Longboat Observer 4.20.23

Big, red and in need of a tow

It’s a little bit like seeing an injured linebacker limp off the field in between teammates, but that’s what a Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department truck looked like recently.

On Monday morning, you might have seen a Longboat fire truck being towed out of the department’s southern fire station at 2162 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

An issue with the truck’s coolant line led to the truck needing to be towed for maintenance and repair.

The issue with the truck started over the weekend, but the truck wasn’t able to be towed until Monday morning. As of press time, repairs were waiting on parts, but fear not — the station has a reserve fire engine for just this occasion.

Celebrating a major milestone

Helga Verhaegh, of Longboat

Key, recently celebrated her 80th birthday and received sincerest congratulations from her many friends.

Verhaegh is a longtime tennis player, hostess and all-around savvy lady. She was surprised by a catered luncheon buffet at the Promenade, where she has lived for 40-plus years.

Eight of Verhaegh’s many friends enjoyed morning tennis with her, and she was happily surprised after that by an array of catered delectables. The group enjoyed toasts from each lady present, as well as mimosas and ample hearty laughter.

And, her friends note, Verhaegh has reached this milestone while continuing to play excellent tennis.

SMOOTH SAILING

The wind conditions were near perfect for Bird Key Yacht Club’s Sarasota Bay Cup Regatta. PAGE 14

Courtesy photo Helga Verhaegh

File photo

A Longboat Key fire truck recently needed a lift into Sarasota.

Alligator

After years of being in the public eye, Ronna Romney enjoys the freedom and luxury of a low-key life on Longboat.

‘The road to get here’

Town departments, organizations meet Longboaters at open house

property tax.

SIDRA WALI

STAFF WRITER

The town of Longboat Key held a community open house and mini market April 15 at Bayfront Park, located at 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

There were eight nonprofit vendors available to answer any questions, as well as four outside vendors: Maine Line Food Truck, Coastal Creations Décor, Painting with a Fish and Spiked Pickles. In case you couldn’t be there, here are some of the things that were offered.

TOWN OF LONGBOAT KEY

Trish Shinkle, town clerk, offered information about services such as notary assistance and handling business receipts.

Lisa Silvertooth, HR manager, recruits for all open positions for the town of Longboat Key. She explained there were plenty of employment and volunteer opportunities available.

Fire Chief Paul Dezzi provided information for the community about the Fall Prevention Program. It focuses on preventing slips and falls by following a checklist that includes tips such as adding nonslip backing to rugs and never using a chair as a step stool.

Brooke Green, a police service technician, provided information about how to deal with phone scams, identity theft and how to avoid fraud.

Susan Smith, finance director, offered information on various aspects of finance such as a guide to adopted budgets, code of ethics and

Julie Anderson, office manager for Public Works, brought information about lesser-known parks in the area that community members might like to visit, e.g. Quick Point Nature Preserve and Joan M. Durante Park.

Allen Parsons, director of the Planning, Zoning and Building Department, explained the importance of the sea turtle protection ordinance, which will be active May 1 through Oct. 31.

Susan Phillips, assistant to the town manager, provided information about hurricane evacuation and the emergency notification system that alerts community members of any emergencies in the area. Members can sign up for the system on LongboatKey.org under the “Alert Longboat Key” tab.

LONGBOAT KEY GARDEN CLUB

Debra Sauers, garden club member, explained that the objectives of the club are to stimulate knowledge and love for gardening and preserve the natural beauty of Longboat Key. The Annual Arbor Day picnic will be held 11:30 a.m. on April 28 at the Bayfront Park pavilion. For more information, visit LBKGardenClub.org.

SARASOTA COUNTY LIBRARY

The county library promoted library and county services at the open house as well as informed the public about an upcoming event called “Bach to the Future” at the Selby Library, located at 1331 First St., at 2 p.m. April 29. An award-winning cellist, Steve Kramer, will be performing classical music.

LONGBOAT KEY BICYCLE ASSOCIATION

The association promoted not just safe riding but also raised awareness for drivers to be conscientious when bicyclists are present. The association noted some drivers veer into the bike lane, which is a safety hazard for those on bicycles.

LONGBOAT KEY ROTARY CLUB

The club shined a light on how it serves the community through various projects, such as the annual “Hot Diggity Dog” parade, Adopta-Highway cleanup, field trips and more. Josh the Otter was also present at the open house, spreading awareness about water safety. For more information, visit LongboatKeyRotary.org.

PARADISE CENTER

The Paradise Center promoted activities that happen year-round that the community can enjoy, such as Nordic walk classes, pickleball, Zumba and more. Lahni Brenner, chief greeting officer, was also present to make sure community members were aware of what the center offered. For more information, visit TheParadiseCenter.org.

SARASOTA BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM

The program partners with local governments to address issues like red tide and promote the well-being of Sarasota Bay. The program has been protecting and restoring the

bay since 1989. Its goal is to improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat and enhance the natural resources of the area for use and enjoyment by the public. For more information, visit SarasotaBay.org.

LONGBOAT KEY TURTLE WATCH

The organization has 50 members that educate the community on sea turtle conservation. Members mark the nests as well as gather data after the eggs hatch. They do this through acquired permits. Members work to keep the beaches clean and dark to ensure sea turtles are not harmed. At the community open house, they promoted their “Adopt-a-Nest” fundraiser where community members can adopt a nest. Anyone interested can visit LBKTurtleWatch.org.

LONGBOAT KEY LIBRARY

The library was handing out free books to those interested as well as providing information on how to become a member. The library itself runs on the power of volunteers; if people are interested in joining, they can visit LongboatLibrary.org.

The outdoor community market and open house at Longboat Key Bayfront Park hosted a dozen vendors.

Emmanuel Charron, board member of Longboat Key Bicycle Club Association, answered questions about safe riding.

Photos by Sidra Wali

Janelle Wagman, owner of Coastal Creations Décor, showed off her designs made of wood and resin.

Protecting beach access

A sign was recently placed reminding pedestrians of private property near the Gulfside Road public beach access.

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

Beach walkers are being asked to be cognizant of where they are walking at the Gulfside Road beach access via the placement of a sign that reminds pedestrians of private property and unsafe conditions along rock groins.

The placement of signs on property on Longboat Key has sparked conversation around pedestrian access to the 10-mile stretch of beach. Some residents have expressed frustration and concern that the sign is the first step toward a similar situation as is present at the Ohana property, at 6633 Gulf of Mexico Drive, which makes a section of the beach impassible by pedestrians.

“The regular beach walkers who were unhappy to lose the access previously afforded to them to traverse the Ohana seawall property are even more unhappy to see the town of Longboat Key join the movement to further impede beach access in the placement of this sign,” Commissioner Deborah Murphy wrote in an email to Town Manager Howard Tipton. “As beach erosion negatively impacts the recreational use of this public amenity, I believe the Town of Longboat Key should consider adopting proactive beach access policies which first seek to identify the feasibility of any access workarounds prior to installing restrictive signage.”

The main concern is that signs on the property could lead to a similar situation created by the Ohana seawall, which sparked the outrage of residents and frequent beach walkers.

The sign recently placed near the Gulfside Road beach access reads:

Coastal erosion north of this access has temporarily made walking on some portions of the beach unsafe. Areas landward of rocks and seawalls are private property and subject to trespassing enforcement.

According to town staff, the sign comes after a property owner near the public access frequently complained that beach walkers were trespassing on private property.

During a call with the property owner in question, Tipton said the owner had previously attempted using “no trespassing” signs with no success. The signs were either ignored or removed.

Since then, Tipton, Public Works staff and police have been to the property. A rock seawall is already present on the property and helps

mark the property line. The average person may not understand its purpose. This is where the sign placement comes in.

“We felt we should at least let them know where the private property line is,” Tipton said. “We didn’t say ‘The beach is closed.’ We’re just trying to let people know you could be trespassing.”

