Those looking to get ahead on their holiday shopping can peruse artisan works on St. Armands Circle this weekend.
The annual St. Armands Art Festival returns to the Key from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 8 and 9 at 1 St. Armands Circle.
Admission is free to the art show, which is set to feature multimedia artists from Sarasota and beyond. For information on exhibitors planning to bring their works and other details, visit ArtFestival.com.
Trimming the tree
St. Armands Circle is typically home to palm trees, not evergreens. But with the passing of Halloween, residents are making way for a new holiday.
Crews began assembling a towering Christmas tree on the Circle last week, complete with red and gold ornaments and a star on top.
However, residents will have to patiently await the official lighting of the tree, which the St. Armands Circle Association said will take place the first week of December.
The Holiday Night of Lights will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 5.
St. Armands hosts annual Fright Night. PAGE 8
Dana Kampa
Dana Kampa
Dana Kampa
mangrove roots.
Dana Kampa
Tiffany Ranieri and 10-month-old Eli White patrol for mischief-makers during his first time trick-or-treating at Fright Night on St. Armands Circle.
WEEK OF NOV. 6, 2025
BY THE NUMBERS
“(Longboat Key) is just a remarkable place to work, and I’m just blessed to be a part of it.”
Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton Read more on page 10
Lido Key to start beach renourishment
Lido Beach will have 1.2 miles of its shoreline restored through a beach renourishment project in a collaborative effort from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the city of Sarasota and Sarasota County.
The effort is set to begin in the coming weeks now that shorebird and sea turtle nesting seasons wrapped up in the end of October. The project will continue through early 2026, according to a news release from the city of Sarasota.
Beach renourishment is done
to battle shoreline erosion, which was significant from the 2024 hurricanes that battered the Gulf coast. Between 200,000 and 300,000 cubic yards of sand sourced from the dredging of New Pass will be deposited on the beach.
The $12 million project is paid for federally.
“The renourishment of Lido Beach will not only improve the area for residents and visitors but also increase the resiliency of our coastal community,” said Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert. “We
thank our local, state, and federal partners for working alongside us in fortifying Lido Beach against sea level rise, tropical weather, and future climate impacts.”
The beach will remain open throughout the renourishment, though sections may be temporarily inaccessible and marked by signs on the beach.
In late 2026, another phase of the project will begin when a vegetated dune system is constructed south of the Lido Beach pavilion.
March 10 set as election day
Longboat Key Town Commission set dates for local elections at Monday’s Commission meeting.
March 10, 2026, will be the general election date when citizens will choose their representatives for Districts 1, 3 and 5 on the Longboat Key Town Commission.
District 1 Commissioner Gary Coffin is running for reelection and District 3 Commissioner and Mayor Ken Schneier is not eligible to run since he has reached the term limit. District 5 Commissioner Sarah Karon is eligible for, but has not announced whether she is running for reelection.
If three or more candidates file to run for the same seat, the preliminary election to narrow each race down to two candidates will be held Jan. 27, 2026. The deadline to file for election is noon on Nov. 17.
Commission clarifies it can fire board members
The Longboat Key Town Commission voted Monday to clarify in town code that it has the authority to remove members of advisory boards. Advisory boards are volunteer groups that meet, discuss and make recommendations to the Town Commission. They include the Planning and Zoning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment and Consolidated Retirement System Board of Trustees.
“While it is implicit that the Town Commission has the authority to remove individual members of the boards and committees that the Town Commission appoints members to, it is recommended that the Town Commission enumerate that power within the relevant sections of the town code governing those advisory boards,” a memo from Town Attorney Maggie Mooney said. The ordinance specifies that the Commission “may remove any appointed member from the appointed position for knowing, intentional, or repeated violations of applicable local or state laws, rules, regulations, or ordinances.”
It also allows that power to be delegated to the town manager.
Dana Kampa
Living seawall makes waves
LIVING WALL FACTS
n The wall is made up of 350 tiles
n It’s 300 feet long
n The $500,000 project was funded through a federal grant
n The installation of the panels started on July 22
S.T. CARDINAL STAFF WRITER
The living seawall is already working.
Barnacles are anchoring, seaweed is growing and small fish are sheltering under the concrete panels that were affixed to 300 feet of seawall at Bayfront Park.
That’s just the beginning, said Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Director Dave Tomasko, as the town of Longboat Key officially cut the ribbon on its living seawall project Oct. 29 in Bayfront Park.
“It’s just going to get better from here,” he said. “We want to see oysters. Oysters spawn usually in the summer, so we’re going to have to wait to go through a summer spawning season.”
The ecological benefits of oysters are impressive. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, removing contaminants, as well as excess algae.
Oyster clusters also reduce wave strength and provide a nursery habitat for anchovies, blue crabs, flounder, herring, shrimp and a dozen other species.
Their presence also helps seagrass populations thrive, something Estuary Program leaders are already celebrating as the Sarasota Bay has seen growth of the important plant in the past two-and-a-half decades.
“Look how much cleaner this bay is than 20 years ago. We put this bay on a nutrient diet. Our water quality got a lot better, and we just had a seagrass increase of almost 2,000 acres, a 19% increase. And none of it was planted. The state of Florida’s guidance is seagrass is good, therefore plant it. We didn’t. It came on its own by natural growth as the water quality got better,” Tomasko said.
Oysters much prefer growing on concrete than plastic, evident from looking at the already-existing clusters anchored to the stormwater drainpipe near a still-plastic portion of the seawall, which shows hardly any growth on it.
“If you go look at the plastic seawall, you don’t see anything but barnacles. That’s it,” Tomasko said. “You might see an odd oyster or two, but for the most part, that’s our big concern. Eighty percent of our shoreline is artificial. It’s seawalls and rip-rap. If we turn 80% of our shoreline to plastic with that limited life, that’s going to be bad for the bay.”
Plastic seawalls also pose potential risks to sea life through the release of microplastics, which carry pollutants and are often ingested by marine animals.
“Any kind of plastic, over time, will start to break down,” said Sarasota
Bay Estuary Program Science and Restoration Manager Ryan Gandy.
The installation of the $500,000 living seawall at the public park was a joint effort between many parties, said Longboat Key Public Works Director Charlie Mopps.
Funding of the project is from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated money to the National Estuary Program. The program then distributed funds to the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program.
From there, SBEP and the town worked with coastal and marine engineering firm Cummins Cederberg to develop an initial design of the concrete panels meant to mimic mangrove roots.
Then, KindDesigns began finalizing the design before crafting the concrete panels.
“Cummins Cederberg took that design and they actually tested it,” Mopps said. “They did wave lab testing with a portion of our seawall to see what anchors need to be put on this to keep it to the seawall and how does the impact of wave energy effect that. So there was a lot of collaboration there just in the testing process. Once that was done, they continued the engineering process and once they finalized the design, they went through the permitting. Enter the state.”
And the town had to permit it as well, gaining approval through planning and zoning.
The town’s green team then took the initiative to persuade a team of Ringling College of Art and Design students to create a documentary about the project to raise awareness.
Finally, in July, a new partner in the project started its work when Kearns Construction Co. workers donned scuba suits to install the panels.
Tomasko said waterfront homeowners with a seawall can replicate Bayfront Park’s living seawall project if they want to play a part in increasing the water quality of the bay.
PUTTING THE LIFE IN THE LIVING SEAWALL
The living seawall project at Bayfront Park can be a habitat for many marine species, including the following.
n Barnacles
n Oysters
n Starfish
n Algae
n Shrimp
n Blue crabs
n Herring
n Anchovies & other bait fish
“They can reach out to us and we can put them in contact with folks that can do something like this,” Tomasko said, adding that a permit is not needed if the panels don’t touch the sea floor and that the design of the panels do not have to resemble mangrove roots. “You can spell out your favorite politician’s name in concrete if you wanted to.”
