Longboat Observer 12.23.21

LONGBOAT

Observer

Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978

Longboat Harbour lights up.

PAGE 22

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

VOLUME 44, NO. 20

YOUR TOWN

Spanning decades Replacement for aging Longboat Pass Bridge planned, but where will it go? PAGE 3

Courtesy photo

Kettle bell rock Longboat Key has been rockin’ around the kettle bell this year.

Since the Salvation Army kettle was first stationed outside Publix on Nov. 26, pleasant surprises and bell ringing angels have abounded, but it all comes to a close on Friday.

Gloria Hartman brought her cello to serenade the shoppers into donating their change, Sue Wertman donated her CD player to the cause to amp up the cheer, and bell ringing organizer Chris Sachs has found last-minute volunteers to fill almost every spot. He even got a surprise visit from some of his very own elves (er, kids visiting from Seattle) one evening.

Stay tuned for the final sum in the early days of 2022. Will Longboat Key take the top spot back from St. Armands Key Lutheran Church ringers?

CHRISTMAS LIKE IT SHOULD BE Longboaters chat about gifts from the heart, not the store.

SEE PAGE 9

People and groups look out for others during the holidays.

SEE PAGE 12

Nat Kaemmerer

Rev. Robert Dziedziak speaks to the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, congregation during a Christmas concert.

Churches prepare for services that look a lot like normal.

SEE PAGE 19

A+E Courtesy photo

Hazy-crazy winter days Recent summer-like weather got you down?

On Longboat Key and around the coast, warm days and cooler nights often bring a morning visit from sea fog, which can hang around until lunchtime.

When the warm air we’ve been having since Thanksgiving mixes with the cooler Gulf of Mexico waters, the mysterious miasma of mist often comes calling.

Police emphasize slower driving and use of low-beam headlights.

Photography fans, such as Longboat Key’s Rusty Chinnis, know a good thing when they see it, too.

That’s his photo of a spooky looking sailboat at anchor.

Flipping over the circus show.

PAGE 13

Coming soon

Mexican eatery gets town’s OK. SEE PAGE 5 Mark Bergin

La Villa Mexican Grill will open in the coming months at 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 5.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

Complaints about 911 services resurface Commissioners are planning a visit to Sarasota County’s Emergency Operations center in the new year.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

F

irst, emergency dispatchers from Sarasota County came to visit Longboat Key to meet first responders and better understand the town and its geography, a process that was repeated last month.

Then firefighters reciprocated with visits to the county’s dispatch center to meet the people they speak with via radio and better understand how a call for help reaches them.

Now, amid recent questions about 911 service from town residents, town commissioners are planning a trip to Sarasota County’s Emergency Operations Center, off Cattlemen Road, early in the new year. Town Manager Tom Harmer told commissioners recently that he was working to set up such a visit.

Recent complaints have ranged from the time it takes to answer call takers’ questions about location, patient condition, nearby cross streets and more. Commanders of the call center say most of what callers experience is built into the months of training of the personnel on the other end of the line, ensuring consistent treatment based on a set of standards applied to the 11 jurisdictions they serve.

In an email explaining the procedure, Lori Daubert, the professional development quality assurance coordinator for the Sheriff’s Department, wrote the point at which help is being sent can vary based on severity.

“Calls where CPR is being performed, the send point is earlier than a patient that has been experiencing back pain for several days with no difficulty breathing and would like an ambulance to take them to the hospital to be evaluated,” she

File photos

Above: In October 2019, Operations Manager Kristen Fitzpatrick explained one of the call takers’ displays to firefighters.

Left: In October 2019, dispatcher Pam Manning worked with Longboat Key firefighter/paramedic Jamison Urch.

wrote. “Once the paramedics have been sent, the call taker gives the scripted post-dispatch instruction ‘I’m sending the paramedics to help you now.’”

Former Longboat Key Mayor and Town Commissioner George Spoll described a situation in which he had to call 911 while on his way to attend a commission meeting. He was in extreme pain from back spasms.

“I said, ‘The first thing I’m saying

om se.c

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u reho a W iture

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to you, “This is not an emergency, but I need help,”’” Spoll said.

Spoll said the dispatcher never told him help was on the way. “The questions were absurd,” he said.

Spoll said fire-rescue arrived at Town Hall to assist him back to his car so he could drive home and followed him to ensure his safe arrival.

“The guys came, they were great — and it’s not that our people aren’t the best in the world. They are,” Spoll

said. “But getting through dispatch is where people are being aggravated and scared and frightened and not handled properly.”

Fairway Bay II Condominium Association President Myron Bernstein wrote to commissioners complaining of a similar experience in which he stopped to help a neighbor who had fallen and was bleeding.

“I don’t have time to sit on the phone with a 911 person, answering a number of questions because they need to fill in all the paperwork to make sure that it wasn’t some malicious activity that took place,” Bernstein said.

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Dan Tutko said Sarasota County took about 660,000 calls at the 911 center in 2020 and is projected to take 680,000 calls in 2021. The only way to handle such volume, he said, is to rely on standards set forth by the department’s accreditation

agencies.

He said geography also plays a role, but consistency remains important.

“We know that Gulf of Mexico Drive is the main thoroughfare on Longboat Key, and there really (aren’t) many other cross streets, but in order to keep it consistent among the 11 agencies that we dispatch for, we have to do the same thing for every call every time it comes in,” Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Operations Manager Kristen Fitzpatrick said.

In 2016, Sarasota County’s Emergency Operations Center began fielding 911 calls for the town. It was part of a three-year process to switch from the town’s in-house 911 dispatch service.

Dispatchers’ visits to Longboat Key of late have come with a goal of better understanding what local people might be talking about when calling for help, such as how to differentiate between the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center and the Longboat Key Club’s Tennis Gardens.

Dispatchers are also trained to give life-saving instructions over the phone, Fitzpatrick said. She said dispatchers are trained on how to deliver babies, help someone who is choking or in cardiac arrest, give CPR instructions and deliver other information useful until paramedics arrive.

Bernstein and Spoll said they would like to see the town consider a return to an in-house 911 system.

“If we are short on the funds needed (to bring dispatch to the island), I truly believe that if you go to every resident on the island, you will get the extra donations needed to make it happen,” Bernstein said.

Spoll said he thinks it’s important for dispatchers to make clear to 911 callers that help is on the way as early in the call as possible.

“If the public is dissatisfied with 911, and I’m not sure that they are, but all I know is I have a bevy of calls, and people that have talked to me about the problem,” Spoll said.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

3

Photos by Mark Bergin

Left: Longboat Pass Bridge has a 17-foot clearance when the drawbridge is closed. The state plans to raise the new bridge to be 30-40 feet.

Above: Longboat Key resident Deborah Richards says she likes riding her bike over Longboat Pass Bridge to Anna Maria Island.

EVENTUALLY The state’s $2.13 million study will evaluate options for the bridge that links Longboat Key to Coquina Beach.

MARK BERGIN STAFF WRITER

I

t will take years, maybe more than a decade, for the state to replace Longboat Pass Bridge.

Although a replacement bridge coming to fruition is still a long way away, there is already discussion about where it will be built relative to the existing bridge.

Florida Department of Transportation Project Manager Patrick Bateman provided the Town Commission an update on Dec. 13 about the state’s ongoing $2.13 million Project Development and Environment Study of the bridge.

“There were a lot of comments from the condos that are on the west side of the touchdown on Longboat Key,” Bateman said.

The Northgate of Longboat Key Condominiums are located to the west of the bridge at 490 N. Shore Road. Condo President Richard Abuza explained what he wants to see happen.

“You’ve got an important community that has existed for a long time on the east side of the bridge at Lands End, and the reality, both politically and as a reasonable compromise, is to have the bridge land where it’s landing now,” Abuza said.

Bateman said there isn’t a way to accomplish that, explaining the replacement bridge will be to the east or west of the current bridge in place. The plan is to construct the span while still using the old one.

Abuza advocated for an “outside the box” solution to make a design plan for the bridge to land in its existing footprint.

“I have seen designs and seen bridge construction where essentially they build a new bridge alongside the existing bridge, and they have a temporary landing during the construction phase, but the final section essentially involves the demolition and reconnection of the new bridge to the existing landing site,” Abuza said.

Drayton Saunders owns the landmark property at 7300 Gulf of Mexico Drive overlooking the drawbridge from the east. Saunders said he wanted to see FDOT provide the public with more opportunities to

provide feedback about plans for the new bridge.

FDOT held a meeting March 23 at the Harbourside Ballroom that included 11 staff members and 16 members of the public.

“If you just have the narrative of COVID, I think there needs to be a doubling down of that effort to really engage the public but also, again, those most impacted,” Saunders said. “And that, for me, is extremely important because as this project moves forward because of the large time frames, you don’t want to get that voice lost.”

Commissioner BJ Bishop made two suggestions to Bateman and FDOT leaders.

“No. 1, the workshop, obviously, was still at the height of COVID, but No. 2, please find a location in the northern end of the island so that the people who are most impacted are not driving all the way down, trying to get behind the (Key Club) gates for a public meeting,” she said.

FDOT is planning to hold a public workshop in December 2022 and hold a public hearing in January 2024. The PD&E study is set to finish in August 2023.

Bateman told the Town Commission about some of the feedback the state has received from the public. “(There are) some concerns for safety, so they want to make sure that there are lanes for bicyclists and pedestrians since it’s very lacking.

The existing bridge is very lacking,” Bateman said. “We had people who want the bridge higher because their boats don’t fit, and they don’t want to wait for an opening.”

The bridge is about 0.75 miles long and was built to last 50 years in 1957.

It connects the north end of Longboat Key to Coquina Beach.

Bateman said Longboat Pass Bridge underwent $5.3 million worth of repairs in 2019, which included deck repairs, concrete superstructure and substructure repairs, steel painting, electrical, mechanical and scour protection.

“With monitoring and periodic maintenance another repair project would be scheduled for 2029 if the bridge is not replaced prior to that,” Bateman said.

Commissioner Penny Gold asked FDOT about the possibility of adding a tunnel.

“On the Cortez (Bridge) project, they looked at doing a tunnel for the whole crossing,” Bateman said.

Bateman said building a tunnel is more expensive than a bridge.

Saunders said he would like to

see FDOT, the town and the public address many different kinds of possibilities.

“I just hope we have all the different technical solutions on the table before we limit ourselves to simply a cost discussion,” Saunders said.

The state also received written feedback from the public.

Longboat Pass Bridge has a height clearance of 17 feet, which is lower than the Coast Guard Standard for a drawbridge. New Pass Bridge on the southern end of Longboat Key has a clearance of 23 feet and 3 inches.

Bateman said the plan is to increase the height clearance to 30-40 feet for a mid-rise Longboat Pass Bridge.

Whenever a new bridge gets built, there has been some discussion on what to do with the old one. Many Longboaters have expressed that if the old bridge were used as a fishing pier, they don’t want it extended to the landing point in Longboat Key, to limit the access to the north end because Coquina Beach has substantially more public parking than the 30 spaces provided on North Shore Road.

Pedestrian and biker safety is also a concern.

Longboat Key resident Deborah Richards likes cycling over Longboat Pass Bridge to Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria Island.

“I like this ride,” she said. “I’ll go up to Anna Maria, all the way to the end. I like it a lot.”

Richards currently rides on the opposite side of the street so oncoming walkers see her biking along the narrow sidewalks on each side of the bridge.

“It should be welcoming walkers and bikers more than all this traffic,” Richards said.

BRIDGE WORK NEW PASS In the summer, crews finished about $2.77 million of repair work and structural improvements on New Pass Bridge.

The 14-part project helped improve the reliability, safety, value and service life of the bridge.

According to FDOT Community Outreach Manager Barbara Catlin, New Pass Bridge was reconstructed in 1986, replacing the original 1929 bridge.

The bridge connects Longboat Key and St. Armands Key. CORTEZ The Florida Department of Transportation chose a highrise span to replace Cortez Bridge in the coming years.

FDOT Project Manager Patrick Bateman said the state plans to replace the Cortez and Anna Maria Island bridges before Longboat Pass Bridge.

The Cortez Bridge spans nearly a mile and connects Bradenton Beach with Cortez.

FDOT started designing the $67 million project in October 2019. The design completion date is scheduled for spring 2025.

ANNA MARIA BRIDGE The nearly 2-mile bridge connects Anna Maria Island and Perico Island.

The state is finishing up the design of the bridge replacement, which will cost about $76 million.

However, there is no funding available for the construction phase at this time, according to FDOT.

The property at 7300 Gulf of Mexico Drive has been in Drayton Saunders’ family for several generations.

File photo

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

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Town prepares citizen survey questions The survey gives residents an opportunity to provide feedback and express opinions on services and policy issues.

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The town is finalizing questions it plans to ask residents in the third annual citizen satisfaction survey.

A memo written by Longboat Key Support Services Director Carolyn Brown states the online survey is expected to start Jan. 10 and last several weeks.

A final report on responses is expected in April.

“The results from the last couple of years have been totally outstanding,” Brown said.

Nearly 99% of the households that completed last year’s survey described the overall quality of life on the island as either “excellent” or “good.” The 69.4% who responded “excellent” was in increase from 57% in the 2020 survey.

From a total of 8,320 invitations, 1,524 households responded to last year’s survey. In 2020, the town received 597 completed surveys from 8,741 invitations.

“We went up quite a bit over the year, and so my goal, of course, is to get more people involved this year,” Brown said.

Longboat Key has again hired the John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government at the University of South Florida to conduct the survey.

The town provides each household with a unique code to complete the online survey to ensure one set of responses per household.

The 2022 survey is expected to include several changes: n The size of the text will be enlarged for the code and website link within the first-class letter mailed from the town. n The policy questions will be updated.

Mark Bergin

n Open-ended answers will be included in the survey.

Commissioners suggested including open-ended questions for many of the policy-level questions. Town staff will work with USF’s Stephen Neely on question wording.

The survey will ask residents about road construction and traffic, environmental initiatives, electric vehicles, and public transportation.

During a recent Town Commission workshop, Commissioner Maureen Merrigan asked why the town did not plan to include policy-level questions about the proposed town center in the 2022 survey.

“I know (Neely) has cautioned us every time we talk to him about policy questions,” Town Manager Tom Harmer said, adding that the same such questions shouldn’t be repeated year to year. “(Respondents) want you to know that you’re doing something with what they said last year, and you shouldn’t have to keep asking the same questions.”

