Only 0.9% of U.S. Marines rise to the rank of sergeant major.
Yet, Sarasota’s Carlos Moreira (above) received the promotion to that rank during an Oct. 28 ceremony at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
Moreira currently serves in the Marine Corps Reserves, and spent 15 years in active duty in the Corps.
He is chair of the Sarasota County Veterans Commission, director of campus engagement for veteran success and alumni Affairs at the University of South Florida SarasotaManatee campus, and a board member of Sarasota Military Academy.
“It’s definitely a humbling experience,” he said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity, like always, and at the same time, it means more responsibilities, a commitment to the Marine Corps, and that I’m willing to take a step and be, basically, the holder of traditions when it comes to the rank of sergeant major.”
A serving of gratitude
Veterans had the opportunity to gather at the Red, White and Blue event held the day before Veterans Day at the city of Sarasota YMCA on Euclid Ave.
Open to the public, the event included breakfast prepared by the YMCA, food donated by Mission BBQ, Einstein Bros. Bagels and Five-O Donut Co., a veteran picture display and a group of barbershop singers.
Pamela Peters, membership coordinator at the YMCA, said the branch likes to honor its veterans and hosts the event because of its many members who are veterans.
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Illustration by Marty Fugate
BY
THE NUMBERS WEEK OF NOV. 13, 2025
10 Semifinalists considered for the president and CEO position of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport PAGE 3A 12 Schools included in the Sarasota County Schools repurposing program PAGE 5A
007
Doug Staley, winner of the Observer’s It’s Read Everywhere contest, went to a site in the Swiss Alps where a James Bond film took place. PAGE 1B
CALENDAR
n Sarasota City Commission regular meeting — 9 a.m., Monday, Nov. 17, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St. n Sarasota County Commission regular meeting — 9 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 18, South County Administration Building, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice
“Looking at the year ahead, our No. 1 task is to hire a new city manager.”
New Sarasota Mayor Debbie Trice. Read more on page 4A
SO Music Center receives $5 million gift
As design work continues on the new Sarasota Orchestra Music Center, Tom and Sherry Koski, of Sarasota, have contributed $5 million to the project estimated to cost between $375 million and $425 million to build.
The Music Center will be located at the orchestra’s 32-acre property at 5701 Fruitville Road. Tom Koski has been a member of the Sarasota Orchestra Board of Directors since 2014 and is currently serving as chairman. Although a formal capital campaign has yet to begin, the
orchestra has received $75 million from three gifts toward the project.
The orchestra is planning an all-encompassing campus across three buildings — a maximum 1,800-seat concert hall, a 700seat recital hall and an education wing, all connected by a courtyard. Much of the campus will be for parking and 12 acres of wetlands.
“Tom and Sherry’s leadership and generosity embody the spirit that has sustained Sarasota Orchestra for 75 years and
cemented Sarasota’s legacy as a beacon for the arts,” said Sarasota Orchestra Vice Chair David Green in a news release. “They give not for recognition, but because they truly care about this orchestra, our musicians and the community we serve. This gift to the Music Center is an extraordinary expression of their faith in the orchestra’s future and their enduring belief in the arts as a force for good in our community.”
Groundbreaking for the Music Center will occur in 2027.
Foundation names Muroff new CEO
A familiar name in nonprofit and human services in the region, Jessica Muroff, has been named CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.
Muroff has been CEO of the United Way Suncoast, one of the largest United Ways in Florida, since 2019. Muroff succeeds Roxie Jerde, whose 14-year tenure as president and CEO concluded with retirement on June 30. Muroff begins in her new role Jan. 20, 2026.
“As a seasoned CEO and strategic decision-maker who understands our generational approach to community investments, Jessica will build on our successes, carrying forward our mission of achieving impact through philanthropy,” Paul Hudson, Community Foundation board chair, who has also been serving as interim CEO, said in a statement.
Muroff has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit, philanthropic and business sectors. At the United Way, which serves five counties in West Central Florida, she oversees a team of 63 employees.
Selby
sets Dec. 2 for groundbreaking
With fundraising nearly complete for the second phase of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ master plan, groundbreaking is planned on Dec. 2 on the penultimate stage of the Downtown Sarasota campus’ reimagining.
In a news release announcing the groundbreaking date, Selby Gardens said $53.2 million of Phase 2’s $60.9 million goal is raised for the project. In total, $118 million has been donated, most via private philanthropy, for the three-phase project. Forming the centerpiece of the latest phase, the new Conservatory Complex will serve as a hub for more than 20,000 plants from Selby’s research collections.
The building will broaden publicviewing access to the collection from a sliver to nearly its entirety.
Courtesy photo
Tom and Sherry Koski (center) were recognized for their $5 million investment in Sarasota Orchestra’s Music Center. Also pictured are President and CEO Joe McKenna (left) and Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero.
‘Almost paradise’ at SRQ
On the job for a month, new Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Paul Hoback calls opportunity divine intervention.