Jay Plager recently did the opposite of installing a living seawall, replacing his concrete seawall with a plastic one after storm damage.
A brush-up against the previously installed concrete, barnacle-laden seawall scratched the hull of his boat. When he replaced the seawall, he said he chose the more forgiving plastic material.
“From the pure efficiency point of view, it made a lot of sense. I remember being so excited to get rid of that concrete seawall after scratching my boat,” Plager said.
But after attending the ribboncutting ceremony Wednesday and learning more about the benefits of a nonplastic seawall, he said he may consider adding some concrete panels — but maybe not right next to the dock.
Marine life quickly thrives on seawalls placed in July.
S.T. Cardinal
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Science and Restoration Manager Ryan Gandy shows residents a photo of marine life growth on a portion of the living seawall at Bayfront Park on Oct. 29.
Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier cuts the ribbon to mark the opening of the living seawall at Bayfront Park, flanked by commissioners, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program leaders and involved residents on Wednesday, Oct. 29. S.T. Cardinal
Multiple species of starfish have also found a home on the “Living Wall” at Longboat Key’s Bayfront Park. The innovative project uses 3D-printed concrete slabs modeled after mangrove roots to provide better habitat for aquatic animals.
Photos by Dana Kampa
FDOT to reinstall Gulf of Mexico Drive signs
After removing road signs signifying the name of Longboat Key’s main road, the Florida Department of Transportation will now put the signs back up — with the name Gulf of Mexico Drive.
The reinstallation of the signs comes as a surprise as FDOT originally told town staff that they would not reinstall the Gulf of Mexico Drive signs regardless of what the town decided.
“If we want to name it anything other than Gulf of Mexico Drive, they will put a new sign up,” Tipton said in September. “But if we keep it as Gulf of Mexico Drive, they will put up a sign that says State Road 789.”
That stance has changed. FDOT District One Director of Public Information Janella Newsome said in an email to the Longboat Observer that the old Gulf of Mexico Drive street signs would be reinstalled soon.
“The Florida Department of Transportation is aware of the town of Longboat Key’s decision to retain the existing local name of State Road 789. In response, FDOT will restore the previously removed local street name signs along the corridor,” Newsome said. “The Department is coordinating with its contractor to reinstall the signage in accordance with FDOT standards and local guidance. Work is expected to be completed in the coming months, and no additional changes are planned at this time.”
FDOT removed Gulf of Mexico Drive signs in August on traffic arms at multiple intersections on the town’s main road. It was in response to the passage of a state law that directed state agencies to “update their geographic materials to reflect the new federal designation of the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America.”
FDOT’s move to remove the signs did not change the local road name, but after removal of the signs, the town announced it would hold a public meeting to discuss whether the town should change the name of
The Longboat Key street signs removed by FDOT in August will be reinstalled, a spokesperson said Monday.
Gulf of Mexico Drive. After a flood of input from residents and a wellattended town workshop meeting on the subject, commissioners unanimously agreed the local name of the road would remain the same: Gulf of Mexico Drive.
“When I took my oath to serve in Longboat Key, the job that I have sitting in this chair is to be responsible for the health, welfare and safety of the residents of Longboat Key. There is nothing about the name of the street that meets any of those categories,” At-Large Commissioner B.J. Bishop said at the October workshop.
Feedback from residents overwhelmingly supported keeping the road name Gulf of Mexico Drive according to town staff tallying of resident input, which showed 83% support of the town not taking any action.
A small group of residents, though, said changing the name to Gulf of America Drive or something to hon-
LONGBOAT TO EMAIL US
or veterans would be more appropriate than leaving the road named Gulf of Mexico Drive.
Veteran, Commissioner and Gulf of Mexico Drive resident Steve Branham said, personally, he supported changing the name of the road, but that he voted to keep the road name the same to honor the democratic process.
On Saturday, the town is holding a celebration at the Town Green to mark the 70th anniversary of the town and honor veterans. Town leaders hope the new signs are installed by then, and that the issue of street names is behind them.
“We’re very thankful that they’re going to move quickly to put the signs back up and put the issue to rest,” Mayor Ken Schneier said. “Knock on wood. I’m happy to have it ended.”
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building on Longboat Key.
2.
GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE TIMELINE
Late July: FDOT calls Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman about their plans to remove Gulf of Mexico references.
Aug. 25: FDOT representative informs town in email that Gulf of Mexico Drive street signs would be removed.
Aug. 26: Contractors remove Gulf of Mexico Drive street signs from traffic mast arms.
Oct. 20: Town Commission holds workshop to discuss potential road renaming, votes to keep name the same.
Nov. 3: FDOT representative writes that Gulf of Mexico Drive street signs would be reinstalled.
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S.T. Cardinal
Department of Transportation crews had removed the Gulf of Mexico Drive sign from the intersection at Bay Isles Parkway.
Town doesn’t budge on sign rules amid St. Regis spat
The Town Commission decided in a split vote to not introduce a sign code amendment to allow for an arched metal sign at the resort’s pier.
he Longboat Key Town Commission, in a 4-2 vote, declined on Monday to take steps to modify a town code to allow for an illegally placed sign on a pier owned by St. Regis Longboat Key Resort.
Planning and Zoning Director Allen Parsons told commissioners a metal arched sign installed on a groin converted to a pier by the resort during renovations violates town code in multiple ways.
The stainless steel archway with the St. Regis logo, “St. Regis” and “Longboat Key” written on it never went through town approval before installation, does not follow setback requirements and is not a monument-style sign as permitted by the town’s sign code.
“It’s a metallic archway sign that goes over the groin. That’s not one of the permitted sign types, so the sign code would need to be amended in such a way that it would allow for a sign of that type in the commercial zoning district,” Parsons said.
A letter from Brenda Patten, a lawyer representing St. Regis developers Unicorp National Development,
requested the town introduce an amendment to allow the sign.
Some town commissioners weren’t having it.
“One of the things that we appreciate tremendously on this island is that it is a sophisticated, quiet, smooth beach without a lot of tacky ornamentation on it,” At-large Commissioner B.J. Bishop said. “I cannot even contemplate wasting our planning staff’s time on a text amendment for something that they knew was wrong, and they thought they could just push it past us in this manner, so I hope we’re not going to waste any time on this.”
Chuck Whittall, CEO of Unicorp, said he believes the permit St. Regis received from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to erect the sign is all they need.
“We do have a permit from the state of Florida for that sign, and we believe they are the correct governing body, so we are going to look at what our options are. We believe we have the right to have that sign up,” Whittall said. “We were hoping (Town Commission) would do something with the sign code so we could avoid debate on this, but it looks like we’ll have to do that.”
At-Large Commissioner Steve Branham said altering town code to accommodate the sign could be a slippery slope and brought up that the resort still does not have a permanent certificate of occupancy as waterproofing measures on some structures at the resort are yet to be signed off by the town.
Branham said it was “presumptuous” for the resort to install the arched sign without permission from the town and then ask for an exception.
“I found the nature of the letter sent to us was presumptuous that this was just kind of a formality and it’s going to be a done deal. And number two it’s pretty presumptuous to put (the sign) up to start with,” Branham said. “They got something from FDEP, but they certainly didn’t get approval from the town. So if you’re going to push the envelope like that, then there may be consequences.”
Commissioners Sarah Karon and Penny Gold voted against the majority. Gold said she would favor crafting an amendment to only allow for the St. Regis sign without opening the possibility to others. She thought drafting an amend-
ment would at least allow for a formal conversation on the topic.
“I think it’s premature to just tell them to take it down until we’ve actually seen the language and can hold a hearing on it and then make an informed decision on the sign,” Gold said. “I don’t find it as offensive as everybody else, but I think we should give them some due process in this regard and see what Planning and Zoning comes up with.”
