Longboat Observer 5.28.26

LONGBOAT

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Observer

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Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

VOLUME 48, NO. 41

YOUR TOWN

Big-ticket projects in works Sewer line, beach renourishment, flood-avoidance booked in five-year plan. SEE PAGE 3

Ian Swaby

Sarah Degran fills a sandbag.

Get ready for hurricane season Now is the time to get ahead of stormwater flooding and fill up your sandbags.

Staff from the Longboat Key Public Works Department will be at Broadway Beach access on June 4 to help Longboat Key residents fill bags.

They will be on-site from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at 100 Broadway St. Residents are limited to 10 sandbags, and the department encourages people to bring their own containers and bags when possible.

Additional dates are July 2, Aug. 6 and Sept. 3. Visit LongboatKey.org.

Fine art is his bag

Leather specialist brings his purses to St. Armands Circle festival. SEE PAGE 18

File image

Michael Bodnyk is minister of music and director of operations at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church.

SAKLC brings back summer music fest Music lovers have a new season of summer concerts to look forward to at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church.

The Midsummer Night Music Festival series returns next month, and tickets are now available. Performance dates include July 21, July 27, Aug. 6, Aug. 26 and Sept. 16 at 40 N. Adams Drive.

Featured performers include the Classern Quartet, organist Adam Aceto, Strings Con Brio with Michael Bodnyk, the Sarasota Piano trio and soprano Michelle Giglio.

Attendees can purchase a season pass for all five shows for $100 or select individual performances. Visit SAKLC. com for tickets and show details.

Dana Kampa

Frank Borelli, who started crafting his high-quality leather handbags in 1972 in New York City, brought his talents to St. Armands Circle for last weekend’s fine arts festival. He started Borelli Bags with his wife, Pam, and he now enjoys connecting with shoppers on the art festival circuit.

Clean sweep

A+E

Beach raking adds to aesthetics but risks erosion, town says.

SEE PAGE 6

$0.10

Forever young PAGE 11 Image courtesy of Angie Cupp

Angie Cupp uses a tractor and landscaping rake attachment to clean Longboat Key beaches of debris.

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

WEEK OF MAY 28, 2026

The Bay Park Conservancy shares new concept plans

“Being able to find viable sand that is of the quality by which we at Longboat Key like our sand, those sources are dwindling.”

Public Works Director Charlie Mopps Read more on page 3

BY THE NUMBERS

Federal, state and local officials cut the ribbon to mark the end of the project to widen Lido Beach some 60 to 100 feet and rebuild its dunes to increase resiliency.

$166.2 MILLION

The cost of the town’s fiveyear capital improvement plan, which includes a major beach renourishment and installation of a wastewater pipe under Sarasota Bay to the mainland PAGE 3

7 FEET

The width of the landscaping rake Angie Cupp pulls on her tractor to clean the beach on Longboat Key PAGE 6

19 UNITS

Condominiums in the historic and tight-knit Dock on the Bay community, which recently completed hurricane repairs PAGE 15

CALENDAR

n Town Commission Regular Meeting – 1 p.m., June 1, 501 Bay Isles Road n Sandbag filling event – 8:30 a.m., June 4, 100 Broadway St. n Planning and Zoning Board Meeting – 9:15 a.m., June 4, 501 Bay Isles Road n Let’s Talk Longboat – 3 p.m., June 4, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Andrew Warfield

Lido Beach renourishment complete I

n what can be described as a chamber of commerce day, local, state and federal officials gathered Tuesday afternoon to cut the ribbon in celebration of the restoration of one of Sarasota’s important tourist attractions — Lido Beach.

After years of erosion and storm damage, beachgoers now have a wider, cleaner and softer beach to enjoy.

During the tropical weather body blows of 2024, Lido Beach experienced accelerated shoreline degradation. At a cost of $12 million paid for by federal funding, the project restored 1.2 miles of eroded shoreline from just north of Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach.

“Since 2021 we’ve had multiple

federally declared disasters, and we’ve had a lot of erosion of the sand,” said City Engineer Nikesh Patel. “After this project, we see that we’ve added approximately 60 to 100 feet of sand that’s out there on Lido Beach.”

Using sand from the New Pass dredging project, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pumped some 300,000 cubic yards of sand south to the project area.

The renourishment is being paired with a project to rebuild dunes along Lido Beach, the two combining to add resilience to the shoreline while providing habitat for seabirds and other coastal wildlife.

Congressman Greg Steube, whom Patel credited for navigating some choppy regulatory

waters, recalled the state of Lido Beach prior to the renourishment.

“I can remember surfing out here a couple of years ago, and the beach ended about where we’re standing, so to see this much beach is a real blessing,” Steube said. “I’m just honored to play a small part of it.”

In addition to the wider beach, Patel said the project also improves navigation at New Pass, which separates Lido and Longboat keys.

“New pass was very shallow for boaters,” he said, adding that running aground was a frequent issue. “That has helped the city of Sarasota and Sarasota Police Department as well as town of Longboat Key.”

As of May 18, The Bay park’s people counters have tabulated 1.15 million visits since opening in fall 2022.

For a municipal park in a city with a population of 58,000, Sarasota Mayor Debbie Trice pointed to that as an extraordinary figure.

Bay Park Conservancy Founding CEO AG Lafley and Chief Operating Officer Diana Shaheen delivered that attendance figure to the Sarasota City Commission on May 18 as part of a report on plans for completing the build-out of The Bay by the end of 2029.

With the fully funded final Phase 2 projects such as a new town square in the Cultural District, resilient shoreline south of the boat launch basin and the first of three restaurants all underway or soon to begin, the BPC is turning its attention toward Phase 3 projects.

Infrastructure improvements will include 60% more trailer parking capacity, 33% more boat launch capacity and seawalls and day docks will be added. Also planned is a mobile bait shop, renovated restrooms, a new stormwater treatment system and additional green space.

Last but not least, a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center is planned to be built and operated by the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation.

Much of it, though, hangs in the balance of whatever form state property tax reform takes. There remains no special legislative session scheduled for that purpose, and time is running short to take up whether a statewide referendum will be included on the ballot in November.

Relief of property taxes, either in whole or in part for Florida resident homeowners, would significantly impact county and municipal revenue with, at present, no clear method of replacing those dollars.

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TABS

W HAT ’S HAPPENING

2

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

3

NEIGHBORHOOD RESILIENCY: $34.3M MISCELLANEOUS: $49.9M

TOTAL: $166.2M

S.T. Cardinal

Norton Street is being planned as the first neighborhood resiliency improvement project in Longboat Key, according to the town’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan.

MEGAPROJECTS DOMINATE 5-YEAR PLAN

SUBAQUEOUS PIPE: $42M

GULFSIDE GROINS: $7.1M BEACH RENOURISHMENT: $32.9M

The town’s Capital Improvement Plan has half of the planned spending occurring in years one and two.

Courtesy image

S.T. CARDINAL STAFF WRITER

B

ig projects are on the horizon in the next couple of years on the barrier

island of Longboat Key, including the installation of an underwater wastewater pipeline, which Town Manager Howard Tipton describes as “the most complicated project the town has ever taken on.”

Expected to break ground in the coming months, the installation of a 20-inch-wide plastic pipe from Longboat Key, under Sarasota Bay and to the mainland is No. 1 on the town’s list of priorities. It’s expected to cost $42 million, though the town hopes the bill comes in lower than that.

“We are in the midst of negotiating those costs downward where we can,” Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman said.

The next fiscal year, another project with an eight-figure price tag will get underway. An 800,000-cubicyard beach renourishment effort is expected to cost $32.9 million and start in late 2027 or early 2028.

And if a $7.2 million groin field is permitted to be built on the Gulfside Road area of the beach, $40.1 million would be spent in fiscal years 2027 and 2028 for beach renourishment and erosion stabilization.

That would mean three projects in two years would take up half of the town’s total capital improvement budget, which includes well over 100 projects.

With back-to-back substantial projects planned in two years, the town relies on contractors and consultants to manage the heavy lifts.

“We have a really excellent team with a lot of great experience, and at the same time we also work very hard to hire trusted advisors like our engineers, architects and contractors on a very high-quality basis by qualifications to help us execute these projects,” Brownman said. “Especially these engineers and architects, they work as an extension of the town, and on certain projects, we bring in our contractors early to work in a partnership.”

The subaqueous wastewater pipeline was damaged by corrosion from resting against a log or tree stump, spilling about 11 million gallons of sewage before being repaired, according to a Longboat Key permit support document.

THE URGENT, AND COSTLY, FIX

Longboat Key’s sewage is sent to a wastewater treatment facility in Manatee County via iron pipe that tunnels under Sarasota Bay and to the mainland.

Installed in 1973 and put into service in 1975, discussion surrounding the eventual replacement of the 50-plus-year-old pipe began years ago. Brownman said the town continuously evaluates the expected lifespan and state of infrastructure throughout the town. In 2016, the town performed a condition reassessment report that concluded the pipe was in fairly good condition, Brownman said.

With that promising report, the town began to plan a long-term replacement strategy for the pipe over the next 10-15 years.

Then, in 2020, the wastewater pipe ruptured near the mangrove fringe on the mainland, spilling 11 million gallons or more of sewage before it was repaired. Long-term planning then became “as soon as possible” planning.

Despite the urgency, the project planning has progressed while price estimates have risen. Preliminary cost estimates for the subaqueous replacement line were $21.9 million, then $30 million. Now, the town is budgeting $42 million for the project in the five-year capital improvement plan. Brownman described the previous cost estimates as “stop gap” as they gave the town a rough estimate before final engineering plans were completed and environmental permit mitigation requirements were known.

Paying for the costly but necessary project will come from a variety of sources. Town Finance Director Susan Smith said the town expects to bring in $3 million via a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant and $1 million from EPA appropriation.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection will appropriate $1.5 million, and $9.6 million will come from a State Revolving Fund grant.

Loans would make up the difference, whether that is $26.9 million (with a $42 million project cost) or less. The town is eligible for a $9.6 million zero-interest loan from the State Revolving Fund. Longboat voters overwhelmingly approved borrowing the money to pay for the project.

“We have the option to issue up to $13 million in bonds under a previous referendum and per our charter, we can issue up to $7,388,425 in revenue bonds without a referendum for this utility fund,” Smith said in an email.

Longboat Key’s most recent beach renourishment project occurred in 2021, with the next round of sandplacing scheduled in 2028.

Image courtesy of Olsen Associates Inc.

Paying back those zero-interest loans would be done over 20 years via the utility fund, which is replenished by revenue from utility bills.

WHITE GOLD

The beach is the main draw of Longboat Key, and it’s not cheap to maintain.

Beach renourishment happens on a seven-to-eight-year recurring schedule, and it’s the most expensive ongoing project the town performs.

In fiscal year 2028, $32 million is earmarked for beach renourishment.

That doesn’t include $10.8 million that could be spent in fiscal year 2027 in preparation for the project. The possible Gulfside Road groin field makes up a majority of that cost.

There is also a $340,000 effort to determine the best source of sand to be placed on the beach.

“Being able to find viable sand that is of the quality by which we at Longboat Key like our sand, those sources are dwindling,” Mopps said at a recent budget meeting. “One of the major tasks that we asked Dr. Al (Browder) and the gang to do is go find more, so that’s what they’re doing.”

That search involves picking up sand from the sea floor to evaluate the quality, including color, shell content, grain size and more. When a suitable source is found, a dredging machine would then take that sand and route it to the beach during the beach renourishment scheduled in fiscal year 2028.

There are two funding paths the town can take, depending on whether $10.6 million in state of Florida Storm Funds are received by the town. If the town does not receive those funds, the town would pay $12.8 million, according to the town’s Capital Improvement Plan. The town share of the cost would be $5.2 million if it receives the storm funds.

The town has “low to mid” confidence it would receive the storm funds, but has high confidence it will receive $12.2 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, $2 million from the Florida Department

of Environmental Management and $5 million from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Without storm funds, the town is set to front 40% of the cost of the renourishment. In the beach fund is $8.7 million, and the remaining $3.5 million would likely come from a loan, or less sand will be placed on the beach, Smith said.

THE COST OF RESILIENCE

Of the top 20 items on the wish list of projects planned by Longboat Key in the next five years, neighborhood resiliency efforts make up the majority of line items, totaling $34.3 million.

Efforts to reduce continual flooding in neighborhoods such as Sleepy Lagoon, the Village and Buttonwood Harbor have been an ongoing discussion for years, with engineers tasked with drawing plans for projects at several neighborhoods and gathering public input through various meetings.

But despite those meetings where plans were presented to neighbors, many of those projects are still more than 18 months out at least, including in the Buttonwood neighborhood. The town has earmarked $3.7 million for phase 1 of Buttonwood improvements, but not until fiscal year 2028. Brownman said the Buttonwood project was moved back a year because with a delay in FEMA grant reimbursements, the streets fund would be in the negative.

“If we left it in fiscal year 27, fiscal year 27 could not be adopted as a balanced budget,” Brownman said.

“It would put the entire fiscal year 27 streets fund in the negative.”

Norton Street residents will have less of a wait for improvements, with $2.7 million budgeted for fiscal year 2027, which begins this fall.

All neighborhood resiliency projects are almost entirely dependent on FEMA. The town is applying for $23.4 million in Hazard Mitigation Grants from the federal agency that has seen shutdowns and extended delays in grant disbursements.

With backto-back substantial projects planned in two years, the town relies on contractors and consultants to manage the heavy lifts.

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

New evacuation re-entry stickers available at Town Hall

Longboat Key hires new town clerk In July, Celine Kidwell will replace longtime clerk Trish Shinkle, who is retiring.

Tiered re-entry stickers feature new colors this year, so residents are encouraged to pick their new stickers up ahead of hurricane season.

S.T. CARDINAL STAFF WRITER

A

S.T. CARDINAL STAFF WRITER

W

hen an evacuation takes place on Longboat Key, the town uses a tiered approach to allow re-entry onto the island.

To make that process safe and seamless, the town distributes windshield stickers that are color coded based on tier of re-entry. Stickers are new colors this year, so residents are encouraged to stop by Town Hall to replace re-entry stickers from previous years.

Fire Chief Paul Dezzi said tiered re-entry is done to prioritize the safety of those on the island following a major storm event.

Dezzi said police officers would be stationed at the foot of both drawbridges onto the island to check stickers. It doesn’t matter how many people are in each vehicle, he said.

Limiting the number of vehicles on the road is the main priority.

When Tier 2 re-entry begins, Dez-

Celine Kidwell has been hired as Longboat Key’s new town clerk, starting in July.

S.T. Cardinal

zi stresses that the idea is not to allow people back on to the island to stay, but to survey while infrastructure gets back online.

The best way to stay up to date in the event of an emergency is through Alert Longboat Key. The emergency notification system sends alerts by phone, email or text message, depending on what information is shared when signing up, which you can do online at Member.

Everbridge.net/398164943175763/ NEW.

The town of Longboat Key distributes yellow and blue stickers for residents and business owners. Red stickers are reserved for police, fire and emergency responders.

THREE TIERS Re-entry is conducted in a three-tiered approach in the event of an evacuation for a major storm. Tier 1 sticker holders would be allowed back onto the island first and Tier 3 would be allowed back last.

Tier 1 (red) — Red windshield stickers are reserved for first responders. Police and fire personnel make the first sweep of the island to ensure there are no public safety hazards.

Tier 2 (yellow) — After initial road

sweeping and safety evaluations, relief workers, certain business owners, religious leaders and healthcare workers are allowed back onto the island. This tier is also applicable to condo and hotel managers who may survey the damage to their property and inform residents and guests.

Tier 3 (blue) — Last onto the island following initial recovery efforts would be all remaining residents and business owners.

fter two decades, the town of Longboat Key will get a new town clerk this summer.

Trish Shinkle, who started with the town in 2006, is retiring. Her last day is June 19, she said.

Celine Kidwell has been picked as the town’s next clerk. Kidwell was recommended for the position unanimously by a hiring committee that consisted of Town Manager Howard Tipton, Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman, Fire Chief Paul Dezzi and Town Attorney Maggie Mooney. There were 13 applicants for the position.

“We interviewed three of the finalists. Two were external, one was internal,” Tipton said. “We looked solely at the basis of professional qualifications, and as a result of the interview process, it was the unanimous recommendation of the committee that we recommend Celine Kidwell as the next town clerk of the town of Longboat Key.” Commissioners unanimously approved Tipton’s recommendation for her appointment at a specially called meeting May 18.

Kidwell, who most recently served as city clerk for Eloy, Arizona, will relocate to Florida and begin her position with Longboat Key this summer, either July 20 or 27, Tipton said. Her starting salary will be $125,000.

In Kidwell’s cover letter to the town, she said she is ready to return to Florida with her husband “to establish our permanent home.”

Before starting with Eloy in February 2025, Kidwell worked for seven years in Florida as city clerk and deputy city clerk for the city of Treasure Island.

“Having served Florida communities, I understand the unique requirements of Florida municipal

Image courtesy of city of Eloy, Arizona

THE CLERK’S ROLE

The town clerk’s job responsibilities are outlined in Longboat Key’s charter, which describes the role as the head of the records department and custodian of all town records. Responsibilities include: Serving as clerk to the Town Commission and recorder of all official actions Being the election official of the town Authenticate documents where required and be custodian of town seal Attest all bonds and contracts on behalf of town Administer oaths Maintain documents and records Other duties as assigned by town commission, town manager or as required by law/ordinance

governance, including Sunshine Law, public records law, and election procedures,” Kidwell wrote in her cover letter. “I am ready to bring my experience to the town of Longboat Key’s tradition of exceptional service.”

Kidwell’s resume shows that she is a Certified Municipal Clerk working toward her Master Municipal Clerk certification, expected to be completed this year.

She is also a Florida Certified Records Manager and Certified Administrative Professional. A Tucson, Arizona, native, Kidwell’s job experience includes nongovernmental work including as executive assistant at NRG Energy in Texas and as administrative assistant with Portland General Electric in Oregon.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

S.T. Cardinal

Grant’s Gardens has a two-bay garage at 525 Gulf Bay Road and is proposing to build an office building on the lot across the street at 524 Gulf Bay Road.

