In its first year of operations, St. Regis Longboat Key Resort has received praise for its luxury facilities.
The latest commendation comes from “Travel + Leisure” magazine, which named the resort on its “It List” of the 100 best new hotels. This special feature is set to run in the May issue and is already available online.
St. Regis celebrated its inclusion in a statement, saying, “This esteemed recognition underscores the resort’s commitment to redefining luxury and providing exceptional personalized service on Florida’s Gulf Coast.”
The only other Florida-based resort to make the list was Palm House in Palm Beach, though writers did also highlight a Disney Cruise Line that departs from Port Canaveral.
Seaplace celebrates Easter Families at Seaplace held an Easter celebration and egg hunt on Saturday, April 19, the day before the holiday.
About 50 children and their families joined the festivities for an Easter egg hunt. A few lucky children found golden eggs and received special Easter baskets filled with toys. The Easter Bunny, Seaplace resident Harold Kaufman, took photos with families and provided candy to all. Dana
Kampa
Courtesy image
Dana Kampa
One-year-old Nell Doyle, accompanied by father Kevin, carefully inspects an orange Easter egg at Sand Cay.
WEEK OF APRIL 24, 2025
BY THE NUMBERS
“This
is an interesting period of our island’s history. We’ve just seen a storm season that is as bad as any we’ve seen in the past century.”
Town Manager Howard Tipton’s prelude to the Town Commis-
sion’s strategic planning Read more on page 3
Ahouse in Lido Shores has hit the market with a $14.99 million asking price.
It is at 424 Bowdoin Circle and looks onto Sarasota Bay.
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, the listing agency charged with marketing the property, calls it “a stunning West Indies-inspired architectural estate” where “every detail exudes sophistication and grandeur.”
Hyperbole aside, the 5,882-square-foot gated house has five bedrooms with five full
baths and one half bath.
Among its features, according to the listing, are a kitchen with Thermador appliances, a large floating island with a quartz countertops and a walk-in pantry with a Bosch refrigerator.
The master bedroom has floor-to-ceiling windows, two custom walk-in closets and a spa-like en-suite bath with floating vanities, a soaking tub, a custom shower with multiple showerheads and sliders opening to an outdoor shower in a private Zen garden.
Oh, and there’s a staircase and wine wall that lead to a loft with a wet bar and terrace overlooking the water.
The house is currently owned by the Paul J. Galeski Revocable Trust, which paid $2.1 million for the property in 2017 according to public records.
The $14.99 million price tag is becoming a bit more common around Sarasota as both newer, luxury houses and condos come on the market and the fact that housing prices have been going up.
Reentry decals now available
The town of Longboat Key is rolling out new decals as a change to the existing reentry protocol.
Previously, business owners and residents had to show proof of identification when coming back to the island after storm event. Now, in an effort to reduce backups at the checkpoints, the town is issuing colored decals that will be placed on vehicles. The tier system stays the same, though, with Tier 1 allowed back being first responders like the police and fire rescue departments.
Tier 2 follows, which includes relief workers, essential business personnel and food and fuel suppliers. Green decals will be issued to Tier 2 personnel by the police and fire rescue chiefs.
Tier 3 will include residents, who will be allowed back after Tiers 1 and 2. One red decal is allowed per household or business and can be picked up at town offices including the Police Department, Fire Station 91, Public Works, Longboat Key Town Hall and the Planning, Zoning and Building Department. For more information or questions, call 941-316-1999.
PD alerts residents to gold scam
The Longboat Key Police Department issued an alert via the town’s social media to inform residents about another recurring scam. According to the department, scammers call, email or text and tell people they need to “keep their money safe” by converting savings into gold bars or providing cash. Then, the scammers advise the victim to send the gold bar to someone else like a fake government official or bank representative when, in fact, it would be sent to the scammer.
The department said, if
Projects in response to the 2024 hurricane season are among the town’s top priorities.
FUTURE FOCUS
CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER
“Resiliency” was the word of the day at the Longboat Key Town Commission’s 2025 strategic planning retreat.
As the commission and town staff head toward the fiscal year 2026 budget cycle, the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton were top of mind as the commission discussed priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.
“This is an interesting period of our island’s history,” Town Manager Howard Tipton said. “We’ve just seen a storm season that is as bad as any we’ve seen in the past century.”
The goal of the planning retreat is to give commissioners a chance to discuss key priorities before the first budget workshop, which will be on May 19. The commission previously received the results of the annual citizen survey and held a goals and objectives workshop on April 7. Those two pieces gave the commission insight from Longboat Key residents and stakeholder groups before the planning retreat.
With the community still recovering from the 2024 hurricane season, a few of the town’s highest priorities are how to rebuild the town from the storms and, in some ways, how to become more resilient for future storms.
The word “resiliency,” then, was a key theme, dealing with physical, technological and financial resiliency.
Complete streets vision
Discussions of a “complete streets vision” happen in conjunction with projects like the upcoming Broadway Roundabout, but the town has yet to take a major action toward that vision.
In previous commission discussions, the purpose behind the vision has been to improve pedestrian safety, congestion, connectivity and enhance the overall aesthetics of the island’s corridor.
Town staff hopes to allocate funds in FY26 to start a project development and environment study. The purpose of such a study is to “determine the location
Budget building
In the coming fiscal year, the town’s finance department will need to work on building back the town’s emergency reserves after using a chunk during the hurricanes.
According to a report on April 7, about $5 million was used from the town’s emergency reserve and the general fund. Most of that — about $4.2 to $4.4 million — was for debris removal.
Facility planning
Resiliency also applies to the town’s facilities and how those will evolve in the future. This also means adapting to the town’s needs.
In the short term is the construction of the Sarasota County library project on the Town Center Green as the last piece to the green.
The town is engaged in a fundraising campaign and has about $2.3 million in pledges out of the $3.5 million needed for an enhanced version that would include a larger community meeting hall and terrace.
Tipton said town staff will present a fundraising update to the Sarasota County Commission in May and hope to have the $3.5 million raised by then.
Another immediate project is a potential north-end community center in collaboration with Manatee County.
Manatee County previously committed to a community center in a leased space in Whitney Plaza, but decided earlier this year to back out of those plans and instead look at owning a space.
Town staff will now try to work with the county to find possible purchase options on the island to transform into a community center.
Tipton also said the Bayfront Park Recreation Center has been on the commission’s long-term planning for
and conceptual design of feasible build alternatives for roadway improvements and their social, economic and environmental effects,” according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Brownman said the town must pursue a PD&E study before the FDOT will start allocating future funds to the town’s complete streets project.
The town has an emergency fund for natural disasters that started at $3.7 million. After the storms, that fund dwindled to $477,000. Now, the town will need to build those back over the next fiscal year, among other pressures staff identified, like state and federal changes, crucial beach projects, applying for the subaqueous force main loan and developing a canal funding mechanism.
several years and will need to be replaced in about five to 10 years.
“It is a building that is deteriorating and is in need of replacement,” Tipton said.
The question of what to do with it will be up to the commission to decide in the near future.
Lastly, Tipton suggested the town address what he identified as a critical need: more space for town staff offices and training.
Building a new town space would provide space for departments to meet, possibly offices and additional space for police department training. There is a possibility that the current Longboat Library land may be used for this purpose, Tipton said, but that is to be determined.
Beach restoration
One of the major impacts of last season’s hurricanes happened on the island’s beaches. After the storms, the beaches appear flatter because of a loss of the berm that is crucial to the beach’s elevation and acts as a natural barrier.
The town’s coastal engineer consultants estimates the amount of sand lost during the hurricanes came to 407,300 cubic yards.
Those losses are eligible for a claim through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, from which the town could receive a 75% reimbursement of a sand-replacement project.