With no amendment in the works, the issue could go to a special magistrate hearing where an attorney under contract with the town would hold a hearing and make judgments on code enforcement disagreements based on evidence provided by both sides.
Town Attorney Maggie Mooney said the “number one objective” is bringing properties into code compliance.
“They asked for an amendment to the code as a means to achieving code compliance,” Mooney said. “If you shut that door and say no, then it follows that the town’s code enforcement officer will likely issue a notice of violation of some sort and start pursuing them as being in violation of town code, which then goes to the special magistrate process.”
St. Regis Longboat Key Resort added faux flora atop letters of its arch while the hotel and town work on a solution to bring the sign into code compliance, or vice versa.
Market canceled
The
farmers market on Longboat Key will not return to Town Green.
he seasonal farmers market, which sets up on the Longboat Key Town Green, is not returning in 2025, the organizer said.
“I was devastated,” said Nancy Ambrose, who has organized the event since it began in 2022. “I was so looking forward to it, and it’s really devastating to not do it and see my vendor family. I was really hoping to do it this year because I thought it would be great for the community, especially after the hurricanes.”
The announcement first appeared on the market’s Facebook page on Sunday. Ambrose said a flurry of activity to get the event in order didn’t pan out. “We thought there
There is no shortage of farmers markets near Longboat Key, but only one was held on the barrier island. Here is
would not be a market this coming year because of the library being built, but I found out this summer that we could do it,” she said. “I was going frantic trying to get the market back up. But I had to pay (permits) for the entire season on Nov. 1, and I had to pay liability insurance Nov. 1.”
As the application deadline for vendors neared, many had made other plans, and Ambrose could not find replacements to come to the Key for the semi-monthly market.
With markets continuing to thrive, and new ones popping up across the area, many vendors had signed up for more frequently scheduled markets that were easier to access than on the island.
Even with interest from several vendors, Ambrose said there wasn’t enough to warrant paying the permits and liability insurance.
“You really have to have about 60 vendors for it to really look like a market and have an enough variety of people to come and take part and want to come back to shop again,” Ambrose said. “Vendors had different reasons. One had to get a fulltime job. Some are moving away from the area or are being priced out. There were a lot of reasons why some
Even with interest from several vendors, Ambrose said there wasn’t enough to warrant paying the permits and liability insurance.
of our vendors couldn’t come back.”
The Market on Longboat Key was to begin on Dec. 1 and continue through peak season into April.
With the pending construction of a Sarasota County library at the Town Center Green, any potential return of a farmers market would need to be after construction is complete. Design has just gotten underway after the town met and exceeded its fundraising goal for the proj ect.
After the project is complete,
Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman said the possibility for a new market at the revamped Town Green could be feasible, say ing “the event may revive after the library and community hall project comes to fruition in the future.”
The Market on Longboat Key will not be returning in 2025, the organizer announced.
FRIGHT NIGHT FIRES UP AGAIN
An autumnal chill crept throughout St. Armands Circle on Halloween night, bringing out all manner of ghouls, ghosts and gremlins, among other festive characters. Businesses and residents joined in hosting Fright Night on St. Armands Circle the evening of Oct. 31.
Across streets all around the Circle, individuals wearing a variety of costumes handed out candy to trick-or-treaters. Spider webs decorated shop windows, and carved pumpkins lined the streets.
Overjoyed participants relished such high attendance this year, considering hurricane recovery overshadowed last year’s celebration.
“This is probably the busiest I’ve ever seen it,” said Patty Behrendt,
who has enjoyed exploring the Halloween festivities on the Circle for years as Cleopatra and other historical figures.
Participants, including Katie Raines, showcased their crafting talents. She spent a month creating her companion Falkor from “The Neverending Story.” She said it took a month to bring the character to life, and she delighted onlookers when the fuzzy luckdragon batted his eyes and opened his toothy mouth to snap up candy.
Packing the streets were dinosaurs, mermaids and other colorful characters. Crowds did eventually dwindle, making way for a seasonal holiday switch coming to the Circle.
— DANA KAMPA
Halloween activities made a robust return to St.
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Halloween festivities carried to the north end of Longboat Key, as well. At Longboat Harbour Condominiums, Barb Janssen and Joe Kuertz won the annual costume contest.
Penny and Ken Krol, Joe Kuertz, Virginia Leon and John Troup
Linda Wexler keeps Frankenstein’s monster from going on a Halloween rampage.
Dressed as Ariel, Tiffany and Amelia McDermott were elated to later run into some other trick-or-treating mermaids.
Melody and David Colicchio with John Akers dole out candy.
Witches Jackie Bryne, Darlene LeBaron and Brenda DuCray pass out candy to trick-ortreaters.
Simonne and Guy Wentz drew inspiration for their mustachioed costumes from “The Adventures of Tintin” detectives Dupont and Dupond.
They do move in herds on St. Armands Circle, where Brian Berry and Beth Pavlicberry ride their dinosaurs through the festivities for Fright Night.
Photos by Dana Kampa
Patty and Marc Behrendt bring a regal flair to Halloween as
Sarasota Memorial celebrates a century of
Sarasota Memorial Hospital
President and CEO David Verinder shares his thoughts about the complex’s 100 years.
Our story began 100 years ago, in a time before penicillin, when people still relied on “cure-all” elixirs to treat many common ailments, and the only facility for emergency care on the Suncoast was a fiveroom, converted bungalow and tent for tuberculosis patients.
Sarasota was a small but inspired town poised for growth as flocks of Northerners fled the snow, slush and sleet to establish seasonal homes on the Suncoast.
It was in this diverging state of affairs that Sarasota’s early leaders found purpose. Rallying residents and businesses alike — through sheer grit and a whole lot of fundraising — they raised the $40,000 needed to build the community’s first modern hospital.
The 32-bed Sarasota Hospital opened its doors to patients on Nov. 2, 1925, with a dozen physicians and 10 nurses and caregivers to provide care. At the dedication ceremony, the newspapers called the community-owned hospital a “model of medical institutions” and “greatest philanthropic undertaking which this county has ever known.”
That pioneering spirit and com-
munity-wide act of philanthropy laid the foundation for everything Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is today. As president and CEO of this enduring public institution, it is with humble pride that I reflect on such a momentous milestone — Sarasota Memorial’s centennial anniversary.
SMH has been taking care of this community for 100 years, through astonishing medical advances and decades of change. From humble beginnings, the 32-bed hospital has evolved into one of the nation’s best health systems, and one of the most respected. A pioneer of new treatments and technologies, a life-saving trauma center, an award-winning teaching hospital, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is one of the largest and most highly rated health systems in the U.S., with clinical outcomes and a reputation for quality care unmatched in our region.
It also is the Suncoast’s largest employer, with nearly 11,000 employees and 2,500 physicians and advanced care providers, overseeing roughly 2 million patient visits annually.
Today, the community-owned health system includes two fullservice hospitals in Sarasota and Venice (and another on the way in North Port), freestanding ERs in North Port and Lakewood Ranch, a comprehensive cancer institute, a rehabilitation hospital, a behavioral health hospital, skilled nursing facility and a comprehensive network of outpatient centers, urgent care clinics and physician practices. Though much has changed in the past 100 years, one thing remains constant — our deep commitment to the health of this community. SMH has stayed true to its public mission — providing the highest quality care to our patients, while delivering essential, safety-net services other hospitals in Sarasota do not, including vital maternity care, newborn intensive care, pediatric care, trauma services and behavior-
al health care for people of all ages.
All of this has been made possible by you, the people of Sarasota County, and the outstanding doctors, nurses, staff, volunteers, donors and publicly elected Hospital Board, whose strong convictions guide our care. It is with that same resolution and resolve that we step
bravely into the future, knowing the best is yet to come. We look forward to the next 100 years of caring, together.