Small road, big drama Grant’s Gardens’ proposed office building construction led to much discussion at a recent Planning and Zoning Board meeting.

S.T. CARDINAL STAFF WRITER

A

fter its old office building was abandoned and demolished after it suffered extensive storm damage in 2024, Grant’s Gardens is taking steps to build a new, raised building on the same lot.

On Tuesday, the town of Longboat Key’s Planning and Zoning Board discussed a proposal by the landscaping company to redevelop a parcel the company purchased for $570,000 in 2021. Town Planner Tate Taylor presented the plans for a raised, 756-square-foot building on the 0.4-acre lot at 524 Gulf Bay Road.

“The owners at this time would like to amend their site plan in order

Image courtesy of town of Longboat Key

Grant’s Gardens has submitted plans to build a raised office building at 524 Gulf Bay Road.

to construct a smaller, FEMA-compliant, elevated building to avoid future flood damage with associated parking and additional landscaping,” Taylor said, presenting a slideshow to the board that showed a rendering of the proposed structure.

Gulf Bay Road, surrounded to the north, south and east by Joan M. Durante Park, is narrow and short, with a handful of houses on either side and the Euphemia Haye restaurant at the front of the road intersecting Gulf of Mexico Drive. Grant’s

Gardens, which does projects at many large condominium complexes and resorts on Longboat Key, currently operates on Gulf Bay Road out of a small two-bay garage at 525 Gulf Bay Road and the lot across the street that it is hoping to redevelop.

Zoned C-2 General Commercial and well within the height, setback, building coverage and open space requirements, staff recommended approval. After Taylor’s presentation on the proposed building, Planning and Zoning Board member Jay Plager said he saw nothing that drew concern.

Then a neighbor spoke on the subject.

“The property, quite frankly, is a dump,” said Marina Attili. “It’s not well maintained. It’s a cluster of vehicles on working days, and I think that they’ve done very little to promote the general well-being of the street and be good neighbors on the street. They’ve been terrible neighbors on the street, and they don’t really care or they don’t really know.

I don’t know which one is worse.”

Jeff Kelley, partner with Grant’s Gardens, addressed the concerns on behalf of the landscaping company. He said Attili was not only a neighbor, but also a longtime former employee who was “let go for misconduct” last June. Kelley made allegations including that Attili has since made false reports to code enforcement.

“All this started in post-termination in retaliation,” Kelley said.

“We take the neighborhood and our place in it very seriously. Any time there have been code enforcement officials out, we have been found in compliance.”

Attili asked if she could make a rebuttal on the record, saying the statements by Kelley were slanderous.

She was not allowed to approach the microphone again, though, after Town Attorney Maggie Mooney noted that the public hearing portion of the meeting had ended. She then reminded the board what it is they were tasked with evaluating at the quasi-judicial hearing.

Some members of the Planning and Zoning Board signified that past zoning designations on Gulf Bay Road may have been a mistake, but that the project was not something

5

PZB DUTIES LAID OUT IN TOWN CODE Town Attorney Maggie Mooney cited town code 158.031 to explain what the Planning and Zoning Board was tasked with considering in a site development plan approval. The following can be considered by the board in its decision-making.

Whether the plan is consistent with the town’s comprehensive plan Whether the plan is in conformance with the zoning designation Whether the development conforms with subdivision regulations, including “design, adequacy and construction of streets, drainage, utility facilities and other essential services” Whether the plan is consistent with design standards of adjoining properties, provides vehicle and pedestrian access, provides adequate open space and preserves existing natural features adequately Whether the plan conforms with town policy for “sufficiency of ownership, guarantees for completion of all required improvements, and, if private, the guarantees for continued maintenance”

that warranted a negative recommendation by the board.

“It appears to me that Grant’s Gardens has met all the criteria that have been outlined for us in deliberating,” board member Ronald Ginsberg said.

“There’s now a little bit of a fly in the ointment, so to speak, as to how its operations, beyond the site development requirements, impact the neighborhood and impact perhaps the island.”

Ginsberg said he doesn’t see any need to reject the application, but that he wanted to make sure that complaints in regards to the business are taken seriously by town staff.

After deliberation, Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously to approve the site development plan.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

ADVERTISEMENT

Image courtesy of Angie Cupp

ARE YOU CRYSTAL CLEAR ON YOUR INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE?

A newly raked beach is Gulfside of the Privateer on Longboat Key.

Beauty vs. fluff

Many investors aren’t and it can quietly lead to uncertainty, missed opportunities, and unknown fees.

WHEN “GOOD ENOUGH” ISN’T CLEAR ENOUGH If you’re like many investors, you receive statements, see balances grow or fluctuate, and assume things are on track. But simple questions like these aren’t always clear: How am I really performing? What am I paying? Is this strategy still right for me?

Beach raking cleans the sand of trash, but town leaders are worried about erosion.

and why, and feeling comfortable asking questions at any time. Without that clarity, it becomes difficult to make decisions.

S.T. CARDINAL

THE JL BAINBRIDGE APPROACH We believe wealth management should feel straightforward and transparent. At JL Bainbridge we prioritize clear communication and fee transparency because we believe you should always know where you stand. Our goal is simple - to help you clearly understand your financial situation because you should always feel informed and not overwhelmed.

STAFF WRITER

E

arly in the morning, Angie Cupp can be seen driving her red Massey Ferguson tractor up and down the beach, towing a 7-foot-wide rake.

Cupp is contracted by resorts and condos including the Longboat Key Club, St. Regis Longboat Key Resort and the Sea Gate Club on the barrier island. Taking over the business from her mother, Cupp has been raking the beach for almost 20 years.

Her rake has scooped up a variety of goodies.

“It catches any trash. I get baby diapers. I get cups. I get clothes, dishes, silverware,” Cupp said. “You’d be surprised what I pull off the beach.”

There are limitations to the practice, though. Beach raking, referred to as “mechanical beach cleaning” by the state, is permitted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

FDEP provides many conditions in its permit. Beach rakers must avoid native vegetation with a 10-foot buffer, avoid dunes, may not rake seaward of the erosion-control line, and tire pressure must be below 10 psi, to name a few conditions. Cupp says she also takes care to avoid raking up any seaweed because “it’s good for the shorebirds, and it holds your beach together.”

FDEP and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation work together to ensure beach raking does not interfere with sea turtle and shorebird nests. Permit guidelines state that during sea turtle nesting season, beach raking may not be performed until after the marine turtle permit holder has performed its daily monitoring.

Longboat Key Club Director of Resort Operations Diane Lopez said the resort loves working with Cupp because of her “dedication to the beach and ensuring her equipment is above board” in regards to the town’s sound ordinance, as well.

“There’s a lot of rules out there,”

And that’s more common than you might think. Many successful individuals and families feel uncertainty around their investments. Not because they aren’t capable but because the information is often presented in a way that’s difficult to interpret. Layers If you’re not completely clear on how of reports, complex terminology, and your investments are performing or unclear fee structures can leave even what you’re paying, it may be time for experienced investors feeling unsure. a second look. You’ve worked hard to THE REALITY: build your wealth. At JL Bainbridge YOU’RE NOT ALONE we are committed to making sure you These are questions we hear regularly: understand how your investments are working towards your goals.

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Cupp said.

Although it’s legal when done in accordance with those rules, town leaders have expressed opposition to beach raking, saying it may increase erosion. Public Works Director Charlie Mopps said that compacted sand is more resistant to coastal processes, and fluffing it with a rake increases the amount pulled out to sea.

“Sand is one of the more expensive assets that we have, and it never stays where it’s supposed to. When you do the beach raking, it allows it to move more than in a natural environment,” said Town Manager Howard Tipton. “We understand the look and feel of the soft sand, but it’s actually a detriment to the long-term maintenance of the beach itself.”

Some studies suggest there could be a connection between beach raking and erosion rates.

Cupp, in her years raking firsthand, hasn’t noticed that connection and said areas next where she works are often more eroded than where she is raking.

“It catches any trash. I get baby diapers. I get cups. I get clothes, dishes, silverware. You’d be surprised what I pull off the beach.”

— Angie Cupp

“I’m not sure that it actually makes a difference because we’re not digging up the sand. I’m not removing shell. A lot of shell and stuff holds your sand together,” Cupp said. “If you remove that, then you’re going to have a problem. But I don’t go deep enough to make a difference on that.”

For resorts on the Gulf, providing guests with a beautiful, trash and debris-free beach is the top priority.

“They want to make their beach look pretty, and they also want all the trash humans leave behind removed because eventually, it’ll end up in the water,” Cupp said.

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JL Bainbridge is a registered investment adviser. Registration with the SEC does not imply any level of skill or training.

JL Bainbridge is not a broker-dealer and does not offer tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax or legal professional for assistance regarding your individual situation. For more information about our firm and our investment adviser representatives, please review our Disclosure Brochure (ADV Part 2A), Privacy Notice, and Relationship Summary (Form CRS) at jlbainbridge.com or reference the SEC website for more information on the firm and its advisers at: https:// adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/108058.

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OPINION / MY VIEW

LONGBOAT

Cash grab in Manatee, too While the Sarasota County tax collector has drawn ire for taking school district money, the Manatee County tax collector has taken even more and been doing it longer.

MATT WALSH

O

ver the past month, this page has reported twice on Sarasota County Tax Collector Mike Moran and the prickly dispute over $2,055,798.65 in commissions Moran entitled his office to take from the Sarasota County School District — much to the district’s surprise and shock.

That, of course, has now become a prickly dispute in circuit court.

Meanwhile, in Manatee County, the story is similar. Longtime Tax Collector Ken Burton has been

doing the same thing as Moran — albeit longer, for even more money and with slightly less public contentiousness. The Manatee School Board hasn’t sued Burton, although its members are plenty irritated, to put it mildly.

In the box, you can see in fiscal year 2025 and the current fiscal year, Burton’s office has withheld $2,506,224.95 from the Manatee school district.

And like his counterpart in Sarasota, Burton has been taking the position that state statutes require him to charge a commission on Manatee’s voter-approved, onemill ad valorem tax for schools.

Burton’s decision to start charging this commission actually came to public light in July 2025.

The East County Observer reported Burton began charging a 2% commission in October 2024 — a month before Moran was elected.

In that report, the East County Observer noted how Burton, like Moran, surprised the district: “We were unaware that the tax collector was going to start taking a commission,” Rachel Sellers,

BUCHANAN, ROBINSON PROVIDE RELIEF Legislative relief for Florida’s school districts is on the way — starting July 1.

Thanks to a recent dinner in Tallahassee and thanks to the driving impetus of Reps. James Buchanan, R-Sarasota, and Will Robinson, R-Bradenton.

Unbeknown to each other, Buchanan and Robinson separately were aware of the tax collector-school board controversies in their respective counties. But then the two of them had dinner together a few weeks ago with the Budget Committee Chairman Lawrence McClure, R-Dover (Hillsborough), and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville (Duval).

The topic came up. The conversation mushroomed. Not only was this an issue in Sarasota and Manatee, but it’s even bigger in Broward County, where the school board stands to lose as much as $10 million to the tax collector.

The four legislators agreed that is a fix is needed.

Since then, Buchanan became designated to take the lead on crafting language to be inserted this week into the Legislature’s special session tax legislation.

Approval is expected. Buchanan and Robinson said the insert has the backing of House and Senate leadership.

The legislation’s wording

definitively says county commissions are to pay all commissions on all school millages. Tax Collectors Mike Moran and Ken Burton have contended they are required to charge a commission to the school districts on school districts’ voter-approved millages as well.

In the previous 23 years, Sarasota Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates charged a commission on the local, staterequired school millage rate but no commission on the special, voter-approved school tax.

The Buchanan-Robinson legislation also gives tax collectors the option to waive their commission on votedapproved school millages.

The legislation would go into effect July 1 only for one year.

“We have an opportunity in this tax package to provide statutory clarity and flexibility so these dollars are used the way voters intended,” Buchanan said. “When it comes to our kids and their education, it’s simply the right thing to do.

Meantime, in separate interviews, Buchanan and Robinson said they expect more comprehensive legislation will be addressed in the 2027 legislative session.

“I want to dig into all of this,” Buchanan said.

— MW

No good deed goes … his is a Longboat Key classic: T The town and owner of the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort are now

fighting in court over a small sign.

It’s so Longboat.

The sign is atop an archway that St. Regis owner/developer Chuck Whittall installed on the 60-yearold Makepeace groin that was one of the late Murf Klauber’s pride and joys when he owned and operated the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort.

For Whittall, the archway and sign have become a popular attraction for St. Regis guests to take “selfies” and spread the accolades of St. Regis and Longboat Key all over the world. You can’t buy that kind of advertising.

But for the town, rules are rules.

Achtung!

To be frank, if you believe the town’s lawsuit is factual, Whittall didn’t follow Longboat’s rules to the “T.” He didn’t specifically apply to the town for a sign permit as the town requires.

When the town called him on it, he asked the town to change the

Photo Courtesy of Chuck Whittall

The St. Regis archway

code in his behalf.

Egad, the zoning board said. We can’t do that. If we do that for the guy who resurrected a dilapidated, abandoned and rat-infested property; invested nearly $1 billion to develop the region’s most spectacular resort (which provides hundreds of jobs, will raise property values and draw wealthy, moneyspending tourists to the region) … what if every property on the beach wanted to erect a similar sign? We can’t set a precedent, the zoning board said.

Whittall being Whittall — bold,

MANATEE TAX COLLECTOR’S COMMISSION ON VOTER-APPROVED SCHOOL TAX FY 2025 Total collected from taxpayers Tax collector 2% commission Net returned to school district Unused revenue returned to district 10.25 Total commission not returned to district

$74,999,301.56 $1,499,986.04 $73,499,315.52 ($474,855.91) $1,025,130.13

FY 2026* Total collected from taxpayers Tax collector 2% commission Net returned to school district Total commission not returned to district

$74,054,741.79 $1,481,094.82 $72,573,646.97 $1,481,094.82

Total commission withheld

$2,506,224.95

*Through March 2026

Source: Manatee County School District

HOW TAX COLLECTOR EXPENSES COMPARE SARASOTA FY 2025 Total $11,734,439 Employees 103 Population/cost per capita 487,640 MANATEE Total $19,250,384 Employees 116 Population/cost per capita 466,845

FY 2026 $15,741,407 117 $24.06

% Chg. 34.1% 13.6%

$20,515,391 124 $41.23

6.6% 6.9%

Source: Tax collectors’ budgets

deputy superintendent of business services, told Manatee school board members.

School Board Member Chad Choate also said Burton gave no warning to the board of the 2% commission. Choate said he had met with Burton June 27, 2025, to discuss the commission, but the meeting ended with no resolution.

“Everybody was very nice and cooperative,” Choate told the Observer. “I don’t think there was any malice.”

Nevertheless, Manatee School Board members viewed the new charge with disdain and outrage.

The Observer reported board member Heather Felton saying: “The tax collector didn’t get out there and do anything to get this millage. The fact that he gets a commission off doing nothing is disgusting to me. And yes, I’m very irritated about this.”

After that July 2025 school board meeting, the lawyers on both sides became involved. Around late August, early September 2025, Burton and his lawyers mollified the school board’s angst by telling the district Burton’s office had requested a ruling from the Florida attorney general to determine whether the tax collector was entitled to the commission.

The school board stood down.

(Moran tried the same approach just a few weeks ago in Sarasota.)

But you could say the attorney general tactic was a blatant stall and subterfuge on Burton’s part.

For the next nine months, Burton’s office continued to collect the commission, while the school board awaited the opinion.

And yet, on May 8, 2026, asked to confirm if the request for the opinion had been submitted to the attorney general, Burton’s office said it had been drafted but never submitted. Most people would say

risk-taking, visionary entrepreneur (and builder of great real estate developments all over Florida) — essentially said, “Fine, sue me.”

Well, that is what the courts are for in our democracy — to settle disputes.

It’s lamentable when two parties end up in the courts. The common refrain is that the only winners are the lawyers who argue their clients’ cases.

But as always, all of this could have been avoided. Yes, Whittall could have/should have followed the town procedures. Our guess is he knew the town would say no.

But here is what is missing too often in disputes between citizens and their governments: The government’s first response typically is “No. The rules don’t allow it.” But the government’s second response should be: “Let’s see if we can find a way to make it work.” Rarely does that occur.

You can understand Whittall’s exasperation. He risked nearly $1 billion to add a new landmark to Longboat Key. In return, surely it feels like no good deed goes unpunished.

— MW

Burton’s office lied.

Manatee School Superintendent Laurie Breslin told us last week: “When I stepped into my role midSeptember, my understanding at that time was that we were waiting on this opinion from the attorney general.

“I did meet with the tax collector about two weeks ago. And during that meeting, we learned that that request was never sent to the attorney general, and they have no intention of sending it at this time, pending the litigation that has been filed in Sarasota and now in South Florida as well.”

Breslin said the school district and Burton’s office “at this point have agreed to continue the conversation this summer to see if we can come to a resolution.

I would like not to end up in a situation where we are spending costly dollars in litigation. That defeats the purpose that I want to achieve — and that is to get this money into our schools to support our students.”

In each case, the postures and justifications of the tax collectors are flimsy, see-through fabrications. If, for example, you read Burton’s July 11, 2025, “Setting the record straight” online memo (Google “manatee tax collector setting the record straight.”), it’s spin that uses a poorly worded state statute as a cover.

The two sagas are clearly a money grab and about power. To wit: Asked what prompted Burton’s office to begin charging for the first time a commission on the voterapproved tax — was it a change in the law? No. Burton’s explanation was in his memo: “After an internal review in 2024, our office made a necessary correction … ” No warning. No vote. No change in the law. Just self-appointed, selfanointed abuse of power.