As a visit to Sarasota after becoming the new president and CEO of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport came to an end, Paul Hoback and his wife, Amy, were at the gate awaiting a return flight to Pittsburgh. That’s when an epiphany offered confirmation of their career move choice.
improvement. And after an entire life and career spent in the Pittsburgh area, moving to the Suncoast is surely paradise.
“I’ll never say we’re perfect because I think we’ve got to continue to fight, continue to elevate and continue to think differently, do differently and act differently to continuously improve,” Hoback said. “That’s why it’s almost paradise, because that’s exactly the way I think.”
As for the area served by the airport, “This place is truly paradise,” he said.
BITER: HOBACK ‘SCREAMS’ CEO MATERIAL
“I didn’t know it at the time, but God has a greater plan for all of us. There’s a reason He didn’t allow me to get that job, and it was because this one was coming down the line.”
BRIEF HOUSE HUNT
“I’m a big fan of yacht rock,” said Hoback, ironically, the genre often heard from the airport’s audio system.
That’s when the song “Almost Paradise” from the movie “Footloose” broadcast over the terminal’s speakers.
“Almost” is descriptive of Hoback’s philosophical approach to his profession. No endeavor is ever complete. There is always room for
SHUTDOWN IMPACT
MINIMAL, SO FAR
So far, the federal government shutdown has had a minimal impact on operations at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. That’s because the airport participates in the Screening Partnership Program, which allows contracting private security screening services under federal oversight.
“We are weathering the storm as well as anyone,” said Hoback. “We are so thankful for our federal partners who continue to show up for work to ensure the safety and security of the traveling public. We are also one of a few airports who are part of the Screen Partnership Program and employ a private company at our security checkpoint, and they are not impacted by this shutdown.” SRQ, though, is not immune to flight delays, and any so far are a result of the ripple effect from other airports that have reduced flights per the FAA 10% reduction directive. Even if the shutdown is resolved, the residual affects on the aviation system may be felt through Thanksgiving.
Hoback’s first official day at SRQ came on Oct. 19, four months after being named as the successor to Rick Piccolo, the chief executive of the airport for the past three decades.
So far, Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority Board of Directors Chairman Jesse Biter said Hoback has validated the board’s choice.
“He is a thinker, and that’s what I love about him. He’s not afraid to do things,” Biter said. “He’s jumped in and has already gotten right to work doing what he said he would do. He’s still drinking from the fire hose, but
I’m impressed.”
A 25-year veteran of the aviation industry, Hoback had spent his entire career at Pittsburgh International Airport, most recently overseeing the completion of a $1.7 billion overhaul of its passenger terminal and other capital improvements. It’s that experience that attracted the attention of the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority as the airport’s governing body considers a future expansion of its parking and rental car facilities.
Conversely, SRQ matched Hoback’s desire to manage an airport in growth mode. And why not, at the same time, include a chance to move to paradise?
“I pinch myself every day that I actually get to do this as a job,” Hoback said. “I’m in the field that I love. Aviation runs through my blood. It’s in my DNA. It has been that way since I watched that movie ‘Top Gun’ in the 1980s.
“Every day is challenging and exciting. You’re out there fighting to try to make a better experience for our passengers, and for me as a leader trying to make a better experience for our team members because they’re ultimately the ones out there dealing with our customers on the front lines.”
A SMOOTH TRANSITION
As he sits in a chair in the spacious office occupied by Piccolo for 30 years, boxes remain unpacked, furniture is still to be assembled and mementoes of his career are yet to be displayed. Customizing his workspace ranks in lower priority to absorbing all the knowledge he could from Piccolo over the two-week transition, learning the staff, studying all facets of the airport’s operations and assessing the remaining challenges presented by four years of unprecedented growth.
“There’s a saying in our industry that if you’ve seen one airport, you’ve seen one airport, because every airport and every team is very different,” Hoback said. “I’m still learning the team, learning the airport and learning this community, but the first three weeks couldn’t have been better.”
Korn Ferry had produced some 20 candidates screened by the SMAA Board of Directors. That field was narrowed to 10, each coming with an hour-long video interview by the firm. The six-member board then each selected their top three, Hoback among those named by each. The three finalists then met with each board member.
“What stood out is he had a plan,” said SMAA Chairman Jesse Biter. “He came in with a lot of authority. He sees the future. He’s got a great vision. He’s got a plan. He spoke confidently. One thing I love is he reads a lot of books. We spent the first part of his interview just talking about a lot of the books we have in common that we love and refer to as leaders, so we kind of spoke the same language.
“Some of the other guys were good, but didn’t strike me as CEO material. Paul just screams it.”
All welcomed him with open arms, he said, especially his predecessor, who worked several months longer than planned while awaiting Hoback’s arrival. He walks to the desk formerly occupied by Piccolo and removes a letter from the top drawer, the words on the paper remaining only between the two.
“I opened this desk drawer on day one and Rick left me a letter,” Hoback said. “I’m an emotional person, and that just hit home and it meant a lot. This position is not about individuals. It’s not about us. This position is about the position and how important it is to this airport, to this team, to this community, and I have a responsibility to take what Rick has done and continue to elevate it.”