The survey is conducted for several reasons, including: n Assessing community needs or desires; n Guiding long-range planning and capital needs; n Guiding short-term planning; n Directing communication with citizens; n Evaluating of community services; and n Evaluating levels of support for policy issues.

The town is planning to start its third annual citizen satisfaction survey on Jan. 10.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

5

EYE ON BUSINESS

La Villa Mexican Grill expects to open in early 2022 at 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 5.

Mexican restaurant coming to Longboat Key

STAFF WRITER

A

Mexican restaurant is coming to Longboat Key. It will take a few months for La Villa Mexican Grill to open at 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 5, but final approvals were granted last week by the town’s Planning and Zoning Board to allow a special exception request.

“I could cry,” restaurant Owner Estela Villegas said. “It took us forever to get the approval, and I’m really happy about it.”

The special exemption allows a restaurant use in an existing multitenant plaza, which also features Solorzano’s Pizzeria, The Thirsty Snail and Backyard Bike Shop.

The new restaurant will feature

“I’ve eaten everything on the menu,” Valdespino said.

La Villa Mexican Grill will take over the space once occupied by Café Don Giovanni, which ended its occupancy Oct. 3, 2017, according to the town’s Business Tax Receipt system.

Even though a restaurant used the space before, it needed the special exception approval because it hasn’t been in use for years.

Villegas is planning to have the 2,693-square-foot restaurant open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. She is also planning to pursue a full liquor license.

“We can’t wait to start,” Villegas said.

Town rules requires one parking space for every 150 square feet of restaurant square footage. It means the restaurant will need to provide 18 parking spaces.

Alan Bumberg of Zimple Development said the restaurant will undergo months of interior renovation to open as quickly as possible.

“Those building plans, my understanding is hopefully, sometime (this) week, those will be popping

out,” Bumberg said. “We’re ready to go. We have our contractor’s bids in hand, and it would be basically getting going immediately.”

Planning and Zoning Board Chair David Green congratulated the group representing La Villa Mexican Grill.

“We look forward to having you as neighbors and successful business here,” Green said.

ANOTHER RESTAURANT COMING

Early next year, the P&Z Board is due to consider a site development plan and special exception for Courtney’s Lo’ Key Restaurant at 5620 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 1.

The preliminary application shows the development proposes to remodel the existing building and add a separate Tiki hut-style building, though the proposal could change before the P&Z Board considers it in 2022.

Courtney’s Lo’ Key Restaurant is expected to serve American bar food, according to town staff.

The location is the site of Tina’s Beauty Salon, which closed in late August.

Top: Carole Valdespino, Cecile Coutret, Estela Villegas and Alan Bumberg attended last week’s Planning and Zoning Board meeting to seek approval for a special exception for La Villa Mexican Grill at 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Above: Earlier next year, the Planning and Zoning Board is set to consider a site development plan and special exception for Courtney’s Lo’ Key Restaurant at 5620 Gulf of Mexico Drive Unit No. 1.

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authentic regional Mexican cuisine, Villegas said. Town Planner Tate Taylor said La Villa will be entirely indoors.

La Villa Mexican Grill is a family operation with a location in business for about eight years in Valrico, Villegas said.

“We’re from Mexico City, and most of our family is from the central part of Mexico, but we have a little something of each region of the country,” she said.

Villegas worked for 10 years at the now-defunct Estella’s Mexican Restaurant in Tampa. She said she drove an 18-wheeler for a while before returning to her restaurant work.

Cecile Coutret and Carole Valdespino attended last week’s meeting in support of the Longboat La Villa Mexican Grill location.

“I live on the Key full time, and I just wanted to express that the community is extremely excited to have a Mexican restaurant coming to the Key,” Coutret said. “The buzz is very strong.”

Valdespino said the food is delicious.

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Town also will consider in the new year another proposal for a restaurant at the site of a former hair salon.

Photos by Mark Bergin

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

ADVERTORIAL

Do You Smell That?

Above: Michael Garey accepts a crystal statue from Bob Gault.

Left: Garey gave Chris Sachs a plaque for his bell ringing contributions.

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If your heater is still letting out a smoky, electrical odor after its initial startup for the season, it could be a sign of a much bigger problem. Electrical shorts and other malfunctions may be occurring in your system, leaving your HVAC unit and home in danger. If you have a constant smoky, electrical smell coming from your vents, turn off your system and call an HVAC professional right away.

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

Lawn Party thank-you’s

F

rom Aug. 28 to Dec. 4, the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key focused on little else besides Lawn Party preparations. Finally, that came to an end.

After breakfast last week, the meeting began with a spate of congratulations from Michael Garey, the club president and party chair, to those without whom he couldn’t have pulled off the party, including his wife, Catherine, and Lazy Lobster General Manager Michelle Waldron.

Longboat Key firefighter Jamison Urch also was recognized for the fire department’s service of their Red Tide Chili at the Lawn Party.

Once Garey gave his thank-you’s out, club members took the time to appreciate him. Members and Kiwanis Foundation

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Just like those winter clothes we mentioned earlier, an HVAC system can accumulate dust and other particles from the air supply in your home. This dust is the most common source of a burning smell from your heater. When the heat is turned on, these materials stir around and eventually burn up, causing that short-lived stench. If it continues after one or two heating cycles, consider contacting a pro for help.

representatives Bob Gault and Lynn Larson presented Garey with a crystal award for his planning and contributions. Next, Salvation Army bell ringing organizer Chris Sachs was presented with a plaque for his efforts with the fundraising.

The total tally of money going to Children’s Guardian Fund will come in the new year, but the estimate is around $80,000, not counting the match from the Doris M. Carter Family Foundation, which will add $20,000. Cynthia Craig, who contributed to the party through sponsorship, is a guardian ad litem and a board member at Children’s Guardian Fund, and she said it will help the organization expand their tutoring efforts.

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Our northern neighbors are gearing up for snow, sleet and slush during the holidays. Here in Florida, we just have to choose which long-sleeved shirts we’re going to dust off when those short-lived cold fronts hit (more on dust later).

If you’re like the average Floridian, these brief brushes of cooler air will also encourage you to select the “heat” setting on your thermostat.

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6

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

KEY TO SUCCESS 12:24 p.m., 4500 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen assist: A driver who called police after she locked her keys in her car told the responding officer she had since made contact with that a friend could bring her home to retrieve her spare set of keys. No action was required of the officer.

FRIDAY, DEC. 3

DARK CLOTHES AT NIGHT 11:48 p.m., 500 block of Outrigger Lane Suspicious person: A caller who did not wish to meet with an officer reported a suspicious-looking figure wearing dark clothes walking down the street. A canvass of the street and the adjoining area did not produce anyone answering that description.

A YACHT OF EXPLAINING TO DO 11:53 p.m., 2600 block of Harbourside Drive Intoxicated person: Police were called to investigate what appeared to be a case of an intoxicated woman speaking loudly into a cellphone in a parking lot, but the case turned out to be a bit more involved. While speaking with the woman from out of state, who was trying to find her way home, another woman from a different state walked up and said the two had been sharing a rideservice car — until the first woman kicked her out. The woman on foot had no idea where her former carsharing partner had been until she saw officers speaking to her. Both women, it turns out, were guests aboard a relative’s yacht in the nearby harbor. The friend, who had not been drinking, said she would care for the intoxicated woman.

SATURDAY, DEC. 4 WATER BOTHER 4:45 p.m., 700 block of Lands End Drive

Noise from the water: Police responded to a complaint about a boat north of the island creating a nuisance with loud music. By the time the police arrived, the vessel had departed. The officer relayed his findings to the caller, who confirmed what the police officer had seen and heard.

SUNDAY, DEC. 5

TALK TO THE KIDS 3:10 p.m., 1000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Suspicious incident: A children’s Christmas party was mistaken by a caller for a commercial venture in which public beach access was closed and participants charged admission. An officer learned the two people in charge did indeed run a business, but the party was strictly a private children’s event with no alcohol or admission. The two organizers asked if the officer wanted to confirm the story with the children.

No violations were found.

COPS CORNER

SUNDAY, DEC. 5

|

7

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

GIFTS FOR THOSE WHO SEEK BALANCE

INSIDE & OUT

TUESDAY, DEC. 8

MERRY *&#@#* CHRISTMAS 10:01 a.m., 3800 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive Citizen dispute: A representative of a residential complex reported to police a truck driver making a delivery yelled profane words at her when she asked him to park elsewhere.

The representative requested a police report be made of the incident.

It was.

NAME THAT TUNE 4:49 p.m., 500 block of Bay Isles Parkway Trespassing: A couple who said they were trying to perform music in a shopping center for donations to travel farther south to Naples to see family were told to leave the private premises. A complaint had been registered with police regarding panhandling. The couple returned to their car and left.

NO PROBLEM 9:22 p.m., 4400 block of Exeter Drive Citizen assist: What was reported as a potential burglary in progress was actually a case of a property owner inside painting the walls. No crime was found. The caller was updated on what the officer found.

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8

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

OPINION / OUR VIEW

LONGBOAT

A TIME TO KEEP OUR PERSPECTIVE

MATT WALSH

I

n this season to be jolly, it is, by golly, 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” biblical historian James Edward Talmadge wrote, “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 their 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, but 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 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.

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

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 materially wealthy, ordinary in all appearances. And yet they were extraordinary.

God sent his messenger, the angel Gabriel, and stunned the innocent 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. The angel 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.

(Editor’s note: A version of this has appeared annually since 2010.)

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

Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944 President and Publisher / Emily Walsh EWalsh@YourObserver.com Executive Editor and COO / Kat Hughes KHughes@YourObserver.com Managing Editor / Eric Garwood EGarwood@YourObserver.com Staff Writers / Mark Bergin, MBergin@ YourObserver.com; Nat Kaemmerer, NKaemmerer@YourObserver.com Copy Editor / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@ YourObserver.com Editorial Designers / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com; José Valle, JValle@YourObserver.com Black Tie Editor / Harry Sayer, HSayer@ YourObserver.com Director of Advertising / Jill Raleigh, JRaleigh@YourObserver.com Sales Manager / Penny Nowicki, PNowicki@YourObserver.com Digital Sales and Business Development Manager / Kathleen O’Hara,KOHara @YourObserver.com Senior Advertising Executive / Laura Ritter, LRitter@YourObserver.com Advertising Executives / Richeal Bair, RBair@YourObserver.com; Beth Jacobson, BJacobson@YourObserver.com; Jennifer Kane, JKane@YourObserver.com; Honesty Mantkowski, HMantkowski@YourObserver. com; Toni Perren, TPerren@YourObserver. com; Brenda White, BWhite@ YourObserver.com Classified Advertising Sales Executive / Audri Ferguson, AFerguson@ YourObserver.com Sales Operations Manager / Susan Leedom, SLeedom@YourObserver.com Sales Coordinator / Account Manager Lori Downey, LDowney @YourObserver.com Advertising Assistant / Sam Johnson, SJohnson@YourObserver.com Digital Fulfillment Specialist / Emma Burke, EBurke@YourObserver.com Tributes Coordinator / Kristen Boothroyd, Tributes@YourObserver.com Director of Marketing / Robin Lankton, RLankton@YourObserver.com Marketing Coordinator / Samantha Dischinger, SDischinger@YourObserver.com Director of Creative Services / Caleb Stanton, CStanton@YourObserver.com Creative Services Administrator / Marjorie Holloway, MHolloway@ YourObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Luis Trujillo, Louise Martin, Shawna Polana Digital Developer / Jason Camillo, JCamillo@YourObserver.com Director of Information Technology / Adam Quinlin, AQuinlin@YourObserver.com Chief Financial Officer / Laura StricklandLStrickland@YourObserver.com Controller / Rafael Labrin, RLabrin@ YourObserver.com Office and Accounting Coordinator / Donna Condon, DCondon@ YourObserver.com

September 21, 1897

Is there a Santa Claus?

Editorial writer Francis P. Church’s famous response to Virginia O’Hanlon’s letter is the most reprinted newspaper editorial in history. Some of the lore of this famous letter and editorial is that the editors of the Sun didn’t think much of it initially.

The letter was placed in the third of three columns of editorials that day. What’s more, the Sun didn’t start reprinting the letter until 10 years after it first appeared.

It relented only because readers kept asking for it.

— Editor

W

e take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of the Sun: Dear Editor: I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.

Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?

VIRGINIA O’HANLON 115 WEST NINETY FIFTH STREET

Virginia, Your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age.

They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds.

All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect

Observer Media Group Inc.

as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.

Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus!

It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence.

We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies.

You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove?

Nobody sees Santa Claus, but

that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus.

The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there.

Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen Virginia O’Hanlon and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart.

Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond.

Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real Editor Francis P. Church and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! He Photos courtesy of James lives and lives forever. A thousand Temple and the Century years from now, Virginia, nay 10 Association Archives Foundation times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

is locally owned.

Publisher of the Longboat Observer, East County Observer, Sarasota Observer, Siesta Key Observer, Palm Coast Observer, Ormond Beach Observer, West Orange Times & Observer, Southwest Orange Observer, Business Observer, Jacksonville Daily Record, Jacksonville Record & Observer, LWR Life Magazine, Baldwin Park Living Magazine and Season Magazine

CEO / Matt Walsh Vice President / Lisa Walsh Chairman Emeritus / David Beliles 1970 Main St. Sarasota, Fla. 34236 941-366-3468

YourObserver.com © 2020 The Observer Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

9

THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL T

he 2021 holiday season marks the return of many Christmas and Hanukkah traditions.

Last year’s festivities were, well, different.

The Observer caught up with Longboaters to ask a simple question: “What is your

greatest gift of all?”

CHRIS KOPP, LONGBOAT KEY CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

DEIRDRE SCHUEPPERT

Community. It’s a simple answer, but it has so much meaning because community is your family, it’s your neighbors, it’s your friends. It’s everybody and everybody together, whether that’s close personal friends, whether that’s acquaintances. We all need community, no matter how big or how small.

We’ve been doing it since we were cavemen. That’s how we’ve been able to exist for so long. And as divided as our community may seem, we’re all the same. And once we start getting back to that, I think it’d be great. But I mean, I need that. That is what I’m most thankful for.

My family, my friends, my co-workers, the town, the people that live here, everything. It’s community, no matter how big or how small.

(My husband) Clancy and I will celebrate our 60th anniversary on Dec. 27.

This has subsequently produced four wonderful children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, many of whom will be with us to celebrate Christmas and our 60th wedding anniversary. Who could ask for any greater gift?!