David Verinder is president and CEO of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.
DAVID VERINDER
Courtesy images
A comparison of Sarasota Memorial Hospital in 1925 when it opened, compared to how it looks today on its 100th anniversary.
SMH celebrates 100 years of service
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System recalls its humble beginnings and looks to the future.
OBSERVER STAFF
At a celebration of Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s 100 years of service on Friday, the future mixed with the past in a gathering attended by about 200 guests at the system’s centerpiece hospital on Tamiami Trail.
Hosted by Sarasota Memorial CEO David Verinder, the event harkened back to Nov. 2, 1925, when the then32-bed hospital opened with about 10 physicians and 12 nurses serving a population of around 12,000.
“From Day 1, the dedication of the people who work here have set this organization apart,” he said. “Our outstanding physicians, employees, volunteers and leaders, and our philanthropic and community partners have built the health system into the nationally recognized institution it is today.”
Today, SMH is the region’s largest employer, with more than 2,500 physicians and advanced practice providers, nearly 11,000 staff and
about 2 million patient visits a year.
Medical leaders, board members past and present, community stakeholders and elected officials took part in the ceremonies.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. James Fiorica noted that at the time SMH opened in 1925, penicillin had yet to be discovered and insulin was emerging as a new treatment for diabetes. “Today, we have state-ofthe-art treatments ranging from advanced genetic therapies to robotic surgical procedures,” he said. “We have a robust research institute that ensures our community has access to the latest treatments.”
SMH honored Clara Rock as the longest-serving employee. Rock started her career at SMH in 1976, first as a high school nursing assistant and later becoming an RN. She joined the Labor and Delivery team in 1986 and has helped deliver more than 5,000 babies. Described as the “rock” of her nursing unit, she has mentored generations of nurses. She and her husband, Carlos, another
longtime SMH hospitality employee (now retired) were named Employees of the Year in 2012.
Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert presented a proclamation from the city. The city annexed the original Sarasota Hospital, renamed it Sarasota Municipal Hospital shortly after opening. In the 1950s, another renaming took place to Sarasota Memorial Hospital to honor veterans of both world wars. SMH expanded its name to Sarasota Memorial Health Care System during the 2000s.
Verinder wrapped up the event by sharing upcoming milestones, including the groundbreaking of SMH-North Port scheduled on Nov. 7 and the opening of the Milman-Kover Cancer Pavilion early next year.
“Throughout the decades, the hospital has grown with our community,” Verinder said. “But as we’ve grown, some things haven’t changed. At the heart of our mission is a commitment to educating and empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals ... expanding access to life-saving care ... and ensuring that everyone who needs us, across the entire region, receives the world-class, compassionate care they deserve.
PASSING GRADES
Town manager, attorney get glowing reviews from the commission.
S.T. CARDINAL STAFF WRITER
Town Manager Howard Tipton and Town Attorney Maggie Mooney are both doing a good job, the Longboat Key Town Commission says.
The Town Commission shared staff evaluations for Tipton and Mooney on Monday, and both received plenty of praise.
Tipton is rather new in the position, starting in early 2023 after the retirement of former Town Manager Tom Harmer.
Tipton would jump right into the fire, leading the town’s response to back-to-back devastating hurricanes in year two of the job in 2024. His handling of those emergencies was praised by commissioners.
“Your service and leadership during the hurricanes was phenomenal to watch and incredibly beneficial to be a part of as a community member,” said District 5 Commissioner Sarah Karon. “Watching you go out and help individuals with their cleanups even as the town was literally wading back to oblivion showed a great deal about your character.”
Commissioners also praised Tipton’s openness and ability to communicate town issues clearly and effectively. One initiative of Tipton’s that was repeatedly mentioned was his “Tip Talk,” a series of videos where he interviews town staff, community and business leaders to discuss various Longboat-related topics.
The only room to improve mentioned dealt with communicating the need to increase the town’s budget.
“I’m going to be the one person that makes a negative comment here,” said District 4 Commissioner Debra Williams. “It’s not coming from me, but it’s coming from people
I’ve spoken to in the public. There’s a perception that we spend a lot of money in this town and we’ve been spending a lot of money on staff and various things and we know we have to do those things, but to that end, I think maybe we’re not communicating why we have to be spending this money and how it’s happening, and I’m not just putting this on you but I think it’s the entire commission.”
Tipton agreed there is room for improvement and thanked the commission for its positive feedback.
The commission unanimously voted to give Tipton a 3% raise retroactive to Oct. 1.
Mooney received similar A-grade reviews.
“You have seen a lot and you bring us all up to a higher level because you know what we need to know and you share it with a ton of enthusiasm because I know how much you believe in what you’re doing,” said Karon.
After commissioners shared their praises of her performance, Mooney advocated for not a raise, but a reduced contract for her firm Persson, Cohen, Mooney, Fernandez & Jackson P.A.
“Our firm has hired a couple new lawyers. One who is more experienced and one who is a new lawyer. What I would like to do in the next couple months is to bring an amendment to the contract that allows for some lower hourly rates to be charged for when less senior attorneys or paralegals are doing work for the town,” Mooney said.
Mooney is a bit more tenured with the town than Tipton, first representing the town 14 years ago. She was described by commissioners as a reliable, accessible advisor who is thorough in her legal interpretations.
“I jokingly have said to (Mooney) I sometimes worry that we must be paying you by the word because brevity is not always her best suit,” At-Large Commissioner B.J. Bishop said. “But it’s because she has so much information that she wants to make sure she has conveyed to all of us.”
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Registered Nurse Clara Rock (center) started at Sarasota Memorial Hospital as an assistant in high school. She poses with her Labor and Delivery team at the celebration.
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TRIBUTES
Ann Lord Weber, (nee Lugg), from Bird Key Sarasota, Florida, passed peacefully from this world into the arms of her Savior, Jesus, on Monday, October 6, 2025 at her Sarasota Bay Club residence. Daughter of the late Blodwyn and William Lugg, Ann was born August 28, 1938 in Pen Argyl, PA.
Ann Lord Weber 1938-2025 453213-1
Ann attended Pen Argyl Area High School, studied music at West Chester University of PA, and later lived in Denver, CO. She and her late husband, Norm Weber, were married in 1983 and lived in Maplewood, NJ and later in Chatham, NJ, and spent lots of time at their vacation homes in Oak Ledge, Lake Sunapee, New Hampshire and Bird Key, Sarasota. For the past 20 years they called Bird Key their full time home where they continued to enjoy boating, car shows, water activities, tennis, and socializing with good friends. From a young age, Ann loved music and sang with a local choral group in Pen Argyl. She later performed in theatre while living in Denver. She taught piano to many students over the years, and was an accomplished pianist. Ann loved opera, classical music, choir music, and watching old movies. As a gifted musician, she volunteered her time to play piano at church and special events, especially at the Bird Key Yacht Club. There she would fill the rooms with memorable and beautiful piano music as her photographer husband, Norm, snapped pictures of the guests and the festivities. Ann was always full of life, was an avid tennis player participating in league play and tournaments in Chatham, NJ, as well as at Bird Key and The Colony at Longboat Key in Fla. Ann was especially entertained by her beloved, Shih Tzus, Banjo! As a long time member of the First United Methodist Church of Sarasota, she was inspired by the music ministry there.
Ann is predeceased by her parents, her sister Elizabeth, and brother James. Ann is survived by nephews Gary Vosberg and Greg Chlan; cousins Hugh Jones and Terry Jones; nieces, Beth Snyder, Erin Snyder, and Ginny Posten.
DONATIONS:
Memorial contributions in the memory of Ann Weber can be sent to the First United Methodist Church, 104 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, Florida 34236 and to The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy, 2700 Patriot Blvd, #250, Glenview, Illinois 60026-8021.