“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 Wingert, KWingert@YourObserver.com Staff Writers / S.T. “Tommy” Cardinal TCardinal@YourObserver.com; Dana Kampa, DKampa@YourObserver.com Digital News Analytics and Marketing Strategist / Kaelyn Adix, KAdix@YourObserver.com Digital News Editor / Eric Garwood, EGarwood@YourObserver.com Copy Editor / Gina Reynolds Haskins, GRHaskins@YourObserver.com Senior Editorial Designer / Melissa Leduc, MLeduc@YourObserver.com Editorial Designer / Jenn Edwards, JEdwards@YourObserver.com A+E Editor / Monica Roman Gagnier, MGagnier@YourObserver.com Chief Revenue Officer / Jill Raleigh, JRaleigh@YourObserver.com Advertising Director / Penny Nowicki, PNowicki@YourObserver.com Senior Sales Executive / Richeal McGuinness, RMcGuinness@ YourObserver.com; Toni Perren, TPerren@ YourObserver.com Advertising Executives / Jennifer Kane, JKane@YourObserver.com; Honesty Mantkowski, HMantkowski@ YourObserver.com; Marcus Ponce, MPonce@YourObserver.com; Anna Reich, Anna@YourObserver.com; Brenda White, BWhite@YourObserver.com Classified Advertising Sales Executive / Sydney Schunk, SSchunk@YourObserver. com Head of Sales Operations / Susan Leedom, SLeedom@YourObserver.com Account Managers / Lori Downey, LDowney@YourObserver.com; Caitlin Ellis, CEllis@YourObserver.com Advertising and Event Coordinator / Marisa Merlino, MMerlino@YourObserver. com Director of Strategic Growth / Kathleen O’Hara, KOHara@YourObserver.com Strategic Marketing Coordinator / Landyn Park, LPark@YourObserver.com Social Media and Content Manager / Emma Burke, EBurke@YourObserver.com Tributes Coordinator / Kristen Boothroyd, Tributes@YourObserver.com Director of Creative Services and IT / Caleb Stanton, CStanton@YourObserver. com Creative Services Administrator / Marjorie Holloway, MHolloway@ YourObserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Luis Trujillo, Taylor Poe, Louise Martin, Shawna Polana Digital Developer / Jason Camillo, JCamillo@YourObserver.com Information Technology Manager / Homer Gallego, HGallego@YourObserver. com Controller / Rafael Labrin, RLabrin@ YourObserver.com Office and Accounting Coordinator / Donna Condon, DCondon@ YourObserver.com

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Matt Walsh

More than 38,000 veterans and dependents are buried and interred at the Sarasota National Cemetery.

BELATED MEMORIAM If you didn’t or forgot Monday, even now a moment of silence at 3 p.m. today is a worthy gesture to the more than 1.3 million American men and women who died for us and our liberty.

— MW

is locally owned.

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

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Why does the tax collector need a PR firm?

Kudos to Matt Walsh on the excellent Opinion/My View piece about how Mike Moran should respond to our School Board when the Sarasota County Commission voted to have the county pay the 2% collection fee instead of the School Board.

But after reading this I have two questions. One is why are we paying an out of state Public Relations Firm (Lou Hammond Group) $8,000 a month? What, we do not have any PR firms in the city or county of Sarasota that could handle this job? Furthermore, why does the tax collector need a Public Relations company?

My second question is about the Lou Hammond Group. Why do you want to hire a PR firm that did not fact check the information supplied to them to make an inaccurate video about explaining a Florida Statute?

SALLY BAILEY SARASOTA

Political violence is a threat to democracy While political violence has historically been an unfortunate part of our American political history, the cascade of events in the last decade should be cause for major concern.

From Jan. 6 and the attempts on President Trump’s life, the assaults on Paul Pelosi and the attempted kidnapping of Gov. Whitmer to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, we have achieved a new level of violent attacks on public figures.

Peggy Noonan discussed her views in a May 2 Wall Street Journal editorial, when she stated, “political assassination is a particularly grave crime because it is an attempt to kill democracy itself.”

So, what can we do about it? n Insist that our political leaders tone down their own rhetoric.

Starting with the president, to our congressional leaders, and to our state and local officials, we need to take down the temperature of our political discourse. n Treat those who disagree with our positions with respect and

Let us hold our leaders, the media and ourselves to a higher standard of discourse by treating one another as human beings with respect and dignity.

COPS CORNER

LETTERS

dignity. n Stop appealing to the extremes of both parties with inflammatory comments. n Reject extreme media outlets by not watching, reading, or subscribing. n Take an interest in what our kids and grandkids are watching and reading, particularly on social media. n Reach out to schools to learn what they are teaching as it relates to kindness and respect and encourage them to control the use of smartphones on school grounds. n And most importantly, set an example among family, friends, and associates by discussing issues in a civil fashion, respecting the viewpoints of others as we discuss and debate.

Let us hold our leaders, the media and ourselves to a higher standard of discourse by treating one another as human beings with respect and dignity.

This letter is on behalf of Miracle on the Key, a small group of citizens living in the Sarasota area. Five of us are Democrats, one of us is an independent and six of us are Republicans, and we have been working together for five years to not only find common ground, but to advocate programs and policy initiatives with local, state and federal officials.

FRIDAY, MAY 15

NEIGHBORHOOD SPEEDING 10:47 a.m., Bayou Sound Citizen assist: A homeowner in a gated community called the cops after seeing a car speeding in the neighborhood, and not for the first time. The caller estimated that a vehicle was traveling on a residential street at 55 mph.

The woman took matters into her own hands before calling police, following the vehicle to where it parked. The driver got out of the vehicle and told her to leave the property. When police arrived to speak to the complainant, he told the woman that the police department is limited in enforcing speeding in a gated community, and advised that she reach out to the homeowners association to make a formal request for traffic enforcement.

SUNDAY, MAY 17

FLYOVER 4:01 p.m., Gulfside Road Suspicious person: Suspicious people on Gulfside Road prompted a call to police on a recent Sunday afternoon. The caller said that two men had been flying a drone near an abandoned house, but had not attempted to enter the house. By the time police arrived, the alleged perpetrators had already left in a black electric vehicle and no license plate or direction of travel was gathered.

MONDAY, MAY 18

SNEAKING WITH A HEADLAMP 8:47 a.m., Wedge Lane Suspicious person: A resident who recently moved in got a scare when she saw a man with a headlamp walking around a neighboring property the night before. Police responded and spoke with the neighbor who said the man with a headlamp had wandered around the property for about two hours.

Police found a phone number of the property owner, who told police the man was a landscaper who needed to be there during dark to make sure landscaping lights were set up correctly. Police informed the worried neighbor.

MIRACLE ON THE KEY

SOMETHING TO SAY?

Send your letters to Kat Wingert at KWingert@ YourObserver.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 15

TOP DOG 8:05 a.m., 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive Animal problem: Police responded to Bayfront Park after receiving a call about an aggressive dog in the dog park. When police arrived, they met with the caller, who said a white dog resembling a Jack Russell was fighting with other dogs. The complainant said he had to personally break up four to five fights. Police then spoke with the owner of the dog, who said his dog does play a bit rough, but had never bitten another dog. The dog owner said the complainant was the one who was aggressive and that he was threatening to hurt or kill his dog. Police watched the dog and did not notice any aggressive behavior. The officer then told the owner of the allegedly aggressive dog that civil suits could be filed if his dog were aggressive and he closed the case.

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ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

FOREVER

Ann Morrison played the titular role in the Broadway touring production of “Kimberly Akimbo” for 10 months.

YOUNG Ann Morrison, 70, just wrapped a national tour playing the teenaged lead in ‘Kimberly Akimbo.’

MARTY FUGATE

Courtesy images

CONTRIBUTOR

A

nn Morrison is an elfin, tireless, ageless Sarasota-based actor, producer and playwright. If you live here, you already know that. For decades, her best-known role was that of the original Mary Flynn in the ill-starred 1981 production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along.” The rare Broadway flop in Sondheim’s storied career later became the subject of a 2016 documentary, “Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened.” To outsiders, Morrison’s career suddenly skyrocketed, but she’s been a fixture of local theater for years.

After playing Herod in Josh Rhodes’ production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” at Sarasota’s Asolo Repertory Theatre in 2025, she landed the lead in the Broadway touring production of “Kimberly Akimbo.” In the heartbreaking yet funny tale, Morrison played a teenage girl with a premature aging disease. The whirlwind 10-month national road show went to 45 theaters. Now, Morrison’s back in town. She shares the twists and turns of life on the road.

How did you land this amazing role?

By not trying! I’ve lived my whole life by not being a pursuer. I still don’t have an agent.

I just like to go where doors open. The “Kimberly Akimbo” casting office kept calling me.

“Would you like to audition as Victoria Clark’s understudy on Broadway?” My answer was “No.” They called again while I was getting ready to play Herod in “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Asolo. This time, my answer was “yes.” (Producer) David Stone said he’d pushed for me after seeing the documentary about “Merrily We Roll Along.”

Who is Kimberly Akimbo? How would you describe her?

Kimberly’s been on this planet for 16 years, but her body ages four to five times faster than normal. Unlike most teens, she has impulse control — and she’s upbeat. But intellectually, Kim knows her time is short.

That doesn’t hit her emotionally until she hears other teens discussing their futures. That’s when she realizes she doesn’t have one.

What’s the essence of Kimberly’s personality?

The most important thing is she’s never a victim. She stays optimistic, even despite her condition and her wildly dysfunctional family.

What’s your take on the musical itself?

It’s fun. It’s original. It’s got so many great oddball characters. As dysfunctional as they are, you fall in love with them. It’s a beautiful, beautiful show and funny, funny, funny.

It’s a musical about a rapidly aging teenage girl. That’s a heartbreaking premise. So how

put our heads together remotely.

He kept our SaraSolo company alive and continued teaching. He also discovered new things like weight training. We had similar paths of exploration.

How did the musical change you? How did you grow?

On stage, I stretched my acting muscles — and my actual muscles.

Back at my hotel, my meditations became deeper. After each show, I’d go back to my room and put my thoughts down on paper. I germinated a lot of good stuff.

Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine

Blake Walton and Ann Morrison are cofounders of the artist incubator SaraSolo Productions.

to the universe in some strange, holy way. I felt a sense of wonder — the way you feel when you’re a kid.

Ann Morrison starred as Mary in the ill-fated Broadway premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along,” which closed after 16 performances in 1981.

could it be funny?

David Lindsey-Abaire’s genius is how. He’s amazingly good at looking at human behavior and finding love and compassion. He adapted the musical from his play — and I think it’s better than the original.

You had to make magic on the stage night after night. How did you do that?

By staying fully present. Every night I was a different Annie, with a different audience, in a different show. Once I realized that, I listened more closely to the other actors and followed my instinctive shifts in the moment.

What version of Kimberly did you create?

Just being myself. I really am a 16-year-old trapped in a 70-yearold body, so I wasn’t really acting. I just showed up.

What did you love best about life on the road?

The alone time. The “creative quietude.” Many people won’t relate. ... But being alone tapped me into different forms of creativity — a sacred creativity. I was connected

What surprised you the most?

Mother Nature! We spent 10 straight weeks in winter weather.

I couldn’t walk barefoot outside because there was snow everywhere. Since I’ve got Florida blood, I was cold all the time.

To quote the great Frank Zappa, “Touring can make you crazy.”

How did you keep your sanity?

Well, I studied. Constantly. I designed my own curriculum — quantum physics, spirituality, metaphysics, and even how to grow trees.

I watched short films on and studied the acting, editing and cinematography. And I also stayed creatively engaged. I rewrote an art song and brainstormed a new show.

Did you also have a routine like yoga or meditation?

I did at first. Walking is big for me, but in the winter, that didn’t happen. I just stayed active in the hotel the best possible way.

Did you tour on buses or fly?

Both. If the next theater was a short drive, we took the bus. If it was one or two states away, we flew.

Was it a continuous tour or did you get any breaks?

I came home for about three weeks in September and two weeks at Christmas.

How’d you stay in touch with your Sarasota supporters?

Zoom sessions?

My companion Blake (Walton) and I sometimes talked three times a day. He was without me for 10 months. We’d compare notes and

How many creative talents toured with you?

I traveled with 42 people — cast, musicians, crew, company managers, understudies, everybody. We all genuinely adored each other. That’s rare. If something went wrong, everybody just laughed. A prop disappeared, the food for a dinner scene wasn’t there, somebody missed a cue — we’d improvise and just keep going.

The other actors were in their teens and 20s. How did you keep up?

They struggled to keep up with me.

From their point of view, my energy level would exhaust kindergartners.

They even gave me an award: “Ann Morrison: Legendary Old Broad.”

Speaking of cool, I understand your character ice skates.

Yep. Kimberly ice skates, so I skate.

Don’t tell my osteoporosis doctor.

She’d have a heart attack. I hadn’t been on skates since I was 17.

Was skating a challenge for you at age 70?

Nah. Thankfully, everybody else does the flips and spins. Kimberly only skates down a single line and then turns around.

“Merrily We Roll Along” has had a resurgence. Would you say your acting career has had a comeback as a result?

No, I wouldn’t. I can’t come back because I never went away. I’ve always been working — just not in New York City. The illusion is that if you’re not acting in New York, you’re on hiatus. That’s bull.

There’s great theater everywhere.

Just do it. Just go for it. Create your own work. Follow your passion — even if it doesn’t lead to Broadway.

Now, pretend you have a time machine. You set the dial to 1981. What would you say to the young Ann Morrison?

Keep going, Kid. Everything you do leads to the next thing. Don’t judge it; experience it. Life is short, so just enjoy the ride. Annie’s going to turn out fine.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

the Schmidt Vocal Arts National Competition. A total of 58 teen singers have advanced to the semifinals, presented in partnership with the Sarasota Opera. Cash prizes of up to $10,000 will be awarded and three semi-finalists will be selected to participate in a master class before the final round.

Continues May 31.

ALEXANDER CALDER: THE NATURE OF MOVEMENT 10 a.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St. $28 Visit Selby.org.

THIS WEEK

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Hermitage Fellow and Grammy-nominated musical theater composer Rona Siddiqui teams up with Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe performers Raleigh Moseley II and Maicy Powell for Hermitage Sunset Music on the Beach on Thursday, May 28.

THURSDAY ‘LEAVING ON A JET PLANE’ 7 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Goldstein Cabaret, 1239 N. Palm Ave. $42 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

“Leaving on a Jet Plane” features an acoustic trio that takes you on a flight to the feel-good era of folk music in the late 1960s and 1970s.

‘HONKY TONK ANGELS’ 7 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Gompertz Theatre, 1265 First St. $25-$59 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Join three Dolly Parton wannabes on a road trip to Nashville as they follow their dreams of country music stardom. This musical journey gives its stars the chance to belt out country favorites like Parton’s “9 to 5” and Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man.” Runs through June 21.

‘MARIE AND ROSETTA’ 7:30 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail $65-$71 Visit AsoloRep.org.

Students of popular music know that Sister Rosetta Tharpe earned

DON’T MISS

SUNSET MUSIC ON THE BEACH Hermitage Fellow Rona Siddiqui, a Grammy-nominated musical theater composer, shares the stage with local performers Raleigh Moseley II and Maicy Powell of Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Siddiqui will discuss her approach to songwriting and Moseley and Powell will perform as the sun sets on this beachfront performance. This is one of

the nickname “the godmother of rock ’n’ roll” for transforming gospel music with her fierce guitar playing. Asolo Repertory Theatre’s latest production captures the first rehearsal between Tharpe (Maiesha McQueen) and one of her acolytes, Marie Knight (Alexis J. Roston), as they prepare for a world tour. Runs through May 31.

FRIDAY ‘ONE HIT WONDERS’ 9 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s John C. Court Cabaret, 1265 First St. $37-$42 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Is it better to have had just one song top the charts than to have

those sublime experiences sure to spark the sentiment, “This is why we live here.” Bring your own refreshments.

IF YOU GO When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28 Where: Hermitage Artist Retreat, 6630 Manasota Key Road, Englewood Tickets: $5 with registration Info: Visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org.

none at all? You’ll have time to think about that question as you listen to such hit songs as Don McLean’s “American Pie,” a runaway hit that eclipsed nearly everything else in the troubadour’s career, and “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” from Bobby McFerrin. Runs through June 21.

SATURDAY SCHMIDT VOCAL ARTS NATIONAL COMPETITION 9:45 a.m. at Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave. $15.45, students $10 Visit SarasotaOpera.org.

High school students from around the country compete for up to 16 places in the final round of

It’s last call for Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ tribute to Alexander Calder and his abstract moving sculptures, dubbed “mobiles.” Calder’s interest in suspension provides a provocative pairing with Selby’s collection of epiphytes, or air plants, in Selby’s annual Jean & Alfred Goldstein Exhibition. Runs through May 31.

‘BLOCKBUSTED’ 7:30 p.m. at FST’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St. $15-$18 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

What’s the best entertainment bargain in town? It’s the Saturday night performances of Florida Studio Theatre Improv, which top out at $18 a ticket. You’ll laugh so hard you cry at these ever-changing lineups. “Blockbusted” takes audiences back to the days of the video store as fearless improvisers face off against each in sketches powered by audience suggestions.

It’s the perfect date night for young and old.

SUNDAY ‘SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING NEW’ 11 a.m. at the Sarasota Art Museum campus of Ringling College, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail $20 Visit SarasotaArtMuseum.org.

“Something Borrowed, Something New” features major modern artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Chuck Close, David Hockney, Yoko Ono, Kara Walker and Ai Weiwei. Their

OUR PICK

LEVIN LECTURE This year’s Sarasota Music Festival is a slimmed-down affair following the departure of longtime artistic director Jeffrey Kahane in 2025. But some things won’t change, namely the annual lecture by Kahane’s predecessor, Robert D. Levin. The pianist, composer and conductor was head of the Sarasota Music Festival for a decade and was a professor of music at Harvard University from 1993 to 2014. Levin is an expert on improvisation in classical music, and this lecture is sure to include musical interludes.

IF YOU GO When: 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 3 Where: Holley Hall, 709 N. Tamiami Trail Tickets: $15-$25 Info: Visit SarasotaOrchestra. org.

works have been loaned by private collectors in Southwest Florida to SAM for the show, which runs from April 19 through Sept. 27.

MONDAY ANCIENT ART FROM CYPRUS AND THE MEDITERRANEAN 10 a.m. at The John and Mable Ringling Art Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Road Free with $30 admission; Mondays free Visit Ringling.org.