As sand is added naturally or through beach nourishment projects, Tipton said the sign could be taken down. Much of the issue stems from a lack of sand seaward of the rock seawall for regular pedestrian use.

“Historically, the north end is very much a beach community,” former Commissioner Maureen Merrigan wrote in an email to Tipton. “Some sections of the beach erode faster than others. This often results, in any given year, in neighbors having to respectfully walk on the edge of another neighbor’s property to get from one section of the beach to another. For 40-plus years, this tradition of fully sharing the beach and allowing access for walking continued without complication or difficulty.”

The increase in security measures at the Ohana property changed that pattern, she wrote.

She also brought forth issues with the language of the sign and the lack of communication with the rest of the community about the decision to place the sign and the reason for it.

“Proactive communication allows time to explain rationale, provide input and work together,” Merrigan wrote. “Sometimes the best approach is neighbors talking to neighbors first.”

Areas around the Ohana property and near the Gulfside Road beach access, which is in the 6400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive, are some of the areas on the island most prone to erosion, which has been attributed in part to the westward extension of the island and presence of scouring seawalls. Erosion fluctuates along the beaches seasonally as a natural

part of the wave action and storm impacts. There is currently a plan to place a small amount of sand in the area in the next few years, but it’s not foreseen to make a long-term difference. The next full nourishment is expected around 2028 or later.

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to tell where a property line is for Gulf-front homes. When in doubt, it is best to stay closer to the water.

“It’s unusual because most of the time property lines don’t go that far west,” Tipton said.

OHANA SEAWALL

The placement of the sign at the Gulfside Road public beach access led to concerns of a similar situation occurring at the area as is present at the Ohana property, where pedestrian access is restricted.

In January 2022, town commissioners reopened discussion with the Ohana property owners in hopes of reaching an agreement for public use of the beach on the property. After discussion with legal counsel, the property owners came forward with a temporary access agreement for about one-third of the total prop-

erty. Terms of the proposal included the town assuming liability for pedestrian access, assuming costs for maintaining sand on the leased portion of the property and paying an annual fee to the owners between $800,000 and $1.3 million.

The town’s counteroffer included a smaller portion of the property, a 10-foot pedestrian path, and an annual payment of $10,000.

The property owners were not satisfied with the offer and the town decided to cease negotiations.

The property’s seawall is a longstanding issue. In June 1999, commissioners had discussed purchasing the property to remove the seawall but ultimately decided not to move forward with the purchase.

In 2021, new signs were placed at the property to remind beachgoers of the private property and to warn them of the presence of “bad dogs” and video surveillance.

Historical aerial photos indicate that there has been a seawall in existence at the Ohana property since the 1950s. Since that time, the seawall has been repaired and replaced, and the structures have been rebuilt landward of the initial seawall.

Lauren Tronstad

Trespassing on private property led to the placement of a sign near the Gulfside Road beach access.

The Ohana seawall makes pedestrian traffic along the entire beach impossible.

File photos

Beach walkers are warned of biting dogs present at the Ohana property.

Longboat Key Town Commission sets its goals for the future

Commissioners gathered for their annual strategic planning retreat Monday to discuss priorities

The Longboat Key Town Commission has set its primary goals for the upcoming fiscal years.

Commissioners gathered for their annual strategic planning retreat Monday to discuss priorities and how to approach goals for the town in both the short and long terms. The meeting allowed for commis-

sioners to discuss priorities prior to the upcoming budget process to ensure funds are allocated accordingly. A primary purpose of the meeting was to set initiatives in the strategic plan place mat.

“This is kind of what is on our plate, what we’re working on,” Town Manager Howard Tipton said.

The place mat is separated into five goals. Each has its own set of initiatives. Goals include community character, fiscal sustainability, environmental and resiliency, infrastructure and services.

The place mat was put together during a town staff leadership retreat before handing it over to the commission. It included goals for shortterm focus, specifically in fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

Nearly every goal had town commission top priorities labeled, in addition to ones identified by staff.

Under the community character goal, advancing the concept of a community center at the Town

Center Green and pursuing funding opportunities for plans in the Gulf of Mexico Complete Streets Corridor Plan were top priorities.

Top priorities under the fiscal sustainability goal include finalizing funding methodology for a townwide canal dredging program and continuing to seek grants to fund improvements suggested in the sea level rise study.

The town is looking into utilizing 3D modeling to measure the heights of infrastructure, using the information to help make decisions about sea level rise projects and to educate the public.

“When we looked at the sea level rise, so much of that is going to be private property owner initiative,” Tipton said, “being able to show them with the data that has been collected and what the forecast is (for sea level rise). We will be able to show them and zero in on their property so they can see what 2040 looks like or what 2070 looks like. That’s

going to be critical for them because that is what spurs that action.”

There were no top commission priorities identified in the environmental and resiliency goal category, but initiatives included New Pass groin tightening and identifying existing vehicles in the town’s fleet to be replaced by hybrid vehicles.

Under infrastructure, the primary goal is pursuing Florida Department of Transportation action to improve conditions of a multiuse trail along Gulf of Mexico Drive.

The final goal, services, included priorities such as working with Manatee County and the county’s school board on a north-end community center. Implementing a unified public transit system on the island is another priority in the services section.

Commissioners were given the opportunity to provide feedback on initiatives in the place mat and suggest the addition of initiatives.

Commissioner Penny Gold suggested adding an initiative that could encourage placement of electric vehicle charging stations across the island.

Commissioner Deborah Murphy suggested the town look into pervious parking lot materials when lots need repair or replacement. However, the issue arises with cost of work and materials as the entire lot would need to be removed to give the lot a new base for reaping the benefits of the different surface.

The town included plans to replace all street name signs throughout the town, which led to discussion about the inclusion of signs labeling the different blocks along roads.

“I would think that would be critical because when we gave up our own local 911 and went to Sarasota, the first question they always ask is ‘What block are you in?’” Commissioner BJ Bishop said. “If you’re a tourist or if you’re not paying attention, you’re hard pressed to know unless (a sign) is at each block.”

Long-term goals were also laid out through 2027. The majority of issues included ones that have long been on the town’s radar and will be for years to come. For example, the replacement of the town’s subaqueous force main running under Sarasota Bay is planned for construction in 2025 and beyond.

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LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

Town continues talks for islandwide transit system

In the agreement, Sarasota County would provide services for the entire island with Manatee County reimbursing a portion of the costs.

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

The town of Longboat Key is steps closer to implementing a townwide transit system for its residents, visitors and workforce.

It’s the intention of the town to enter into an agreement with Sarasota County for the service, but for the entire town to benefit, Sarasota County must enter into another agreement with Manatee County for the service of its residents.

Town Manager Howard Tipton said he has had multiple phone calls with both counties since he started his role at the end of January to discuss the potential for an agreement and what it would look like.

“The proposal was that Sarasota (County) would operate the islandwide system and then Manatee (County) would reimburse them for some amount of the activity,” he said.

The current predicament involves the notion that Manatee County would be expected to reimburse Sarasota County for services provided to its residents situated on the northern end of the key. Manatee County’s transit services are free to its residents, making reimbursement an uncomfortable thought.

“That is what they are trying to work through,” he said. “I am optimistic that they will be able to do that. It’s a big deal for folks who are working on the island especially to be able to get over here and get around once they’re on the island.”

The town is optimistic that some form of agreement will be reached and a transit system will be present on the island sooner rather than later. The hope for the system is to mirror that of an on-demand service already provided in both counties. A bus system wouldn’t fit the needs of the town or its layout.

Sarasota County has had its OnDemand service for use of Longboat Key residents residing on its side of the county line since mid-2021.