CYNDI SEAMON, LONGBOAT KEY TURTLE WATCH VICE PRESIDENT A healthy family. We both have our parents still alive, so definitely. We’re treasuring the time we have with them. They’re both in their mid-80s, so both of our parents. We’re able to spend time with them as they are aging, and my parents are coming down for a couple months from Wisconsin. My parents live here. We see lots of friends and family who have lost their parents. We’re just trying to enjoy the time that we do have with them.

And COVID, I guess, has probably brought that to the forefront of a lot of people’s daily lives, so we’re just enjoying our time together.

File photo

Cyndi Seamon, Karey Kaine and Sam Digiammarino attended the annual Light Up Longboat event.

SEE GREATEST GIFT, PAGE 10

We would like to thank you for your continued patronage & wish you a Voted One of A Happy and Safe Holiday Season

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

Greatest gift

KAY THAYER, LONGBOAT KEY PUBLIC TENNIS CENTER MANAGER

FROM PAGE 9

After what everybody has gone through in the past year and a half, I would say, not taking for granted your good health and not taking for granted just our simple daily lives with our friends and families, which I think we take for granted. And I think last year kind of reminded us when that was taken away, … that it is something that we should be thankful for.

File photo

Kay Thayer

Courtesy photo

Heather and Ray Sellers help with the release of a white pelican.

File photo

Michael Drake

MICHAEL DRAKE, LONGBOAT KEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESIDENT I guess good health, living on an island of paradise. I’ve been able to live on Longboat Key now since 1986. Being able to live and work on Longboat Key for 35 years, I feel very blessed and grateful.

HEATHER SELLERS, LONGBOAT KEY TURTLE WATCH AND SAVE OUR SEABIRDS VOLUNTEER One of our favorite Christmas memories occurred just last year, 2020. My husband, Ray, and I started volunteering for Save Our Seabirds that fall. We mainly help with rescue calls, finding it not only rewarding, but it also further connected us to this beautiful island. Christmas week had arrived, with COVID-19 still wreaking havoc.

For Save Our Seabirds, they were running an extremely thin staff, with some days only a few people to care for the many resident birds, as well as injured rescued birds in their hospital. We offered to help on Christmas Day, suspecting the over-extended crew may need a bit of a hand.

We helped clean cages so senior avian vet tech Jonathan Hande could feed and administer needed care for the birds more

quickly. A few days prior to that, Jonathan asked if we could assist him with a release of an American white pelican. We jumped at this opportunity. Meeting early one morning, just a few days before Christmas, we helped Jonathan unload and release this beautiful bird to a nearby flock of pelicans.

At first, it wanted to stay with Jonathan. After a bit of coaxing, it made its way across the water. We couldn’t help but feel moved by this experience, flooded with deep appreciation for the tremendous amount of care and commitment Jonathan and others at Save Our Seabirds have for birds.

Ray often remarks, “Can you only imagine if SOS wasn’t here?”

So that Christmas Day as we wiped out cages, we couldn’t help but feel gifted, grateful for this organization and its tireless efforts.

Courtesy photo

Susan Phillips and her father, Mike Phillips

SUSAN PHILLIPS, ASSISTANT TO THE TOWN MANAGER The greatest gift of all time? That’s easy — time with my happy, healthy, inspiring and loving father. He’s 93 and still completely independent.

He and I will share Christmas on Longboat Key together with family and friends. He brings me immense joy every single day.

TERRY O’HARA, LONGBOAT KEY CLUB GOLF DIRECTOR My parents always said to be kind to people. It’s something that I’ve always followed. … I mean, it’s my 13th year here. … Obviously, I’ve got a wide range of people here and a lot of different personalities. And I think if you’re a good person, and you show that you’re a hard worker, and you’re kind, you can go a long way in life. If we had more people that care and are kind, we’d have a much better world that we live in right now.

Courtesy photo

Ann Quackenbush and Sue Wertman

SUE WERTMAN Christmas was always a special time gathering with our family. When we were 16, I received a white rabbit coat, and twin sister Ann got a raccoon coat. We thought we were really slick. Probably not in vogue today.

ANN QUACKENBUSH On Oct. 17, 1989, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit the San Francisco/Oakland area just before the start of the third game of the World Series being held at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park.

Immediately, Red Cross volunteers and staff went into action.

After volunteering for three weeks in December, I finally made it home on Dec. 24 with an ice chest full of crab for our Christmas Eve dinner.

File photo

Sandy Finnegan and Terry O’Hara

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

11

JOAN PRITCHARD “Joan, would you please come to the office in the morning and do your blood work again? We need to check there hasn’t been some mistake with the results.” My platelet count was dangerously off the charts, and thus began one of the most challenging journeys of my life.

Multiple tests followed the initial confirmation that there were, indeed, excessive cells in my system.

My doctors ruled out leukemia, but after another series of tests, it turned out to be mantle-cell lymphoma, which rests about in the middle of the 39-range variations of lymphoma.

One of my husband’s associate pastors set up a group of “soul sisters” to pray for me and be there for me in whatever way I needed — a real godsend! The associate guided me to an appointment at the M.D. Anderson Center in Houston, but the specialist I saw there advised me to go the University of Michigan for a stem cell transplant.

That diagnosis of lymphoma ushered in a period of watching and waiting for the right time to intervene.

The big issue was, would I be able to have a transplant using my own cells or those of a donor, the former offering far better prospects than the latter? Following a series of preparatory doses of chemotherapy, I was ready. My cells were harvested and stored. Then a massive regime

Courtesy photo

Joan Pritchard in 2011

of chemotherapy.

Then I was admitted to the University of Michigan Medical center until my body had recovered sufficiently to be able to receive the transplant.

When it was decided my body was ready, my harvested cells were returned to my body on Dec. 14, 2011. Would they take, or would they be rejected? It took several days — which included the smallest Christmas dinner I ever ate! — and slowly my blood work improved, and I was on the way to recovery.

The support of family and friends, the prayers of countless people across the world, and the skill and care of a world-class team at the cutting edge of scientific research gave me my life back. Initially, another hospital had given me two years to live. Ten years later, gratitude and joy fill my holiday celebrations!

There’s no better gift than that.

LYN HAYCOCK, LONGBOAT KEY GARDEN CLUB VICE PRESIDENT hugged by all seven of our grandkids.

The youngest granddaughter brings me flowers. Then our daughter and her family from Chicago show up. We left the beach for dinner, and I felt so blessed and happy.

Only to my surprise, 95 of our closest friends and family are waiting. I open the door and cannot believe my eyes. Two of my grandkids had a speech, and there was not a dry eye in the house. Family and friends are the best present a person can ever have, and I have many. Give yourself to others, and you will receive the most rewarding feeling you will ever have.

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The best gift ever was a surprise party for my 60th birthday. My entire family and friends kept this secret for three months.

My husband, Mike, told me we were going to dinner at the French restaurant on the island, so we dressed very nice.

Before we go down to the restaurant, we walk over to our beach to watch the sunset. First, our daughter and her family who live in Lakewood Ranch show up at the beach, then our daughter and her family from Tampa walk over, then our son and his family from Charlotte show up.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

The

Nice List Longboat Key residents earned their spots on the Nice List this year.

shortage of Christmas cheer visible on the surface of Longboat Key. However,

every year, the island gives special attention to the meaningful spirit of the season with plenty of donations. Several organizations put their most generous foot forward during December and make the Nice List with ease.

Of course, with the plethora of manifestations of the giving spirit on Longboat Key, we’re sure there are a few names we missed. Unlike Santa, even though we checked our list twice, we can’t keep an eye on the Key at all times.

—NAT KAEMMERER

ST. MARY, STAR OF THE SEA, CATHOLIC CHURCH

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church got into the Christmas spirit early with its Nov. 13 Christmas Bazaar. From the daylong event where attendees shopped homemade and donated gifts and decorations, the Women’s Guild raised $11,000.

Every year, the proceeds from this event and the spring Royal Rummage thrift sale go to local charities the church supports. The church also had two other giving opportunities for Christmas. There was an Angel Tree in the church lobby, and participants took a tag and brought back a wrapped toy for the child on

the tag. For the Christmas concert Dec. 10, attendees paid their way into the event with an unwrapped toy to be donated to children in need within the diocese.

LONGBOAT KEY TURTLE WATCH

The Longboat Key Turtle Watch donated $12,000 to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Wildlife Inc. and Save Our Seabirds. LBKTW members put on their Christmas best and presented the directors of departments they were supporting with checks on Dec. 3. Much of the funding for Mote went toward the Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program in the name of longtime LBKTW member Freda Perrotta for head lamps, Adopt a Nest signs, flipper tags and turtlesafe ATV lighting. Wildlife Inc. and Save Our Seabirds got $1,000 each for rehabilitation.

J.MCLAUGHLIN AND CHRIST CHURCH OF LONGBOAT KEY

J. McLaughlin has hosted a couple Sip and Shop fundraising events for local children’s groups, including one Nov. 20 that benefited Children First. Volunteers staffed a table at the store and brought in gifts for children under 5, and Store Manager Melanie Dale kept accepting presents throughout the week. After that, Dale teamed up with Christ Church of Longboat Key for the following week after Thanksgiving to bring in nonperishable food donations for Our Daily Bread, a food pantry in Bradenton whose need skyrocketed during the pandemic.

ROTARY CLUB OF LONGBOAT KEY

Every year, the Rotary Club of Longboat Key brings in as many pres-

ST. ARMANDS KEY LUTHERAN CHURCH ANGEL TREE

St. Armands Key Lutheran Church’s Angel Tree were cleared out. Its Community Service Ministry put up a tree with names and desired gifts for people served by the Lutheran Services Florida Guardianship Program. The program serves everyone from children to senior citizens, and the Christmas gifts were to be delivered after Dec. 3. All the tags on the tree got taken, and the car designated to serve as Santa’s sleigh was full to bursting.

TOYS FOR TOTS

Tons of tots will get toys thanks to altruistic townspeople. At Symphony Massage at Harbour Square, the team put out a bin for the first time; at Town Hall, a bin was put out for the 23rd year. Every year, the town has filled their bin to the top with

toys for kids in the area, and this year, they were close to brimming with just three days left in their Santa schedule. In addition, the golfers of the Women’s Golf Association and Key Niners brought gifts to their Dec. 7 Frosty Frolic event and filled a table running along one edge of the Harbourside Ballroom.

LONGBOAT KEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Members of Longboat Key Turtle Watch presented checks to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium and Save Our Seabirds.

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce raises money for Manatee Children’s Services’ holiday project through its Business After Hours and Networking at Noon events every year via raffles. At the end of the year, it purchases as many $50 gift cards as possible; this year, there was enough for 32 cards. Aside from the raffle funds, members Heather Gaus, Colleen Chamberlain, Ramin and DeeDee Mesghali, Mary Lou Johnson, Peg Pluto, Richard Perlman, Jan Jordan, Dee Dee Fusco, Jeffrey Hapoienu, Yvonne Schloss, Marko Zikovic, Sandy LaRose and E.J. Ledesma donated cards. Manatee Children’s Services had an additional 18 children who had not been adopted for the holiday project, so chamber President Gail Loefgren put out the call for more donations. As of Dec. 8, they had brought in enough for nine more and were keeping donations open until Dec. 13.

All Angels Episcopal Church | 563 Bay Isles Rd

The Center of Jewish Living on Longboat Key

• Indoor worship service this Sunday at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

• Live-stream - go to AllAngelsLBK.org to watch on-line • Zoom service - join meeting number 595-570-1807 • Walk-up Church - listen to the service outside • Drive-in Church - tune your car radio to 107.5

Please join us for Friday Evening Shabbat Services at 7:30pm each week in our Sanctuary, and morning Shabbat service & Torah Study at 10:00 am every Saturday.

Check our website for more information on upcoming events & programs, including the NEW Education Center at TBI offerings!

If you’d like to join our mailing list, send an email to office@tbi-lbk.org to stay up to date!

Due to the rise of Covid cases in our area, we will require masks & encourage social distancing until further notice.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE Friday Dec 24th 5 pm

RABBI STEPHEN L. SNIDERMAN, D.D.

941-383-8161 • www.AllAngelsLBK.org

368184-1

567 Bay Isles Road • Longboat Key, FL

ents as possible for the children of migrant farmworkers in Arcadia.

Every year, the pile grows. The club set up a table at the third annual Light Up Longboat on Nov. 27 and took in unwrapped presents throughout the evening. Between then and the club’s Dec. 7 holiday party, everything was wrapped. Club members loaded more than 200 presents into several “sleighs” (also known as member’s cars).

5 Ways to Worship at All Angels

Temple Beth Israel

941.383.3428 | www.tbi-lbk.org

Nat Kaemmerer

St. Armands Key

LUTHERAN CHURCH

CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP, 12/24 • 5, 7, & 9pm

Holy Communion, Festive Brass & Timpani, and Candlelight at all services Prelude Concert begins 20 minutes before each service Live Streamed Service at 7pm - www.saklc.com/live

An EcumEnicAl church WElcoming All PEoPlE

CHRISTMAS DAY, 12/25 368252-1

9am Worship

LESSONS & CAROLS, 12/26

10am Worship

St. Armands Key Lutheran Church • 40 North Adams Dr., Sarasota, FL • 941.388.1234 • Questions? Contact: michael@saklc.com

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, CATHOLIC CHURCH Would Like to Welcome & Invite You, Your Family Members & Friends to Celebrate Christmas with Our Parish Community

CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE CHAPEL DECEMBER 24TH SERVICES

MASS SCHEDULE Christmas Eve: 5:00 pm & 9:00 pm (Carols at 8:30 pm) Christmas Day: 8:30 am & 10:30 am Sunday, Su nday, 26th, 8:30 am & 10:30 am Daily Mass: 9:00 am

5:00 pm Family Service “Keeping This Christmas” Luke 2:19 7:00 pm Candlelight and Communion “Taking Notes This Christmas” Luke 2:19

6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive admin@longboatislandchapel.org Follow us on Facebook

Longboat Key, Florida 34228 www.longboatislandchapel.org 941-383-6491

Reverend Robert Dziedziak 370265-1

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Featuring a Brass Quintet at Both Services 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228 383-1255 | www.stmarylbk.org

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F

rom decorations to parties, there’s no

DECEMBER 23, 2021

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

Spencer Fordin

Above: Students rehearse in preparation for this year’s holiday show, “Let it Snow.”

Right: Sailor Circus students perform on the dance trapeze during the Holiday Spectacular in 2020.