THIS IS THE MOMENT
Before the opportunity at SRQ arose, Hoback was one of two finalists for the top job at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). Recognizing he had hit the ceiling at PIT his boss, Christina Cassotis, permitted executive placement firm Korn Ferry to include him in their recruitment. The proviso, though, was that he not accept a new position until the project at PIT was complete. Previously, Hoback said, her staff was off limits to the firm.
The five-month process at CVG ended in disappointment.
“There was one point where my wife and I stayed there for the weekend while I was in the final interview process,” Hoback said. “They were getting ready to go through a billion-dollar project, as well. It’s a Midwest airport; it’s similar to the size of Pittsburgh.
“There was one moment when we were driving away, the interview was over, and my wife and I were both teary-eyed because I knew I got the job.”
Three weeks later, he learned he did not.
Korn Ferry presented other jobs to Hoback in the following months, but none was suitable. He didn’t want to lead just any airport. He desired the ideal location and the right governance — such as an airport authority — because running a city- or county-operated airport, he said, stifles creativity. The governance of an airport authority, similar to the Allegheny County Airport Authority over PIT, was a requirement.
Then came word of Piccolo’s impending retirement at SRQ, for which Korn Ferry was retained by SMAA for the search.
The rest is serendipity.
His grandmother had lived in Zephyrhills, close friends live in Wesley Chapel, family members have lived in St. Petersburg, they have often vacationed in the area and the Pittsburgh Pirates hold spring training in Bradenton, drawing many fellow Pittsburghers as seasonal and even full-time residents.
“I didn’t know much about SRQ at the time, but as soon as I started looking into this airport and I saw where they’ve been, where they’re heading, the growth that they’ve had and that of this entire region, who they’re looking for as a servant leader — they were really describing Rick,” Hoback said. “I thought, ‘They’re looking for me.’ It was just a slap in the face that said, ‘Paul, this is meant to be. This is why things didn’t work out at CVG. This is your moment.’”
Hoback’s moment now includes two primary challenges to the passenger experience. To nobody’s fault, he is quick to state, SRQ has grown faster over the last half-decade than its capacity to keep up. Passenger count has more than doubled since 2020, anticipating more than 4.5 million this year. With the opening of the new Concourse A in January, there are plenty of gates for now, and with the recent enhancements to Concourse B, there are now adequate options there for food and beverage.
Now it’s time to turn attention to outside the passenger terminal.
“We’ve got a parking problem here, and we’ve got a rental car problem,” Hoback said. “There are times during peak travel that our rental car partners turn away potential customers, and that’s an issue. Our rental car partners do not have enough space here, and we don’t have enough parking on-site during peak travel times.”
The solution to both is in a parking master plan to replace the shortterm and rental car parking with a parking structure that includes rental car operations. To address a shortage in carousels, the master plan also calls for moving baggage claim to the first level of the parking deck.
“The team has done a brilliant job ensuring that our facilities are growing, but you can only focus on one thing, and the ground boarding facility in the new Allegiant concourse was the focus at that time,” Hoback said. “Next up is baggage claim, parking and a rental car center.”
SRQ is, after all, a gateway to paradise.
Amid Paul Hoback’s excitement of striving for and achieving his dream of running an airport was the fear of the unknown. With entire lives built over a 25-year career in Pittsburgh, the lifelong Pennsylvanian said he believed the opportunity to lead an airport — likely to not happen anytime soon at PIT — would mean moving away. His wife, Amy, told him she was never moving, but when their son, Cannon, chose to move thousands of miles away to attend Arizona State University, it opened the door to relocate.
“It was emotional, it was exciting and it was scary because I’ve been in one place my entire life,” Hoback said.
“From a workplace perspective, half of my entire life I’ve spent at one place, driving the same exact route each and every day, so it was scary.”
The Hobacks had planned to rent a condo for six months while searching for a house — he is living here alone while Amy, a teacher, finishes out the school year — instead, they found a house on the first weekend of their search.
“My son sent us probably 100 houses to look at,” Hoback said. “My wife doesn’t typically have strong opinions one way or another. As soon as she saw it, she was in love.”
Before Amy boarded a Sunday afternoon flight back to Pittsburgh to be in class on Monday, the Hobacks scheduled a 10 a.m. tour of the house. “As soon as she landed in Pittsburgh, she sent me a text with 100 pros and three cons with this house, so I guess she had a strong opinion about that. We put an offer in and got it under contract the next day, and she hasn’t been back since.”
Paul Hoback started as president and CEO of SarasotaBradenton International Airport on Oct. 19.
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Paul Hoback visits with SRQ information desk volunteer member Rafik Accad.
Photos by Andrew Warfield
ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER
to creating a gentle environment where you feel relaxed and confident in a space designed for you.
New mayor calls hiring city manager the first order of business
After two years at the helm of the city, Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert has passed the gavel to Debbie Trice.
ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER
After two years with Liz Alpert at the helm, Sarasota has a new mayor. During the Nov. 7 statutory meeting of the Sarasota City Commission, their peers elected Debbie Trice as mayor and Kathy Kelley Ohlrich as vice mayor.
Trice previously served as vice mayor. Ohlrich is entering her second year as a city commissioner, winning the election as the District 2 representative in 2024.