The service is specifically designed for jurisdictions like Longboat Key and operates much like other ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft but at a much lower cost. A one-way trip with Sarasota County OnDemand is $2, but an Uber for the same distance can cost $10 or more, depending on demand and distance. Manatee County started a similar service on the barrier island in December 2022, closing the gap of service that its residents felt from being unable to use the service provided to the other half of the island. However, the issue remains that there is not a single service to serve everyone or one that could take a resident from one side of the island to the other.

CURRENT OFFERINGS

MANATEE COUNTY

“I think it would be a greater benefit to our workforce and to the tourists who are just looking to make short trips,” Tipton said. “It’s a great way to get (on the island) and back out.”

Starting the service would come at no cost to the town since it is already making regular contributions to both counties and, in turn, their transit systems. There is no set timeline for when an islandwide service would be implemented. The onus is largely with the counties to progress and reach an agreement. The town intends to continue with regular calls with representatives from each county for updates on progress.

What’s up at The Paradise Center?

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May 4

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WALK-INS WELCOME

Free Admission

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n Trip reservations are required. For advance trip reservations, requests need to be made by 5 p.m. the day before the desired pickup service.

n Services are free.

n Shuttles run 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

n To make reservations, call 941748-2317.

SARASOTA COUNTY n To book a trip with the OnDemand service, riders can download the Sarasota County OnDemand mobile app to create an account to be used for future trips or by calling 941-300-1553.

n A one-way trip costs $2.

n The service runs 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays.

Lauren Tronstad Sarasota County’s OnDemand service could cover all of Longboat Key under an agreement with Manatee County.

Our

Our vision is everyone deserves a decent place to live.

Answer Session

Reminders before heading to the beach

Beach condition warning flags fly under the American flag at Longboat Key fire stations.

LAUREN TRONSTAD STAFF WRITER

The Longboat Key Fire Department wants to remind residents and summer visitors of ways to check beach conditions before visiting the island or while driving on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Because the town does not employ lifeguards or have the traditional stands in which to hang water condition flags, it is imperative that residents are aware of how to check conditions before they enter the waters.

While the location of the flags is not new, department personnel want to remind visitors and residents of the location ahead of an increase in summer beach-going crowds.

“With summer coming up, we get a little bit more visitation to the beach,” said Tina Adams, public information officer for the department. “We want to remind everybody out here, visitors and residents, that we don’t have lifeguards on our beaches. We do rely upon the public themselves to make sure they understand the type of waters they are getting into.”

Flags of different colors fly outside each fire station on the island under the American flag to notify passersby of current beach conditions. The stations are located at 5490 Gulf of Mexico Drive and 2162 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Each flag color corresponds to a level of hazard:

n Green: Low hazard, calm conditions

n Yellow: Medium hazard, light surf and/or rip currents

n Purple: Marine pest (jellyfish, stingrays and other dangerous fish)

n Red: High hazard, rough conditions such as strong surf and/or cur-

rents n Double red: Water closed to public use.

A hurricane or high bacteria levels from red tide would warrant this flag placement. Department personnel receive notification of conditions each day from Mote Marine Aquarium and Laboratory and place the flag associated with those reports.

If you want to check conditions before leaving your home, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium has a beach conditions reporting system on its website, Mote.org, that is updated regularly from beach ambassador and community reports. The system shows conditions for 12 of the state’s west coast counties, including Sarasota and Manatee counties.

When in doubt, Adams said the department welcomes phone calls for any questions about beach conditions and whether it is safe to swim.

Ensuring knowledge of rip currents and how to get out of one is another crucial bit of information the department wants to ensure is shared. On Longboat Key, a particularly dangerous place for rip currents is by New Pass Bridge.

Adams urges anyone that gets stuck in that situation to remember not to fight against the current, but rather swim out with the current then to shore. If you are unable to escape, call or wave for help while floating or treading water.

“We’re hoping to provide information and a reminder to the public that we don’t have lifeguards, so please be cautious of the waterways,” she said.

The department’s firefighters are also trained as paramedics and will respond to emergency alerts, but it is still important to know what hazards you might be facing to keep yourself, family and friends safe.

Lauren Tronstad Beach condition flags fly underneath the American flag at both Longboat Key fire stations.

Your Friends Are Waiting

When was the last time you swung a racket or hit a golf ball, biked the trail or simply took a long walk with your favorite person to talk to?

Joint pain can creep up on us, faster than we’d expect, robbing us of the activities and experiences we used to treasure. Shoulders get stiff. Hips hurt. Knees creak and the back aches.

Before you know it, you’re spending more time watching Friends than seeing your own.

At Sarasota Memorial, our award-winning team of orthopedic specialists and surgeons is nationally recognized for excellence in joint repair and joint replacement, using the latest robotic and minimally invasive techniques to rebuild and restore, so you can get back to the things you love and the people you love sharing them with.

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So don’t wait . Life’s too short to spend it on the sidelines.

Read print, digitally!

Years later, ink-stained fingertips switched from an experiment to more of a nuisance during my first official job at the Longboat Observer. I was one of the office janitors, earning my weekly allowance. Every week, there were black ink fingerprints all over the door knobs and walls. Still to this day, at our current headquarters on the east end of Main Street in downtown Sarasota, you can find me cleaning ink-fingerprints off our doors with a trusty bottle of Windex from time to time.

ness models. This new e-Newspaper app is the latest iteration.

Recently, I moved from Longboat Key, my home for the past 12 years, to mainland Sarasota. (Longboaters, we still have our eyes on you.

My parents and Observer Media Group founders Matt and Lisa Walsh are still residents on Longboat Key, and my son, Rhys Parry, and I will be marching in the annual Fourth of July Freedom Fest parade — one of my favorite events of the year.) When moving, you unearth a lot of stuff. All of you snowbirds and new transplants are surely familiar with this phenomenon.

While trying to pare down items, I took a trip down memory lane going through boxes of keepsakes from my childhood. In one of those boxes, I found my first-place plaque from the Pinellas County Science Fair.

In sixth grade, at Southside Fundamental Middle School in St. Petersburg, I won first place for my project that was based on whether oil-based or soy-based newspaper ink was better for the environment. Conclusion: Soy-based ink was better because it was more soluble. The methodology used to come to this conclusion included interviews with the pressmen at the then St. Petersburg Times (now Tampa Bay Times) and a series of experiments based on the ink left on your fingers after reading a newspaper.

At the time, the Tampa Tribune was still using oil-based ink, while the St. Petersburg Times had recently switched to soy-based ink. My experiments thumbing through both newspapers and swiping fingers on cotton swabs concluded that the soy-based ink used by the St. Petersburg Times left less residue on your fingertips.

Those experiments also resulted in the first time I used a curse word in front of my mother, but that is a whopper of a story for another time.

So, much to my delight, and never in that 12-year-old’s wildest dreams, I’m happy to introduce a way to read our printed papers each week without getting ink on your fingers.

Welcome to your new e-Newspaper app — Your Observer.

The Your Observer e-Newspaper app is available in both the Apple App store and Google Play, free to download. Now our hyperlocal news and information is available to you, at your fingertips, anywhere in the world in an easy-to-use digital format on your desktop, tablet or mobile phone.

Each week, the printed version of our papers will be available to you in a new way. Flip through the pages on your favorite device like you would the printed pages. Pinch and grab the pages to zoom in and out.

Tap on headlines to view a mobile-friendly reading experience and jump to pages with a tap of the finger. Tap a photo to scroll through an entire picture gallery or view a video.

While you’re driving your morning or evening commute from work, you can have an article read to you. Share articles easily and have them translated into 25 different languages.

Interested in a service or product advertised by one of our partners?

Tap on the phone number and call directly from the app or be linked to their website. Download the digital edition and save articles to read offline. Print articles and crossword puzzles anytime.

