Now, Longboat’s dog owners can enjoy the Bayfront Park dog park with their pups after the sun sets — which is earlier since the clocks turned back in November.
The project cost about $16,000, funds that came from the Longboat Key Foundation. The funds were originally raised to complete the turf installation at the park, but the town decided to fund the project in May.
These solar-powered lights mean there’s no electricity cost after installation.
Bayfront Park is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Seaplace Condominiums deck the halls
Seaplace Condominiums celebrated holidays of all kinds on Dec. 11 at its annual holiday party.
June Hessel, chair of the event planning committee, said they prioritized silver decorations to make sure everyone felt included in their holiday celebration. Along with a Christmas tree in the corner, a menorah honored Jewish residents.
One hundred thirty residents attended the event and enjoyed local musician Greg Rohr playing his violin. Everyone was dressed up in holiday sweaters while indulging in appetizers and drinks set up by the event committee.
“It was such a fun time and one of our favorite events of the year,” said Hessel. “Greg matched our requests and fun energy by turning his violin into a fiddle by the end of the evening because we asked him to play ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia.’ It was a blast.”
$1.00
Longboat Police chief steps down
Turner had served as top cop since 2021.
Frosty Frolic ladies use charitable event to have Christmas fun. PAGE 16
Carter Weinhofer
Courtesy image Teresa and Jim Aikenhead
Petra Rivera
Kerry Robinson, Jan Henry, Barbara Brizdle, Marci McGovern, Carol Flanagan and Jan Van Iten at the Longboat Key Club Golf course on the morning of Dec. 10.
WEEK OF DEC. 19, 2024
BY THE NUMBERS
“It has been an honor to serve the town of Longboat Key. My professional goal was to leave L.K.P.D. better than how I found it. Mission accomplished.”
— Chief of Police George Turner. Read more on page 5
Paid parking on St. Armands, Lido to
Paid parking on St. Armands Key and Lido Key will resume on Jan. 2, 2025, after the system was paused during the area’s hurricane recovery.
Following Hurricane Helene, the city of Sarasota paused the paid parking program on St. Armands and Lido. This included the parking garage on St. Armands.
“With the parking equipment repaired, paid parking needs to start back up so we’re in compliance and able to make
payments for the St. Armands Garage,” said Parking General Manager Broxton Harvey in a release from the city.
The city issued $15.6 million in St. Armands Paid Parking Area Improvements Revenue Bonds in 2017 to help fund the construction of the parking garage. The bond requires payments to be made in a timely manner, and the parking program is set up to fund the bond payments.
The city will resume parking
enforcement to stay in compliance with the bond payments.
Starting Jan. 2, the paid parking will resume at these rates: St. Armands Circle street parking: $1.50 per hour; St. Armands garage: first hour free, then $1 per hour (max. $23); Fillmore Lot: $1 per hour; Ben Franklin Drive/John Ringling Blvd. terminus: $1 per hour.
For more information or questions about the parking or enforcement, email ParkingInfo@ SarasotaFL.gov.
Town webinar for recovery resources
The town of Longboat Key will host a community resilience webinar titled “Navigating Recovery After the Storms” at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 19. The webinar will provide additional information and support during hurricane recovery.
The town’s building department, U.S. Small Business Administration and the Florida Division of Emergency Management will talk about the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s 50% rule, additional funding options, how to protect from future flooding and other state resources that may be available. A recording of the meeting will also be available on the town’s website after the webinar.
For more information or to register, visit the town of Longboat Key website at LongboatKet.org.
Michael Saunders opens St. Regis office
Michael Saunders & Co. recently announced the opening of the group’s 18th office.
This new office will be located in the St. Regis Longboat Key.
“Michael Saunders & Company proudly serves as the exclusive listing agent for The Residences, and the new office represents a significant milestone for both the company and the local real estate market,” the press release said.
According to the release, the office will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and solidifies Michael Saunders & Co.’s position as a market leader on Florida’s suncoast.
“We are thrilled to announce our newest satellite office at the exquisite St. Regis Longboat Key Resort,” stated Founder and CEO Michael Saunders in the release. “The St. Regis brand is synonymous with luxury, exclusivity and timeless sophistication. Our presence within the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort will provide an unparalleled opportunity and advantage to all our clients – exposing listings and the Michael Saunders & Company brand to a discerning audience.”
The St. Armands parking garage charges $1 per hour after the first hour.
On the surface, Spanish Main appears to be doing well, but homes remain uninhabitable
CLEAN OUTSIDE, EMPTY INSIDE
CARTER WEINHOFER
STAFF WRITER
The streets of Spanish Main Yacht Club are clean, but the units are still desolate.
Most unit owners still cannot return to their villas while contractors work to restore plumbing and electricity to the gutted villas.
With 212 units, it is a Herculean task for the Spanish Main Yacht Club board and residents to restore their community at 5700 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
“We really want to get people back in their homes as quickly as we can,” board member Margaret Dugan said.
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE
After Hurricane Helene’s storm surge, residents had about a week to assess the damage before Milton had its sights on Sarasota.
Immediately after Helene, residents returned to check on their villas.
Dugan said, from the outside, the units looked relatively OK. But once people opened their doors, Helene’s water damage was staggering.
In Dugan’s two units in Spanish Main, one had eight inches of water and another had 18 inches. Many villa owners close to the ground lost almost everything, including furniture, Dugan said.
Dugan and fellow board member Jeffrey Love said the condominium association board looked around for companies for remediation and restoration.
The board chose Servpro, and through collaborating with the company’s Sarasota office, Servpro sent a crew from Michigan.
According to Dugan, it was necessary to find a crew big enough to deal with Spanish Main’s community.
“This was not easy because it’s never happened before,” Dugan said. “Nobody left us a recipe book on how to manage it.”
Then Milton arrived, and the crew paused remediation efforts. After, crews assessed damage from Milton, which was mainly wind damage to roofs.
Servpro workers started necessary drywall removal and asbestos testing
in villas that had water damage.
From the end of October to recently, the streets of Spanish Main looked like most others in Longboat Key, the sides of narrow streets piled with debris and furniture.
After Servpro handled debris cleanup, its contract with the association was complete. The board then hired a separate contractor to continue doing restoration work in the villas like plumbing and electrical work.
Dugan said the board is still working on finalizing numbers between insurance and its public adjuster. Each villa is insured for up to $250,000, and Dugan said current remediation estimates are still “well within” that number.
The association is responsible for “white boxing” the units, which means restoring the units to a blank slate. This means replacing drywall and restoring power and plumbing.
From there, it’s up to the unit owners how to repair the villas with paint, furniture and whatever else is necessary.
Dugan and Love said the board is prioritizing full-time residents of the community during the next phase of construction, which is to restore plumbing and power.
“There’s about one-third of unit owners who that’s their only home,”
resident Tom Freiwald said. “The community is first trying to get those people first on the list.”
