Longboat Observer 11.17.22

Beaches rebuff storm waves

Upon early examination, Ian, Nicole have little impact on shoreline. PAGE 2

Honor & service

YOUR TOWN

Spare change adds up for animals

Ever drop spare change into one of those little plastic boxes collecting donations for charity? Or wonder how much those impulse donations amount to? Since 2015, a donation container, smaller than a tissue box, has sat on the counter at Harry’s Corner Store to benefit the Humane Society of Manatee County. When it gets full, Monica Mastrangelo calls Anne Summers from the Longboat Island Chapel to come clear it out.

Summers delivers the donation to HSMC. She also collects from four other boxes at UPS, White Sands Cleaner, Longboat Liquors and Longboat Resort Wear.

As it turns out, seven years worth of spare change on Longboat Key had added up to more than $36,000, she said.

Sharing of faith

St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church is hosting this year’s interfaith service and dinner 5 p.m. on Nov. 22.

Six faiths participate in the nondenominational service. Longboat Key religious leaders met recently to go over the program. The Rev. Brock Patterson from the Longboat Island Chapel is preaching this year.

“Each one of us takes a different role,” the Rev. David Marshall said. “The choirs from all the congregations get together to sing together. It’s amazing.” The location of the event rotates, but the interfaith service is held every year on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

Eric Garwood

The St. Armands Circle tree will officially be lit on Dec. 2 in a small ceremony. The annual Holiday Night of Lights ceremony was recently canceled.

Lesley Dwyer

Lesley Dwyer

Lesley Dwyer

Guests of honor Maj. Gen. Scott Gray and Lt. Col. George Hardy.

Veterans share the thanks of a grateful town. PAGE 16

Town beaches in good condition following pair of recent storms

Initial look after Nicole shows little to worry about, though deeper examination still to come.

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

After a hurricane and a tropical storm in the past six weeks, Longboat Key’s beaches remain in good shape with the potential for improvement where erosion is most common.

The town’s Public Works staff pre sented their annual beach report to the Town Commission at Monday’s workshop.

Annual reports first began in June 2020 as commissioners sought infor mation about the status of beaches and renourishment projects.

Parts of the report centered on the condition of beaches following Hurricane Ian. The town’s beaches experienced minimal impact from the storm as it made landfall about 50 miles south of its previously fore cast track, generally with offshore blowing winds.

Conditions after tropical storm Nicole had not yet been fully ana lyzed, but beach consultant Olsen Associates performed a few initial aerial passes on the North End. A full review is planned for completion by Programs Manager Charlie Mopps starting next week.

The bulk of the presentation cen tered around results of the one year post renourishment survey con ducted through July and August.

In 2021, 1.1 million cubic yards of sand were placed in five main areas on the key that experience high ero sion along with the construction of five permeable rock groins on the north end of the island.

Renourishment projects aid in

the town’s “design beach” plan for the ideal look and size of beaches on the barrier island. Ideally, the shoreline measures at least 120 feet wide. According to a graphic shown in the presentation, the majority of beaches on the island meet or exceed that goal.

Gulfside Road beaches continue to experience the highest erosion rates of any other beach on the island. The area is skewed the furthest from the desired “design beach” shore line measurement. Seawalls that jut into the surf play the largest role in the narrower shoreline and erosion issues.

The rest of the island is much more stable in terms of erosion and response to nourishment projects.

In the past year, about 55,100 cubic yards of sand was lost, which is the equivalent of about 5% of the total amount of sand placed in 2021. The value is much lower than the histori cal annual average of 124,000 cubic yards of sand lost.

Roughly 29% of the sand placed has moved from its original place ment but remains within the island’s system. The value is equal to about 325,000 cubic yards of sand shifted. Shifting sand is expected to be much lower next year.

“We had 325,000 cubic yards of material that was built up into the construction template shift down into the submerged areas of the beach,” Al Browder with Olsen Asso ciates said.

Even though a significant amount of sand has moved, Browder said it still serves the island by providing the beaches with storm protection.

“We have 10 miles of beach and a lot of sand that was placed, so I am not at all alarmed or concerned by that number,” he said.

Areas of increased loss include the northernmost portion of the island,

Gulfside Road and the south shore line near New Pass.

The presentation also highlighted updates associated with two remain ing projects to be conducted during fiscal year 2023: New Pass groin tightening and Greer Island Spit Management Plan.

The first portion of the Greer Island project was completed in August, with the placement of about 1,000 cubic yards of sand and emer gency dredging.

The second phase includes move ment and placement of 25,000 to 35,000 cubic yards of sand on the opposite side of the bridge. The phase of the project is expected to take place by the end of this year and

into early 2023.

“The reason we want to do that is we will be outside of shorebird nest ing season and outside of turtle nest ing season,” Mopps said. “We will have a lot less cost that we will have to endure because of the monitoring process.”

For the New Pass project, the goal is to tighten the upper portion of the rock structure to limit sand leak age through and over the structure. Mopps is hopeful that the project will also begin this winter.

Beach tilling and aggressive scarp removal is planned to begin in March or April 2023. Scarps are nearly ver tical seaward facing sandy cliffs cre ated by wave action.

Lauren Tronstad

Additional beach debris was noticeable Friday after tropical storm Nicole.

Christmas quarrel

Organizers

ANDREW WARFIELD AND LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITERS

Workers nearly out numbered tourists in St. Armands Circle this week, setting up attractions, decorating and lighting the shopping district’s park for the six-week run of a new festival sched uled to open at 4 p.m. Friday.

Organizers and merchants say the St. Armands Winter Spectacular, which will feature music, a skate rink, a carousel, a train and more, will be good for the community and merchants while offering an alterna tive to other similar productions.

But it’s not all candy canes and sugar plums on the barrier islands.

St. Armands residents in a recent wide-ranging survey expressed con cern about the traffic and crowds the event might bring throughout the holiday season. Longboat Key resi dents and officials say it’s another example of the city of Sarasota, which approved the festival, ignor ing barrier-island concerns.

On Monday, Longboat Key Com missioner BJ Bishop called the event “one of the most dangerous situa tions that they could have possibly created.” She urged commissioners to contact Sarasota’s Mayor Kyle Battie and Vice Mayor Liz Alpert in hopes of “saving our citizens from six weeks of absolute traffic may hem.”

In October, St. Armands Circle Association Executive Director Rachel Burns also voiced concerns about the way the event was pre sented to city leaders. Her frustra tion centered on events she says she has been working on since February being forced to cancel. The events she typically hosts during the sea son are all free, she said, noting the difference between those events and segments of the Winter Spectacular.

On Nov. 8, Burns sent an email to association members and oth ers announcing the cancelation of its 44th annual Holiday Night of Lights, featuring the official lighting of the circle’s new 60-foot tree, cit ing “restrictions” resulting from the festival. The city responded with an announcement that it would hold a new-tree lighting on Friday, Dec. 2.

“The restrictions placed on the St. Armands Circle Association for Holiday Night have made it impos sible for us to present a celebration . . . this year,” Burns wrote, “but we look forward to celebrating Holiday Night of Lights with you in 2023.”

FREE, WITH SOME UPCHARGES

When proposing the event, organizer Tom Leonard, who owns The Shore on Longboat Key and St. Armands Circle, said access to attractions would come at the cost of $10 per wristband, $20 if entry includes skating on the synthetic ice rink. A stage is planned to host free enter tainment from schools and perfor mance groups. No admission would be required to enter the grounds.

Leonard said he surveyed all busi nesses at St. Armands Circle and generated a petition that garnered 97% support before going before the

City Commission on Sept. 19 to pitch the idea. On Oct. 3, he made a formal presentation and received commis sioners approval for a permit.

“I spent two or three days in the Circle asking a very simple question on my petition, which basically asked do you want Porsches in the Park, or do you want holiday festivities in the park?” Leonard said. “I’m not trying to take anything away from (Porsche). Our event just couldn’t coexist with theirs. The merchants were excited about the thought that this was a chance to really do some thing festive and fun, and it can bring a lot of people to the Circle.”

Leonard said the petition signa tures aren’t exclusively of business owners — some merchants are head quartered elsewhere — but in their stead are those of store management.