People may say that print is dead or antiquated. Let us be clear: Print is not going away. The e-Newspaper app is a new way to read print, digitally. It’s also one of the ways we are staying true to our vision: innovate and elevate.

Ever since the rise of the internet in the late ’90s, the print media businesses have been constantly innovating with their online offerings and revolutionizing their busi-

To ensure our news and information is up-to-date and provided to you in every way you consume news, we utilize more than 30 different vendors and software providers, giving us the technology to print our papers and provide news online 24 hours, seven days a week. In fact, our IT partner, Thrive, has told us that we are one of their most complicated clients with the number of different systems we utilize to get news and information out to you every day. So while we may be complicated internally, we want to offer you the easiest way to access our news with our new e-Newspaper app.

Our app is free to download, and for the first month we’re offering access for only 99 cents. After that, you can subscribe to our app for $5 per month, or $50 per year. Meantime, our printed editions will remain free via home and commercial delivery, and our content on YourObserver.com will remain free.

If you opt for the Your Observer e-Newspaper app, you should consider going one step further and becoming an Observer Newsie. That’s our membership program, which has grown to nearly 500 members.

For an annual membership of $65, Newsies receive access to the Your Observer e-Newspaper app and invitations to members-only events. In fact, on Thursday, April 20, our Newsies will participate in a “Wine Walk” at The Bay with AG Lafley, former CEO of Procter & Gamble and outgoing CEO of The Bay Conservancy.

This has been a long journey — going from ink-stained fingers to creating our digital editions that will read our stories to you or translate them into multiple languages.

While I will always have ink in my blood, I am excited that with our new Your Observer e-Newspaper app, there won’t be as much of it on my fingers. I hope you download it and give it a try. I’d love to hear what you think.

Emily Walsh is president of the Observer Media Group Inc. She can be reached at EWalsh@ YourObserver.com.

SIGN UP TODAY!

STEP 1 Visit YourObserver.com

STEP 2 Click “Subscribe” in the top menu bar

STEP 3 Select “Newsie Membership” or “e-Newspaper Access”

STEP 4 Create account

STEP 5 Click “Back to content”

STEP 6 Download the Your Observer e-Newspaper app on Google Play or the Apple App Store

STEP 7 Sign in using the same email and password you used to create the Your Observer account.

HAPPY READING!

LONGBOAT

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

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

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1970 Main St. Sarasota, FL 34236 941-366-3468

Hillsdale dogma should not dominate schools

Support

within the classrooms of our public schools, and no religion should be discriminated against. Religion should not be in our public schools.

Support Our Schools was founded with the mission of educating the public about the risks facing our system of public education and providing a platform for advocacy to protect and strengthen public education for all children. Integral to this mission is:

n Defending our teachers and administrators from ideological pressure and political attacks

n Preserving a modern, scientific and fact-based standard for the educational curriculum

n Maintaining programs and policies that promote understanding and cooperation as well as the health and well-being of all students.

Support Our Schools members are Christians, Jews, Muslims and Buddhists. Some of us practice no formal religion. Some of us are atheists. We decry attacks on any person because of the religion he or she practices or the choice not to practice a religion or belief system.

Support Our Schools strongly believes in the separation of church and state, a principle enshrined in the Constitution and embedded in the policies and practices of public schools and governmental institutions for hundreds of years. No religion should be elevated and promoted

The last few years have seen the rise of a concerted and aggressive national effort by right-wing think tanks and other organizations to alter the direction of public schools. The blueprint for achieving this goal, created by Hillsdale College, is a comprehensive K-12 curriculum that emphasizes a narrower, much more conservative worldview usually found in private Christian and “classical” schools. Support Our Schools strongly believes that our public schools are not the place for a regime of religious-nationalist indoctrination.

There appear to be distinct efforts underway to undermine public schools across the country. Public schools, as opposed to private schools, are obligated to educate all children, regardless of socioeconomic background, religious affiliations or sexual orientation. Private schools may pick and choose which students they wish to educate with no governmental oversight or accountability.

These efforts appear intended to do more than reshape and eliminate certain course work and topics from academia. We are particularly concerned to see efforts by the Sarasota County School Board to bring changes to public school curricula that rely on the religious dogma espoused by Hillsdale College.

Of particular concern is the current attempt by the chair of the Sarasota County School Board, Bridget Ziegler, to enter a contract with a months-old company, Vermilion Education, which was

founded by a young man, Jordan Adams, with no experience in teaching in public education.

Ms. Ziegler and the board sought no other bids. She apparently decided that Vermilion was qualified to do the job, even though Mr. Adams’ sole experience is five years teaching in Hillsdale charter schools and a private religious school. He also has worked on developing the Hillsdale K-12 curriculum and was involved in the review of math books for the state of Florida (looking for the dreaded CRT) and the Hillsdale 1776 curriculum. We are concerned that the board is entering into a contract at a cost of $28,000 with a company/individual who is woefully unqualified. We believe this is fiscally and legally irresponsible.

At a Florida Department of Education-sponsored training session on the recently revised Florida civics curriculum developed under Hillsdale College’s leadership, much of the material presented through slides was infused with Christian and conservative ideology. One slide

stated that America’s “founders expected religion to be promoted because they believed it to be essential to civic virtue,” while an accompanying slide stated that “without virtue” (i.e., religion) citizens would become “licentious” and “subject to tyranny.”

Another slide stated it was a misconception that the “founders desired strict separation of church and state.” A slide quoted New England colonist Jonathan Edwards saying, “Political prosperity requires the general practice of a strict morality … as by a belief of Christianity.”

In the new Florida civics curriculum and in the Hillsdale College K-12 1776 Curriculum, one side of an argument is often presented, and historical figures are frequently cherry-picked to support the Hillsdale College narrative. Its view teaches that Christianity is and should be the dominant religion in our national life and that it should have a more prominent role in public schools.

It is clear to us there is a coordinated strategy by Gov. DeSantis and the GOP-controlled Legislature to defund public school

districts by offering universal voucher programs that siphon money into private schools, some of which teach a noninclusive Christian nationalist worldview.

We are also concerned that the majority of our current Sarasota County School Board is taking direction directly from the governor rather than the stakeholders of our school district.

For the record, Support Our Schools believes that all parents should have the right to send their children to private Christian schools or “classical” academies if they wish. However, this should not be at the expense of the health and stability of our public education system.

If this plan succeeds, we believe it will hollow out our public schools to the detriment of the economy, our democracy and the overall well-being of the Sarasota community.

Any attempt by right-wing groups to label Support Our Schools as anti-Christian is completely unfounded. It is a cynical attempt to create divisions and stir up anger. Many Sarasota Christians standing with Support Our Schools have a strong faith in God. They strongly believe in Jesus Christ’s principle teachings of love thy neighbor, humility, charity, forgiveness, service to others and empathy. These principles are not the exclusive province of Christians. These qualities are needed now more than ever to push back against the surge in hate and intolerance directed toward some Sarasota educators, students and their families.

Support our Schools and many Sarasota parents prefer that divisive culture war issues stay out of the classroom. Most parents just want a positive, safe and supportive learning environment for their children.

We ask that politicians keep their personal religious views separate from educational policy decisions in our public schools.

LISA

Our Schools supports the separation of church and state and questions the school board’s efforts to adopt Hillsdale dogma.

FRIDAY, APRIL 7

A CLOSE CALL 12:11 a.m., 2900 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Suspicious incident: After dinner in Sarasota, a resident was alarmed when his daughter said her phone had linked up to an AirTag. The AirTag’s GPS showed the route taken from dinner back to the house. He told officers he was scared for his safety as he did not know who put the tag in his vehicle and they now knew the address. While speaking with the officer, the man’s daughter told him it was her sister’s boyfriend who left the tag in the vehicle.