Freiwald is a full-time resident of the community and is still moving from apartment to apartment while waiting for his villa to be habitable.
“Once the drywall goes up, our villa is fully functional. We’re planning on moving in quickly,” Freiwald said.
While he is eager to move back, he understands that with 212 units, this is an enormous task for the board.
Freiwald compared the recovery effort to a freight train, with all the individual units as the cars.
“We’re trying to get the cars back on the track,” he said.
During the remediation process, there were some bumps in the hypothetical train track.
For one, some residents were concerned with how Servpro was managing the drywall and content
“This has become more than a full-time job for our board. There’s much to do.”
removal. Freiwald said some residents thought Servpro was too “aggressive” in the cleanup process, and things like countertops or shower doors could have been saved.
“For sure there were people who weren’t happy with Servpro,” Freiwald said. “But there are others who were satisfied and felt they did their job.”
Again, Freiwald emphasized that 212 unit owners equate to more than 400 residents when factoring those who live as couples or families. Not every story will match up, he said.
“It’s a hard fight,” Freiwald said.
“It’s a really interesting dynamic, but it’s been mostly friendly.”
FUTURE OF SPANISH MAIN
The Spanish Main board was responsible for dealing with insurance companies, public adjusters and remediation crews while also trying to keep residents informed.
“This has become more than a full-time job for our board,” Dugan said. “There’s much to do.”
The Spanish Main board now focuses on restoring the units and getting residents moved back into the villas.
But a handful of residents pondered the idea of exploring the option of bringing in a developer to overhaul and change the community.
Spanish Main is a 55-and-older community with one-story villas that finished construction in 1972. The community is situated on a unique plot of land with a canal, which is likely why Helene’s storm surge was this damaging to the com-
munity.
“Spanish Main’s land is very valuable,” Freiwald said. “There’s no other property like it on Longboat Key that would become available in the foreseeable future.”
It’s not about money for the residents, though. It’s about the future, Freiwald said.
He took part in some discussions among residents who want to explore the possibility of redeveloping the community to meet modern standards.
Freiwald said there will soon be a survey sent to residents to gauge people’s interest, or lack thereof, in this possibility.
“We owe it to ourselves to explore every option,” Freiwald said. “Until we know what peoples’ intentions are, that conversation isn’t going anywhere.”
Dugan confirmed that there is chatter among some residents concerned about Spanish Main and looking at the possibility, but, to her knowledge, there is not yet a credible proposal.
“The board is really focused right now on doing the things that we are required to do, which is to recover and rebuild. If something were to come along and enough people had interest in it, we could look at it,” Dugan said.
Now, in late December and two months after the hurricanes, Dugan and Love feel the community is making progress.
“As people see the community being restored, I think spirits are lifting a little bit. I think people are feeling more hopeful,” Dugan said.
When residents return, it might still be a shock for some.
“When you see the drywall removed, you don’t recognize the rooms. It’s pretty odd looking. But I think people see that’s the first step in bringing it back to where it was,” Love said.
Through the hardship, Dugan and Love said they had hope when seeing the Spanish Main community come together.
On some doors in the community next to the yellow “restricted use” signs, someone also pasted “I love Spanish Main” signs.
“The real concept, the neighborhood, the fact that you knew your neighbors, and they looked out for you, that really did sell me on Spanish Main,” Love said. “I think we’re still there. We just need to rebuild our
and regain what we had
houses
before.”
— Margaret Dugan, Spanish Main board member
Units in Spanish Main are still uninhabitable, but someone tried to spread community spirit with these signs on some units’ doors.
“Restricted Use” signs are pasted on the doors of units in Spanish Main while remediation and construction are still ongoing.
Photos by Carter Weinhofer
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Project forces temporary town hall closure
The building will close over the holidays for construction to start on the hardening project to upgrade the roof, windows and generator.
Longboat Key Town Hall will soon receive necessary reinforcements to strengthen the building for hurricanes.
From Dec. 26, 2024 to Jan. 4, 2025, town hall will be closed to the public while starting construction for the town hall hardening project.
While the project is under construction, town hall staff will still be available by phone by calling 941316-1999.
From Jan. 5, 2025 to Jan. 14, 2025, the town hall building will reopen. Public access will be rerouted because of the installation of new doors. Signage will direct people to another entrance.
The town hall hardening project includes storm resiliency upgrades such as new windows, doors, roofing material and an upgraded backup generator.
The existing building was constructed in the early 2000s with windows and a roof rated to withstand winds of 110 mph. With the new materials, the building will withstand 150 mph winds equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane.
The current backup generator also only has enough power to back up the Information Technology Department and possibly a bit more. With the new generator, the entire building will have power, as well as the adjacent Planning, Zoning and Building Department.
During Hurricane Helene, Town
Manager Howard Tipton was stuck in the town hall building. That night, Tipton realized firsthand how necessary these upgrades were while he used cups to catch leaking water and spent the day without power.
“You can actually see outside the weather stripping and everything is kind of gone. I was cleaning up leaks,” Tipton said.
This project dates back to 20172018. At the time, the town pursued a Hazard Mitigation Grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and received $700,000. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic complicated the bidding process, and the town decided to bid again in 2022. The bids came in higher than the FEMA grant at about $1.6 million.
The town went back to FEMA and asked for an extension and additional funding, and FEMA granted the town $1.2 million with a deadline of February 2025 to use the money.
When the town went out to bid again, the project costs had risen again. At that point, the Longboat Key Town Commission voted in January 2024 to approve a $250,000 transfer from capital reserves to help pay for the project.
Longboat
Longboat Chief of Police Turner to leave department in January
Turner’s departure was announced to police department personnel on Dec. 12, though specific reasons behind the change remain unclear.
Longboat Key Chief of Police
George Turner will step down from his role and leave the Longboat Key Police Department at the end of January.
According to a memo sent by Town Manager Howard Tipton to police department personnel on Dec. 12, Turner will step down effective Jan. 11, 2025, and transition out of the town as of Jan. 24, 2025. There were no details on the reason for the departure in Tipton’s memo to police department staff, but in an
email Turner sent to his employees
he said:
“I wanted to take the opportunity to advise all that Town Manager Howard Tipton has recently informed me that he is moving the Longboat Key Police Department in a new direction, therefore I have been told that I will be stepping down from service as the chief of police.”
Tipton’s memo stated he would start conversations with members of the police department and town about what the next steps would be.
He also commended Turner on his nearly five decades of police service and the work he has done in the
Longboat Key community.
Turner served two times with the Longboat Key Police Department, first from 2001 to 2007, then from 2021 to now.
“It has been an honor to serve the town of Longboat Key,” Turner said in an email to town commissioners on Dec. 13. “My professional goal was to leave L.K.P.D. better than how I found it. Mission accomplished.”
When Turner was hired in 2021 by former Town Manager Tom Harmer, he was hired with the goal of leading the department to its first state accreditation, which the department achieved in February 2024.