Staff estimates a $16.2 million price tag for a nourishment project that would recuperate those losses. Of that, $12.2 million is reimbursable through FEMA, $2 million through the Florida Department of Emergency Management and another $570,000 from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. But, the town could go further and add another 212,000 cubic yards to build the beach back to the level it was after the 2021 major nourishment, when the town placed 1 million cubic yards of sand on the island. There is a third, more expensive option, which would be to conduct a nourishment project of about 800,000 cubic yards of sand to not only build back from the storms but also add extra protection for future storms.
“The reason why we built up to this is because of the focus on resiliency because of the responses the Citizens Survey,” Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman said.
Early estimates for the largest project are about $32 million, and the town would need to come up with about $12.7 million.
The town’s coastal engineering consultants also previously suggested a groin field project on the Gulfside Road beach, which would be an additional $6 million but help stabilize the erosive beach.
The earliest the town could begin the mobilization of such a project would be around 2027, depending on reimbursements and budget constraints.
Brownman said the town’s finance department will work to see what the budgeting possibilities are and present an update to the commission at the first budget workshop on May 19. It’s possible, Brownman added, the town would need to give voters a referendum to allow the town to take on debt to cover the costs up front, since much of the funding comes from reimbursements.
Flooding resiliency projects
Outside of hurricanes, flooding is a common occurrence for Longboat’s low-lying areas like the Village, Sleepy Lagoon and Buttonwood. The town plans to take concrete steps toward advancing infrastructure improvement projects in these low-lying areas in FY26 by conducting engineering design. Though the projects differ in each
area, common elements include increased road elevation and additional drainage structures. Staff emphasized these projects would not protect against storm surges like the one seen in Helene, but would help alleviate the impacts of “sunny day flooding,” or the flooding that happens during high tides or summer storms.
A May 2024 rendering of the Sarasota County library on Longboat Key.
Carter Weinhofer
The Longboat Key Town Commission met on April 21 at the Seaplace clubhouse for the strategic planning retreat.
Courtesy images
A multiuse trail and left turn lanes are aspects of the approved Gulf of Mexico Drive Complete Streets Corridor Plan.
Longboat Key’s beaches looked deflated after Hurricane Helene.
Carter Weinhofer
Chris Udermann captured pictures of flooding in the Village following a weather event in April 2024.
Broadway Roundabout meeting set for May 1
The open house-style meeting will be held on May 1 for residents to talk with town and FDOT officials about the Broadway Roundabout Project.
the Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public forum for residents to learn about and discuss the upcoming Broadway Roundabout project
According to a release from the town, the meeting will be “openhouse style” and held 2-4 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, in the town commission chambers at Longboat Key Town Hall (501 Bay Isles Road).
“This project marks the first step in implementing the town’s complete streets vision — aimed at improving safety, mobility options and roadway aesthetics while preserving traffic flow and enhancing the town’s distinctive character,” the town’s release states.
At the forum, members of the project team from the town and FDOT can answer residents’ questions about the project, timeline and next steps.
The Broadway Roundabout is intended to enhance pedestrian safety, create a new multiuse trail on the east side and 7-foot buffered bicycle lanes. These features are a part of the town’s “complete streets vision,” and the roundabout will be a first look into that long-term vision.
The roundabout’s design experienced delays in 2023 when the FDOT said it would not sign off on designs that were near 90% completion. The department claimed the roadway’s current slope would not be acceptable for the roundabout design.
That led the town and project staff back to the drawing board for a redesign that evens the existing
IF YOU GO
When: The meeting will be “open-house style” and held from 2-4 p.m. on Thursday, May 1
Where:
roadway banking and, thus, requires additional work like landscaping and drainage improvements.
While the FDOT and the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization found advanced funding for fiscal year 2026 to get the project off the ground, the FDOT said the town would be responsible for some costs required before construction.
Town staff recently told commissioners that, while the FDOT is assuming a larger financial and construction responsibility, preliminary construction costs to the town could be around $1.7 million. Those costs include utility adjustments, landscaping and aesthetic appeal.
Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road
Turtle time returns to Longboat
CARTER WEINHOFER STAFF WRITER
Although the sea turtle nesting season doesn’t officially start until May 1, Longboat Key Turtle Watch volunteers started patrolling the beaches on April 15.
Nesting sea turtles don’t always follow the May 1 start date and sometimes start earlier. Last year, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium recorded the first nest of the season in Venice on April 28, 2024.
Longboat Key Turtle Watch Vice President Cyndi Seamon said the group has been conducting the preseason patrols for about five years, as directed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, for that reason.
Volunteers with Longboat Key Turtle Watch did not spot any early nesters as of April 18, but Seamon said some members are spotting potential areas of concern.
Those concerns included lights visible from the beach, beach furniture left out, and holes left by beachgoers.
Lights visible from the beach can lead to a disorientation of nesting and hatching sea turtles. The turtles can become confused by the artificial lights and enticed away from the Gulf toward properties or roads.
Longboat Key property owners don’t need to comply with the sea
May 1, so Seamon said volunteers focus more on education during the preseason patrols.
“When we first start out, sometimes we can see some possible lighting issues, and you know, we’ll ask, but people officially don’t need to make any corrections until May 1,” Seamon said.
Other issues volunteers spotted were areas with less dune coverage, where lights farther away from the beach may be more visible than in previous years. Hurricane Helene’s storm surge altered the beach face, creating a flatter beach in some areas.
Another issue worrying Seamon were pools, some empty, that do not have fences around the pool. That could pose a problem, Seamon said, if turtles become disoriented and end up falling into those pools.
Along with early morning patrols, Longboat Key Turtle Watch volunteers also boost public outreach with regular social media posts and canvassing the island to spread educational materials to resorts and other properties.
Seamon extended the offer for educational materials and said Longboat Key Turtle Watch is available for property owners and residents.
“If somebody reaches out during the season and asks for more materials, we certainly do that,” she said.
From now to the end of the nesting season, Longboat Key Turtle Watch
NUMBER OF NESTS IN 2024
Mote Marine Aquarium’s last nesting report of 2024 was published as of Sept. 21, 2024.
From May 1 to Oct. 31, residents will need to adhere to the town’s sea turtle protection ordinances, which include using turtle-friendly lighting and removing beach furniture at night.
will work closely with the town’s code enforcement department and large properties like hotels and resorts to educate the island community and ensure compliance with the ordinances.
“It’s definitely a team effort,” Seamon said.
Chapter 100 of the town’s code outlines the sea turtle protection ordinances “to provide protection for nesting marine turtles and their hatchlings during marine turtle nesting season while maintaining lighting standards necessary for public safety and security.”
This includes mitigating light visible from the beach with shielding, blinds, turtle-friendly fixtures, window tints or turning the lights off.
Seamon said some of the commonly forgotten lights are lanai and patio lights.
“It seems like the light that gets forgotten a lot is the one that’s on the lanai,” Seamon said. “It gets turned on during the day, and nobody even knows it’s on.”
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WANT TO HELP?
Longboat Key Turtle Watch hosts public beach walks in June and July for anyone interested. For more information, visit LBKTurtleWatch.com.
Other forgotten changes include beach chairs left on the beach and holes dug by beachgoers. Seamon emphasized the importance of filling in holes made on the beach, as nesting or hatching turtles could fall into the hole and become trapped.
While many properties will begin the necessary switches over the coming weeks, Seamon said Longboat Key Turtle Watch notices some maintain turtle-friendliness year-round.
“There are some places that don’t change the lights out. They’ve gotten accustomed to it, so it’s less work for people,” Seamon said. “That way, people just are kind of getting a routine.”
The Tangible Benefits Of Private Aviation
For most of us time is a luxury. Flying private is about reclaiming that time and maximizing the efficiency and enjoyment of your travel. Let’s face it, say the word airport and we all cringe. For both business and leisure, private travel offers significant advantages over flying commercial.
TIME EFFICIENCY AND CONVENIENCE
Bypass the stress of long security lines, crowded terminals, and lengthy check-in processes with private air travel. You can arrive minutes before your flight and depart immediately upon landing. And, you control your schedule, flying when and where you need to.