In 1928, circus magnate John Ringling moved beyond collecting Baroque paintings with a major acquisition of more than 2,000 pieces of Cypriot art at the Anderson Galleries in New York, where the Metropolitan Museum was selling parts of its ancient art collection. For the first time, Ringling’s treasures have a permanent home in Gallery 12 after a decadelong project.

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The funky festival returns for its fourth edition from June 2-7 at the Jane B. Cook Theatre.

A+E EDITOR

E

veryone knows the squeaky wheel gets the grease. But what happens after that? When founder Megan Radish unveiled her Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival in 2023, she wasn’t sure whether she was producing a one-time event or creating a Sarasota mainstay inspired by the venerable Edinburgh Fringe, known as the “world’s great platform for creative freedom.”

Luckily for performers and audiences, Squeaky Wheel Fringe is making more noise than ever for its fourth edition, which runs from June 2-7 at the Cook Theatre in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

“We started out with a hope and dream,” Radish said in an interview.

“People seem to have embraced it.

There aren’t a lot of opportunities that aren’t professional for artists to get paid to do their art. I’m glad that we’ve gotten the following we have.”

Radish says she’s billing this year’s Squeaky Wheel as a “homecoming” because several performers are returning to the festival, which features a smorgasbord of nine noholds-barred performances, including spoken word, dance, song and cross-genre.

Tania Vergara Dance Theatre, previously known as Endedans Dance company, is coming back to Squeaky Wheel with “Casa Havana,” which explores family dynamics as it celebrates Cuban rhythms. Last year, the dance troupe won the audience choice award for its multidisciplinary piece, “Paradox of the Mirror.”

Former Sarasota theater kid Victoria Montalbano is back in town with a one-person show called “Timey Wimey Stuff: The Mid Life Crisis of a Time Traveling Space Archaeologist.” With its off-the-wall format, fringe festivals give artists the chance to present their work as they wish it to be seen, and also to come up with really long titles.

A native of Chicago, Montalbano was in the debut edition of Squeaky Wheel Fringe in 2023, with her “Star Wars”infused piece, “The Princess Strikes Back: One Woman’s Search for the Space Cowboy of her Dreams.”

An ensemble consisting of some familiar faces from The Sarasota Players community theater will be presenting “The Pep Rally: A ‘Religious’ Variety Show.” In this m u l t i ge n re s h ow, the protagonist, Ezra

IF YOU GO

Mathers, returns to his Christian college to lead a homecoming pep rally. Ezra has an ax to grind because he was never cast in any shows when he was in school. So watch out!

That “I coulda been a contender” theme runs through another Squeaky Wheel Fringe show, “Grease is the Word.” Co-written by Kallista Schneiderman and her mother, Kelly Haramis, the piece was inspired by a snub Haramis received in high school. Back in 1989, when she was an aspiring actor at Deltona High in Florida, Haramis wasn’t cast as Rizzo in “Grease.”

Fast-forward to 2026: Her daughter, a student at USC in Los Angeles, has decided to right this wrong by staging a fake production of “Grease” at a senior center so her mom’s theater dreams can finally come true. That’s the story line for their fringe piece.

In real life, Haramis is a Chicago actor, writer and improviser. She’s married to incoming Ringling College of Art and Design President Davis Schneiderman, who starts June 1.

When Haramis and her daughter heard the family was moving to Sarasota, they looked around for venues that would be right for “Grease Is the Word.” As fate would have it, they discovered that the Squeaky Wheel Fringe was happening just as Schneiderman was starting his new job.

A CAMEO ROLE FOR A NEW COLLEGE PRESIDENT

“There’s a reason I didn’t get cast as Rizzo,” Haramis says. “I can’t sing.” To solve that problem, Kallista Schneiderman and her friend, NYU student Nora Sharman, will perform in “Grease is the Word,” which was written by Haramis and Kallista.

Those who want to get a peek at Ringling College’s new president can see him in the play, which is billed as “part heartfelt comedy, part loving prank.”

SQUEAKY WHEEL FRINGE FESTIVAL TEASER SHOW When: 7 p.m. June 2 Where: Jane B. Cook Theatre, FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail Tickets: Pay what you will Info: Visit SqueakyWheelTheatre.org.

This is not the Schneiderman family’s first theatrical collaboration.

Last summer, Haramis performed in a staged reading in Chicago of the play, “You can Call Me Al,” which she wrote with her husband. Haramis is a graduate of Penn State and the Second City Conservatory.

Other productions on tap at the Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival include a dance theater piece called “The One,” an improv show from Orlando titled “It’s Alive! Live,” “Confessions of a Theme Park Worker,” “My Life as an ‘Inspirational Porn’ Star” and “The Common Ground,” an import from New Jersey set in a suburban coffee shop that follows a young woman trying to rebuild her life.

This year’s Squeaky Wheel Fringe, which is supported by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, includes more visual projections and other bells and whistles than previous festivals, Radish notes.

If you’re not sure which, if any, of these grassroots productions appeal to you, the best way to find out is by attending the Squeaky Wheel Fringe teaser on June 2, which gives audiences a sample of each show.

“To encourage people to attend, we’ve made it pay what you will,” Radish says. Tickets for each fringe performance are no more than $20.70, including a $4 festival fee.

Except for the fest fee, all proceeds benefit the artists.

Courtesy image

Kallista Schneiderman and Kelly Haramis rehearse for their upcoming performance of “Grease is the Word,” at the Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival.

1734 South Tamiami Trail Venice, FL 34293 941.493.7441

4551 N. Washington Blvd.

Sarasota, FL 34234 941.355.8437

2510 1st Street West Bradenton, FL 34208 941.748.4679

Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week kicks off its 21st edition OBSERVER STAFF

M

ay’s graduations give way to the weddings of June, and for more than two decades, Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week, which runs from June 1-14 this year.

During this fun-filled promotional period, more than 50 eateries in Sarasota County will serve two-course lunches for just $25 and three-course dinners for $45, with many offering extras, such as wine pairings and signature cocktails.

Originally started by the predecessor to the tourist group Visit Sarasota in 2005 to drum up business after the snowbirds leave, Savor Sarasota has become a much-anticipated event.

It’s right up there with the Forks & Corks Festival at The Ringling Courtyard, scheduled for Jan. 21-25, 2027.

Savor Sarasota is an excuse to get out of your culinary comfort zone and try a new restaurant or to take a budget-oriented trip to one of your pricier favorites. It’s also a way to show support for local businesses.

When Visit Sarasota surveyed last year’s 62 participants in Savor Sarasota, the 26 restaurants that disclosed their numbers (42% of participants) said they served 6,520 lunches and 24,101 dinners. Those seatings brought in $163,000 in lunch revenue and $1,084,545 in dinner sales.

“Savor Sarasota really is my favorite time of the year,” says Erin Duggan, president and CEO of Visit Sarasota County. “It’s exciting to see our restaurant community come together to create multicourse dining experiences, while giving chefs a

Monica Roman Gagnier

Arts and Central, the Rosemary District restaurant founded in 2024

by Dan Henson Jr. and Dan Henson, is participating in the 21st annual Savor Sarasota Restaurant Week.

IF YOU GO SAVOR SARASOTA RESTAURANT WEEK When: June 1-14 Where: Eateries in downtown Sarasota, St. Armands Circle, Lakewood Ranch, Siesta Key and Venice Tickets: $25 for lunch; $45 for dinner Info: Go to VisitSarasota.com.

chance to showcase new dishes and guest favorites.

There’s even a digital app that can be downloaded to guide your journey on what is billed as the “Flavor Trail.”

It can be downloaded at VisitSarasota.com.

SAVOR SARASOTA RESTAURANTS SARASOTA

99 Bottles 1592 Wood Fired Kitchen Amore Restaurant Andrea’s Kitchen Arts & Central Bevardi’s Salute!

Boca Bridges Restaurant Cafe Barbosso C’est La Vie Comida Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood.

Evoq Fat Rabbit Pub Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse Kolucan La Dolce Vita Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar Mademoiselle Paris Marcel Mattison’s Forty-One Michael’s On East Mimi Brasserie & Speakeasy Rodizio Grill Rose & Ivy Rufa at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota Sardinia Selva Grill Downtown State Street Eating House The Maine Line The Reserve by Chef Antonio Tripletail Seafood & Spirits Tzeva Mediterranean Restaurant Wink Wink Food and Drink

OUR SHOWROOMS ARE OPEN

ST. ARMANDS CIRCLE/ LONGBOAT KEY

Café on St. Armands Crab & Fin Harry’s Continental Kitchens La Norma Ristorante and Pizzeria Lazy Lobster

SIESTA KEY

Cafe Gabbiano Miguel’s

LAKEWOOD RANCH/UTC

Agave Bandido Cassariano Lakewood Ranch Fleming’s Steakhouse UTC JPAN Sushi & Grill UTC Kore Steakhouse Post Kitchen and Bar Selva Grill UTC

NORTH PORT/OSPREY/ NOKOMIS/ENGLEWOOD/ VENICE

Anna Maria Oyster Bar (North Port) Bodrum Restaurant Cafe Evergreen Chophouse 285 Evie’s on the Bay Farlow’s on the Water Fins at Sharky’s Pop’s Sunset Grill San Marco of Venice The Crow’s Nest The Point Waterfront

www.manasotaonline.com

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Sarasota’s Squeaky Wheel Fringe Festival keeps making noise MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

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Holy smoke! National Brisket Day is May 28 CONTRIBUTOR

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Holy Smoke: This food truck makes you rethink whatever quick lunch plan you had planned for the day. The brisket sandwich ($15) is tender, smoky and stacked just right. The brisket and pork plate ($18) leans all the way into comfort with sides like smokehouse dirty rice, sweet potatoes or classic coleslaw rounding everything out.

Pit Happens: And if we’re not counting calories, which, honestly, we’re not today, the brisket mac and cheese ($8) is my move. Creamy and loaded with smoky brisket folded into every bite, it’s the kind of dish that quietly keeps you searching for this food truck’s location time and time again.

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D

s season draws to a close and the slow days of summer arrive, May has a way of making me think more intentionally about time. How fast it moves, how much we try to control it and how often the best moments in life are the ones that refuse to be rushed.

That’s where National Brisket Day, on May 28, comes in.

In its own smoky, slow-cooked way, brisket is really all about time.

It doesn’t hurry, it doesn’t cut corners, it asks you to wait, gather and sit around a table with people you care about while something low and slow becomes something worth remembering.

In honor of National Brisket Day, I’m serving up local eateries with the best brisket plates around. You might not even know some of these places exist. One is a food truck and another is takeout only. When it comes to slow-cooked meat, it’s all about the flavor, not the ambience of the vendor.

19 East Road, Sarasota; 941-3125969; StottlemyersSmokehouse.com

Holy Smoke: In a town where Old Florida charm feels harder than heck to hold onto, this pecanwood smokery continues to carry the smoky, soulful and deliciously nostalgic torch. And honestly, the Cornbread Smokestack ($20.99, add brisket +$2) might be the best representation of that comfortfood legacy.

Pit Happens: The mini BBQ sampler ($25.99) happily solves any indecisive eater (me) problem because you git a lil’ bit of everything. A smoky spread of half baby backs, 4 oz. brisket, and choice of light or dark smoked chicken, which arrives like the kind of feast that requires extra napkins and absolutely no shame. Or level up with the east road sampler for 6oz. brisket ($23.99).

PERRY’S ROADSIDE BBQ

936 42nd St., Sarasota; 941-3511445; PerrysSauce.com

Holy Smoke: This takeout-only spot keeps the focus exactly where it belongs — on tender beef brisket by the pound ($28), piled onto dinner platters ($22) with comforting sides like baked beans, collard greens, mac and cheese, or potato salad that redefines home-cooked family dining. And yes, adding the cornbread for $2 is your responsibility.

Pit Happens: Feeding an army?

Perry’s has you covered with its three-meat family meal ($80), stacked with a full rack of St. Louisstyle ribs, a half chicken, 1 pound of beef brisket, baked beans and your choice of large coleslaw or potato salad. It’s comfort-food excellence with a spread that turns an ordinary night into a “grab extra napkins and loosen your belt” occasion.

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Classifieds 32 Games 31 Real Estate 25 Weather 31

MAY 28, 2026

YOUR NEIGHBORS

Photos by Dana Kampa

The Dock on the Bay recently rebuilt the docks that were wiped out by hurricane-force winds, and its resident great blue heron seemed to give the seal of approval.

FROM FIELDS TO NOW

The Dock on the Bay recently completed work on its hurricane-damaged marina, rebuilding the original docks and making plans for a few additional slips.

COMMUNITY MAKES ITS COMEBACK After a year and a half of repairs, The Dock on the Bay is celebrating its transformation after the hurricanes.

DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER

T

he Dock on the Bay is one of Longboat Key’s longeststanding condominium facilities, celebrating 46 years of operating alongside Sarasota Bay. Jeoff Chipman’s father, Robert Chipman, bought the property and redeveloped it, and the 73-year-old said it has been a unique experience

Frank Biondello Jr. has been overseeing the transformation of The Dock on the Bay’s hurricane-damaged marina as the marina manager for the past year.

growing up in the tight-knit, 19-unit community, watching as multiple generations of residents started calling it home.

The 2024 hurricanes, as in many other Longboat Key neighborhoods, significantly damaged at The Dock on the Bay. But residents are now celebrating reaching the final stretch of what Chipman has called a long road to recovery.

“The major hurricane winds absolutely devastated our marina,” Chipman said. “Boats there came undone, lines snapped, boats crashed and broke. Basically, our marina was destroyed.”

The marina on Sarasota Bay is one of the residents’ favorite assets, so seeing it so badly damaged was a blow. However, the community recently completed rebuilding the portion of the docks that existed before the storms arrived, and it is working to add several new slips, with the Department of Environmental Protection’s approval.

Frank Biondello Jr., the facility’s marina manager, led a tour of the rebuilt docks, pointing out where the additional slips would go.

“We were able to repair and rebuild what we had initially, and that’s what you see now,” he said. “Any modification goes through a different process and application. In the inner basin here, that will include another six slips. We used to have boats along the seawall, but it’s better for them in a slip where they can take on waves head-on as opposed to the side.

That’s going to happen, hopefully, in the next month.”

He has been a longtime Longboat Key resident, and even though he knew it would be no small task to help guide the rebuilding effort, he said he

BOAT SLIP LEASES AVAILABLE The Dock on the Bay currently has multiple boat slips available to the public. The marina can accommodate vessels up to 40 feet in length. For information about leasing options, call 941-5003895.

felt up to the task. They worked with the Sarasota-based company, Storm Marine, to get it done.

Rebuilding the marina is a win for the residents and the wider Longboat Key community. Biondello noted the docks have multiple slips available for public leasing.

Chipman, who is a resident and board treasurer, explained that the path to rebuilding the marina was often a rocky one. Residents had to shoulder the cost of the project while also feeling the loss of revenue from renting out the public slips and dealing with flood damage in their own homes.

Board members worked to reach a consensus on how to move forward.

The association has updated roofing and siding on the buildings within the past decade, and they fortunately didn’t have any substantial damage, so it allowed residents to focus on rebuilding the outdoor facilities.

Seeing the marina built back to its former glory made the effort worth it, Chipman and Biondello agreed.

Looking ahead, their next undertaking is the million-dollar Amenities Rebuild Plan.

The Dock on the Bay will be rebuilding the athletic courts — to include dedicated tennis and pickleball courts — and shifting landscaping and pool facilities farther from the shoreline to open up space along the bay.

The property used to be home to the Fields Yachting and Tennis Resort.

Its namesake, Herb Field, was also behind the opening of some of the island’s most iconic properties, the Colony Beach Club and the Buccaneer Restaurant. Field developed the Buccaneer Inn Marina in the late 1950s next to the restaurant and accompanying docks.

“I had the opportunity to meet Herb a few times, and he was quite the interesting character,” Chipman said.

Chipman and his father came to Longboat Key in the late ’70s. They had places at the Colony and the neighboring Aquarius Club, built in 1975.

“My father was able to strike a deal with Herb, because Herb wanted to develop the Buccaneer into condominiums,” he said. “He made the deal to buy the Fields, because he had been wanting to do some development in Florida, and he found Longboat Key to be a wonderful place.”

When it came to naming the new facility, Chipman’s musician brother-in-law suggested “The Dock on the Bay” to highlight the condo’s unique bay access.

Taking on a new development project in the early ’80s was “a real challenge” amid a financial crisis and high interest rates. But Chipman said his father navigated through it all successfully, and the first families started moving into the units in 1981-82.

“It was a wonderful place with a really unique community, with people from New York City, Buffalo, and some Canadians,” said Chipman, who also resides in Canada parttime. “It became a very social place, where we played lots of tennis and had parties.”

With the main docks rebuilt and work about to get underway on the courts, Chipman looks forward to seeing residents and slip users fully enjoy those shared spaces again.

“Surprisingly, there are at least five original families that are still owners,” he said. “This next generation has all grown up together. It continues to be a really great community.”

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

Vaulting to new heights The Out-of-Door Academy’s Zoe Buller, a champion pole vaulter, carries on her Longboat Key family’s legacy.

JACK NELSON SPORTS REPORTER

T

he sensation of running forward with the pole in her hands, preparing to soar over a bar, is something Zoe Buller has grown to love.

Even more, it’s become her athletic addiction.

An affinity for pole vaulting is in her blood. Her parents, Russ Buller II and Dana Ellis, both felt it years before their daughter did.

Now retired from the sport, they’ve since inspired their daughter to carry on the family legacy.

“I just want to be like my mom and dad,” said Zoe Buller. “I want to be an Olympic pole vaulter (like her mom).”

That desire went on display this past track and field season. The Outof-Door Academy seventh grader, competing at the varsity level for the first time, won the FHSAA Class 1A-Region 3 and Class 1A-District 11 titles for girls pole vault on May 1 and April 21, respectively.

The Longboat Key resident qualified for the 1A state championship at Jacksonville’s Hodges Stadium,

Zoe Buller began pole vaulting as a sixth grader. One year later, she’s a regional and district champion, ultimately placing eighth at the FHSAA Class 1A track and field state championship.

