh is president and pub lisher of Observer Media Group and Kat Hughes is executive editor and

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work, there are

“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

Courtesy photos

Michael’s On East staff Scott West, Margaux Arthur, Matt Merriman, Co-Proprietor Phil Mancini and Lavardo Morely stand next to food crates ready for delivery. The restaurant made more than 3,000 meals by noon Sept. 30.

Scott West, with Michael’s On East, loads up finished meals into a crate to be delivered.

LETTERS

Stop the tirades

Before one even opens the Observer, one can bet that Matt Walsh will pour out vitriol on President Biden and ignore anything happening with Republicans. Each week, another Biden bashing to distract from the scandals of Trump and the Republican efforts to destroy democracy.

Ignoring truths, imagining Democrats as enemies, supporting outrageous Republican candidates, etc., as the list of lows that face us today grows with every one of these Qanon conspiracies and election deniers.

Wake up readers and see the damage these remarks do to hinder any chance of democracy surviving, hinder the truth replaced with alternate facts and hinder the old American way we all want to see where people discuss issues and differences and not culture wars.

Walsh won’t stop his tirades, or get his head out of the sand, but we must hold him accountable.

CAROL STAITMAN LONGBOAT KEY

Go when they say

I feel the need to remark about conversations I’ve had with people on the islands about evacuations. So many people asked, “Will you leave?”

With such danger now confirmed with the heartbreaking losses south of us (it could have been us), hopefully in the face of another storm, we won’t ask this silly question any more and replace it with, “How can I help you?

GLADYS TIERNEY LIDO KEY

BE HEARD

Surely you have an opinion?

Email letters to Managing Editor Eric Garwood at EGar wood@YourObserver.com.

Include your name and town.

gigi

FRIDAY, SEPT. 23

FEET DON’T FAIL ME NOW

1:50 p.m., 7200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Traffic hazard: An officer investigat ing a traffic backup found a land scaping company’s disabled dump truck in the middle of the Longboat Pass bridge. A bridge tender said the driver told him it broke down, a mechanic was on his way and then ran off, never to return. While the bridge tender and a fellow em ployee directed traffic, aided by the bridge’s safety gates, the truck’s owners were called by police and made aware of the situation. A tow truck and mechanic were sent to the scene. The truck’s owners said they did not know why the driver ran off and wouldn’t answer his mobile phone.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 24

PARKING: APPROVED

9:09 a.m., 600 block of Cedar Street Citizen assist: Police investigated a report of a truck with a boat trailer parked improperly in an area that requires a permit. An officer arrived to find the truck, the trailer and a permit allowing their presence.

FORGIVE ME

3:06 p.m., 4200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Alarm: An employee of a church told responding officers that he was accidentally responsible for the activation of an intruder alarm when he arrived to begin preparations for a Sunday service. The employee said everything was OK and no police as sistance was needed.

THE ELECTRICITY WILL LEAK OUT

3:49 p.m., 5700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: An officer sought help from emergency dispatchers in relaying to Florida Power and Light word from a resident about a utilities box that was hanging open with a panel visible. The dispatcher advised FPL would arrive within the hour. Several other calls to police were registered about the same box.

MONDAY, SEPT. 26

GOTTA GO 3800 block of Gulf of Mexico Citizen dispute: Police told all parties involved in a disagreement

between a property manager and a tenant of a condominium that evic tion proceedings were civil in nature and were not the purview of police. The manager said the unit owner had improperly rented the unit, prompting the eviction.

ROPE ROW

500 block of Sloop Lane Citizen assist: A police officer inter vened in a canal dispute over how a boat was moored in preparation for Hurricane Ian. A resident com plained the boat’s ropes extended across the canal to the other side, blocking navigational access. The boat owner agreed to redo the ropes.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 28

ALL SET 2:47 a.m., 700 block of Binnacle Point Drive Alarm: Officers investigated an activated intruder alarm but found no signs of a break-in, based on an exterior check.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 29

ALL GOOD 10:57 a.m., 3300 block of Sabal Cove Place Welfare check: Police ascertained that an 86-year-old resident was

TUESDAY, SEPT. 27

CLEAN, BUT WIDE OPEN

6:01 p.m., 700 block of Tarawitt Drive

Unsecure premises: Police secured the front door of a house.

A caller said a cleaning crew had been there but had not closed the door properly.