COPS CORNER
MONDAY, OCT. 24
FOUR HOURS EARLY FOR WORK?
12:38 a.m., 525 Bay Isles Parkway
Suspicious person: A man walking a bike late at night (or very early in the morning from another perspective) was stopped by police in a grocery store parking lot. When police spoke with the man, he told the officer that he just started a new construction job on Longboat Key and wanted to make sure he didn’t arrive late. It being not even 1 a.m., police told the man about town ordinances prohibiting overnight camping and loitering at night, telling him he could not stay near any businesses and that public parks didn’t open until 5 a.m. The man told the officer that he would go to the bridge until the public park opened at 5. Police wrote down a description of the man and cleared the case after the man left the parking lot.
TUESDAY, OCT. 25
‘CONSUMING NARCOTICS’
2:27 a.m., 4825 Gulf of Mexico Drive
Suspicious person: Police broke up a late-night beach gathering up after a caller told dispatchers there were individuals “consuming narcotics” on the beach after hours. When police arrived, they saw a group of adults. The officer determined they did not appear to be in possession of drugs and did not seem to be under the influence. Police told the group about the ordinance regarding hours on the beach and the group returned to their condo while officers remained on scene to keep the peace. The case was then closed.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 26
BUSTED WINDOW, SWIMMING CAMPER
7:58 a.m., North Shore Road
Suspicious vehicle: A resident reported to police a suspicious vehicle with a busted out rear window was on private property, prompting a response from police. As an officer arrived, a white sedan matching the description was leaving the area. The driver, not wearing a seatbelt, was then pulled over. The driver told the officer that he and his girlfriend parked to swim and camp at Greer (Beer Can) Island. The man received a ticket for driving without a seatbelt and warned about trespassing on private property. Police then closed the case.
James Ahstrom*
Ross P. Alander
John E. Anderson*
Gary Aubry *
Harris Barber*
Jack Bornhoeft*
Robert O. Bridges*
Bill Buckley
Bob Butler
Frank Buzan
Phil Cady*
Stew Cloud*
Duane E. Compton
Dan Crumpler
Peter Cutler*
Whit Daily
John Davis*
Joe D’Eugenio
Bob Devore*
Bob Dods
Tom Dunham
Bob Eldredge*
Elmer Featherston*
Fred Fillmore*
McCord Fraser
Chuck Fuller*
Mike Gardiner
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 26
KIDS BEING KIDS
3:25 p.m., Harbourside Drive
Suspicious person: A frustrated security guard called police after failing to corral a group of fishing kids. For more than three hours, the security guard had been finding and telling the kids to stop fishing on private property. Each time, the kids snuck away. The security guard said he felt his only option was to contact law enforcement. The officer and security guard discussed trespassing laws, and the officer told the guard to call the police if he saw the unidentified kids again. Police closed the case,
FRIDAY, OCT. 28
HOW DID THAT GET THERE?
10:14 a.m., Whale Key
Disabled vessel: On a recent Friday morning, Longboat Key marine patrol saw a 26-foot-long sailboat adrift near City Island. Upon investigation, the officer was able to track down the owner of the vessel through registration data. After no response, police attempted again the next day, where they reached the owner and said he did not know his boat had broken loose from a sailing club dock on City Island. The man told police he would attempt to remove the boat over the weekend and keep police informed.
ROAD NOT-SO-KILL
10:17 a.m., 5400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Citizen assist: A police officer was driving on Gulf of Mexico Drive when he saw a large car part in the road along with a prone raccoon. The police officer removed the car part and called back to the station requesting a shovel to get the raccoon off the road. Just then, the raccoon got up and walked off the street. Hours later, a caller informed dispatch that he hit what he thought was an armadillo and was missing a wheel cover and was wondering if it had been found. The case was closed, pending civil action by the raccoon.
Jim Gerding *
Blue Grassfield*
Barbara Grimes
Jay Hale
Bob Hall*
Bob Hammond
George Hardy*
John Himmelspach *
Jim Huber*
Ralph Hunter*
Merle Huntington*
Nick Kovalakides
Ed Krepela*
Frank Kveton*
Kimball Leiser*
Gil Lucas*
Don Mateer
Bill McClure
Jim McConnell*
Dick McLaughlin
Sandy McMillan
Steve Miller
Rich Miner*
Jim Mitchell
Lynn Moore*
Douglas Moppert*
Townsend
Hugh Moss
Mary Tshudy Moss*
Van Neely
Harvey Noyes*
Wiley Osborne
Joseph Palumbo
Charlie Parker*
Lee Pokoik
George Rauch
Rich Raymond
Winston ‘Cash’ Register*
David Reploeg*
Jack Rohner*
Andy Sawyer
George Scherer*
Hank Schreimann*
Winifred Schroeder
Jim Shepard
Phil Smith *
Donald Swanson*
Curtis Thompson
John Vinson
Steve Walter
John David Wild*
Gordon Willett
Art Wolcott*
Bob Wolf
* deceased
It’s Time to Give Your MEDICARE COVERAGE
A CHECKUP
To help people with Medicare make informed decisions for the coming year, Sarasota Memorial offers this information about Medicare Open Enrollment, now taking place through December 7.
This year, Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7. During this time, Medicare recipients can make changes to their health and prescription drug coverage, including:
returning to Original Medicare (also known as Traditional Medicare)
joining a Medicare Advantage Plan or switching from one plan to another
joining or changing prescription drug plans
Health and prescription drug plans can change from year to year, so it’s important to review your coverage during Open Enrollment to ensure it meets your needs. Any changes made during Open Enrollment will go into effect on January 1, 2026.
ORIGINAL MEDICARE (“Traditional”)
Sarasota Memorial and First Physicians Group (FPG) always accept all Original Medicare and Medicare/Medigap Traditional supplemental plans.
Advantage Plans (Part C Plans) IN-NETWORK with Sarasota Memorial and FPG as of January 1, 2026.
Aetna
Florida Blue*
Florida Blue HMO*
Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C Plans) OUT-OF-NETWORK with Sarasota Memorial and FPG as of January 1, 2026.
American Health Advantage
Devoted Health
Gold Kidney Health
Healthspring
Humana
Longevity Health Plan
Ultimate Health
If you have already made your Medicare selections for the coming year, you can make additional changes through December 7, 2025.
Rep. Steube headlines speakers for meetings
Republican Club of Longboat Key will resume its slate of meetings Nov. 12.
The Republican Club of Longboat Key has big names planned for its scheduled meetings ahead.
After taking the slow summer season off, the club is kicking off its monthly meetings on Nov. 12 at the Sarasota Yacht Club. Club President Nick Gladding said he has finalized four guest speakers for the next six meetings.
“I’m excited about this,” he said.
“I wanted to give a mix of hopefully informative information of different aspects of things that would appeal to our members.”
Meetings start at 5:30 p.m. for a cocktail hour before dinner at 6:30. The guest speaker addresses the crowd a little after 7 p.m. and takes questions for about 45 minutes, Gladding explained. Meetings usually have about 70 attendees, but he
REPUBLICAN CLUB OF LONGBOAT KEY 2025-26 SCHEDULE
All meetings for the Republican Club of Longboat Key begin at 5:30 p.m.
n Nov. 12, Sarasota Yacht Club, Rep. Greg Steube
n Dec. 9, Crab & Fin, holiday party
n Jan. 20, Sarasota Yacht Club, Carlos Buqueras
n Feb. 17, Zota Beach Resort, Tommy Gregory
n March 17, Sarasota Yacht Club, Victor Ashe
n April 21, Sarasota Yacht Club, officer election
expects higher numbers for some events.