By accessing smaller airports, you’ll be closer to your destination saving valuable time. Not to mention, Commercial airlines fly lower and slower, while private jets fly more direct and immediate routes. You’ll also avoid the risk of missed connections by avoiding the commercial airline ripple effect.
ENHANCED PRIVACY AND PRODUCTIVITY
Flying privately ensures a quiet, distraction-free space to work, hold meetings, or relax. Onboard Wi-Fi and workspaces ensure productivity throughout the journey. If privacy is essential, Orion Sky Charters
WHAT MAKES A BULB TURTLEFRIENDLY?
According to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, sea turtles are more attracted to lights with shorter wavelengths. Turtle-friendly light bulbs, then, have longer wavelengths and will be amber, yellow or red. The Sea Turtle Conservancy states it’s important not to rely on just the color, though. For additional information or assistance, contact the town’s Code Enforcement Department at CodeEnforcement@ LongboatKey.org or 941-316-1966.
will arrange transportation direct to your tarmac with security available for VIP clients. Clients are often provided with direct lines to a coordination team to allow for adjustments and real-time updates during their journey.
LUXURY AND COMFORT REDEFINED
Spacious cabins, plush seating, and personalized amenities provide for a relaxing flight and exceptional comfort. Enjoy gourmet dining tailored to your tastes and receive top-notch service from dedicated flight crews.
Orion Sky Charters offers access to luxurious lounges and business facilities. Orion’s staff utilizes premier FBOs and can handle a variety of requests such as hotel bookings, restaurant reservations, event tickets, or last-minute requests.
A SUSTAINABLE AND SMART CHOICE: ORION SKY CHARTERS
For those seeking a responsible and exceptional experience, Orion Sky Charters stands out. Their commitment to carbon neutrality ensures that your flight’s carbon footprint is fully offset, allowing you to travel with peace of mind. As a pilot-owned company, Orion maintains the highest safety standards, ensuring that all operators meet FAA regulations and all aircrafts hold a minimum ARGUS GOLD rating.
Moderately priced “empty-leg” flights are an excellent option for impulse travelers, offering a luxurious travel experience at a significantly reduced cost.
In 2025, spend time where it matters –Choose private air travel.
Courtesy image
Longboat Key Turtle Watch volunteers Cyndi Seamon, Carlyn Vigil, John Wagman, Suzy Mitchell and Jenelle Branower begin patrolling the island’s beaches on April 15.
Spanish Main sets off in new direction
At the association’s April 10 meeting, a new board was appointed at the community.
panish Main Yacht Club on Longboat Key is a community still recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, a community currently without residents. Now, there are new board members in charge.
The association held its annual meeting on April 10, during which there was an election for the board positions and resulting in a completely new board.
According to information received from a property owner’s resident portal, the new board members include board President Janet Burmeister, Vice President Shawn Mahoney and Treasurer Ross Wenum.
Spanish Main residents still can not return to their properties, but Cleremont Property Co. is conducting electrical and plumbing work throughout the community. An update posted on Spanish Main’s website said, as of April 7, 92 units passed the electrical phase, 38 units passed the plumbing stage and 26 units had framing completed.
Spanish Main is a 55-and-older community with 212 homes, some single-family and some duplexes.
The update also stated an adjuster was continuing to negotiate with the community’s insurance company.
The Longboat Key Town Commission’s strategic planning retreat on April 21 highlighted Spanish Main’s rebuild progress.
Town Manager Howard Tipton said the town met with previous board members about the community’s permit applications.
“When they shared with us their permit requests, I would guess we were somewhere in the 90%-95% range of having issued the permits that they requested,” Tipton said. “We do have a list of their full-time
WHAT IS WHITEBOX?
The term “whitebox” is a contracting term that refers to getting the unit in shape with the basic necessities before a tenant can move in. This includes the plumbing, electrical and basic drywall. Once meeting those basics, the owners can start the rebuilding process beyond that to personalize the property.
residents and we have been working with them to prioritize them.”
A spreadsheet available on the Spanish Main Yacht Club’s website shows a progress report and schedule for the units split up, with full-time residents toward the top and with a closer completion date.
According to the schedule, some units may reach the “whitebox” stage toward the end of April and early May.
Adrienne Scott and her husband, Bill Anderson, are Spanish Main residents who are looking forward to living in their home again.
The couple shared fond memo-
ries in their home, including getting married on the porch of their Spanish Main residence about five years ago.
Scott said the focus on full-time residents gave positive momentum to the rebuilding process.
“All through the process, everyone agreed that full-time residents should be prioritized,” Scott said. “Now, the town has stepped up.”
With the town on board to prioritize full-time residents and the contractor working on those repairs, Scott said progress picked up since earlier this month when her home didn’t have drywall yet.
“We now have drywall, baseboards, door frames,” Scott said. “There is definitely progress. It’s great.”
As Scott and Anderson are looking forward to no longer leasing and spending money on rent, Scott shared concerns about moving in this summer while the next hurricane season looms.
Joseph Gutmann, an owner in Spanish Main Yacht Club, said having a new board has its pros and cons. While the new members bring new perspectives, Gutmann said they are taking over during a turbulent time in the community.
“This board is trying to figure out the best way to move forward, but at the end of the day they need to make a decision,” Gutmann said.
Following the significant flooding damage sustained by the community, the previous board hired a Servpro company from Saginaw, Michigan, to complete the initial emergency response.
On Jan. 20, Cody Michael from Servpro of Saginaw, Michigan, filed a $13.5 million lien against the Spanish Main community for unpaid invoices.
Burmeister did not respond to the Observer’s calls before the print deadline of April 22.
Photos by Carter Weinhofer
The narrow streets of Spanish Main Yacht Club were lined with piles of debris in late October after Helene and Milton. As of April 2025, many residents still do not have permits to fix or rebuild their homes.
A legacy for us to carry on
Modest, likable, trusted, respected, Charlie Stottlemyer is a testament to a life welllived — and to which we should aspire.
Most of us don’t ever really know how much of a difference we make in our lifetimes. For sure, we don’t get to see how many people turn out for our funeral or a celebration of life, a measure of our effects.
Charles “Charlie” Stottlemyer — the modest, most-likable giant of Sarasota — likely would have blushed and perhaps overwhelmed April 11 at First Presbyterian Church in Sarasota.
He made a huge difference.
More than 500 people filled First Presybterian’s pews and overflowed into its fellowship hall for Stottlemyer’s celebration of life. He died March 20 at age 95. Stottlemyer touched every one of those attendees in his 70 years of business and community involvement in Sarasota. He touched them and, no doubt, hundreds more who were unable to attend, in a good, meaningful and lasting way. Everyone who came in contact with Stottlemyer surely has fond remembrances of him. But as is often the case, not until someone is gone do we learn the full measure of
Imbued with a sense of right/wrong, justice, decency, respect for all
STEVE STOTTLEMYER
Charles left us several weeks ago, but the impact, the effect, the love that he shared for his family and this community will never be diminished or forgotten.
Charles made many good decisions in his life, but the best was his marriage to Dee. For 73 years, they loved and supported each other, partners in every meaning of the word.
They had four kids, 15 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren. He knew every name, and every one of them knew they were his champion. His love was everywhere.
Charles’ parents, Peggy and Garnet Stottlemyer, were married in 1926. Both of them had dropped out of high school to help on the family farm.
They lived in a barn, truly a shack, with a wood stove the only heat. There was no insulation, and the temperatures were below freezing. Charles and Jean — his 3-yearold sister — slept between Mom and Dad to avoid dying of the cold. Charles’ dad, Garnet, was a smart man and saw value and opportunity when others didn’t. After building a successful lumber business in Indi-
A daughter’s memories
KAREN EASTMOORE
The following are excerpts from Karen Eastmoore’s tribute to her father.