“I truly regret not having the opportunity to continue with you all in our pursuit of excellence, our future Florida Re-Accreditation(s) goal and our continued high level of professional police services we provide to our great community. We are all very fortunate to be able to work on such a beautiful island, and enjoy such a high level of community support,” Turner said in the email to his department.
While the town searches for a new police chief, Deputy Chief Frank Rubino will serve as the acting chief of the department.
“I have no idea of the new direction the town manager has in mind, but knowing that Deputy Chief Frank Rubino is named Acting Chief of Police upon my retirement comforts me,” Turner said in his email to the department. “Deputy Chief Rubino will continue in the pursuit of excellence, Florida Accreditation and our high level of community service. I am sure he will have your support, as you have supported me.”
TURNER’S BACKGROUND
Turner’s law enforcement career started in New York in 1976, where he was a part-time officer and rescue diver.
During his time as a rescue diver, he assisted on missions rescuing, recovering bodies and searching for evidence. Then, in 1978, Turner was sworn in as a full-time road deputy.
He served Ulster County first as a road deputy, then rose through the ranks to sergeant, lieutenant, captain and, finally, deputy chief.
After 24 years in New York, Turner
decided to switch from the lakes and rivers of New York to the beaches and canals of Florida.
“It was a great career in New York, but I hated the snow,” Turner said. That’s when Turner first joined the Longboat Key Police Department in 2001 as the patrol captain.
Six years later, in 2007, the police chief role in Brooksville opened up, and Turner decided to take that opportunity.
During his time as the chief of Brooksville, he led the department to its first accreditation.
Turner retired from Brooksville in 2018 and worked for a short time for the U.S. Marshals Service in Fort Myers.
When he heard the police chief job was opening up on Longboat Key in 2021, Turner moved from Fort Myers and closer to Longboat Key, with the job in his sights. That’s when Turner’s second stint with the Longboat Key Police Department started.
Harmer hired Turner with the goal in mind to lead the Longboat Key Police Department to its first accreditation — something he had experience with in Brooksville.
On Feb. 22, 2024, Turner and his officers received the department’s first accreditation in its history after three years of hard work.
It was his proudest moment in the nearly 10 years he’s worked with Longboat Key.
“That was a lot of work,” Turner said. “It was a good department before, but it was much better after. That’s obviously my proudest accomplishment.”
File image
Chief of Police George Turner said leading the department to its first accreditation was his proudest moment with the department.
Courtesy image
The Longboat Key Police Department accepted its accreditation from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation in February.
A leadership legacy
Longtime USF-SM leader and Longboat resident Karen Holbrook receives recognition of her impact at the school upon retirement.
IAN
Karen Holbrook has served in roles at numerous universities. However, she says outside of the University of Washington, the University of South Florida is the one she’s stayed with the longest.
She attributes her 14 years with the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, including her seven years as regional chancellor that will conclude with her retirement at the end of 2024, to the excellence of the people and community.
The community turned out for the Longboat Key resident’s retirement celebration on Dec. 11, at an event held at the Student Center and Atala Residence Hall opened in August, at which Holbrook received a key to the city of Bradenton.
Brett Kemker, vice provost and regional vice chancellor for academic affairs and student success at USF Sarasota-Manatee, will succeed her in an interim role.
Rhea Law, president of the University of South Florida, recalled the case Holbrook made at a board meet-
ing for creating the residence hall.
“She presented such a passionate case for why this community should have a residence facility right here on this campus, and because of that, because of her passion for that, here we are, three years later, and look what happened. We are standing in it right here,” she said.
In addition to the residence hall, which was the college’s first new structure since 2006, the college also credits Holbrook with a number of contributions, which include adding and expanding academic programs and facilitating faculty research.
“I think Dr. Holbrook has started so many really unique initiatives, especially around bringing different degree programs to our campus that meet the workforce needs in the community, such as the aviation ecosystem that is really a focus of Manatee County,” said Marrie Neumer, the campus’ associate vice president for advancement.
Neumer said Holbrook has also expanded degree programs in risk management and insurance, and “certainly” health sciences including the commitment to providing
nurses, health care, specialists and all different majors in the area.
“We are proud to be able to continue and use those programs as a launch pad for the future,” she said. Law, speaking during the event, discussed Holbrook’s love of the community.
“I think the thing that most strikes me is her absolute love of people, her love of students, her love of faculty, her love of staff, her love of this community, the real, deep wish that this university would be such an integral part of this community, that we would fight together, that we would work together, and that we would accomplish things together. I think that’s what you’ve done,” said Law.
However, Holbrook emphasized the contributions of others.
“I just can’t say enough for being here, and leaving here is incredibly hard,” Holbrook said. “You just can’t believe it. I have loved it here. I love the people I deal with. I love the people I’ve worked with over the years. And I still want to be seeing you, be friends with you, but I want to also, more than anything, thank every one of you, for all of you and what you have done for this campus and for
this community. It would not be the same without you. It is not ever one person, but it is many people, and the many people who are here are absolutely phenomenal.”
During the event, two initiatives in honor of Holbrook were announced.
The Dr. Karen A. Holbrook Legacy of Leadership fundraising campaign will name the office of the global engagement initiative USF World, found inside the residence hall, in honor of Holbrook.
The Perlman Music Program SunCoast, which has been holding its winter residency program on the campus for the last 17 years, will dedicate its 2024-25 winter residency to Holbrook.
Holbrook previously served USF as senior vice president for global affairs and international research; senior vice president for research, innovation and global affairs; and as senior advisor to the USF president.
She has also served as president of The Ohio State University; senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of Georgia; vice president for research and dean of the graduate school at the University of Florida; and associ-
ate dean for research and professor of biological structure and medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
She has served on many boards, not limited to the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Association of American Medical Colleges, as well as local boards, some of which include the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp.
Early in her career, she was an NIH MERIT Award investigator, and has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin and a doctorate in Biological Structure from the University of Washington School of Medicine.
After an extensive career, Holbrook said she isn’t sure what’s next. She said she hopes to spend more time with her family, including her husband, Jim Holbrook, in their Longboat Key home.
“I’m going to go home and get things back in order and just spend some time with Jim and enjoy being with him, and then we’ll see what happens, because I’m hoping something will,” she said.
*Cannot
Photos by Ian Swaby
Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown presents Karen Holbrook with a key to the city.
USF official Greg Smogard and Randy Dunn applaud Karen Holbrook.
A TIME TO KEEP OUR PERSPECTIVE
Editor’s note: A version of this editorial has appeared annually since 2010.
In this season to be jolly, it is, by golly, sometimes hard to be jolly.
And if you’re not all that jolly, when you think of what you, your family, your friends, your business and your work colleagues have endured in this trying year, perhaps we should put it in perspective — keep our perspective on what this season is really all about. Compare, for instance, our lives today to those of Mary and Joseph in the year 4 A.D.