The first meeting of the season is Nov. 12 with U.S. Rep. Greg Steube as guest speaker. Steube has represented Florida’s 17th district including Sarasota, Siesta Key, Venice, Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda since 2019.
On Dec. 9, the club is holding a holiday party at Crab & Fin Restaurant on St. Armands Circle.
January 20 will kick off 2026 for the Republican Club at the yacht club; Seaport Manatee Executive Director Carlos Buqueras is the speaker. Seaport Manatee is at Tampa Bay north of Palmetto and bills itself as “the closest U.S. deepwater seaport to the expanded Panama Canal.” Before starting with Seaport Manatee in 2012, Buqueras was director of business development at Port Everglades.
Zota Beach Resort will host the Republican Club’s February meeting, welcoming State College of Florida President Tommy Gregory as guest speaker on Feb. 17. Hired to lead SCF in 2024, Gregory resigned from his position as a state congressman in the Florida House of Representatives to take the SCF job.
The penultimate meeting will feature guest speaker Victor Ashe, former U.S. ambassador to Poland, longtime Knoxville, Tennessee, mayor and Tennessee state representative. That meeting will be March 17, at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
The final meeting of the year on April 21 at Sarasota Yacht Club will have elections for Republican Club leadership.
New shop opens on St. Armands
Italian Idea boutique features Italian leather handbags.
IF YOU GO
ITALIAN IDEA
Where: 59 S. Boulevard of the Presidents. The brand also has a Sarasota storefront at 136 S. Pineapple Ave. When: Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays Info: Call 941-3300525, email Info@ ItalianIdea.us or visit ItalianIdea.us.
DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER
Christian Delunas, retail general manager of Italian Idea, said the family opened its first store in Sarasota in 2017. However, the family tradition of working in Italian leather goods goes back to the 1930s.
“This is actually our third time opening here,” he said. “We first opened in 2018 but had to close because of the pandemic. Then we opened another store last year, and we had to close it because of the hurricanes. This is our third time.”
Nothing could dampen the owners’ excitement as they settled in for what they hope will be their final reopening on Oct. 25.
“St. Armands Circle is a beautiful place,” he said when asked how they decided on their secondary location. They opened the first Sarasota location at 136 S. Pineapple Ave. Their storefront offers highquality purses, many with a classic silhouette and a unique touch, be it an eye-catching color or fun texture.
“Everything is made in Italy,” he
said. “I’ve worked with these companies since 1995.”
Delunas can point customers to purses from specific regions of Italy to suit their taste, informed by his decades of working to understand what makes each artisan brand special through trade shows and site visits.
“It’s like a little tour of Italy,” he said while gesturing to the shelves of purses.
Delunas said his family focuses more on showcasing high-quality products than specific designer names, so they are able to offer luxury purses at a lower price than other comparable stores.
“Sometimes you’re paying for the name, not the product,” he said. Styles vary from dressy clutches to more casual over-the-shoulder accessories. He said the signature flair of the lines they carry makes their purses well-suited to Florida fashion.
Delunas said he is proud to carry on the family tradition and bring his expertise to St. Armands Key.
Christian Delunas, retail general manager, shows one of his favorite unique purses offered at the newly opened Italian Idea boutique
Dana Kampa
U.S. Rep. Greg Steube
YOUR NEIGHBORS
Seabirds volunteer receives award nomination.
DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER
Mattie Watson said she was entirely surprised to learn she had been nominated for Visit Sarasota County’s Haley Hall of Fame Awards. It actually took a bit of prompting from a co-worker to check her email inbox for her to realize she was among this year’s nominees and it wasn’t a phishing attempt.
Watson has played an invaluable role in introducing visitors and residents alike to the wonderful world of Florida’s birds. She has volunteered with Save Our Seabirds for about three years, and she leads educational talks about different bird species and their unique traits.
She recently lectured about Florida’s wading birds.
Watson comes with interesting facts galore, but one she likes to highlight is that a pound of decorative bird feathers was more valuable than a pound of gold when plume hunting for fashion was at its peak.
Watson grew up in Connecticut and moved to South Carolina for work in her 20s. She pursued a career in the aerospace sector.
“I was actually the first woman to graduate from my jet engine metalsmith apprentice program,” she said. “I just followed the path that was unfolding in front of me.”
After traveling quite a bit, moving five times in 10 years, she happily settled in the Sarasota area around 2013 with her husband. Now, she focuses on a different type of flight.
“I always loved nature, but I really got into birding when we started coming to Florida and I had more time,” she said. “The birds are so obvious here. In Connecticut, if I
FLYING HIGH
wanted to go for a bird walk, I’d have to put on boots and creep through the woods. In Florida, all you have to do is drive to Publix, and you’ll see all kinds of them.”
She said their presence sparked her interest in learning more about the various feathered inhabitants of the area.
Her presentations, supplemented with a PowerPoint and props, cover baseline information about local birds, such as their size and how to identify them. But she also weaves in tidbits she happens to find interesting when she learns them. For example, the wood stork may not possess the regal features of a great blue heron. But it does hold
the highly important distinction of being an indicator species for the Everglades. If that species is struggling to thrive, it’s a sign that other animals may be facing environmental challenges, as well.
“I fill in interesting facts about the different species of birds that people may not already know, whatever I come across that is unusual about them, like unique behaviors,” she said. “Whatever is fascinating about them is what I put into the presentation.”
She was pleased to see so much interest from the community. At her first scheduled talk, staff had to turn people away after reaching capacity, and Watson set to work preparing another lecture.
Watson worried her talks would eventually reach a saturation point, but she said she still sees high attendance from those looking to learn something new.
While she spends much of her free time with Save Our Seabirds, Watson also volunteers with St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradenton. She helps families navigate grief after losing a loved one as part of the bereavement team.
“I like to stay available for that because, for me, it’s very meaningful to be part of it consistently,” she said.
The award draws its name from Virginia J. Haley, who worked for 24 years helming Visit Sarasota County. She served a crucial role in building up the local hospitality industry.
There are several award categories, one of which recognizes the volun-
UPCOMING SHOWS
Save Our Seabirds volunteer and bird expert Mattie Watson will lead educational talks at 10:30 a.m. on the following dates at Save Our Seabirds, 1708 Ken Thompson Parkway.
n Nov. 8: Learn all about Sarasota’s birds of prey, the raptors. Ospreys are common around Longboat Key, but there are plenty of other species to learn about.
n Nov. 22: Have you ever seen small birds flitting across the lawn and wondered what they are? Learn more about common backyard birds and waterfowl.
teers who enrich visitors’ experiences through their service.
As she leads her talks, Watson has a talent for addressing curious listeners of all ages, fielding questions about telling the difference between specific bird species, and sweeping up the crowd in her excitement for what makes these animals spectacular.
The award ceremony takes place at the Indicators & Insights Summit on Nov. 18, when Watson will find out if she won the award. But she said even receiving a nomination was touching.
“I said to myself, ‘Seriously, you want to nominate me for just doing something that I love?’ I’m glad they let me go there and talk about birds as much as I want,” she said with a laugh.
She has two more lectures in November. Otherwise, she typically hosts a three-part series each month, January through March.
“I said to myself, ‘Seriously, you want to nominate me for just doing something that I love?’ ... ”
— Mattie Watson
Mattie Watson, originally from Connecticut, is one of the volunteers sharing her knowledge of local birds at Save Our Seabirds.
Photos by Dana Kampa Mattie Watson gives an educational talk on Florida’s wading birds at Save Our Seabirds. The longtime volunteer is up for a Haley Hall of Fame Award with Visit Sarasota County.
Longboat gears up for 70th anniversary
Veterans Day also part of the celebration at the Karon Pavilion.
DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER
With seven decades of history to celebrate, the town of Longboat Key is preparing to host a spectacular show of municipal pride next week, while also uplifting the community’s veterans.