The morning Dad passed, Mom went back to bed and slept for a while. When she awoke, she talked about seeing Dad in a bright white house. They were both young. She wanted to get inside. Dad told her she couldn’t come in. It wasn’t her time. She wanted to go there again … I have so many memories, Dad. I remember standing on your white bucks when I was a little girl while you walked around with me.
I remember reaching up to hold your index finger.
I remember you handing out pads and pencils to us in this sanctuary when we were little.
I remember all of us dragging
ana, he saw promise and the future in Sarasota and moved the family — then Patricia, David, Michael and myself to Siesta Key.
Charles was at Indiana University, then in the Army and Korea. I’m not sure where Charles and Dee would have settled, but I know his mom told our father to either bring the kids to Florida, or “I’m going home to Indiana.”
The Lumber Yard was born. John and Jean Shoemaker soon joined.
When Charles and Dee arrived in Sarasota, he immediately set out to change things. He built relationships in the community, played church league softball. I remember so well sitting in the stands of Payne Park, Charles was the best pitcher in the league, and on one occasion hit the ball so far it hit the centerfield wall — home run.
Charles practiced his pitching for hours, bringing that determination and will to everything he ever did.
I recall a day in 1955 when I was with him, and he had convinced the Lindsays of the newspaper to let him use an old house on South Orange Avenue. That was the beginning of the YMCA of Sarasota. And there was Charles: ripping out the walls to make a place for
the individual and the life he or she lived.
If you had the good fortune of attending Stottlemyer’s celebration of life and hearing the tributes from his brother, son, daughters and Pastor Timothy Boggess, the portrait surely could be titled: A life well-lived. A life to which we can all aspire.
In the accompanying tributes below, given by Stottlemyer’s brother, Steve, and his daughter, Karen Eastmoore, they tell the story of a man whose life can and does serve as a model for us all.
Take the time to read them.
Indeed, the life of Charles “Char-
young people to gather, to grow, to learn community. Sarasota in the 1950s was a Southern town full of bigotry and racism. The water fountains, the bathrooms, the movie theaters, the schools — all segregated.
The Stottlemyers and Shoemakers, along with other new arrivals, set out to change that. Their business was the first to allow black employees to use the bathroom and the first to pay a black man a paid vacation.
Stottlemyers and Shoemakers came from modest backgrounds, but somehow they were imbued with a sense of right and wrong, of justice, of decency and respect for all people.
Charles served on the boards of numerous Sarasota organizations — both civic and financial in nature. He was recognized for his excellent judgment and intelligence and a whole list of qualities that set him apart. Most always, he was selected to lead those organizations.
Charles and Dee were extremely generous with both their time and resources. The aquarium at the library, the art at the hospital, this church, to name just a few.
Charles was always there for his parents and his siblings. Dad lived to 91 and mother 103. Mom was an avid reader as was Charles. Weekly trips to the library were routine.
Our brother, Michael, was confined to a bed with MS for 14 years. Charles would be there every Saturday morning to check, to let him
HALL OF FAMER
■ President of the Florida Lumber and Building Materials Dealers Association
■ Lumberman of the Year and induction into the Florida Lumber Hall of Fame
■ Designated honorary member of the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange
■ Businessman of the Year by the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Sarasota Herald-Tribune in 1984
■ President of the Sarasota County Chamber of Commerce
■ Co-founder and president of the Argus Foundation
■ President of the Selby Foundation
■ Chairman of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Foundation
■ Director of the FCCI Insurance Group for 40 years
■ Commodore of the Field Club
■ On the boards of Palmer Bank, Southeast Bank, United First Federal and Barnett Bank
■ An elder and member of First Presbyterian Church for 70 years.
lie” Stottlemyer in his beloved home of Sarasota should be a legacy for all of us to carry on.
know he cared. Charles loved his brother, David, who died three years ago. Charles always looked forward to David’s recounting of how he was living every day as though it was his last. Every time I would see Charles, his first words were: “I really miss David.”
Charles and his sister, Jean, had a special bond, and a love forged out of a beginning in a barn. A lot of hard times and a great life of success.
It was amazing and wonderful to have a big brother like Charles. He looked out for us all. He never turned away, and I and my family owe him for the success we enjoy today.
Charles was diagnosed with lung cancer almost 11 years ago — the variety that gives you six to nine months to live. When I saw him after learning the news, I told him, “Well, you’ve always been a winner, and somehow you’ll find a way to beat this.” He did.
Charles was with his sweetheart Dee, his family, for most of 11 years. This last year, it was, as he might say, “a little tough,” but it was still Charles. “How you doing? … How are the kids? … How’s Terry doing?
… Tell them I said hello.”
… We know Charles couldn’t be here with us, any longer, and he knew that ...
He handled it as he did everything else in his life. His passing leaves us feeling a little less, his being here made us so much more.
grounder on purpose so one of the younger kids would make it to first.
I remember late summer evening on Bobby Jones with you and Joe, playing a few holes, and sinking putts as the sun set.
I remember your playing the jellybean game with the grandchildren and great grandchildren and how much they loved it.
I remember your faith and resilience and how hard you tried no matter what life brought your way.
Dad, I see your tenderness in the way your grandchildren care for your great grandchildren.
I see you in the beautiful oak trees that you had planted on Southgate Circle.
I hear you in the bells at church.
I see you in your sons and grandsons and the way they play with and tease their nieces and nephews.
“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
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vines and branches and helping to clear the jungle that was to be our home on Fruitville Road.
I remember your crew cut, your white gym shorts and white T-shirt and the sweat dripping down your nose.
I remember you reaching into your back pocket for your wal-
let when one of your employees stopped by the house and needed some help until the next payday.
I remember watching “Wild Kingdom” on Sundays and how much you loved the animal families living on our property.
I remember Bridge Club picnics at Myakka, and how you missed the
I see you when I see kindness in the world. Dad, Thank you for loving Mom, your family, your friends and your community so well.
I hope that bright white house that mom saw is big. We’re all coming. We can’t wait to see you.
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MATT WALSH
Courtesy photo
Charles Stottlemyer’s daughters, Peggy LaRochelle, left, and Karen Eastmoore, with Stottlemyer’s brother, Steve.
Plymouth Harbor plans major expansion
When it opened in 1966, Plymouth Harbor was not only the tallest residential structure in Sarasota — as it remains today — it was also the tallest in Florida. As it rises above Sarasota Bay when reaching the peak of the Ringling Bridge toward St. Armands Key, it remains the dominant feature of the skyline.
Although a 2018 expansion to add assisted living and memory care units to its inventory, at 215 independent living apartments, Plymouth Harbor has a waiting list of about five years. At approximately 25 acres, the retirement community occupies most of Coon Key on the south side of John Ringling Boulevard, the only remaining buildable property a surface parking lot on the northeast corner adjacent to the Sarasota Yacht Club.
That’s where Plymouth Harbor plans to build an eight-story, 115foot tall building for 153 additional independent living apartments plus amenity areas, support facilities and a second on-campus dining option for residents. The project made its first appearance before the city’s Development Review Committee on April 16, officially starting its run through the approval process that will also require a rezoning from Medical Charitable Institutional to Residential Multiple Family 5.
“This all started in 2006 when the board of trustees and the CEO at the time decided to conduct a site master plan exercise to figure out where on the property would be best, what would fit well and what would serve the community well,” Plymouth Harbor President and CEO Jeff Weatherhead told the Observer. “At that time there were a couple areas in the community that were buildable.”
By 2008, the process was ready to move forward, but it derailed by the
The addition of 153 more residences and parking structure will help the 59-year-old retirement community reduce its five-year waiting list and parking shortage.
onset of the recession. That postponed the first phase of expansion, which was completed in 2018 with the opening of the assisted living and memory care units in what are called the North Garden and Northwest Garden buildings.
Besides 153 new apartments, the fitness and wellness facilities will be relocated to higher ground in the new building.