We all know what happened on Christmas — as St. Luke masterfully wrote in his Gospel (see box). But having some of the context that led up to that holy, remarkable day adds to its richness.
In truth, Jesus’ birth is a story for Jews and Christians alike. After all, Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, were Jews. And the setting for this momentous, monumental event was in the heart of the land that God promised to Abraham and Moses: Israel.
The main characters leading up to Jesus’ birth — Mary; Joseph; Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth; and her husband, Zacharias — were anything but celebrities in their day. They were as common as Iowa farmers. And yet, in reality, Mary and Joseph were indeed connected to royalty. Biblical scholars tell us they actually were both descendants from the lineage of King David, the longtime king of Israel. But at that time — around 4 B.C. — the Jews of Judea (central Israel) were anything but a privileged, royal class. They were living under the rule of Caesar Augustus and his vast Roman empire and under a maniac ruler, King Herod, an Arab-Jew who was a client king for Caesar Augustus.
Imagine life under Herod. The biblical historian Josephus wrote that “Herod inflicted such outrages upon the Jews as not even a beast
could have done if it possessed the power to rule over men.” So vile and monstrous, Herod became infamous for murdering his wife, three of his own sons, his father-in-law, his brother-in-law and 300 of his military leaders.
On top of this, and even though Herod allowed Jews to practice their religion without much interference, the Jews also had to contend with the Samaritans, half-Jew, halfGentile who lived between Judea and Galilee.
“The enmity between Jew and Samaritan was so intense” wrote biblical historian James Edward Talmadge, “that travelers between Judea and Galilee would make long detours rather than pass through Samaria.”
This is what Mary and Joseph faced when they received word of Caesar Augustus’ order for a census. He demanded that everyone register in his hometown. For Mary and Joseph, this meant traveling from Nazareth in Galilee in the north to Bethlehem in Judea in the south — an 80-mile, four-day journey that would have taken them right through Samaria. And let’s not forget: Mary was nine months pregnant.
In his gospel on the birth of Christ, St. Luke was sparing on the details of Mary and Joseph’s trip. The fact there are few details must mean it was mostly uneventful. But you could imagine it otherwise: Any woman in her ninth month of pregnancy is physically miserable — can’t sit for long stretches, can’t sleep, constant heartburn, hemorrhoids. So imagine Mary and Joseph traveling in a caravan, with Mary riding much of the trip on a donkey. The nights were cold.
On Dec. 23, they had two days to go before reaching Bethlehem. And at this point, they would just be passing through Samaria. Jewish travelers who dared that route were marks for bandits.
But we know God was watching over Mary and Joseph. They made it to Bethlehem, only to find out there was no room at the inn.
Bethlehem was normally a sleepy little town, but it was bustling with Jews who had returned to register for the census.
Mary and Joseph, we know, found a stable. But this wasn’t the stable we see on the Hallmark Christmas cards. The stables in those days often were dark, cold caves with “mangers” — animal-feeding troughs carved into the stone walls. The mangers in those days were not wooden cribs padded with dry, neatly arranged hay.
With nowhere else to go, Mary
Who were the 3 kings?
This originally appeared in 2023.
One of the precepts learned in journalism school is there are at least two sides to every story. Truth is, there are more. Throughout most of Christianity, Christ’s birth has followed that journalistic precept. There are two accounts of Christ’s birth — that of Gospel writers Matthew and Luke. But their versions differ. Matthew wrote of Magi arriving from the east after following a star. Luke wrote of shepherds in a field, where an angel told them what happened. Matthew wrote of the Magi giving baby Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh. Luke said nothing about gifts.
You wonder: Who were those guys anyway? In today’s 24-7 media world, you can be sure frothing-at-the-mouth media would be all over that story ad nauseum. They would not just be writing about Jesus, Mary and Joseph. You know they also would be searching madly to find and get interviews with the first outsiders to see the baby Jesus. What’s their story?
Not surprisingly, there is indeed another version to this story. And it’s a doozy.
Hidden in the bowels of the Vatican Library in Rome is a manuscript said to be written in the third or fourth century A.D. It’s called the “Revelation of the Magi” — a de-
FOR UNTO YOU IS BORN THIS DAY
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men.”
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”
And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger.
— St. Luke, 2:1-16, King James Bible
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tailed account of Christ’s birth told from the perspective of the Magi. Brent Landau, an American biblical scholar fascinated by the Magi since he was a boy, happened upon an article about the “Revelation of the Magi” while doing research for his doctorate. In 2010, Landau authored and had published the book: “Revelation of the Magi: The Lost Tale of the Wise Men’s Journey to Bethlehem.”
Landau’s work was extraordinary: the first English translation of this long-forgotten and hidden manuscript, translated from the ancient and little known Christian language of Syriac.
Landau’s translation begins the Magi’s story at the beginning — in the Garden of Eden. Landau:
“These Magi are members of an ancient mystical order and reside in a semi-mythical land called Shir, located in the extreme east of the world, at the short of the Great Ocean. The ‘Revelation of the Magi’ says these individuals are called ‘Magi’ in the language of their country because they pray in silence.”
“These mystics … are the descendants of Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve,” Landau writes. “The Magi inherited from Seth a prophecy of supreme importance for the world: a star of indescribable brightness will someday appear, heralding the birth of God in human form.
gave birth — under the stars; amid the manure and muck; among the sheep, cows, goats and chickens; no doctors present to administer an epidural; with Joseph, her carpenter husband, assisting as best he could. Those who have witnessed birth know it’s difficult in a hospital bed. Imagine the scene in a smelly, dark, cold cave.
Yet this lowly, humble setting was the way Jesus Christ, the savior whom God sent for mankind, came into this world.
Now contrast the differences: Caesar Augustus maneuvering for worldly power and the biggest worldwide celebrity of his day; Herod, a regional celebrity, abusing his power in unspeakable ways. They were all about self-centered status, power and ego.
Mary and Joseph were the antithesis. Humble, not wealthy, ordinary in all appearances. And yet they were extraordinary.
“Seth himself had learned about this prophecy from his father, Adam, since the star originally had hovered over the Tree of Life, illuminating all of Eden, before Adam’s sin caused the star to vanish.”
Landau describes how the Magi carried out rituals for thousands of years in expectation of one day seeing this bright star. And they did.
“As promised,” according to the text of the Revelation, “the star is indescribably bright, so bright that the sun becomes as faint as the daytime moon; yet because the Magi alone are worthy of guarding this prophecy, the star can be seen by no one but them.
“The Magi enter the [Cave of Treasures] and bow before the star, whose incredible light gradually
God sent his messenger, the angel Gabriel, and stunned Mary, that she would conceive miraculously and bring forth a son who would “reign over the house of Jacob forever.” She would be his mother.
