Longboat Observer 7.2.26

LONGBOAT

Observer JULY 2026

Observer

Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978

Spirit of America VOICES OF AM

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YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

VOLUME 48, NO. 46

YOUR TOWN

No airport connection made Soot-like dust under SRQ departing jet route not from planes, study says. SEE PAGE 3

S.T. Cardinal

Flying the flag

Longboat Key is gearing up to celebrate the Fourth of July in a big way this week.

The star-spangled banner is flying high on lightposts throughout the town, and organizers are getting ready for Freedom Fest at Bicentennial Park.

The Fourth of July festivities kick off at 9 a.m. with the “World’s Shortest Parade,” the renaming of the park, the release of 250 butterflies and other family-friendly fun.

VisitLongboatKeyChamber. com for event details.

IT’S TIKI TIME AGAIN Lido Key residents and visitors cheer a landmark’s return. SEE PAGE 15 Image courtesy of Bridgette Clark

First turtle nest hatches Sea turtles are officially beginning to hatch on Longboat Key. The Longboat Key Turtle Watch reported volunteers saw the first hatched nest of the 2026 season early Tuesday morning.

A total of 715 nests have been noted on Longboat Key this year as of Mote Marine’s report for the week of June 1420. It takes about two months for the eggs to incubate.

Experts are taking the opportunity to remind the public to take care while enjoying the Key’s beaches this holiday weekend. Nests are marked with wooden stakes and should be avoided. At the end of the day, beachgoers should also fill in any holes dug in the sand and ensure all beach furniture is removed. Visit LBKTurtleWatch.com to learn more about helping Longboat have a strong turtle season.

Dana Kampa

Performer Adam Netane brings the heat at the grand reopening of the Lido Key Tiki Bar.

A+E

GPS units lost to theft

Spectacular summer PAGE 10

$0.10

Carlin Gillen

The boat harbor at Spanish Main Yacht Club has boat slips parallel to Spanish Drive North and Spanish Drive South. Boats moored there were targets of a recent burglary.

Boat electronics stolen at Spanish Main. SEE PAGE 5

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

WEEK OF JULY 2, 2026

Charter Review Committee formed

“Big hill to climb. It is something that I’ll always be striving to achieve that level of greatness, but don’t know if I’ll ever make it.”

Incoming Town Manager George Landry. Read more on page 6

BY THE NUMBERS 10 MICRONS

The diameter of particles collected during a study to determine whether aircraft particulates are being dropped on Longboat Key. PAGE 3

$8,000

The estimated value of GPS units stolen from a boat docked at Spanish Main.

PAGE 5

68,900

People missing after the Venezuela earthquakes. A local run club raised money to send aid.

PAGE 16

CALENDAR

n Freedom Fest — 9 a.m., July 4, 2730 Gulf of Mexico Drive n Manasota League of Cities Meeting — 9:30 a.m., July 9, 501 Bay Isles Road n Let’s Talk Longboat — 3 p.m., July 14, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive

S.T. Cardinal

Town Commissioner Gary Coffin brought a bottle of wine to Monday’s special meeting to help provide context to what a potential increase in Longboat Key millage rate would mean to a property owner.

Max tax rate increased

L

ongboat Key Town Commission set a higher maximum millage rate Monday as the town continues to prepare a budget in a climate surrounded by question marks.

Town Commissioners voted 5-1 to set the maximum millage at 1.999, an increase from the current 1.960 property tax rate.

The increase would raise an additional estimated $747,500 in revenue if approved in September, but town leaders were sure to stress the vote was not a final decision on property tax rates, but only sets the maximum mill-

age the town is legally allowed to set when it finalizes its budget.

The move for a higher tax rate comes as the town begins tentatively planning for a less-involved FEMA and potential property tax changes on the November ballot in Florida.

Town Manager Howard Tipton said any additional revenue would be used to rebuild reserves and would not be used to expand operations. Town Commission unanimously agreed.

Town Commissioner Gary Coffin brought a prop to make a case for a 2.0648 millage, saying

a “basic $4 million home” would see an increase of $723 dollars with the 2.0648 millage, “That’s basically three bottles of a decent wine,” Coffin said with a bottle of Menage et Troisbranded red wine on the dais in front of him.

Commissioners eventually settled on a compromise, not raising it above the 2.000 mark, setting it at 1.999. Coffin was the lone vote against the 1.999 millage.

The final tax rate will be set in September.

The Charter Review Committee is set, and with it comes an important task: reviewing and recommending changes to the town’s charter.

The Longboat Key charter was published in 1957 and has been amended several times since. Town Attorney Maggie Mooney describes the charter as the town’s “municipal constitution,” outlining town commission term limits, commissioner qualifications, the form of government of the town and more.

The charter also specifies that every 10 years, a committee be formed to evaluate the document to discuss and recommend changes to the charter. On Monday, June 29, Longboat Key Town Commission chose the members who would make up the latest iteration of that once-in-adecade committee.

The members are Steve Baril, Mike Haycock, Susan Phillips, Ken Schneier and Howard Veit.

Former commissioners, Haycock and Schneier, take up two seats.

Haycock served as vice mayor during his commission term from 2019 to 2025. Schneier served as mayor for much of his commission term from 2018 to 2026.

Baril, a retired business litigation and government relations lawyer, is a Country Club Shores resident who worked with the town advocating for his neighborhood regarding the turn lane addition and canal dredging program.

Phillips represents the committee as a former town employee. She was assistant to the town manager for 27 years. She is married to current town Commissioner Steve Branham.

Veit is a retired healthcare administrator and management consultant who has owned property on Longboat Key for 35 years and has been a full-time resident since 2022.

Veit is on the board of directors of the Paradise Center and serves as secretary.

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W HAT ’S HAPPENING

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

ed at levels of concern” and were “substantially below” health-based ambient air criteria. Ambient air criteria is a benchmark set by the Environmental Protection Agency that determines when levels of certain elements in the air can cause health issues.

That test was rudimentary compared to a second, more recent study performed by Vertex Companies.

The town paid Vertex $28,000 to perform environmental monitoring on three days between April 17 and May 1 at five separate locations.

On Longboat Key, monitoring was done at the Positano condominiums, the Longboat Library and from Sandhamn Place near Joan M. Durante Community Park. Two offisland locations — one next to Interstate 75 at Tom Bennett Park and another at the Sunny Shores Park neighborhood in Cortez — were also monitored to provide comparison data.

Vertex National Technical Lead of Healthcare Mark St. Marie said the samples Vertex gathered were not collected off surfaces, but gathered from the air.

“You lose some resolution when it’s been sitting there,” St. Marie said. “With rain and the material that’s just sitting there, you can lose some of the chemicals that kind of leech out really quickly, so it can be misinformed when you do surface testing.”

The devices deployed by Vertex collected particulate samples, gasses and volatile organic compounds.

It also measured noise levels.

“That noise monitoring is really to associate the particulate load with aircraft that are passing overtop,” St. Marie said. “We’re not looking for noise in the community. What we’re looking for is to associate the particle drop as the aircraft are passing overhead.”

Flight pattern data was also incorporated in the study.

Still up in the air Longboat Key study finds black dust probably didn’t fall from jets passing overhead.

THE RESULTS

S.T. Cardinal

S.T. CARDINAL STAFF WRITER

L

ooking out at the teal-blue Gulf waters from Longboat Key could give some the

impression of a remote island.

But then the soothing sound of crashing waves is broken up by the rumble of a truck unloading construction equipment, the buzz of a weedwacker or the roar of a Boeing 737 passing overhead. Longboat Key is paradise, but it’s not a remote island, and residents are worried about the impacts millions of annual visitors to the Gulf Coast may have on the exclusive barrier island on their way in and out.

A recent study commissioned by the town determined that particulates found on patios, vehicles and other surfaces are most likely not from planes passing overhead.

he sprayed to periodically wash off the roof of the complex. Emling, who previously worked at an airport in Ohio, said he believed the dust was from planes passing overhead.

Town Manager Howard Tipton said the town received reports of the black dust appearing on patio furniture and vehicles.

“We needed to find out where it was coming from, and so we contracted with Vertex to do the study,” Tipton said.

THE STUDIES

After Longboaters raised concerns about the potential impacts, town leaders decided to determine the source of the reported particulates.

In January, an initial test of air quality was performed at the Positano condo complex. Town Engineer Jennifer Fehrs said the $2,744 contract with Air Quest Environmental determined that airborne lead concentrations “were not detect-

The Vertex report concluded the particulates measured by Vertex were likely not from aircraft.

“Overall, the monitoring results did not identify conclusive evidence of sustained or uniquely elevated aircraft-related particulate impacts within the monitored areas during the study period,” the report states. “Real-time particulate and gas-phase monitoring identified transient environmental variability consistent with normal atmospheric fluctuations commonly observed within coastal urban environments.”

One of the determining factors in drawing that conclusion was because of the size of the particles collected. Small airborne matter are broken down into three size categories: PM1, PM2.5 and PM10. For reference, a PM10 particle is the largest size, about 10 microns in diameter according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In comparison, a human hair has the diameter of about 50 to 70 microns and a grain of sand is 90 microns in diameter.

PM2.5 particles are 2.5 microns in size and PM1 particles are 1 micron.

“What we found is more of the larger sized particles, the PM10.

Typically, when we see aircraft emissions, we would see the reverse of this. We would see what we call the

WHAT ABOUT THE NOISE? While aircraft aren’t dropping soot on Longboat Key, they are certainly making noise. Proving that doesn’t cost $28,000.

“You can tell when the 6 o’clock leaves from the Sarasota airport because you do hear it. I’m sure a lot of people hear it,” Longboat Key Mayor Debra Williams said. “If they could resolve that, because I think they do have the option to throttle less depending on weather conditions, if that’s something that the town could work out with the airport, that would be something.”

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Paul Hoback wrote in an email the airport strives to be a good neighbor and reviews every concern it receives. He said community feedback informs its conversations with airlines and federal partners, but many issues regarding noise are not within the airport’s control.

“The FAA controls flight paths, altitudes and routing, and pilots determine throttle levels during climb out, so those decisions simply cannot be made by an airport,” Hoback said. “What we are committed to doing is encouraging our airline partners to use power settings that may help reduce noise and also staying in active discussions with the FAA to understand what options may exist that maintain safety and reduce community impact.”

ultrafine particles around PM1. We didn’t see that here,” St. Marie said.

“We didn’t see a direct correlation of particulate monitoring that was associated with the aircraft.”

The report also concluded the elements and airborne metals detected did not include the “distinct combustion-related signatures” typically associated with aircraft emissions like chromium or cadmium.

The source of the black dust that accumulates around Longboat Key likely originates not from the sky, but possibly from Gulf of Mexico Drive and landscaping activity.

“We did find particles that were falling, but it was not associated with the aircraft,” St. Marie told the Commission on June 22.

“The likely contributor, in our professional opinion, is roadway traffic and marine activity or local regional combustion activities like golf course maintenance, things like that that are in the area. These are all local, and that’s just based on the size of the particle that’s being generated.

They don’t travel as far. The larger particles stay local.”

“What we found is more of the larger sized particles, the PM10. Typically, when we see aircraft emissions, we would see the reverse of this ...”

— Mark St. Marie, Vertex National Technical Lead of Healthcare

FINE SOOT DRAWS CONCERNS

Flight paths from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport were changed by direction of the Federal Aviation Administration in 2024, meaning planes departing the airport now fly over Longboat Key about a mile farther north than they used to.

With that change came new complaints from residents beneath the new flight path. Longboat Key Mayor Debra Williams, who lives at the Positano Condominium Complex and serves as the condominium association’s vice president, said she heard concerns from residents at her complex after the flight path change about noise and particulates accumulating in common areas of the complex, and she has seen it herself.

“What we typically see is a very fine, black matter. It’s almost ashy,” Williams said. “If I go out there and just wipe down a piece of the furniture or even the tile on the balcony, it’s black. It’s a very fine black dust.

You wash the balcony down and then not even a week or two later you still have this black grit.”

Bill Emling, a maintenance worker at a Longboat condo complex, said a fine black soot gathered on patio furniture and could be seen in the water

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SARASOTABRADENTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DEPARTURES FROM JUNE 1-5 Blue lines indicate flight paths going over Longboat Key

RUNWAY 32

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75

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RUNWAY 14 Images courtesy of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

The pedestrian tunnel under Gulf of Mexico Drive is illuminated by fluorescent lights.

ARVIDA RELIC

The tunnel was built in 1978 by the Arvida Corp., developers of a large swath of the south end of the island. It was originally intended to provide golf cart crossing, and the two parallel tunnels can accommodate carts comfortably. But plans to connect a golf course east and west of the tunnel never materialized, and Longboat Key Club’s two courses are a mile away — a bit of a hike for a golf cart.

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT Photos by S.T. Cardinal

S.T. CARDINAL Longboat STAFF WRITER Key is taking ou may have passed it hundreds, thousands or even tens over the of thousands of times and not pedestrian even known it.

That’s because the Gulf of Mexico tunnel Drive pedestrian crossing just north Drive is underground, below Gulf ofandHarbourside from the road, it’s only marked by a couple guardrails. The Gulf of of Mexico Mexico Drive pedestrian tunnel connects the sidewalks on each side of Drive. the town’s thoroughfare, providing

Y

safe crossing without interrupting traffic.

Since at least 1990, the Bay Isles Association has been responsible for maintenance of the underpass and has paid to insure it.

The rising cost of insuring the public tunnel led to discussions years ago about whether the association and town could come up with an agreement to transfer ownership of the infrastructure.

At the time, the association paid about $50,000 in insurance and $15,000 annually in maintenance.

The town, which sees it as useful infrastructure that protects pedestrians in an area where crosswalks are few and far between, has continued

The Gulf of Mexico Drive pedestrian tunnel is easy to miss while driving on the state road, but more obvious to pedestrians on the sidewalk.

discussions on how to keep the tunnel open and responsibly maintained.