“We’re excited about what it can bring to the community, and it frankly makes us a much stronger organization to weather things like inflation, insurance hikes and all the things that go with operating a business,” Weatherhead said. “When we built the assisted living, it was contemplated that these new apartments would ultimately be here, so to help us get the right mix of independent living to the health care product, this was designed so that we could meet the market demand.”
That means shortening, if not eliminating, that five-year waiting list. The average age of a resident moving into Plymouth Harbor, Weatherhead said, is 80 years. The average age of all residents is 84. If that seems high, he added, it’s the result of the waiting list.
“If you’re waiting three to five years to get in, you started when you were 75 to 77, and that’s what we think we’ll see in the newer building,” Weatherhead said of projections for a reduced age of entry.
Should the project move through the city approval process on schedule, Weatherhead said he expects to break ground in 2027 with completion sometime in 2029.
Andrew Warfield
Jeff Weatherhead is president and CEO of Plymouth Harbor.
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Sheriff’s new helicopter adds safety, rescue ability
The aircraft is designed to make rooftop rescues possible with greater hoisting power.
ERIC GARWOOD
Approved by county commissioners in 2023 and now on duty, the newest helicopter serving the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is first and foremost a “police car that flies.”
But beyond its un-car-like 170 mph top speed and its ability to reach across the county in under 10 minutes, the 2024 Bell 429 has one capability its predecessors didn’t, says Sheriff’s Office Chief Pilot Dave Bouffard.
The metallic green helicopter that arrived in March has two turbine engines instead of just one. While adding a wider margin of flight safety for the crew, the more powerful aircraft also has improved lifting abilities to, say, rescue victims from rooftops or carry water buckets for firefighting when lives or property are in danger.
“It was purchased specifically for the capability of doing hoisting operations, in case we get another mass flooding event,” said Bouffard, who has been flying with Sarasota County for 15 years and has experience as a patrol officer, a civilian pilot, and now a combination of both.
Outfitted for service with the sheriff’s department, the helicopter plus additional equipment and other related expenses cost just over $12 million, which included about a $1.3 million trade-in allowance of a 2005 model Bell 407 single-engine helicopter previously in the fleet.
The aviation unit, which is based in Venice, now operates a 2012 version of the Bell 407 and its newest model. Trained pilots and tactical officers can operate both, Bouffard said, adding he has about 30 hours to date flying the new arrival.
Sheriff Kurt Hoffman in March 2023 proposed the Bell 429 upgrade
to commissioners, saying the department’s older two helicopters would need costly upgrades and more frequent maintenance in years to come. The new helicopter arrives with a three-year, 1,000-hour factory warranty. That would “avoid an estimated $1.4 million in overhauls that would be required over the next two years if the 2005 aircraft was continued to be utilized,” Hoffman wrote then, seeking funding to be added to his office’s five-year capital improvement budget. The 2005 model had about 9,500 flight hours logged. The previous two aircraft cost the county just over $5 million total to purchase — one in 2005 and one in 2018.
At the same time, about $859,000 was sought to upgrade the 2012 helicopter’s equipment to the standards of the new one. About $4 million in hangar upgrades at centrally located Venice Airport were approved separately in 2024.
The aviation unit operates as part of the Special Operations Bureau, also home to SWAT, the mountedpatrol unit, marine unit, police-dog unit and more. But the role of the helicopters and the crews who fly them are similar and connected to deputies and police officers on the ground, Bouffard said.
The pilots and tactical deputies respond to calls often based on their own judgment, taking advantage of the view from about 1,000 feet and the capabilities of their optical gear that can spot a specific car from 5 miles. Though on call around the clock, the air crews work two of three shifts a day, six days a week routinely patrolling the county and responding to calls just like a road-patrol deputy would.
“We are a police car that flies,” he said. “Because of the nature of what we’re doing, we’ve got speed on our side, and we obviously have the
observation platform, so we can see everything. We can get there first a lot of times, and once we get there, we’ve got a great view of what’s going on.”
Finding missing people, helping spot suspects who might be hiding or fleeing, and directing deputies during vehicle pursuits are all typical missions.
Crews also connect to the communications networks of surrounding agencies; therefore, they can assist Manatee County, Sarasota Police, or Longboat Key Police if needed.
Likewise, if adjoining counties can help with air service in Sarasota County, they will. Manatee and Charlotte counties operate in the air. DeSoto County does not. Often, it’s a matter of who is flying, when and where, he said.
“We’re not like a fire department where we’re sitting in the hangar waiting for a call to come out,” Bouffard said. “Sometimes, that does happen, when the guys on the ground need us for something specific, something we can specifically help with.”
Bouffard said the Bell 429’s twin engines make overwater flying more reassuring, because typical helicop-
TALE OF THE TAPE
“We are a police car that flies ... We can get there first a lot of times, and once we get there, we’ve got a great view of what’s going on.”
— Dave Bouffard, Sheriff’s Office Chief Pilot
ters can land safely after an engine failure, but with limited options. With twin engines, “I have an engine failure over a populated area, like downtown Sarasota? I just fly back to the airport. It’s a non event.”
Even so, there are limits. In the case of missing boaters or other such maritime search and rescue flights, the Sheriff’s Office now has a little more leeway to venture offshore, but mostly to help find a stricken boat. Bouffard said they’d be fine searching and sticking with victims below while a marine unit boat responded or some other agency more suited to sea rescues.
“We make no pretense,” he said. “We are not the Coast Guard.”
HANGAR UPDATES
To house the new helicopter and provide for its maintenance, upgrades were approved in 2024 to the aviation unit’s base at Venice Municipal Airport. They include a larger concrete pad for safer departures and landings, additional office and hangar space and climate-controlled storage areas to ensure components are not affected by heat, humidity and salt at the seaside airfield. Funding for the $4 million improvements will come from $3 million in Justice Facilities Impact Fees and $1 million in Law Enforcement Impact Fees.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 11
EARLY ARRIVAL
2:20 p.m., 900 block of Longboat Club Road
Suspicious Incident: A homeowner called the police to report a possible burglary in progress after receiving an alert that his garage door opened. When an officer arrived at the residence, the officer found a man inside the home’s foyer who said he was renting the property. The officer called the homeowner, who confirmed the man was renting the house but not scheduled to check in until the next day. The renter and owner spoke over the phone and worked out the misunderstanding. No crime was committed, just an eager renter.
SATURDAY, APRIL 12
NO BOAT PARKING
12:44 p.m., Beer Can Island
SATURDAY, APRIL 12
RUNAWAY KITEBOARDER
Illegal Parking: Officers on marine patrol noticed multiple boats parked in a vessel exclusionary zone that was marked with signs. The officers spoke to the violators, who said they did not know about the exclusionary zone, but since there were posted markings, the officers had probable cause to issue citations to the boaters.
SUNDAY, APRIL 13
SUSPICIOUS SOUNDS
7:09 p.m., 1100 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Suspicious Incident: Dispatch sent officers to a reported suspicious incident regarding a group of people in a parking lot. The responding officer spoke to a security guard who said he saw a small group of people walking into the building, but nothing suspicious. Officers observed some people playing pickleball and being vocal while playing, but nothing out of the ordinary.
TUESDAY, APRIL 15
BLOCKED MAIL
11:58 a.m., 2300 block of Harbour Oaks Drive Civil Disturbance: A resident called the police after her neighbor screamed at her for parking her vehicle in front of the neighbor’s mailbox while unloading the car. The complainant said there was no physical altercation, just a verbal altercation. The officer spoke with the neighbor, who said she was yelling because the complainant did not move her vehicle right away and kept unloading it. The neighbor claimed the post office would not deliver mail if the mailbox was
11:50 a.m., Sister Keys Citizen Assist: After a community cleanup, one volunteer did not return to the group, which prompted a search for the missing man. The officer discovered the man found an abandoned kiteboard during the cleanup and sailed south. He then fell off the board and was picked up by a good Samaritan. The officer met the good Samaritan and transported the rogue kiteboarder back to the cleanup crew.
blocked. No crime was reported, so the officer’s work was finished. There was no indication as to whether the neighbor received her mail.