The town is hosting a 70th anniversary and Veterans Day bash Nov. 8 at the Town Center Green.
Attendees will enjoy the talents of jazz musicians Michael J. Ross & Co., along with a full program about the town’s history and future.
Participants can also enjoy light refreshments from Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, Harry’s Continental Kitchen and The Resort at Longboat Key Club. There will also be opportunities to connect with local organizations.
Longboat Key Town Commission-
IF YOU GO
LONGBOAT CELEBRATION
When: 4-6 p.m. on Nov. 8
Where: the Karon Family Pavilion, 600 Bay Isles Road
er B.J. Bishop said she looks forward to the multipart celebration.
“Since we haven’t had rain in about 10 months — it feels like — it better not rain Saturday,” she joked. Previous town anniversaries have welcomed large crowds of celebrants. More than 500 people with ties to Longboat Key attended the 60th anniversary at Bayfront Park.
PROGRAM RUNDOWN
Town Manager Howard Tipton is set to open the show, followed by a presentation of colors by the Sarasota High School Color Guard.
Tipton said this year’s celebration will be especially meaningful as it coordinates with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
Charlie Mopps, Public Works director and former service mem-
ber, will then lead the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem with accompanying vocals by Alyssa Adamson and Brian Gurl.
The Rev. Brock Patterson of Longboat Island Chapel will lead the invocation.
The afternoon of activities also include special remarks from Commissioner Steve Branham, who is also a retired U.S. Coast Guard rear admiral, and Mayor Ken Schneier.
This year’s community partner presenter is the Rotary Club of Longboat Key.
Attendees will have the chance to contribute to honoring local veterans as well with military service sing-alongs for the main service branches.
“One of our most consistent community partners, the Rotary Club, will be leading the singing of the service anthems as part of our salute to our veterans,” Tipton added. “We look forward to a good time and hope everybody can attend.”
Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton speaks in 2023 while honoring veterans on Veterans Day.
A LOOK BACK
Pre-1500s: Indigenous Timucuan and Caloosa people frequented the island for hundreds of years.
1539: Hernando DeSoto reportedly passed through aboard a “longboat.”
Late 1880s: Civil War veteran Thomas Mann settled on the north end of the Key in 1882, building the first permanent home on the island; the homestead grant covered 144 acres near the present-day Spanish Main Yacht Club.
Early 1900s: Homebuilders expanded throughout the north end of the island; John Savarese of Tampa built another early home; others built still-standing concrete block homes.
1921: A large-scale hurricane leveled Savarese’s home and others, along with a sizeable town dock at the end of Broadway — a dirt road running from the Bay to the Guff — that serviced steamships.
1923: Construction of the original bridge over Longboat Pass; the foundations remain to this day.
1940s: U.S. Army Air Corps set up bombing targets near the area in the World War II era.
Nov. 14, 1955: The town of Longboat Key incorporates.
1959: The construction of the present-day bridge on the north end.
1960-’70s: Development peaks, and builders create the first condominium, Longboat Key Towers.
Late 1970s: Town commissioners tighten zoning and approve infrastructure, including water and sewage. Nov. 8, 2025: The town of Longboat Key will celebrate its 70th anniversary, Veterans Day, and 250 years of United States military service.
Information courtesy of the Longboat Key Historical Society
Then-Sarasota County Commissioner Alan Maio, Longboat Key Mayor Jack Duncan and Steven Branham celebrate the town’s 60th anniversary. Town officials have set a date of Nov. 8 for this year’s 70th anniversary festivities.
Ferraris decorate St. Armands Circle
This year is the first time Jim Friedman has participated in Ferraris on the Circle, the St. Armands Key car show dedicated to celebrating the Italian luxury sports car brand.
“I like how elegant it looks without the scoots,” he said while discussing his 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia with visitors. “That naturally aspirated V8 on this car sounds so good.”
The show took place Nov. 1 on St. Armands Circle, and proceeds from registration, donations and ornament sales went to supporting Flight to the North Pole.
Sidney Ettedgui, who coordinates the holidaythemed charitable event with wife, Sylvia Gillotte, said the high turnout this weekend pleased them. While cooler temperatures certainly played a role in drawing out people to check out the variety of Ferraris on display this year, visitors also shared their support for Flight to the North Pole’s mission.
The organization brings holiday cheer to families with children facing terminal illnesses.
“We had 60-some cars this year,” Ettedgui said. The main Flight to the North Pole event takes place Dec. 12 at Feld Entertainment in Palmetto. Visit FlightToTheNorthPole.org for details as Christmas approaches.
— DANA KAMPA
Bill Columbo brought two vehicles, one from 2015 and one from 2023, to share with fellow car enthusiasts.
St. Armands Circle was abuzz this past weekend as residents and visitors took advantage of the cooler weather to walk among the many cars.
Photos by Dana Kampa Organizers said approximately 60 vehicles were on display.
Kathy Lozano and Reuben Rivera check out the 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia that first-time registrant Jim Friedman brought.
Classic cherry red remains a favorite color among Ferrari owners.
$18,500,000
Blessing furry friends
aith leaders at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church and Temple Beth Israel of Longboat Key teamed up on Oct. 26 to offer a special blessing to the community’s animals, especially recognizing the ways they help people heal.
The Rev. David Marshall and Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates offered a special interfaith blessing of the pets for all community members. From the smallest Chihuahua to the tallest Labrador retriever, all creatures received special recognition.
Debbie Nettlow said she was delighted to have the opportunity to uplift her adopted dogs, Lola and Louie. Now that they’ve found a home, the whole family contributes to giving back to the community with trips to local hospitals,
offering patients a moment of stress relief.
Many of the furry friends in attendance enjoyed a treat or two from Shiney Day Specialized Pet Care. Spitalnic Mates and Marshall also hand-wrote certificates for all the participants, reading, in part:
“You called forth all the fish in the sea, birds in the air, and animals on the land. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable this beloved creature to live according to your plan.”
Both religious organizations will be joining another interfaith event later this month. A special Thanksgiving service is scheduled for Nov. 18 at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church.
— DANA KAMPA
Do
Full Mouth Implant Dentistry
Tula, a member of the Acri family, soaks up some sunshine.
All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church the Rev. David Marshall gives Skyler the pitbull mix some extra cuddles at an interfaith pet blessing Suzy Brennen took her dog to on Oct. 26 at Temple Beth Israel.
Photos by Dana Kampa
Debbie Nettlow brought her adopted dogs Lola and Louie.
Even though Tilly the orange tabby isn’t a big fan of crowds, Terry Cobb and Holly Bruce were glad to still get a pet blessing.
Diane Weisman brings her black Labrador retrievers to join an interfaith pet blessing from the Rev. David Marshall of All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church and Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates of Temple Beth Israel.
5
Bay Isles home tops week’s sales at
ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR
Scott Ashton sold the home at 3431 Bayou Pointe to Richard Mostyn, trustee, of Longboat Key, for $3.5 million. Built in 1991, it has five bedrooms, fourand-a-half baths, a pool and 4,074 square feet of living area. It sold for $3.05 million in September.
SANCTUARY AT LONGBOAT KEY
CLUB
Linda McDonald, of Sarasota, sold her Unit A-302 condominium at 575 Sanctuary Drive to Connie Campbell Donner and Richard Wheeler Donner, of Dyersburg, Tennessee, for $1.55 million. Built 1990, it has three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,823 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,749,000 in 2022.
QUEEN’S HARBOR
Philip Goldman, trustee, of Minneapolis, sold the home at 3538 Fair Oaks Lane to Donna Goldman, trustee, of Hoboken, New Jersey, for $1,495,000. Built 1997, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,946 square feet of living area. It sold for $895,000 in 2003.