Now, the town will take over responsibility for the tunnel.

At the June 29 Town Commission meeting, the commission unanimously approved a donation agreement that transfers “ownership interest” and maintenance responsibilities to the town. A memo from Town Attorney Maggie Mooney states that because title records showing Bay Isles ownership of the

tunnel are missing, the tunnel will be transferred to the town via quitclaim deed. A quitclaim deed transfers interests in a property from one party to another without “representing, covenanting, or warranting that the title is good,” according to Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute.

Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman said the town, FDOT and independent engineers hired by the Bay Isles Association all inspected

the tunnel and discovered it is in sound shape and the town’s existing liability coverage would have the tunnel “folded into that (coverage) at no additional cost to the town,” and providing additional insurance is likely unnecessary.

“The premium would be a little higher than we’d like, and you would actually need to have an earthquake or a bomb to take that thing out,” Brownman said. “So it may not be worth insuring it because it’s a very solid structure. The only thing that could really go bad is the pump and the lights, and they’re far less expensive than what the insurer wants to charge on a premium.”

The tunnel drains through four inlets with a submersible pump that has been tested repeatedly and works.

The Bay Isles Association shared typical annual expenses of $16,000 with the town that included pressure washing at a cost of about $5,000 a year, painting every five years at a cost of $13,950 and landscaping, electrical bills and general maintenance for $7,200. The town’s Public Works department is capable of painting and washing the tunnel, which would save expenses, Brownman said.

The town does not have data showing how much it is used but that it is used, but Commissioner Penny Gold said it is used by her neighbors often, especially by those on the way to Publix.

“I live at Sea Place, and there’s a lot of people there that use that tunnel frequently, and in all manner of transportation,” Gold said. “Bad hips, bad knees, walkers, baby carriages — they all use the tunnel.”

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

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Boats stripped from boat slips GPS units stolen from Longboat vessels again.

S.T. CARDINAL STAFF WRITER

A

boat can be docked but usually can’t be locked, which means its electronic equipment is a common target for theft.

The Longboat Key Police Department is investigating the theft of multiple GPS units from the Spanish Main Yacht Club neighborhood.

For the second time in the past seven months, burglars have targeted Longboat Key to steal the pricey GPS and navigation devices overnight.

Two police reports were made on June 22 from residents who had boats docked in the slips bordering Sarasota Bay in the Spanish Main community. On one boat, two GPS units were stolen at an estimated total value of $8,000. The other report states GPS units were not missing, but scratches near the units were seen by a detailer who was checking on the boat for the out-of-town owner.

Suspects have not yet been identified, but the incident is under investigation.

Longboat Key Police Department Capt. Bob Bourque said the crime of stealing GPS units from boats is not new and has occurred on Longboat Key numerous times. The crimes are usually not perpetrated by locals, he said.

“These groups traditionally travel, not just the state but other states, too,” Bourque said. “My experience at this point is that most of our known suspects are out of southeast Florida: Miami, Palm Beach, Broward County, those areas.”

That was the case for the eight GPS units that were taken from boats parked at Cannons Marina in December.

“Those were in the middle of the

PROPERTY PROTECTION GPS units on boat consoles are typically vulnerable to theft, but there are ways to protect them: Install a theft deterrent device like the Helm Guardian Lock.

Replace the screws that mount the units to the console with one-way screws or other tamper-resistant fasteners.

Cameras and motion-activated lighting facing the boat can deter thefts or help solve the crimes.

Write down the serial number and keep in a notes app on a phone or in a filing cabinet to alert police when a unit is sold.

Install a pin code to access the GPS device, and don’t write the code anywhere on the boat.

Courtesy image

night, roughly 2:30 in the morning.

Cannons has a very good surveillance system. It was multiple boats and multiple victims because some of the boats weren’t owned by Cannons,” Bourque said.

“What we did is we viewed the security footage from Cannons, and there was a very distinctive car that pulled down the road on the north side of Cannons, and then you see two suspects, one completely covered with long-sleeve shirts and hoodies, but you can see them go

onto the boats, they steal the GPS units and then you see that car leave.”

Detectives matched the car seen on Cannons surveillance footage to identify the license plate number, and a search warrant was issued to identify cell phone pings from the registered driver of the vehicle, which showed he was on Longboat Key at the time of the burglary.

Shavonte Malone, 33, of Miami, is the main suspect in that case and was arrested in January in connection to separate boat GPS burglaries that occurred in Miami.

Bourque said Malone will be charged in the Longboat Key thefts

under a statewide prosecution in Fort Myers for multiple burglaries.

“So several agencies are working that particular suspect,” Bourque said.

Though the same type of crime has occurred on Longboat Key twice in the past year, Bourque said it’s not an epidemic.

“You may get someone that hits you two, three times real quick, or you could skip a year and not have any,” Bourque said. “It’s really hard to predict. It’s not like it’s happening every week, but it’s not uncommon for us.”

Longboat Key resident Kristen Laviolette shared a photo after navigation systems were reportedly stolen from her boat in the Spanish Main area.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

Who is George Landry?

Photos by S.T. Cardinal

Public Works Director Charlie Mopps, Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman, outgoing Town Manager Howard Tipton and incoming Town Manager George Landry at Longboat Key Town Hall on June 23. Landry traveled to the island to meet with staff and commissioners the day after Town Commission approved the contract to make Landry Tipton’s successor.

George Landry will start his position as Longboat Key town manager Sept. 14

Longboat Key’s next town manager grew up in Michigan, has a Purple Heart and replaces Tipton for the second time.

S.T. CARDINAL STAFF WRITER

G

eorge Landry has signed on the dotted line to become the next town manager of Longboat Key, following in the footsteps of his former boss — again.

Howard Tipton and Landry worked together in St. Lucie County for years before Tipton left for the Gulf Coast to take the Longboat Key job. Landry took over as county administrator for Tipton in his stead, and the two have kept in touch.

“I’d never been to Longboat Key except to visit Howard during his time here. I’d come over and visit him colleague to colleague long before this opportunity was even a discussion,” Landry said. “There was no agenda, no long-term plan, nothing. Even when Tip was leaving

St. Lucie County, I was not looking at the county administrator position. I was encouraged by a few folks at the time to just go through the process with the understanding I’m going to be in a talented pool of individuals, but it would be a great experience, not actually thinking I would be the No. 1 pick on the other side of that.”

When Tipton told commissioners in April that he would retire as Longboat Key town manager, he was instructed by the Town Commission to make a recommendation for his replacement. The man who replaced him for St. Lucie County’s top job was one of the top choices to replace him again, and Landry was interested. And now, he is set to replace Tipton in the top staff role of a local government once again.

“Big hill to climb,” Landry said. “It is something that I’ll always be striving to achieve that level of greatness,

but don’t know if I’ll ever make it.”

Landry grew up in Michigan, enlisting in the Army after graduating high school. He served for years before returning home, but the 9/11 terrorist attacks motivated him to again wear the uniform.

Like many Midwest transplants, his path to Florida was via vacation.

After returning from a tour in Iraq in 2010, Landry and his family took a vacation before he was deployed to Afghanistan.

“The wife fell in love with Florida and jokingly told me she was going to move to Florida while I was overseas because she got tired of doing Michigan winters by herself while I was gone,” Landry remembers. “When I left for Afghanistan, she packed up six kids and found a place in Florida in St. Lucie County and moved there.”

When he retired from the military, he got a job with St. Lucie County, where he has worked since 2013.

Habits from his time in the military have remained.

“I like physical fitness. I like to work out. I like to run. I’m still kind

of in the military mindset when it comes to fitness,” Landry said. “I still get up at 4:45 every morning seven days a week no matter what.”

Landry also plays pickleball a few times a week.

Most of his free time, though, is spent with family. He has six children and nine grandchildren.

“We’re very family focused,” Landry said. “We like to get together and enjoy the family time. That’s our most joy is being with the kids and the grandkids.”

Landry’s wife, Judy, is a registered nurse but recently got into teaching. When the two move to the Gulf Coast, she will likely return to nursing, George said.

Landry will receive a housing allowance as town manager. He said he wants to find a place on Longboat Key eventually, but with a house in St. Lucie County, where two of his kids will remain for the time being, renting on the mainland will probably be the short-term solution.

“We want to make our way to Longboat Key and live on the island because I believe it’s important to live in the community that you’re serving, but for the first year or so we will probably have an apartment in Sarasota right across the bridge there,” Landry said. “I’ll need probably about a year or two to figure out what we’re going to do with our home in St. Lucie County.”

DATES OF TRANSITION Town Manager Howard Tipton is retiring and George Landry is replacing him. The monthslong transition began with Town Commission approving Landry’s contract. n April: Tipton advised Town Commission he would retire due to health issues and began evaluating candidates for his replacement. n June 11: Tipton informs town staff he will be retiring. n June 19: George Landry is named as the recommended replacement for Tipton. n June 22: Town Commission unanimously approves Landry’s contract. n June 23: Landry meets with town staff and commissioners at Longboat Key Town Hall. n Sept. 14: Landry’s first day. n Oct. 1: Tipton’s last day.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

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YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

OPINION / MY VIEW

LONGBOAT

The 56 who signed for us “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

MATT WALSH

I

t’s a glorious day.

Come Saturday, July 4, that’s how we should feel.

As many people have often said: Being an American is winning life’s lottery. Nowhere in the world are people as free as we are.

In spite of the deranged ingrates disavowing our nation, the truth is we should be deeply grateful for all we have.

Grateful to the 25,000 Colonists who died for the cause of Liberty during the Revolutionary War; and grateful to the 56 courageous, visionary men who signed the Declaration of Independence, a document that changed the course of mankind for the better.

With their signatures on that parchment, each of the Signers became a marked man, destined for prison or a hanging if captured.

They knew the risk. But, by God and with God, they were sticking to their convictions: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

So ask yourself on this 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence: Would you have signed the Declaration? Knowing there were traitorous countrymen everywhere willing to expose you.

Would you sign such a document today knowing it would put a bounty on you and your family?

We can only imagine what it was like on July 2 and July 4, 1776, when the members of the Continental Congress voted to approve and ratify the Declaration.

The emotional stress had to be both exhausting and exhilarating.

Thomas Jefferson wrote afterward about the July 4 ratification: “The debate seemed as though it would run on interminably. The weather was oppressively warm and … the horse flies swarmed thick and fierce, alighting on the legs of the members and biting hard through their thin silk stockings.

Handkerchiefs in hand, they lashed at the hungry pests to no avail.”

After they voted, you can just imagine what coursed through the chambers — jubilation, apprehension and fear. John Hancock: “We must be unanimous.

There must be no pulling different ways; we must all hang together.”

Benjamin Franklin: “Yes, we must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

The actual signing of the Declaration did not occur until Aug. 2. That’s when 55 members of the Continental Congress added their names below that of Hancock’s.

And at that moment, they continued to know the gravity and risk of what they were doing.

Indeed, for fear of expected reprisals, the names of the 56 Signers and their families were not made public for six months.

Most of the Signers, according to historians, felt as Rhode Island’s Stephen Hopkins did. At 69, Hopkins was the second-oldest signer behind Franklin. After signing the Declaration, as he handed the quill to his fellow Rhode Islander, William Ellery, Hopkins said: “My hand trembles, but my heart does not.” Hopkins suffered from palsy.

And then there was John Morton of Pennsylvania. Morton’s district opposed independence. But he followed his conscience and courage. He became the third and crucial vote that put Pennsylvania in favor of independence.

Many of Morton’s relatives, neighbors and friends turned against him. In his last hours, Morton said: “… tell them that they will live to see the hour when they shall acknowledge it to have been the most glorious service I ever

The 56 signers, along with their ages, listed in order of the way they signed appear on the Declaration of Independence from left to right.

(At the top) MASSACHUSETTS John Hancock, 39 (Column 1) GEORGIA Button Gwinnett, 52 Lyman Hall, 41 George Walton, late 20s/30s (Column 2) NORTH CAROLINA William Hooper, 34 Joseph Hewes, 36 John Penn, 46 SOUTH CAROLINA Edward Rutledge, 26 Thomas Heward Jr., 30 Thomas Lynch Jr., 26 Arthur Middleton, 34

(Column 3) MARYLAND Samuel Chase, 35 William Paca, 35 Thomas Stone, 33 Charles Carroll of Carrollton, 38 VIRGINIA George Wythe, 50 Richard Henry Lee, 43 Thomas Jefferson, 33 Benjamin Harrison, 50 Thomas Nelson Jr., 37 Francis Lightfoot Lee, 41 Carter Braxton, 39 (Column 4) PENNSYLVANIA Robert Morris, 42 Benjamin Rush, 30 Benjamin Franklin, 70 John Morton, early 50s

‘THE FATHER OF THE REVOLUTION’ Often considered the most rebellious American and a one-man revolution, Samuel Adams, 53, was arguing for independence a decade before the Revolution.

He was a business failure — losing a banking job; squandering money from his father; failing at a family brewery. With six children, he and his wife were so poor, it is written they would have starved if not for John Hancock.

Adams stoked anti-British sentiment by writing thousands of letters to newspapers around the colonies, signing them with fictitious names, giving readers the impression that all of Boston was against the British.

He organized the “Sons of Liberty,” rebels whose resistance spread to dozens of towns. Called by the British “the most dangerous man in Massachusetts,” Adams organized and gave the signal to start the Boston Tea Party.

Paul Revere’s warning saved Adams and Hancock from sure death on the night the British marched into Lexington to arrest them.

Adams is often referred to as “the Father of American Independence” and “the Father of the Revolution.”

LEADING FINANCIER ENDS IN POVERTY Historians often say American independence would not have been without three men: George Washington, commander in chief; Benjamin Franklin, who persuaded the French to help the Americans; and Robert Morris, 42, regarded as the “Financier of the Revolution.”