Jack Nelson

Image courtesy of Cal Davidson-Turner

Zoe Buller improved her vault from 8 feet, 6.25 inches at the beginning of her seventh grade season to 9 feet, 4.25 inches by the end.

ODA PRIDE

Before the FHSAA Class 1ADistrict 11 track and field meet April 21, Zoe Buller dyed a streak of her hair blue, representing The Out-of-Door Academy’s primary color.

She won her first district title with it, and went on to win her first regional title, too. She rocked the blue streak once more at the state championship, bringing home an eighthplace medal.

As of May 13, that hair dye still hadn’t washed out. Her mother, Dana Ellis, jokes that it’s permanent, Buller said.

where on May 6, she placed eighth with a mark of 2.85 meters — enough to earn a medal.

Among the 15 individual events at the statewide meet, 10.8% of medals were awarded to middle

schoolers. Only six were in seventh grade or earlier, including Buller.

“It was a bit harder for a seventh grader to do,” said the 13-year-old. “I learned about how to not be stressed and be confident in yourself, trying to reach that level.”

Her path to pole vaulting mirrors her mother’s.

Before starting the sport as a sixth grader, Zoe Buller was a Level 7 gymnast in the “optional” segment of USA Gymnastics’ Women’s Development Program. That meant her skills were advanced enough to the point where she started to build her own routine for competitions.

Ellis — born in Kitchener, Ontario — was a gymnast for the Canadian National Team from 1990-97. She later took up pole vaulting, and eventually became the 2004 and 2005 national champion at the Canadian Track and Field Championships.

The highlight of her career, though, was a sixth-place finish in the women’s pole vault at the 2004 Athens Olympics, representing Team Canada.

Russ Buller II was her coach at those Games. Over two decades later, he offers tutelage to his daughter as

an assistant for ODA middle school track and field.

Cal Davidson-Turner, the team’s coach, saw that father-daughter connection produce an individual season which featured no shortage of success.

“As soon as I started working with Zoe, she was a rock star,” Davidson-Turner said. “There’s a level of maturity that she’s shown. As the season went on, and she continued to jump higher and higher and better and better, you could see that confidence come out.”

Competing for LSU track and field from 1996-2000, Russ Buller II became — and still remains — one of the most decorated pole vaulters in program history.

He was crowned the 2000 NCAA indoor and outdoor men’s pole vault champion, and as a Tiger, also collected six SEC titles. In 2017, he was inducted into the LSU Athletics Hall of Fame.

The sport took him to great heights, just like it did for Ellis. Professionally, he was the 2006 national outdoor champion in men’s pole vault at the USA Track and Field Championships, and served as an alternate for Team USA at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Having grown up with highprofile athletes as her parents, Zoe Buller’s childhood began in Newport Beach, California, before the family moved to Florida six years ago.

“When I moved to ODA, I was inspired by its sports teams,” Buller said. “A lot of people (here) have improved over the years, and I just wanted to feel that.”

She posted a mark of 2.60 meters in her first meet this season. At the state championship, she had improved to 2.85 meters.

The seventh grader made a major change to her technique at her father’s advice. Instead of having “bendy arms” when she plants the pole into the ground, she now keeps her arms straight, allowing herself to vault even higher.

Buller placed second at the ODA Thunder Classic on April 1, first at the George Steinbrenner Invitational on April 4 and second at the Sarasota County Championships on April 10 in the lead-up to the FHSAA postseason.

“Athletes are getting younger and they’re faster at a younger age, but what she did, you just don’t see that often at this level,” Davidson-Turner said. “That’s something to celebrate.”

The Olympics — sports’ ultimate stage — is Buller’s dream. She envisions a future where she goes for gold with the world watching.

Her next steps will be working on “getting upside down” and turning her body before she gets over the bar.

Those improvements will allow her to soar even higher.

For now, Buller will focus on finishing seventh grade, with the start of her high school career more than a year away.

“When I moved to ODA, I was inspired by its sports teams.

A lot of people (here) have improved over the years and I just wanted to feel that.”

— Zoe Buller

6140 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228 941 383 4738

WORSHIP

Need Fuel?

Refill here

An Ecumenical Church that Welcomes all God’s People Founded in 1956

directory

Safe Happy Hopeful Worship Sunday 10 a.m.

The Lord’s Warehouse summer hours: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Closed Monday, May 25) 6140 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FLSaturday 34228 (941)-383-4738.

The Lord’s Warehouse is open Monday, Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key Florida 34228 941-383-6491 Live Stream available www.longboatislandchapel.org

6140 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, FL 34228 941-383-4738

St. Mary, Star of the Sea,

Looking for a Spiritual Home?

Catholic Church

You are welcome at All Angels whether it is for a day, a season, or a lifetime... you are welcome here.

Would like to Welcome & Invite You, Your Family Members & Friends to Celebrate Mass with Our Parish Community MASS SCHEDULE Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:30 AM, and 10:30 AM Daily Mass at 9:00 AM; Rosary at 8:30 AM Monday - Friday 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive Chaplet of Divine Mercy daily following Mass.

Worship Service Sunday 10 a.m.

Service is live streamed at AllAngelsLBK.org

A Generous & Joyful Community

Rev. Robert Dziedziak, Pastor

You are invited to join us in worship, song & friendship at Shabbat services every Sharing Values, Friendship, and Faith Friday evening at 5:30 pm and Saturdays at 10 am.

Dr. Julia Wharff Piermont, Pastor

Join Us For Worship!

Sunday, 10:00 AM

To learn more about our Temple and all our educational, cultural, and social programs, please call us. We’d be delighted to talk with you.

Questions? Email us at info@longboatkeytemple.org

Watch live or livestream: www.christchurchof lbk.org (follow YouTube link) 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive • 941.383.8833 • www.christchurchoflbk.org

Longboat Key, FL 34228 941-383-1255 • www.stmarylbk.org

567 Bay Isles Rd, Longboat Key, FL

941-383-3428

longboatkeytemple.org

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Growing in Jesus’ Name

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563 Bay Isles Rd • 941-383-8161

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AllAngelsLBK.org

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

BENCH MBAER KHRMEASU AT EGIC I NG Z ED NC R K LTS R E S U •LTSST• R ST R AT EGIC M M AARR KK ETET ING • P E •R SPER O NASONA L I Z E D SLEIRV I C E SERV ICE

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3010 GRAND BAY BOULEVARD #432

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7 H A R BOUR DR I VatE, #4 LongboatLINKS Key Club | Offered $960,000

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545 SANCTUARY DRIVE #B204

2067 H A R BOUR DR I V E, #4 Longboat Key Club LINKS | Offered at $539,900

2067 H BOUR LINKS DR I V E Longboat KeyA|ROffered at $2,799,000 L on MLS# g b o atA4667288 K e y | O f f ere d at $ 7 79, 0 0

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

More than fine

TRIBUTES Sheila B. Barach 1932-2026

A

Sheila B. Barach, of Longboat Key, Florida, formerly of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 18, 2026, at the age of 93.

Sheila succumbed to a long-standing illness. She was the daughter of the late Ben and Anne Brown, of West Newton, MA. Sheila was the beloved mother of David of Longboat Key, Michael of Carlisle, MA, and Daniel of Israel.

She was pre-deceased by her husband Philip G. Barach, who passed away in 2014.

Sheila was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She is survived by her three sons, 13 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

To all those who knew Sheila Barach, including her close friends of the BeachPlace community in Longboat Key, she was considered to be one of the sweetest, most gracious, and most beautiful human beings in the world.

SERVICE: A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, May 25, 2026, at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 1668 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02445. Interment will follow at Temple Mishkan Tefila Cemetery in West Roxbury, MA. Shiva will be observed at the home of Michael and Donna following the service until 5:00 PM. DONATIONS: In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of one’s choice.

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mid the Memorial Day weekend buzz and early summer heat, art lovers meandered among tents on St. Armands Circle, where artists working in everything from bronze sculpture to leather shared their wares and stories of how they’re made.

Among the featured artists was the brother-and-sister team of Andres and Liliana Mendez. They are carrying on their family’s legacy of high-end bronze sculpting through Artes & Bronces.

They specialize in delicate figurines, depicting dancers mid-flip or balancing atop one another.

Liliana said she and Andres are proud to carry on the family craft, inspired by their Colombian heritage. From creating the initial design to pouring the bronze to adding the finishing coats of paint, each piece takes months to complete and is inspired by the work of their parents and grandparents.

“It’s all about movement,” she said.

Frank Borelli has been making high-end leather purses by hand since starting the Borelli Bags brand in 1972 in New York City.

With a makeshift workshop table resting on his knees, he deftly trimmed the edges of his latest creation and flipped it to show the double-sided detailing.

Borelli, who operates the business with his wife, Pam, said he sources his materials from the same English leatherers who made vendors in Gloversville, New York, famous for their quality.

“After just over 53 years, my customers expect perfection,” he said.

He primarily works on the festival circuit now after working on

Andres and Liliana Mendez are continuing their family legacy of bronze sculpting, examples of which they shared at the St. Armands Fine Art Festival on May 23 and 24.

COMING UP

24TH ANNUAL ST. ARMANDS CIRCLE CRAFT FESTIVAL When: June 6-7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: St. Armands Circle Tickets: Admission is free Info: Visit ArtFestival.com.

Park Avenue in Manhattan while living in Greenwich Village.

“On Memorial Day weekend in 1971, I went to get some breakfast down in a cafe, and I saw all these white tents on Neiman Square on the campus of NYU. I walked over to see what was going on, and it was the first art show that I had ever seen.”

A woodworker there explained how the festival worked, and he eventually made the move to pursue his craft full time. He said he loves chatting with customers.

First-time patrons Tonya and Ricky Kramer said the Ruskin residents said they were pleasantly surprised by the art show.

“This is our first time here,” Ricky said. “We just stumbled into

Dana Kampa

Artist Stacey Brown specializes in creating pieces by painting, breaking and reassembling sheets of glass.

it and got lucky.”

“We were really impressed with the quality,” said Tonya, who said several glasswork and jewelry stands were her favorites.

— DANA KAMPA

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

19

Local Roots, Legacy of Experience: One Family, Two Generations #1 Individual Agent SW FL Coldwell Banker 2024 & 2025 Ryan Ackerman 941.387.1818

Barbara Ackerman 941.387.1820

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1241 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #109 2BR/2.5BA • 2,000 SQ FT

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464 GOLDEN GATE PT., #702 3BR/5BA+DEN • 3,377 SQ FT • Bayfront

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The Ackerman Group | Coldwell Banker Realty • 443 John Ringling Blvd., Ste. F | Sarasota, FL 34236

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YOUR CALENDAR

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

SATURDAY, MAY 30

ARTSELF JOURNALING 2:30-4 p.m. at Sarasota’s Bayfront Community Center, 803 N. Tamiami Trail. Artist Kat Sjogren leads a “no rules” art journaling session. Participants will get to work with a variety of materials and paper for this accessible art form. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.

MONDAY, JUNE 1

COLOR HUNTING 2-3 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Meet at the center to head out for a colorful outdoor scavenger hunt.

Free. Sign up at RSVP@TheParadiseCenter.org.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2

ROTARY WELCOMES GOVERNOR ELECT 4:30 p.m. at All Angels Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road. The Rotary Club of Longboat Key is having District Governor Elect Annie Campbell speak at its next club meeting. She will be discussing a global grant for medical training equipment. Visit LongboatKeyRotary.org.

SATURDAY, JUNE 6 AND SUNDAY, JUNE 7

ST. ARMANDS CIRCLE CRAFT FAIR 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Armands Circle Park, 1 St. Armands Circle.

Check out the talents of craft jewelers, metalworkers and much more. Visit ArtFestival.com.

RECURRING EVENTS MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS LONGBOAT LIBRARY 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 555 Bay Isles Road. Open to peruse a variety of books. Call 941-383-2011.

IYENGAR YOGA 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Certified instructor Deborah DiCarlo focuses on alignment, precision, timing and sequencing in this class designed for all ages and body types. Class is on the second floor, accessible via stairs only. Cost is $20 for drop-ins or one class pass. Call 941-383-6493 or visit TheParadiseCenter.org.

TUESDAYS

ROTARY CLUB 5 p.m. at All Angels Episcopal Church, 563 Bay Isles Road. The Rotary Club of Longboat Key typically meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month to hear from community guest speakers and plan upcoming events. Visit LongboatKeyRotary.org to learn more, or contact President Terri Driver at TDriver1@comcast.net or 703-517-8925.

POP-UP LIBRARY 10 a.m. at the Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road. The Sarasota County Pop-Up Library hosts services on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, with storytime beginning at 10:30 a.m. and other services available from 10-11:30 a.m.

QIGONG 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Experienced instructor Sandi Love leads this class on ancient healing arts, designed to improve mental and physical well-being through gentle movement. Cost is $20 for dropins or one class pass. Call 941-3836493 or visit TheParadiseCenter. org.

WEDNESDAYS

JUST DANCE 11-11:45 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Debbie White teaches this popular, high-energy class. Boost cardio health and have a blast. No dance experience needed. Accessible via stairs only. Cost is $20 drop-in or one class pass. Call 941-383-6493 or visit TheParadiseCenter.org.

COMMUNITY BINGO 2-4 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Caller Renee Fannin runs the show for this fun and lively game. Cards are $1 each; $2 for the final round. Call 941-383-6493 or visit TheParadiseCenter.org.

THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS

BRIDGE CLUB 1 p.m. at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. This American Contract Bridge League-certified group meets twice weekly. Reservations required. Contact Patty Mayer at 262-215-2566 or PattySarasota33@gmail.com.

File image

Longboat Key Turtle Watch leads educational turtle walks starting June 6.

BEST BET SATURDAY, JUNE 6

PUBLIC TURTLE WALKS BEGIN 6:45 a.m. at Longboat Key Beach Access, 4795 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Join wildlife experts at the Longboat Key Turtle Watch’s first free guided public turtle walk. Participants must be able to walk for about a mile in the sand. No reservation required. Visit LBKTurtleWatch.com for more information.

SATURDAYS

RUN CLUB 7 a.m. at Sips coffee shop, 6830 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Join this community running club for a morning jog at your own pace. The group is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

Affordable Annual Rentals on Longboat Key

Thrive Coffee FarmHand Foundation Lippman Farms

Live the Longboat Key Lifestyle Remodeled Single Family Home 600 Russell St., Longboat Key 4BR/2BA / A4682331 / 1,280 sq ft. $4,500 mthly Located in historic Longboat Village.

HARVESTING RICH REWARDS

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Unearthing Mother Nature brings gifts of abundance.

At HarborChase, a bounty of locally grown produce, dairy and seafood artfully moves from land and sea to the well-appointed table.

Enjoy laid-back coastal living at surprisingly affordable annual rental rates. All properties are ideally located near the beautiful beaches, dining, shopping, and island attractions of Longboat Key. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat or everyday island living, these annual rentals offer comfort, convenience, and the relaxed Florida lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of.

Rental rates and availability are subject to change. Applicable taxes, fees, deposits, and other standard rental charges will apply.

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EXPERIENCE HARBORCHASE

Longboat Key Office | 5360 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 101 Longboat Key, FL 34228

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Michelle , CFP®, CPWA®, CEPA®, AAMS® MichelleK. K.Johnson Johnson , CFP®, CPWA®, CEPA®, AAMS®

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463003-1

2026 Forbes | SHOOK® Top Women Advisors Best-in-State in Florida, published February 2026,published re-search by SHOOK® Research LLC, 2026 Forbes | SHOOK® TopWealth Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State in Florida, February 2026, re-data as of June 2025. Compensation provided for using, not obtaining, the rating.

The rating is not based on quality of investment advice, investment performance or client 2026 | SHOOK® TopLLC, Women Advisors Best-in-Stateprovided in Florida,forpublished researchForbes

by SHOOK® Research data Wealth as of June 2025. Compensation using, notFebruary obtaining,2026, thefeedback.

2026 Forbes | SHOOK® Best-in-State Wealth Advisors in Florida, published April 2026, research by SHOOK® Research LLC, data as of June 2025. Compensation provided for rating. The rating is not based onLLC, quality ofas investment advice, investment performance orusing, client feedback. search

by SHOOK® Research data of June 2025.

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rating.

The rating is notBest-in-State based on quality of Advisors investment advice, investment client feedback.

2026 Forbes | SHOOK® Wealth in Florida, published Aprilperformance 2026, researchorby SHOOK® Research LLC,|data as of June 2025. Compensation provided for using, not obtaining, rating.

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by SHOOK® not based on quality of investment advice, investment performance or client feedback.

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21

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

REAL ESTATE BY REAL EXPERTS NEW LISTING • GRAND BAY

ISLAND LUXURY: • RESORT STYLE POOLS / SPAS

• DEEDED BEACH ACCESS

• PICKLEBALL & TENNIS COURTS • BRAND NEW CLUB HOUSE • FITNESS CENTER

3030 GRAND BAY BLVD. #312 LONGBOAT KEY, FL 3 BED / 3.5 BATH • 2,250 SF $995,000

PRIVATEER

SANCTUARY

FAIRWAY BAY

SEAPLACE

1050 LONGBOAT CLUB RD. #903 LONGBOAT KEY, FL 2 BED / 2 BATH • $995,000

565 SANCTUARY DR. #B106 LONGBOAT KEY, FL 3 BED / 3 BATH • $1,799,000

2020 HARBOURSIDE DR. #417 LONGBOAT KEY, FL 2 BED / 2 BATH • $899,000

2055 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #G2-102 LONGBOAT KEY, FL 3 BED / 2 BATH • $699,000

L'AMBIANCE

CONDOMINIUMS PIERRE

MARINA BAY

455 LONGBOAT CLUB RD. #402 LONGBOAT KEY, FL 3 BED / 3 BATH • $2,095,000

2410 HARBOURSIDE DR. #131 LONGBOAT KEY, FL 3 BED / 3 ½ BATH • $1,849,000

TANGERINE BAY

PROMENADE

340 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #112 LONGBOAT KEY, FL 3 BED / 3 BATH • $1,775,000

1211 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #709 LONGBOAT KEY, FL 2 BED / 2 BATH • $1,749,000

415 L'AMBIANCE DR. #A301 LONGBOAT KEY, FL

CORNER RESIDENCE WITH BAY VIEWS 3 BED / 3 FULL + 2 HALF BATH • 3,380 SF $6,100,000

VIEW ADDITIONAL BRUCE MYER GROUP LISTINGS ON OUR WEBSITE • RANKED #2 COLDWELL BANKER DUO IN THE NATION • TOP 1.5% OF ALL REALTORS IN THE NATION • TOP FLORIDA 100 REALTOR - COLDWELL BANKER

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www.BruceMyer.com

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CHASE MYER 941.315.5318

595 Bay Isles Rd, STE 250 Longboat Key, FL 34228

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

Four years of ‘Gathering and Giving’ O

nce a month, community members have brought potluck dishes and donations to Longboat Island Chapel since the Gather and Give tradition started four years ago. For the event’s anniversary, organizers welcomed guests from Riverview High School’s Cyesis program on May 19.

