LONGBOAT
Observer Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 38, NO. 23
FREE
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Predicting the next president. PAGE 1B THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2016
The 2/3 rules
ALMOST FAMOUS
The south end wields greater power at the polls. PAGE 3A YOUR TOWN
Kristen Herhold Kristen Herhold
Big Luke the elephant stomped onto St. Armands Circle for the Circus Ring of Fame induction. SEE PAGE 6B
Life on Longboat — without the keys
The Rev. Vincent and Molly Carroll in the new “The Rev. Vince Carroll Upper Room”
Longboat Island Chapel honors The Rev. Carroll Longboat Island Chapel held a dedication ceremony to rename a second floor multipurpose room “The Rev. Vince Carroll Upper Room” Jan. 10. SEE PAGE 12A
KURT SCHULTHEIS SENIOR EDITOR
When Longboat Harbour resident Maye Lavinson, 94, decided to give up her car two years ago, the decision “broke her heart.” “Giving up that privilege was one of the most difficult decisions of my life, but I knew it was the right thing to do,” Lavinson said. But what Lavinson didn’t realize when she gave up her car keys was how difficult it was going to be to get around Longboat Key. “I’ve lived on Longboat Key since 1970,” Lavinson said. “I hate retirement homes, and I have no intention of leaving the island. But I suddenly realized quickly SEE PAGE 7A
BLACK
Kurt Schulteis
Maye Lavinson and Ruth Lerner gave up their car keys years ago and rely on help to run errands.
TIE
Author Amy Tan pays a visit for Town Hall dinner. INSIDE