And Joseph, the quiet carpenter, he fretted over what would happen to Mary, his fiancee, if people found out she was pregnant before they were married. Gabriel gave comfort to Joseph, just as he did to Mary.
And with humility, without complaint and far below the status of celebrity, they carried out God’s will, remembering all the while Gabriel’s assurance to Mary: “For with God, nothing shall be impossible.”
This is our heritage.
If we do anything in this holiday season, we should keep our perspective — give thanks to God and bring “peace on Earth, good will toward men.”
Happy Hanukkah. Merry Christmas.
dissipates to reveal a small, luminous human! This ‘star child’ reveals to the Magi that he is the Son of God …The star-child instructs the Magi to follow it to Jerusalem so they may witness its birth and participate in the salvation God has planned for the entire world.”
According to the Revelation, the Magi weren’t the three kings — Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, presenting gold, frankincense and myrrh. According to the Revelation, there were 12 Magi: “These are kings, sons of Eastern kings, in the land of Shir.”
In line with Matthew’s reporting, the Magi found the cave where Jesus was born. The Revelation has a twist, however, that isn’t in Matthew’s Gospel: Mary expresses her fear that the Magi had come to take Jesus in exchange for the gifts they brought.
The text of the Revelation says Christ reassured her: “Peace to you, my mother and upbringer …”
Of course, we don’t have the space here for all of the details in this Revelation. They are fantastical and well worth reading.
Are they true? Traditional biblical scholars say the “Revelation of the Magi” is “an apocryphal” account — outside the mainstream. But as Landau noted, “For European Christians in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, this story had immense influence.”
As always, there is more to every story. This one can indeed enrich your views of the greatness of the birth of Christ. — MW
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MATT WALSH
Residents share unique holiday traditions
CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER
Whether it’s a favorite meal or a movie to watch while it’s cold out — well, in the 50s or 60s for Floridians — Longboat residents have holiday traditions that they hold dear.
Here are stories from a few residents who shared what traditions bring the holiday spirit alive for them.
HEATHER AND RAY SELLERS
The Sellers have two traditions, one of which Heather Sellers said alluded to their eventual move to the island in 2019.
When Heather and Ray Sellers first joined their lives, there were lots of changes, she said, and the couple decided to start a new holiday tradition — decorating a palm tree instead of a traditional evergreen tree.
The family added ornaments from past Christmases and Heather said Ray’s daughters loved the new tradition. Every year, they would look forward to decorating the palm tree.
To this day, the daughters ask for pictures of the decorated palm tree, Heather said.
“And that same tree looks right at home here on Longboat Key, more so than in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia where we moved from in 2019,” Heather said.
The Sellers’ other tradition that started years ago was to dress their two greyhounds in festive outfits. This was a hit with friends and on Facebook, Heather said.
But when one of the Sellers’ greyhounds died in 2023, Heather said the couple lost the heart to pose for the annual photo without one of their pups.
As Christmas drew closer that year, Heather said they started receiving dozens of messages asking about the photo. Their friends and family said they loved the photo and looked forward to it, but they understood the circumstances.
“Realizing these silly posts had become a tradition not just for ourselves, but for others, we had renewed spirit to dress our remaining greyhound up and kept the tradition going.
“Sometimes, especially after loss or tough times, we may ask ourselves
‘Why should we keep doing this silly thing? Why make the effort?’ I have learned through these two instances that we bring so much joy to others, lifting our own hearts in the process.
“Truly, the magic of the season lies in small traditions, where healing and hope become the biggest gifts,” Heather said.
CYNDI SEAMON AND FRIENDS
Every year since 2010, Seamon said she and a group of Longboat Key friends have gathered on a Saturday in December to celebrate the holidays. On that day around noon, she said the group starts by watching the 1946 classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
After the first movie, the group spends the rest of that Saturday watching other holiday classics such as “White Christmas,” “Elf” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
From a decorative palm tree to good luck meals, Longboaters share what they do to make the holidays feel special.
TERRI AND JEFF DRIVER
For some Longboat Key residents, holiday traditions are simple.
“Of course we enjoy holiday sweet treats, beverages and crock pots of chili,” Seamon said. Seamon said the group has kept the tradition alive even through the COVID-19 pandemic. During that year, she said they moved the party outside into a holiday-decorated garage area.
Terri and Jeff Driver said their simple tradition is what they eat on New Year’s Day. The couple combines two traditional meals.
One is black-eyed peas and collard greens, and another is pozole. Pozole is a traditional Mexican soup or stew that’s usually made with pork.
Terri Driver said the simple traditional meals are meant to bring good luck in the new year.
Cyndi Seamon (left) and her group of friends during one of the years of their holiday tradition.
Jeff and Terri Driver are active in the Longboat Key community with the Rotary Club of Longboat Key and Longboat Key Turtle Watch.
Courtesy images
Banyan and Odie, the Sellers’ greyhounds. Behind them is the Sellers’ decorated holiday palm tree.
Sarasota students write letters to Santa
Students at Fruitville Elementary School, Tuttle Elementary School and Suncoast School for Innovative Studies shared what they hope to receive this Christmas.
IAN
SWABY STAFF WRITER
Christmas is fast approaching, and Sarasota kids have some thoughts about what gifts they hope to receive this year. From widely sought-after Jordan shoes, to well wishes for others, students in Sarasota’s elementary schools had many requests.
Teachers from Fruitville Elementary School, Tuttle Elementary School and Suncoast School for Innovative Studies acted as The Observer’s elves to send us a sampling of students’ letters to Santa Claus.
Dear Santa, I have been nice this year. How are the Elfs doing? I want a PS4. A hovr board. A girlfriend. A math book.
DYLAN SILVA A FIRST GRADER AT TUTTLE ELEMENTARY
Dear Santa, hope you are haveing a grate christmas! I have been good this year. For christmas this year I want a lego toy car. merry christmas Santa!
JOSEPH SIERRAPINEDA A FIRST GRADER AT TUTTLE ELEMENTARY
Dear Santa, I always wanted to see u and for Christmas i want to help the homeless and that is what i want.
SHAMARI BRYANT A THIRD GRADER AT SUNCOAST SCHOOL FOR INNOVATIVE STUDIES
Unwrap the Magic
This holiday season, share the joy of community at Lakewood Ranch, America’s favorite place to call home! SM
Farmers’ Market Every Sunday I Ranch Nite Wednesdays I Sights + Sounds 12/19
Breakfast with Santa at Remy’s on Main 12/21
Christmas on Main 12/21 I Lunch with Santa at Deep Lagoon 12/22 I Chanukah on Main 12/26 New Year’s Eve Party 12/31
Dear Santa, Hi! My name is oliviA. I am 6 yers old. I have been a good gir this yer. I want I what you to help my Mommy because (she works so hard).
OLIVIA SERNA A KINDERGARTNER AT FRUITVILLE ELEMENTARY
Dear Santa, I have been good this year. May I have a new Phone and can i get a PC and Jorden and Nike shoes and a soccer ball and a VR head set.