THE TRADITION

Photo courtesy of Lenore Golden Duensing

CONTINUES

This annual holiday performance is just one way the circus lives on. PAGE 14

Spencer Fordin Photo courtesy of John Jones

Above: Two students rehearse their trapeze performance in preparation for “Let it Snow.”

Left: Sailor Circus students perform on the tramp wall during last year’s performance.

14

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

Sailor Circus Academy returns with ‘Let It Snow’ holiday show SPENCER FORDIN ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

THE CIRCUS EXPERIENCE

“Let It Snow,” which runs 90 minutes plus an intermission, is designed to give the audience the complete circus experience in its brief run time.

Jared Walker, the creative director of the Sailor Circus, says his aim was to design a routine around the skills the performers had learned over the past few months.

Walker, a former actor, joined the Sailor Circus family after performing briefly as a ringmaster.

“I never saw it in my future at all,” Walker says. “But I’ll tell you, it’s been exciting and challenging all at the same time since I’ve been here.

And very fulfilling. I get to do everything that I do in one place.”

That same concept applies to the student performers. The Sailor Circus is a full-fledged magnet school for circus arts, which means that many of the students spend half a day at Sarasota High School and half the day working through their routines. Jennifer Mitchell, the chief operating officer of the Circus Arts

Spencer Fordin

It takes a village of staff, students and volunteers to put on the Sailor Circus’ holiday production, “Let It Snow.”

Conservatory, says that’s unique.

“I often say: ‘If you want to learn the history, go to Ringling Museum.

They have an incredible story to tell you. But if you want to see what’s happening actively in today’s circus, come here,’” Mitchell says. “Ninety percent of the kids go on to college.

They become lawyers and doctors, but we always say that the life lessons and skills they learned here really help them in their career. You can imagine the confidence you build in front of audiences.”

Mitchell’s daughter, Emma Clarke, is one of the students building that confidence. Clarke, a junior in high school, says she’s been participating in the circus activities for about eight years and hopes to make a career out of it. Every day she puts seven hours into her craft while still taking care of her school responsibilities.

“I get here at like 12:30,” Clarke says of her daily routine. “Most of my teachers know that I have a super busy schedule, so they’re a little more lenient with me. And then they come to the show and say, ‘OK, she’s busy.’”

And for some of the students, the path continues even after they’ve graduated.

Lila Watkins, who performs on the straps, suffered a serious knee injury during her senior year of high school

A Meal Makes A Difference.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

For Watkins, much like Clarke and Jacobs, the circus is a family endeavor. Watkins says her dad was a clown with The Ringling Bros. for many years, and she fell in love with circus when her sister enrolled at Sailor Circus. Watkins wasn’t old enough at first, but now that she’s a participant, she says that it’s been everything she hoped it would be.

“It’s athleticism and acting. It’s dance,” she says. “Performing incorporates everything, which is one of the reasons I love it. As a woman in this industry, you’re pushed to be strong and graceful at the same time, which is one of my biggest passions.”

To Give Them the Best Chance at Survival DONATE TODAY AT

Meals On Wheels of Sarasota Serves 250,000 meals annually

and did not get to perform with her peers. And while she recovered from her injury, she refused to leave the circus alone. Watkins, a former acrobat, learned a routine on the straps while she was hurt and fell in love with the new apparatus.

“When I was rehabbing and healing, I couldn’t do anything with my legs. This was just my arms. So I was really thankful to have that introduced to me,” she says. “It’s very different going from a group of 20 to performing by yourself and all eyes on you. I’ll definitely go back and try acrobatics again, but I don’t know if that’s my passion.”

Miguel Vargas, the CAC’s head coach, is responsible for installing those passions and keeping it fun for his young charges. Vargas, a fifthgeneration circus performer and former Cirque du Soleil troupe member, says that he sees himself in his students. Vargas began in the circus at 7 years old and it gave him a career that lasted 35 years.

Vargas, who spent his youth touring from city to city, says Sarasota offers a unique opportunity to both the performers and the audience, who in many cases are growing up together from season to season.

“We always say that if you make it look easy, you’ve definitely honed your craft,” Vargas says. “But it’s also great that the audience members get to see the students grow. They move on from some of the easier disciplines to some of the more advanced ones. And now within the program, most of the students are doing some really high-level skills, so we’re really proud of them for being able to showcase skills that you would see in a professional level circus.”

Jacobs says she’s proud Sailor Circus was able to continue performing during the pandemic with enhanced safety protocols, and she’s excited for her students to see a capacity crowd during their holiday performances.

Taught in the circus arts by her parents and by godmother Margie Geiger, Jacobs wants nothing more than to keep the arts alive for the next generation in the same place she was fortunate enough to learn them.

“Pedro and I, this is our life,” she says. “We’re able to give back to the community through the circus arts.

We put our heads on our pillow at night, and we feel proud of all the hard work. We’ve got great employees and great volunteers. Everybody here believes in the kids and believes in what we’re doing.”

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Mail a check to Meals on Wheels of Sarasota 421 N. Lime Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237 Go Online MealsonWheelsofSarasota.org

By Phone 941.366.6693

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T

he music is blaring, the lights are shining, and the students are performing without a net.

It’s just another day at the Sailor Circus Academy, an institution for seven decades in Sarasota, and a whole array of rehearsals are going on at the same time. There are kids attacking the trapeze, and some others flipping and somersaulting off a trampoline. Soon, some teenagers will take on the Roman Rings in front of one of the world’s greatest practitioners.

Sarasota resident Dolly Jacobs, the co-founder of the Circus Arts Conservatory, has had a lifelong love affair with the circus arts. She’s the daughter of famed performer Lou Jacobs and former model Jean Rockwell, and after spending three decades as a performer, Jacobs is now dedicating her life to passing down the craft she spent her life perfecting.

“They learn camaraderie. They learn respect. They learn hard work pays off,” says Jacobs, a former aerialist. “They learn to encourage their other peers. ... When somebody finally accomplishes a feat, they all get excited. When they do it themselves, you can’t buy or teach that type of accomplishment and that type of pride. They have to earn it.”

Jacobs, speaking during a rehearsal for the Sailor Circus holiday show, “Let It Snow,” can’t help but look back and consider how much things have changed and how they’ve stayed the same. When she was a student, she learned at the Sailor Circus alongside the children of

other circus performers, and it was really a fledgling program without many bells and whistles.

It was born out of expediency, Jacobs says, because a lot of the students were already trying circus skills on their own. Now, decades later, the Sailor Circus is housed in a state-of-the-art facility and is staffed by world class performers.

“It’s much different now,” says Jacobs, who runs the Circus Arts Conservatory with her husband, Pedro Reis.

“We practiced outside, and when we did put up an actual tent, we had sawdust on the ground. We’ve advanced quite a bit since Pedro and I took over. We’ve traveled the world, and we’ve seen other circus schools.”

Reis, born in South Africa, agrees with that assessment.

“Circus has become cool,” he says.

“But it’s still a battle.”

When: 1 and 6 p.m. Dec. 26; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 27-30 Where: Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St. Tickets: $20-$35 Info: Visit CircusArts.org.

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The Sarasota tradition of returns for another holiday show headlined by student performers.

IF YOU GO

(941) (941) 894-6747 894-6747

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

15

REVIEWS

HOLIDAYS at the Van Wezel

Photo courtesy of Frank Atura

Victoria Hulland, Dierdre Miles Burger and Ricardo Rhodes in Sir Peter Wright’s “Giselle”

‘Giselle’ delivers the drama SARA RACHON DANCE CRITIC

“G

iselle” is one of the world’s oldest and most-performed ballets across the globe, originally choreographed by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot. The Sarasota Ballet returned to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall stage with Sir Peter Wright’s version Dec. 17-19.

“Giselle” is a two-act romance that tells the story of a young peasant girl (Giselle) who falls for a flirtatious aristocrat (Albrecht). After learning that he has deceived her, the fragile Giselle goes mad and dies. She joins the afterlife and becomes one of the Wilis, the ghost spirits who died after being betrayed by their lovers.

They force the men who deceived them to dance until exhausted.

Wright’s version is the perfect blend of dance and drama.

Victoria Hulland reprised the coveted title role on opening night, her debut more than 10 years ago (also the Sarasota Ballet’s debut of this version). From the moment she entered in Act 1, she dominated the stage with the perfect fusion of technical maturity and artistic nuance.

She is innocent and darling as she falls in love with Ricardo Rhodes’s

Albrecht, and her mad scene is hauntingly realistic.

Hulland and Rhodes were a fine match as he wooed her in Act 1 and partnered her gently in Act 2. Solo sections for the principles throughout the ballet are some of the most technically challenging, yet Hulland and Rhodes tackled them with ease.

One of the highlights in Wright’s version is the peasant pas de six, traditionally choreographed as a pas de deux. The three couples brought an abundance of energy in the first act.

Arcadian Broad and Yuki Nonaka were virtuoso and in sync in the male duet, and Marijana Dominis was gorgeous throughout. Ricki Bertoni portrayed Hilarion, the local forester who is also in love with Giselle, with anguish and attack. Dierdre Miles Burger was tender in the smaller but important role of Berthe, Giselle’s mother. The ensemble sections — the lively peasant dances in Act 1 and the serene Wilis in Act 2 — were meticulous.

The vivacious performance on stage was accompanied perfectly by the Sarasota Orchestra, conducted

by Jared Oaks, a guest conductor and the music director at Ballet West. Aaron Muhl exquisitely lit the detailed sets and costumes, supervised by Doug Nicholson.

A Spectacular Celebration with Singers, Dancers and Full Orchestra!

MON, JAN 3 • 7PM SPONSOR: WUSF Public Media

Winner of four Grammy Awards® and recipient of the U.S. National Medal of Arts, Renée Fleming has sung for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony and the Diamond Jubilee Concert for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

WED, JAN 5 • 8PM SPONSOR: WUSF Public Media

The Lovin’ Feelin’ is back as blue-eyed soul pioneers The Righteous Brothers return to the Van Wezel!

Original Brother Bill Medley is joined by Bucky Heard in a concert experience that features their biggest hits, including the most played song in radio history: “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.”

Something for everyone

SUN, JAN 16 • 7PM

Jan. 7, 2022 TUE, JAN 25 • 7:30PM WED, JAN 26 • 1:30PM & 7:30PM LOCAL SPONSORS: Wilde Lexus Sarasota and ABC7

TICKETS & PRESHOW DINING

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

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YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

THIS WEEK THURSDAY

‘HAIR’ 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. at 5555 N. Tamiami Trail $32-$93 Visit AsoloRep.org.

MONTY FRANKLIN 7 p.m. at McCurdy’s Comedy, 1923 Ringling Blvd. $25 Visit McCurdysComedy.com.

Franklin, an Aussie stand-up comic and a co-star of the upcoming film “The Great Emu War,” takes over McCurdy’s in the final week of 2021. Franklin, who has been part of TV shows including “New Girl” and “Real Rob,” has headlined the Melbourne International Comedy Festival multiple times.

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ 7:30 p.m. at Studio 1130, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail $36.50 Visit ThePlayers.org.

‘LET IT SNOW’ 1 and 6 p.m. at Sailor Circus Arena, 2075 Bahia Vista St. $15-$30 Visit CircusArts.org.

They’ve been training for weeks, and for 10 shows, the performers at the nation’s longest-running youth circus are ready to blow your mind. The students, who range in age from 8 to 18, will put on a full show complete with tumbling, trapeze, trampoline artists, contortionists and much, much more.

Runs through Dec. 30.

MONDAY

‘JOYFUL! JOYFUL!’ 7:30 p.m. at 1012 N. Orange Ave. $50; students and military $20 Visit WestcoastBlackTheatre.org.

RHODNIE DÉSIR: ‘CONVERSATIONS’ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Road Free with admission Visit Ringling.org.

Nate Jacobs and Donald Frison have collaborated on this holiday special full of song and dance. Jacobs, the founder and creative director of Westcoast Black Theatre

Désir, a dancer and choreographer, has chased the roots of African and Afro-descendant cultures and rhythms in places as far apart as Martinique, Haiti, Brazil, Canada

SUNDAY

and the U.S. Her inaugural exhibition, “Conversations,” is created in conjunction with other artists and is meant to take the viewer on a journey with Désir in which she places the people and countries she’s visited in a dialogue with each other. Runs through April 3.

DANNER WASHBURN — ‘EFFIGY: HEMRIC’ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail $15; members Free Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.

The artist explores the life and culture of tobacco farmers in North Carolina who endured financial hardship, causing some to abandon the trade and others to sustain their practice through the support of government subsidies. Runs through May 8.

WEDNESDAY AL FULLER’S FAMOUS BLUES JAM 7:30 p.m. at the Blue Rooster, 1525 Fourth St. $5 Visit BlueRoosterSRQ.com.

Al Fuller has been playing his blues jam for more than two decades, and he’ll be supported by drummer Rich MacDonald and bassist Barry Sykes at the Blue Rooster.

JAZZ AT TWO: SCHOLARSHIP CONCERT 2-4 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church, 3975 Fruitville Road $20; members $10 Visit JazzClubSarasota.org.

DON’T MISS

‘THE ROCKET MAN SHOW’ It might be a long, long time before you get to see this show again. Rus Anderson brings his popular Elton John tribute show to Venice and briefly steals the famed rock star’s signature tunes and fashion. Prepare for an out-ofbody experience as Anderson pulls off the feat of playing one of rock’s most inimitable performers.

IF YOU GO When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29-31 Where: Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave., Venice Tickets: $58-$68 Info: VeniceTheatre.org

The Jazz Club of Sarasota presents a group of 2021 scholarship winners backed by a local trio. Jazz at Two is normally held on Fridays, but this performance was moved to not conflict with New Year’s Eve.

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Bring in the holidays with Ebenezer Scrooge. Jim Floyd plays more than 20 characters, including the famous curmudgeon Scrooge, in this one-man adaptation of Charles Dickens’ famous holiday tale. The play, adapted by Greg Oliver Bodine, represents the final performance of the year for The Players Centre for Performing Arts.

Dig out your tie-dye shirts and peace symbol necklaces, and prepare yourself for Asolo Rep’s premiere of this iconic production, billed as “The American tribal loverock musical.” It’s well known for its take on hippie counterculture and the sexual revolution of the 1970s, and its music has risen to anthemlevel for the times. Tap into your rebellious side and view the “Age of Aquarius” through a group of bohemian draft-dodgers living it up in New York City, complete with anti-war rhetoric, drug exploration and a much-talked-about nude scene. Runs through Jan. 1.