An officer told the owner what had happened through the home’s doorbell camera system.

fine, though his cell phone battery had failed. Family members called police worried about his well-being. The resident said he was now in contact with those family members who were concerned.

THE SLOW AND THE NOT-SO

FURIOUS

4:03 p.m., 600 block of Hibiscus Way

Boating call: An officer called to investigate a report of drifting boats determined they were not immedi ately dangerous to other property. One vessel was grounded and taking on water. The other was also ground ed. Information on the situation was relayed to the town’s marine patrol officer.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 30 CAN WE KEEP IT?

8:15 a.m., 500 block of Ranger Lane Citizen assist: A resident called police to tell an officer about a boat that drifted loose and arrived near his canal-front dock. The resident said he secured the boat with rope to his dock and used a pump to re move water inside. The resident told police the boat belongs to an owner down the street who is out of town and would maintain the vessel until the owner returns.

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Over 25 Years Experience

Over 25 Years Experience

Moving up, moving on

vice,” Dezzi said. “Being a firefighter means that you have a second family wherever you go.”

Jenkins was gifted a photo with signatures lining the border, his jacket and gloves framed and his hat, among other artwork.

Firefighter-paramedic Jeff Bullock gave Jenkins an ax on behalf of the department.

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

Well-wishes, jokes and congratu lations were all around during Monday’s Longboat Key FireRescue ceremony recognizing the retirement of Lt. Alan Jenkins and the promotion of firefighterparamedic Ron Koper.

Fire Chief Paul Dezzi called the ceremony “bittersweet” as one fire fighter leaves and another moves up.

Jenkins was recognized for his 12 years with the department with a brief speech from Dezzi.

Dezzi calculated Jenkins spent the equivalent of 146 months, 14,160 shifts and 35,040 hours with the 37-member department. He finished his employment 13th in seniority.

“One thing that will never change is the camaraderie of the fire ser

As he addressed fellow depart ment staff for the final time, he teared up thinking of memories and his appreciation of those he met dur ing his time serving the Key.

“I’m sad to go, but I am excited about the future,” Jenkins said, addressing members of the depart ment in attendance. “I’m going to miss you guys. You are a family.”

Koper was promoted to lieutenant after eight years with the depart ment. “I’m appreciative every day that (Dezzi) gave me a chance eight years ago to come into the fire ser vice,” he said.

He spoke of the mentorship he received from fellow firefighters, specifically Chase Bullock, who pinned on Koper’s new badge.

“I don’t think I could have got a better set of guys to be working with and to bring me into the fire service,” Koper said.

Lt. Alan Jenkins retires after 12 years with the department. Firefighterparamedic Ron Koper was promoted to lieutenant in his place.

Lauren Tronstad

Fire Chief Paul Dezzi shakes new lieutenant Ron Koper’s hand Mon day.

Longboat Key

Rumble is on a roll.

The latest news for the Longboat Key global videosharing platform company, which caters to a conservative audi ence, is a lucrative Wall Street deal that values the business at more than $2 billion.

The deal, a merger with a special purpose acquisition company, also known as a SPAC or a blank check company, has several key compo nents. A big one, according to a statement and public filings, is the merger, which closed Sept. 16, pro vides Rumble with some $400 mil lion in gross proceeds. That includes about $85 million of proceeds from a financing agreement; $15 million from a Forward Purchase Invest ment; and approximately $300 mil lion of cash held in a trust account.

The SPAC entity created for the purpose of buying and taking Rum ble public is CF Acquisition Corp. VI. Prominent Wall Street executive Howard Lutnick, chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, oversees CF Acquisition Corp. VI. Other inves tors in the company, predating the

SPAC merger, include billionaire investor Peter Thiel, an early Face book investor who has backed mul tiple national conservative political causes and candidates.

Net proceeds from the deal will be used to attract new content creators to the Rumble and Locals platforms, the release states. It will also be used to “continue to build out Rumble’s independent infrastructure, expand Rumble’s teams, begin robust mar keting of the platform” and pay for future acquisitions. Rumble has posted $11.17 million in revenue in the past 12 months with a gross profit of $1.96 million, public filings show. Revenue is up 232% since 2019.