ISAAC ZAPATA A THIRD GRADER AT SUNCOAST SCHOOL FOR INNOVATIVE STUDIES
FRIDAY, DEC. 6
UNKNOWN URNS
1:30 p.m., 4200 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Suspicious Incident: A pastor called the police to report that an unknown person dropped off the cremated remains of two individuals on the front steps of the church.
The two urns were left on the steps along with pictures of a male and female presumed to be the deceased in the urns. The pastor told police he researched the names but did not find any affiliation with the church or with any past or present members of the church.
He told the officer the church would bury the remains on the property, and the officer requested to be informed of the date the remains were buried to add to the report.
SATURDAY, DEC. 7
ON A SIDEWALK STROLL
11:36 a.m., 4400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Suspicious Person: An officer responded to a suspicious person report regarding a man walking around residences and knocking on door handles.
While en route to the location, officers located a man matching the description given by the caller. The man did not wish to give his full name and claimed the report of him knocking on doors was not true. He also said the responding officer was not an actual police officer. According to the police report, the man appeared to be suffering from a mental disorder but did not seem to be in danger. The man refused medical attention. The responding officer said the man appeared calm and care free. At the time, he was not violating any laws, so he was free to continue walking down the sidewalks as he wished.
TUESDAY, DEC. 10
SO ... WHERE WAS THE BATHROOM?
resident. A verbal argument broke out, which the complainant thought was about where the packages were dropped. The complainant said he then walked off and went to the bathroom before calling the police.
The resident cleared things up for the officer and said the argument was not about the packages, but about the complainant using the bathroom. Where exactly the delivery driver used the bathroom was omitted from the report. The officer reported this appeared to be a translation issue, but the case was documented for future reference.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 11
NOT-SOSPECIAL DELIVERY
9:27 a.m., 500 block of Bay Isles Parkway Suspicious Incident: Dispatch sent an officer to respond to a report of a suspicious package marked “fragile” and left next to a store. The complainant flagged down the officer upon arrival and showed him the brown box lying on its side next to a planter.
2:35 p.m., 3000 block of Grand Bay
Boulevard
Disturbance: A delivery driver requested police assistance for a verbal disturbance. The complainant/driver only spoke Russian, so he used a translator application to communicate with the driver.
Through the translator, the complainant said he was delivering packages and was approached by a
After picking up the package, the officer discovered the package was addressed to the business next door. The package was successfully delivered to the business.
THURSDAY, DEC. 12
GARAGE DOOR ... GHOST?
1:42 a.m., 6100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Suspicious Incident: A resident
called the police after he said his rear garage door opened without anyone pressing the opener. Upon arrival, the officer searched the interior of the garage and noted all other doors were locked. Nothing inside the garage or on the exterior of the home seemed suspicious, and no footprints were found. The officer proceeded to close the garage door for the resident and the case was cleared.
NO CRIME FOR HAVING
A GOOD TIME
3:19 p.m., 4000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Suspicious Person: A Longboat Key officer investigated a suspicious person report of a man “party dancing and talking to himself.” When the officer arrived at the location, a man was playing a drum while sitting on the back of his vehicle. The officer spoke with the man who said he was just trying to have a good time playing and writing music. He said he was recently “down on his luck” and just wanted to play his drum. The officer asked if he was OK or needed anything, but the man said he was fine. No suspicious ac tivity was observed by the officer, who noted: “The male party appeared to be just enjoying his time.”
Holiday spirit shines
The banner “Joy to SRQ,” found on the Lotus yacht, summarized the concept of the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, said Maiya and Stephen Gardner, the owners of the boat, which won first place in the category for private vessels 36 feet and over.
“We only see so much of it, being on the boat,” said Maiya Gardener. “It’s actually more of a spectacle for people looking from land, so we’re just happy to be a part of that experience and the joy, and the festive spirit.”
For 38 years, the event, held Dec. 14, has been organized by Suncoast Charities for Children.
Sienna Kohlbrecker and her husband, Kyle, who brought their friends along on their boat themed after the film “Wicked,” enjoy the parade so much they returned for a fourth year.
The boat won “most creative,” as well as first place in the 21- to 35-foot private vessel category.
“The second he was announced, we all screamed, and then my husband jumped into the water, and it was a very exciting moment,” said Sienna Kohlbrecker. Kyle Kohlbrecker captained the boat.
For 38 years, the event has been organized by Suncoast Charities for Children.
Suncoast Charities for Children offered a chance for residents of The Haven, a nonprofit offering services to those with disabilities, to view the parade from the VIP viewing area at Marina Jack. It also held a toy donation drive, and this year was offered a $5,000 matching grant by the Reinhart Foundation, which was met that night.
— IAN SWABY Turtle Beach Grill shines brightly as it approaches.
The crew of the “Lotus” celebrates as the yacht makes its way along the parade route.
Photos by Ian Swaby
“Seaduction” arrives, dwarfed in height by a Santa Claus balloon.
Sienna Kohlbrecker and her friend Emily Cintron were Glinda and Elphaba on the “Defying Gravity” boat themed after “Wicked.”
“Bound in Blue” approaches with a very green Grinch-themed display.
YOUR NEIGHBORS
FROSTY FROLIC
Asea of red, green, Grinches and Dolly Partons could be seen on the Longboat Key Club Golf course on the morning of Dec. 10.
“That is probably my favorite part about the Frosty Frolic,” said Noreen Geer. “I’m always wondering what people are thinking when they turn their heads on Gulf of Mexico Drive and see us all dressed in our festive and kooky outfits.”
The Women’s Golf Association of Longboat Key and the KeyNiners partnered for their annual festive event, the Frosty Frolic, on Dec. 10. As they donated for Toys
was one group’s inspirations since three of their women are from Nashville. The ladies wore blonde wigs, big sunglasses and outfits with pink accents. Last year, they dressed like Elvis Presley. Another group took inspiration from the Grinch and wore Grinchthemed sweaters and caps. Others went simple with matching sweaters, reindeer ears, scarves and red and green outfits. This is one of two events the golf groups attend together. The other is “Go for a Cure,” which raises money for breast cancer research. Many players said their favorite part of these events is getting to know players from each of the groups.
“It was really nice to see everyone all here,” said Rosealie Bergman. “We go all out with our outfits, and it is cool to see everyone come together for a good cause.”
Women’s Golf Association of Longboat Key and Key-Niners collected donations for Toys for Tots.
Lari Brochin and Pam Crowe
Rosealie Bergman and Bunny Skirboll
Jill Reiter, Paula Kapp, Shawna West and Ricki Harvey
Photos by Petra Rivera
Arleen Klein and Lynn Hancock
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Annual tradition anchors yacht club events
It isn’t the holiday season for Bird Key Yacht Club members until the cannon fires and twinkling lights illuminate its docks with holiday cheer.