City remarks at the meeting, Alpert acknowledged the leadership of former city managers Tom Barwin and Marlon Brown, with whom she worked since being elected commissioner in 2015. She also recognized the now-retired Doug Jeffcoat for serving as interim city manager and current top temp Dave Bullock, “who has just in a short period of time has really gotten a handle on what needed to be done in the city and what we need to do to move the projects forward.”
“Thank you all for your confidence in me, and I promise to do my very best to live up to your expectations,” Trice said. “2025, as you’ve heard, was a challenging year, but we had quite a few successes, one of which is we have over 1,000 affordable housing units in the pipeline.” Trice was nominated by nowformer Mayor Alpert and elected unanimously by the board. Ohlrich, who initially nominated Jen AhearnKoch for vice mayor, withdrew her motion after her nomination by Commissioner Kyle Battie, which was not seconded, but supported, by Ahearn-Koch.
Because the public does not elect them to their leadership roles, the mayor and vice mayor are largely symbolic, but do require more work in running commission meetings and representing the city at events.
“Thank you to Mayor Alpert for your service for two years as our mayor running the meetings,” Ahearn-Koch said. “It’s not a little more work, it’s a lot more work and we really appreciate it.”
In addition to her prior State of the
Bullock, the retired Longboat Key town manager, may not hold the seat at the end of the dais much longer, for the current track to replace Brown, who retired more than a year ago, is the first quarter of 2026.
“Looking at the year ahead, our No. 1 task is to hire a new city manager,” Trice said. “We need someone who has the skills and the vision to build upon Sarasota’s success and lead us on our upward trajectory and continued status as America’s best place to live.”
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Debbie Trice (left) and Kathy Kelley Ohlrich are the new mayor and vice mayor of Sarasota.
Sarasota sets in motion sweeping school changes
Sarasota County Schools approves a plan to attract students and eliminate empty seats.
ERIC GARWOOD DIGITAL
Pressed by a deadline and inspired by fiscal prudence, a sweeping rework of a dozen public school campuses is now Sarasota County Schools’ plan for the future, approved in a special board meeting last week.
The plan, seen for the first time in September, has broad designs to tempt families from charter, private or home options and eliminate more than 3,400 of about 5,600 empty seats in schools mostly in and around the city of Sarasota. How? By demolishing or repurposing buildings, combining grade levels and, in some cases, creating new educational offerings.
They also head off the closing of Sarasota’s Wilkinson Elementary, one of several early years schools with enrollment below optimal levels. Beyond inefficiencies of operating schools with one in two student seats occupied, lagging enrollment because of demographic shifts and additional school options has become an urgent issue statewide.
Florida’s Schools of Hope laws, passed in 2017 and modified this year, allow a range of charter schools the right to “co-locate” with public schools if space is available. And in Sarasota County, space was available.
On campuses affected by the plan, school district documents show, enrollment now ranges from 41% to 66% of capacity. Estimates show those rates climbing to 73% to 104% after plan implementation.
Though unanimous in their approval on Nov. 7, school board members said most of the ideas probably would make financial and educational sense anyway. But urgency has been at the top of people’s minds
this academic year. “I often hear it’s not because of Schools of Hope,” board member Tom Edwards said. “It is because of Schools of Hope. But I’ll point out to you that I would never approve this kind of conversation without a substantially more robust budget.”
By voting on the plans Friday and then submitting them to the state education department, the school district beat by four days a window that opened Nov. 11, after which Schools of Hope operators could legally begin to submit co-location requests. Mater Academy of Hialeah Gardens, a $314.38 million company in 2024, had sought space at three Sarasota County campuses, requests the school district said arrived before the application window legally opened.
“Schools of Hope has really been an accelerant to something that has already been in process for a number of things,” board member Bridget Ziegler said, adding the rapid consideration of the proposals wasn’t ideal. “But I do think the leadership here has certainly illustrated their ability to execute with an extraordinary proposal.”
Perhaps the broadest element of the plan is the conversion of four elementary schools — Alta Vista, Brentwood, Gulf Gate and Wilkinson — to K-8 campuses, beginning next school year with the addition of sixth grade in 2026-27.
Connor said district estimates show about 170 fifth graders at those schools now would likely remain in place for sixth grade instead of moving to traditional middle schools. Connor said that another 130 students likely would have chosen a charter, private or homeschool option for sixth grade, which would have dropped them from the perstudent state funding formula.
Staffing adjustments at the new K-8 locations would coordinate with four existing middle schools to ensure the number of educators matches with new student populations. Connor said funding clawed back from the per-student formula would more than cover the expected increase in
DEMOLISH, REPURPOSE, RELOCATE
What’s
educator costs by about $27,000.
Parents supported the ideas, but not universally, remarking Friday about disruption at converted K-8 schools and their neighborhoods.
Two schools, Fruitville Elementary and Alta Vista Elementary, are slated to have buildings demolished. Con-
nor emphasized that the older buildings — one from 1957 and one from 1970 — would likely be more expensive to renovate than demolish and were little used. And, he said, there is state oversight involved in razing public school buildings, a monthslong process.