Troupe, wanted “Joyful! Joyful!” to be an expression of his jubilation of being alive. Frison choreographed the show, which features music from several different eras and dance styles. Jacobs and Frison say that the show is like their Christmas card to the community.

Songs include “African Drummer Boy,” “Carol of the Bells” and “Hallelujah Chorus.” “Joyful! Joyful!” will run through Dec. 30 before the troupe hits reset in 2022.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

20TH ANNIVERSARY GALA Sunday, Dec. 12, at Michael’s On East | Benefiting Designing Women Boutique Above: Honorees Dr. Lisa Merritt, Lee-En Chung and Linda DiGabriele Below: Jocelyn Udell and Marlo Turner

Above: Anthony Holds and emcee Savannah Holds Below: President Ida Zito and co-Founder Margaret Wise

Photos by Harry Sayer

T

he Designing Women Boutique honored local exemplary women during its 20th anniversary gala Dec. 12 at Michael’s On East.

The organization’s 2021 gala had hundreds of guests meeting at Michael’s for an afternoon of mingling and fun. Designing Women Boutique supports the arts through selling donated and consigned designer fashion as well as hosting fundraising events.

Guests caught up and had drinks and snacks before heading into the ballroom for the program to begin. This year’s event honored Dr. Lisa Merritt, engineer and entrepreneur Lee-En Chung, and Asolo Repertory Theatre Managing Director Linda DiGabriele for their years of work in their respective fields.

The night included a paddle raise to benefit the Make A Wish Foundation as well as jazzy music sung by mistress of ceremonies Savannah Holds as well as Diana Houston.

Lauren Walsh

—HARRY SAYER

W ON NO LE

SA

!

The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical Book and lyrics by

GEROME RAGNI & JAMES RADO

JAN 12 – MAR 26 BY THORNTON WILDER | DIRECTED BY DESDEMONA CHIANG

Music by

GALT MACDERMOT

Directed and Choreographed by

JOSH RHODES

colorful and evocative

— SARASOTA HERALD-TRIBUNE

NOW – JAN 1

Artwork created by Manuel Gonzalez Ruiz & Mago Atelier

vivid direction and choreography

by Josh Rhodes

JAN 19 – APR 1 BY BESS WOHL | DIRECTED BY CELINE ROSENTHAL

FEB 9 – APR 2 BY LAUREN YEE | DIRECTED BY VANESSA STALLING

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A S O L O R E P E R T O RY T H E AT R E

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

Investors Luncheon Thursday Dec. 9, at Michael’s on the Bay Benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters

B

ig Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast celebrated its mentors, mentees and supporters at its Investors Luncheon on Dec. 9 at Michael’s on the Bay at Selby Gardens.

Guests mingled in the event space overlooking the bay before sitting down for the program hosted by mistress of ceremonies Emily Kinzer. President and CEO Joy Mahler welcomed the audience and spoke before having several Big Brother and Big Sister mentors and their mentees speak about how the program has benefited them.

Photos by Harry Sayer

Above: Toyan Scott and Krissy Cassidy Below: Rayne Estrada and Anthony Baldo

Above: CEO and President Jessica Hays with Mary Ellen Mancini Left: Tina McGovern, Sandy Fulkerson and Bonnie Van Overbeke

—HARRY SAYER

Holiday Luncheon Wednesday, Dec. 8, at Michael’s On East Benefiting SPARCC

S Photos by Harry Sayer

Co-chairwomen Maggie Shaw and Andrea Andrus

Ross Alander, Poppy Rosano, Jay Kasmark, and President and CEO Joy Mahler

PARCC CEO Jessica Hays was expecting a decent crowd for her group’s annual Holiday Luncheon at Michael’s On East — maybe around 200 people, as it had been at its peak in the past.

What she didn’t expect was the final number. Around 240 supporters gathered at the luncheon, all with presents to donate to the organization’s Holiday Toy Store for people in need. The annual luncheon started with a social hour that went into lunch where Hays thanked the audience for attending.

The audience enjoyed entertainment from Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe during the afternoon.

—HARRY SAYER

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Classifieds 30 Games 29 Real Estate 27 Weather 29

DECEMBER 23, 2021

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Above: Longboat Island Chapel started a new Christmas in the Garden tradition with Rev. Brock Patterson this year.

Left: Christmas trees returned to the altar at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.

SO, THIS IS

CHRISTMAS NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER

E

very hour on the hour on Christmas Eve in 2020, St. Armands Key Lutheran Church’s Rev. Ken Blyth ran from one abbreviated service to the next. To allow for social distancing in the middle of the pandemic, church conducted eight services in the sanctuary and fellowship hall.

“Me, Michael (Bodnyk, music director,) and the choral scholars would run down the hallways into the other room with 10 minutes to spare to start worship in the other space,” Blyth said. “To be able to have a worship service in the sanctuary and know that we don’t have to keep looking at our watches to make sure we’re at or under 45 minutes, to be able to do a service the way people want it to be done, to end each worship service … with a candle in hand when the lights get dim and we sing ‘Silent Night’ … and to look out over a sea of faces that are lit only by the candles and see people smile or cry a little, that’s the highlight of the year for me.”

Last year, worshippers made reservations to visit their churches on Christmas Eve. Singing was tamped down. Churchgoers made their way quickly out the door when service was over, and church leaders couldn’t linger. There were few pats on the back, hugs from friends, reunions with visiting family. In 2020, Christmas felt different. Although things are still different, 2021 is shaping up

to be somewhat of a return to Christmas as usual.

“You don’t realize how important those things are until you can’t do them,” Blyth said. “I like to think that last year, in all the very different things we did and the different ways we did it, that people still had a meaningful worship service, they still had the Christmas story, they still entered into the gospel, and they still shared the peace of Christ. But all the things we had to leave out or trim or cut short or not do at all, this year, we can do them. Even though they may be small things, and they all amount to big things.”

There are a few things that have changed across the board. Churches recommend that worshippers wear masks, even though there are no mandates, and sanitizer now sits alongside Bibles in pews. There’s some peace of mind thanks to the high vaccination rate on the island, too. Churches are now livestreaming their services, and everyone is looking to improve their video quality and bring church to everyone in a world that’s always going to be different post-pandemic. Last year at All Angels, Rev. Dave Marshall kept the doors open and saw people come up to worship while outdoors.

“It was kind of magical to be out there with the lights, and then, of course, the weather was perfect,” Marshall said. “Our folks have been very resilient and very generous. We will always have online services, we will always have our outdoor speakers, and people can walk up and hear the service. Four or five years down the road when this is just a horrible memory, we will still be doing all of these things, just because that’s who we are.”

Longboat Island Chapel’s Rev.

WHEN AND WHERE For a list of holiday worship services on Longboat Key and St. Armands Circle, check out our calendar. See Page 20.

Brock Patterson and St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church’s Rev. Robert Dziedziak will be experiencing their second Christmas on the island. It’ll bring marked changes to how things were last year, and neither really knows what to expect.

Dziedziak knows that things are still a bit impacted by COVID-19, but he’s focusing on finding joy and peace with his congregants whom he’s gotten to know over the past year through his humor and messages at Mass.

“It’s difficult to know what to expect, but this is a season of joy,” Dziedziak said. “We’re leaving behind what was not so pleasant.

We’re going to let it go and move toward a better future. … We’re not there yet, but it’s not as bad as it was.”

Patterson has seen attendance increase dramatically in the past three or four months, a far cry from the sparsely attended Christmas Eve services in 2020. There are a lot of congregants he didn’t meet yet, and Patterson said he has enjoyed watching reunions, meeting new people and seeing more smiles again. He’s seen more joy and — perhaps relatedly — more Christmas decorations around the island.

“It really turned, and people started wanting to do stuff that they normally do, like plan holiday events like they normally do,” Patterson said.

“So we have been having events all the time. And of course we’ve got the (Christmas in the Garden), and that’s

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

outside, but it’s just full of people every night. Seeing the excitement that people have, it was just a very different environment than when I arrived down here.”

There will be some reunions that feel like brand-new meetings as Canadian and European congregants return and vulnerable members return with the peace of mind of the vaccine.

“This year, we have a lot of things to be thankful for, and I’ve noticed that Thanksgiving has passed, but the feeling of Thanksgiving is continuing, and I know that it will be continuing through the Christmas season,” Marshall said. “There are parishioners I haven’t seen in almost two years, and I’m giving thanks when I see them. … There’s just this really big sense of being thankful to be together and to be healthy.”

Longboat Island Chapel is hoping to have more attendees at its services this year.

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Churches plan for a return to some normalcy, though things are forever changed by the pandemic.

YOUR CALENDAR

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

BEST BET FRIDAY, DEC. 31

NEW YEAR’S EVE PINEAPPLE DROP PARTY Ring in the new year in downtown Sarasota with live music, food, drinks and fireworks. The party starts at 1 p.m. at Five Points Park in downtown Sarasota, and the live music will be at Lemon and Main Street. The party will go late into the night, ending with fireworks over Sarasota Bay. Visit the Facebook page, Sarasota New Year’s Eve Pineapple Drop Party, for information.

File photo File photo

TUESDAY, DEC. 28

LONGBOAT KEY BEACH YOGA From 9-10 a.m. at the public beach access at 100 Broadway St. on Longboat Key, join for a beach yoga class.

A $10 donation is recommended.

RECURRING EVENTS MONDAYS

STRETCH & STRENGTHEN From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Focus is on strength-training and flexibility for balance. Suzy Brenner leads the class. Fee is $10. Walk-ins welcome.

Call 383-6493.

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY

MUSCLES AND MORE WITH ANN ALVIS From 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 GMD, use strength equipment to build flexibility, endurance and balance.

This class welcomes everyone and focuses on proper lifting technique.

Class is $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers. Visit LongboatKey. org for information.

TUESDAYS

THINKING OUT LOUD: TIMELY TOPICS WITH MIKE KARP From 1-2:30 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Topics will include U.S. and world current affairs, popular culture and topics relevant to seniors. Cost is $10.

Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

be a half-price sale on the library’s collection of used books every Wednesday. Call 383-2011.

QI GONG From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Qi gong is a mind-body-spirit practice designed to improve mental and physical health. Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $10. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

LONGBOAT LIBRARY The Longboat Library is open again from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visit the library at 555 Bay Isles Road. There will also

HULA From 11 a.m. to noon at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Join Debby White for a hula class. Cost is $10. Call 383-6493.

WORSHIP CALENDAR ST. ARMANDS KEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

n Christmas Eve services will be held at 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Each service will have Festive Brass and Timpani performances and Holy Communion. The 7 p.m. service will be livestreamed at SAKLC.com/live or on the church’s Facebook page. n Christmas Day worship service is at 9 a.m. n There will be a Sunday after Christmas service with lessons and carols at 10 a.m. The normal Sunday worship schedule will resume on Jan. 2. n Masks are highly recommended.

For information call 388-1234.

ALL ANGELS BY THE SEA EPISCOPAL CHURCH

n Christmas Eve services will be held at 5 p.m. Visit RevDavidMarshall.com for livestream links. n Masks are highly recommended.

For information call 383-8161.

ST. MARY, STAR OF THE SEA, CATHOLIC CHURCH

and 9 p.m. with Christmas carols at 8:30. n Christmas Day services are at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. n New Year’s Eve vigil mass is at 3:30 p.m. n New Year’s Day services are at 9 a.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. n Masks and sanitizer are available.

Call 383-1255 for information.

St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church’s nativity

LONGBOAT ISLAND CHAPEL

n Christmas Eve services will be held at 5 and 7 p.m. Visit LongboatIslandChapel.org to livestream. n Unvaccinated guests are asked to wear masks. There is a section set aside for those who wish to social distance. For information call 3836491.

CHRIST CHURCH OF LONGBOAT KEY

n Christmas Eve service is at 5:30 p.m. Visit ChristChurchOfLBK.org to livestream. n Masks are optional. For information, call 383-8833.

n Christmas Eve services are at 5

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Longboat Harbour Condominium hosts annual Lighting of the Docks ceremony

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Longboat Harbour raised $5,280 for Toys for Tots, said condo commodore Bill Coughlin.

MARK BERGIN

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STAFF WRITER

The Longboat Harbour Condominium complex hosted its annual Lighting of the Docks ceremony Dec. 4.

The ceremony raised $5,280 for Toys for Tots, according to condo commodore Bill Coughlin. The condo’s previous record contribution was $2,635.

“I’m an old coach, so everything’s winning and losing with me, so I have to beat last year,” Coughlin said. “‘We got to get more lights than last year.’ ‘We got to raise more money than last year.’ And we did.”

Longboat Harbour residents take pride in their annual contest to see which of the condo’s 53 docks has the best holiday lights setup.

“It was the best ever,” Coughlin said. “(We had) perfect weather. We had about 100 people.”

Coughlin said the community takes pride in the friendly competition.

“We’re all trying to beat each other with the decorations, so it’s fun,” he said. “All week, we’re spying on each other, and then I’m badgering them

to give money to Toys for Tots.”

Coughlin had great joy describing the festivities of the beloved ceremony.

“You have Santa Claus on the golf cart, and I’m in the front golf cart with the two evaluators,” Coughlin said.

Coughlin said many of the residents in the community are graduates of Big Ten schools in the Midwest.

The two judges of the docks are retired professors: Darlene Sedlock from Purdue University and Linda Beekman from the University of Michigan.

“One of the guys who won, (Dale Mackovjak), he’s a University of Michigan (graduate),” Coughlin said.

“I said, ‘Yeah, that’s because one the judges was (from the) University of Michigan.’”

The five first-place winners received $100 Lazy Lobster gift certificates. The five second-place winners received $25 gift certificates.

Coughlin, who is a Michigan State graduate, takes pride in his setup with green lights.

“Everybody gets a bottle of wine if they decorate the dock, but I was not top 10,” Coughlin said. “And that lets you know how good the docks were because my dock is gorgeous, and it’s not like I deserve to be top 10.

“There were 10 better than me.

That’s how good they are.”

Commodore Bill Coughlin donates the $5,280 check to Toys for Tots Coordinator Jim Lamb. On the seawall, Frank Degregorio and Igor Solovyev are also pictured.

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Covered balcony for relaxing beachside. Beachside heated pool and a long stretch of beach dotted with tiki huts and lounge chairs. Resort-like amenities.

SARASOTA PENTHOUSE Downtown Ritz Carlton 3BR Ensuite Residence.