SPECIAL PURPOSE

“Today marks an amazing milestone

firm reels in $400 million

based job incentives to Rumble, but no funds were ever approved — the company said it planned to imme diately hire 20-25 people. Company officials also said they intended to invest at least $50 million in grow ing its local presence in the next few years. The company’s office, public documents show, is at 444 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

“Moving to Longboat Key is a win-win for Rumble and the Sara sota community,” Pavlovski said in a statement about the move. “Sarasota County is growing rapidly, and we are excited to be part of the growth.”

Rumble officials have declined several attempts to interview Pav lovski about either the headquarters relocation or company strategy.

GOING PUBLIC

Longboat Key-based Rumble officially went public on the Nasdaq on Sept. 19 through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company led by Cantor Fitzgerald Chair and CEO Howard Lutnick. Shares opened Sept. 19 at $12.44 and climbed as high as $17.23 be fore closing at $16.81. Shares opened at $12.95 Sept. 22.

for our company, and one that I have been looking forward to for a long time,” Rumble founder and CEO Chris Pavlovski said in the Sept. 16 statement. “This transaction allows Rumble to fund a wide range of business initiatives, including the development of our independent infrastructure, while we continue to add top creators to our platforms. I am extremely excited to report that despite current market conditions, we have retained nearly all the cash in trust, with nearly zero redemp tions from CFVI shareholders.”

Founded in Toronto in 2013, Rum ble moved its corporate headquar ters to Sarasota County in Novem ber 2021. At the time of the move — Sarasota County commissioners considered granting performance-

BIG REACH

Some details about the merger, and the company’s growth plans and what officials say is its competitive advantage, were available in public filings. For one, the company says the deal gives it a “pro forma enter prise value” of $2.2 billion.

A key part of Rumble’s strategy, officials say in an investor prospec tus, is to add “content verticals,” with everything from arts and pets to gaming and cryptocurrency. It also seeks to “identify top creators and provide them better distribu tion,” than other platforms, the pro spectus states. Current prominent content providers and creators range from actor and comedian Russell Brand and journalist Glenn Green

wald to MMA fighter Jorge Masvidal and author and radio host Dr. Drew. By way of example of what Rumble says it can provide for top creators, it cites conservative commentator and podcaster Dan Bongino.

Another aspect of the company’s strategy is to drive more engage ment with three platforms: web browser, mobile app and connected TV. Within that, it lists several new and upcoming features, including live streaming, camera integration and gifting-tipping.

While officials aim for Rumble to be content-neutral, the prospectus highlights the niche in conservativeleaning content. With the issues some of the social media giants are facing, including potential federal and state regulation and legislation, that niche is also a big opportunity.

“We have only scratched the sur face,” the prospectus states, “of what this business could be.”

Growing in

Worship With Us at Our Church

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Service

The Rev Dr Nor man Pritchard

Rev. Dr Norman Pritchard

YOUR NEIGHBORS

‘Not like friends, a little more

Longtime bartender at Dry Dock appreciates her co-workers and customers.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Michelle Rogers started working at Dry Dock Waterfront Grill when she was 21 years old. She’s 35 now, has no plans to leave and is not alone.

“This restaurant is special,” she said. “It’s great having a place where you can come (to work), and it feels like it’s home.”

The bayfront restaurant, tucked behind the Mobil gas station off Gulf of Mexico Drive, opened in 1989. It changed hands in 2015 when Gecko’s Hospitality Group bought it from the original owners, Eric and Cindy Hammersand.

It was a smooth transition because the same staff has been running the kitchen for more than 20 years, and some of the front of the house employees are going on 30 years.

Rogers’ older sister, Heidi Fred erick, works at Dry Dock, too. She started waiting tables a year before Rogers started as a bartender. Whether it’s the management, cus tomers or serene bayfront scenery, Dry Dock doesn’t see the kind of staff turnover many restaurants do.

Patricia Finnan said she and her husband, Patrick, have been walk ing, biking and boating to the res taurant from their home in Country Club Shores since it opened. They’ve never had a bad meal at Dry Dock, but that’s not what makes them regulars.

“It’s the staff. They’re just great people,” said Patrick. “They became, not like friends, a little more so.”

Patricia attended Rogers’ bridal shower, and both came to the wed ding.

“I really feel like they are like my grandparents. I’ve known them since day one here.” Rogers said of the Finnans. “They’re just the kindest (people) you could be around. They warm the room when they walk in.”

The Finnans are known around the restaurants as “The Pats.” Rogers and another bartender, Kim Adams, bought them matching mugs that read, “Happy wife. Happy life,” one of Patrick’s favorite sayings. Accord ing to Rogers, the Pats set the bar when it comes to happy couples.