Source: Sarasota County Schools
“There just isn’t an avenue for a district to say ‘Hey, let’s just go tear down a building,’” he said. “There becomes a legal, binding process we have to go through, and that’s done in partnership with the Florida Department of Education.”
BACK TO NORMAL
The Sarasota you return to is largely back to normal, among other news to catch up on while you were away.
ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER
While recovery work continued after our seasonal residents migrated north for the summer, there was a significant amount of news here.
Returnees will note that although much of the storm damage along the city’s waterfront parks and assets remains, remnants of the 2024 hurricane season are otherwise few and far between.
Some old favorite businesses reopened over the summer, restoration of local barrier island beaches is largely complete, and, for the most part, life in Sarasota has returned to normal.
So before venturing out into your season of golf, beach time and cultural activities, here is your chance to brush up on the top local stories while you were away.
TO THE SKIES
Returning seasonal residents strolling along Pineapple Avenue in Burns Court will notice a major change beneath their feet. In compliance with an order from the Florida Department of Transportation, the city removed all nonstandard markings along sidewalks, street crossings and roadways, as its being done statewide.
In a memo to the city dated June 30, the agency stated the city must conform to the FDOT Design Manual and the Manual of Uniform Minimum Standards for Design, Construction and Maintenance for Streets and Highways.
Any local jurisdictions found in violation would risk losing millions in state funding. Known as Avenue of Art, the sidewalks contained murals painted by 240 artists from 20 countries, each on one segment of sidewalk. The order also required removal of crosswalk art at the intersection of Second Street and Cocoanut Avenue and a crosswalk across Main Street.
“All four areas within the city limits where artwork was installed on the pavement or sidewalk will be removed in order to comply with FDOT’s revised pavement art policy,” said city Communications General Manager Jan Thornburg in a statement to the Observer. “FDOT’s memo clearly states that noncompliance shall be cause for withholding state funds.”
The FDOT claimed to have ordered the removal because the art can interfere with the operation of autonomous vehicles and other technologies, and stated the markings can cause “distractions or confusion that compromise roadway safety.”
STILL NO NEW CITY MANAGER
Although it may not come as a shock that Sarasota still has no permanent city manager, it does have a new face in the interim position. Public Works Director Doug Jeffcoat was filling the role left by retired Marlon Brown, but he has since retired, and former Longboat Key Town Manager Dave Bullock was named to fill the interim role.
What may or may not be surprising is the city is no closer to naming a new permanent city manager than it was almost a year ago after Brown retired. But it does have a new executive search firm to help the City Commission recruit and then narrow a field of candidates.
In September, commissioners selected Sumter Local Government Consulting of Alpharetta, Georgia, to assist in the search. Sumter is at the beginning of its work, having recently completed a series of one-on-one meetings with commissioners to assess their expectations of a new crop of candidates.
Founded by 15-year local government executive Warren Hutmacher, the 4-year-old Sumter pursued Sarasota as a resume-builder as it seeks to establish a greater foothold in Florida. Hutmacher told commissioners they would work with him and him alone throughout the process.
A LETTER FROM NICK VANDENBREKEL, OWNER OF ORION SKY CHARTERS
As the owner and founder of Orion Sky Charters, I am proud of our partnership with The Observer as this year’s sponsor of the “It’s Read Everywhere” Contest. When I started Orion, my mission was clear: to connect people with extraordinary destinations while leaving zero carbon impact. Today, we are one of the very few private air charter services operating at net zero emissions.
From your first call to wheels-up, our private flight experience is built for simplicity, speed, and service. Whether you’re planning a business trip or a spontaneous island getaway, Orion and its sister charter Key West Executive Air Charters makes every journey feel personal, pet-friendly, and completely stress free.
We offer 24/7 concierge support, pet friendly options, and seamless personalized travel - wherever you are headed.
This partnership with The Observer was more than sponsorship - it was a celebration of stories, connection, and a shared vision for a sustainable future. I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you.
Warm Regards and Blue Skies, Nick VandenBrekel
Owner, Orion Sky Charters
Photos by Andrew Warfield
All sidewalk murals at Avenue of Art in Burns Court have been removed in compliance with an order from the Florida Department of Transportation.
Interim Sarasota City Manager Dave Bullock looks on during his first City Commission meeting on July 7.
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Florida lawmakers need to be aware of long-term pension strategy
The state pension fund is still in a deficit, and policymakers should avoid financial risks.
ADRIAN MOORE ZACHARY CHRISTENSEN AND STEVEN VU
Florida has $71.82 billion in debt, making it the 10th most indebted state in the nation. Sarasota County is over $1.5 billion in debt, the city of Sarasota over $412 million and the Sarasota County School District is $724 million. That’s a lot of debt.
The flagship fiscal proposal from Gov. DeSantis this year is to ask voters to approve an elimination of property taxes. He has not been clear about what spending cuts would balance out this massive tax cut, not least because property taxes mostly go to local governments, and they will be the ones forced to cut spending. We are fans of tax cuts, but they must accompany spending cuts or else they just drive up government debt and ultimately cost taxpayers even more than the tax cuts benefit them.