At age 23, he became a partner in one of the colonies’ leading trading businesses.

Morris actually opposed independence and abstained from the July 2 vote.

But after the Declaration was approved, he vowed, “I pledge myself and all that I possess to the cause.”

As superintendent of finance for the war, Morris persuaded rich Americans to lend money to the new nation.

He created the Bank of North America, the country’s first successful bank.

He lost about 150 of his business’ ships during the war. After

rendered my country.”

Morton was the first of the 56 Signers to die, April 1, 1777.

Few of us today know anything about most of the 56 Signers. We know Hancock, Franklin, Jefferson

(Column 6) NEW HAMPSHIRE Josiah Bartlett, 46 William Whipple, 46

George Clymer, 37 James Smith, 57 George Taylor, 60 James Wilson, 33 George Ross, 46

MASSACHUSETTS Samuel Adams, 53 John Adams, 40 Robert Treat Paine, 45 Elbridge Gerry, 32

DELAWARE Caesar Rodney, 47 George Read, 42 Thomas McKean, 42

RHODE ISLAND Stephen Hopkins, 69 William Ellery, 48

(Column 5) NEW YORK William Floyd, 41 Philip Livingston, 60 Francis Lewis, 63 Lewis Morris, 50 NEW JERSEY Richard Stockton, 45 John Witherspoon, 53 Francis Hopkinson, 38 John Hart, 60s Abraham Clark, 50

the war, Morris made bad investments, causing him to spend three years in debtors’ prison. He lived his last five years in poverty.

Morris was one of five Signers to also sign the new U.S. Constitution.

RIDE TO THE RESCUE One of the most heroic stories of the Declaration involved the three delegates from Delaware — Caesar Rodney, 47, Thomas McKean, 42, and George Read, 42.

Read opposed independence.

Rodney and McKean supported it.

For the Declaration to be approved, Delaware needed two votes in favor.

There was one problem. On July 1, Rodney was back in Delaware, helping squelch a Loyalist uprising.

If he missed the July 2 vote, Delaware would thwart the Declaration.

Knowing Read was going to vote no, McKean hurriedly arranged for a messenger to ride 80 miles as quickly as possible to Dover to tell Rodney he was needed the next day.

After the messenger tracked down Rodney, Rodney mounted a horse within 10 minutes and headed for Philadelphia. It was a horrendous journey. It rained the entire trip, with Rodney riding through mud and rising streams.

On top of that, he was ill.

As John Hancock took his seat to begin debate, McKean heard a horse’s hooves on the cobblestones. It was Rodney — gaunt, mud-splattered and fatigued.

McKean escorted Rodney into the chambers. When it was Delaware’s turn to vote, Rodney pulled himself out of his chair and said: “As I believe the voice of my constituents and of all sensible and honest men is in favor of independence, and my own judgment concurs, I vote for independence.”

PLUNDERED, BURNED, IMPRISONED The Signers expected reprisals.

And indeed there were.

The British burned the homes of 12 Signers; 20 Signers lost all or much of what they owned; nine Signers died as a result of hardships suffered during the Revolution.

Of all the Signers, those from New York and New Jersey suffered among the severest retribution.

■ Francis Lewis (NY) — The

and John Adams. But who else?

To be sure, every Signer has a remarkable life story. The ones cited here are just few. But hopefully, they will spur you to appreciation and gratefulness for all that we have

CONNECTICUT Roger Sherman, 55 Samuel Huntington, 45 William Williams, 45 Oliver Wolcott, 49 NEW HAMPSHIRE Matthew Thornton, 62

British took his wife prisoner and burned and plundered their home. She was confined and suffered ill health in a filthy jail cell for months. George Washington arranged for her release in exchange for two women prisoners of the Americans. Mrs. Lewis never regained her health and died two years later.

■ William Floyd (NY) — The British took over his family farm on Long Island, “despoiling of almost everything but the naked soil.” The Floyd family “was exiled from their home for seven years.”

■ Philip Livingston (NY) — Livingston, a successful importer, lived in a country estate in Brooklyn Heights. The British seized his property and turned it into a naval hospital. Livingston never returned to his home. He died in 1778.

■ Lewis Morris (NJ) — A landowner with 2,000 acres of farmland in Westchester County, Morris lost his property when the British invaded and burned its timber and crops and confiscated his livestock. His family was unable to return to rebuild for seven years.

■ John Hart (NJ) — While his wife lay on her deathbed, the British seized Hart’s farm and grist mills. He fled before being captured and lived in the woods and caves. By the time he was able to return home, his wife had died and his 13 children were “scattered.”

■ Richard Stockton (NJ) — After signing the Declaration on Aug. 2, Judge Stockton rushed to get to his home just north of Trenton to rescue his wife and six children. During the night, the British crashed into his home, dragged and beat Stockton and threw him in prison. Congress arranged for his parole. When he returned to his home, its contents had been burned; horses stolen; and one of the finest collection of books burned to ashes. The Stocktons became so destitute they lived on charity.

■ Arthur Middleton, Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heward Jr. (SC) — All three served as officers in the militia, and all three were captured during the 40-day siege of Charleston. They spent 10 months on a prison ship in St. Augustine, Florida. The British also imprisoned Rutledge’s mother.

After a prisoner exchange at the end of the war, Middleton and Rutledge returned to their plundered plantations.

Sources: “They Signed for Us” and “The Signers, the 56 Stories Behind the Declaration of Independence.”

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and help you think on July 4: It is indeed a Glorious Day. Be proud and grateful. Happy Fourth of July.

Keep the torch of liberty burning.

YourObserver.com © 2026 The Observer Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

Town Commission gives ing program, and the property tax millage would pay for the other final approval to canal 30% that would be charged to both and noncanal-facing maintenance program canal-facing homes.

Some concerned residents and tax and fee issuance.

STAFF WRITER

A

fter years of discussion, the town of Longboat Key now has a way to pay for canal dredging.

The Longboat Key Town Commission unanimously approved a resolution June 22 that establishes a funding method that essentially breaks splits the cost of dredging 80/20 between canal-facing homeowners and all other property owners.

That means resident property tax bills will have another line when mailed this November. A flat 0.0623 property tax millage will be issued on all properties, and a $620 flat fee will be issued for each “equivalent benefit unit,” or EBU. An EBU is defined in a report by consultants First Line Coastal as a unit of measurement to quantify the level of benefit a property has by its connection to the town’s waterway system.

Simply put, a single-family home with one boat slip (or potential for one) has 1 EBU, and a condo complex with 50 units and 10 boat slips would mean each unit has 0.2 EBUs. That flat fee would raise about 70% of the cost of the canal dredg-

File image

Longboat Key has 88 canals, according to a report by the town’s costal engineering consultant firm First Line Coastal. The canals have not been dredged since 2003.

ing. The Town Commission literally started talking about a canal maintenance program in the 1990s.

The last time a large group of canals were dredged in the town was 2003.

This particular effort began in 2016 to discuss another round of dredging or to set up a program or what exactly to do,” Brownman said. “It took a lot to get to this point.”

Public Works Director Charlie Mopps said $9 million is expected to be raised in the first five years of the program and that “from year three to year five is when the action happens.” In year six, the program will shift to a maintenance phase, and the assessments and millage rates are expected to be cut in half.

WHAT IT MIGHT COST, ANNUALLY

$500,000 appraised canal-facing house

$1,000,000 appraised canal-facing house

$500,000 appraised noncanal-facing house

$1,000,000 appraised noncanal-facing house

Flat fee for first five years

$620

$620

$0

$0

Flat fee after first five years

$318.04

$318.04

$0

$0

Ad valorem for first five years

$31.15

$62.30

$31.15

$62.30

Ad valorem after first five years

$31.15

$62.30

$31.15

$62.30

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were left in the residence that was part of the trust. She said she was working with a lawyer to retrieve the items left behind and wanted to file a report to document the incident. She also made it a point to state she had been awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor by President Donald J. Trump and two degrees, one from the University of Missouri and another from the Princeton. The officer wrote in the report that it was “unknown the validity of the items reported.” The report was filed and the case was closed.

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DUCKS CHECK OUT OPEN HOUSE 4:07 p.m., 1571 Harbor Cay Lane Animal problem: A Realtor hosting an open house on Longboat Key made a report to police after a group of ducklings found themselves stuck in the house’s backyard pool. An officer wrapping up a traffic stop nearby made his way to the open house to assist, but the ducks had been safely removed by the time the officer arrived. Case closed.

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GATE GUARD TAKES BATHROOM BREAK, DRAMA RESULTS 4:35 a.m., 600 Bay Isles Parkway Disturbance: A security guard took a bathroom break early Thursday morning and returned to the scene of a worker attempting to bypass the gate. Back on the clock, the security guard approached the man in the truck and an argument ensued, resulting in a call to police.

When the officer arrived, he spoke with the gate-jumper, who said he had an important meeting and grew impatient while waiting at the unmanned gate. He said he waited several minutes and he and his co-workers were being issued new access cards. The security guard was later interviewed and said he was not aware club employees were waiting on new access cards. Police wrote up a report and closed the case as no charges were pressed by either side.

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business owners spoke at the June 22 meeting to push against the assessment.

Fred Bez, community association manager at Gulf Shore of Longboat Key, addressed the commission following a written request from another property owner in the mobile home community to exempt the Gulf Shore and Twin Shores communities from being charged for canal maintenance.

The list of assessed properties was not changed. Residents can check what their canal assessment can go to Longboat Key’s canal navigation website.

Tom Leonard, owner of Shore Longboat Key, a waterfront restaurant with a pier that diners can dock from, said he would be charged more than $12,000 if the assessment was approved.

“You’re asking us to pay for part of the property of our waterfront that we don’t even own. Every single year we’re paying rent for that,” Leonard said. “So I think that really there needs to be more thought, more research before this is just slapped on everybody.”

Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman, who started with the town as public works director in 2017, said the latest round of talks about how to pay for canal dredging on the island started a decade ago.

“It’s been many years in the mak-

POLICE CHECK ON TURTLE OBSERVERS 11:01 p.m., 5055 Gulf of Mexico Drive Animal problem: A call to police was made by a resident who saw a group of people surrounding a turtle that appeared to be laying eggs on the beach late at night.

The turtle appeared to be missing a fin, according to the report, and the observers were circling the turtle. When the officer arrived, he spoke with the turtle observers who were equipped with red-hued, turtle-friendly flashlights. The turtle enthusiasts said they kept their space and saw the mother lay her eggs and return back to the Gulf with no issues. Police closed the case.

COPS CORNER

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JULY 2, 2026

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT Circus Arts Conservatory alum Emma Grace Clarke demonstrates her aerial prowess.

LET’S PLAY

Clown Davis Vassallo and emcee Ashley Vargas keep the crowds laughing at the Summer Circus Spectacular at The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater.

CIRCUS

mance, is a crowd pleaser for sure.

Another showstopper in the Summer Circus Spectacular is seventhgeneration circus artist Yelitza Vivas.

Her hand-balancing act combines jaw-dropping strength and ethereal grace. With her colorful paisley unitard, Vivas would stand out in any crowd. Her performance is one that you won’t soon forget.

Husband and wife Davis Vassallo and Ashley Vargas clown around at the 2026 Summer Circus Spectacular.

LITTLE EMMA IS ALL GROWN UP

MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER A+E EDITOR

B

efore the action gets underway at the Summer Circus Spectacular, Italian clown Davis Vassallo does a little houseclean-

ing. He takes his feather duster and

Hand balancer Yelitza Vivas wows the crowd at the Summer Circus Spectacular.

starts brushing the heads of people in the audience. Is Vassallo as tidy at home? You’ll have to ask his new bride, Ashley Vargas, who is the emcee of the show produced by Sarasota’s Circus Arts Conservatory.

At no point during the circus in The Ringling’s Historic Asolo Theater do Vassallo and Vargas publicly announce that they are man and wife. But they seem so sympatico that we decided to do a little internet sleuthing.

We learned that the adorable clown and the charming emcee were married in May in Italy and are “honeymooning” in Sarasota. With his Chaplinesque oversized shoes and black suit, Vassallo looks every inch the clown, but not a scary one. For her role as mistress of ceremonies, Vargas wears a double-breasted coat and a hat cocked sideways. She looks a bit like an Art Deco bellhop, only with a skirt instead of trousers.

While Vargas clearly runs the show at the circus, she is periodically summoned from backstage by Vassallo (“Ashley!”) to bring out props while he leads audience recruits in humorous but harmless stunts.

Set inside a jewelbox theater rescued from a castle in Asolo, Italy, the Summer Circus Spectacular is more intimate than the one the CAC stages during season under the Big Top at Nathan Benderson Park. The Historic Asolo Theater, or HAT for short, only seats 279 patrons, while the CAC’s tent holds up to 1,645 guests.

The summer show is just an hour long, so it’s perfect for people of all ages who can’t sit still or stay off their devices. There were four generations of a family at a recent show, where Vassallo responded to a baby’s periodic howls with comedic aplomb.

His ability to improvise and go with the flow is inspiring.

For whatever reason, clowns with Italian style seem less threatening than the traditional American clowns of yore that have been demonized by Hollywood in horror films. Vassal-

lo’s persona is reminiscent of Italian actor Roberto Benigni, who won the Best Actor Oscar in 1999 for “Life is Beautiful,” about a man who uses humor to create a fantasy world during the Holocaust.

At any moment, I expected Vassallo to start singing “Shaddap Your Face,” a 1980s ditty by Joe Dolce, an American-Australian artist of Italian descent, that inexplicably became a global chart topper. (“What’s-a matter you?”)

To the American sensibility, the Italian style of communicating with lots of gestures and facial tics is funny even without words. Woody Allen has been known to splice silent footage of Mussolini in his films to get a laugh.