SATURDAY, APRIL 8

A POWERFUL SPRINKLER SYSTEM

6:57 a.m., 5100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Citizen assist: An officer was dispatched for a call of a water line spraying water about eight feet into the air. However, no police services were needed after the property owner said the spraying water was likely the sprinkler system.

HELP NEEDED

5:25 p.m., Longboat Pass

Boat-miscellaneous: While on marine patrol, an officer was flagged down by a boater having engine problems. The operator had thrown an anchor down, but was not sure it was holding well. The officer waited with the boat until the rental company arrived on the scene and towed the boat away.

JUST IN CASE 9:05 p.m., 5300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Property damage, not vandalism: When parking his vehicle, a resident’s front bumper got caught on a cement parking block at Centre Shops. The individual was able to push the bumper back into place on his own but wanted to file a report with the police in case he decided to file a damage claim with insurance later.

SUNDAY, APRIL 9

LOST AND FOUND

8:11 a.m., 7100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive

Found property: An officer was sent to the address on a report of found property. The resident said he had found a wallet on the sidewalk of the bridge with a driver’s license, cards and cash inside. The officer was able to contact the wallet’s owner to come to the police station to pick up the property.

MONDAY, APRIL 10

NEIGHBORLY HELP

4:58 a.m., 600 block of Norton

Street

Citizen assist: A neighbor called police on behalf of the homeowner in reference to a broken backflow preventer. Public Works was contacted about the issue and staff members informed the officer they were on the way. The officer called the homeowner to let them know Public Works was on its way to the residence. The officer had previously been informed the owner might not be able to answer the door because of medical issues.

UNMANNED SINKING SHIP

10:22 a.m., 800 block of Broadway

Street

Boat-miscellaneous: Police were called to report a sinking vessel in the area. The caller said the sailboat was on its side and was possibly taking on water. Upon arrival, the officer identified the vessel as a previously stamped derelict boat. Manatee County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol was made aware of the issue.

EARLY ARRIVAL

10:46 a.m., 5200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: Officers were called for a potential burglary. The caretaker of the property, who made the call, said when checking on the property he found clothes and food inside. The owner had been contacted and was unaware of anyone planning to stay at the residence. No one was inside the residence. The owner was contacted again and apologized for the issue, but her daughter-in-law and some friends had arrived earlier than expected.

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY

11:32 p.m., 6100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Suspicious incident: A loud bang in a resident’s garage prompted a call for police to check out the area. Upon arrival, officers canvassed the area, but found nothing out of the ordinary. They deduced the strong winds could have slammed a door, causing the noise.

THURSDAY, APRIL 13

TOO FAST

12:27 p.m., 5700 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Suspicious person: Officers received a call via dispatch reporting a bike driving fast down a sidewalk. When the officer arrived in the area, the biker was gone and could not be located.

FURTHER DOWN THE STREET

7:26 p.m., 500 block of Bay Isles

MONDAY, APRIL 10

NOT POLICE BUSINESS

5:15 p.m., 3200 block of Bayou Way

Citizen assist: A resident called police to report water was not coming out of their faucet. Upon arrival, the officer told the homeowner to contact a plumber.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12

NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

4:08 p.m., 1000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Found property: While conducting traffic enforcement, an individual approached the officer, handed him a set of keys and left. The person did not provide any additional information. The officer submitted the keys into evidence.

Parkway Citizen assist: Police were called to respond to a car hauler illegally parked on the roadway. The officer informed the driver that he was allowed to load and unload on the road, but in the future to park another block down the road to prevent traffic issues. The driver apologized and said he would finish up quickly and be on his way.

FRIDAY, APRIL 14

UNWELCOME SURPRISE

11:13 p.m., 500 block of Outrigger Lane

Citizen assist: An officer was dispatched back to police headquarters for a walk-in complaint. The individual said he had a female staying at his residence and that he himself had been a resident for nine months. He recently found out the female was married and wanted her removed from his residence. The officer informed the man he would have to pursue civil action to evict her and directed him to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

Sarasota EDC works to relocate 70 companies to the area

MARK GORDON BUSINESS OBSERVER

Aglobal economist for a prominent independent investment research firm based in Sarasota County said there’s a 60% chance the U.S. will be in a recession by summer or fall 2023.

That technically would be the second recession in fewer than two years, given GDP in the U.S. fell 1.6% in the first quarter of 2022 and 0.9% in the second quarter. Most economists and government officials have traditionally defined a recession as two straight quarters of negative GDP.

Recession semantics aside, there are several reasons to be optimistic, said Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County President and CEO Lisa Krouse, at least about the local outlook. One of the biggest reasons for optimism? Krouse said the EDC is currently working with 70 businesses nationwide seeking to relocate to Sarasota County. With a business-friendly climate, no state income tax, the beaches and more, Krouse added, “there isn’t a whole lot of convincing we have to do.”

Krouse and Alejandra Grindal, chief economist at Nokomis-based Ned Davis Research, were speakers at a recent event in Sarasota hosted by the Tampa Bay Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth. The event, held April 12 at the Field Club, was entitled “Exploring the Macro and Micro Economic Environment.”

Recession questions — are we in one or not, and if yes, where and for how long? — continue to linger in the business community and beyond, acknowledged Grindal, a member of the National Association for Business Economics. She cited the April Small Business Optimism Index report and survey from the National Federation of Independent Business to highlight business owners’ anxieties.

The report, said NFIB officials, “underscores the financial toll inflation and a difficult labor market” are having on small businesses. Overall, NFIB’s national Small Business Optimism Index decreased 0.8 points in March to 90.1. That marks the 15th consecutive month below the 49-year average of 98, the organization said. Nearly a quarter, 24%, of business owners report inflation as their single most important busi-

ness problem, down four points from last month. Small-business owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months, the report found, remain at a net negative 47%.

“It’s hard for small-business owners to stay positive when they’re dealing with so many economic challenges,” NFIB Florida Director Bill Herrle said in the report.

“They’re doing everything they can to weather this economic storm and emerge stronger on the other side, but it isn’t easy.”

Taking the conversation global, Grindal, at the ACG event, said “there are actually parts of the world that are doing better than the U.S., and a lot of that has to do with China.”

Grindal said China, after ending its zero-COVID policy in December, is poised to grow its economy by 5% this year, coming off 3% growth in 2022. Some European countries, she adds, are also growing post-COVID.

Back in the States, recession fears have been goosed not only by inflation but with recent bank struggles. While Grindal said a full-blown banking crisis was averted after the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, the deposit situation it created can be troublesome. That situation?

With the issues at SVB and New York City-based Signature Bank,

many people have been looking to move deposits out of banks and into money market funds. When banks have fewer deposits with which to generate loans and profits, Grindal said, that can lead to tighter lending protocols. “And when that happens,” she said, “you get a recession.”

In contrast to national worries, Sarasota County, said Krouse, is set to continue being a statewide, and even national leader, in economic growth. Krouse said North Port, in south Sarasota County, is “growing like gangbusters,” with several new projects, and Venice is also growing rapidly. That area includes Wellen Park, a master-planned community that’s been adding retail and commercial projects to complement an increase in new homes.

Other wins in Sarasota, Krouse

TAKE A HIKE

said, include online video platform Rumble recently opening its headquarters on Longboat Key, with plans to add 140 employees; a $200 million downtown Sarasota bayfront park dubbed The Bay; a $92 million expansion project at Selby Gardens; the $800 million Residences at St. Regis project on Longboat Key; and forthcoming demolition of the Hyatt Regency in downtown Sarasota to make room for a Hyatt-branded Thompson Hotel.

“Is there any part of Sarasota County that will look the same 10 years from today? I say no,” Krouse said. “We are witnessing a really big transformation in this county.”

Krouse, a current board member and former longtime human resources and legal executive at Lakewood Ranch-based FCCI Insurance Group, points out that while there is optimism, there are also challenges. Many business owners the EDC hears from, she said, worry specifically about workforce housing and talent availability for growing business — challenges seen in many other parts of the region.