Given Florida’s state and local debts, getting spending under control and reducing debt should probably come before tax cuts.
THE EXAMPLE OF STATE PENSIONS
You can see these particularly clearly with the instructive example of Florida’s pension plan that covers all state workers, teachers, and many local government employees.
A decade ago, the plan was buried in debt, but the state has been digging out of this hole and is 17 years away from eliminating expensive pension debt. But that only happens if the state continues to focus on paying down the debt and is not hit by a recession — so it’s a fragile path.
An analysis by Aon Investments USA Inc. (a market consulting company) commissioned by the Florida State Board of Administrators indicates that the Florida Retirement System is on track to eliminate all unfunded pension liabilities by 2042.
Since major reforms on the system in 2011 creating a defined contribution option called the Investment Plan, and the change making this the default retirement plan for most new hires in 2018, FRS has made some progress in closing what was a nearly $40 billion funding shortfall after the Great Recession.
The latest reporting from FRS now gives the system an 83.7% funded ratio (up from 70% in 2009), indicating that the state has made some progress but still needs to stay the course to return to its pre-recession, full funding status.
According to Reason’s recently released Annual Pension Solvency and Performance Report, one bad year in the market (0% returns in 2026) would essentially undo that progress, bringing the system’s unfunded liabilities back to an esti-
FLORIDA HAS A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE CATCHING UP WITH PENSION PROMISES
Source: Reason’s Annual Pension Solvency and Performance Report, using FRS annual valuation reports.
A RECESSION WOULD NECESSITATE MUCH LARGER GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTIONS
Source: Reason actuarial modeling of FRS. Recessions use return scenarios reflective of Dodd-Frank testing regulations.
mated $40 billion overnight.
If market outcomes play out like the last 20 years, FRS will not be achieving full funding any time soon. If the system achieves an investment return equal to its 24-year average (6.4%) since 2001, it would fall short of the plan’s 6.7% expectation. According to Reason’s actuarial modeling of FRS, this seemingly meager shortfall would extend the date at which it arrives at full funding by another three years.
Another major recession could also significantly derail the system. Reason’s modeling indicates that an investment loss similar to that of 2009 would result in a funding ratio of 62%, and it would take 15 years to get back to today’s funding levels. The full funding date would extend well beyond 2055 in that scenario.
A recession could also drive up the annual costs of FRS, which taxpayers and lawmakers should be wary of. In 2024, employers contributing into the FRS pension on behalf of government employees paid an amount equal to around 12.7% of pay (totaling $5.6 billion statewide annually).
If everything goes as planned, with returns matching the system’s assumptions, this cost will remain relatively stable and drop significantly once the system is free from pension debt.
Under the scenario of a major recession, annual costs will need to rise to as high as 22.9% to keep up with paying pension benefits in full.
When it comes to pensions, policymakers can hope for the best, but they should prepare for the worst. At the very least, they should prepare government pensions to withstand the same pressures that created the costly pension debt in the first place.
Florida lawmakers need to keep these risks in mind as they weigh in
on proposals to grant more benefits. During the 2025 session, the State Legislature saw (and rejected) a proposal to unroll the state’s crucial 2011 reform by again granting costof-living adjustments to all FRS members.
Reason’s analysis of the proposal warned that the move would add $36 billion in new costs over 30 years, and that was only the bestcase scenario.
A scenario in which the system sees multiple recessions over the next 30 years would have driven the estimated costs of the proposed COLA to $47 billion. For a pension fund that is still many years away from having the funding to fulfill existing retirement promises, the last thing it needs is to double down with more potential runaway costs with even more liabilities.
It is safe to say that the idea of increasing pension costs on Florida’s local governments while simultaneously facing the prospect of reduced property tax revenue is ill-advised.
Through prudent reforms, Florida has made some laudable progress in improving the funding of its pension system.
They are still several years away from achieving the end goal of all these efforts, and any level of market turbulence would push the finish line out by decades.
Policymakers need to be aware of Florida’s long-term pension strategy and avoid any proposals to add to the costs and risks imposed on taxpayers through new pension benefits.
Zachary Christensen, Adrian Moore and Steven Vu are with Reason Foundation. Moore lives in Sarasota.
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Zachary Christensen Steven Vu
For the first time in three decades, the spacious corner office on the third level of the terminal at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport has a new occupant. While you were away, the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority named Paul Hoback to replace the retiring Rick Piccolo as president and CEO of the airport.
Hoback comes to SRQ from Pittsburgh International Airport, where for 25 years he gradually rose up the ranks to executive vice president and chief development officer. He most recently led a $1.7 billion transformation of the airport’s passenger terminal, baggage handling system, structured parking addition and more. Like SRQ, PIT is a destination airport, having been de-hubbed by USAirways before it was acquired by American Airlines.
Currently, PIT serves about 10 million passengers per year compared to SRQ’s 4-plus million. Hoback joins
SRQ at a time when the SMAA Board of Directors is in the midst of planning for further expansion, including structured parking and refining rental car operations.