“The city has invested in our dis trict with this new Christmas tree, and there is absolutely no reason why we should not invest in our selves,” Barbara Bria Pugliese of Just/Because wrote the Observer.

“Why would we want our residents and visitors to go to another business district in town?”

“CHOKE POINT”

It’s those people potentially coming to the Circle that formed the basis of a letter Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier wrote to then-Mayor Erik Arroyo and the Florida Department of Transportation.

“Traffic between the town and Sarasota, especially during the holi days and the winter season, has long been a major concern for Longboat Key and its residents,” Schnei er wrote. “The chokepoint at St. Armands Circle is a focal point for that concern even in the absence of special events at those times of year.”

The letter asked both the city and FDOT to take the town’s concerns into account. FDOT, acknowledg ing its lack of jurisdiction, asked for a remaking of parking spaces on the Lido Beach-leg of the circle, con verting 16 diagonal spaces into eight parallel spaces to cut down on con gestion backing up into the circle.

A few days later, Arroyo sent his formal response to the town’s letter.

“We value your partnership with the City of Sarasota, and we thank you for your letter regarding the commission’s decision to approve the St. Armands Circle Winter Fes tival,” Arroyo wrote. “All our actions will take into consideration the con cerns of the community as well as neighboring jurisdictions such as the Town of Longboat Key. We welcome the opportunity to discuss this mat ter and bring your concerns into the conversation.”

Similarly concerned is the St. Armands Residents Association. In a recent poll of 147 members on a broad range of topics, 84% responded they were very or extremely concerned about festival traffic.

KEEPING CROWDS IN CHECK

In response to concerns over traffic, Leonard and Jeff Koffman of Ride Entertainment, also the CEO of Flor ida Design Works in Sarasota, said the number of visitors will be con trolled by a reservation system. Res ervations may be made in 90-minute blocks, and the six-week duration of the festival, they said, should pre vent heavy congestion. The admis sion system will allow 20 new people to enter the paid portion of the festi val area every 15 minutes.

“Everybody’s concerned about the traffic, and we know there’s probably going to be an uptick, but the real ity is for the 45 days or so that we’re open we’re going to control the flow with the reservation system,” Leon ard said. “The traffic should be mitigated by the length of hours and the days of the event, and the times that we’re open. We’ve strategically scheduled events around what we consider the slowest time, so if you look at our schedule, you won’t see any events happening the week after Christmas because we know that those performances aren’t needed to bring people to the circle.”

More than a celebration of the city’s new 60-foot tree already standing on the east side of the cir cle, Leonard said the objective of the festival is to bring more visitors to St. Armands rather than losing the business holiday attractions bring to University Town Center and even St. Petersburg.

For now at least, the Winter Spec tacular is a one-off.

“Never say never, but we really want to focus on this one event,” Leonard said. “We want peace with the residents. We want peace with the residents and people on Long boat. We obviously care about their considerations, too, because those people are our customers.”

IF YOU GO

The St. Armands Circle Winter Spectacular runs 4-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Nov. 18-Jan. 3. Reservations to access the attractions may be made at WinterOn TheCircle.com.

Attractions and activities include:

n Synthetic ice skating rink

n Carousel n Trackless train rides

n Photographs inside a life-size snow globe n Crafting and games

n Free daily entertainment by local performers

n St. Armands Circle merchants scavenger hunt

Parking is available at the St. Armands city parking garage, the 73 N. Adams Drive parking lot and at metered parking. A temporary restroom trailer will be available.

tout six-week event as a boon to the community, while traffic and crowds concern others.

Photos by Eric Garwood Workers were building the framework for the Winter Spectacu lar skating rink on Monday.

Work crews prepared the park in St. Armands Circle on Monday for Friday’s opening of the Winter Festival.

The St. Armands Circle tree will be officially lit on Dec. 2 in a ceremony substituting for the annual Holiday Night of Lights, which was recently cancelled.

Traffic to and from Longboat Key through St. Armands Circle is a concern of town residents, as seen on Saturday evening, Nov. 12.

Work begins on mainland phase of sewer main fix

Town staff opted for a cost-effective approach for the mainland portion.

A new pipe will be placed inside the existing pipe.

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

The town of Longboat Key has identified a more cost-effec tive solution to its parallel sewer main project, and work has begun on initial stages on the mainland side of the pipeline.

Originally, a brand new pipe was planned to run parallel to the exist ing pipe, which went into service in the 1970s. The original pipe was built with the expectation of a popula tion one day exceeding 50,000 resi dents. But a 1984 decision to rezone the island changed the trajectory of island growth, limiting peak season population to about half that num ber.

Taking advantage of that sewercapacity margin, town staff identi fied a more cost-effective solution called slip-lining. A new, smaller, more durable pipe will be fed within the existing pipe. The new pipe is expected to last between 75 to 100 years.

“It is considered to be much more durable and long lasting than ductile iron,” Public Works Director Isaac Brownman said. “It is much less reactive to corrosion. It’s not like an iron metal material that reacts to what is underground; it is a very static material.”

Improvements follow a pipeline break in June 2020 that spilled mil lions of gallons of effluent in Mana tee County.

The initial project’s cost is esti mated to be about $2.6 million. The majority of the costs, $2 million, is covered by state appropriations received over the last two years as part of the broader effort to improve the sewer main.

The existing pipe measures about

20 inches in diameter, whereas the new one is 18 inches.

The entirety of the pipeline from the town to the county’s treatment facility measures about 4 miles. About 1.2 miles will be relined with the upgraded material.

Currently, the town is only work ing on construction for the mainland portion, which will start at the leak repair point, approximately 400 feet north of Sarasota Bay to the Manatee County meter located at the county’s Southwest Water Reclamation Facil ity.

The town’s contract is with Mur phy Pipeline Contractors. The com pany completed the design and will place the new pipe.

The town owns about three-anda-half miles of the pipeline from Longboat Key all the way to the meter on the mainland. The remaining por tion belongs to Manatee County. The town is responsible for all construc tion and design, but Brownman said the county has been “extraordinarily cooperative” in the coordination of the project.

To accomplish the work as seam lessly as possible, the contractor will set up a bypass system to maintain island flow and operation during the work. Longboat residents should experience no disruption to service, Brownman said.

“(The contractors) have to connect to our existing pipeline just before slip-lining it and run an equivalent pipe above ground all the way to the Manatee County meter,” he said. “Our system will be online the entire time, but running through a bypass system all the way to the meter. The contractor will then slip line the pipes before we put the existing line back into service.”

The current tentative construction schedule is as follows:

■ November-December 2022: contractor will place fencing around perimeter of project area and begin fusing the bypass piping to be used to keep services running

■ December 2022/January 2023: finish the bypass system and place into service, begin pipe lining opera

tions ■ March 2023: complete pipe-lining construction ■ April 2023: final steps will be completed

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 meth od for the mainland portion the new estimated cost is about $21.7 million or less.

A few approaches have been con sidered to build a redundant pipe across the bay, including the most aggressive approach, open cutting. Open cutting is a method of pipeline

— Isaac Brownman

installation that requires digging up the underwater bed of Sarasota Bay to the required depth for installing the pipe.

“We have to get a barge out there with an excavator to scrape that out, put the pipe under the bay, all that is

pretty involved,” Brownman said. The town this year also launched an incremental increase in water and sewer rates in anticipation of bor rowing not only for the pipeline proj ect but also to replace water pipes in Country Club Shores.

Beginning in 2022, the town’s water and sewer rates were reset to begin climbing to help pay for the sewer line and the Country Club Shores work. From an average bill of $74.75 in 2021, bills will climb to $105.30 by 2029. With the additional revenue, the town can afford to borrow the remainder of what it needs for the two water and sewer projects.

First Physicians Group Welcomes Ariella

File photo

Lift Station D at 521 Gulf Bay Road collects sewage from the town of Longboat Key and pumps it to a treatment facility in Bradenton.

“It’s not like an iron metal material that reacts to what is underground; it is a very static material.”

Town appoints board members, alternate special magistrate

Brkich now has backup as town’s special magistrate following completion of a deal with law firm.

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

The town made appointments to fill seats on the Planning and Zoning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment this past week. Additional special magistrates have also been added in hopes of keeping a consistent meeting schedule when the previously single magistrate is unable to oversee hearings.