PORTOBELLO
Teresa D’Amato, of Staten Island, New York, sold her Unit A-203 condominium at 3235 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Thomas Judge, of Longboat Key, for $1.02 million. Built in 1975, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,260 square feet of living area. It sold for $500,100 in 2022.
$3.5 million
TOP BUILDING PERMITS
in order of dollar amounts.
Source: Town of Longboat Key
Dana Kampa The Portobello Unit A-203 condominium at 3235 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $1.02 million.
Trainer explains benefits of Nordic walking
A nationally certified expert leads several Longboat classes.
DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER
Learning a new skill is all about putting one foot in front of the other. That’s especially true for community members who have been learning about the practice of Nordic walking from one local expert.
Enrico “Sam” DiGiammarino Jr., invested two years into perfecting his posture and technique to become a certified instructor with the American Nordic Walking Association.
“I could not find an instructor in Sarasota when I first learned about it,” he said. “The closest was in Atlanta.”
Nordic walking focuses on distributing weight more evenly through the body rather than relying entirely on the legs for propulsion.
Participants use two walking poles, similar to those used for skiing, to push off the ground with their upper body in tandem with each step.
The basic elements are fairly straightforward. Ideally, a walker should keep their head up, eyes forward, shoulders back and down, arm opposite the frontmost striding foot, and foot rolling forward from heel to toe.
DiGiammarino Jr. said it does take some practice to get every motion to flow together. To get certified, he sent in video recordings of his gait to the Los Angeles-based organization, which experts there would review, critique and use to help him refine his walk.
“They would tell me to straighten my elbow or not bend my wrist,” he said.
As he learned more about the craft, he said he grew fascinated with studies of how Nordic walking may help those living with conditions like Parkinson’s disease. The National Institutes of Health published a 2022 study stating this form of exercise may be a beneficial treatment.
“A very good friend of ours lost her husband to Parkinson’s,” he said. “If I had known about this years earlier, maybe I could have offered some help. But there’s no going backward in time.”
Nordic walking does require specific equipment, but he noted that relatively affordable options are available through online vendors. Two components that are important to look for are:
First, wrist straps to avoid grip fatigue, ideally worn through a glove-style attachment so the walker pushes down through the heel of the hand to propel forward, and second, base attachments that are suitable for the type of terrain a person may be hiking across.
As for the potential benefits over typical walking, they can vary from person to person. The Cleveland Clinic says Nordic walking can provide a better full-body workout, tapping into more than 90% of the body’s muscles.
DiGiammarino Jr. said many of his students appreciate the improve -
The Cleveland Clinic says Nordic walking can provide a better full-body workout, tapping into more than 90% of the body’s muscles.
ments they see in mobility and balance.
“You’re very focused on being upright,” he said. Among its other benefits, Nordic walking can be done almost anywhere once someone has the basics down.
UPCOMING COURSES
Enrico “Sam” DiGiammarino Jr. works with local organizations to offer Nordic walking courses for community members. Some of his upcoming classes include:
n 9-10:30 a.m. Nov. 6, Nov. 13, Nov. 20 and Dec. 4 at The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Cost is $65 for members; $75 for nonmembers. Register in person, by phone at 941-383-8222, by email at Admin@TBIEducationCenter.org or online at TBIEducationCenter.org. Those who miss the fall sessions can join the eight-week winter course or four-week spring course. Locations rotate throughout the year.
n 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Nov. 7, Nov. 14 and Nov. 21 at The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. RSVP at 941-383-6493.
n He offers multiple ways for people to keep up with his organized walking schedule. Visit QLMNordicWalking. com, join his Meetup group at Meetup. com, or follow his Facebook page, “My SRQ Nordic Walking Friends.” Email questions to Sam.DG@QLMNordicWalking.com.
Dana Kampa
Enrico “Sam” DiGiammarino Jr. is certified with the American Nordic Walking Association.
A Century Old Story
A story that began over 100 years ago and is still being written today. Once a beloved landmark, now an enduring icon reborn. Mira Mar is the future of luxury living in Sarasota, grounded in the grandeur of its past, and offering an unparalleled residential experience in the heart of downtown.
One of Sarasota’s few remaining flagships of the great Florida Land Boom of the 1920’s, it is with great pride that we restore the Mira Mar to its rightful place as a gleaming icon of Sarasota.
Rising elegantly above South Palm Avenue, the revived and resplendent Mira Mar presents a limited collection of 70 estate-style residences across two 18-story towers. Each home is designed to the highest standards, with sweeping views, refined interiors, and private access to best-in-class amenities.
Mira Mar is more than a residence — it’s a return to grace.
FRIDAY, NOV. 7
JOHNS HOPKINS GUIDED CARE
12:30 p.m. at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. The Paradise Center is hosting a thought-provoking “lunch and learn” for preventative care management. Free, but space is limited. Call 941383-6493 to RSVP.
MONDAY, NOV. 10
ROTARY CHRISTMAS TREE
DECORATION
11 a.m. at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Members of the Rotary Club of Longboat Key will be decorating their Christmas tree at the chapel.
TUESDAY, NOV. 11
GATHER AND GIVE
5-7 p.m. at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Gary Scott from Stillpoint Mission will be the guest speaker at the potluck dinner and charity drive. Call 941-3836491 for details.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 12
TOWN ‘THANK YOU’ LUNCH
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 12 at Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road. The Rotary Club of Longboat Key is hosting a “Food for Gratitude” event to celebrate the town of Longboat Key departments and their staffs for their hurricane recovery work. Open specifically for the Town of Longboat staff members. Contact Jeff Driver at DriverJH@comcast.net for details.
RECURRING EVENTS
MONDAYS
STRETCH AND STRENGTHEN
10-11 a.m. at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. This Paradise Center class is mostly seated and great for all fitness levels. The focus is on strength training and flexibility for balance. Bring light hand weights if desired. Fee is $20 for drop-ins or a membership through the end of the year; new class pass option for 10 classes for $175. Walkins welcome. Call 941-383-6493.
MEDITATION
11:15-11:45 a.m. at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. No experience needed for The Paradise Center’s free guided meditation. Participants can enjoy stress
BEST BET SATURDAY, NOV. 8
TOWN 70TH ANNIVERSARY
4-6 p.m. at the Karon Family Pavilion, 600 Bay Isles Road. Help the town of Longboat Key ring in its 70th anniversary and celebrate the community’s veterans. Festivities will include live jazz by Michael J. Ross & Co., refreshments and community speakers.
relief, a quieter mind and a refreshing feeling. Call 941-383-6493.
TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS
LONGBOAT LIBRARY
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 555 Bay Isles Road. Call 941-383-6493.
TUESDAYS
POP-UP LIBRARY
10 a.m. at the Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road. The Sarasota County Pop-Up Library hosts services on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, with storytime beginning at 10:30 a.m. and other services available from 10-11:30 a.m.
MAHJONG
1-3 p.m. at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Seasoned mahjong players can join a weekly, prearranged game at The Paradise Center with a noncompetitive atmosphere. RSVP required. Email Amy@TheParadiseCenter.org or call 941-383-6493.
THURSDAYS JUST DANCE!
10-11 a.m. at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Instructor Debbie White from The Paradise Center leads an easy-tofollow, cardio-focused dance class. Fee is $20 for drop-ins or a membership through the end of the year; new class pass option for 10 classes for $175. Call 941-383-6493.
SATURDAYS RUN CLUB
7 a.m. at Sips coffee shop, 6830 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Join this newly formed community running club for a morning jog at your own pace. The group is free and open to the public, and registration is not required.
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!
PATRIOTIC PUP: Patriot Harley the chocolate Lab from Bay Isles on Longboat Key shows off her patriotic side.
TREE HUGGING by Jared Cappel, edited by Jared Goudsmit
By Luis Campos
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