Most members consider this 50-year-old tradition to be the highlight of their season and one of their favorite events of the club.
Members, 175 strong, attended the club’s annual Blessing of the Fleet on Dec. 14. This year’s event hit a bit harder after the challenges the community faced during Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
“It is great to see it so well attended after everything with the hurricanes,” April Lane Chase said. “We look forward to it every year because of the whole culture around boating and holiday lights are just festive. We also love to see
our boats celebrate all holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza.”
The annual ceremony started with Fleet Capt. Bob Keagy sharing the history of the event, which began among the fishing community on Florida’s Gulf Coast after World War II.
The Rev. Brett DeHart from the First United Methodist Church in Sarasota then blessed the fleet to have safe travels as they go into this 2024-2025 season.
The ceremony finished with the firing of the cannon and the lighting of the boats. Local trumpet player Kevin Celebi serenaded the crowd with festive music as attendees walked the docks and viewed the holiday lights.
— PETRA RIVERA
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DeSilva
Photos by Petra Rivera
Debbie Landesberg, Carol Chrisman and April Lane Chase
Dennis DeWitt, Bob Keagy, Jeff Murphy and Jeff Barlow
Fleet Captain Bob Keagy, Commodore Michael Landis, Vice Commodore Tony Britt and Rear Commodore Saul Landesberg
The Scarlett Lady decorated by Lynn Pettigrew and Jay Plager.
Lynn Coffin and Des Trahan
The Rev. Brett DeHart
words “LBK Strong” on the front of them. After receiving the shirts at their staff retreat on Dec. 13, Longboat Key town employees wanted to bring their unity into the next day at the “LBK Strong” community concert. The shirt is now in high demand from residents after they spotted them at the event.
“Gulf Coast Eagle Distributing donated all the drinks for free,” said Assistant to the Town Manager Susan Phillips. “The food trucks cost us nothing. The band was $15, while the opener was free. We did get a donation of $2,500 and that helped get some chairs and tables because I originally told people to bring lawn chairs.”
When Phillips began planning the first “LBK Strong” community concert, she aimed to spend as little as possible to bring the community together after the trials of the hurricanes.
The free concert at the Karon Family Pavillion achieved its goal by bringing those on the Key together. Longboat resident and musician Tim Michael McCaig kicked off the evening, followed by local band SoulRCoaster’s dynamic performance of songs from all genres.
About 250 island residents packed the grass area in front of the pavilion, while organizations, nonprofits and businesses such as Christ Church of Longboat Key, the Longboat Key Garden Club and the Holistic Healing and Wellness Center of Longboat Key set up tables around the periphery to share their missions and support the town.
— PETRA RIVERA
Hank Foster, Melinda Foster, Sandra Smith, Bob Rutland, Chad LaTour, Valerie LaTour, Jan Anderson and Bill Hadley
Photos by Petra Rivera
Susan Claudio dances to the music of SoulRCoaster.
Porsches new and old filled the streets and grass of St. Armands Circle on the afternoon of Dec. 14.
Suncoast Porsche presented its annual Porsches in the Park event, celebrating the event’s 20th anniversary and a holiday toy run benefiting Toys for Tots.
Porsche enthusiasts and owners walked around the Circle and talked to fellow owners, who showcased their vintage and new vehicles.
Among the owners was George Wienhold, who decked his 1987 Cassis with reindeer antlers and a red nose in time for the holiday season.
Wienhold and his wife, Marlene, have attended Porsches in the Park for at least 14 years and, like most other attendees, collecting the annual shirts is a hit.
He said his favorite part of the event is, “the camaraderie of all the owners and seeing the diversity of the amazing Porsches. It’s amazing.”
Wienhold bought his 1987 Porsche about 16 years ago. After he and his wife quit smoking, they saved all the money he would have spent on cigarettes. Eventually, they saved enough to buy the Porsche for $18,000.
Across from Wienhold and among a row of vintage Porsches, Dennis Bosch used a cloth and cleaned a small stain of bird
droppings off his 1964 356C Porsche. On the back, his “SMR LOVN” license plate reminds him of his teenage years. When he got his driver’s license, this 1964 Porsche was his dream car. At the time, though, he could only afford a Triumph TR2, which he got for $350. Now, Bosch could finally get his dream car. He had the car painted in a unique fjord green color, which set it apart from others in the row.
— CARTER WEINHOFER
Photos by Carter Weinhofer Geroge Wienhold and his festive 1987 Cassis.
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WILD FLORIDA
Habitat Restoration zone returns to Myakka
MIRI HARDY CONTRIBUTOR
abitat restoration is the process of repairing an ecosystem to its original or near-original state by reestablishing the ecological functions and biodiversity of a degraded natural community. It is necessary in areas degraded or destroyed by human activities like deforestation, overgrazing, mining, clearing land for agriculture and damming rivers. As part of efforts to restore the natural flow of the wild and scenic Myakka River, to the benefit of Myakka’s ecosystems and our community, an exciting habitat restoration project is currently underway at the Upper Myakka Lake. This project commenced in 2022, when a weir built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, which negatively impacted the ecosystem, was removed. A bypass channel created in 1974 was filled in when the weir was removed, to restore a floodplain marsh that previously existed in the area.
Habitat restoration of highly impacted areas to their former health, functionality and diversity takes time. As a floodplain marsh, the newly re-created habitat is seasonally flooded. Indeed, this year, as a result of three powerful storms, this area was completely submerged for months. Native wildlife and plants that live in or along the river depend on such seasonal flooding to survive and thrive. But such hydro periods do create additional challenges for effectively restoring vegetation to this highly impacted area.
While a habitat is recovering, human behavior can be unintentionally detrimental in multiple ways. First, approaching park visitors scare wildlife away, which excludes them, and their role in this ecosystem, from the habitat being restored. And continuous human
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trampling is the main suppressor of natural revegetation, which is critical for rebuilding the habitat and controlling erosion. To aid in these important restoration efforts, Friends of Myakka River volunteers, in coordination with park management, recently re-installed temporary fencing around this sensitive zone. Encouragingly, thanks to reduced foot traffic in the zone, revegetation in impacted areas is slowly reemerging. As evidenced by the dazzling array of native species taking full advantage of their habitat, Myakka’s wildlife is much quicker to respond to the protection offered by the restoration zone. Their increased presence benefits the habitat’s stability and resilience, while delighting park visitors.
Friends of Myakka River exists to support Myakka River State Park and the Wild and Scenic Myakka River. Together, we’re protecting and sharing Myakka’s Magic, to the benefit of future generations, and our own. Follow us @FriendsOfMyakkaRiver
If you would like to learn more about our team please visit our website or: Join us at our office Mondays at 9:30am for an Outlook on the Market and latest thinking from the Morgan Stanley Global Investment Committee. Please RSVP to Amanda Lewis by calling 941-364-3549 or email Amanda.R.Lewis@morganstanley.com. 2 North Tamiami Trail, Ste 1100 Sarasota, FL 34236
Left to Right: Rylan Lanham, Adrienne Lambers, Mike Osterman, Tom Bardwell, Susan Wilson, Susan Knight, Amanda Lewis
Miri Hardy
Myakka’s wildlife respond favorably to the habitat restoration zone, which prevents human disturbances and improves their habitats.