THURSDAY, APRIL 17
DRIVING WITHOUT DOCUMENTATION
9:29 a.m., 4400 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Vehicle Stop: A license plate reader alerted officers to a vehicle whose registered owner had a suspended or revoked license. There was also no insurance on the vehicle’s file. An officer located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop and, when asked about the suspension, the driver admitted she knew the license was suspended. Further, the registration had expired months prior and she could not show proof of insurance. The officer issued the driver one criminal citation and other citations, and advised the driver that she needed to arrange for someone else to come and move the vehicle.
WORSHIP directory
Pretty in pastel
Even before the Lilly Pulitzer shop on St. Armands Circle could officially open its doors, longtime customers were knocking on the pearlescent front door to share their appreciation for the shop’s return .
The clothing boutique closed after Hurricanes Helene and Milton flooded it with four feet of water, prompting the shop that has been on the Circle for 20 years to close its doors temporarily.
Employees and friends jubilantly celebrated the reopening the morning of April 17.
“I love your Lilly!” store manager Jessica Siriphokha told Scott Matthews as he stepped foot in the renovated store.
Patrons agreed one aspect they appreciate the most is how open and bright the showroom floor is. Scotty Hamilton, who has been with the store since the beginning, said the designers incorporated subtle design elements to give that spacious feel, from S-shaped clothing racks to ceiling-to-floor mirrors. Siriphokha said she wanted to incorporate decor that celebrates Longboat Key, like the shell-encrusted mirrors, while keeping a focus on the legacy of the brand’s namesake.
The Palm Beach-based clothing company has gained international acclaim for its signature shift-style dresses with uniquely bright pastel florals.
The brand accumulated a fervent following from customers who loved the story of a businesswoman who, in the 1950s, crafted the eye-catching prints to disguise fruit-juice stains on her clothes from her lemonade stand. Keen-eyed fashionistas know every Lilly item has
her name incorporated into the design.
“She left a legacy that will be around forever,” Hamilton said.
Cindy Cisler is a longtime customer who especially appreciates the St. Armands shop. She has enjoyed stopping into other Lilly stores, but this shop tops the list.
“I love this store. I’ve been coming for 20 years,” she said. “We came in at the end of February, and every day I’ve been stopping in to check on the progress.”
This location has had other redesigns in 2011 and 2018. However, attendees at the reopening said this is the best yet.
Siriphokha, who has worked at the shop for nine years, said she hopes customers enjoy all the little touches, from the hand-painted designs in the dressing rooms to the shimmer on the walls, meant to evoke the sparkling sands of the Key’s beaches.
Employees helped at the location on University Town Center in the interim, but Siriphokha said the team is glad to be back serving the St. Armands community.
— DANA KAMPA
Longtime Lilly Pulitzer supporter Cindy Cisler checks out the newly remodeled shop on St. Armands Circle.
Photos by Dana Kampa
Staff at Lilly Pulitzer on St. Armands Circle hold a ribboncutting ceremony for the shop’s reopening from the storms.
From left: Alise Berty, Mariana Hidalgo, Gigi Matthews, Jessica Siriphokha, Meredith Lomaka, Hilda Mangotic, Dana Zenick and Scotty Hamilton
YOUR NEIGHBORS
Yes, chef
love of celebrating food and international inspiration.
Miller said he never anticipated the film would reach such immense heights. It won awards at the Coronado Island Film Festival and The Taste Awards, and it is showing widely in Los Angeles, New York and other major cities.
DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER
Ever since the New York Times published a feature about Marcella Hazan’s simple yet profound approach to Italian cooking in the 1970s, talk show hosts, reviewers and other outlets have attempted to capture what set such a culinary powerhouse apart.
Hazan, who lived on Longboat Key from 1998 until she died in 2013 at 89 years old, left an impression on everyone she met in her travels. Some describe her as the strict instructor who would hold a student’s hand above hot oil so they could sense what temperature the pan needed to reach to fry the perfect cutlet. Others pictured her as a tough female pioneer in both cuisine and science who would end a meal with a Jack Daniel’s, a Marlboro Light and her keen criticisms and sharp wit. Still others describe her as the “Italian Julia Child” who penned the definitive guides to Italian cuisine for American home cooks, or the chef who introduced palates to now widespread ingredients like balsamic vinegar — a decision she reportedly later regretted because of its overuse and cheap substitutes.
Her prowess in the kitchen is undeniable considering she holds distinctions, including a lifetime achievement award from the James Beard Foundation. Hazan’s reach extends far, even to an Italian restaurant based in Bhutan. Her recipes changed lives, spurring tales of wedding proposals inspired by her lemony roast chicken, which she appropriately renamed “engage -
ment chicken.”
Those characterizations are all apparently true, but one filmmaker has taken on unraveling and rebuilding the full picture of Hazan.
Six years ago, documentarian Peter Miller learned no one had seriously attempted to capture and convey who Hazan truly was as a primarily self-taught chef who revolutionized Italian cooking in America.
Over the past 30 years, Miller has passionately pursued documentary filmmaking — for which he has earned Emmy and Peabody awards — and good cooking. When a pantry full of ingredients would stump his wife and him, they asked themselves, “What would Marcella do?”
After cooking homemade ravioli with a wine glass in hand one evening, they asked one another if anyone had ever made a documentary about her.
A surprising “no” led to Miller’s next undertaking.
“When Marcella was on TV and getting interviewed, everyone asked her how to cook recipes, but no one really asked her what happened in her life,” he said.
He follows her from her upbringing in Cesenatico, Italy, to the start of her life in the 1950s as a married woman living in New York, the epicenter of her new career launch.
Hazan would take years trialing the best way to capture familiar Italian dishes with the bleak ingredients available at booming supermarkets. She would share her insights in a book translated from Italian by her husband, Victor. From there, she went to play an integral role in how America viewed cooking, which Miller retraces through testimonials from fellow chefs and other key people in her life.
The film recently opened the Sara-
sota Film Festival, selling out with 400 attendees on the first night and spurring an impromptu second showing to close the festival. Attendees applauded the sweeping views of the Key, cheered her career milestones and listened with bated breath as Victor shared stories of their life.
Festival senior programmer Brian Gordon said he was glad to see high attendance this year at “Marcella” and the diverse array of other films this year.
“This was our opening-night film, but it just did so well we had to add a screening,” he said.
When asked what prompted such praise from festivalgoers, he said, “I think it’s just a great story ... What she’s done to influence cooking, that alone, is great. But on top of that, she was a local. It’s not surprising it did so well.”
Miller said the documentary’s reception, especially in Sarasota, completely blew him away.
“The sound you’re hearing is my chin hitting the floor,” he told the Observer. “This is the spiritual presence of Marcella showing up and making this happen. There’s something magical happening here, and I don’t pretend to understand it, but it’s wonderful.”
But the renewed acclaim for Hazan’s legacy doesn’t end there.
FAMILY LEGACY
The Smithsonian Institution, as part of its 250th anniversary celebration, is unveiling a special exhibit April 24, with one item for every year. This special commemorative showcase includes one of Hazan’s cooking utensils.
Her son, Giuliano, and her daughter-in-law, Lael, will represent the family at the unveiling.
They have carried on Marcella’s
Giuliano narrated much of the film, along with his now 96-year-old father. He said it means everything to him to see his mother celebrated in such a robust way. He helped supply Miller with photos and videos for the film, uncovering sentimental documents.
“There were definitely film clips (Miller) ended up using in the movie that I didn’t even know existed,” Giuliano chuckled.
Lael added, “There’s a wonderful part of the film where Giuliano and his parents are on a gondola that is just touching.”
Lael and Giuliano have built impressive respective careers, following in Marcella’s footsteps. He has authored five cookbooks, earned a James Beard Award nomination and received the International Association of Culinary Professionals’ Cooking Teacher of the Year award.