Magnificent 4,276 sf open floor plan. Spectacular views. World class amenities. $5,875,000

$1,895,000

HOLMES BEACH ISLAND PARADISE Gulf front. Furnished 3BD/2BA open plan in this six unit complex with great rental opportunities. $1,125,000

Developers Realty Inc. Lic. Real Estate Broker

www.ReidMurphy.com

595 Bay Isles Road Longboat Key, FL 34228

368135-1

CALL REID TODAY! | 941.232.3304

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

THE LONGBOAT KEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Savor the Sounds Sou nds the or Sav Savor the Sounds Musical Series

Iris White and Nancy Kryway admire the decorated trees.

Gulfshore wonderland takes shape indoors this season

Concert

A pair of Gulfshore residents got the ball rolling on Christmas decorations.

Presented by

NAT KAEMMERER

Returns to Longboat Key! Longboat Key • 2020

STAFF WRITER

There’s a winter wonderland at Gulfshore — complete with snow. Community decorators Nancy Kryway and Iris White wouldn’t have it any other way.

Last year, the Gulfshore gang tried to give the whole neighborhood an extra dose of Christmas cheer during the pandemic. Their clubhouse was also undergoing renovations after Hurricane Eta, so instead of decorating indoors like they always do, Kryway and White took their decorations outside. There were trees on the dock and extra decor near the pool.

“But the issue was the wind,” Kryway said.

“Every morning I’d go out, and the trees would have fallen, and we’d have to redo the wires,” White said. “I thought, ‘I couldn’t do that again.’”

So this year they spent two weeks putting up an indoor grove of Christmas trees, complete with a Santa Claus in the corner. It was up for their community Christmas party, and they’ll keep it up until New Year’s. There’s even a wedding in there on Dec. 29 that will be festive, too. So far, they said, residents have enjoyed their work.

“This is creative, so it’s nice just seeing people’s reactions,” Kryway said. “This year there have been lots of emotive reactions.”

White has been the social director for years and always helped mainte-

Saturday, January 22nd

DOUG DEMING AND THE JEWEL TONES 5:30 pm - 7 pm (Gates open at 4:30 pm) 600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key

Saturday, February 19th

KETTLE OF FISH 5:30 pm - 7 pm (Gates open at 4:30 pm) 600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key

Saturday, March 19th

SHANTEL NORMAN and the SHANTEL NORMAN BAND 5:30 pm - 7 pm (Gates open at 4:30 pm) 600 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key

Come out and “Savor the Sounds,” and enjoy an elegant, yet casual, outdoor picnic setting.

BYOPB! Bring a picnic basket and blanket.

(Lawn chairs, tables and coolers are welcome.)

Photos by Nat Kaemmerer

nance put up the wreaths around the rest of the park, and she got Kryway to join several years ago.

“When you get to working together, you add a little of this, a little of that,” White said. “You just have to quit at some point. We could keep this up forever.”

Kryway and White collect decorations throughout the year. Kryway lives in Indiana during the summer and visited the annual Monroe County History Center’s garage sale to stock up. She found an entire collection of Bradford Exchange ornaments — specifically, the Under the Sea collection from 2001 — there and brought them back to decorate the big tree.

“All the decorations were almost an extra vehicle,” Kryway said. “Santa came from there, too, and we sat him in the backseat. When we’d stop at gas stations, people would see him and laugh.”

For all their Christmas prowess, Kryway and White are hanging up the holly after this year. They hope they’ve inspired others, though.

“This is our last hurrah,” White said.

The big tree in the clubhouse is decorated with thrifted Bradford Exchange ornaments.

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24

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

25

Jeff Rhinelander Courtney Tarantino

BIRD KEY

394 BOB WHITE DRIVE | ACTIVE LISTING $5,295,000

BIRD KEY

605 WILD TURKEY LANE | ACTIVE LISTING $1,850,000

UNIVERSITY PARK

BIRD KEY

6426 ADDINGTON PLACE | ACTIVE LISTING $550,000

526 BIRD KEY DRIVE | PENDING $2,395,000

BIRD KEY

465 EAST ROYAL FLAMINGO DRIVE | SOLD $2,500,000 BUYER AND SELLER REPRESENTED

BIRD KEY

518 BIRD KEY DRIVE | SOLD $1,550,000 BUYER AND SELLER REPRESENTED

THE KOY GROUP Over $100,000,000 closed and pending transactions in 2021

443F John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236 | 595 Bay Isles Road, #250, Longboat Key, FL 34228

370886-1

941.387.1824

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

SARASOTA 66 N Washington Drive 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 4,983 Sq. Ft. Kristina Waskom 941-266-8658 A4519666 $10,900,000

SARASOTA 345 S Polk Drive 5 Beds 5/2 Baths 4,991 Sq. Ft. Barbara May & Fred Sassen 404-822-9264 A4515494 $6,250,000

SARASOTA The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Residences, Penthouse 1701 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 4,951 Sq. Ft. Beth Afflebach & Joan Dickinson 941-737-1756 A4499645 $5,795,000

LONGBOAT KEY 25 Lighthouse Point Drive 4 Beds 6/1 Baths 6,025 Sq. Ft. Sherri Mills 941-350-7112 A4503359 $5,200,000

SARASOTA 473 Partridge Circle 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,226 Sq. Ft. Drew Russell 941-993-3739 A4511642 $3,095,000

SARASOTA 500 S Palm Avenue 101 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,830 Sq. Ft. Marybeth Flynn 941-704-1477 A4517329 $3,000,000

LONGBOAT KEY 647 Marbury Lane 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 2,651 Sq. Ft. Sandi Layfield 941-914-2807 A4503569 $1,599,000

LONGBOAT KEY 3010 Grand Bay Boulevard 445 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,143 Sq. Ft. Mel & Jan Goldsmith 941-356-6673 A4520071 $1,495,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1445 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 303 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,982 Sq. Ft. Jonathan Fox & Susan Fox, PA 941-544-6649 A4515949 $1,330,000

UNIVERSITY PARK 7003 Lancaster Court 4 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,439 Sq. Ft. Robert Krasow 617-840-1181 A4515333 $1,299,000

BRADENTON 10012 Kingfisher Road E 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,473 Sq. Ft. Ken Kavanaugh, Jr & Maureen Horn 941-799-1943 A4516775 $1,295,000

ANNA MARIA ISLAND 231 64th Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,206 Sq. Ft. Hannah Hillyard & George Myers 941-744-7358 A4518052 $1,050,000

LONGBOAT KEY 100 Sands Point Road 323 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,941 Sq. Ft. Peter Salefsky & Rachelle Golden 941-724-5107 A4517962 $995,000

LONGBOAT KEY 656 Tarawitt Drive 10,799 Sq. Ft. Ian Addy, PA & Gail Wittig 941-961-8850 A4518192 $950,000

PALMETTO 610 16th Avenue E 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,957 Sq. Ft. Rachelle Golden 941-538-8998 A4514336 $899,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1701 Gulf Of Mexico Drive 207 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,551 Sq. Ft. Brigitte Von Kessel 941-266-2174 A4519006 $895,000

SARASOTA 1039 23rd Street 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,513 Sq. Ft. Maureen Doherty & Patrick Doherty 941-993-3159 A4519506 $799,000

BRADENTON 3912 Plumosa Terrace Street W 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,679 Sq. Ft. Pam Goodwin & Fran DeDona 941-812-0754 A4517658 $790,000

LONGBOAT KEY 3808 Gulf Of Mexico Drive E212 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,544 Sq. Ft. Jodene Moneuse 941-302-4913 A4517938 $710,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4410 Exeter Drive K205 2 Beds 2 Baths 992 Sq. Ft. Malihe Karimi 941-376-5099 A4519064 $595,000

BRADENTON 3440 Wild Oak Bay Boulevard 127 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,596 Sq. Ft. Lynne Callahan 941-720-3278 A4519276 $525,000

SARASOTA 2912 Pinecrest Way 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,571 Sq. Ft. Emily Evans 941-920-8787 A4518351 $475,000

SARASOTA 101 S Gulfstream Avenue 15B 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,320 Sq. Ft. Tracy Jones 941-376-3405 A4518516 $470,000

BRADENTON 5155 San Palermo Drive 4 Beds 2/1 Baths 1,997 Sq. Ft. Rachelle Golden 941-538-8998 A4515613 $439,000

BRADENTON 112 65th Street Court NW 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,648 Sq. Ft. Leah Secondo 941-545-4430 A4518913 $349,000

LONGBOAT KEY 70 Lighthouse Point Drive 4 Beds 5/2 Baths 4,979 Sq. Ft. Linda Driggs & Sara Boudarga 941-374-2920 A4518073 $8,500,000

SARASOTA 483 Meadow Lark Drive 4 Beds 3/2 Baths 5,468 Sq. Ft. The Walter Group 941-232-2000 A4510572 $6,850,000

SARASOTA 162 Emerson Drive Nora Johnson & Klaus Lang 941-809-1700 A4519917 $6,490,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM

357402-1

26

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

DEC. 6-10

square feet of living area. It sold for $1.43 million in 2008.

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

A

condominium in Positano tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. Sigeva Holdings LLC sold the Unit 101 condominium at 4955 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Denise Anne Macneil, of Ontario, Canada, for $4.1 million. Built in 2007, it has three bedrooms, threeand-a-half baths, a pool and 3,122 square feet of living area.

THE BEACH RESIDENCES

Donald and Sharon Tomnitz, of Dallas, sold their Unit 402 condominium at 1300 Benjamin Franklin Drive to JEDTOM LP for $3 million.

Built in 2005, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,964 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.3 million in 2010.

GRAND BAY

Paul and Amy Lidsky, of Bird Key, sold their Unit 294 condominium at 3040 Grand Bay Blvd. to Robert and Hillary Pease, of West Hartford, Connecticut, for $1.8 million. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 2,369 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.05 million in 2014.

QUEEN’S HARBOUR

Stephen Rhodes, of Ontario, Canada, sold his home at 3553 Fair Oaks Lane to John and Michelle Cottrell, of Ontario, Canada, for $1.6 million.

Built in 1995, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,976 square feet of living area. It sold for $869,500 in 2003.

L’ELEGANCE ON LIDO BEACH

Lido Keys Investments Ltd. sold the Unit A-702 condominium at 1800 Benjamin Franklin Drive to John and Maria Kane, of Harbor Springs, Michigan, for $1.46 million. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,980

27

REAL ESTATE

Positano condo unit sells for $4.1 million

|

ST. ARMANDS TOWERS NORTH

Thomas Shetter and Elizabeth Shetter, of Ponte Vedra Beach, sold their Unit 123 condominium at 1 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Michael and Maureen Guirguis, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, for $1.26 million. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,389 square feet of living area. It sold for $860,000 in 2020.

WENDY

Kenneth and Carol Weiss, of Bradenton, sold their home at 701 Broadway to DSF Holding LLC for $1.25 million. Built in 1920, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,038 square feet of living area.

It sold for $900,000 in 2008.

LONGBOAT KEY TOWERS

Eric Garwood

Unit 101 condominium at Positano, at 4955 Gulf of Mexico Drive, was built in 2007. It has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,122 square feet of living area.

Frederick Chen, trustee, of Greenwich, Connecticut, sold the Unit N-803 condominium at 603 Longboat Club Road to Thomas and Anne Sharkey, of Moosic, Pennsylvania, for $1.13 million. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,458 square feet of living area. It sold for $382,500 in 1998.

Diane Lynn Finegan, of Inverness, sold their Unit 404 condominium at 2195 Harbourside Drive to Michael Konig, of Longboat Key, for $805,000. Built in 1984, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,906 square feet of living area. It sold for $322,500 in 2017.

LONGBOAT KEY

JSL Coastal LLC sold the home at 691 Broadway to Christopher and Ellen Buckley, of Temple Terrace, for $749,000. Built in 1962, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,189 square feet of living area. It sold for $370,000 in 2018.

John Schaub, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the home at 791 Saint Judes Drive N. to 791 St Jude’s Dr N LLC for $925,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,443 square feet of living area.

It sold for $148,900 in 1999.

LONGBEACH

WINDWARD BAY

Charles and Cathy Robertson, of Venice, sold their Unit 206 condominium at 4600 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Victoria Treadwell, of Carlsbad, California, for $685,000. Built in 1975, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,152 square feet of living area. It sold for $460,000 in 2019.

SPANISH MAIN YACHT CLUB

Shand and Pamela Nicholls, of Nantucket, Massachusetts, sold their Unit 68 condominium at 860 Spanish Drive N. to Philip Bondi Jr. and Ann Renae Bondi, of Longboat Key, for $855,800. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,415 square feet of living area. It sold for $420,000 in 2012.

Philip Bondi Jr., of Longboat Key, sold his Unit 42 condominium at 837 Spanish Drive N. to Charles and Kathleen Kovac, of Benton Harbor, Michigan, for $558,800. Built in 1969, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,368 square feet of living area. It sold for $425,000 in May.

Charles Rooks, of Atlanta, sold the Unit 205 condominium at 4600 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Aspen Assets LLC for $650,000. Built in 1975, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,096 square feet of living area. It sold for $162,000 in 1999.

HARBOUR VILLA CLUB AT THE BUCCANEER

Mary Lou Webster, of Longboat Key, sold the Unit 108 condominium at 615 Dream Island Place to Ann Messer, trustee, of Barrington, Illinois, for $655,000. Built in 1985, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,293 square feet of living area. It sold for $162,000 in 1999.

SARASOTA HARBOUR EAST

James Fortier, trustee, and Robert Fortier, of Powell, Ohio, sold the Unit 6 condominium at 771 John Ringling Blvd. to Carlos Silva, of Douglaston, New York, for $375,000. Built in 1965, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 882 square feet of living area. It sold for $205,000 in 1994.

In with the new SALES GALLERY OPEN

HARBOUR OAKS AT LONGBOAT KEY CLUB

Stephen Edward Finegan Jr. and

TOP BUILDING PERMITS

Longboat Key

These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of Dec. 10-16 in order of dollar amounts.