Hoback took the reins of SRQ on Oct. 20, with Piccolo staying on two additional weeks to assist with the transition. In August, Hoback told the Observer he is looking forward to spending that quality time with the 50-plus year airport management professional.
“I can’t wait to get down there and learn everything I can and be that sponge working closely with Rick,” Hoback told the Observer earlier this year. “I’m really looking forward to learning everything I can from him. I couldn’t be more fortunate to have been given the opportunity to lead the airport after all the amazing work that Rick has done.
“It’s such an honor.”
Planning is underway, and work to restore the historic Mira Mar building will soon begin now that the City Commission has cleared the way for owner Seaward Development to demolish the structures behind the 400-foot-long frontage on South Palm Avenue. In their place will be twin condominium towers that will provide revenue to cover upwards of the $30 million cost to save the Mira Mar.
Over the objections of some residents of nearby The Mark, the Sarasota City Commission on May 29 unanimously approved rezoning for the project, which includes rehabilitation and restoration of the historic portion of the existing Mira Mar property that occupies nearly 400 feet of Palm Avenue frontage.
The Mira Mar Residences will preserve parts
of the historic Mira Mar apartments and pay homage to the former hotel and auditorium that was constructed in the early 1920s. Historic rehabilitation on the existing buildings is expected to begin in December 2025, with the residential towers expected to be completed by the end of 2028. Rather than endure a by-right development that could have resulted in a 10-story, lot line-to-lot line, higher density apartment building — or even taller and more dense as a possible Florida Live Local Act development, the City Commission opted to rezone the site from Downtown Core to Downtown Bayfront to permit the 18-story condo towers. Prices of those 70 residences it brings will start at $3.8 million.
After two years of work, Sarasota’s Purple Ribbon Committee submitted its report to the City Commission on its recommendations for adaptive reuse of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall if there is a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center. The panel spent the better part of its time gathering information from various arts, tourism, education and other organizations, as well as an engineering report of the structure, spending its last few months assembling the report.
Its conclusion: If there’s a new Sarasota PAC, spend the resources to keep the Van Wezel operating at capacity for five to seven years, if not longer, and consider noncompetitive uses for the building up to and including demolishing it should it sustain severe damage from a future storm. The site could open up for more parking spaces at The Bay, and perhaps an amphitheater.
Central to the recommendation was a study by Karins Engineering, commissioned by the city, which recommended approximately $17 million worth of maintenance and improvements, including flood-proofing measures and replacement of critical mechanical systems.
The report did not offer definitive guidance on what the Van Wezel’s new purpose should be, although it suggested possible options including immersive experiences, flexible event space, a family entertainment center, museum or science center, citing examples from elsewhere in Florida and across the country.
That’s only if the building is to be replaced. As of now, the city and the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation have not reached an implementation agreement for a new hall, and the City Commission has not scheduled it for consideration.
Image courtesy of Pittsburgh International Airport
Paul Hoback is now president and CEO of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, succeeds Rick Piccolo after 30 years.
MIRA MAR WILL GET NEW LOOK
NEW MAN IN CHARGE AT SRQ
PURPLE RIBBON COMMITTEE FINISHES ITS WORK
Courtesy image A rendering of the Mira Mar Residences towers.
WELCOME BACK
FROM PAGE 9A
ARTS PLAZA BEGINS CONSTRUCTION
After years of planning and raising funds, construction has begun on Florida Studio Theatre’s much-anticipated McGillicuddy Arts Plaza, a multiuse expansion to its current facilities. In addition to a second main theater and two more cabaret theaters, the Arts Plaza will include 125 spaces of structured parking between the first-floor performance spaces, 24 apartments and a 33-room hotel.
The building of the structure will be next to FST’s existing building on First Street between Cocoanut Avenue and U.S. 41.
The Arts Plaza will allow FST to consolidate its housing for long-term visiting performers and staff, now scattered throughout the downtown area. The hotel rooms will provide short-term accommodation for performers and will be open to the general public, as well.
Florida Studio Theatre received its final critical approval from the city when the Planning Board approved code adjustments that will allow it to add nonstandard signage attached to the building, reminiscent of that attached to iconic performance halls such as Radio City Music Hall and the Chicago Theater.
They include vertical building identification signs on the west, south and east elevations, punctuated by an architectural feature at the top of the eight-story building.
Planning Board member Dan Clermont said he was happy to approve a nontraditional building treatment in downtown.
“I’m excited about this,” Clermont said. “Many of our arts buildings are rather nondescript. This one is out there, so thank you.”
Groundbreaking for the addition was held Oct. 29.
With a new $132 million aquarium near University Town Center now open, Mote Marine closed its City Island facility on July 6.
The Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium on City Island opened in the early 1980s, providing a home to rehabilitating and rescued sea animals while doubling as an aquarium and educational facility with schools taking classes on countless field trips to the building.
Nestled between St. Armands Key and Longboat Key, many on the islands volunteered at Mote Marine’s City Island facility.
The new aquarium built on 12 acres in East Sarasota opened in October after five years of planning, design and construction.