The duo leads cooking classes from their home in Sarasota, offers immersive culinary experiences abroad in Northern Italy, and runs a local travel agency called Gracious Getaways.
Giuliano was the one who paved the way for Marcella to Longboat Key, where she moved when living in Venice, Italy, proved to be a growing challenge.
One of her favorite aspects of living on the Key was being next to the sea again, reminding her of the fishing village of Cesenatico that she first called home.
“When she passed away in 2013, Christiane Amanpour did a piece on CNN, and one of the things she said was that it was amazing how much my mother had impacted the ways Americans cook and eat, who may not even know her name,” Giuliano said.
For information about available Italian cooking classes, visit GiulianoHazan.com.
The Sonoma International Film Festival and the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival selected the film, as well.
The film stemmed from an initial threeand-a-half-hour interview with Victor.
“He was so unbelievably articulate and fascinating,” he said. “The stories were so great that I just thought, ‘This is a story that has to get told.’”
Miller brings Hazan’s words to life with a voiceover by Maria Tucci, giving a unique insight into what drove Hazan’s ambition.
While delighted by the warm reception, Miller said he is simply proud to have told the story of her life, beyond her recipes. The documentary does, of course, feature some of her most renowned dishes, from her four-ingredient tomato sauce to a carefully attended risotto that Giuliano prepared for the cameras.
Big names in the culinary world took the time to share on film what Hazan meant to them, drawing murmurs of delighted surprise from viewers at the screening.
Memory of renowned chef Marcella Hazan celebrated.
Dana Kampa
Lael and Giuliano Hazan, standing in the kitchen where they lead cooking classes, reflect on what it means to them to see Marcella Hazan’s legacy as a culinary powerhouse see renewed celebration.
Courtesy image
“Marcella” was the opening night film of the 27th Sarasota Film Festival.
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Getting groovy before saying goodbye
Partygoers at The Paradise Center’s end-of-season party said the ’70s-themed soiree was the best yet.
Members bid farewell to friends who are leaving this spring with a get-together presented by The Groovy Room.
Organizers Tom Schlund and Marilyn Moss said they take pride in sourcing the authentic vintage elements of the experience, down to the corded telephone that still has a dial tone when plugged in. The pair plans decades-themed parties, coordinating the decorations, music and more.
Reflecting on the center’s season, board member Eva Kendeffy said she was happy staff could bring a bit of levity to the community after residents dealt with such extensive challenges in recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton at the beginning of the season.
“People just want a little relief and to be together,” she said, attributing those factors to the center’s high program participation.
Attendees dressed the part on April 16 with their flowing floral dresses and their go-go boots.
In between checking out the throw-back decorations, including a working Lite Brite board and games like Perfection, the partiers got down on the dance floor to the tunes of the Jackson 5, Barry Manilow and many other beloved musicians who have stood the test of time.
Sandi Love, who teaches qigong at the center year-round, said she loved all the little elements, down
to the issues of “Tiger Beat,” the first magazine she ever purchased.
“I walked in, and it screamed, ‘THE ’70s — you are back,’” friend and student Angela Bennink added.
Residents at Longboat Harbour Condominiums also closed out the season with a sandy celebration on April 17.
Musician John Rinell played at the beachside property while attendees enjoyed pizza and beverages, swapping stories about what they enjoyed this year.
The high participation at the complex’s events this year thrilled Recreation Committee co-Chair Karen Pashkow, with plenty of residents getting decked out in green for St. Patrick’s Day and boogieing with Elvis, embodied by musician Billy Lindsey.
Though many residents leave for the summer, Pashkow said the association will continue to host plenty of entertaining events throughout the year.
— DANA KAMPA
GIVING SCHEDULE
Stillpoint Mission
Members
$3,000 monetary donation to support its mission.
The Bradenton-based organization provides relief to area families in numerous ways, from bill assistance to its food pantry.
President Gary Scott, who recently assumed the role from Gene Tischer, profusely thanked those in attendance on April 15.
“It’s folks like you who really help us help the community,” he said.
Scott explained that this time of year can be challenging for food pantries as both the holiday and post-holiday surges of support have subsided. But the entirely volunteer-run group provides assistance to families year-round, and Scott said these donations will make a significant difference.
While Stillpoint Mission accepts
many donations, it is especially seeking diapers, canned goods and toilet paper at the moment.
In 2024, volunteers served an average of 495 families weekly. They also distributed 347,707 diapers that year, bringing their total since 2020 to 1.1 million. In 2024 alone, the group provided 410,000 pounds of food and $163,033 in support for utilities.
— DANA KAMPA
Paradise Center members boogie down with a ’70s-themed farewell party.
Photos by Dana Kampa
Danny Herron, Jerry Dowling, Jackie Shaw and Del Martes enjoy the beachy theme for the Longboat Harbour Condominiums end-of-season party.
OVER EASY
Aspen Fontenot had the good fortune to find not one, but two of the golden eggs hidden in the hay at the Longboat Key Club Resort’s annual Easter egg hunt. Rather than hang onto both, she decided to share one with fellow searcher Callie Schroeyens.
The event excited Father Kyle Schroeyens, who, as a parent, saw the moment of sharing happen organically.
“More powerful than the egg is the lesson within the egg,” he said. “That kind of lesson will last a lifetime. Honestly, it fills my heart.”
The Fontenot family has come out to celebrate Easter for the past several years, but this is the first time they have participated in the activities at the club.
Hundreds packed the Links putting green to decorate cookies, snack on breakfast, hobnob with the Easter Bunny, and, most importantly, uncover some colorful hidden eggs.
Attendees included a healthy mix of families partaking in the Longboat festivities for the first time and club members who have come for generations.
Those were not the only Easter festivities taking place on the Key this weekend.
Over the years, the celebration has blossomed into a full-day extravaganza, where visiting family members can partake in water slides, brunch and plenty of other Easter activities.
Friday’s festivities held another special meaning for the Sand Cay community. Those who knew Shirley Manning, owner of about 40 years who died last June, joined in the dedication that morning of a bench placed on the lawn to honor her memory.
General Manager Lyn Sorensen, who said this will be her last year organizing the egg hunt, was happy to see the event grow and grow over the past 10 years.
With a “Ready, Set, Go!” eager treat hunters raced out onto the lawn at Sand Cay Condominiums Beach Resort on Friday, continuing a tradition that has been around for more than a decade.
Sorensen said it was fitting to hold the dedication on Easter Sunday, considering this celebration is Sand Cay’s largest of the year, and
Manning always played an important role in making sure it went off flawlessly. She said Manning was always deeply involved in building a strong sense of community for residents, and they are happy to have a permanent tribute to her work.
Heather Diggins, who takes over for Sorensen, said Manning was always genuine in her passion for taking care of Sand Cay.
— DANA KAMPA
Sand Cay Condominiums Beach Resort General Manager Lyn Sorensen and the Easter Bunny take a moment to recognize the legacy of longtime owner Shirley Manning, who recently had a bench dedicated to her memory. Manning helped organize the annual Easter egg hunt for many years.
Callan, 9, Jack, 7, and Declan, 6, display their Easter egg haul with parents Brian and Tracy. The Murray family is visiting from another island, Long Island in New York.
Photos by Dana Kampa
Participants did some digging for their prizes at the Longboat Key Club Resort Easter egg hunt on Sunday.
The Easter Bunny doles out hugs at the Longboat Key Club Resort.
Key to comedy
If the saying “laughter is the best medicine” holds any merit, the Longboat Key community got a good dose of it at the debut Comedy Night, part of the new “Arts in April” campaign to promote public cultural events while raising money for beautification projects.
More than 150 people turned out April 17 at the Town Center Green to support the fundraiser.
Local comedians Cliff Hornsby and Al Earnst opened for Chicagobased headliner Don Tersigni at the fundraiser, which will support the Longboat Key Garden Club in its efforts to restore Longboat Key’s public places damaged by recent storms.