“There are conflicts that come up a lot,” she said.

Ned Davis Research Chief Economist Alejandra Grindal predicts the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates one more time, in May, in an ongoing effort to bring inflation down from around 5% to its goal of 2%. A rate hike could exacerbate other ongoing issues, but the Fed, she predicts, will persist with its inflation reduction goals on the idea that “short-term pain now will avoid more long-term inflation.” As of April 12, the current target range was 4.75% to 5%.

WorshipWithUsAtOurChurch

AM

SundayService10:00AM

TheRev.Dr.NormanPritchard

The Rev. Dr.Norman Pritchard

Men’sBibleStudy:Monday@9:00

Masks Are Optional

Women’sBibleStudy:Wednesday@10:00

Visitors&ResidentsWelcome

Visitors & Residents Welcome Watc hO ur 10:00 AM Service Live : www.bit.ly/cc lbksermons or www.christchurchof lbk.org (follow YouTube link)

Mexico Dr. 9 41.383.8833 (office) www.christchurchof lbk.org

To learn more about our Temple and all our educational, cultural, and social programs, please call us. We’d be delighted to talk with you. Questions?

As recession worries continue to percolate, the Sarasota area shines brighter.

Alejandra Grindal

File photos

Economic Development Corp. of Sarasota County President and CEO Lisa Krouse says the Sarasota County business community has a lot of reasons to be optimistic, despite national recession worries.

YOUR NEIGHBORS

ON EVEN KEEL

SIDRA WALI STAFF WRITER

There’s an old saying about sailing, “A sailor is an artist whose medium is the wind.”

The wind conditions were near perfect Saturday on Sarasota Bay. The sky was the exact shade of blue one would expect on a sunny day. The gentle lapping of the waves against the boats’ hulls created a sense of calm before the Bird Key Yacht Club’s Sarasota Bay Cup Regatta took place at 1 p.m.

The event was organized by Michael Landis and Marvin Quin, co-chairs of the Sarasota Bay Cup Regatta, with help from volunteers, members, staff and captains.

At 1 p.m., the sound of the horn signaled the start of the race, and the sailors were off.

There were 67 boats on the water

competing in the regatta in two categories: performance handicap racing fleet and one-designs.

“The larger (PHRF) boats can vary in size and are handicapped based on technical criteria,” said Landis, who was also competing in the race with his PHRF cruiser, Eventide.

Quin competed on his PHRF cruiser, Quinessential.

“The PHRF boats had a pursuit start, where corrections are given at the start of the race instead of after the finish. That means the slower boats started first,” said Landis.

This allows the fleet to finish in place-order around the same time.

One-design boats had their own course, racing in a sequence in the southwest area of the bay so there was no concern of larger boats and one-designs colliding.

Landis explained that the bay is wonderful for smaller-design racing.

The colorful array of boats and their crew members became one as they glided across the water. The day’s wind became their partner.

With each tack and jibe, the participants in the race used their skill and knowledge to become attuned to the wind and the waves.

“It comes down to skill with everyone involved,” said Landis.

As the race progressed, the sailors remained focused and determined, working together as a team to overcome any obstacles that came their way.

It’s difficult to put into words the exact feeling one gets from sailing. Some sail for the sense of freedom and independence the sport brings, others for the thrill. Some say the world looks anew from the deck of a sailboat.

As the race came to an end, it was clear that it was not just about winning.

It was about the thrill of the competition, the camaraderie of the sailors and the passion for the sport.

The race lasted about three hours and was followed by an awards ceremony with dinner and drinks.

Doug Fisher, winner of the Sarasota Bay Cup, explained that he and his crew started third from last on their PHRF multihull.

“It’s a catamaran, so you have to sail light. We had a lot of boats to pass and we got through all that traffic,” said Fisher. “It was perfect wind conditions and the air was light. It was windy enough that we reached 12 knots at times.”

Landis explained that to organize the regatta, it took an army.

“This was the weekend of parties interrupted by a sailboat race on Saturday afternoon,” said Landis.

BIRD KEY YACHT CLUB SARASOTA BAY CUP WINNERS

SARASOTA BAY CUP WINNER

n Doug Fisher (PHRF Multihull)

PRICE CUP WINNER

n Marvin Quin (Quinessential)

PHRF MONOHULL

UNDER 200

n 1st Chad Weiss (Zephyr)

n 2nd Rolf Hahn (Raegan-e)

n 3rd Joe McClash (Wind Caller)

PHRF MONOHULL

OVER 200

n 1st David Wilson (Solitude)

n 2nd John Huber (Green Flash)

n 3rd Mike Landis (Eventide)

PHRF MULTIHULL

n 1st Doug Fisher (no name)

n 2nd John Novack (Triple Threat)

MELGES 15

n 1st Jeff Eiber (USA 107)

n 2nd Jack Dreyfuss

n 3rd Lance Thomas (Directory Assistance)

FLYING SCOT

n 1st Don Perry (Leprechaun)

n 2nd Charles Clifton (Ack Ack)

n 3rd Jim Bigham (GOOMBA)

SUNFISH

n 1st Mary Ellen Brown

n 2nd Chris Carroll

n 3rd Lisa Brown Ehrhart

E SCOW

n 1st William Misenheimer

n 2nd Theodore Weihe (Picardy)

n 3rd Doug Dearden (Newbie)

More than 60 boats sailed in the Bird Key Yacht Club’s Sarasota Bay Cup Regatta.

The Sarasota Bay Cup Regatta was hosted by Bird Key Yacht Club on April 15.

Michael Landis and Marvin Quin, co-chairs, hold the Sarasota Bay Cup at the award ceremony.

Skipper Joe McClash and his crew on the Wind Caller.

Photos by Sidra Wali

Republican Club of Longboat Key welcomes Ronna Romney

Ronna Romney spoke to the club on April 11 at the Longboat Key Club’s Harbourside ballroom.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Longboat Key is home to many prominent people, but one slipped under our noses — Ronna Romney. After years of being in the public eye, Romney enjoys the freedom and luxury of a low-key life on Longboat. She’s been traveling back and forth between the island and her home state of Michigan for more than 20 years.

On April 11, she spoke to 70 members of the Republican Club of Longboat Key at a dinner meeting at Longboat Key Club’s Harbourside ballroom. Press was not allowed to attend the meeting, but Romney spoke to the Observer about what she had planned.

“I’m going to talk about the road to get here, discovering like women always do, who they are and what they’re good at,” she said. “And then I’m sure we’ll go to politics when we do the Q&A.”

While Romney may be best known for her last name, or now as Ronna McDaniel’s mother, her resume speaks volumes for itself.

“One of our members asked if I would try to get her daughter, Ronna McDaniel, and I hated to call her because you hate to call the mother, but I looked her up,” Club President Garnett Black said. “She’s written books. She ran for the Senate. She worked for Bush. She worked for Reagan, and I went, ‘I don’t want the daughter, I want her.’”

Romney also hosted a radio show for nearly five years that aired in 38 states and seven countries. In a 1994 interview with the New York Times, she said, “I am the voice of the frustrated American.”

Much of her adult life was spent on the campaign trail, from the time

she was married to Scott Romney in 1967 and her new father-in-law, George, ran for president in 1968 against Richard Nixon through 2012 when her brother-in-law, Mitt, ran for president against Barack Obama.

Once McDaniel became the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, Romney took a step back.

“I stopped because you’re a news story. You say anything where they have to say, ‘Did you know your mother just did this? Do you agree with your mother?’ Most mothers don’t create news stories,” she said.

Fox Leiter Team

But the evening’s event was about Romney alone. The attendees were there to hear about her work and expertise. Currently, Romney serves as the vice chair of the board for Molina Healthcare.