Vassallo is funny without trying too hard, or at least without appearing to do so. The kids in the audience eat it up. His intentionally hapless slack wire routine drew howls of laughter, especially when he lands in a sensitive place.

Once it became evident that anyone in the audience could end up on stage, the younger patrons were on the edge of their seats. Vassallo had no trouble finding volunteers for the ensembles he put together on the fly. Music and sound effects drove the action, once again in a manner that seems deceptively simple but depends on perfect timing.

There are some truly thrilling performances in the 2026 edition of the Summer Circus Spectacular, including aerial feats and circular roller-skating on a platform by Duo Transcend. Audiences might know the married couple, Mary WolfeNielsen, and Tyce Nielsen, from their appearance on “America’s Got Talent,” where they were finalists.

Every performer in the Summer Circus Spectacular, a joint venture of the CAC and The Ringling that dates back to 2007, is a standout. Each drew spirited cheers of approval and multiple rounds of applause from the audience.

If the performers didn’t think the audience response was sufficiently

Courtesy images

Mexican-American juggler Noel Aguilar impresses with his quicksilver hands.

enthusiastic, they encouraged them to turn up the volume with gestures like holding a hand to an ear.

One performer who used this approach to winning results was juggler Noel Aguilar, a Mexican-American performer who is part of a multigenerational circus family. Although he is about 30 years old, Aguilar has the face of a child and a diminutive but powerful physique. Like a tot playing with toys, he captures the audience’s heart, something he did amid the sequins and feathers on the runway at the CAC’s recent Cirque Vogue fashion show.

Even if he occasionally falls short of his ambitious goals on stage, Aguilar’s short, but pulse-racing perfor-

Superstar aerialist Nik Wallenda bills himself as “America’s Hometown Hero” at his Wonderland holiday circus and other local appearances and with good reason. But he’s getting a little competition lately from Emma Grace Clarke. Now 18, Clarke is the daughter of CAC President and CEO Jennifer Mitchell. She is the poster girl for the Circus Arts Conservatory’s training program.

Like Cowgirl Jessie in “Toy Story 5,” Clarke is getting a starring role in Sarasota’s circus arts scene with her aerial artistry. Just 11 when she appeared on The Mall on Washington, D.C., for a Smithsonian Folklife Festival dedicated to circus arts in 2017, she recently received the Circus Ring of Fame Foundation’s Generation NeXt Award. Clarke also performs internationally with the world-renowned Flying Caballeros. Fans of Sarasota’s Sailor Circus of youth performers have watched her grow up.

Speaking of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, it was put on pause this year for the Great American State Fair, part of America 250 celebrations. But Mitchell was recently summoned to Washington to meet with Smithsonian officials, so Sarasota-based circus artists could be back on The Mall in the not-toodistant future.

Even though Mitchell wasn’t on hand to greet patrons of the Summer Circus Spectacular on a recent day the way she normally does, patrons still got to pose for free selfies with the circus performers in the lobby of The Ringling after the show.

If you still haven’t had enough circus, you can take your ticket to The Ringling box office and add an admission to the Circus Museum and affiliated exhibits for just $5.

Circus aficionados around the world are well aware of Sarasota’s role in the history of the entertainment that dates back to the Roman empire. However, newcomers may not be aware that The Ringling houses Howard Tibbals’ miniature circus of more than 42,000 pieces.

You can also learn about the history of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which John Ringling first brought to town nearly 100 years ago.

With its caring ushers who will store strollers, walkers and wheelchairs during the show, The Ringling ensures the Summer Circus Spectacular is something that the whole family can enjoy together, regardless of where they are on the road of life.

Like baseball, the circus is sometimes viewed as old-fashioned and out of date. But both Great American pastimes give us a chance to collectively celebrate what we have built together during the past 250 years and remind us of what unites us.

IF YOU GO SUMMER CIRCUS SPECTACULAR When: Through Aug. 8 Where: the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Road Tickets: $15-$20 Info: Visit Ringling.org

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Gallery, the Museum of Modern Art and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Now, her photos are featured in an indoor and outdoor exhibition at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

Runs through Sept. 13.

SATURDAY

Feeling patriotic but looking for a laugh? Florida Studio Theatre Improv explores “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Laughter” in this comedy musical with a promise to share an untold story of the American Revolution.

SUNDAY

Image courtesy of Sorcha Augustine

Kelsey Stalter, Katharine McLeod and Kraig Swartz star in “Dog Mom” at Florida Studio Theatre through July 26.

THIS WEEK

singer/songwriters whose works are featured in this upbeat show are Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, Crosby, Stills & Nash and the Lovin’ Spoonful. Runs through July 19.

‘DOG MOM’ 7 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Keating Theatre, 1241 N. Palm Ave. $25-$46 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

Directed by Nancy Rominger, “Dog Mom” follows a hardnosed New Yorker whose heart begins to melt after she fosters a stray dog. Runs through July 26.

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

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

‘SHARED LIGHT: LYNN GOLDSMITH’ 10 a.m. at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St. $28 Visit Selby.org.

Created by Aaron Gundy, “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. Among the

During the past half century, Lynn Goldsmith’s photographs of celebrities and nature have been featured in magazines and have

DON’T MISS

THE BERMUDA MAVERICKS It’s not so often that McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre co-founder Les McCurdy takes the stage.

This time, he’s one half of the Bermuda Mavericks. The other half is Ken Sons. Together, these brothers from different mothers deliver the right amount of stand-up comedy and improv. Runs through July 3.

IF YOU GO When: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 2 Where: McCurdy’s Comedy Club, 1923 Ringling Blvd.

Tickets: $26 Info: Visit McCurdysComedy. com.

been the subject of 17 books, including “Patti Smith: Before Easter After.” Goldsmith’s work is also held by numerous private collectors and museums, including the Smithsonian National Portrait

‘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 works have been loaned by private collectors in Southwest Florida to SAM for the show, which runs 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. For the first time, Ringling’s treasures have a permanent home in Gallery 12 after a decadelong project.

Courtesy image

OUR PICK JOHNNY BARKER & FRIENDS Sarasota Music Archive kicks off its Jazz Happy Hour summer series with Johnnie Barker & Friends. Along with an ensemble of talented musicians, Barker brings jazz, soul and rhythmic groove to downtown Sarasota. Local arts patrons know Barker from his collaboration with Sarasota Contemporary Dance and his appearances at events hosted by the Jazz Club of Sarasota.

IF YOU GO When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 8 Where: Selby Library, 1331 First St. Tickets: Free with registration Info: Visit SarasotaMusicArchive.org.

WEDNESDAY ‘THE WIZARD OF OZ: YOUTH EDITION’ 1 p.m. at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail $15-$19 Visit AsoloRep.org.

Asolo Repertory Theatre continues its summer tradition of staging a musical aimed at kids with “The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition.” Follow the yellow brick road to family entertainment with a one-hour show during which everyone can sit still and stay off their electronic devices.

Runs through Aug. 8.

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‘FREEDOM THE MUSICAL’ 7:30 p.m. at Florida Studio Theatre’s Bowne’s Lab, 1265 First St. $15-$18 Visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

The arts incubator signs development deal with Manhattan Theatre Club.

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MONICA ROMAN GAGNIER A+E EDITOR

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HISTORIC ASOLO THEATER AT THE RINGLING

missioned through the initiative between The Hermitage and MTC are “The Orange Grove,” with a book

by Lindsey Ferrentino and original music by Sam Beam, also known as Iron & Wine, and “It’s All Relative,” with a book by Sofya Levitsky-Weitz and music and lyrics by Benjamin Velez.

A modern retelling of Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard,” “The Orange Grove” follows a fruit farm in Florida on the verge of collapse.

“It’s All Relative” zeroes in on the weekly brainstorming sessions that Albert Einstein and his first wife, Mileva Mari, who was also the scientist’s collaborator, held with their friends to explore the nature of the universe and humanity’s place within it.

MTC recently presented a new version of “Queens,” by Hermitage Greenfield Prize winner Martyna Majok, whose Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Cost of Living” was also presented on Broadway by MTC. Other creatives whose work was nurtured by the Hermitage and presented by MTC include two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (“Ruined”), Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright David Auburn (“Proof”) and Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson (“Lackawanna Blues”).

As part of their Hermitage Fellowships, artists agree to share their works-in-progress with the local community, often in tandem with fellows in other disciplines. These programs take place on Hermitage Beach, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in downtown Sarasota and elsewhere.

On June 22, Ferrentino (“The Fear of 13”) and Beam, a Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, appeared on the Hermitage Beach on Manasota Key for a sunset performance called “Script & Song: A Beachfront Evening of Theater and Music.”

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t’s a little over 1,200 miles from the Hermitage Artist Retreat in Englewood to the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City, but the distance feels a lot shorter now that the arts incubator has signed a development deal for musicals with the theater’s owner, Manhattan Theatre Club.

Recent wins by alums of the Hermitage have also helped raise visibility for the retreat, which is run

by Artistic Director and CEO Andy J. Sandberg.

In June, Hermitage Fellow Bess Wohlman became the first woman in nearly 40 years to win the Tony Award for Best Play. She won for “Liberation,” which she partially wrote at the Hermitage during her fellowship on Manasota Key. The last time a woman took home Best Play Tony Award was in 1989, when Wendy Wasserstein won for “The Heidi Chronicles.”

Wohl’s Tony for “Liberation,” a tale about a women’s consciousnessraising group set in 1970s Ohio, follows her Pulitzer Prize for the same work. Clearly, great things are coming out of those cottages on the beach in Englewood, and the world is noticing. Wohl is just one of many Hermitage Fellows who have used their time in Florida to develop plays, literature, visual artwork, music and more.

The Hermitage’s new agreement with Manhattan Theatre Club, one of New York’s leading nonprofit theater companies, will provide playwrights with time and space in Florida to develop musicals.

“We are excited to be launching this collaboration with Manhattan Theatre Club,” Sandberg said in a statement. “We are proud to be an incubator for new works across all artistic disciplines, with many notable musicals being developed right here on Manasota Key. As our friends at MTC deepen their commitment to commissioning new musicals, this partnership provides a meaningful development step on this journey for some of the leading composers, lyricists and librettists of our time.”

Since joining Hermitage in 2020, Sandberg has kept his own performing career alive in addition to serving as an arts administrator.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Hermitage to provide meaningful development opportunities to our commissioned musicals,” said MTC Artistic Director Nicki Hunter.

Hunter added: “One of my hopes for MTC’s future is that we can continue to build upon our rich legacy as a home for new plays by also developing exciting world-premiere musicals. Being able to offer this group of talented artists the opportunity to develop these works at the Hermitage is particularly meaningful.”

The first two musicals com-

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

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OPEN HOUSE JULY 8 • 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Come join us at Discovery Village Sarasota Bay Active Independent Living for an afternoon of elegance at our Open House. Enjoy a welcome reception with champagne and charcuterie, a live cellist and dessert tower. Anticipate an afternoon brimming with entertainment, including:

• CHEF-PREPARED HORS D’OEUVRES • DESSERT TOWER • CHAMPAGNE & REFRESHMENTS • LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

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YOUR NEIGHBORS IF YOU GO

SWEET NEWS Artisanal chocolate shop opens on St. Armands Circle.

Photos by Dana Kampa

From truffles to barks, there is something to suit the tastes of any chocolate lover at the new Chocolate Emporium on St. Armands.

THE CHOCOLATE EMPORIUM When: Opening with initial hours from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day Where: St. Armands Circle, 28A S. Boulevard of the Presidents, Sarasota Info: Visit ChocolateEmporiumAMI. com. For updates on the Sarasota location, see the Chocolate Emporium St. Armands on Instagram.

After starting as family friends, this group has been embracing the sweet side of being in business on the barrier islands, working to open the original Chocolate Emporium on Anna Maria Island and now a second location on St. Armands Key. Pictured are Ruth and Kevin Schreiner, Sofia Hernandez, Liam Schreiner and Liv Baker.

DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER

L

iv Baker’s first job was working at a chocolate shop, and she quickly found she had a talent for slinging sweets. Now, as store manager of the original Chocolate Emporium on Anna Maria Island, she is putting that love for lollies to use in helping pilot the next steps for a multistore brand with the opening of a location on St. Armands Circle.

“I really just fell in love with chocolate making, coming from an artistic background,” she said, explaining how the independent brand gives her and her team creative freedom to experiment with new flavors and chocolate designs. “It’s a lot of fun.”

The dazzling display windows showcase a variety of chocolate truffles, clusters, fudges, barks, brownies, blondies and buckeyes. No treat is safe from the chocolate-dipping treatment, from pretzels to Oreos, caramel, Twinkies, bacon and beyond.

Owners Kevin and Ruth Schreiner, family friends of Baker, have been hard at work preparing to open the St. Armands location since leasing the 1,446-square-foot unit on South Boulevard of the Presidents.

Kevin Schreiner and Baker said they envision the shop being tailored to local tastes. Because they make the chocolate and caramel in-house, they can take requests for new flavors and combinations. If, for example, a customer loves the peanut butter cups but wishes they came in dark chocolate, they can always ask the owners.

Chocolate Emporium was the final tenant to lease one of three units at the property on 28 S. Boulevard of the

Presidents. The space was damaged

by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and the owner completely renovated the space in the two years since.

The emporium’s opening follows that of Acadia Jewels Fine Jewelry & Design in January and Le Shop last November.

“I think we all complement one another nicely,” Kevin Schreiner said of the row of shops.

Baker said when scouting locations for a second store, the team wanted to stick nearby, perhaps in St. Petersburg or downtown Sarasota. However, when they saw a space was available on that block of St. Armands, they knew it would be the perfect fit.

“I think this is going to be the first of many,” Baker said. “Our first location opened in August, not even a year ago, and it’s done amazing.

We’re expanding fast.”

Especially considering it was her first business undertaking, Baker said she is proud the store has garnered 75 online reviews via Google and boasts a 4.9-star rating.