Rogers is off to a good start with husband Timothy, and the Pats approve. He’s been a paramedic and firefighter for 14 years in Sarasota and is studying to be a registered nurse at University of South Florida.

The day Timothy proposed, a tropical storm was approaching and Rogers woke up feeling sick. But there’s no going back after planning a fake volleyball tournament for friends and family to watch as you ask, “Will you marry me?” He told Rogers to pack the cooler for a long tournament day.

Before the rain hit, Timothy let a volleyball pass over his head and dropped to one knee. Rogers hap pily accepted, and the big day was planned for January 2020.

When the original venue Orchid Garden in Orlando was torn down unexpectedly, finding another venue could have been stressful. But not for Rogers, who had an immediate backup plan when customers stepped up to offer the Longboat Key Club.

The couple decided on the Kapok Tree in Clearwater, but Rogers points to that example with gratitude.

“They truly are family here,” she said. “We have something wrong, they will do their best to help us.”

Now, the couple is ready to expand their family. Rogers is undergoing in vitro fertilization. She took a fiveweek leave from Dry Dock to get her first treatment in New York.

On her last shift before leaving, Chef Hector Elizarras made his “to die for” homemade pizza. Once the restaurant is set-up, the staff has a half hour to eat a meal together. That day, the pizza was topped with pine apple for Rogers.

“The pineapple is the symbol for IVF,” she said. “It’s saying that your inner core will be OK because you’re strong on the outside.”

While she was in New York, Rog ers received messages of encourage ment from family, of course, but also from co-workers and customers. The first treatment didn’t take, but that’s often the case. She returns in two weeks for round two.

Michelle Rog ers is a favor ite behind the bar at Dry Dock. She’s worked at the restaurant for 14 years.

Rogers is still looking at the volleyball as her now husband Timothy is down on one knee to propose.

Michelle Rogers and Heidi Frederick. The sisters have been working at Dry Dock together for over a decade.

Photos by Lesley Dwyer Patricia Finnan, Michelle Rogers and Patrick Finnan. Rogers says her relationship with the Pats is like having an extra set of grandparents.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Rogers

TBI celebrates a new year

As Hurricane Ian was about to make its mark on Florida and this year, Sept. 26 continued on as a day of celebration for Tem ple Beth Israel. About 100 mem bers met for lunch at Michael’s on East following a Rosh Hashanah service at the synagogue.

“Rosh Hashanah translates to “rosh,” meaning head, “shanah” meaning year.” Executive Director Isaac Azerad explained. “It starts a period of 10 days in which Jews all over the world enter into celebrat ing the new year and having a period of introspection into our behavior, actions and deeds for the past year.”

Despite worries over the im pending hurricane and evacuation, the air was light inside the dining room.

Members were in the moment, enjoying the company of their

friends and family.

After Sylvia Pastor thanked Rosalyn Fleischer for planning the event, Fleischer joked, “I just had to call Michael’s.”

A plate of apples and honey was placed on each table to follow a Jewish new year tradition.

“The idea is that we bless the apple as the fruit of the earth by dipping it in honey, so our year will be sweet,” Azerad said.

The 10-day period provides time for reflection in an effort to better one’s self and culminates with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

“It is said that during Yom Kip pur, God opens a book,” Azerad said, “And in the book, you are inscribed for the year, so you want to be inscribed favorably for the year.”

—LESLEY DWYER

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Sonia and Maury Azerad with Executive Director Isaac Azerad.

TBI coPresident Marion Levine with Sam Samelson.

TBI coPresident David Gorin with Ken Newmark.

Susan Goldfarb runs TBI’s Education Center. Allan Goldfarb is an active TBI board member.

PET PICS

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GRAND BAY III

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The Laurel Oak model is a 4BR/5.5BA, 3,250+/- sq.-ft. contemporary-style residence by Vertical Design+Build, professionally designed for leisurely entertaining and elegant living. Private gate entrance, 20,000+sq. ft. lot and everything in between.

Bird Key home sells for $4.1 million

Ahome on Bird Key tops all transactions in this week’s real estate.

Rajesh and Renuka Malik, of Sarasota, sold their home at 319 Bird Key Drive to Leslie O’Connor, trustee, of Sara sota, for $4.1 million. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, three-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,498 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.25 million in 2019.