“This lady here I knew in Michigan. Her husband was a congressman there for 16 years. Her name is Sandie Knollenberg, and her husband was Congressman Joe Knollenberg,” Romney said. “She happened to read in the paper that I was going to be here, so she came.”

Michael and Valerie Morello with Dena and Dave Grubb

Richard Carroll and James Wright

Club President Garnett Black and guest speaker Ronna Romney

Nancy McElmeel with Mark and Sally Hale

Photos by Lesley Dwyer

Jeff Cianci and Catherine Avery of Catherine Avery Investment Management, the event’s sponsor

Potluck party bids farewell at Longboat Key Public Tennis Center

The Longboat Key Public Tennis Center wished its seasonal members a fond farewell on April 11.

“The tennis center started in November 1998, and ever since I’ve been here, we’ve done this end-ofthe-year party where we do a potluck and get together,” Kay Thayer said. “So it’s one of those things that we haven’t changed because it’s kind of our ritual. At the end of the year, people bring a dish to share and it works.”

Thayer has been managing the tennis center since 1999. Another ritual within the ritual is to thank the league captains.

“We kind of acknowledge them and say thank you for all they do because it is a thankless job. There’s no money involved and they have to direct their teams, which isn’t an easy feat,” Thayer said. “So that’s one reason we like to do this at the end of the year, and just again thank everybody — our members and visitors, Friends of Tennis, those that do so much for us.”

— LESLEY DWYER

Photos by Lesley Dwyer Andrew Geller and David Campbell

Andy Sawyer and David Pitt

Mary Jane Waite, Sandy Campbell and Jeanne Muntan

Sun’s out, hotdog buns out

The Temple Beth Israel organization held its last event before summer on Sunday at the Bay Isle Beach Club.

The Temple Beth Israel Men’s Club hosted a beach barbecue for its members Sunday at the Bay Isle Beach Club at 2111 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

It was the last event of the year before the start of summer; more than 68 members got together for laughs, sun and barbecue.

“Usually we get about 45 to 50 people, and this year we got 68, which blows my mind,” said Lew Moyer, co-president of Temple Beth Israel Men’s Club. “It’s a way to raise funds to make donations to the temple.”

Moyer has been a member of the club for eight years and co-president for seven. He said it took him a couple hours to put the whole thing together.

Temple Beth Israel consists of over 230 units. One unit consists of one household, whether that’s one person or more.

The temple, which opened in 1984, has a men’s club and women’s club that host a series of dinners and activities for its members.

It was a picture-perfect day for an afternoon in the sun, Moyer said.

“Me and my significant other, Sandy, have been here for five years permanently,” said Moyer.

He came from Michigan, and when asked if he missed the cold winters, he chuckled and gently shook his head.

Rabbi Stephen Sniderman, who will have been a rabbi for 48 years in June, explained that this barbecue was a way for everyone to get together and enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed environment.

“There were fears of some storms today,” Sniderman said as he pointed to glimmering waves. “Of course, that didn’t happen.”

— SIDRA WALI

Walter Frank, member, and Co-presidents Lew Moyer and Ralph Liebstein enjoy the sun before starting the grill.

Photos by Sidra Wali

Arlene Levyn and Bunny Skirboll

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Alligator activity on the rise

As a rain-fed river, the Wild and Scenic Myakka River has dramatically illustrated over recent months how its levels are affected by precipitation — or the lack thereof. After historic flood levels associated with Hurricane Ian rainfall followed by little rain in recent months, water levels in Myakka River State Park have significantly dropped and are currently very low. Myakka’s wetlands, which absorb and slow floodwaters during periods of excessive rain, are drying up as well.

When water levels in Myakka’s floodplain marshes and wetlands are high, American alligators spread out and enjoy their expanded habitats. Considered almost extinct in the 1950s and ’60s because of habitat loss and hunting, these iconic, critical members of our region’s ecosystems depend on wetlands; our ecosystems depend on them.

As apex predators, alligators help control rodent populations and other animals that might otherwise overtax marsh vegetation. The “gator holes” that adult alliga-

tors create and expand stay full of water even after the rains stop. By providing vital water for themselves, as well as for many other species, American alligators help keep unique Florida ecosystems at Myakka and beyond healthy for years to come. This time of year, late in our dry season, the chance increases of encountering an alligator making its way from drying wetlands back to rivers or other wet locations. They’re also more likely to be visible, due to lower water levels, the onset of breeding season and warmer (but not oppressively hot) temperatures, all of which result in higher levels of activity for these cold-blooded reptiles. For everyone’s safety, if you encounter an alligator on the move, give it plenty of space — at least 25 feet is recommended — and don’t try to hurry it along. Also, as is the law, never harass or feed alligators. When alligators are fed, they lose their natural wariness of humans and start to associate people with food. Because dogs and cats are the same size as natural alligator prey, keep them well away from possible alligator habitats.

— MIRI HARDY, FRIENDS OF THE MYAKKA RIVER CONTRIBUTOR

Friends of Myakka River exists to support Myakka River State Park and the Wild and Scenic Myakka River. Follow us @FriendsOfMyakkaRiver

Staying a safe distance from these vital members of wetland ecosystems will help keep all out of danger.

Miri Hardy If you encounter an American alligator on the move, give them plenty of space and allow them to proceed at their own pace.

PET PICS

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

LICKS: Miss Zara lounging in the pool at the Grand Mariner on Longboat Key.

Seaplace Condo members party with ‘Frank Sinatra’

Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” played from the speakers welcoming everyone into the room at the farewell party marking the end of the season April 12 at the Seaplace condomium at 2045 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

At 5 p.m., Seaplace residents gathered at the clubhouse over the clinking of Champagne glasses and platters of hors d’oeuvres. Guests plucked one or two bites from platters before the appetizers passed them by.

June Hessel, chair of the event committee and member of the board of directors, has been planning these parties for over three years now, although she’s helped with several more.

“We do this every year, and tonight we’ll have about 100 people in total show up for it,” said Hessel. “Our farewell parties always have a theme, and tonight, it’s ‘Italian’ because I booked our singer first.”

Bill Stabile, a Frank Sinatra tribute artist, crooned on the stage. Stabile sang Sinatra’s classics and then moved onto hits from the 1960s through the ’80s.

Hessel and her late husband bought their Seaplace home 38 years ago and became full-time residents four years ago wanting

to become even more of a part of the community.

“My husband, Daniel, passed away at the end of November and this will be my second party without him at Seaplace,” said Hessel. “It brings our community together. We’ve had a lot of changes with cost increases and other things — this is just a way to bring some joy. Get people together and talk to one another.”

Hessel explained that tickets included entertainment, food and “all the beer and wine they can drink.”

In two weeks, Hessel and the event committee will start planning events for next year at Seaplace.

“This party is very popular, but it will wrap up around 9 p.m. tonight,” said Hessel. “After all, we have to get home.”

— SIDRA WALI

The end-of-season event drew 100 fun-loving residents for a farewell soiree.

Sue Pariseau and Sandy Endres, members of the committee, have planned many events together.

Photos by Sidra Wali

Event committee members Mary DelPup, Betty Lou Miccio, Dottie Mueller, Nancy Hjort, June Hessel and Peggy Schwass pose together before mingling with other guests.

JUDY -HAYS KEPECZTEAM

3 bed + den, 3 bath | 2,344 sq.ft.

The Gem of all Jewels on St. Armands Circle!

April 20, 2023

The location makes this spacious home with a pool an exceptional opportunity for those who want to be minutes from St Armand's Circle, Lido Beach, and Main Street in the heart of the city.

The residence has many modern updates and unique features that add to its overall appeal. The newer windows improve energy efficiency, and the high ceilings feel more open and airy. The family room/office can easily be converted to a 4th bedroom with its glass wall. Walk out to the garden, pool, and patio.