BOARD APPOINTMENTS

One seat on both the Planning and Zoning Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment is being vacated.

Two individuals were reappointed to their seats on the Consolidated Retirement System Board.

Frank Cona and Andrew Sawyer were awarded the extra time to serve in their positions. Cona has served on the board since September 2014. Sawyer has served since September 2016.

On the Planning and Zoning Board, one vacancy was posted for a partial term until May 14, 2025. Eddie Abrams, Steven Berling and Ronald Ginsberg submitted applications for the seat. Ginsberg was selected.

Ginsberg is a retired physician specializing in gastroenterology. He spent his career in Maryland before retiring to Longboat Key.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment also had a single vacancy for a partial term ending May 10, 2023.

Abrams, Berling, Ginsberg and Philip Deming sent applications for the role. Berling was selected by commissioners.

Berling, like Ginsberg, had a career in the health care field. He served in executive roles in Sarasota, Tampa

and in California before moving back to retire on Longboat Key.

Berling is a retired health care executive and served as vice presi dent at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in the 1980s.

No applications were received for the vacancy on the Citizens’ Over sight Committee for Public School Facility Planning. The town plans to continue advertising the vacancy.

Newly appointed and reappointed board members will be able to par ticipate in meetings as early as this month.

ALTERNATE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE

The Longboat Key Town Commis sion approved an alternate special magistrate.

The town’s special magistrate, Milan Brkich, will remain as the town’s primary. His contract has been extended through June 2023 and subject to additional renewal through June 2024.

Brkich has monthly meetings to hear cases of code violations that have been frequent and lasting enough to warrant a special hearing on the issue.

The new special magistrate has been hired from the firm Trask Daigneault LLP, which is based out of Pinellas County, for services. The town’s contract shows the lawyer will be paid $275 an hour, the same as Brkich.

File photo

Special Magistrate Milan Brkich’s contract has been extended through June 2023.

No contested races yet in Commission elections

ted his petitions to the supervisor of elections, but Town Clerk Trish Shinkle has not yet received a certi fication notice.

Gary Coffin has withdrawn his request to run in District 1.

The deadline for qualifying for elections is noon Nov. 21.

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

With a week remaining in the qualification period for the March Town Commission elections, each of three open seats has attracted one candidate, including Mayor Ken Schneier.

As of Monday, Nov. 14, Jeff Leno bel has qualified for the District 1 seat being vacated by Sherry Dominick.

Dominick was elected in 2020 when Randy Clair chose not to seek reelection. Family and professional commitments were at the forefront of her decision, she told commis sioners in October. She works as a Realtor with Michael Saunders & Co. on the south end of the Key.

Deborah Murphy has qualified for the District 5 seat. Maureen Mer rigan serves in the role and as vice mayor. She has also announced her decision to not seek reelection.

Merrigan cited “increasing outof-state family commitments” as a primary reason for vacating the seat once her term expires.

Mayor Ken Schneier has submit

The last time an election was con tested was in 2018. Since that March over four years ago, when Ed Zunz, Ken Schneier and Irwin Pastor won contested Town Commission races, March elections have not been need ed.

In the March 2022 elections, incumbents Mike Haycock, BJ Bishop and Maureen Merrigan were declared commissioners-elect when no one else opted to file before the Nov. 15, 2021 deadline.

If there is an election next year, whether contested or only a referen dum question, the costs run between $10,000 to $20,000 for the town, according to the town.

In hopes of enticing more resi dents to consider the role and, in turn lead to contested elections, commissioners discussed the possi bility of compensation at their Oct. 17 regular meeting.

The town charter does not allow for compensation of commissioners.

“We do this because it’s public ser vice,” Commissioner Debra Williams said. “I don’t think that $10,000 is going to do much to entice someone.”

As of Nov. 14, Jeff Lenobel, Deborah Murphy and Mayor Ken Schneier have submitted necessary paperwork.

File photo

The March 2018 election was the last time commissioners had to run a campaign for their desired seat.

DeSantis should not run

with the strife that has persisted for six years, and he didn’t help Republicans in the midterms.

MATT WALSH

Red wave? Ha! As many Florida Republicans put it, the national election results for Republicans was much more like Red Tide — smelly, rotten, the stench of dead fish.

Except, that is, in Florida. Voters here decisively declared Florida is no longer a purple battleground state. The Republican victories in Florida were a hurricane-like statement that says the Sunshine State is radiant red.

While we address Florida’s results in the accompanying sidebar, the matter that is more noteworthy now, just to be on record early, is this:

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis should not run for president in 2024.

In fact, he should be insistent — emphatically, to the point of being testy — and continue to say what he said on election night: He was just reelected as governor, and the citizens of Florida expect him to do the job they elected him to do.

Finite. End of story. Quit asking.

The media are going to be obsessed with this topic every day and in every interview for the next 16 months. Likewise, the question of whether he will run will be the topic of endless dinner conversations in Florida and in Republican circles elsewhere for the next yearand-a-half.

Making matters worse, of course, will be Donald Trump and his constant insults. They will be intended to persuade DeSantis not to run, but that strategy also could likely backfire. You know what happens when you are goaded. DeSantis may become so annoyed with Trump that you could see him reaching the point of saying in 2023: “That’s it. I’ve had enough. I’m in, and I’m going to squish that SOB.”

To that point, let’s be blunt: It would make everyone’s life so much better if Trump did not run. Republicans have had enough of the Dark-Side Trump. He should not run. Americans are exasperated

While Trump’s base and Republicans are grateful for all that Trump did from 2016 to 2020 — e.g. great economy, shut the border, began draining the swamp, etc., you can bet the powerball jackpot that the Americans whose votes would be needed for him to win again — moderate Republicans, RINOs and independents — do not want to live through two years of Trump campaigning and four years of his second presidency.

Our prediction: He can’t win again.

And at this moment in time, it is not likely DeSantis could win either. Too much is stacked against him — and any Republican, for that matter.

For one, the election two weeks ago was a repeat of 2020. It showed no shift in voting. What’s more, the Democrat Party has ensured that with the way it altered election counting in so many of the battleground states in 2020, the untrusted, ridiculous, specious methods of vote counting are locked in.

Consider the electoral map, the one that resulted in 85 million votes for Joe Biden. It didn’t change in the 2022 elections.

If the Republicans win a one-vote majority in the House of Representatives, that’s a gain of only six seats from the current split. The Senate is virtually no different. Neither changes the likelihood of how electoral college votes would go.

The website 270towin, for example, shows the electoral college votes changing in 2024 by only three votes. In 2020, Joe Biden garnered 306 electoral college votes to Trump’s 232. (You need 270 to win.) Based on the newest census data that determine congressional districts, 270towin shows a 2024 electoral college map giving the Democratic presidential candidate 303 votes and the Republican 235, a swing of only three votes.

Last week’s results showed it doesn’t matter much that the country is in an economic and social nosedive. Democrats voted Democrat, and the blue states remained blue. You might even argue blue states like New York, Michigan, New Jersey, Illinois, California and Pennsylvania became bluer.

Presumably, in all those states that have seen population outmigration, those leaving the blue states tended to be Republicans. As a result, Michigan went from having a Republican majority in its House and Senate to deep blue — Demo-

crat majorities in both houses and governor’s mansion.

But here’s another factor that would work against DeSantis at the top of the Republican ticket for 2024. The media and Deep State Democrats hate him. The media works almost overtime to paint him as a right-wing extremist. For them, he had the audacity to stand up to the leftist Democrat orthodoxy. He stood up for parents and students; is intolerant of crime; smacked down woke-ism and woke corporatists; is pro-life; against men participating in women’s sports; and favors freedom over servitude.

All that horrifies the left.

Indeed, if the presidential elections were held this year, because of his philosophical convictions, Ron DeSantis would have been unelectable.

And that will be his conundrum and challenge for the next two years — his image and how the American electorate perceives him.

What will he do? Will he do what all ambitious politicians do? Will he stay true to his convictions of his first term — never backing down to the left and woke-ism? Or will he succumb to the disease that inflicts so many politicians? Will he become another phony politician who is more interested in climbing the next step up (e.g. Charlie Crist)? Will he shift to the middle and left to appear more likable, become the phony who is not who he says he is, a la Biden and Obama? Anything for votes?