The program gives state-mandated support to teen parents, providing them the tools they need to stay on track and complete their high school degrees.

This year, the program is again celebrating a predicted 100% graduation rate among its seniors, with two graduating this summer and four receiving diplomas in the school’s May 16 graduation ceremony.

Program Executive Director Porshia Lococo and social worker Meredith Piazza gave an update on the program to the potluck attendees.

In addition to the most diapers the church has ever collected, along with other baby items, Longboat Island Chapel presented a monetary donation of $600.

The Cyesis program dates back to 1978, launched with the aim of

helping students stay in school while knowing their babies are in good care. Riverview and North Port high schools provide oncampus care while mothers and fathers attend classes, including an elective parenting course.

Student Zoe Ravotto also spoke, sharing the news that she graduated with high honors the previous weekend.

Piazza said Ravotto showed remarkable determination from the moment she connected with the program leaders. She reached out in the fourth quarter of the school term, and rather than wait until the following fall to resume her studies, she chose to start immediately. Between the credits she earned her freshman year and through online courses, she was able to enroll and graduate the following year.

“Meredith and Porshia and Ms. Shannon and everyone there were just amazing and driven to carry us along and see us succeed,” Ravotto said. “They’re very passionate about it. They’re there for all the tears and all the exciting moments, too.”

She plans to attend Meridian

Photos by Dana Kampa

Muriel Klosterman presents a check to Cyesis Teen Parent Program social worker Meredith Piazza, Riverview High School graduate Zoe Ravotto and Executive Director Porshia Lococo at the May 19 Gather and Give potluck.

Many Longboat Key residents pitched in to collect diapers, baby clothes, monetary donations and more for the Riverview High School Cyesis program. The collection continues through the end of May, and donations can be dropped off at Longboat Island Chapel.

College in July, starting with a oneyear medical assistant course then a two-year ultrasound course.

This year’s graduation season is meaningful to Lococo, as well. She is a former student of the program, and this year, her daughter recently graduated with Ravotto.

“Some of the ladies who took care of my daughter are still there, taking care of others,” she said.

Riverview’s program serves students throughout the county, and Piazza said enrollment seems to be following nationwide trends of decreasing teen pregnancies.

Currently, the program serves about 20 students, including three fathers.

Outside of the school year, organizers coordinate with Children First on providing early childhood education. Piazza said this drive is particularly helpful in ensuring parents have diapers and clothes to last over the summer.

Providing childcare while stu-

The Cyesis Teen Parent Program has a core of primary caregivers, but organizers said they are always searching for additional “Lullaby League” members to spend quality social time with the children.

Following background screening and orientation, volunteers can help out for at least two hours a week. To learn more, contact the childcare director at 941-923-1484, ext. 64290.

had already left for the season yet ordered diapers through online retailers to be delivered to the chapel. The collection continues through May, after which the group will turn its attention to collecting men’s clothes for a Father’s Day-themed Gather and Give.

— DANA KAMPA

• Consistent top producer on Longboat Key • In-depth knowledge of the real estate market • Active in our community with Longbeach Village Association Longboat Key Historical Society Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Longboat Key Garden Club

Wishing a very happy birthday to an amazing wife and a special part of our Grooms Motors family! Your support, love, and encouragement mean more than words can say, and they truly make a difference every day.

941.724.7228

461089-1

461438-1

We hope your day is filled with joy, laughter, and all the things that make you happiest.

Cheers to a wonderful year ahead!

CathyMeldahl@michaelsaunders.com

seitreporp esitrepxe stluser

YRANIDEXTRAORDINARY ROARTXE

DELAVIRNU LANOITPECXE

UNRIVALED t silaicep S lai tn edis eR defi it reC

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evirD tnioP esuohthgiL 56 0 0 0,597,3$ | 181834 4A | FS 339,4

daoR bulC taobgnoL 548 0 0 0,057,91$ | 5160 4 4 4A | FS 0 03,91

St. Regis Residences #403 | Longboat Gulf Front 4,187sf | 3BR | $13,000,000 | A4627926

St. Regis Residences #413 | Longboat Bay Front 2,154sf | 2BR | $4,499,000 | A4627985

E SAL G DIN PEN

W NE

enaL draylaH 105 0 0 0,599,1$ | 4 64 8 4 4 4A | FS 043, 2

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104 # bulC retaW 0 0 0,575 , 2$ | 4 67124 4A | FS 0 04,3

316 W. Royal Flamingo Drive | Bird Key Bayfront 4,070sf | 3BR | $4,975,000 | A4682743

7118 Hawks Harbor Circle | Sarasota Bay Front Canal 3,267sf | 4BR | $2,575,000 | A4676402

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Water Club #804 | Longboat Gulf Front 3,045sf | 3BR | $2,785,000 | A4669837

462592-1

5608 Marina Drive Holmes Beach (Next to the Ugly Grouper)

INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?

Celebrating 50 YEARS of Living and Working on Longboat Key Cathy C. Meldahl, P.A. Your Longboat Key Community Realtor

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHER!

CELEBRATING 10+ years

dents attend class is one of the program’s primary focuses. But it also helps ensure children have access to diapers, clothes and other necessities. Beyond that, Ravotto said she appreciated the strong motivation organizers provided to help her succeed academically.

Piazza said offering emotional support is equally as important as Cyesis’s other services. She shared how proud she is of the program’s students for working to overcome whatever obstacles they encounter.

“Many of our students have experienced significant trauma and are facing food and housing insecurity,” she said. “There are a lot of challenges that these families are facing, and our goal is to do whatever we can to support them to be the strongest parents they can be.”

The Rev. Brock Patterson thanked congregants for their support, including those who

W NE

CE PRI

Longboat Harbour | Remodeled | Bay View 1,376sf | 2BR | Furnished | $575,000 | A4684967

440 Gulf of Mexico Dr | Longboat Key, Florida

461102-1

22

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

23

Make Your Next Move Exceptional

Virtually Rendered

Virtually Rendered

5965 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key

107 Tuna Street, Anna Maria

$38,450,000 | 11 BR, 13 BA, 4 HALF BA | Web# A4681869

$7,750,000 | 6 BR, 5.5 BA | Web# A4686563

Joel Schemmel: M 941.587.4894

John Forberger: M 305.905.1842

761 Norton Street, Longboat Key

1354 Westway Drive, Sarasota

$4,390,000 | 4 BR, 4 BA, 3 HALF BA | Web# A4677200

$3,785,000 | 3 BR, 3 BA | Web# A4668129

Patti Tebo: M 941.780.3487

Joel Schemmel: M 941.587.4894

524 Hornblower Lane, Longboat Key

1915 Harbour Links Circle, #6, Longboat Key

$2,900,000 | 3 BR, 3.5 BA | Web# A4692210

$1,950,000 | 3 BR, 3.5 BA | Web# A4688148

Joel Schemmel: M 941.587.4894

Cathy Palmer: M 678.524.1104 | Rex Glasson: M 941.587.6135

106 N Boulevard of the Presidents, Sarasota

800 Benjamin Franklin Drive, #509, Sarasota

$1,900,000 | 3 BR, 2.5 BA | Web# A4642792

$999,000 | 2 BR, 2 BA | Web# A4691604

Cathy Palmer: M 678.524.1104 | Rex Glasson: M 941.587.6135

Lisa Otte: M 941.281.5472

707 S Gulfstream Avenue, #802, Sarasota

1350 Main Street, #502, Sarasota

$950,000 | 2 BR, 2 BA | Web# A4686314

$495,000 | 1 BR, 1 BA | Web# A4684303

Kelly Mooney: M 941.587.8430 | Betsy Sublette: M 941.284.8483

John Forberger: M 305.905.1842

elliman.com

458695-1

1350 MAIN ST, SARASOTA, FL 34236. 941.867.6199 © 2026 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

THE RESIDENCES AT THE ST. REGIS LONGBOAT KEY 1561 Gulf Of Mexico Drive #304 3 Beds 4/1 Baths 4,891 Sq. Ft. Lynn Morris & Kim Ogilvie 941.400.4526 A4685495 $13,000,000

LONGBOAT KEY 535 Sanctuary Drive #A401 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,115 Sq. Ft. Susan Alliano & Ingrid Walker 941.735.6571 A4685033 $3,265,000

LONGBOAT KEY 535 Sanctuary Drive #A603 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,375 Sq. Ft. Steve Walter & Janet Walter 941.809.0907 A4689260 $2,999,000

LONGBOAT KEY 536 Ketch Lane 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,960 Sq. Ft. Kathy Callahan & Todd Callahan 941.900.8088 A4686553 $2,599,000

BAY ISLES 3421 Bayou Sound 3 Beds 3 Baths 3,768 Sq. Ft. Stephen Strong 941.201.9662 A4684177 $2,499,500

BAY ISLES 3610 Bayou Circle 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 3,192 Sq. Ft. Mike Prisco & Eileen Prisco 941.812.1291 A4688141 $2,400,000

LONGBOAT KEY 775 Longboat Club Road #808 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,122 Sq. Ft. Lenore Treiman & Daniel Treiman 941.356.9642 A4683021 $2,195,000

EMERALD HARBOR 741 Old Compass Road 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,173 Sq. Ft. Steve Walter & Janet Walter 941.809.0907 A4684578 $1,895,000

LONGBOAT KEY 2425 Gulf Of Mexico Drive #1A 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,470 Sq. Ft. Robert Delaney 941.315.3185 A4688987 $1,595,000

LONGBOAT KEY 2425 Gulf Of Mexico Drive #2E 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,470 Sq. Ft. Robert Delaney 941.315.3185 A4691707 $1,400,000

BAY ISLES 3511 Fair Oaks Court 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,579 Sq. Ft. Kathy Callahan & Todd Callahan 941.900.8088 A4684840 $1,399,999

BAY ISLES 3010 Grand Bay Boulevard #432 3 Beds 3/1 Baths 2,143 Sq. Ft. Ian Addy 941.961.8850 A4683353 $1,299,000

LONGBOAT KEY 726 Jungle Queen Way 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,384 Sq. Ft. Steve Walter & Janet Walter 941.809.0907 A4684733 $1,090,000

BAY ISLES 3435 Winding Oaks Drive #18 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,555 Sq. Ft. Sean Clark 941.312.1146 A4680403 $1,050,000

LONGBOAT KEY 1955 Gulf Of Mexico Drive #G6-311 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,492 Sq. Ft. Bruce Meyer & Jenine Meyer 941.266.8152 A4687954 $1,049,000

LONGBOAT KEY 2301 Gulf Of Mexico Drive #43N 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,235 Sq. Ft. Steve Nursey 941.356.7010 A4686190 $1,000,000

LONGBOAT KEY 250 Sands Point Road #5106 1 Bed 1 Bath 634 Sq. Ft. Ian Addy & Gail Wittig 941.961.8850 A4676698 $960,000

LONGBOAT KEY 691 Gulf Bay Road 3 Beds 2 Baths 1,581 Sq. Ft. Angela Scott 941.928.7462 A4684077 $950,000

BAY ISLES 2110 Harbourside Drive #523 3 Beds 2 Baths 2,031 Sq. Ft. Caroline Mitchell 913.787.3131 A4682869 $699,000

LONGBOAT KEY 681 Gulf Bay Road 0.21 Acre Lot Angela Scott 941.928.7462 A4683898 $650,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4440 Exeter Drive #301 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,376 Sq. Ft. Michael Moulton 941.928.3559 A4684917 $575,000

LONGBOAT KEY 6700 Gulf Of Mexico Drive #117 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,449 Sq. Ft. Kelly Sallee & Amy Cullen 941.914.0400 A4687787 $550,000

LONGBOAT KEY 729 Saint Judes Drive S #3 1 Bed 1 Bath 630 Sq. Ft. Steve Schield 941.650.1010 A4685189 $449,000

LONGBOAT KEY 4350 Chatham Drive #106 2 Beds 2 Baths 1,072 Sq. Ft. Michael Yawitz 941.587.8091 A4687361 $399,000

BAY ISLES 2850 Gulf Of Mexico Drive #5 1 Bed 1 Bath 657 Sq. Ft. JoDene Moneuse 941.302.4913 A4691701 $368,500

THE RESIDENCES AT THE ST. REGIS LONGBOAT KEY 1581 Gulf Of Mexico Drive #406 2 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,347 Sq. Ft. Lynn Morris & Kim Ogilvie 941.400.4526 A4685503 $6,600,000

HARBOR ACRES 1365 Harbor Drive 4 Beds 4/1 Baths 4,978 Sq. Ft. Kim Ogilvie & Lynn Morris 941.376.1717 A4672827 $5,495,000

LONGBOAT KEY 5422 Sandhamn Place 3 Beds 2/1 Baths 2,802 Sq. Ft. Richard Perlman 941.228.8580 A4686120 $3,499,000

888.552.5228 | MICHAELSAUNDERS.COM 458486-1

24

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

MAY 11-15

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

B

LONGBEACH ON LONGBOAT KEY

Paul Timothy Tario and Marilyn Bartlett Tario, trustees, of Bradenton, sold the home at 651 Broadway to Kevin and Lauren Schroepfer, of Bradenton, for $2.6 million. Built in 2003, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,320 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,599,000 in 2021.

COUNTRY CLUB SHORES

Wendy Deeks, of Ontario, Canada, sold her home at 510 Wedge Lane to Michael Aronica, of Longboat Key, for $1.9 million. Built in 1967, it has four bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 1,840 square feet of living area.

It sold for $252,900 in 1991.

SUNSET BEACH ON LONGBOAT KEY

Michael and Kathryn Harvey sold their Unit 3104 condominium at 2105 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Mark and Janice Pennink, of Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, for $1.5 million. Built in 1984, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,463 square feet of living area. It sold for $895,000 in 2017.

LIDO SURF AND SAND

Maryellen Torres and Ward Makielski sold their Unit 310 condominium at 1102 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Gregory and Julie Hoesly, of Elm Grove, Wisconsin, for $1.45 million.

Built in 1976, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 1,763 square feet of living area. It sold for $585,000 in 2020.

Dana Kampa

The home at 681 Old Compass Road sold for $4.2 million. Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,520 square feet of living area.

PROMENADE

Gordon Meltzer and Ivone Pinheiro, trustees, of Treasure Island, sold the Unit 505 condominium at 1211 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Christopher and Linda Morris, of Longboat Key, for $1,395,000. Built in 1985, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,598 square feet of living area. It sold for $725,000 in 2020.

ISLANDS WEST

David and Susan Krebs, of Lakewood, Ohio, sold their Unit 6-B condominium at 2525 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Grand River Properties LLC for $1,387,500. Built in 1972, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,491 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.55 million in 2023

SEAPLACE

Lorraine Lutgen and Gerald Lutgen, trustees, of St. Paul, Minnesota, sold the Unit G-5-407 condominium at 1965 Gulf of Mexico Drive to John Giancola and Kathryn Joan Giancola, of Youngstown, Ohio, for $720,000. Built in 1977, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,257 square feet of living area. It sold for $675,000 in 2019.

John Giancola and Kathryn Joan Giancola, of Boardsman, Ohio, sold their Unit G3-108C condominium at 2039 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Tonya Jo Edwards, of Longboat Key, for $525,000. Built in 1974, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 933 square feet of living area. It sold for $580,000 in 2021.

ISLANDER CLUB OF LONGBOAT

Cindy Straitiff Yancey, of Rochester, New York, sold her Unit 101-N condominium at 2301 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Robert Vona and Lisa Muzio Vona, of Garden City, New York, for $1.33 million. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,235 square feet of living area. It sold for $600,000 in 2014.

sold their Unit 19B condominium at 500 S. Washington Drive to Roy Taylor III, trustee, of Goshen, Kentucky, for $538,500. Built in 1963, it has one bedroom, one bath and 770 square feet of living area. It sold for $305,000 in 2021.

McCALLS BEACH CASTLE

George Sanchez, trustee, sold the Unit 18 condominium at 5310 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Prestige Capital Ventures LLC for $395,000. Built in 1973, it has one bedroom, one bath and 711 square feet of living area. It sold for $260,000 in 2019.

ONLINE

KINGSTON ARMS

Robert Barry Titler and Beth Ann Titler, of Hershey, Pennsylvania,

See more transactions at YourObserver.com.

PORTOBELLO

TARAS LLC sold the Unit A-305 condominium at 3235 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Thick Air II LLC for $850,000. Built in 1975, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,260 square feet of living area. It sold for $520,000 in 2018.

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of May 15-21 in order of dollar amounts.