Jules Mackie | Tracey Stetler | Nicholle DiPinto McKiernan | Patrick DiPinto | Rene DiPinto | Steven Moore | Janet Coughlin
Longboat Key
ith
these days without the holiday season.
But, never fear, your favorite holiday displays are here to brighten things up a bit.
Longboaters pulled through with some fun, festive decorations this year. Here are some must-add spots for your holiday lights tour of Longboat Key.
COUNTRY CLUB SHORES
Adding to the list of best holiday houses on the Key, Country Club Shores brings some of our favorites with their bright display of lights.
For the second year in a row, this house on Bogey Lane brings its multicolored holiday display for some Christmas joy. If you’re lucky, you might see its beautiful Christmas Tree in the window.
AQUARIUS CLUB
LONGBOAT HARBOUR
Santa is always watching as you drive down of Gulf of Mexico Drive.
Longboat Harbour Condominiums takes the award of most festive with its red and green lanterns, white twinkle trees, large ornaments and giant presents. You also can’t miss Santa’s reindeer peeking out behind the sign as you pull in to enter.
THE VILLAGE
Red, white and green. These classic colors of Christmas bring the holiday alive. Palm trees are lit with these colors between a field of white twinkle lights and decorations in the Village. Also, for a second year in a row, this house on Broadway Avenue, across from the Shore restaurant, is something to admire. The mix of the palm trees with festive colors, with its Christmas garland and wreath, makes it a beautiful stop on the holiday tour. The big ornament in the middle adorned with snowflakes ties in everything for the perfect holiday flair.
With a switch-up from last year, the trees are bejeweled with multicolored lights instead of the simple white lights they were in previous years. These simple decorations make driving around Longboat more festive.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Don’t forget to catch a peek at the side of The Sea Club I Beach Resort building for a festive message. Windward Bay also has a beautiful set of wooden reindeer as you enter its complex.
Lastly, make sure to drive by Longboat Key Fire House Station 92 to see it lit up with an assortment of colorful lights and a giant blow-up Firefighter Santa.
Photos by Petra Rivera
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585
L’Ambiance at Longboat Key Club condo sells for $6.5 million
ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR
Acondominium in L’Ambiance at Longboat Key Club topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Lee
Martin John Evans and Heather Patricia Evans, trustees, of England, sold the Unit F-608 condominium at 415 L’Ambiance Drive to William James Reimer, of Longboat Key, for $6.5 million. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, three-and-twohalf baths and 3,220 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.7 million in 2009.
COUNTRY CLUB SHORES
Leslie Marshall, as Personal Representative, of Fairfield, Connecticut, sold the home at 571 Golf Links Lane to Jennifer Margaret Petrie, of London, England, for $2 million. Built in 1968, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a pool and 1,745 square feet of living area. It sold for $789,000 in 2018.
SLEEPY LAGOON PARK
Rachid Baligh and Rosalla Belem Baligh-Ortega, of Scottsdale, Arizona, sold the home at 714 Norton St. to ALVA Property Group LLC for $1.2 million. Built in 1967, it has two bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 1,518 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.74 million in 2023.
THE PRIVATEER NORTH
Mark Edward Kolivosky and Jacquelynne Kidd, of Charleston, South Carolina, sold their Unit 904 condominium at 1050 Longboat Club Road to James Kellock and Mary Kim Kellock, of Peoria Heights, Illinois, for $960,000. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,409 square feet of living area. It sold for $680,000 in 2021.
CLUB LONGBOAT BEACH AND TENNIS
Jeffrey and Lisa Richert, of Chicago, sold their Unit 413 condominium at 5055 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Esther Emmerman, trustee, of Chicago, for $720,000. Built in 1973, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,484 square feet of living area. It sold for $425,000 in 2020.
LIDO TOWERS
Edward and Annette Eliasberg, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 401 condominium at 1001 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Gregory Long, of Silver Spring, Maryland, for $720,000. Built in 1980, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,293 square feet of living area. It sold for $195,000 in 1999.
LONGBOAT HARBOUR
William and Bernadette Coughlin, of Somerset, Massachusetts, sold their Unit 303 condominium at 4390 Exeter Drive to Daniel Jordon Weisberg and Jennifer Anne Weisberg, of Wilmington, Vermont, for $462,500. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,152 square feet of living area. It sold for $280,000 in 2004.
TOP BUILDING PERMITS
in order of dollar amounts. Source: Town of
Images courtesy of Judy Kepecz-Hays
Lee Martin John Evans and Heather Patricia Evans, trustees, of England, sold the Unit F-608 condominium at 415 L’Ambiance Drive to William James Reimer, of Longboat Key, for $6.5 million.
MONDAYS STRETCH AND STRENGTHEN
From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. This class is mostly seated and great for all fitness levels. Focus is on strength training and flexibility for balance. Suzy Brenner leads the class. Fee is $15; free for members. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.
THURSDAYS
KIWANIS CLUB OF LONGBOAT
KEY
MONDAY, DEC. 23
HOLIDAY SOUND BATH
2-3 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Amy Steinhauser will lead a fully immersive experience using singing bowls, a gong, chimes and more. Suitable for all ages, her sound baths will relax you with
frequencies that balance your
and mind. Advance registration is required since space is limited. Members pay $25; nonmembers pay $40. Call 383-6493.
RECURRING EVENTS
The Paradise Center will be closed Dec. 24-25. The Education Center closes for the holidays on Dec. 18. Its winter semester starts Jan. 6.
MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS
LONGBOAT LIBRARY
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 555 Bay Isles Road. Call 383-2011.
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 $15. Email Lynn Larson at LynnLarson@comcast.net to register.
JUST DANCE
From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. In this house class, Debbie White will show you how to move your body for fun and health purposes.
FRIDAYS
INTERMEDIATE TAI CHI
From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Reuben Fernandez teaches Chen-style class. Cost is $15; free for members. Outside if weather permitting. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.
QIGONG AND MEDITATION
From 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, take qigong and meditation with Sandi Love. Cost is $15; free for members. Call 383-6493.
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!
File image
Amy Steinhauser taps and circles each singing bowl to provide a mix of different frequencies.
BOWLED OVER: Mittens (aka Mitty) relaxes at Longboat Cove.
NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH
FORECAST
MOON PHASES
TIDES
BRANCH MANAGERS by Kruno Matic and Jeff Chen, edited by Jeff Chen
By Luis Campos
Gary Wise took this photo of a grasshopper on Longboat Key.