For Floridians’ sake and his own sake, we hope DeSantis stays true to his words on election night and remains focused on making Florida an even better place to live.

You can argue that it will be in DeSantis’ interest to do this so he can show he is not a one-hit, one-term wonder. So he can show he is not driven by the proverbial outsized ego that lusts the limelight and power.

It would be in his interest to further demonstrate to voters he is steady and consistent; that he puts the people of Florida first; and is a leader who can build coalitions to do what’s right, not just what is politically expedient. It would be in his interest to demonstrate to Americans that limited, conservative governance that emphasizes individual freedom is a far, far better alternative to the elitist, socialist, central government authoritarianism that the Democrats are using to enslave us all.

The way things are going at this moment — with Trump running again and the Democrat vote counting locked in — you can predict another four years of a Democrat president. With the Federal Reserve taking steps to squelch inflation and the likelihood that coming recession will have ended by 2024, whoever runs on the Democrat side (Michelle Obama?) will take credit for an improving economy.

To be sure, DeSantis will find it painstaking to resist the run for president.

But timing is everything. At this moment, and for at least the next nine months, you can predict the time is not right.

Selfishly for Floridians, we hope DeSantis puts aside the presidential hullabaloo and stays focused for the next four years on making and keeping Florida the freest and undisputed outperformer and envy of the United States.

Florida GOP: More powerful than ever

While the midterm election results for most of the nation was a stinky Red Tide for Republicans, in Florida, the Republicans experienced a Red tsunami like never before.

Yes, Gov. Ron DeSantis won reelection with a crushing 59.4% of the vote over former Republican, former independent and now Democrat Charlie Crist.

But adding to the whoosh of the wave were the results of Florida’s legislative elections. Republicans added four seats to their majority in the Florida Senate and six seats to their majority in the House. That will give Republicans supermajorities in both houses, making them unstoppable for whatever craziness they want to enact, and making Democrats in Tallahassee voices blowing in the wind.

Here is the breakdown:

Florida Senate

Democrats 12 Republicans 28

Florida House

Democrats 35 Republicans 84

On top of this, Florida’s Republican congressional delegation added to its majority, adding three more Republican congressmen and women. Republicans now outnumber Democrats 19-8 in Congress.

Never in Florida history have Republicans won this much power. How did it happen?

You can attribute this to all kinds

of reasons:

• Satisfaction with Gov. DeSantis’ bold performance the past four years;

• The 108,382 increase in registered Republicans and the 331,810 decline in registered Democrats since the last election;

• Of course, Republican Party officials would credit their own efforts at recruiting candidates and getting out the vote.

• Money • Quality of candidates and their message.

Take your pick.

But the midterm results nevertheless provide a noteworthy shift in Florida politics. Six years ago, Florida Republicans were fearing the state could turn blue. Donald Trump squeaked past Hillary Clinton by 1.2% percentage points in 2016. And that was after Barack Obama carried Florida in 2008 and 2012.

Add to that, in each of his gubernatorial elections, Rick Scott won by the thinnest of margins — 48.9% versus 47.7% against Alex Sink in 2010 and 48.1% versus 47.1% against Charlie Crist in 2014.

When Hurricane Irma all but wiped out Puerto Rico in 2017, Florida political watchers thought the state would see a wave of Democrat voters move into the state, shifting Florida once and for all.

And then came the Ron DeSantis-

NOTES ON FLORIDA’S ELECTIONS

n In 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis won in 61 of Florida’s 67 counties. In 2018, DeSantis won 54 of the 67 counties.

n Gov. Ron DeSantis won 59.4% of the vote versus 39.9% for Charlie Crist. That is highest percentage since Gov. Jeb Bush won in his re-election in 2002. In that election, Bush won in 60 counties, including his home county of Miami-Dade.

n Gov. Bush was the last Republican gubernatorial candidate to win Miami-Dade until DeSantis won it in 2022.

n Here are the margins of victory for Florida governors going back to Jeb Bush in 1998: 1998: Bush 55.3%-McKay 44.7% 2002: Bush 56.0%-McBride 43.2%

2006: Crist 52.2%-Davis 45.1% 2010: Scott 48.9%-Sink 47.7% 2014: Scott 48.1%-Crist 47.1% 2018: DeSantis 49.6%-Gillum 49.2% 2022: DeSantis 59.4%-Crist 39.9%

Andre Gillum race for governor in 2018. That, too, was as close as it could get. DeSantis beat Gillum only by 32,463 votes (49.6% to 49.2%). Here was the difference, and what can be the turning point for Florida:

THREE COUNTIES THAT WENT RED IN 2022 These three traditionally blue counties voted Republican in 2022. The totals show the change in Republican votes. Hillsborough (Tampa) 2018 234,835 2022 261,632 +26,797 Miami-Dade 2018 311,581 2022 393,405 +81,824 Palm Beach 2018 241,016 2022 278,089 +37,073

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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DeSantis won the vote of black mothers who supported his position on school choice. Were it not for them, Florida Republicans may not have experienced the tsunami that washed across the state Nov. 8.

Courtesy Tampa Bay Times

ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

The midterm elections are over, and Longboat Key voters can put away their favorite black voting pens until March, at the earliest, when Town Commission balloting is scheduled.

But Longboat Key voters did record some interesting results this past week in Sarasota and Mana tee counties when compared to the countywide trends during midterm elections that involved races for gov ernor, senator, U.S. House, Florida House and Sarasota County Com mission.

In Sarasota County, no races this time around went against the countywide majority. Voters sup ported another round of 1% sales tax to help finance infrastructure projects. Countywide, the measure passed 78%. In Longboat, that num ber was 82%.

In Manatee County Longboat Key voters reject extending a county wide incentive for new businesses in the form of property tax exemp tions. The program, which has been in place since 2013 and was up for renewal, narrowly passed, but Long boaters rejected it 904-715. It passed with a 51% majority countywide.

Here are a few races we chose to focus on to show the differences between the countywide majorities and the town results:

LONGBOAT KEY VS. MANATEE AND SARASOTA

ELECTION DAY AT LONGBOAT ISLAND CHAPEL

Economic Development Referendum

Overall Manatee

Yes, to extend: 51% No, to end: 49%

In Longboat Key Yes, to extend: 44% No, to end: 56%

GOVERNOR

Overall Manatee

Ron DeSantis (R): 64.7%

Charlie Crist (D): 34.8%

Hector Roos (LPF): .21%

Carmen Gimenez (NPA): .27%

In Longboat Key

Ron DeSantis (R): 61.7%

Charlie Crist (D): 37.9%

Hector Roos (LPF): .12%

Carmen Gimenez (NPA): .23%

U.S. SENATE

Overall Manatee

Marco Rubio (R): 63.1 %

Val Demings (D): 35.8%

Dennis Misigoy (LPF): .43%

Steven Grant (NPA): .40%

Tuan Nguyen (NPA): .18%

In Longboat Key

Marco Rubio (R): 61%

Val Demings (D): 38.2%

Dennis Misigoy (LPF): .2%

Steven Grant (NPA): .3%

Tuan Nguyen (NPA): .2%

U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 16

Overall Manatee

Vern Buchanan (R): 65.5%

Jan Schneider (D): 34.4%

In Longboat Key

Vern Buchanan (R): 63.4%

Jan Schneider (D): 36.5%

Countywide 1% surtax

Overall Sarasota

For: 78%

Against: 22%

In Longboat Key For: 82%

Against: 18%

GOVERNOR

Overall Sarasota

Ron DeSantis (R): 61%

Charlie Crist (D): 38.6%

Hector Roos (LPF): .18%

Carmen Gimenez (NPA): .25%

In Longboat Key

Ron DeSantis (R): 51.4%

Charlie Crist (D): 48.3%

Hector Roos (LPF): .16%

Carmen Gimenez (NPA): .11%

U.S. SENATE

Overall Sarasota

Marco Rubio (R): 59.4%

Val Demings (D): 39.6%

Dennis Misigoy (LPF): .34%

Steven Grant (NPA): .38%

Tuan Nguyen (NPA): .16%

In Longboat Key

Marco Rubio (R): 57.2%

Val Demings (D): 42.4%

Dennis Misigoy (LPF): .22%

Steven Grant (NPA): .06%

Tuan Nguyen (NPA): .03%

U.S. HOUSE DISTRICT 17 Overall Sarasota

Greg Steube (R): 60.6%

Andrea Doria Kane (D): 38.7%

Theodore Murray (NPA): .60%

In Longboat Key

Greg Steube (R): 58.2%

Andrea Doria Kane (D): 41.7%

Theodore Murray (NPA): .14%

MANATEE COUNTY Manatee

Town strongly objects to Winter Festival plans

The town of Longboat Key Commission is always concerned about transportation issues that affect our residents.