LONGBOAT KEY Address

Permit

Applicant

Amount

521 Broadway

Res. New/Replacement Jeff Zwerin

$1,500,000

7150 Longboat Drive

Res. New/Replacement Freeman Mullet

$1,476,500

3281 Bayou Sound

Res. Alteration

James Wagler

$483,000

380 Gulf of Mexico Drive #536

Comm. Alteration

Cemalettin Duzgun $190,000

603 Longboat Club Road #902 Comm. Alteration

Benjamin DePrenger $162,500

4825 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Swimming Pool/Spa

Robert Sanger

$147,875

524 Outrigger Lane

Res. Alteration

James Wagler

$98,000

1211 Gulf of Mexico Drive #1004

Comm. Shutters

Bill Spindel

$95,755

0 Longboat Club Road

Electrical Alt/Reno

Robert Friedman

$90,337

3542 Mistletoe Lane

Res. Alteration

Richard Herrick

$83,700

3802 Gulf of Mexico Drive #A403 Comm. Deck

Jade Mailloux

$80,000

4825 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Swimming Pool/Spa

Robert Sanger

$74,515

381 Shore Road

Res. Deck

Dwayne Burge

$60,000

700 Broadway

Swimming Pool/Spa

Alexander Besaw

$58,450

3040 Grand Bay Blvd. #262

Comm. Alteration

Ronald Davis

$50,000

3550 Mistletoe Lane

A/C Changeout

Dennis John Zacek

3030 Grand Bay Blvd. #392

Comm. A/C Changeout Brad Schlabach

For nearly 50 years, Michael Saunders & Company has led Southwest Florida real estate. Our Developer Services Division offers unmatched expertise from concept to sell-out, partnering on 85+ landmark projects like the St. Regis Longboat Key Residences, The Collection, The Mark and The Ritz-Carlton Residences with innovation and integrity.

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$46,518 $45,140

1055 Gulf of Mexico Drive #202 Comm. Alteration

Cemalettin Duzgun

$45,000

1511 Gulf of Mexico Drive #5N

Swimming Pool/Spa

Robert Sanger

$29,085

2364 Harbour Oaks Drive

Res. A/C Changeout

Joseph DiVerde

$19,816

6140 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Comm. Sign

Glen Miles Bos

$19,000

The Edge Sarasota | 941.866.3068 | From Mid $3M Sales Gallery at 1801 Main Street | TheEdgeSarasota.com

6750 Gulf of Mexico Drive #171 Comm. Windows/Doors Michael Cummings

$15,000

941.951.6650

616 Weston Pointe Court

Res. A/C Changeout

$14,731

MSCDeveloperServices.com

3040 Grand Bay Blvd. #386

Comm. A/C Changeout Dennis John Zacek

6000 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Res. A/C Changeout

Steven Marino

Waldorf Astoria Residences Sarasota From From $2.5M to $30M+ | WAResidencesSarasota.com

$14,500

Louis Daniel Conetta $14,000

507 Bayport Way

Comm. A/C Changeout Robert Holsbeke

$12,017

6461 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Res. A/C Changeout

Anthony Riggs

$11,703

545 Sanctuary Drive #B406

Comm. A/C Changeout Brad Schlabach

$10,896

1926 Harbourside Drive #1301

Comm. A/C Changeout Robert Holsbeke

$10,556

Source: Town of Longboat Key

Prices as of January 2025

Issa Homes at SeaFlower | 941.491.7879 From $1.29M | SeaFlower.IssaHomes.com

460072-1

rian and Maureen Connelly, trustees, of Fontana-onGeneva Lake, Wisconsin, sold the home at 681 Old Compass Road to Dawn Altmeyer, of Skancateles, New York, for $4.2 million.

Built in 2022, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 2,520 square feet of living area. It sold for $800,000 in 2020.

REAL ESTATE

Emerald Harbor home tops week’s sales at $4.2 million

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

25

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

IN THE WORLD Leah George

$3.4 Billion Career Sales

941-780-059 7

Casa del Carnevale on St. Armands

Judy Kepecz-Hays 941-587-170 0

Steven Kepecz

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YourObserver.com/health

HEALTH OBSERVED | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

27

MAY 2026

Protecting Mobility and Independence 461819-1

PAGE 3

SFORZO | DILLINGHAM STEWART | ORTHOPEDICS + SPORTS MEDICINE

WELCOMES FRANK EBERT, M.D. BOARD-CERTIFIED. FELLOWSHIP-TRAINED.

BOARD-CERTIFIED. FELLOWSHIP-TRAINED. ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS.

CHRISTOPHER CHRISTOPHER SFORZO, M.D. DILLINGHAM, M.D. HAND TO SHOULDER HAND TO SHOULDER, FOOT, ANKLE

CHARLES STEWART, M.D. HIP AND KNEE

RAVI KUMAR PONNAPPAN, M.D. SPINE

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON. Frank Ebert, M.D. has dedicated more than 40 years to performing total hip and knee replacements, including revisions. His career has been defined by genuine compassion, surgical excellence, patients place in him.

5831 BEE RIDGE ROAD • SUITE 300 • SARASOTA, FL 34233

941.378.5100 • sforzodillingham.com

461810-1 461818-1

and a deep respect for the trust his

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YourObserver.com/health

HEALTH OBSERVED | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

Manatee Memorial Hospital Earns an “A” Hospital Safety Grade

M

anatee Memorial Hospital earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country using evidence-based measures of patient safety, focused exclusively on errors, accidents, injuries and infections.

“Earning an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade reflects the unwavering commitment of the physicians, nurses and entire care team to delivering the highest standards of safe, quality care,” said Judy Young, Chief Nursing Officer.

“Patient safety is at the core of everything we do, and this recognition reinforces our mission to protect and care for every patient who entrusts us with their health.

DRIVING REAL CHANGE IN PATIENT CARE

Medical errors and safety events remain a persistent challenge in hospitals across the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 1.5 million people visit emergency departments each year due to medical-related harm, resulting in nearly 500,000 annual hospitalizations. The National Institutes of Health estimate that adverse events affect millions of hospitalized patients each year, despite decades of improvement efforts.

PROGRESS YOU CAN MEASURE When choosing where to receive care, Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Grade offers patients and families transparency and easy-tounderstand information across several categories. Earning an “A” grade means excelling in critical areas such as: ■ Preventing medical errors and complications.

■ Reducing hospital-acquired infections.

■ Ensuring strong safety protocols and procedures.

■ Delivering patient-centered care.

MOVING HEALTHCARE FORWARD

The ongoing need for improvement is what makes Manatee Memorial Hospital’s first-ever “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group especially meaningful.

Leapfrog is a nationally respected nonprofit that evaluates hospitals using more than 30 rigorous, publicly reported measures, including infection rates, medication safety systems, staffing practices and error prevention.

For Manatee Memorial, the “A” is a clear indicator of progress on a demanding national scale – one that operates in real healthcare settings, not just on paper.

“An ‘A’ Grade is a strong sign that Manatee Memorial Hospital is deeply committed to protecting patients from harm,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We commend the leadership, Board, clinicians, staff and volunteers for the role each

played in earning this distinction.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that claim more than 500 lives per day in the United States. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring.

Physicians are on the medical staff of Manatee Memorial Hospital but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Manatee Memorial Hospital.

The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website.

Patient safety is at the core of everything we do, and this recognition reinforces our mission to protect and care for every patient who entrusts us with their health.”

— Judy Young, Chief Nursing Officer

MANATEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ADDRESS: 206 2nd St East Bradenton, FL 34208 PHONE: 941-746-5111 WEBSITE: ManateeMemorial.com

462793-1

Spring 2026 Safety Grade is a national recognition for commitment to patient safety.

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YourObserver.com/health

HEALTH OBSERVED | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

29

Protecting Mobility and Independence Why early treatment for cervical myelopathy matters.

REVEAL THE FUTURE OF YOUR HEALTH

POSSIBLE SIGNS OF CERVICAL MYELOPATHY ■ Hand clumsiness or trouble with fine motor tasks.

■ Changes in balance or walking stability.

■ Weakness, numbness, or neck stiffness.

■ Frequent falls or worsening coordination.

■ Loss of bladder or bowel control in advanced cases.

Did you know that 70% of heart attacks occur with little to no warning signs? Traditional health screenings can be outdated, leaving critical issues undetected.

Visit SforzoOrtho.com or call 941-378-5100 to schedule a consultation.

In just 45 minutes, get a Comprehensive Health Assessment that includes:

• InBody Composition Analysis • Vascular & Nervous System Testing • Functional Movement Screening • Grip Strength Assessment

Ravi Kumar Ponnappan, M.D.

All for just $399.

SFORZO | DILLINGHAM | STEWART ORTHOPEDICS

Your body has a story. We help you read it—then write the next chapter.

ADDRESS: 5831 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 300, Sarasota, FL 34233 PHONE: 941-378-5100 WEBSITE: SforzoDillingham.com

Call now to book an assessment appointment at 941-217-2777 or scan the QR code for more details.

W

info@revealvitality.com 1990 Main Street Suite 202

459512-1

Sarasota, FL 34237

e all know the feeling: waking up with a stiff neck, sleeping wrong, or carrying stress in our shoulders.

Usually, it passes. But what if, a while later, you’re dropping your coffee mug, fumbling with buttons, or feeling strangely unsteady on your feet?

Those symptoms may point to something far more serious: cervical myelopathy, caused by spinal cord compression in the neck. It’s a condition that can develop quietly and can be mistaken for normal aging. So says Ravi K. Ponnappan, MD, FAAOS, a boardcertified and fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon at Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics.

“Symptoms can be subtle for months,” says Dr. Ponnappan. “But they should never be dismissed as insignificant.”

Dr. Ponnappan explains that cervical myelopathy occurs when age-related changes—such as disc degeneration, arthritis, or narrowing of the spinal canal—begin pressing on the spinal cord. Over time, that pressure can interfere with nerve signals that control the hands, legs, balance, and even bladder or bowel function.

Early signs may include hand clumsiness, trouble with fine motor tasks, changes in handwriting, weakness, neck stiffness, or a sense that walking feels “off.” More advanced symptoms can include frequent falls, worsening weakness, or loss of bladder and bowel control.

The reason paying attention to these symptoms matters is that spinal cord damage can become permanent. “The earlier the condition is recognized, the better the chance to prevent lasting nerve injury,” Dr. Ponnappan confirms.

At Sforzo | Dillingham | Stewart Orthopedics evaluation typically begins with a medical history and neurological exam, followed by imaging such as X-rays and an MRI to confirm spinal cord compression and rule out other causes.

For mild, stable cases, treatment may begin conservatively with physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or shortterm steroids, along with close monitoring.

However, these measures generally do not reverse spinal cord compression.

When symptoms are moderate, worsening, or progressive, surgery is often recommended to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and protect future function.

The biggest mistake, Dr. Ponnappan warns, is waiting too long.

The earlier the condition is recognized, the better the chance to prevent lasting nerve injury.”

— Ravi K. Ponnappan, M.D. If you are becoming clumsier, less steady, or losing strength, don’t just chalk it up to age or fatigue. A stiff neck may be common— but losing hand function, balance, or independence should never be considered normal.

463120-1 461817-1

Step into a new era of wellness at Reveal Vitality—where advanced diagnostics, AI-powered fitness tech, and personalized longevity plans come together for real, lasting change.

30

YourObserver.com/health

HEALTH OBSERVED | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

Self-Care, Simplified Cutting through the noise of modern aesthetics with expert, personalized care.

Pam Kyger, Medical Aesthetician

SALORA MED SPA

UNIVERSITY TOWN CENTER LOCATION: 8512 Cooper Creek Blvd #107, University Park, FL 34201 LAKEWOOD RANCH LOCATION: 14628 State Road 70 E, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 PHONE: 941-357-7230 WEBSITE: SaloraMedSpa.com

L

ooking and feeling your best shouldn’t be complicated, intimidating or overwhelming. But with so many treatments, products and trends out there, it often can be.

That’s where the right guidance

There are so many options now, it can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in—to explain, to listen and to help clients find what’s right for them.”

— Pam Kyger, Medical Aesthetician facial, which includes a professional skin analysis and personalized recommendations. From there, treatments can range from relaxing, hands-on services to advanced, technology-driven options. Offerings include DiamondGlow facials, dermaplaning and other non-invasive treatments, along with body contouring options like T-Shape 2.

Beyond the treatments them-

selves, the experience is rooted in education and trust. Kyger often shares simple, practical tips clients can use at home to support their results. Something as small as changing a pillowcase nightly can make a noticeable difference for acne-prone skin. And one recommendation she gives every client, regardless of age, is sunscreen.

“It’s essential, even when you’re not planning to be outside much,” she says.

The full-service approach extends well beyond skincare, with options that include massage, hair and nail services, injectables like Botox and fillers, and even teeth whitening. Whether stopping in for a quick refresh or planning a more indulgent visit, clients can tailor their experience to fit their lifestyle.

At its core, Salora Med Spa offers more than treatments. It provides a place where self-care feels approachable, personalized and genuinely supportive.

SIMPLE WAYS TO SUPPORT HEALTHY SKIN ■ Consistent skincare routines deliver the best long-term results.

■ Professional treatments should be tailored to your skin’s needs.

■ Daily sunscreen is essential at any age.

■ Small habits, like clean pillowcases, can improve skin clarity.

■ Expert guidance helps simplify choices and avoid overwhelm.

Visit SaloraMedSpa.com or call 941-357-7230 to schedule a consultation.

LIC.39300MM# 461826-1

makes all the difference.

“Most people come in knowing they want to look younger and healthier,” says medical aesthetician Pam Kyger. “But there are so many options now, it can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in, to explain, to listen and to help them figure out what’s right for them.”

At Salora Med Spa, that philosophy shapes every interaction. The focus is on simplifying self-care through personalized recommendations, expert insight and a full range of services designed to meet each client’s unique needs.

Kyger, a seasoned aesthetician with more than 20 years of experience, brings a calm and approachable energy to every appointment.

She works with clients of all ages, from teens navigating acne to adults looking to refresh and restore their skin, always with a thoughtful, no-pressure approach.

For many clients, that journey begins with Salora’s signature

Your hearing. Your life.

Hearing Health is Essential Health.

Good hearing is about more than just hearing sounds.

Did you know treating hearing loss can help decrease the risk of other health conditions and improve your overall quality of life?

DEMENTIA

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FALLING

TINNITUS

Treating hearing loss may reduce the risk of dementia1 by nearly 40%.

Reduce your likelihood of depression and social isolation2 with better hearing.

Hearing aids can help reduce the risk of falling3 by 300%.

60% of tinnitus patients report relief4 wearing hearing aids.

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1. Lin. F. R., et al. (2011). Hearing loss and incident dementia, Archives of Neurology. 2. Cosh, S., et al. (2018) Hearing loss and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Otolaryngology. 3. Livingston, G., et al. (2017). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet. 4. Cima, R.F.F., et al. (2019). A systematic review of the association between hearing loss and tinnitus. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology.

463121-1 463105-1

SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES FOR OVER 75 YEARS

FREE

YourObserver.com

31

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

SUNRISE / SUNSET Sunrise Sunset

FRIDAY, MAY 29 High: 85 Low: 78 Chance of rain: 24%

Thursday, May 28

6:35a

8:18p

Friday, May 29

6:35a

8:19p

Saturday, May 30

6:35a

8:19p

Sunday, May 31

6:35a

8:20p

SATURDAY, MAY 30

Monday, June 1

6:34a

8:20p

High: 85 Low: 79 Chance of rain: 34%

Tuesday, June 2

6:34a

8:20p

Wednesday, June 3

6:34a

8:21p

WEATHER

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST

MOON PHASES SUNDAY, MAY 31 High: 85 Low: 78 Chance of rain: 32%

May 31 Full

June 8 Last

June 14 New

June 21 First

TIDES Highs Lows

Cory Jones captured this photo inside of the gazebo across from Buttonwood Cove on Longboat Key.

Thursday, May 28

12:07

10:18a

4:36a

6:39p

Friday, May 29

1:11a

10:41a

4:56a

7:17a

Saturday, May 30

2:17a

11:06a

5:04a

7:53p

Sunday, May 31

11:36a

—

—

8:30p

Monday, June 1

—

12:09p

—

9:07p

Tuesday, June 2

—

12:47p

—

9:46p

Wednesday, June 3

—

1:30p

—

10:26p

Submit your photos at YourObserver.com/Contests. All submissions will be entered in the 2026-27 Weather and Nature photo contest. In February 2027, you will vote for your favorite photo, and the submission with the most votes will win a $500 gift card.

We have all of your luxury flooring needs carpet | hardwood | tile | stone | pavers | and more

Daily crossword puzzles available at YourObserver.com/crossword

MEGA FREESTYLE 5 by August Miller, edited by Jared Goudsmit Day 104 Merely 105 High-pitched voices 106 “All ___ go!”

49 Gymnast Lee who has won two Olympic gold medals 51 Like sourdough loaves 52 Mural on plaster DOWN 53 Towering sights at 1 Thwart, like an evil plan construction sites 2 Rattle off 56 South American prairies 3 All together 57 Boxing Day mo.

4 Sports org. with Scottie 58 Cheddar breakfast Scheffler and Xander pastries Schauffele 59 “My wish is to reach that 5 Rolls with the punches goal” 6 “A Prayer for ___ Meany” 60 Rock hit with the lyric (John Irving novel) “Where can I find a woman 7 Ravioli or bow ties like that?”

8 Field goal squads 61 “Just watch me!”

9 Rabbit’s relative 62 Raised ___ (resistance 10 Rage symbol) 11 Codes for withdrawing 66 Apt rhyme of “on fleek” cash, briefly 67 Search for 68-Down, say 12 Prom queens’ head68 Easter basket items pieces 71 Tea with tapioca 13 Passover meal “bubbles” 14 Applications 72 “The ___ Trilogy” (Satya15 Wristbone-related jit Ray film series) 16 Outraged “And this is 73 Some reproductive cells what you chose?!”

76 Openly challenge 17 Flat expanses near 77 Part of a BBQ rack ©2026 Universal Uclick volcanoes 79 Like the Zapfino font 33 Serengeti expeditions animated film 55 X’s mark these spots ACROSS 18 Three-pointer 81 Circled square on a 37 Some Palestinians 60 “I could really use a win” 80 City in ancient Egypt or 1 Ketchup bottle’s cap 19 ABC a.m. show calendar 39 Boston NBA player ancient Greece 61 Ideal outcomes 8 Japanese massage 20 “Star Wars” ship shaped 82 Go back on a promise 41 Rite aide 82 Full of strong flavor 62 End of Oktober? technique like the 25th letter 83 Yam or cassava 42 Parts of chairs or relay 84 Takes away in a UFO 63 How much ‘90s music 15 Young male horse 27 Place for garden tools 86 Spelunker races 85 “You wish!” was stored 19 Celebratory send-offs 29 Cook, like peanuts 88 Gains altitude 43 Ruby’s hue 86 “Arrested Development” 64 “Yipes, a mouse!”