Audience members laughed at the comedians’ barbs, even when they included admonishments for being late to the snowbird migration.
“Easter is two days away,” Earnst said. “There is a reason that Jesus came out of the tomb on the third day and pointed north.” Hornsby, who also goes by the name “Gerry Atric,” warmed up the crowd with an explanation for why he went into comedy in his 80s.
“I wanted to improve my social calendar besides a doctor,” he ribbed.
But fans will have to see his full
show to experience his distinct brand of comedy, which finds the levity in aging, and get the answer to why he was fired from working at a funeral home after only a week.
Earnst followed with his main set, sympathizing with residents over floodwater woes. He invited the crowd to visit the indoor pool that was once his garage.
“But that’s life,” he said. “I think in this day and time, with so much that separates us, laughter is the one thing that unites us.”
As a graduate of Sarasota High but a Georgia native, he shared jokes about traveling throughout the South for various gigs. Earnst had the audience rolling with his tales of Punta Gorda Airport.
Both Earnst and Hornsby hold the significance of having trained at McCurdy’s Humor Institute, and Earnst has several upcoming shows at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre.
Rounding out the trio was Tersigni, who took to the stage amidst clapping and the iconic “Rocky” theme music.
He poked fun at his ItalianAmerican heritage, along with travel woes like his questionable motel accommodations. But central to his performance were his celebrity impressions.
— DANA KAMPA
Audiences crack a smile during Al Earnst’s set.
Photos by Dana Kampa
Don Tersigni breaks out his Robert De Niro impression for the Longboat Key audience.
Comedian Cliff Hornsby shares anecdotes of entering the world of comedy at 84 years old.
Jules Mackie | Tracey Stetler | Nicholle DiPinto McKiernan | Patrick DiPinto | Rene DiPinto | Steven Moore | Janet Coughlin
YOUR CALENDAR
THURSDAY, APRIL 24 LO’ KEY GATHERING
5-7 p.m. at Lo’ Key Island Grille, 5620 Gulf of Mexico Drive. The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key is hosting its monthly social hour. Entry is free, and patrons can stay afterward for dinner.
FRIDAY, APRIL 25
ALL CALL FOR ARBOR DAY
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Longboat Island Chapel, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. On Arbor Day, the Longboat Key Garden Club is holding its annual meeting, where it will recognize grant and scholarship recipients. Attendance and lunch are free for members, who should reserve a spot at LBKGardenClub.org/Events.
SUNDAY, APRIL 27
BRIDGING CONNECTIONS
7 a.m. at The Bay, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. The Education Foundation hosts the Ringling Bridge Run, which includes a 10K at 7 a.m. and 5K starting at 7:30 a.m. Parking is available at the Van Wezel, and the races start and finish at The Bay Park. Cost is $65 and $75, respectively. Visit EDFoundationSRQ.org/ Ringling-Bridge-10K for details.
RECURRING EVENTS
WEEKDAYS LONGBOAT LIBRARY
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 555 Bay Isles Road. Call 941-383-6493.
SUNDAYS AND MONDAYS YOGA
10-11 a.m. Sundays and 6-7 p.m. on Mondays at St. Armands Circle Park, 1 St. Armands Circle. This slow-flow yoga class is free to those 18 and older or accompanied by an adult. Bring a mat or towel and water. Register at Paige@YogaWithPaige.us or visit YogaWithPaige.us to learn more. No classes April 20 and May 25.
MONDAYS
STRETCH AND STRENGTHEN
10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. This class is mostly seated and great for all fitness levels. The focus is on strength training and flexibility for balance. Suzy Brenner leads the class. Fee is $20. Walk-ins welcome. Call 941383-6493.
BEST BET SATURDAY, APRIL 26
BIRD KEY BIDS FAREWELL
6 p.m. at Bird Key Yacht Club, 301 Bird Key Drive. Club members can bid farewell to the old clubhouse, which is being demolished to make way for a modernized facility. Activities will include the reveal and replacement of a time capsule.
TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS PILATES SCULPT
9-9:50 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Pilates Sculpt is a combination class mixing traditional Pilates exercises into a fun, challenging workout to upbeat music. This class is for all levels. Cost is $20. Walk-ins welcome. Call 941-383-6493.
YOGA
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Debby Debile of Feel Good Yoga & Massage leads a gentle yoga class that can be done on a mat or in a chair. Cost is $20. Call 941-383-6493.
FRIDAYS UP YOUR TAI CHI SKILLS
10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Certified instructor Reuben Fernandez leads a weekly intermediate tai chi class, held outdoors when weather permits. Fernandez also leads a beginner class at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. It’s recommended to wear closetoed shoes with low heels rather than running shoes. Cost is $20. Call 941-383-6493.
Dana Kampa
John Ringling Estates home tops week’s sales at $3,621,000
ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH
EDITOR
Norman and Christine Abbott, trustees, of Ontario, Canada, sold the home at 145 N. Washington Drive to James Kelleher and C. Ellen Kelleher, trustees, of Sarasota, for $3,621,000. Built in 2017, it has three bedrooms, three-and-ahalf baths, a pool and 3,559 square feet of living area.
THE PIERRE Pierre 807 LLC sold the Unit 807 condominium at 455 Longboat Club Road to Little Gull Properties HB LLC for $2,462,000. Built in 1990, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 2,410 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.75 million in 2023.
ST. ARMANDS TOWERS NORTH
Jonathan Eisner, Brown Investment Advisory and Trust Co., trustees, sold the Unit 121 condominium at 1 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Jeanne Walker and Merlot Mary Fogarty, of The Woodlands, Texas, for $1.45 million. Built in 1968, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,389 square feet of living area. It sold for $716,000 in 2011.
JOHN RINGLING ESTATES
Roy and Jocelyn Kasimakis, of Sarasota, sold their home at 430 Monroe Drive to St. Armand Realty LLC for $1,325,000. Built in 1955, it has five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,467 square feet of living area. It sold for $290,000 in 1998.
GRAND BAY
Eric and Linda Shuman, of Poplarville, Mississippi, sold their Unit 162 condominium at 3060 Grand Bay Blvd. to Thomas Kusner and Paola Mariani Kusner, of New York, City, for $1,205,000. Built in 1994, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths and 2,143 square feet of living area. It sold for $675,000 in 2000.
SAND CAY Trident X LLC sold the Unit 103 condominium at 4725 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Carolyn and Christopher Layloff, trustees, of Edwardsville, Illinois, for $1,175,000. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,032 square feet of living area. It sold for $695,000 in 2021.
TOP BUILDING PERMITS
FAIRWAY BAY
Philip and Phyllis Lieberman, of Verona, New Jersey, sold their Unit 113 condominium at 1930 Harbourside Drive to Anthony and Pamela Bevilacqua, of Longboat Key, for $880,000. Built in 1982, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 1,905 square feet of living area. It sold for $675,000 in 2013.
Diane Liebert and Leslie and Christina Abramowitz, of Boulder, Colorado, sold their Unit 1102 condominium at 1922 Harbourside Drive to George Denoncourt II, of Exeter, New Hampshire, for $605,000. Built in 1982, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,590 square feet of living area. It sold for $355,000 in 2003.
LONGBOAT HARBOUR TOWERS
Andrea Anderson and Rebecca Eby, trustees, of University Park, sold the Unit 703 condominium at 4401 Gulf of Mexico Drive to David Gardner, trustee, of Bradenton, for $725,000. Built in 1972, it has one bedroom, one bath and 725 square feet of living area. It sold for $525,000 in 2021.
ONLINE
See more transactions at YourObserver.com
Source: Town of Longboat Key
Image courtesy of Christine Green
The home at 145 N. Washington Drive has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,559 square feet of living area.
EYE-OPENERS by Priyanka Sethy & Rajiv Sethy, edited by Jared Goudsmit
By Luis Campos
Doreen
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