The Commission and staff have spent considerable time communicating with staff and commission members in the city of Sarasota expressing serious concern regarding the Winter Festival that has been approved by four members of the city of Sarasota Commission, despite objections from the St. Armands Merchants Association, the St. Armands Residents Association and the town of Longboat Key.

The town of Longboat Key was never given a “heads up” that this was being considered by the city and as soon as we learned of this project communicated our concern immediately. This “festival” is being promoted by Tom Leonard, owner of The Shore. It will begin Nov. 18 and continue through the holidays to the new year. Despite it being held in a public space, an admission fee will be charged.

For our residents who travel regularly through the Circle, this event will be a true safety hazard. There has been inadequate time to prepare a safety plan, to engage educated traffic managers, ensure that traffic is not backed up and work with those most affected to address concerns. None of the Sarasota City commissioners who supported Mr. Leonard’s project have to commute through St. Armands Circle and may be unaware of the traffic volumes that are a reality during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 4

Overall Sarasota

Mark Smith (R): 50.5%

Fredd Atkins (D): 49.5%

In Longboat Key

Mark Smith (R): 59.4%

Fredd Atkins (D): 40.6%

STATE HOUSE, DISTRICT 73

Overall Sarasota

Fiona McFarland (R): 56.3%

Derek Reich (D): 43.7%

In Longboat Key

Fiona McFarland (R): 59%

Derek Reich (D): 41%

Our Mayor Ken Schneier, Town Manager Tom Harmer and those of us on the Commission have spent considerable time communicating with the Sarasota city’s staff and commission to no avail. We have implored Florida Department of Transportation to step in without success. We have heard from citizens expressing outrage that this event will be allowed and we are frustrated and dismayed by the city’s actions.

I now implore Observer readers to let the city of Sarasota Commission know your feelings on this traffic blockade and the moment you are stuck in traffic due to this issue to call Sarasota’s City Manager at 941-263-6402 or email Marlon.Brown@ SarasotaFL.gov.

For our family we will no longer eat at The Shore either here on LBK or on St. Armands.

COMMISSIONER BJ BISHOP LONGBOAT KEY

Longboat Key has two voting precincts, one for each county. Here’s how Longboat voters leaned as compared to countywide vote totals in selected races.

Red tide detected on 16 Sarasota beaches

Red-tide levels have been detected at all 16 Sarasota County beaches monitored by the Florida Department of Health’s local office, from Longboat Key to Blind Pass.

The result of water sampling this past week prompted the placement of advisory signs indicating elevated levels of red tide at: Longboat Key, Bird Key Park/Ringling Causeway, North Lido, Lido Casino, South Lido, Siesta Key, Turtle Beach, Nokomis Beach, North Jetty, Venice Beach, Service Club, Venice Fishing Pier, Brohard Beach, Caspersen Beach, Manasota Key and Blind Pass.

Although most of the samples indicated concentrations of Karenia brevis — the cell responsible for red tide outbreaks — in low to medium levels, Venice Beach was categorized as high.

The Department of Health routine ly makes these recommendations for visitors to beaches where red tide is present:

n Do not swim around dead fish.

n If you have chronic respiratory problems, consider staying away from the beach as red tide can affect your breathing.

n Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish and distressed or dead fish.

If fish are healthy, rinse fillets with tap or bottled water and throw out the guts.

n Keep pets and livestock away from water, sea foam and dead sea life.

n Residents living in beach areas who experience respiratory symptoms are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner, ensuring that the A/C filter is maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Airline launches flight to North Carolina

An airline that made its debut at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in early 2022 with service to the Northeast last week announced it will soon launch flights to North Carolina, as well.

Avelo Airlines began service from SRQ to New Haven, Connecticut, in January and said today it will begin flying to Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, in February 2023.

Since its launch in 2021, Avelo has flown more than 1.3 million passengers and now serves 34 destinations. The low-fare airline focuses on point-to-point travel rather than connections made through a huband-spoke network, a news release said, which minimizes delays and simplifies planning.

New flights to Raleigh-Durham will begin Feb. 17 and will operate on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. No other carrier serves North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park directly from SRQ, according to a list of destinations on the airline’s website.

The airline said introductory fares will begin at $39 each way.

Bay Park Conservancy names Gamelin CFO

As the Bay Park Conservancy prepares to embark on the second phase of its redevelopment of The Bay into a signature city park, the organization has added a veteran executive to its leadership team, naming Tony Gamelin as chief financial officer.

Gamelin, who has 25 years of CFO-level experience with nonprofit and private companies across a range of industries, will report to founding CEO AG Lafley. He previously served as CFO at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The BPC is the nonprofit organization responsible for designing, developing, managing and operating 53 city-owned acres along Sarasota Bay.

“At The Bay, we know the importance of sustainable park development and operations, underpinned by strong financial systems and controls,” Lafley said. “Tony is the right person at the right time, with the capability and experience to lead finances, train management staff, and put the systems and controls in place needed to manage and operate the 14 acres of park that opened less than a month ago.”

With phase one now open, development of the next 14 acres of phase two is expected to begin by mid-2023.

At an estimated cost of $150 million, The Bay will take between seven and 10 years to build in three or more phases. The first phase south of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall opened in mid-October.

All The Right Moves

What does it take to be named the #1 Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital in Florida by U.S. News & World Report ? Try a patient-focused and goal-oriented approach designed to help each individual find the best path to recovery from illness or injury. Put it in a state-of-the-art Rehabilitation Pavilion with 60 private patient rooms, fully-equipped gyms and simulated training areas. Then add the best team of physiatrists, physical & occupational therapists, nurses, psychologists, dietitians, social workers, and speech pathologists you can.

They’ll show you how it’s done . Every step of the way.

An exploration beyond the pavement.

Rain, wind place endangered air plants in peril

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, the fate of giant and cardinal air plants at Myakka River State Park was of particular concern. Both native species are endangered in Florida because of habitat loss and illegal collecting of specimens from natural areas.

They are also threatened by the invasive Mexican bromeliad wee vil. Populations of these sizable and once-abundant epiphytes have been reduced in the park’s hammocks by the voracious weevils, which were introduced to South Florida in 1989 via the horticulture trade. With no natural predators here, the weevils quickly spread and are now estab lished in the park. The insects chew holes in the plants’ leaf bases, where they lay their eggs. And as the larvae feed and mature, they consume the base, often killing the whole plant.

The largest bromeliad to occur naturally in Florida, giant air plants are especially vulnerable to the wee vils, because, unlike most air plant species, they don’t “pup,” or produce offsets from the base. Instead, after up to 20 years of growth, the giant air plant sends up a single flower stalk,

ENJOY THE WILD

Wild Florida is a monthly feature written by Miri Hardy, the first executive director of the Friends of Myakka River. Miri has been a Sarasota resident since 2014 and holds a doctorate in social psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. She is happiest exploring wild Florida, often on her bike, and capturing its beauty though the lens of her camera.

which produces thousands of seeds, then dies. Air plants that produce offsets stand a better chance of sur viving weevil attacks, as they have multiple buds and multiple chances to reproduce.

Air plants, which use trees merely for support, are an important mem ber of the ecosystem and afford many ecological benefits, such as providing food, water and shelter to native Florida animals.

And given their dwindling num bers, these species are especially vulnerable to extreme weather events, such as Hurricane Ian, which had a widespread impact on the park. As many trees in the park sustained wind or water damage from the storm, finding and saving the park’s imperiled epiphytes was prioritized.

Thanks to rapid rescue efforts, guided by expert advice from Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, more than 70 endangered epiphytes have already been collected from dam aged trees.

Once storm recovery efforts are completed, the plants will be reat tached to new host trees in the park, where they will have a chance to grow to maturity and produce a suc cessional generation of these imper iled species.