L O N G B OAT K E Y

The Residences at the St. Regis | 941.213.3300 | From the $2,000,000’s | Call for appointment. SRResidencesLongboatKey.com

ADDRESS 5055 GMD Unit 316

PERMIT Interior alterations

APPLICANT Stacie and Robert Cox

AMOUNT $155,348

619 Bayport Way

Re-roof

Bayport Beach and Tennis

$142,467

3040 Grand Bay Blvd. #291 Electrical

Robert E. Neiman

$136,875

619 Bayport Way

Bayport Beach and Tennis

$107,944

Re-roof

619 Bayport Way

Re-roof

Bayport Beach and Tennis

$91,664

700 Dream Island Road

Spa

Neal Horne

$74,241

619 Bayport Way

Re-roof

Bayport Beach and Tennis

$63,409

561 Norton St.

Seawall

James L. Treonis

$63,014

619 Bayport Way

Re-roof

Bayport Beach and Tennis

$61,622

3451 Bayou Sound

Garage door

Kevin Geary

$61,445

3451 Bayou Sound

Windows and door

Kevin Geary

$61,445

5461 GMD

Windows and door

Kevin S. Smith

$58,211

5861 GMD

Pool, spa, decking,

Longboat Key Property LLC

$52,190

SALES GALLERY NOW OPEN

Downtown St. Petersburg 400 Central | 727.209.7848 | From the $1,000,000’s | Call for appointment. | Residences400central.com

MOVE IN FALL 2022

fence Dock and lift

672 D I R LLC

$48,367

3547 Fair Oaks Lane

Re-roof

James R. Granite

$44,705

3456 Mistletoe Lane

Screen

Michael J. Cramer

$31,138

3522 Fair Oaks Lane

Doors

James Lucerino

$28,478

3441 Bayou Court

Electrical

Richard C. Elias

$26,310

1541 Harbor Cay Lane

Lift, dock, ramp

Joseph J. Hargrove

$26,185

619 Bayport Way

Re-roof

Bayport Beach and Tennis

$24,600

4960 GMD Unit 304

Windows and door

Rosanna White

$23,832

760 Longboat Court

Windows and door

James Lince

$23,645

Robert and Anastasia Gallo

$22,805 $17,558

1050 Longboat Club Road Interior alterations #303 531 Putting Green Lane

Mechanical

Steven, Jacqueline Beringer

7150 Joy St.

Re-roof

Joy Street LLC

$15,600

570 Putting Green Lane

Demo house,

Marterie Family Trust

$14,020

driveway, pool

3040 Grand Bay Blvd. #231 Electrical

Gold Revocable Trust$

$13,000

559 Bayview Drive

Plumbing

Downtown Sarasota

The Collection | 941.232.2868 | From the $2,000,000’s | Call for appointment. | thecollection1335.com

Sales galleries open and available for virtual or in-person presentations.

Virtual home tours | OnDemand local experts | Interactive site and floorplans

559 Bayview LLC

$13,000

3060 Grand Bay Blvd. #174 A/C change-out

Lester J. Mangle

$12,268

WWW.MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM/NEW-HOMES | 844.591.4333 | SARASOTA, FLORIDA

545 Sanctuary Drive #A702 Plumbing

Phyliss M. Barber

$10,907

Prices as of November 2021.

Source: Town of Longboat Key

Licensed Real Estate Broker

357321-1

672 Dream Island Road

28

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

Dear Friends & Neighbors From Our Home To Yours...

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy Healthy Holiday Season and a Magical New Year!

Lori & Elle Lawson Realtor & Intern

Genesis Abascal Closing Coordinator

Lis Vicente

Executive Marketing Assistant

December 23, 2021

Ritz-Carlton Managed Residence LONGBOAT KEY

ISLANDER CLUB

6211 Gulf of Mexico Dr

2295 Gulf of Mexico Dr #55S

Enjoy the Gulf of Mexico as your

Bright and open floor plan with floor-to-ceiling

backyard with this custom designed

hurricane impact glass throughout, wood floors

gulf-front estate. Fall in love with the

in main living area, newer kitchen, and

details and architecture you won’t find

bathrooms. Generous 38ft terrace displaying

anywhere else. 4 bedrooms plus den or

beau-tiful garden views. Olympic sized pool,

5 bedrooms 5 baths. 6-car garage and an

newly upgraded social room and fitness

impressive lower level. Forever sunset

Center . Offered for $788,000 FURNISHED

views await you.Offered at$10,880,000

www.IslanderClub55S.com

www.6211GulfofMexico.com

Judy Kepecz-Hays

941.587.1700

TANGERINE BAY

THE WATER CLUB

THE BEACH RESIDENCES OF LIDO KEY

370 Gulf of Mexico Dr #421

1241 Gulf of Mexico Dr #408

1300 Benjamin Franklin Dr. #809

Bay-front residence at the Ritz-Carlton Managed "The Beach Residences" you will be mesmerized with the views day and night from and the Gulf of Mexico. 3,000 sq. ft. 3 bed this very private casual elegant residence. Walls Tangerine Bay offers! 3 bedroom 3.5 of glass showcasing the beauty of Sarasota Bay bath. Southern exposed corner residence 3 bath and a bonus office room with a Skyline and nature preserve as your backdrop murphy bed.

Enjoy your oversized terrace 2-car garage & 2-small pets welcome. with partial Gulf view. When you step out of perfect for dining al fresco. Two pets welAmenities include guard gate, pool/spa, your private elevator into your 3,352 sq. ft. come. Offered $2,250,000 FURNISHED tennis courts, fitness center, a fishing residence, you're welcomed into a bright open floor plan that offers you 2 bedrooms plus den pier, & day dock. Offered for $1,100,000 www.TheWaterClub408.com or 3 bedrooms. Offered for $2,985,000 www.TangerineBay421.com Enjoy all the comfort of resort-like ameni- Beautifully updated and furnished. This residence offers views of Sarasota Bay ties and the feel of single family living

SELLING LOCAL LUXURY WITH G L O B A L C O N N E C T I O N S

Lori Lawson

$2.3 BILLION IN CAREER SALES

941.735.4385

If you’re thinking of buying or selling, please call us for exceptional service.

371232-1

Judy Kepecz-Hays 941.587.1700

$133 MILLION SOLD Year to Date

Steven Kepecz

941.376.6411

COLDWELL BANKER REALTY

423 St. Armands Circle | Sarasota, FL 34236 595 Bay Isles Road, Suite 250 | Longboat Key, FL 34228 Email: Kepecz@JudyHays.com Website: LongboatKeyLuxury.com

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

SUNRISE / SUNSET

FRIDAY, DEC. 24

High: 72 Low: 61 Chance of rain: 5%

Thursday, Dec. 23 7:17a 5:42p

SATURDAY, DEC. 25 High: 75 Low: 65 Chance of rain: 12%

WEATHER

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST

29

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

|

Sunrise Sunset

Friday, Dec. 24

7:17a

5:42p

Saturday, Dec. 25

7:18a

5:43p

Sunday, Dec. 26

7:18a

5:43p

Monday, Dec. 27

7:19a

5:44p

Tuesday, Dec. 28

7:19a

5:45p

Wednesday, Dec. 29 7:19a

5:45p

MOON PHASES

SUNDAY, DEC. 26 High: 76 Low: 64 Chance of rain: 6%

Jan. 17 Full

Jan. 25 Last

Jan. 31 New

Feb. 8 First

TIDES

Thursday, Dec. 23

Mary Lou Johnson captured this photo of a picturesque sunset on Longboat Key.

Highs Lows 12:57a

4:22p

9:41a

8:12p

Friday, Dec. 24

1:48a

4:53p

10:23a

9:36p

Saturday, Dec. 25

2:49a

5:24p

11:06a

11:09p

Sunday, Dec. 26

4:05a

5:56p

11:50a

—

Monday, Dec. 27

5:40a

6:29p

12:39a

12:34p

Tuesday, Dec. 28

7:27a

7:04p

1:58a

1:18p

Wednesday, Dec. 29

9:10a

7:41p

3:06a

2:00p

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/Weather. All submissions will be entered for the 2021-22 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2022, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

MANASOTA FLOORING INC KARASTAN, MOHAWK, AIRO, SMARTSTRAND, ALL PET 941.748.4679 | Venice

941.493.7441 | www.manasotaonline.com

celebrity cipher

THINK DIFFERENTLY by Gary Larson. Edited by Amanda Rafkin 53 Real doozy 56 Exclamation point part 57 Dec. 24, e.g.

58 2014 MLK biopic 59 Egg drop participant?

DOWN 61 “Te ___” 1 Brand of flavored water 62 Dogs might bury them 2 Like some statistical 64 Some medical profesrelationships sionals (Abbr.)

3 Musician’s booking 66 Peanut butter cup brand 4 What e-cigs don’t 67 Beginning to snow? produce 68 So far 5 Like some salsas and 69 Tasseled hat temperatures 71 Laundry heap, e.g.

6 One-named Irish singer 72 Catholic service 7 Barely make (out) 74 “That’s for sure!”

8 Kraken’s home 76 Parenthetical comments 9 Little one 77 National Pet Rock Day 10 Imitating mo.

11 Bike for a couple 78 Paving goo 12 Avant-garde quality 80 Tease 13 Greek T 81 Lose it 14 Like a stoner’s lava 82 Chicago high rollers? lamp?

83 Tylenol alternative 15 Moral code 85 Narrow passage 16 Bit of gear for catching 86 “L8r g8r!” flies?

87 “Be ___ Guest” 18 ID on an IRS form 89 Part of a batting lineup?

20 Harley-Davidson bike 91 Steal from 21 Part for an actor 92 Org. measuring air 22 Trivial quality 27 “Finding ___” (2003 93 Woolly animal that Pixar film) might spit 30 Foreign correspondent, 95 Hebrew or Arab, e.g. perhaps?

98 Hay there!

31 Scornful look 99 Rung out 33 Prepared to jump out 100 Tennis icon Arthur and yell “Surprise!”

101 Holi celebrant 34 Comedian Philips 103 Second chances 36 Slop holder 106 Have on 38 Sphere 107 Bread for a pastrami 39 Tissue layer sandwich 40 Opposed to 108 Refuse to admit 42 Actively working 110 Hosp. lines 44 Opposite of subtract 111 Totally fill 45 Corn unit 112 Like a 1-1 score 47 Enjoyed some chipsi 115 World Cup cheer mayai 117 Director Ang 48 Silently agree 118 QB’s gains 49 Trail 119 ___ Day (rhyming 50 Double-reeded woodHawaiian celebration) wind 120 Like the name Lily for 51 Like a staticky radio a florist station?

123 The point of church?

124 Impolite 125 Enthusiastic assent 126 Made revisions to

©2021 Universal Uclick

ACROSS 1 World of Warcraft, e.g.

7 Large property 13 They/___ pronouns 17 The “ants” in an “ants on a log” snack 19 ATM feature 20 Country where Twoubadou music originated 21 Like a gravelly-voiced orator?

23 ___ to (should) 24 Word after “photo” or “special” 25 Eric who played McSteamy on “Grey’s Anatomy” 26 Film credits come right after it 28 Response in a game of Battleship, maybe

29 Jumps 32 Word typically ignored when alphabetizing 35 Film critic Siskel 36 Pampering, for short 37 Comedian Cleghorne 38 Kia model now known as the K5 41 “Cats” showstopper 43 Like close-up magic?

46 Arizona desert 49 Dropped in 52 Things that go up the more you down?

54 Because of 55 “All ___!” (train conductor’s shout) 56 The root of all suffering, in Buddhism 59 Embraced 60 Item in a shed

61 Overhead 63 Franklin who’s the subject of the movie “Respect” 65 ___ Majesty 66 Like a comedian on Zoom?

70 Spinning speed meas.

73 Rests atop 75 Track competitions 76 Sarah McLachlan hit hidden in “Glad I asked” 77 Word after “hair” or “Harry” 79 Fake 82 Gallery supporters?

84 Some noblemen 85 C ___ crossword 86 Crashes together 88 Take orders in advance 90 Like furniture at a nudist camp?

94 Cellist Pablo 96 Tree that becomes a “Wicked” song when a “U” is inserted 97 Italian scooter 101 “Psst!”

102 Palm reader, e.g.

104 Sound of shear enjoyment?

105 ___ Park, Colorado 106 Nintendo console 107 Paired Cheetos and Doritos 109 Light spray 113 Ooh and ___ 114 Diplomatic representative 116 Like shoes that come in triple-E sizes?

121 “Skyfall” singer 122 Made up (for)

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“XNONWDN TWSG NWDNWVNXK OBTSNWPN, WTI PSLXBIG LWV IXCN ZNLPN. ... SBRNXLIBTW ACKI PTAN MXTA FBIEBW.” – KLWVXL PBKWNXTK “OMWGNS MB T GMYN GX PTGFNS PXKINW YXYNWGB, NYUTSV JDXW T BNWGMYNWGTK LXJSWNE TWI NWLXE NHNSE MIKN FXJS.” – LXFW UXBONKK “BX YITHID ETI UODC IJITXKEX WIHWZI LYH LHTS YETK, ETI YHRIDC ERK YEJI VRCIPTVCX.”

– DVRPIT UHTKVR DWETSD Puzzle Three Clue: O equals U

crossword

349251-1

941.355.8437 | Bradenton

Puzzle Two Clue G equals T

Sarasota

Puzzle One Clue E equals H

CARPET

© 2021 NEA, Inc.

sudoku Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

©2021 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

12-23-21

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages DEADLINES: Classifieds - Monday at 2PM Service Directory - Friday at 3PM • PAYMENT: Cash, Check or Credit Card The Longboat Observer reserves the right to classify and edit copy, or to reject or cancel an advertisement at any time. Corrections after first insertion only. *All ads are subject to the approval of the Publisher. *It is the responsibility of the party placing any ad for publication in the Longboat Observer to meet all applicable legal requirements in connection with the ad such as compliance with towncodes in first obtaining an occupational license for business, permitted home occupation, or residential rental property.

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

Autos Wanted

MATTRESS TWIN, Brand New, Foam, Firm/Plush Still in Orignal Pkg, $125 941-920-2494

BUY & SELL HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

Pets

TOY AND teacup poodles call or text for more info 941-374-5413

Help Wanted ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Christ Church of Longboat Key seeks a part time administrative assistant to be its primary office presence with communication, secretarial, and clerical duties.

Interpersonal skills, ease with computers and word processing programs required. Reliability, flexibility, and integrity are highly valued. Compensation $25 to $30 per hour. Qualifications to info@christchurchoflbk.org THE BUSINESS OBSERVER newspaper is seeking a fastpaced, detail-oriented Proofreader / Typist for a full-time position in Sarasota, Florida. Hours are 8:30 am- 5 pm, Mon-Fri. The candidate must be able to type at least 75 WPM with great accuracy and proofread typed material and make corrections. Attention to detail is a MUST. Proofreading entails finding errors in the typed print that varies from the original document, not actually editing the documents for errors.

auto

The ideal candidate will have strong computer software and hardware skills. Familiarity with Adobe InDesign and Filemaker Pro is a plus. Florida notary certification is also a plus.