21 A ways off 31 Trails behind 90 With 24-Across, Bay 44 Sly chuckle 65 Indigenous Southwest- actor Michael 22 Error message?

33 Draw a line in the ___ Area city ern people 45 Snatch 87 Letters aptly missing 23 Five-star review 34 Smoothie berry 91 Ernie’s best bud 69 Wee 46 ___ bar (place to buy from “s_o_nd_el” 24 See 90-Down 35 Key chain items 92 Speck of dust 70 Dairy farm sound shellfish) 89 ___-El (Superman’s 25 Tempt 36 Use a needle 93 ___ Macbeth 71 “Upright” string instru- father) 47 Numbered lines on 26 Start a TV show and thread 95 Chemistry unit ment maps (Abbr.)

90 Kid’s coin container 28 Six-pt. football feats 38 Zambia’s leader?

96 First-aid sets 92 Toy over a crib 30 Darth Vader’s childhood 48 Note between fa and la 73 Copa Mundial cheer 39 Things viewed through 97 Unreturned serve 49 Grain-storing structure 74 Embrace 94 Soccer great Bukayo nickname telescopes 100 Designer monogram 75 Physics or astronomy 50 Dance halls with mirror 98 Low-pH substance 31 Disinformation spreader 40 Train sound syllable hidden in “ruby slippers” (Abbr.) balls 99 “Ugh, so much judg32 Glass ___ Full (New 43 Rabble-___ (agitator) 101 “Utter hogwash!” ment” 76 ___ Moines Orleans recycling company 52 Enemy 47 Firmly embedded 102 Tomb raider Croft with an optimistic-sound- 53 One of 130 in this puzzle 77 Title for Leo XIV 48 Hungarian’s neighbor 78 Playing, like a role in an 103 Prepared for Election 54 Ctrl+Z function ing name)

celebrity cipher

By Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present.

Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

“XH HWU UQO PG HWU OXC, XMHSQD SK ZUHHUE ... QPZPOC ULUE XKJUO NU SG S RXQHUO X FUYYUDESQP SQ HWU RESHUE’K EPPN.”

OPQXYO DYPLUE

“X SHIOCHT GVIG X SXEHT GVH QDOEXCA POHQ GVH ZDRG, ZDOH GVIC GVH RGIOR ... GVH POHQ QDOEHT DC ISZDRG ISS DB ZJ BXSZR.” RVXOSHJ GHZUSH

“JB’WB HCO NBWB OH JWMOB YBIOBIDBY ONB YTBDMBY NZY IBUBW BIDHCIOBWBS, ZIS MO’Y THYYMGKB MI ONMY KMABOMQB.”

HDBZI UCHIL

Puzzle Three Clue: W equals R

crossword

Puzzle Two Clue: X equals I

457538-1

Sarasota 941.355.8437 | Bradenton 941.748.4679 | Venice 941.493.7441 | manasotaonline.com

Come Shop our Showrooms!

Puzzle Two Clue: E equals R

at MANASOTA FLOORING INC

sudoku

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

©2026 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

05-28-26

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

Homes for Sale

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.

Boat Slips for Rent/Sale

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

Antiques/ Collectibles

ANTIQUES WANTED

WANTED Paintings •B Bronzes •P Sculptures •O Oriental Rugs •S Asian Art •A Antique Furniture •A

Al Tomlinson 40+ years in Sarasota Honest Evaluations NO ONE PAYS MORE!

941-400-8811

SENIOR LOOKING to purchase precious metals, diamonds, time pieces, coins, jewelry, antique and estate jewelry, and some collectors plates. Personal and confidential.

Please call Marc: 941-321-0707

BUY STUFF HERE! YourObserver.com/RedPages

Autos Wanted CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

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

941-809-3660, 941-809-3662.

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

Call Hawley Motors: 941-923-3421.

Plantation Golf Course View Condo 3 Bed $294,000

Pool Home Completely Upgraded $545,000

real estate

BUYING GOLD, SILVER W/ CASH. RETIRED INVESTOR Diamonds, Coins, Jewelry, Watches & Pocket Watches.

Confidential & Honest.

FREE HOUSE CALLS. Call David (941) 499-6417

auto

stuff Items Under $200

Merchandise Wanted

Sailboat Access Canal 4 Bed Pending $675,000

House on Canal with Pool & Dock $1,250,000

BOAT SLIPS FOR LEASE ON LONGBOAT KEY Annual and monthly leases are available. Deep water slips up to 40 ft with water and electrical service. Easy access to Sarasota Bay, ICW and Gulf Call 941-500-3895.

Over 1 Acre Beachfront House $6.5 million

Condos/Apts. for Rent 2BR/2BA FAIRWAY Bay Harborside Longboat Key Luxury 2-bedroom, 2-bath townhouse behind the gates in Fairway Bay. 2-car garage plus extra space for hobbies and storage. Kitchen, floors, appliances, and baths all recently updated. The home is minutes from private beach access, LBK Club, and local shopping. Fully furnished or unfurnished options.

(941) 928-0079 kimberley@kpaa.ca

SELL YOUR STUFF FAST!

SHIP YOUR car, truck or SUV anywhere in the United States.

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

Luxury Sarasota Bay views 4 Bed 5 Bath with Boat Dock $1.76 million

LONGBOAT KEY: Beachfront Condos, 1st or 2nd floor, 2BR/2BA, W/D in units, free Wi-Fi, heated pool, & parking.

Call 941-383-3338.

WEEKLY MONTHLY SEASONAL RATES Beachfront, Bayfront and In Between Houses or Condos Reservations 941-383-5577 wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com

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

CALL 941-955-4888

www.rentalsonlongboat.com

Looking for something? Your lucky discovery is closer than you think.

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

Call 941-955-4888 or visit YourObserver.com/redpages

FIND BUYERS & SELLERS HERE!

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

Wallpaper installation & removal, pressure washing. Residential & condos.

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For Free estimates call CARL 941-448-8468 35+ years experience.

Professional Services AUTOBIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR Edited and Published HighCottonPublishing.com 941-706-2463

This week’s Crossword answers

L’AMBIANCE, LONGBOAT KEY Beach front 2BR/3BA condo on high floor with wrap-around terrace, 270 degree views over the Gulf, Sarasota Bay and LBK Club.

Sunrises, sunsets through floor to ceiling windows. View at: www.thephotos.smugmug.com Call John at: 203-984-8477 or E-mail: garment@optonline.net

Advertise as low as $17.50 per week!

found here.

PLACE YOUR AD: Call: 941-955-4888 Email: RedPages@ YourObserver.com

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals

M-F

TREASURES

Color background: $ 5 per week Ad border: as low as $3 per week

Brooke O’Malley CLUB REALTY Call 941-726-2677

Ask about our special rates!

YourObserver.com/RedPages

15% DISCOUNT FOR 4-WEEK RUN

Near South bridge to Siesta One level, heated pool, stroll to shops. 3Bed-2.5Bath $1,250,000

Visa/MC

GARAGE SALE

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

Auto Transport

Wagner Realty Since 1939

©2026 Universal Uclick

You’re only cheating yourself.

redpages@yourobserver.com • yourobserver.com/redpages

peekers’ place

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

home services

RED PAGES

RED PAGES AD RATES

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “At the end of the day, acting is better ... nobody ever asked me if I wanted a Pellegrino in the writer’s room.”

Donald Glover

Puzzle Two Solution: “I learned that I liked the working crew the most, more than the stars ... The crew worked on almost all of my films.”

Shirley Temple Puzzle Three Solution: “We’re out here to write sentences the species has never encountered, and it’s possible in this lifetime.”

Ocean Vuong

This week’s Sudoku answers

©2026 NEA, Inc.

YourObserver.com

33

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

SELL YOUR CAR!

Transportation

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

BLACK LABEL CAR SERVICE “Luxury for Less”

941 - 248 - 4734

WE COME TO YOU

463014

Do You Have Neck or Low Back Pain?

Do You Want To Avoid Surgery?

FAST • EASY • SAFE

941.270.4400

Health

All Florida Airports, Concerts & Dinners - Hourly Cruise Ships & Medical | See Specials at: www.blacklabelcarservice.com

Give Us a Call - We Can Help

Windows

FREE CONSULTATION 941.358.2224

5-Star Rated

Serving Longboat Key Since 2005

Recognized Among the Best Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Physicians in America

462546

HoHoBuysCars.com

Res. | Com. | Lic. | Ins.

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

Financial Services

410036

Auto Service

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC

> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC

Midtown Medical Park 1215 S. East Ave. Suite 210 Sarasota, FL 34239

We canCDs. help. tocks. Bonds.

IRAs. Mutual funds.

John M. Campora, ChFC®, CRPC™ We can help.

Financial Advisor John M. Campora, ChFC®, CRPC™

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

463011

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

6400 Manatee Avenue West, Suite B ® Financial34209 Advisor John M. Campora, , CRPC™ Bradenton, FL ChFC 6400 Manatee Avenue West, Suite B Financial 941-779-2499 Advisor

EJB-19325-A-E-DA-2

EJB-19325-A-E-DA-2

462595

Insurance

Carpentry • Painting Pressure Washing

MIC INSURANCE

HANDYMAN SERVICES

Accepting Credit Cards

941.302.5850

SERVING SIESTA KEY & SARASOTA COUNTY

462600

C.T. MALLETT

YOUR BUSINESS Advertise as low as $85 per week.

senior citizen discount.

www.sunsetwindowcleaningsrq.com

PURIFIED WATER WINDOW CLEANING AVAIL ABLE!!

Call Tibor for FREE ESTIMATES 941- 284 - 5880 Window Cleaning

Home • Condo • Auto • Umbrella • Boat • Flood

462817

GROW

5

$

Mike Mailliard ~ Lacey Weaver Allen Hovis ~ Marshall Bruce Matthew Mailliard ~ Julia McIlrevey Christopher Byrne ~ Samantha Ryan Jaimie Simpkins ~ Amanda Nazario

462872

INTERIOR RENOVATIONS • DRYWALL • PAINT • TRIM • DOORS • TILE • FLOORING • SHOWER TEXT OR CALL 574-354-7772

STANDARD WINDOWS

SPECIAL 00

EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE SOLUTIONS

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

KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

160

25 $

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

EJB-19325-A-E-DA-2

Handyman

UP TO

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

WINDOW CLEANING, PRESSURE WASHING, & GUTTERS CLEANING! CALL JUAN & CINDY LICENSED & INSURED 239-203-5913 l 407-902-7845

Roofing

jccpcleaning@aol.com | jccpwindowcleaning.net

Kenneth Fuhlman Inc. Building & Roofing Contractor

Made for where you live. Here!

• Aluminum, Vinyl, & Wood Soffit and Fascia • Metal & Shingle Roofing • Pool Cage, Pan Roofs & Lania Fabrication • Aluminum Welding & Fabrication

RED PAGES

941-626-3194 kennethfuhlmaninc.com

Licensed & Insured CCC - 058059 CBC - 1253936

YourObserver.com/RedPages 463012

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

462795

Bradenton, FL 34209 6400 Manatee Avenue West, Suite B 941-779-2499 Bradenton, FL 34209 941-779-2499

Formerly known as Sunrise Windows

463015

> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC

Unsure whether you can retire?

Stocks. Bonds. CDs. IRAs. Mutual funds.

Call to schedule a one-on-one.

Insurance

SECUR-ALL INSURANCE AGENCY 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!

STUFF

found here.

The Red Pages is the perfect store to buy and sell locally! You’ll find a wide selection from antiques to furniture to condos!

RED PAGES Made for where you live. Here!

Call 941-955-4888 or visit YourObserver.com/redpages

441238

Sandra Smith | 941.383.3388

34

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2026

Spectacular bayfront living in the heart of downtown! This furnished 3BR+den residence is perched on the 3rd floor in the gated enclave at La Bellasara. Combining the feel of single-family 3,200+ SF of living with 2-car garage and dock, within walking distance to the best that Sarasota offers.

B U YE R’ S

www.OrchidBeachB704.com

1513 OAK STREET #18

www.1513OakStreet.com

TO

TO

TO

667 MOURNING DOVE DRIVE $10,995,000

6001 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE $9,995,000

401 QUAY COMMONS #805 $8,495,000

2116 CASEY KEY ROAD $6,995,000

www.667MourningDove.com

www.6001GulfofMexico.com

www.RitzResidences805.com

www.2116CaseyKeyRoad.com

TO

TO

B U YE R’ S

Gulf-to-Bay 4BR, 5,500 SF estate on Casey Key with deeded private beach access, 100+ feet of deep-water bay frontage, and lovely updates.

476 MEADOW LARK DRIVE $4,495,000

575 SOUTH SPOONBILL DRIVE $4,495,000

7689 COVE TERRACE $3,695,000

8250 HUGH ALISON PLACE $3,249,000

www.476MeadowLark.com

www.575SouthSpoonbill.com

www.7689 CoveTerrace.com

TO

TO

B U YE R’ S

Furnished and highly customized, this 3BR, 8th-floor Ritz residence is a showcase of panoramic views, offering high-end finishes and a private garage.

B U YE R’ S

Gulf-Front 6,900 SF masterpiece perfectly placed on nearly an acre of direct beach frontage along Longboat Key’s shoreline.

B U YE R’ S

This stunning direct bayfront 5BR Murray-built estate spans nearly 6,600 SF and captures panoramic bay views that stretch out to the Gulf.

$1,449,000

Brand-new furnishings elevate this ideal move-in-ready downtown Sarasota retreat. Located in the heart of the city, this two-story, 3BR residence blends the privacy and comfort of single-family living with the walkability and energy of downtown just outside your door.

TO

B U YE R’ S

$2,650,000

Fully furnished and offering nearly 3,000 SF of professionally designed interior, this 3BR Lido Key residence showcases breathtaking beach to bay views. Harmoniously blending luxury and comfort, complemented by world-class amenities and the convenience of two parking spaces.

B U YE R’ S

www.LaBellasara304.com

2050 BEN FRANKLIN DRIVE #B-704

B U YE R’ S

$3,995,000

B U YE R’ S

464 GOLDEN GATE POINT #304

TO

TO

TO

B U YE R’ S

B U YE R’ S

E XC L US I V E L I S T I N G S - TO U R T H E S E L U X U RY H O M E S TO DAY

Sunday, 5/31 1p-4p

B U YE R’ S TO

B U YE R’ S

35 WATERGATE DRIVE #1506 $2,499,000

www.MarinaBay142.com

www.TowerResidences1506.com

Boaters will love this direct bayfront, 4BR courtyard residence within the Longboat Key Club community. Bike to deeded beach club.

Beautiful updates throughout this direct bayfront, nearly 3,400 SF residence, offered fully furnished with secure parking and beach access.

This 15th-floor Ritz-Carlton corner residence is the epitome of downtown luxury living with stunning views. Includes 2 parking spaces!

TO

TO

TO

TO

B U YE R’ S

B U YE R’ S

2410 HARBOURSIDE DRIVE #142 $2,695,000

B U YE R’ S

www.3548FairOaks.com

www.8250HughAlisonPlace.com

TO

www.TangerineBayClub136.com

This reimagined 3BR getaway showcases breathtaking panoramic views with two coveted terraces and private two-car garage.

Custom 5BR, 5,100 SF residence captures the essence of Laurel Oaks’ golf-course lifestyle, on nearly an acre with sweeping fairway views.

3548 FAIR OAKS LANE $2,895,000

B U YE R’ S

340 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #136 $2,995,000

Just three homes in from the open bay waters, this updated 4BR waterfront residence is on a quiet cul-de-sac with nearly 100’ of water frontage.

TO

B U YE R’ S

This furnished and newer custom-built Bird Key residence is spread across two levels, spanning nearly 4,000 SF. Ready to enjoy immediately!

TO

B U YE R’ S

This 4BR waterfront residence blends timeless coastal design with extensive updates and exceptional indoor-outdoor living.

3530 MISTLETOE LANE $2,495,000

3930 ELYSIAN WOODS LANE $2,149,000

111 SOUTH PINEAPPLE AVENUE #1103 $1,299,999

1055 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #504 $1,299,000

www.3530MistletoeLane.com

www.3930ElysianWoods.com

www.TheMark1103.com

www.Beachplace8504.com

TO

TO

TO

B U YE R’ S

Furnished, direct Gulf-front getaway boasts an average of $70,000/year in rental income! Includes covered and additional parking spaces.

TO

B U YE R’ S

Built in 2019, this 2BR+den downtown residence is perched on the 11th floor, featuring spectacular city views and exceptional upgrades.

B U YE R’ S

Coastal Elegance on Phillippi Creek! With 198’ of peaceful water frontage, this 4BR, 3,500+ SF home blends privacy and an ideal location.

B U YE R’ S

This 4BR direct bayfront residence is a combination of waterfront views, thoughtful renovations, and a low-maintenance Longboat Key lifestyle.

5320 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #101 $999,000

4235 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #T101 $825,000

1111 NORTH GULFSTREAM AVENUE #10E $749,000

1328 SIESTA BAYSIDE DRIVE #1328C $734,000

www.LongboatLanding101.com

www.TurtleCrawl101.com

www.OneWatergate10E.com

www.1328SiestaBayside.com

Rarely available within the intimate community of Longboat Landing, this updated, turnkey 3BR bayfont residence offers effortless island living.

Beautiful custom updates adorn every inch of this beachfront escape. Unlimited possibilities abound with a weekly rental program.

Located on the 10th-floor, this nearly 1,600 SF downtown residence offers captivating city, bay, and bridge views. Includes 2 parking spaces!

Located in a gated community, this 2BR turnkey getaway offers a beach-to-bay Siesta Key lifestyle, with its own private garage.

$400+ MILLION SOLD IN THE LAST TWO YEARS The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2023 Coldwell Banker.

All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logo are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

456846-1

443 John Ringling Boulevard, Suite F, Sarasota, FL 34236 | PettingellProfessionals.com | 941.387.1840 YouTube.com/@PettingellProfessionals | Instagram.com/RogerPettingell | Professionals@Pettingell.com