“We have been getting amazing feedback from locals and tourists alike,” she said.

The Scotland-based Schreiners said they have appreciated getting to know their neighbors on the boutique-filled street of St. Armands Key, and they look forward to contributing to the retail district’s unique character with their offerings.

“On Anna Maria, you can sit down for an ice cream or a coffee,” Kevin Schreiner said, explaining that St. Armands is more tailored to the onthe-go shopper.

However, the second location still carries plenty of favorite treats from

the original shop.

When it comes to flavors, the chocolatiers highlight Florida favorites such as Key lime pie. But they’ve also ventured into more unusual offerings, such as butterscotch haystacks, pickle-flavored fudge and limited-edition bacon and caramel bark. That bark doesn’t include any pre-made bacon bits — if you walk into the shop at the right time, you can smell bacon sizzling away.

Of course, what shop opening in 2026 would be complete without sweets inspired by the pistachio Dubai chocolate trend?

Baker said they source their chocolate from Merckens, a supplier that has worked with North American confectioners since 1921.

“We make our caramel homemade, in a copper kettle in small batches,” she added. “We’re usually making it all day, every day.”

Kevin Schreiner said reaching opening day has been an all-handson-deck effort by family and friends.

He sees the shop fitting nicely into the overall experience of an evening on St. Armands. After patrons enjoy dinner at one of their restaurant neighbors, perhaps at the newly opened Flambo restaurant or recently reopened and rebranded Nōnnō Umberto, they can shop for a little after-dinner sweet at the emporium.

For afternoon shoppers looking to beat the heat, the shop offers cold treats, as well. In the back, the freezer has a selection of classic hard-scoop ice cream flavors. Flavored frozen lemonade and frozen coffee are also on tap.

Opposite the chocolate display case is one full wall dedicated to interesting pre-made candies, including classics like Zots and Satellite Wafers.

“It really is a one-stop shop,” Schreiner added.

By offering a taste of everything, the owners said they hope the emporium will be able to satisfy the sweet tooth of anyone who walks through the door.

Baker said, “Pretty much anything you can think of, we probably have it dipped in chocolate.”

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

IF YOU GO

Eight-year-old Aria Bertolini, who attended the Lido Key Tiki Bar reopening with her family, is inspired by performers with GRAE Productions to demonstrate some dance moves of her own.

Kelera Turaga, a dancer with GRAE Productions, performs at sunset for The Ritz-Carlton’s reopening celebrations for the Lido Key Tiki Bar on June 20. After a year-and-a-half rebuilding process, the beachside bar is now open to the public.

TIKI TIME

Photos by Dana Kampa

David and Ann Rosenbach, who knew the Lido Key Tiki Bar long before the 2024 hurricanes destroyed the beach bar, said they were delighted with the rebuild.

L

osses from Hurricanes Helene and Milton were felt community wide on the barrier islands, and one of those losses was a favorite gathering spot for Lido Key residents.

High winds tore down an outdoor watering hole that neighbors and longtime visitors had made a local icon for decades.

Now, the Lido Key Tiki Bar is officially open, and The Ritz-Carlton Members Beach Club celebrated the year-and-a-half rebuilding journey with a grand reopening on June 20 with about 200 guests.

The festivities featured a fire eater and dancers from GRAE Productions, a cigar roller, tunes from the steel pan, samples of new appetizers and signature drinks, all concluding with a seaside sunset.

Juan Cordoba, director of Beach Club operations, explained that the longer rebuilding timeline stemmed from the extent of the storm damage. The 9 feet of storm surge brought 5 feet of sand to the area. Because the winds blew the structure down and pushed back the bartop, planners weren’t able to rebuild in the exact same location, meaning it couldn’t be grandfathered in like other buildings.

“It was a learning process,” he said. “If we had been able to save the structure, we would not have needed to apply for these

Leo Echevarria puts the finishing touches on a freshly rolled cigar at the Lido Key Tiki Bar reopening.

Alla Karan offers samples of the ahi tuna served in the Lido Key Tiki Bar’s marinated tuna poke bowl.

permits. But everything was too compromised.”

However, he said the resort saw value in bringing back the beloved beach bar and preserving the piece of community history. So, planners set about rebuilding.

Cordoba said he was overjoyed to see familiar faces return to reminisce and check out the new bar, which touts itself as the only fully on-the-beach bar in Sarasota County.

“The Tiki Bar was not only an institution,” he said. “We discovered after we lost it how much of a symbol it was for the locals. It was supposed to be 70 years old in 2027.”

Cordoba said it was among the area’s half-dozen early staple bars, including the Red Barn and Bahi Hut. It opened under the Azure Tides Hotel, before The Ritz-Carlton Members Beach Club bought the property in the early 2000s.

Later, The Ritz opened the Tiki bar to the public. The bar originally opened with a single bar, and in 2018 added a covered pavilion. It quickly became a gathering place.

The renovation comes with a few changes, including updates to the menu. Cordoba said the bar wanted to offer the classic beachinspired, rum-based drinks, but also branch into other specials, like gin-based “Lido Bloom” with passion fruit, aperol and prosecco.

The Tiki hut itself still has the classic aesthetic, though they did make changes like installing new TV screens for sports fans.

Per local beachside building regulations, the thatched rooftop was

LIDO KEY TIKI BAR When: Open, weather permitting, from 11 a.m. to a half hour before sunset every day Where: 1234 Benjamin Franklin Drive.

Public street parking is available, or guests of The Ritz-Carlton can park on the resort property.

Info: Visit RitzCarlton.com.

The new Lido Key Tiki Bar offers classic rum-based beach drinks, but also new signature craft cocktails.

built by Indigenous Americans.

“The bartop may look a bit newer and fancier, but the footprint is exactly the same,” Cordoba added.

Attendees, including several members of the Lido Key Residents Association, praised the Tiki hut for retaining its classic feel.

Ann and David Rosenbach said revisiting one of their favorite spots on Lido Beach felt like a homecoming. They have visited since their now 35-year-old daughter was attending college, making trips for Labor Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and other events.

“It was conspicuous in its absence,” David said.

Ann added, “It’s right here on the beach — you can’t beat the location. But also, it’s sort of like Cheers, where everybody knows your name. It’s just like old times.”

Cordoba summarized simply, “We’re glad to be back.”

— DANA KAMPA

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

FAITH & FREEDOM

WORSHIP

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

Safe Happy Hopeful Worship Sunday 10 a.m.

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

directory

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The Lord’s Warehouse summer hours: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Closed July 4th) 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.

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.

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 464670-1

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

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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.

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

Supporting Venezuelan survivors A

Dana Kampa

Paradise Pilates owner Julia Yesler, left, and Paulina Peralta, a certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor, demonstrate one of the stretches possible on the studio’s new Cadillac reformer. The studio recently opened at The Centre Shops.

Fitness for life DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER

J

ulia Yesler, a certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor, said she has shared many meaningful moments with experienced and novice students. But one recent instance struck a chord — when a new client achieved the first unassisted pull-up of his life.

Success stories like those were a main motivator for Yesler’s decision to start a new Pilates studio on Longboat Key, her hometown.

She opened Paradise Pilates last month at The Centre Shops, taking the place of a closed Pilates studio.

Yesler, after connecting with her would-be business neighbor Michael Garey, owner of Lazy Lobster and a previous employer of hers, decided to go all in on a new studio.

“We did a complete remodel,” she said while pointing out the five new reformers, including a Cadillac reformer, dumbbells, stretch bands and other tools in the studio. “It was a huge project, but we wanted a whole new identity and fresh look.”

While the new equipment is a plus, Yesler said she also wanted the studio to become a place clients could

IF YOU GO

PARADISE PILATES When: Studio is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, by appointment on Sundays Where: 5360 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 108 Info: Visit LBKParadisePilates. com or call 941-356-0778 for weekly class schedules, rates and other information.

see as their own. She embraces the principle that the best form of exercise is the one you enjoy.

“We’re really close with our people. Sometimes, we see our clients more often than their family members do,” she joked.

Yesler said Pilates is suited to the Longboat Key community, considering lessons can be tailored to students of different levels of experience, flexibility and endurance.

One of her main goals for opening the studio is to help residents with their long-term healthy journeys.

Yesler has brought on board two fellow certified trainers, Paulina Peralta and Lisa Cavanaugh, to expand weekly class offerings.

She said the studio welcomes solo and small-group walk-ins. It offers a summer special of $55 for a drop-in lesson. The by-appointment classes are great for couples or small family groups, Yesler said.

WHAT IS PILATES?

Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses on building strength, muscle tone and stability through low-impact conditioning. The practice, invented by Joseph Pilates, has been around for nearly 100 years, and according to the Cleveland Clinic, continues to gain popularity because of its to customize exercises, regardless of age and fitness level. It is rooted in rehabilitating dance-related injuries and focuses on joint mobility along with overall strength and flexibility.

s the sun rose over South Lido Beach at daybreak Sunday morning, the rays illuminated a gathering of an estimated 100 people showing their support for survivors of a recent international tragedy.

Two earthquakes exceeding magnitudes of 7 struck Venezuela on June 24, causing massive destruction throughout the country.

The death toll rises with each passing day, with 1,430 confirmed dead as of June 27 and at least 68,900 missing, The Associated Press reports.

Upon learning of the vast impact of the earthquakes, one local club decided to leverage its membership and resources last weekend to raise awareness and collect aid supplies.

Noemi Ottenwalder of Sarasota started the Latinas Run Club just two months ago. She loved the model other local running clubs set, but she also wanted to organize a club where friends could build a stronger sense of community while celebrating their shared heritage and having fun exercising.

Community members responded in a bigger way than she anticipated. In just the short amount of time the club has been around, it has already seen an attendance of about 350 runners at its biggest running event, drawing participants from as far as Orlando and Miami.

Club organizers decided to put that strong community spirit to use in organizing support for the survivors.

Concerned citizen Carla Paola Ventura stepped in to help organize the special event Sunday at Ted Sperling Park.

“We’re trying to speak up for the people who can’t,” she said.

Ventura stood on the shore and thanked everyone who brought nonperishable food, bottled water, clothing, diapers, medical supplies and other essentials to send to Venezuela. A folding table was overflowing with boxes of donations and pallets of water.

She explained that, especially when government-organized disaster responses are struggling to meet the widespread need for help, every bit of communitybased support makes a difference.

With everyone making some small contribution, international support quickly amounts to a big impact

Photos by Dana Kampa

on those working to reconnect with missing loved ones, grieve those who didn’t survive and rebuild damaged infrastructure.

Rebuilding will be an extensive process, she noted. But a united international effort goes a long way in showing survivors they aren’t alone, she said.

Attendees ran the 3.7-mile course to St. Armands Circle and back, accompanied by a DJ to raise spirits for the early-morning run.

Ottenwalder said anyone is welcome to attend the club. The main requirements are that runners: No. 1, ensure they are running safely by observing the rules of the road and their own limits in the Florida summer heat; and No. 2, bring positive, community-building energy.

The run club meets Sunday mornings at different locations to collaborate with local businesses and partners. See LatinasRunClub.

SRQ on Instagram for future meetup details.

— DANA KAMPA

Carla Paola Ventura, organizer of Sunday’s aid drive to support Venezuelan earthquake survivors, and Noemi Ottenwalder, founder of the new Latinas Run Club that hosted the drive, load supplies into a truck after the morning run on Lido Key. Ventura said while the devastation is far-reaching, small contributions made by many people amount to a big difference.

HOW TO HELP

Corner Grill, a Venezuelan restaurant in Sarasota, is collecting donations to assist survivors of last week’s earthquakes. Donations of nonperishable foods, medical aid, bottled water, hygiene products, clothing, diapers and other items can be dropped off between 5 p.m. and midnight Wednesday to Sunday at 2309 12th St., Sarasota. Call 941-278-6228 for more information.

Participants in the new Latinas Run Club turned out strong for the Sunday morning run on Lido Key.

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

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464696-1

CELEBRATING 87 YEARS OF REAL ESTATE EXCELLENCE

One Particular Harbour Condo 376 Aruba Circle #301 2BR/2BA / A4688563/ $624,900 Becky Smith (941) 773-1954 Elfi Starrett (941) 720-3528

CathyMeldahl@michaelsaunders.com

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YRANIDEXTRAORDINARY ROARTXE

DELAVIRNU LANOITPECXE

UNRIVALED t silaicep S lai tn edis eR defi it reC

e t a i c o s s A - r ek o r B EXCEPTIONAL

9553.829.149

moc.srednuasleahcim@notluoMle ahciM MichaelMoulton@michaelsaunders.com

941.928.3559

Anna Maria Island Single Family Home 403 N Bay Blvd., Anna Maria 4BR/3BA / A4682522 / $2,395,000 NOW $2,299,900 Ed Taaffe (636) 346-6165

evirD tnioP esuohthgiL 56 0St.0Regis 0,59Residences 7,3$ | 18#403 183| 4Longboat 4A | FSGulf 33Front 9,4 4,187sf | 3BR | $13,000,000 | A4627926

ER ELL S ED AT TIV O M

E AL GS N I D PEN

Runaway Bay Condo Anna Maria Island Single Family Home 1801 Gulf Dr N., #266, Bradenton Beach 519 Villa Rosa Way, Anna Maria 1BR/1BA / A4692935/ $360,000 NOW $350,000 4BR/4/5 BA / A4671485/ $5,000,000 Becky Smith (941)773-1954 Elfi Starrett (941)720-3528 Ed Taaffe (636) 346-6165 SCAN QR CODE FOR THIS WEEKEND OPEN HOUSES

enaL draylaH 105 0 0Water 0,59Club 9,1$#804 | 4 6| Longboat 4 8 4 4 4AGulf | FFront S 0 43 , 2 3,045sf | 3BR | $2,745,000 | A4669837

464748-1

LOCAL, VETERAN OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1939

Longboat Key Office 5360 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Suite 101 Longboat Key, FL 34228 941.383.5577

moc.SEITREPORP

daoR bulC taobgnoL 548

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464922-1

Harbor House South Condo 400 Golden Gate Pt #11, Sarasota 3BR/2BA / A4671447/ $1,350,000 Miguel Rosa (941) 477-5928

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

17

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

Honoring our past. Celebrating our freedom.