—MIRI HARDY, FRIENDS OF THE MYAKKA RIVER

Imperiled epiphytes, such as these young giant air plants, are being collected from damaged trees at Myakka River State Park and will be reattached to new host trees.

STILL CLOSED

Myakka River State Park remains closed to the public until further notice while recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian continue.

Beachfront sale is Longboat’s second highest price of 2022

A waterslide and views of the shore are among the key amenities of the $11.5 million property.

ERIC GARWOOD MANAGING EDITOR

The sale of a beachfront home at 3105 Gulf of Mexico Drive was the second-highest residential property deal of 2022 in Long boat Key, but the price or its ranking weren’t the only unique features.

The nearly 10,000-square-foot property, which sold for $11.5 mil lion, features a waterslide from the rooftop down to the saltwater-filled, infinity swimming pool.

The sale was handled by Joel Schemmel of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. The buyers were represented by Maurice Menager and Lin Dunn of Michael Saunders & Co.

The property was listed in June 2021 at $12.9 million at the height of Sarasota-Bradenton’s real estate price run-up. Although closed sales have slowed of late, median prices continue to edge upward, according to the most recent sets of data from the Real Estate Association of Sara sota-Manatee.

For single-family homes, the

median sale price in Manatee County increased year over year by 20.3% to $517,193, and in Sarasota County, the median price increased by 22.2% to $497,275. The median sale price for condos in Manatee County increased by 18.2% to $337,000. The price for Sarasota condos is now $399,999, a 23.1% increase from this past year.

Closed sales for single-family homes in Manatee County decreased year over year by 37.5% to 422, and in Sarasota County, single-family sales decreased by 45.1% to 458. For con dos, Manatee closed sales decreased by 35.9%to 148 sales, and Sarasota sales decreased by 29% to 235 sales.

“We are continuing the trend that we’ve seen for several months now, where the number of closed sales is dropping and prices are leveling off,” said 2022 President of the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Mana tee Tony Veldkamp. “Inventory has also leveled off; sellers seem to have a ‘wait-and-see’ attitude regarding the economy.”

The property offers five bedrooms, nine baths and an air-conditioned seven-car garage, which caught the notice of the Siesta Key-based buy ers, Dunn said.

Earlier this year, a home at 3303 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $13.75 million, which is top of the market on Longboat Key this year.

The waterslide leads from the rooftop down to the saltwaterfilled, infinity edge pool.

Miri Hardy

Courtesy photo

DOWN!

8:12 p.m., 600 block of Weston

Pointe Court

Noise complaint from land: A resi dent who did not wish to meet with police called in a complaint of noise.

Officers who responded reported hearing music coming from the direction of a private club that was hosting a wedding. The officer ascertained the level of noise was not unreasonable for the hour. The officer reported his findings to a supervisor and went on about his work.

SUNDAY, NOV. 6

THE BUZZ AROUND TOWN

9:01 a.m., 700 block of Linley Street

Citizen assist: An officer was sent to the town’s dock at Linley Street on a report of aggressive hornets. The officer sent an email to the Public Works Department about the complaint.

WHO ARE THOSE PEOPLE?

6:12 p.m., 500 block of Linley Street

Suspicious incident: An out-oftown homeowner called police after seeing an unfamiliar vehicle with an unfamiliar driver parked in front of her property via an electronic video surveillance system. An officer found the vehicle nearby and chatted with the driver. The officer learned the driver, his wife and son were returning an air mattress to an address nearby. The officer followed up with the caller, who ended up knowing the people in the car after all.

MONDAY, NOV. 7

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE

8:44 a.m., 500 block of Channel

Lane

Citizen assist: An officer who discovered a large amount of water in a residential backyard was not initially able to ascertain what caused the water to gather there. The officer alerted a staffer from the Public Works Department about the incident.

TUESDAY, NOV. 8

NOT THAT SAND

2:27 p.m., 3700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious person: A complaint about a man filling sandbags prompted an officer to visit a home on which a man was working to secure a roof tarp. The man, though, was filling sandbags with beach sand, a violation of state law. The man said he was unfamiliar with the regulations and would return the sand

TUESDAY, NOV. 8

GOING UP

9:58 a.m., 3000 block of Grand Bay Boulevard

Fire assist: Police and fire department personnel came to a condo complex on a report of a person stuck in an elevator. The officer stood by while fire-rescue members helped the person from the stalled elevator.

CONCRETE SOLUTIONS

11:17 a.m., 2500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Traffic hazard: An officer spotted what appeared to be spilled concrete in two locations, creating a hazard in the bike lane. Supervisors of two major construction sites on the island used equipment to clean up the hazards while an officer provided traffic control.

RESCUED PADDLER

6:44 p.m., Jewfish Key

hicle’s occupant was an employee of a Tampa-based cleaning service.

Sarasota’s Only Locally Owned Community Bank

Clarice May Schetter (Meyer) 1927-2022

Clarice, age 95, passed away at Freedom Village, Bradenton, Florida on October 28, 2022.

“There are so many lives she touched in a positive way. So many memories that bring a smile and show the wonderful person she was and so many stories about how she made a difference or made someone’s day. Be cause she was here, because she was loved, so many hearts are feeling sadness.”

Clarice was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, on July 27, 1927 the only child of Roland and Elnor Gessert Meyer. She met the love of her life, her late husband, Edmund Schetter in high school. They would have been married 75 years on October 25, 2022. Together they raised 5 children, Mi chael (deceased), Nicholas, Lynn, Timothy (deceased) and Peter.

Life for the Schetter family was a constant adventure, with Clarice keeping it all together. Home base was mostly in De Pere, Wiscon sin. The family performed an acrobatic act and traveled most of the United States. Clarice worked for the airline industry for over 35 years and also was a yoga instructor. After retiring, Clarice and Ed enjoyed life in Longboat Key, Florida and spent summers at their cottage on Bolt Lake in Wis consin.

Clarice loved to cook and entertain. She was known for her intimate dinner parties, her fabulous chocolate chip cookies and her renowned hot artichoke dip. She enjoyed a nice glass of chardonnay and a good game of gin rummy, a jigsaw puzzle going all the time.

After Edmund passed away, Clarice joined the Shifting Sands Support Group at the Longboat Island Chapel. There she met and enjoyed the company of many.

Clarice held her family and her friends close to her heart. She leaves a message of love and that she is at peace to her 5 children and spouses, 4 grandchildren and partners, 5 great grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren, 4 great step grandchildren, 3 great great step grandchildren and her many many dear friends. She was such a special and amazing Lady, she will be missed and remembered with love.

She was such a special and amazing Lady, she will be missed and remembered with love.

A cappella for the ages

At 90 years old, Jeremiah Ford is the longest traveling and singing member of the Princeton group, which performed at a Longboat Key church.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

The Rolling Stones formed in 1962 and are considered one of the longest running musi cal acts in history.

The Nassoons would like a word.

At 90 years old, Jeremiah Ford stayed on with the Princeton a cap pella group after graduating in 1954. There are 19 members who get together once a year to perform a concert. This year, they performed at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church on Saturday.

“We learn by ear, and so 50 or 60 or 70 years later, it’s still there,” group member Tim Callard said. “The music director uses the pitches for the various parts, then starts the song and it just flows out.”

Don Lewin lives in Minneapolis and stays in Club Longboat during the winter. Each year, one member volunteers to arrange the next year’s performance. It was Lewin’s turn two years ago, but COVID-19 can celed his plans.

Since the group has stuck together for more than a half-century, it was actually Lewin’s second turn. The Nassoons performed on Longboat Key 20 years ago. They stayed at the same property, but what is the Zota

Beach Resort now was a Hilton then.

“We’re an extended family,” Jim Crawford said.

Crawford’s sentiment is obvious when in a room with the group. The jokes and joy flow whether the men are singing or not, and they travel from all over to attend.

One member flew in from Zurich, Switzerland, and Duncan Dempster flew in from Hawaii. He said he’s never missed a reunion.

The Nassoons formed in 1941 but most ended up being drafted for World War II a year later. They regrouped after the war ended and still have an active ensemble on the Princeton campus today.

The Nassoons sing together again after a two-year hiatus because of COVID-19.

Honoring veterans

St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church went all out for its veterans on Friday. Members of the men’s club hired a DJ and circus performer and organized a parade and helicopter ball drop.