Autos for Sale 2005 S4 Audi Convertible, V8, silver exterior with red/black interior, mint condition, fully loaded, original owner, 34K miles asking $18,000. 941-807-7422

Please email resume and WPM typing speed for immediate consideration. Please also specify your available date to start. *This position must be performed in the office. No remote work is available. *This position comes with paid vacation time off, paid holiday time off, and health benefits Please email your resume to kboothroyd@ businessobserverfl.com

6555 BAYOU Hammock Rd. 5 beds 5 baths 3846 sf 4 car garage, pool, Banyan trees, Bayou front, gated .8 acre Year 1953. lots of potential, Asking $4,500,000 make offer. Open House 12/12/21 from 1-3 pm (941) 879-4730

BUY STUFF HERE!

Call: 941-955-4888 Online: YourObserver.com/RedPages

LONGBOAT KEY: Beachfront Condos, 1st or 2nd floor, 2BR/2BA, W/D in units, free WiFi, heated pool, & parking. Call 941-383-3338.

WEEKLY MONTHLY SEASONAL Rates Beachfront, Bayfront and In Between Houses or Condos

Luxurious Lake Club 4 Bed 4 Bath Built in 2019 Lakefront Lakewood Ranch $2,500,000

Reservations 941-383-5577

Sorrento Shores Waterfront 3 Bed 2 Bath Fantastic Views, New Dock $995,000 Stroll to Siesta Key Beach 4 Bed 2 Bath Heated Pool, 2 Car Garage $799,000 Longboat Key Beach House: on Canal, 2BED-2BATH, Dock.

Owner/agent $530,000.

Call for coming soon listings.

Buy or Sell with Brooke O’Malley as your Realtor, and CLUB REALTY will Pay your title insurance.

Call 941-726-2677.

Adult Care Services

LONGBOAT KEY, BEA CH H ARBO R C LU B AN D B A Y P OR T T EN N I S C LU B FLORIDA : 2 Bedrooms, 2 baths. Over 1600 Square feet.

Ground 1st floor. 75” TV’s, fully upgraded. Monthly annually.

Contact lin44139@yahoo.com or linetsky2021@icloud.com or with desired rental price. Rent various: $6,000/month $8,000/month. Sales tax and fees are included.

YourObserver.com/RedPages

You’re only cheating yourself.

SOLID ROSEWOOD mid-century dining chair with upholstered seat and back. $50 each.

941-264-5266

jobs

ADVERTISE YOUR MERCHANDISE with the total value of all items $200 or less in this section for FREE! Limit 1 ad per month,15 words or less. Price must be included next to each item. No commercial advertising.

Ad runs 2 consecutive weeks in 1 Observer.

Call 941-955-4888 Or Email ad to: classified@yourobserver.com (Please provide your name and address) Or Online at: www.yourobserver.com Or mail to: The Observer Group 1970 Main St. - 3rd Floor Sarasota, Fl 34236

Homes for Sale

15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN

wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com Visa/MC

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

RED PAGES CALL TODAY 941-955-4888 Cleaning CLAUDIA C. Cleaning Services.

Experienced, dependable, and ready to begin!

Residential.

Excellent references.

941-773-6895.

Perfect Solutions For Seniors *Caregivers/Companions *Personal Care * CNA’s/HHA’s

* Assistance with Daily Living Activities * Hourly 24/7 Care -Affordable Rates * Licensed/ Bonded/ Insured

Phone (941) 809-1438 HHA# 299994819

Auto Transport

5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite 101 Longboat Key, FL 34228 Rental office 9a.m. - 5p.m.

M-F Ask about our special rates!

Wagner Realty

AIRPORT RIDES to Tampa, St. Pete., Sarasota from surrounding islands. Super ride, super fares.

Call/text Anna: 941-932-1600 SHIP YOUR car, truck or SUV anywhere in the United States.

Great rates, fast quotes. Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

SELL STUFF HERE!

Since 1939 www.rentalsonlongboat.com

YourObserver.com/RedPages

Cleaning

Painting CARLO DATTILO Painting Licensed & insured. Interior/ Exterior painting including drywall repair and retexturing.

Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing. Residential & commercial, condos. Honest & reliable.

Free estimates. 941-744-1020.

35+ years experience.

Transportation LONGBOAT LIMOUSINE Your local luxury transportation provider since 1994.

New luxury Sedans and SUVs. Fully Licenced and insured.

Call/Text 941-383-1235

CLEANING BY Brazilian Lady.

Meticulous, reliable, deep cleaning specialist. Residential.

Commercial. New Construction.

941-400-2866.

This week’s Crossword answers

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

E-mail: longboatlimousine @yahoo.com

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “Revenge only engenders violence, not clarity and true peace. ... Liberation must come from within.”

Sandra Cisneros Puzzle Two Solution: “Winter is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey and enjoy every idle hour.”

John Boswell Puzzle Three Solution: “My heroes are just everyday people who work hard, are honest and have integrity.”

Singer Jordin Sparks

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2021 NEA, Inc.

Items Under $200

real estate

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

First 15 words ................. $ 17.50 per week Each Add’l word ...... 50¢

peekers’ place

stuff

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

GARAGE SPACE WANTED to rent for vehicle storage on either Longboat Key or Anna Maria Island. Will rent for multiple months, one or two vehicles.

Please send contact information to db@plastomer.com or call Dave at 734-756-9246.

RED PAGES AD RATES

STORAGE FACILITY Boat/ RV/ Trailer. Secure facility, low monthly rentals, Clark Rd area.

941809-3660, 941-809-3662.

WE BUY cars. top $$ paid for your vehicles.

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

BEACH HARBOR Club Gorgeous penthouse condo with access to beach/boat/pool/fitness. 3BR/2BA, 2 large terraces, sunrise/sunset views. $5500/mo in season.

248-202-6865 or 440-623-9068.

We’ll SWEEP you off your feet!

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

home services

RED PAGES

©2021 Universal Uclick

TREASURES FOUND HERE!

TO ADVERTISE CALL 941-955-4888 OR VISIT

YourObserver.com/RedPages

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

Doors

We Buy & Sell Costume Jewelry, Coins, Watches

MIC INSURANCE

“FIX IT - DON’T REPLACE” New Deluxe Rollers Will Make Your Doors Roll Better Than Ever Call Mark 928-2263 proslidingglassdoorrepair.com

Watch Batteries Installed

6842 Gulf of Mexico Dr ive, Longboat Key, FL 34228 941.260.9114 | coolstuff4ulongboat@gmail.com

Auto Service

EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE SOLUTIONS

Our team of professionals provides superior service and expertise for all of your insurance needs.

370257

Gifts and Vintage Jewelry 369152

Insurance

Sliding Glass Door Repair

Cool Stuff 4 U

Mike Mailliard ~ Lacey Weaver Allen Hovis ~ Chloe Gardner Matthew Mailliard ~ Julia McIlrevey Haley Jestings ~ Samantha Ryan Jaimie Simpkins

Dog Grooming

SELL YOUR CAR!

Home • Condo • Auto • Umbrella • Boat • Flood

WE COME TO YOU

595 Bay Isles Rd. Suite 215 941.554.8909 | www.micinsurancefl.com

369067

FAST • EASY • SAFE

941.270.4400

369154

370554

5-Star Rated

HoHoBuysCars.com

Registered member of the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA)

Beauty

Massage Harbour Square 4134 Gulf of Mexico Dr. Suite 208 941-524-9700 SymphonyMassage.com

Furniture Repair

SERVING YOU IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME

Patio Furniture Repairs.com

Open 7 Days a Week | Covered Parking & Elevator Access

Furniture Sales & Repairs Cushions • Slings • Re-powdercoating

941-504-0903

MM40360

Power Washing

370573

370552

31

FREE PICKUP / DELIVERY • FREE ONSITE QUOTES

370574

Antiques/Collectibles

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

|

Pressure Washing

Pressure Washing

Handyman

Naji Aoun

Carpet Cleaning We Are So Thankful for our Customers

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED Dries in hours - not days.

Serving AMI/LBK/Bradenton Area for 25 years

Concrete

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

Screening • Pool Cage Restoration • Rescreening Specialists • Specialty Screens • Paint • Doors and more!

Satisfaction guarantee Satisfaction Guarantee Pool cage Restoration/ Rescreening specialists Manufacture and Workmanship Warranties

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224 369063

| scaperotta@aol.com

RED PAGES Bring Results | 941-955-4888

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression provides safe, gentle & effective relief for upwards of 90% of patients that qualify for care.

941-345-5264

specialty screens / screw replacement / paint

CONCRETE FUSION

Manufacture and workmanship Warranties

Res./Com.

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC University Health Park 2415 University Parkway Bldg. 3, Suite 216 Sarasota, FL 34243

Form Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

The Only Thing You Have To Lose ... Is The Pain!!

Call Bobby • FREE Estimates 319-693-8800 or 941-374-7670

GROW

Roofing

5

$

941-626-3194

senior citizen discount. www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

Purified water window cleaning available!!

369076

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

140

$

SPECIAL 00

• Aluminum, Vinyl, & Wood Soffit & Fascia Repair & Installation • Roofing Repair & Installation • Metal Roofing & Tile Roof Repair Specialists

Call to reserve your ad space: 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

ows

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

Building & Roofing Contractor

Advertise as low as $85 per week.

25

UP TO

STANDARD WINDOWS

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc.

YOUR BUSINESS

Lic./Ins.

w & Pressure Cl indo345-5264 W(941) eani t e s n ng s a S u n u n w r o i s n e k Wind S erly

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES | 941- 284 - 5880

370262

BUZ CORP D/B/A

Windows

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

369064

SIDEWALKS • DRIVEWAYS

Insurance

SECUR-ALL INSURANCE AGENCY

Sandra Smith

| 941.383.3388

510 BAY ISLES ROAD, SUITE 1 • LONGBOAT KEY, FL (Next to SUNTRUST BANK)

CHUBB, AIG, UNIVERSAL, UNITED, SAFECO, PROGRESSIVE, VAULT, FLOOD, WE HAVE YOU COVERED!

369831

370255

941-544-1066 Italian American Owned

Doors and more!

CRACK REPAIR

9 EPLACE Don’t R Concrete d of Goo only 5% when cked! is cra

Health

BEFORE

AFTER

Serving Sarasota/Manatee Area Since 2004

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

941.778.2882 | 941.387.0607 Like Us on Facebook

Honesty, Integrity and Pride

• Roofs • Pool Cages • Decks • Driveways Deck/Paver Sealing• •Decks Gutter• Driveways Cleaning ••Roofs • Pool Cages AndSealing Much•More!

• Deck/Paver And Much More

GladysKhabbaz@gmail.com 805 Molly Circle, Sarasota

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

Carpet cleaning, tile, upholstery and area rug specialist.

#1 in IR REPA c Cra k 5%

CONSTRUCTION HANDYMAN • Home Repairs & Maintenance • Interior & Exterior 941.504.2745 • Garage Floor Paint 941.400.1563 • Power Wash

370260

369996

424-333-0713 | rockstarmobilehair@gmail.com www.rockstarmobilehairsalon.com

370575

AMANDA

LONGBOAT OBSERVER

|

YourObserver.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

ROGER SELLS

LUXURY WATERFRONT PROPERTIES

MORE THAN $200 MILLION CLOSED IN 2021

3060 GRAND BAY BOULEVARD #112

$1,450,000

This beautifully refreshed bayfront residence at the sought-after Grand Bay community overlooks the lush landscape of Harbourside Golf Course, out to the peaceful waters of Sarasota Bay. Fall in love with the move-in ready condition of this 3BR, sun drenched getaway. Offering an open-plan, Biscayne layout adorned with walls of glass sliders that lead out to the spacious wraparound terrace, lovely eatin kitchen and a private master suite. This resort-style neighborhood boasts many first-rate amenities to enjoy, including fitness center, tennis, sundeck with heated swimming pools and spa, wonderful clubhouse activities, plus on-site management and security. Deeded access to the private Bay Isles Beach Club, just a short bike ride away, is the perfect finishing touch.

3731 INDIAN BEACH PLACE

$6,495,000

•

3 Bedrooms. 3 Bathrooms

•

Direct views overlooking the manicured grounds of Harbourside Golf Course and beautiful Sarasota Bay

•

Move right in and immediately enjoy this sunny getaway, close to resort-style amenities

•

Also includes deeded access to private beach

•

www.GrandBay112.com

15111 GADDY UP RANCH ROAD

Built in 2006 with the exceptionally high standards of Triangle Construction, designed with energy efficient and sustainable materials, this 5BR, lavish bayfront residence is the epitome of luxury waterfront living.

The perfect place to escape, with its enviable central location minutes from downtown, verdant gardens protecting the nearly one-acre of property, extensive updates, and a beautifully elaborate interior that is ready for you to immediately begin enjoying.

Country breezes rustling through century old oaks and pines welcome you to this unique, 82.5-acre property known as the Gaddy Up Ranch.

Located in Sarasota County, nearby to Myakka River State Park, this Gentleman’s Ranch is a quiet, private retreat, while still being close to the cultural lifestyle and fine dining amenities of Sarasota. Offering newer structures, 6-stall horse barn, underground electric, deep-water well and space to build your own family compound.

www.3731IndianBeach.com

www.GaddyUpRanchSRQ.com

1241 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #805

$1,899,000

4725 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #208

$650,000

$4,895,000

3804 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #B106

Sparkling views of Gulf waters that stretch out to the bay and city are the star of the show as soon as you enter this 8th-floor Water Club residence, located on the quiet side of the South Building.

Immediately start enjoying this lovely resort-style residence at Sand Cay, located directly on the Gulf shores of Longboat Key. Boasting weekly rental options (3-day minimum).

This lovely beach-to-bay getaway is conveniently located just a few sunny steps from beautiful Gulf beach shores of Longboat Key. Ready to enjoy as a place to escape or as a rental property.

www.WaterClubSouth805.com

www.SandCay208.com

www.BeachHarborClubB106.com

$429,000

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR EXCLUSIVE TOUR (941) 387-1840 443 John Ringling Boulevard, Suite F | Sarasota, FL 34236 595 Bay Isles Road , Suite 250 | Longboat Key, FL 34228 Roger@Pettingell.com | Pettingell.com Twitter.com/RealRoger | Instagram.com/RogerPettingell Owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC 368235-1

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