Helping you find your future.

NEW PRICE NO CONDO FEES FOR 2026!

AQUA

NEW PRICE

$5,500,000 WATER CLUB I

280 GOLDEN GATE PT. #600 • 3BR+ OFFICE OR 4BR/3.5BA • 4,101 SQ FT

Stunning Full-Floor Residence • 180° Unobstructed Bay Views • Private Elevator Foyer • 10’ Walls of Impact Glass • Deeded Boat Slip • Private 2-Car Garage • Excellent On-Site Amenities

NEW PRICE OPEN SUN 1-3

NEW PRICE

$3,249,000 LAWRENCE POINTE

1241 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #803 3BR/4F BA • 3,045 SQ FT 2 GARAGE PARKING SPACES

Amazing Gulf to Bay Views • Beautifully Renovated Designer Kitchen and White Marble Bath • All New Wood & Porcelain Tile Floors

101 SUNSET DR. #301 2BR/2BA • 1,778 SQ FT

$1,290,000 PLAYERS CLUB III

Unobstructed Direct Bay & Sunset Views Corner Location • Meticulously Renovated 2 Private Balconies • Gated, Pet Friendly Community • Covered Parking Space

$1,180,000

1445 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #101 3BR/3BA • 2,092 SQ FT

Corner Unit with Sunset Views • Unique Floorplan w/ 36’x11’ Sun Room • Private 1-car Garage AND Covered Parking Space Expansive Balcony with Beach & Gulf Views

SELLER PAYING 3% + 1% BONUS TO BUYER’S BROKER

FAIRWAY BAY - ATRIUM $1,095,000 OYSTER BAY ESTATES 2120 HARBOURSIDE DR. #623 3BR/2BA • 2,031 SQ FT

Beautifully Updated • Corner Residence w/ Direct Bay Views • Large Balcony off Living Room & Primary BR • Garage Parking Excellent Amenities Incl. Bay Isles Beach Club

$4,695,000 MARK SARASOTA

1421 N. LAKE SHORE DR. • 4BR/4F, 2H BA • 4,217 SQ FT • 2-CAR GARAGE

Hurricane Impact Windows & Sliders 72” Glass Fireplace • High-Capacity Wine Room • Gourmet Quartz & Stainless Kitchen Hardwood Floors Throughout • Pool w/ Custom Waterfall Wall

$1,499,500 CORAL COVE

111 S. PINEAPPLE AVE. #1013 • 2BR+ DEN/2BA • 1,577 SQ FT • 2-PARKING SPACES • Modern Downtown Residence

South / Southwest Bay & City Views Hurricane Impact Windows & Sliders • 10’ Ceilings • Just Steps to Elevator • Pet-Friendly

$1,975,000

7430 COVE TER. • 3BR+OFFICE/3.5BA 4,200 SQ FT • Elevated 2-Story Home on

109’ of Waterfront • 25x18 Owners Suite w/ Separate Gym or Nursery & Private Sun Deck Sprawling Screened and Open Air Wood Deck Swim Spa • Private Trex Dock • 2-Car Garage

OWN A PIECE OF SARASOTA HISTORY

$5,595,000 WHITFIELD ESTATES

1429 N. LAKE SHORE DR. • 5BR/4F, 2H BA • 4,545 SQ FT • 3-CAR GARAGE Brand New Construction • Modern Oasis All on One Level • Open Floor Plan • Quartz & Stainless Chef’s Kitchen • Oak Wood Floors 175-Bottle Wine Room

LA BELLASARA

Estate Built in 1918 for Alfred Ringling Handcrafted Architectural Details • 21’ Ceilings New Electric, Plumbing & HVAC • Gourmet Quartzite Kitchen w/ Big Chill Appliances Original Pine Floors w/ 12” Baseboards

$4,295,000 FAIRWAY BAY I

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

Bayfront Panoramic Views • Private Elevator Entry Open Floor Plan • Boat Dock Available • Expansive Outdoor Terrace w/Summer Kitchen • Private 2-Car Garage • Gated Pet-Friendly Community

$2,150,000 WATER CLUB I

7715 WESTMORELAND DR. • 5BR/ 4.5BA • 4,782 SQ FT • Palatial Legacy

Beautifully Furnished Plaza-Level Residence 10’ Ceilings • Brazilian Cherry Wood Floors Top-of-the-Line Kitchen Appliances • Floor-toCeiling Impact Glass Windows & Sliders

$539,000 CLUB LONGBOAT

1932 HARBOURSIDE DR. #242 2BR/2BA • 1,192 SQ FT

Turnkey Furnished Move-In Ready 4th Floor Residence • Beautiful Bay Views • Updated Kitchen & Bathrooms • Ceramic Tile Floors Gated, Pet-Friendly Community

$1,099,000 GRAND BAY IV

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

Gorgeous Sunrises, Sunsets, Bay, Beach & City Skyline Views • Blank Canvas • 10’ Ceilings • 2 Prime Side-by-side Parking Spaces • Dual Gated • Pet-Friendly

$565,000 ORCHID BEACH

5055 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #412 3BR/2BA • 1,484 SQ FT

Ground Floor Walkout • Private Beach Access Tennis Pickleball Courts • Flexible Living Layout • Pet-Friendly Community

$1,879,000

3010 GRAND BAY BLVD., #493 • 2BR/4BA 2,550 SQ FT • 9th Floor Cayman Plan with

$4,450,000

2052 BEN FRANKLIN DR. #D702 3BR/3.5BA • 3,654 SQ FT • Direct Gulf-

Front 7th Floor Lido Beach Residence Unobstructed Beach, Gulf, Sunset & Bay Views • 10’ Ceilings • Bamboo Floors • Large Waterfront Terrace w/ Built-In Grill

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

464838-1

OYSTER BAY ESTATES

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1

PILATES ON ST. ARMANDS 7 p.m. at St. Armands Circle Park, 1 St. Armands Circle. Join Foundry Collective for a free outdoor class.

Open to experienced and beginner participants. Visit FoundryCollectiveSRQ.com to reserve a spot.

SATURDAY, JULY 4

PUBLIC TURTLE WALK 6:45 a.m. at Longboat Key Beach Access, 4795 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Join wildlife experts at the Longboat Key Turtle Watch’s guided public turtle walk. Participants must be able to walk for about a mile in the sand. Comfortable shoes and sun protection are recommended. No reservation required. Visit LBKTurtleWatch.com.

Michelle Romine, Ellen Wuagneux and Caroline Nielubowicz were three of the featured vendors at Summer Night Out.

BEST BET

SATURDAY, JULY 4

FREEDOM FEST 9-11 a.m. at Bicentennial Park, 500 Bay Isles Road. Free. Get ready for patriotic, familyfriendly fun starting with the world’s shortest parade. The procession will include entrants into the “Hot Diggity Dog!” pet costume contest held by the Rotary Club of Longboat Key, followed by a rededication of Bicentennial Park, butterfly release, and fairstyle activities and games in the park afterward. For details on volunteering, sponsorships and more, visit LongboatKeyChamber.com.

RECURRING EVENTS MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS

Sip and shops return

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. 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

S

breathing techniques. Cost is $20.

Call 941-383-6493 or visit TheParadiseCenter.org.

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 until 11:30 a.m.

COMMUNITY BINGO 2-4 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Cards are $1 each; $2 for the final round. Call 941-383-6493 or visit TheParadiseCenter.org.

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. Cost is $20 for drop-ins or one class pass.

Call 941-383-6493 or visit TheParadiseCenter.org.

THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS

WEDNESDAYS

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, and registration is not required.

TAI CHI 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Certified instructor Reuben Fernandez leads this fitness class focused on overall with easy-to-follow exercises and

ummer Night Out welcomed back Longboat Key locals and summertime visitors with shopping, food, bubbles and something new.

Heather Rippy, owner of Driftwood Beach Home and Garden, and Design2000 Salon co-owner Irina LaRose brought back their seasonal Summer Night Out event June 18. The monthly event is a chance for businesses in Whitney Plaza to connect with residents and visitors during the slower season.

Shoppers were able to enjoy pizza from Ventura’s Italian Kitchen and prosecco provided by Driftwood Beach.

This year, Rippy and LaRose decided to add something new: a chance to meet and engage with the local artists and merchants who sell their work at Driftwood Beach and Design2000.

At Design2000,

BRIDGE CLUB 1 p.m. at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Reservations required. Contact Patty Mayer at 262-215-2566 or PattySarasota33@gmail.com.

SATURDAYS

Irina LaRose, co-owner of Design2000, and Heather Rippy, owner of Driftwood Beach Home and Garden, show off a few favorite items.

Photos by Carlin Gillen

Tryla Brown Larson introduces Summer Night Out attendees to her Herb Methodology booth at Design2000.

Tryla Brown Larson showcased her Herb Methodology booth, where she offers natural remedies and teas. The business was inspired by her grandmother’s knowledge of all the medicinal properties plants have to offer.

A few stores down at the Driftwood Beach studios, guests met two, Stephanie Troxler of Little Blue Designs and Ellen Wuagneux of Vintage Key. “(It’s) just kind of surreal. And I’m just really grateful to Heather for carrying my work since the very beginning, and then inviting me out to this event in the community,” Troxler said.

Driftwood Beach features work from over 50 local artists, and Rippy plans to have two or more artists come to showcase their work at each event.

— CARLIN GILLEN

JoDene Moneuse

EXPERIENCE LAKEWOOD RANCH THROUGH

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to view my fabulous listings and recent sales!

941.302.4913 464977-1

JoDeneMoneuse@michaelsaunders.com LongboatKeyLiving.com Fall Edition Publishing:

August 2026

LWR Life connects readers with the people, places, businesses, and

4TH OF JULY

THIS

events that define life in Lakewood Ranch. Written by Observer journalists who live and work in the

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18

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

19

Florida Property Tax Shake-Up: What Homeowners Need to Know WHAT HAS PASSED: • HJR 1-F passed the Florida Legislature and is headed to the November 2026 ballot.

• A related administrative bill, SB 4-F, has been signed by the Governor. This bill deals with property-tax administration and conforming changes; it became effective June 24, 2026. It does not, by itself, create the large homestead tax cut unless voters approve the constitutional amendment.

WHAT IS PROPOSED FOR VOTERS: • The ballot proposal would increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to: $150,000 starting January 1, 2027 $250,000 starting January 1, 2028 • School district property taxes would still apply under the existing school-tax exemption structure.

• Lower the annual assessment-growth cap for many non-homestead properties from 10% to 5%, beginning January 1, 2027.

• A person establishing Florida residency after January 1, 2027 must maintain Florida residency for five years before receiving the increased exemption.

BOTTOM LINE Nothing has reduced current Florida property tax bills yet. The main property tax issue is now a November 3, 2026 voter decision, and it needs 60% approval to take effect.

PRIVATEER

L’AMBIANCE

PIERRE

1050 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #903 LONGBOAT KEY, FL 2 BED / 2 BATH • $995,000

415 L’AMBIANCE DR. #A301 LONGBOAT KEY, FL 3 BR / 3 BA / 2 HB • $6,100,000

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

BAYOU

COREYS LANDNING

EMERALD HARBOR

3131 BAYOU SOUND LONGBOAT KEY, FL 3 BED / 2 ½ BATH • $1,650,000

3459 BYRON LANE LONGBOAT KEY, FL 3 BED / 2 ½ BATH • $849,000

5970 EMERALD HARBOR DR. LONGBOAT KEY, FL 4 BED / 3 ½ BATH • $2,795,000

TANGERINE BAY

SANCTUARY

PROMENADE

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

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

1211 GULF OF MEXICO DR. #709 LONGBOAT KEY, FL 2 BED / 2 BATH • $1,695,000

VIEW ADDITIONAL BRUCE MYER GROUP LISTINGS ON OUR WEBSITE

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

BRUCE MYER

941.376.5311

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

www.BruceMyer.com 449594-1 449627-1

CHASE MYER 941.315.5318

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

RICH POLESE L U X U RY R E A L E S TAT E A D V I S O R

F O U N D I N G A G E N T | C O M PA S S S A R A S O TA

T R U S T E D A D V I C E | P R O V E N R E S U LT S

R E P R E S E N T E D S A R A S O TA’ S

$30.3 MILLION RECORD CASH SALE

SARASOTA’S LUXURY MARKET REQUIRES PROVEN RESULTS. Experienced. Connected.

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NEARLY 1 BILLION

IN CAREER TEAM SALES

FOUNDER & TOP PRODUCER

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WATERFRONT & ESTATE SPECIALIST

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CONSIDERING SELLING? Request a Confidential Luxury property consultation.

REPRESENTED SARASOTA’S $30.3 MILLION RECORD CASH SALE SALES

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My Focus in Simple: Deliver exceptional results and an unparalleled experience for every client, every time.

”

941.914.7115 Rich@FlHomes.com FLHomes.com

AN EXPERIENCED TEAM DELIVERING CONCIERGE-LEVEL SERVICE THROUGHOUT EVERY STAGE OF YOUR REAL ESTATE JOURNEY.

LONGBOAT KEY | LIDO KEY | BIRD KEY | SIESTA KEY | LAKEWOOD RANCH | DOWNTOWN SARASOTA | ANNA MARIA ISLAND Compass is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for Informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice.