The guest of honor was 97-year-old Bill Kelley. Kelley has lived on Longboat Key for more than 30 years and served in the Navy as a hospital corpsman during World War II.

Kelley walked Omaha Beach after D-Day retrieving the wounded, and he was honored for the hero he is by all in attendance. Guests approached the golf cart eager

50 church members attended a Veterans Day celebration at St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church.

to shake his hand and thank him for his service. The other veterans walked behind him during the parade.

Patriotic music boomed from the DJ David Turner’s speakers. Circus performer Aaron Watkins dressed as Uncle Sam and entertained the crowd from stilts waving an American flag.

Tables lined the driveway, and church members enjoyed a drive-in potluck dinner and a helicopter show. A miniature golf course was set up for a hole in one. The 50/50 raffle raised money for victims of Hurricane Ian.

—LESLEY DWYER

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

The Nassoons sing at their yearly reunion. This is their second visit to Longboat Key.

About

From 1964 to 1967, Robert Curry served in the 24th infantry as a tank platoon leader.

As guest of honor, Bill Kelley leads the other veterans in the parade.

Photos by Lesley Dwyer Lenny DiStefano is one of the veterans being celebrated.

YOUR NEIGHBORS

MEN AND WOMEN OF SERVICE

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

“Ihave never stood on a stage with a man with 12 Air Medals,” retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Scott Gray said. “So when I say you have a hero in your midst, please understand the legacy that this man has created for our country and the good he’s done.”

Gray was introducing Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. George Hardy to the stage for the Rotary Club’s ninth annual Veterans Day event on Nov. 11 at Temple Beth Israel. Hardy was the guest of honor.

Air Medals were created in 1942 as an emblem of heroism in flight.

Joan Sherry organized this year’s event. Veterans hold a piece of her heart, partly because she’s married to one. Her husband is retired Briga dier Gen. Scott Wuesthoff. After discussing who should speak at the event, the general took a shot by email and landed a legend.

Although Wuesthoff had never met Hardy, the two had something in common, so Hardy agreed to lunch and a speaking engagement.

“He was in the 99th Fighter Squadron, and I commanded the 99th Line Training Squadron, which was the same squadron but had a different mission almost exactly 50 years later,” Wuesthoff said. “He’s just a great American and really liv ing history.”

Hardy spoke of his 136 combat missions and how he applied to the Navy first but was rejected because his wisdom teeth had not fully grown

in. When he went to his dentist to find out what was wrong with his teeth, the dentist said, “Nothing. You’re colored. The Navy won’t take you.”

Yet when thanked for his service, Hardy responds with nothing but gratitude. He learned to fly before he drove a car, but both while enlisted.

“I learned everything in the ser vice,” he said. “When we talk about giving to the country, I got a lot from the country.”

Gray moderated a Q&A with Har dy after his speech. He asked Hardy about his most memorable mission, which was 11 hours long. He got through it with a fractured bone in his elbow and a shot of morphine. By the time they landed, the morphine had worn off. Hardy tried to stand and collapsed back into his seat. He had to be helped off the aircraft.

Gray asked if Hardy had advice for young people in the military.

“You’ve got to believe in yourself and learn,” he said. “Listen to your instructors.”

Out of the approximately 150 attendees, many were veterans and all left with a care package courtesy of Operation Gratitude. OG is one of Rotary’s nonprofit partners, which delivers care packages to deployed troops, first responders, veterans and their families.

Executive Director Suzy Brenner set up a booth to let veterans know about a new program at The Paradise Center called the Veterans’ Canteen.

“It’s just a way for veterans to get together, share their experience and talk,” Brenner said.

The first group meets from 1-2 p.m. Nov. 16 and monthly there after through at least April. It’s a new program for TPC, so it is a test run. Refreshments are provided and walk-ins are welcome.

The Manatee High School Junior ROTC opened the ceremony by serv ing as the Color Guard and present ing the flags. After, choirmaster Ann Stephenson-Moe played the organ while directing a group of vocalists, a trumpet player and a drummer through a series of patriotic tunes.

The veterans were asked to stand for their individual branches during the military sing-along. While no Space Force veterans were in atten dance.

Capt. Robert Geraci stood tall and sang the Navy’s anthem. While never in combat, Geraci served those who were as an anesthesiologist. He made a deal with the Navy that he’d serve two years if they’d allow him to finish his medical training first.

The same students he’d been

interning with, who thought he was crazy for making the deal, all got drafted to Vietnam in the midst of residencies, a fate Geraci avoided. He completed his two years of ser vice at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia.

“After awhile, I began to realize that the patients I had in civilian life had a lot of choice as to where they’d go if they were sick and the doctor they would see,” Geraci said. “But I thought back to the Navy. Those poor sailors get no say in that. They did what they were told.”

Soon after the thought formed, he received a recruitment postcard in the mail that said something to the effect of “We’d like to have you back.” So after 14 years of civilian life, Geraci went on to serve in the Naval Reserve for the next 20 years. He was called back for active duty during Desert Storm.

“Veterans, when you served, you looked outside of yourselves and sought to bring safety, stability, value and potential for success and growth for others,” Rotary President Jeffrey Driver said. “We thank you for that.”

Tuskegee Airman headlines Veterans Day celebration.

Members of the Manatee High School Junior ROTC present the flags.

Retired Capt. Robert Geraci represents for the Navy during the military singalong.

The Choral Artists of Sarasota perform at the Rotary’s ninth annual Veterans Day event.

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Lt. Col. George Hardy (middle) answers questions during the Q&A. Also pictured are Brigadier Gen. Scott Wuesthoff (left) and Maj. Gen. Scott Gray (right).

“I learned everything in the service. When we talk about giving to the country, I got a lot from the country.”

— George Hardy

New Italian restaurant opens in Whitney Plaza

Ventura’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar has replaced the Bayou Tavern, but you can still order the veal cannelloni.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Everyone has the right to retire, even when they run a popular restaurant the neighbors love and will miss.

“I’ve dedicated my life to restau rants since I’ve been here in 2001. All I did was work and work and work and build it,” former Bayou Tavern owner Domenic Padula said. “I don’t want to be anchored to one place. I want to travel a little bit.”

Wish Padula well because a new Italian restaurant has taken the tav

ern’s place in Whitney Plaza, and one highly requested dish off his menu will live on.

“Chef Angelo has been kind. He said he’ll show me how to make the veal cannelloni,” new owner Debra Murphy said.

The other fan favorite is lasagna. Call the day before and a pan of that or any other Italian staple will be made to order, but they’ll be Mur phy’s recipes. She’s confident when she calls her lasagna “bangin’.”

On Nov. 4, Murphy, along with her husband and co-owner, Michael Murphy, cut a ribbon to celebrate the grand opening of Ventura’s Ital ian Kitchen & Wine Bar. The restau rant opened a couple weeks before, but the Murphys insisted the pizza dough recipe be exact before mak ing it official.

“The humidity, the yeast count,

all of that. We had to adjust every thing. If it wasn’t right, we changed it again.” Murphy said. “We did that for about two weeks until we got the dough right, and so we’re real happy with our dough.”

Ventura’s serves two types of piz za: New York traditional thin crust and a thin crust Sicilian. The latter has a one-inch crust and is cooked in a pan versus a pizza oven. Murphy describes the dough as having a more buttery texture and sweeter flavor.

Each of the doughs had to be adjusted because the Murphys moved to Bradenton from the com pletely different climate of New Jer sey to open Ventura’s.

“Debra’s dream has always been to own a restaurant, constantly email ing and texting me different places for sale and different ideas, but one of the things that always stood out was an Italian restaurant,” Michael said. “She’s Sicilian and the young est of seven children; so needless to say, she learned to cook from a very young age.”

Debra’s first job was at a pizzeria

when she was 14 years old. She’s been in the restaurant business ever since. Now that her dream is realized, it’s time to tweak it.

The couple are hoping for a suc cessful first season, so they can remodel sooner than later. Plans include adding a pizza counter and an outdoor deck. They also want to remove a wall to offer diners a better view of the bayou out back.

The menu also remains a work in progress.

“If I get the requests, I will add to it,” Murphy said. “It’s Italian special ties, and I brought in a lot of differ ent pizzas that they didn’t have prior. And so far, great response on both.”

