LONGBOAT
Observer Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
Longing for Longboat.
PAGE 1B
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 43, NO. 33
FREE
YOUR TOWN
•
THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021
A YEAR APART
St. Mary’s parish gets together again. SEE PAGE 22A Mark Bergin
Penny Gold is sworn in as the District 2 commissioner during Monday’s statutory meeting.
Nat Kaemmerer
Ramping up services
Two take their seats
The Rev. Dave Marshall blessed the newly accessible Spaeth Terrace at All Angels church March 14. Ramps, at the front and side doors, were completed after about five months of construction and make it easier for congregants in wheelchairs to enter for worship. The Spaeth Terrace is a big discovery; it was only accessible through a door in the church before. Now congregants can sit out there during worship. As a bonus, the acoustics out on the terrace are great: Marshall can hear those on the terrace reciting the Lord’s Prayer during services, and once the doors are updated, he hopes to open them wide and preach into the church from the terrace.
Nat Kaemmerer
Aaron Watkins gets the party going at St. Mary, Star of the Sea’s picnic March 18.
Gold, Williams sworn in, but one vacancy remains on the dais. SEE PAGE 3A
A+E Nat Kaemmerer
Hitting the books The Longboat Library’s first week back was a success, bringing in happy readers and renewing memberships. After a year with its doors closed, the little library reopened March 16. Volunteers on duty March 19 said business has been steady, with a lot of people renewing their memberships, buying old books and checking out new ones. The new and renewing members will allow the library to buy new books rather than rely on donations. Stop by 555 Bay Isles Road from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Fridays.
Mark Bergin
CAESAR’S SALAD DAYS PAGE 18A
Bigger, better police boat New vessel ready to hit the water with updated features to help with searches, rescues. SEE PAGE 4A