465036-1

20

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

JUNE 15-19

ADAM HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR

J

onathan David Sisler sold the Unit A-701 condominium at 415 L’Ambiance Drive to Jeremy Sloan, of Berkshire, United Kingdom, for $6.5 million. Built in 1992, it has three bedrooms, three-and-two-half baths and 3,220 square feet of living area. It sold for $3.2 million in 2025.

COUNTRY CLUB SHORES

Betsy Palmieri and Christopher Palmieri, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the home at 573 Spinnaker Lane to Fernando and Mary Kay Herrera, of Longboat Key, for $2.7 million. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 3,926 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,595,000 in 2002.

Stanley Given II and Teresa Dolan, trustees, of Longboat Key, sold the home at 531 Wedge Lane to Shifting Sands Investments LLC for $2,425,000. Built in 1966, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,751 square feet of living area. It sold for $427,000 in 1998.

THE WATER CLUB AT LONGBOAT KEY

Anthony Martinelli, trustee, of Colts Neck, New Jersey, sold the Unit 304 condominium at 1241 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Brian and Carolyn Timmis, of Longboat Key, for $2,499,000. Built in 1996, it has three bedrooms, four baths and 3,045 square feet of living area. It sold for $2.4 million in 2021.

SABAL COVE

Thomas and Patricia Sugalski, of Deephaven, Minnesota, sold their home at 3311 Sabal Cove Drive to Lisa and Timothy MacLean, of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, for $2.35 million. Built in 2006, it has four bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 3,416 square feet of living area.

BIRD KEY

E. Michael Hunter and Susan Hunter, of Sarasota, sold their home at 218 Robin Drive to Pati Kern, trustee, of Sarasota, for $1.9 million. Built in 1969, it has three bedrooms, four baths, a pool and 2,518 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.05 million in 2015.

BEACHPLACE

Janet McKendrick Fleming and Ste-

REAL ESTATE

Longboat Key Club condominium tops week’s sales at $6.5 million

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

21

Dana Kampa

The home at 573 Spinnaker Lane sold for $2.7 million. Built in 1998, it has four bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 3,926 square feet of living area.

phen Farnham, trustees, of Ontario, Canada, sold the Unit 503 condominium at 1145 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Robert Hennessy and Andrea Hennessy, trustees, of Monmouth, New Jersey, for $1,312,500. Built in 1980, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,503 square feet of living area. It sold for $635,000 in 2010.

Plains, New Jersey, sold the Unit 825 condominium at 825 Bayport Way to James Alan Patrick, of British Columbia, Canada, for $645,000.

Built in 1981, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,552 square feet of living area. It sold for $430,000 in 2014.

SEA GATE CLUB

Peri Ross and William Carroll Ross II, trustees, of Vienna, Virginia, sold the Unit 16 condominium at 1900 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Janice Kathryn Roberts and Kimberly Bremer, of Indianapolis, for $600,000. Built in 1967, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,088 square feet of living area. It sold for $350,000 in 2012.

Kevin and Arlene Crute sold their Unit 2-E condominium at 2425 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Patricia Dicioccio and Vincent Dicioccio, of Longboat Key, for $1,275,000. Built in 1973, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,472 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.3 million in 2023.

WINDING OAKS

Laura Thomas Deane, of Annapolis, Maryland, sold the Unit 14 condominium at 3427 Winding Oaks Drive to Nina Oken, trustee, of Longboat Key, for $1.1 million.

Built in 1988, it has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,555 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,195,000 in 2025.

LIDO HARBOUR

CEDARS EAST

Richard and Lillie Masidi, of Sarasota, sold their Unit 18 condominium at 660 Cedars Court to Andrew Gorlin, of Newton, Massachusetts, for $557,500. Built in 1988, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,440 square feet of living area. It sold for $600,000 in 2022.

Ann Syring, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 35 condominium at 3466 Winding Oaks Drive to KPG Suncoast Villa LLC for $758,500.

Built in 1988, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 2,039 square feet of living area. It sold for $420,000 in 2013.

WINDWARD BAY

Jeffrey Mohlman and Tony Mohlman, of Mesa, Arizona, and Susan Muldowney, of Kettering, Ohio, sold their Unit 203 condominium at 4900 Gulf of Mexico Drive to James Roselle, trustee, of Lake Forest, Illinois, for $671,500. Built in 1975, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,312 square feet of living area. It sold for $815,000 in 2023.

WHITNEY BEACH

David William Purnhagen, trustee, of Bayport, New York, sold the Unit 151 condominium at 6750 Gulf of Mexico Drive to Eloy Burciaga, of Chicago, for $465,000. Built in 1969, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,449 square feet of living area. It sold for $240,000 in 2012.

SPANISH MAIN YACHT CLUB

David Michael D’Amelio and Melissa Jean D’Amelio, of Longboat Key, sold their Unit 212 condominium at 703 Spanish Drive S. to Norman Douglas Cianfarani and Diane Lee Cianfarani, of Longboat Key, for $430,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,322 square feet of living area. It sold for $572,000 in 2023.

ONLINE See more transactions at YourObserver.com.

Anytime.

Anywhere.

Observer.

BAYPORT BEACH AND TENNIS CLUB

Frances Heller, trustee, of Pompton

TOP BUILDING PERMITS These are the largest building permits issued by the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department for the week of June 19-25 in order of dollar amounts.

LONGBOAT KEY Permit

Applicant

Amount

6 Winslow Place

Res. New/Replacement

Josh Lewis

$1,350,000

4525 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Comm. Roof

Christopher Sutter $245,984

4400 Exeter Drive #307

Comm. Alteration

Cemalettin Duzgun $190,000

3322 Bayou Road

Res. Pool Resurfacing

Scott John Gettle

$68,000

633 Halyard Lane

Res. Dock/Seawall/Lift

George Aoude

$62,000

3040 Grand Bay Blvd. #216

Comm. Shutters

Bill Spindel

$61,820

573 Spinnaker Lane

Res. Roof

Joseff Watter

$52,756

4320 Falmouth Drive #206

Comm. Windows/Doors

Todd Shely

$47,345

876 Spanish Drive

Comm. Windows/Doors

Austin Allen

$31,303

4545 Gulf of Mexico Drive #211 Comm. Windows/Doors

Dale Lewis

$30,100

5965 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Res. Other

Guillermo Beoto

$25,000

510 Chipping Lane

Res. Dock/Seawall/Lift

Todd Duncan

$20,645

1211 Gulf of Mexico Drive #1004 Comm. Windows/Doors

Bill Spindel

$20,320

585 Halyard Lane

Res. A/C Changeout

Todd Thompson

$19,554

2065 Harbour Links Drive

Comm. A/C Changeout

Stewart Moon

$16,700

828 Evergreen Way

Comm. A/C Changeout

Franklin Lansford

$14,865

4765 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Comm. A/C Changeout

Robert Holsbeke

$14,458

75 Lighthouse Point Drive

Res. A/C Changeout

Kenneth Haines

$12,751

1485 Gulf of Mexico Drive #209 Comm. A/C Changeout

Kenneth Haines

$12,244

6021 Emerald Harbor Drive

Michael Zeppi

$11,897

1465 Gulf of Mexico Drive #202 Comm. A/C Changeout

Res. A/C Changeout

Jason Hescock

$10,999

677 Spanish Drive

Comm. Windows/Doors

Austin Allen

$10,469

6701 Gulf of Mexico Drive

Comm. Concrete Repair

Christopher Sendker $10,000 Source: Town of Longboat Key

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LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

IN THE WORLD Leah George

$3.4 Billion Career Sales

941-780-059 7

L’Ambiance

Judy Kepecz-Hays 941-587-170 0

Steven Kepecz

941-376-641 1

Ritz-Carlton Managed The Beach Residences #809

#709

#301

Membership to the Ritz-Carlton Beach Club available with this residences immediately!

435 L’Ambiance Dr #L807 $3,200,000 | Furnished LAmbianceL807.com

1300 Ben Franklin Dr #809 $4,800,000 | Furnished BeachResidences809.com

1300 Ben Franklin Dr #709 $3,450,000 | Furnished BeachResidences709.com

Casa del Carnevale on St. Armands

1300 Ben Franklin Dr #301 $2,400,000 | Furnished BeachResidences301.com

Privateer

Improved Pricing 139 S Washington Drive $12,950,000 | Furniture Negotiable CasaDelCarnevale.com

1000 Longboat Club Road #403 $974,500 | Furnished Privateer403.com

1000 Longboat Club Road #304 $874,500 Privateer304.com

Our expertise is undeniable—deeply understanding the local market and truly listening to our clients.

Hideaway Bay

Promenade

Wishing you a safe and joyful 4th of July!

1211 Gulf of Mexico Drive #105 $1,648,000 Promenade105.com

Villa di Lancia

757 Hideaway Bay Drive $7,488,000 757HideawayBay.com

Islander Club

4 BR/4BA or 2x 2 BR/2BA 2165 Gulf of Mexico Drive #115 $2,350,000 | Furnished VilladiLancia115.com

2301 Gulf of Mexico Dr #11N & #12N $1,225,277 for one | $2,377,000 for both IslanderClub11N-12N.com

100 North Tamiami Trail | Sarasota, FL 34236 | Kepecz@JudyHays.com | www.LongboatKeyLuxury.com

463247-1

22

YourObserver.com

23

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

SUNRISE / SUNSET Sunrise Sunset

FRIDAY, JULY 3

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.

High: 89 Low: 78 Chance of rain: 57%

Thursday, July 2

6:39a

8:29p

Friday, July 3

6:39a

8:29p

Saturday, July 4

6:40a

8:29p

Sunday, July 5

6:40a

8:9p

SATURDAY, JULY 4

Monday, July 6

6:41a

8:29p

High: 88 Low: 78 Chance of rain: 64%

Tuesday, July 7

6:41a

8:29p

Wednesday, July 8

6:41a

8:28p

WEATHER

NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH

FORECAST

MOON PHASES SUNDAY, JULY 5 High: 87 Low: 79 Chance of rain: 68%

July 7 Last

July 14 New

July 21 First

July 29 Full

TIDES Highs Lows Thursday, July 2

4:23a

1:30p

7:43a

10:01p

Friday, July 3

4:34a

2:18a

8:44a

10:33p

Saturday, July 4

4:50a

3:08p

9:46a

11:06p

Sunday, July 5

5:11a

4:04p

10:52a

11:38p

Monday, July 6

5:37a

5:08p

—

12:04p

Tuesday, July 7

6:07a

6:26p

12:10a

1:22p

Wednesday, July 8

6:41a

8:15p

12:40a

2:39p

Donna Jablonski took this photo of a sunset on Longboat Key.

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

Daily crossword puzzles available at YourObserver.com/crossword

BEARING FRUIT by Bob Weisz & Zachary Edward-Brown, edited by Taylor Johnson

©2026 Universal Uclick

ACROSS

30 Not much 1 “Sk8er ___” (Avril Lavigne 31 “Soldier” insect 32 Necklace sometimes song) made with pua keni keni 4 Jam Master Jay and Mix blossoms Master Mike, for short 34 “Fur Elise” key 7 Knee injury spot, briefly 36 Broke down grammati10 Total up cally 13 VFX tech 38 Hand sanitizer target 16 Crawl (along) 40 Salts, maybe 18 “___... Sasha Fierce” 42 Branch of mathematics (Beyonce album) involving polygons 19 Minor star 44 Book that introduced the 21 Snitch (on) 22 Rhythmic Spanish dance “nutritarian diet” 46 See 58-Across 24 Grammy-nominated 47 Simplicity “Dirty Computer” singer 48 Word in some animal 26 “Peanuts” character shelter names who believes in the Great 50 Software malfunction Pumpkin 53 Pack to capacity 27 Soviet spy org.

55 “Who ___ to say?”

29 Majestic

56 Toy brick company 93 Pilot, for one 58 With 46-Across, golf great 96 Secrecy doc known as “The Big Easy” 97 Holi celebrant 60 Connected with 99 “___ Miserables” 64 Period that started with 101 Ferrari alternative, the Hijrah in 622 CE informally 67 “Come in!”

102 Number of B vitamins 69 Honda luxury brand 104 Fertile area in a 10670 Flight unit Down 71 On edge 105 Piano practice piece 73 Fight to the end 107 Saturn, Jupiter and 75 Russian ruler until 1917 Pluto 77 Zilch 109 Cry a little 79 Supporter of the arts?

112 HVAC measure 80 Buffoons 113 Bibimbap topper 83 Coffee that won’t give 116 Brownie ___ (earned you a buzz things) 85 “Go, team!”

117 Lists one by one 88 Highway divider 124 Super 8 alternative 91 CBS procedural 126 Daring poker play 92 Social equal 128 Hot pot mushroom

129 Garments worn by many 59 Snakelike fish characters on “The Bear” 61 Language-learning app 130 Put up, as a building with an owl mascot 131 Rarin’ to go 62 “ur so right” 132 Cats’ cries 63 Granola grain 133 Engraved 65 “We should!”

66 Comedian Garcia 134 ‘Tude 68 Regret 72 Part of NSFW DOWN 74 Twister or Go 1 Tricolor symbol of pride, 76 Fruity drink suffix informally 78 Opera solo 2 Using the internet 80 Cinco + tres 3 “The temptation is too 81 Most populous continent great!”

82 Shark parts 4 Loud noise 84 Certain Greek islander 5 First lady in the ‘60s, 86 Whispery video genre casually 6 Air pollution portmanteau 87 ___ bag (crescent-shaped purse) 7 “True” or “false” (Abbr.)

8 Certain woodwind player’s 89 Condition for which fidget spinners can be insert helpful 9 Bedsheets and such 90 D.C. ballplayers 10 On the lam 92 Evidence board fasteners 11 Big name in PCs 94 Heartfelt request 12 Dad on “black-ish” 13 Card game that’s a varia- 95 ___ Perignon 98 Start to play? tion of rummy 100 Surname that anagrams 14 Ones marking exams to “trustee” 15 Water cooler?