Offered for $2,988,000

2 bed + den or 3 bed, 3 bath | 2,525 sq. ft.

Updated perfection is here, ready for enjoyment. Iconic luxury, 270 degrees of endless views. Welcome to L’Ambiance, Longboat Key’s spectacular residence defined by sophistication, casual elegance, and gracious living. Surrounded by gentle breezes off the water, set as one of the most prestigious residences to live on Longboat Key. Endless amenities plus three guest suites. Legendary service, extraordinary Bay and Gulf of Mexico views. COMPLETELY UPDATED.

Offered for $4,500,000

3 bed, 3.5 bath | 4,194 sq. ft.

BEYOND IMAGINATION, with unparalleled amenities and a lifestyle of privacy and comfort awaits you here to create everlasting memories. Instant enjoyment with captivating views from this ultimate southwest corner residence. Generously proportioned wrap-around terrace with sliding floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors offer stunning views in this meticulously designed, ALMOST NEW residence.

Offered for $5,500,000

3030 Grand Bay Blvd #321 | LONGBOAT KEY

3 bed, 3.5 bath | 2,925 sq. ft.

Be prepared to be WOWED! Upon arrival home, you take your private elevator to your residence. Here you are hypnotized by the captivating views of the Sunrise, Bay, City, and the Longboat Key Mooring Marina. Every room has a sliding glass door with access to your wraparound terrace to enjoy Sarasota and her islands. Three bedrooms and three and a half baths await its new owner.

This gated community includes 24 hr. security, clubhouse activities, heated swimming pools and spa, tennis courts, a library, a fitness center, and deeded beach access via Bay Isles Private Beach Club. Offered for $2,750,000

435 L’Ambiance Dr #H802 | LONGBOAT KEY

1300 Benjamin Franklin Dr #601

408 Jackson Dr | St. Armand's - LIDO KEY

RITZ

$2.85M condo in L’Elegance of Lido Beach tops sales

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

Acondominium in L’Elegance of Lido Beach tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Philip Crimmins, trustee, of Frisco, Texas, sold the Unit B-206 condominium at 1800 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Gregory John Pusinelli and Marie Pusinelli, trustees, of Chicago, for $2.85 million. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,070 square feet of living area. It sold for $700,000 in 2000.

QUEEN’S HARBOUR

Francis and Kathleen Garcia, of Longboat Key, sold their home at 3503 Fair Oaks Court to KLP Securities LLC for $2.4 million. Built in 2000, it has four bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,461 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,245,000 in 2017.

COREY’S LANDING

Gloria Biberman, of Sarasota, sold her home at 3414 Fair Oaks Lane to Joseph and Rosemary Burgess, of Longboat Key, for $1,865,000. Built in 1991, it has four bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,724 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,125,000 in 2005.

ST. ARMANDS TOWERS NORTH

John and Cynthia Smith, of Nashville, Tennessee, sold their Unit 83 condominium at 1 Benjamin Franklin Drive to John Pinckney Booker III, of Sarasota, for $1,575,000. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,389 square feet of living area. It sold for $850,000 in 2017.

BEACHPLACE

Margaret Farkas, trustee, of Beaver, Pennsylvania, sold the Unit 605 condominium at 1135 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Donn Knight, trustee, of Longboat Key, for $1.55 million. Built in 1980, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,503 square feet of living area. It sold for $353,000 in 2004.

Richard and Laura Ogden, of Washington, D.C., sold their Unit 303 condominium at 1105 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Alan Sharaf and Carolynn Levy, of Brookline, Massachusetts, for $1,175,000. Built

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

APRIL 3-7

in 1981, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,503 square feet of living area. It sold for $490,000 in 2010.

VILLA CASUARINA

Margaret Taylor and Sten Bringert, trusses, and Andrew and Jessica Uelsmann, of Gainesville, sold the Unit 4 condominium at 5321 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Karee and Edward Valek, of Sarasota, for $940,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 988 square feet of living area. It sold for $150,000 in 2021.

ISLANDER CLUB OF LONGBOAT

Jack Schwarz, as President for Aria Longboat Key Condominium Association Inc., sold the Unit 24-S condominium at 2295 Gulf of Mexico Drive to TALKWW LLC for $500,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,235 square feet of living area. It sold for $410,000 in 2018.

ONLINE

See more transactions at YourObserver.com

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

File photo

Unit B-206 of L’Elegance of Lido Beach at 1800 Benjamin Franklin Drive sold for $2.85 million.

Courtesy of Beverly St. Hilaire, Michael Saunders & Co.

Built in 1996, the condo has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,070 square feet of living area.

BEST BET SATURDAY, APRIL 22 NATURE TALKS AND WALKS FOR EARTH DAY

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Free. Enjoy exhibitions from Florida Forest Service, Longboat Key Turtle Watch, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Save our Seabirds, Florida Maritime Museum and more, before the panel discussion at 1:30 p.m. Topics of discussion include Sarasota Bay water quality, Mote Marine Laboratory research, wildlife conservation, ecology and coastal community planning.

community security director, will describe the current state of hate groups locally, and Lindsey Mintz, the federation’s director of community engagement, will discuss actions that can be taken to confront anti-Semitism and other hatreds. The documentary “Not in Our Town” will be screened. This event is free and open to the public. Register by April 21 to attend in person or to watch the livestream by calling 3833428 or emailing Office@LongboatKeyTemple.org.

RECURRING EVENTS

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, 555 Bay Isles Road. On Wednesdays, most books are on sale for $1 or less. Call 383-2011.

MONDAYS STRETCH AND 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 $15. 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 $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS PUMPING THE PRIME

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

File photo

Longboat Key Turtle Watch volunteers Jeff Driver, Tim Thurman, Kim Maddox and Terri Driver man a table at the 2022 Nature Talks and Walks event at the Longboat Island Chapel.

/

By Luis Campos

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CAMPING MISHAPS by David Alfred Bywaters , edited by Jeff Chen

Jenelle Alber captured this photo of a bird of paradise in Longbeach Village on Longboat Key.

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888 redpages@yourobserver.com

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*All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher.

*It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the Longboat Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

Notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

ROGER SELLS LUXURY WATERFRONT PROPERTIES #1

SARASOTA SINGLE AGENT 2012 - 2022

This spectacular Siesta Key beach home is a one-of-a-kind experience! Directly overlooking the coastal landscape of the Gulf of Mexico, this private estate rests on more than an acre, with 172’ of beach! Designed to highlight the sparkling Gulf and striking sunset vistas you can enjoy from any room of this gorgeous beachfront estate. www.7652Sanderling.com

Direct beachfront opportunities are a rarity on Siesta Key! This lovely beach home offers more than 100’ of water frontage and is waiting for you to add your custom touches, or move right in. The three leveled, nearly 4,000 SF of living space welcomes you with walls of glass, clean lines, cathedral ceilings, Olympic pool, and beach in the backyard. www.1172HorizonView.com

$6,995,000

Move right in and begin enjoying the panoramic, direct views of Sarasota Bay, Harbourside golf course, Moorings Marina, and downtown abounding throughout this lovely 3BR, corner residence. www.GrandBay346.com

$2,795,000

#316

Prepare to be enchanted by the stunning views that await at this luxurious 2,925 SF, 3BR Grand Bay residence. This exquisite condominium offers the ultimate in elegant single-family living.

www.GrandBay316.com

$2,495,000

You will love the convenience of immediately enjoying this well-maintained home, with its sunny and open interior, 3BR plus den layout, and many resort-style amenities that residents relish. www.173CiprianiWay.com

$599,000

3030 GRAND BAY BOULEVARD

3030 GRAND BAY BOULEVARD #346

173 CIPRIANI WAY

1172 HORIZON VIEW DRIVE - TURTLE BEACH

7652 SANDERLING ROAD - SIESTA KEY