THE CASTILLIAN

Denise Harcke, trustee, of Fernan dina Beach, sold the Unit 309 con dominium at 4545 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Jan Troup, of Spring, Texas, for $1,131,000. Built in 1979, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,340 square feet of living area. It sold for $420,000 in 2012.

KEY TOWERS SOUTH

John and Amy Ryder sold their Unit 8E condominium at 1750 Benja min Franklin Drive to Eric and S. Denise Reedy, of Seymour, Indiana, for $1,215,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,548 square feet of living area. It sold for $500,000 in 2015.

In with the new

The home at 319 Bird Key Drive’s pool area. The home sold in 2019 for $2.25 million.

ADAM

Photos courtesy Roger Pettingell, Coldwell Banker

SATURDAY, OCT. 8

BREAKFAST WITH THE SHARKS

8-9:30 a.m. at Mote Marine Labora tory & Aquarium, 1600 Ken Thomp son Parkway. Enjoy a continental breakfast while watching the sharks be fed breakfast before the aquari um opens. $36 for adult members, $40 for adult nonmembers, $18 for youth members and $20 for youth nonmembers. Call 388-4441 for more information.

SUNDAY, OCT. 9

WATER SKI SHOW

2 p.m. on City Island, 1602 Ken Thompson Parkway. Sarasota Ski-ARees will be performing a water ski show. This event is free and open to the public. Call 388-1666 for more information.

RECURRING EVENTS

MONDAYS

STRETCH & STRENGTHEN

From 10-11 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 $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

THINKING OUT LOUD: TIMELY TOPICS WITH MIKE KARP

From 1-2:30 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Topics will include U.S. and world current affairs, popular culture and top ics relevant to seniors. Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS

LORD’S WAREHOUSE THRIFT STORE

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

TUESDAYS

QI GONG

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Cen ter, 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 $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

MAH JONGG

From 1-3 p.m. at The Paradise Cen ter, 546 Bay Isles Road. Fun time for experienced players. To check avail ability at the tables, email MaryAn nBrady@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@LongboatKey Rotary.org.

TUESDAY AND THURSDAY BREATH BALANCE AND BLISS YOGA

SATURDAY, OCT. 8

ART STUDIO OPEN HOUSE

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on St. Armands Circle, 400 Madison Drive, Suite 210. Kathy Groob is opening up her photography and art studio to the public. She is a de scendant of the artist, Frank Duveneck. This is a free event. Call 859-816-9001 for more information.

From 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Cost is $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers. Call 361-6411 ext. 2212.

TUESDAY AND FRIDAY

LONGBOAT LIBRARY

The Longboat Library is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays at 555 Bay Isles Road. Call 383-2011 for information.

WEDNESDAYS

BEGINNER TAI CHI

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 3836493.

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 LynnLar son@comcast.net to register.

ST. ARMANDS KEY LUTHERAN CHURCH BRIDGE CLUB

Every Thursday beginning at 1 p.m. at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, 40 N. Adams Drive, join an ACBL-sanctioned game of contract bridge with a certified teacher. All skill levels are welcome. There is an $8 suggested donation for each ses sion. Refreshments will be provided. RSVP to 952-9251.

FRIDAY, OCT. 7

SATURDAY, OCT. 8

SUNDAY, OCT. 9

Sunrise Sunset

Thursday, Oct. 6 7:25a 7:10p

Friday, Oct. 7 7:25a 7:09p

Saturday, Oct. 8 7:26a 7:08p

Sunday, Oct. 9 7:26a 7:07p

Monday, Oct. 10 7:27a 7:06p

Tuesday, Oct. 11 7:27a 7:04p

Wednesday, Oct. 12 7:28a 7:03p

MOON PHASES

Oct.

TIDES

Oct. 17

Highs Lows

Thursday, Oct. 6 9:56a 11:48p 4:17a 5:47p

Friday, Oct. 7 11:02a 11:59p 5:20a 6:21p

Saturday, Oct. 8 11:58a 6:11a 7:12p

Sunday, Oct. 9 12:11a 12:49p 6:56a 6:49p

Monday, Oct. 10 12:24a 1:37p 7:39a 7:30p

Tuesday, Oct. 11 12:40a 2:24p 8:19a 7:47p

Wednesday, Oct. 12 12:59a 3:14p 9:00a 8:02p

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