102 Starter follower 17 “My DMs are open” 103 Invasive lizards in 20 Lily variety Florida 21 Voted out 106 Gobi or Mojave 23 Adult ed. course 108 Civil War prez 25 Palindromic address 110 Seemingly forever 28 “Thai” herb 111 Get through to 33 High regard 113 Dutch cheese 35 “Twister” or “Go” 114 Stare in shock 36 Theorize 115 Greek sandwich 37 Hair colorant 118 “Nick at ___” 39 Big ___ (burger) 41 Vice president who wrote 119 Not new 120 Rx item “Earth in the Balance” 121 Ancient senator’s gar43 Pointy-eared Tolkien ment figure 122 Squeaks (out) 45 Dutch blooms 123 Titles for knights 48 Ewe’s mate 125 Scatter seeds 49 Australian birds 127 VCR button for taping 51 Atlanta-based channel

457540-1

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.

“K VEPBW AEKGA LE RYZIRY. K BGMEQBW DBKGA H OHIL EC LYB RYEKI ... K RBILHKGVQ BGMEQBW NHLRYKGA HGW VKTLBGKGA LE JQ WHW.” HIBLYH CIHGXVKG

“O VEHVYLVQ LX UV M YRMPPOYMR LJVMLVC MYLXC ... O ZSOYWRA RVMCIVQ LJML O JMQ LX HMA UMYW DA PYJXXR RXMIP.”

KCMIYVP DYQXCDMIQ

“T UMK’L GVKL LM ZJ TK LOJ QVTKRLSJVQ ... TX LOJ ASTLTAR RLVSL WTBTKH QD QMYTJR, LOJK T’Q TK UJJI LSMNZWJ.” EMOK AVSIJKLJS Puzzle Three Clue: O equals S

crossword

Puzzle Two Clue: P equals S

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

The Grounded Feeling Everyone will Enjoy

Puzzle Two Clue: I 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.

52 Chart-topping songs 54 Serve as a go-between 57 Fall for it ©2026 Andrews McMeel Syndicate

07-02-26

Made for where you live. Here!

THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

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

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

Merchandise Wanted

Items Under $200

Antiques/ Collectibles

Autos for Sale 2007 JAGUAR XK convertible.

Baby blue 43467 Mileage. $18500 (941)350-6544

SEAPLACE LBK gulffront highrise.Peaceful greenbelt & bay views, elegant turnkey-furnished 2BR/2BA, hurricane-impact ready, half mile beach, next to clubhouse pool, gym & sauna, 2 properties from St. Regis restaurants & beach bar $499,000 (619) 787-7811

Homes for Sale

ANTIQUES WANTED

Painting

SARASOTA PAINTING & DESIGN INTERIOR / EXTERIOR / CABINETS WE ARE THE BEST Residential & Commercial.

Fully Insured, Full Service.

We work with the most beautiful properties in the Sarasota and surrounding areas!

CALL or TEXT Don 941-900-9398 28 Years Experience

Houses or Condos Between Between Houses or or Condos Condos Houses wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com Reservations 941-383-5577 941-383-5577 Reservations Visa/MC wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com wagnerlbkrentals@gmail.com

Condos/Apts. for Sale

auto

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

SEASONAL RATES WEEKLY MONTHLY WEEKLY MONTHLY Beachfront, Bayfront and In SEASONAL RATES SEASONAL RATES Between Beachfront, Bayfront Bayfront and and In In Beachfront,

Visa/MC Visa/MC 5360 Gulf of Mexico Dr., Suite 101 5360 Gulf Gulf of of Mexico Mexico Dr., Suite Suite 5360 Dr., Longboat Key, FL 34228 101 101 Rental office 9a.m.

- 5p.m.

Longboat Key, FL 34228 34228 Longboat Key, FL M-F Rental office office 9a.m. -- 5p.m.

5p.m.

Rental 9a.m.

Ask about our special rates!

M-F M-F Wagner Realty rates!

Ask about about our special special Ask our rates!

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

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

Honest & reliable.

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

Professional Services

Since 1939 Wagner Realty Wagner Realty www.rentalsonlongboat.com Since 1939 1939 Since

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

www.rentalsonlongboat.com www.rentalsonlongboat.com

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

Call 941-383-3338.

home services

stuff

CIVIL WAR and World War 2 Headline News papers $30- $100.

Howard Miller Grandmother Clock, perfect condition $600.

Sehatz Anniversary clock, $90.

Antique Tube Radios $60, postcards $5, & documents.

Prices Negotiable (941)284-0296

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 WEEKLY MONTHLY

Reservations 941-383-5577

real estate

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

Vacation/ Seasonal Rentals

FIND BUYERS AND SELLERS HERE! 941-955-4888 YourObserver.com/RedPages

The CRYSTAL CLEAR choice!

INFORMATION & RATES: 941-955-4888

Advertise your business or service in the Observer

RED PAGES CALL TODAY 941-955-4888

This week’s Crossword answers

Auto Transport

Sailboat Access Canal 4 Bed Pending $675,000

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

Plantation Golf Course View Condo 3 Bed $294,000

Al Tomlinson

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

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

Pool Home Completely Upgraded $545,000

Residential/Commercial, Vacation Rentals, Real Estate, Clubhouse/Amenities.



Use the RED PAGES to clean out your garage CALL 941-955-4888

Autos Wanted

Boat Slips for Rent/Sale

CASH FOR YOUR CAR We come to you!

Ho Ho Buys cars.

941-270-4400.

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.

TOTAL HOME SERVICES CLEANING

Power Washing (Soft Wash), Construction, Window washing/DI Window Cleaning

941-400-8811

BOAT SLIPS FOR LEASE ON LONGBOAT KEY

Cleaning

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.









(941)756-4570 (941)782-8018 totalhomeservicecleaning @ymail.com Luxury Sarasota Bay views 4 Bed 5 Bath with Boat Dock $1.76 million Near South bridge to Siesta One level, heated pool, stroll to shops. 3Bed-2.5Bath $1,250,000 Brooke O’Malley CLUB REALTY Call 941-726-2677

Where Clean Meets Care Delivering reliable, top-quality cleaning for homes and businesses.

Contact: (407) 528-6401

SELL MORE STUFF AT YOUR NEXT

©2026 Universal Uclick

You’re only cheating yourself.

WANTED

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

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

peekers’ place

Over 1 Acre Beachfront House $6.5 million

This week’s Celebrity Cipher answers Puzzle One Solution: “I loved going to church. I enjoyed being a part of the choir ... I certainly enjoyed watching and listening to my dad.”

Aretha Franklin Puzzle Two Solution: “I expected to be a classical theater actor ... I quickly learned that I had to pay back my school loans.”

Frances McDormand

Puzzle Three Solution: “I don’t want to be in the mainstream ...

If the critics start liking my movies, then I’m in deep trouble.”

John Carpenter

This week’s Sudoku answers

GARAGE SALE CALL 941-955-4888

©2026 NEA, Inc.

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

SELL YOUR CAR!

Transportation

GET YOUR LIFE BACK!

BLACK LABEL CAR SERVICE “Luxury for Less”

941 - 248 - 4734

WE COME TO YOU

463495

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

463925

HoHoBuysCars.com

Res. | Com. | Lic. | Ins.

Board Certified in the specialty of non-surgical spinal decompression

Financial Services

410036

Auto Service

25

DR. DAVID CIFRA, DC Midtown Medical Park 1215 S. East Ave. Suite 210 Sarasota, FL 34239

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

Your money shouldn’t stop working when you do.

Yourus money Give a call. shouldn’t stop working when you do.

Your money shouldn’t stop working when you do.

Give us a John call.

Your money shouldn’t stop working when you do.

Give us a call. M. Campora, ChFC®, CRPC™ Give us a call.

Financial John M.Advisor Campora, ChFC®®, CRPC™™ John M. Campora, ChFC , CRPC 6400 Manatee Avenue West, Suite Financial Advisor ® ™B

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

Insurance

EJB-19325-A-E-DA-2

EJB-19325-A-E-DA-2

463926

MIC INSURANCE

EJB-19325-A-E-DA-2 EJB-19325-A-E-DA-2

C.T. MALLETT

Carpentry • Painting Pressure Washing

HANDYMAN SERVICES

Accepting Credit Cards

941.302.5850

SERVING SIESTA KEY & SARASOTA COUNTY

464972

Handyman

YOUR BUSINESS Advertise as low as $85 per week.

5

$

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

463449

GROW

STANDARD WINDOWS

SPECIAL 00

EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE SOLUTIONS

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

463455

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

160

25 $

INCLUDING SCREENS, TRACKS, MIRRORS & FANS

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

KEENS HANDYMAN SERVICES

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 463494

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

463450

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

463493

www.SarasotaDiscCenter.com DrCifra@SarasotaDiscCenter.com

John M. Campora, ChFC , CRPC Bradenton, FL 34209

Financial Advisor 6400 Manatee Financial Advisor Avenue West, Suite B 941-779-2499

Formerly known as Sunrise Windows

463496

> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC

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

26

YourObserver.com

LONGBOAT OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

B U YE R’ S TO

TO

$12,995,000

Perched atop the coveted South Building at L’Ambiance, this extraordinary beach-to-bay 4BR penthouse redefines luxury coastal living. Encompassing nearly 5,000 SF of refined interior and 3,600+ SF of wraparound terraces, offering panoramic views of the Gulf, bay, golf course, and downtown’s city skyline.

$9,995,000

This Gulf-front masterpiece is perfectly placed on nearly an acre along Longboat Key’s shoreline. Stunning, multi-level architecture with more than 6,900 SF of refined interiors, resortinspired outdoor living, and panoramic beach and sunset views that stretch endlessly across ocean waves.

www.6001GulfofMexico.com

246 MORNINGSIDE DRIVE

www.246MorningsideDrive.com

TO

TO

TO

667 MOURNING DOVE DRIVE $10,995,000

401 QUAY COMMONS #805 $8,495,000

2116 CASEY KEY ROAD $6,995,000

476 MEADOW LARK DRIVE $4,199,000

www.667MourningDove.com

www.RitzResidences805.com

www.2116CaseyKeyRoad.com

www.476MeadowLark.com

TO

TO

TO

B U YE R’ S

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

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.

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

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

8017 MANASOTA KEY ROAD $3,995,000

464 GOLDEN GATE POINT #304 $3,775,000

7689 COVE TERRACE $3,499,000

3548 FAIR OAKS LANE $2,895,000

www.8017ManasotaKey.com

www.LaBellasara304.com

www.7689 CoveTerrace.com

www.3548FairOaks.com

TO

B U YE R’ S

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

TO

B U YE R’ S

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

Walk to the best that downtown Sarasota offers from this 3BR La Bellasara getaway with a private 2-car garage and boat dock.

TO

B U YE R’ S

This 5BR estate offers a bay-to-Gulf lifestyle that combines deep-water boating access and a private beach to enjoy on Manasota Key.

$6,995,000

Designed by renowned Sarasota architect Guy Peterson, this striking contemporary waterfront residence is tucked within the coveted Lido Shores community, along Pansy Bayou, on more than a 1/2-acre. The 4BR, 4,600+ SF interior blends awardworthy architecture with extensive recent renovations.

TO

B U YE R’ S

B U YE R’ S

www.LAmbiancePHF.com

6001 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE

B U YE R’ S

415 L’AMBIANCE DRIVE #PH-F

B U YE R’ S

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

705 JUNGLE QUEEN WAY $2,795,000

2410 HARBOURSIDE DRIVE #142 $2,695,000

35 WATERGATE DRIVE #1506 $2,499,000

2050 BEN FRANKLIN DRIVE #B-704 $2,495,000

www.705JungleQueen.com

www.MarinaBay142.com

www.TowerResidences1506.com

www.OrchidBeachB704.com

Beach-to-bay views abound from every room of this turnkey furnished 3BR executive getaway at the Orchid Beach resort-style community.

TO

TO

TO

TO

B U YE R’ S

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

B U YE R’ S

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

B U YE R’ S

B U YE R’ S

This newer-built 4BR boater’s escape offers resurfaced pool, newer dock, lift, and seawall that perfectly complements a coastal lifestyle.

355 SOUTH SHORE DRIVE $2,295,000

1513 OAK STREET #18 $1,449,000

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

5320 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #101 $999,000

www.355SouthShore.com

www.1513OakStreet.com

www.Beachplace8504.com

www.LongboatLanding101.com

TO

TO

TO

B U YE R’ S

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

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.

B U YE R’ S

This 3BR, two-story, 1,900+ SF residence offers the privacy and comfort of a single-family home with the walkability and energy of downtown.

B U YE R’ S

Design your waterfront dream home in the heart of one of Sarasota’s most sought-after neighborhoods. Unobstructed bay access!

3295 ALEX FINLDAY PLACE $869,999

5311 GULF OF MEXICO DRIVE #5 $799,000

1350 MAIN STREET #712 $589,000

631 NORTH ORANGE AVENUE #107 $339,900

www.3295AlexFindlayPlace.com

www.BeachCastle5.com

www.1350Main712.com

www.MentoneCourt107.com

Perfectly placed on an oversized corner parcel, this 3BR, 2,273 SF courtyard home is waiting for your personal touches.

Turnkey furnished and updated, this 2BR Beach Castle getaway is steps from the Gulf, offering proven rental potential.

This walkable, 7th-floor residence is the epitome of downtown living, in a pet-friendly community with many convenient amenities.

Furnished, updated, and move-in ready, charming 2BR retreat in downtown’s Rosemary District, with covered parking.

$400+ MILLION SOLD IN THE LAST TWO YEARS 443 John Ringling Boulevard, Suite F, Sarasota, FL 34236 | PettingellProfessionals.com | 941.387.1840 YouTube.com/@PettingellProfessionals | Instagram.com/RogerPettingell | Professionals@Pettingell.com

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