The house pizza is called the “Grandmother.” Instead of tradi tional sauce or sliced tomatoes like a Margherita pizza, it’s topped with fresh-crushed San Marzano toma toes.

Ventura’s is open for dinner from 4:30-9 p.m. Tuesday through Sat urday. On Thursdays, they offer Sinatra-esque dinner music from 5-7 p.m. during happy hour.

New owners of Ventura’s Italian Kitchen Debra and Michael Murphy with the previous owner of the Bayou Tavern, Domenic Padula.

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Chris Silva, Longboat Mayor Ken Schneier, Debra and Michael Murphy and Irena LaRose cut the ribbon on Ventura’s Italian Kitchen in Whitney Plaza.

Going indoors

Originally planned as a street party, Hurricane Nicole blew the Fall Fling inside Parish Hall at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church on Wednesday evening. About 40 church members showed up to welcome back friends and enjoy a barbeque dinner.

Luckily for CJ Nager, the Fall Fling fell on his 92nd birthday. To celebrate, Nager and the rest of the snowbirds enjoyed a buffet of southern favorites and organ music. The church’s new director of music, David Stasney, was behind the keyboard all night.

“I’m playing gospel music, which is not what we normally sing here,” Stasney said. “This is the sweetest church on the planet. I’ve been here two weeks. Everybody is friendly. Everyone is welcoming. They are crazy fabulous.”

—LESLEY DWYER

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Ed Upshaw, CJ Nager, Ginny Upshaw, John Holtzermann and Katzy Nager

Beverly Henry and Barbara Pickrell

The church’s new director of music, David Stasney.

Heidi Thomas, Sandy Jose and Nancy Boyd

WINTER FESTIVAL OPENS

From 4-9 p.m. and from noon-9 p.m. on holiday weeks and weekends in St. Armands Circle. See the circle transformed into a winter wonderland until Jan. 3, 2023. Wristbands for attractions cost $10, though admission to Circle Park is free.

RECURRING EVENTS

MONDAYS

GENTLE CHAIR YOGA

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Improve flexibility, strength and overall physical functioning while seated in a chair. Begins Nov. 7 and ends Dec. 19, students can join at any time on a prorated basis. Fee is $70 for members; $80 for others. Call 383-8222.

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 topics 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 1 p.m. at 6140 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Donations are accepted during business hours. Call 383-4738.

TUESDAYS

QIGONG FOR HEALTH & 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. Begins Nov. 8 and ends Dec. 20, students can join at any time on a prorated basis. Fee is $70 for members; $80 for others. Call 3838222.

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 $10. 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 $10; 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. Call Nancy Rozance at 203-605-4066 or email Info@LongboatKeyRotary.org.

TUESDAY AND THURSDAY 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 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.

WEDNESDAYS

YOGA POTPOURRI

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. A gentle, slow-paced blend of simple yoga postures focusing on balance, alignment, strength,

breathing, flexibility and relaxation. Begins Nov. 9 and ends Dec. 21, students can join at any time on a prorated basis. Fee is $70 for members; $80 for others. Call 383-8222.

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 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. Improve spinal flexibility and core strength for all fitness levels. Begins Nov. 10 and ends Dec. 22, students can join at any time on a prorated basis. Fee is $70 for members; $80 for others. Call 383-8222.

ST. ARMANDS KEY LUTHERAN

BRIDGE CLUB

CHURCH

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 session. Refreshments will be provided. RSVP to 952-9251.

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 hour. Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

FRIDAYS

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; $10 for others. Call 383-6493.

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; $10 for others. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

BEST BET TUESDAY, NOV. 22

ANNUAL INTERFAITH SERVICE AND DINNER

5 p.m. at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Clergy from several denominations and churches on the barrier islands come together for a pre-Thanksgiving service, open to all. Dinner follows the service. Call 383-1255.

Bringing influencers from the world stage to our stage in Sarasota

Lido Key penthouse sells for $3.4 million

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Acondominium in L’Elegance on Lido Beach tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Seth and Debo rah Hancock, of Parish, Kentucky, sold their Unit PH-A-01 condominium at 1800 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Marsha Alperin, trustee, of Boston, for $3.4 million. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,070 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,455,000 in 2011.

JOHN RINGLING ESTATES

Elizabeth Casadio, of Sarasota, sold her home at 204 N. Adams Drive to 204 N Adams LLC for $2,372,000. Built in 1953, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,068 square feet of living area. It sold for $675,000 in 2003.

Mushrush Investment Ltd. Partnership sold the home at 138 Grant Drive to 10420 Spoonbill Road LLC for $1,975,000. Built in 1974, it has four bedrooms, four baths and 1,999 square feet of living area.

BAY ISLES

Thomas and Rosemarie Harmer, of Winter Garden, sold their home at 3610 Bayou Circle to Mark and Tammy Ostrander, of Rockwall, Texas, for $2 million. Built in 1993, it has four bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 3,192 square feet of living area. It sold for $795,000 in 2018.

BAYPORT BEACH AND TENNIS CLUB

Richard Thomas Stoneman and Nancy Elizabeth Stoneman sold their Unit 512 condominium at 512 Bayport Way to William O’Donnell III and Mary Patricia O’Donnell, of Longboat Key, for $1.08 million. Built in 1980, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,456 square feet. It sold for $475,000 in 2019.

SANDS POINT

Margaret Wohlfahrt, trustee, of Louisville, Kentucky, sold the Unit 219 condominium at 100 Sands Point Road to Jascott Enterprises LLC for $987,400. Built in 1966, it has one bedroom, two baths and 1,492 square feet of living area. It sold for $466,400 in 2003.

SUTTON PLACE

Richard and Janice Pearce, of Longboat Key, sold their Unit 204 condominium at 605 Sutton Place to William and Angela Ivey, of Parrish, for $740,000. Built in 1973, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,120 square feet of living area. It sold for $375,000 in 2020.

LONGBOAT HARBOUR

Justin Thomas Laurie and Tia Nicole Laurie, of Bradenton, sold their Unit 204 condominium at

4390 Exeter Drive to Hadrian Rori, of W. Bloomfield, Michigan, for $405,000. Built in 1970, it has one bedroom, one bath and 756 square feet of living area. It sold for $223,000 in 2020.

Eric Garwood

Built in 1996, unit Unit PH-A-01 at 1800 Benjamin Franklin Drive has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,070 square feet of living area.

Designed by the highly renowned DSDG Architects, 15 N Polk Drive, The Pirate House is an influence of the modern Miami Beach Art Deco movement, a trend-inspiring design that is first of its kind on Lido Key. This contemporary masterpiece, with expansive beach views from all angles, is mere steps to the white sands of Lido Key Beach, with unparalleled views of the crystal clear turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

FORECAST

FRIDAY, NOV. 18

High: 65 Low: 59

Chance of rain: 11%

SATURDAY, NOV. 19

High: 73 Low: 60 Chance of rain: 14%

SUNDAY, NOV. 20

High: 65 Low: 55

Chance of rain: 49%

TIDES

Thursday, Nov. 17 6:52a 5:37p

Friday, Nov. 18 6:53a 5:37p

Saturday, Nov. 19 6:54a 5:37p

Sunday, Nov. 20 6:55a 5:37p

Monday, Nov. 21 6:56a 5:36p

Tuesday, Nov. 22 6:56a 5:36p

Wednesday, Nov. 23 6:57a 5:36p

MOON PHASES

Thursday, Nov. 17 5:43a 8:18p 1:05a 1:50p

Friday, Nov. 18 7:19a 8:33p 2:23a 2:32p

Saturday, Nov. 19 8:37a 8:50p 3:18a 3:09p

Sunday, Nov. 20 9:43a 9:07p 4:03a 3:42p

Monday, Nov. 21 10:43a 9:28p 4:45a 4:10p

Tuesday, Nov. 22 11:42a 9:28p 5:26a 4:56p

Wednesday, Nov. 23 12:41p 9:53p 6:10a 5:12p

JUMBO FREESTYLE 5 by Adrian Johnson. Edited by Ross Trudeau

By Luis Campos

Jackie Seidman captured

photo of the evening glow on Longboat Key.

POLK DRIVE - LIDO BEACH