“When we started, even the land didn’t exist,” said Kevin Cooper, Mote’s vice president for communications and strategic initiatives. “It was a lake (at Nathan Benderson Park), so we had to build the ground upon which the facility was built. It took us a couple of years just to do site preparation.”
Moving manatees, otters, turtles and fish across town and acclimating them to a new environment was a complicated effort that made the opening of the new Mote Science Education Aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park a delicate procedure.
Water chemistry, animal health and acclimation were all closely monitored as Mote workers began the process of moving Mote’s exhibits in July, and the new Mote Science Education Aquarium opened
in early October to visitors.
Mote will still operate the City Island facility, but with a focus renewed on its research and rehabilitation efforts.
Mote has been tight-lipped about what exactly that will entail and whether volunteer work will still be available on City Island.
The Best Things in Life are FREE
Image courtesy of Alan Anderson Architect
The rendering of Florida Studio Theatre’s McGillicuddy Arts Plaza shows marquee signage granted as adjustments by the Sarasota Planning Board.
Dana Kampa
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, which includes its main aquarium and marine mammal center on City Island, held its final day open to the public on July 6.
Jay Heater
The animals at the Mote Science Education Aquarium are free to say “Hi!” with the opening to the public Oct. 8.
Stephenie Whitfield President,
WELCOME BACK
FROM PAGE 10A
Work on The Bay park Phase 2 reached Tamiami Trail over the summer as construction on elements of the Cultural District got underway. Earth moving equipment has reshaped the long parking lot between 10th Street and Boulevard of the Arts into an oasis of trees, landscape, sidewalk and reduced parking, providing a softer frame for the historic buildings the Bay Park Conservancy is renovating as part of the project.
The BPC considers the Cultural District as the “front door” of The Bay along North Tamiami Trail. The Phase 2 project includes rehabbing historic buildings, including the
Chidsey Library, Sarasota Garden Club, Municipal Auditorium and others, connecting them with a tree-lined promenade. A new Town Square will provide event and gathering spaces for programming, events and activities.
Other Phase 2 work includes improvements on the south side of the Centennial Park Canal, where the city will install floating day docks. Meanwhile, Phase 3 planning is underway, which will increase boat launch capacity, add trailer parking capacity and rehabilitate the restroom facilities.
Two familiar establishments long associated with tropical refreshments made their return with the midsummer reopening of O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill in Bayfront Park and, more recently, the new location of Tommy Bahama Restaurant at St. Armands Circle.
Closed for nearly eight months following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, O’Leary’s is back with a refreshed thatched roof, resilient decking materials, Tiki bar support beams cemented into the ground and sealed glass walls to prevent floodwater intrusion. Perhaps coincidentally, on the same
day of the official reopening, was the removal of the wrecked sailboat pinned against the dock since Hurricane Milton.
Across the Ringling Causeway on St. Armands Circle, the Tommy Bahama Restaurant recently opened in its new location formerly occupied by Shore.
With a nod toward Mid-Century Modern architecture and decor, the twostory location with retail store at street level beneath the restaurant is a marked departure from its former location on the opposite end of the Circle, which conveyed a tropical island ambience.
The 1200 block of North Palm Avenue looks the same as it did when you left — the row of shops in the one-story building wedged between the Palm Avenue Garage and the Bay Plaza condominiums still standing. Whether that retail strip is replaced by the 18-story, 348-foot-tall Obsidian remains in question.
On May 12, residents of Bay Plaza had the opportunity they had been warning city commissioners about for two years as they appealed the Planning Board adjustments to permit developer Matt Kihnke to build the tallest building in downtown, one that would house only 14 luxury condominiums. By a 4-1 vote with Mayor Liz Alpert opposed, that appeal was granted. All has been quiet since, although Kihnke has filed for a FLEUDRA (Florida
That space suffered extensive flooding from the hurricanes. When the Shore location became available during cleanup operations, Tommy Bahama jumped at the opportunity to move to somewhat higher ground.
Although it opened before last season ended on March 1, another waterfront landmark, The Old Salty Dog on City Island, is also back in full swing, and in August listed by USA Today among the top 29 best bars in America.
Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution Act) hearing, effectively a mediation with the city before a special magistrate following a process outlined in state statutes. Any resolution that comes of this process would go before the City Commission for approval or denial.
Elsewhere in downtown, there was the reveal of the redevelopment of the Zenith tower at Five Points, an 18-story, mixed-use residential tower consisting of 96 dwelling units and 41,837 square feet of commercial and office space. It will include seven residences priced as attainable, qualifying for the city’s affordable housing bonus density program. The developer is Jebcore Z Tower of Sarasota, a subsidiary of Jebcore Companies led by Jim Bridges
Image courtesy of ODP Architecture
MORE PARK AT THE BAY
OBSIDIAN AND THE ZENITH
Andrew Warfield
Dana Kampa
SUNDAY, OCT. 19
DEPOSIT, NO RETURN
6:26 p.m., 2000 block of Adams Lane
Civil dispute: A woman who had just signed a lease to a downtown condo discovered shortly thereafter construction work would begin soon nearby and wanted out of the lease. The complainant advised she signed the lease and subsequently electronically transferred a $5,300 deposit. Upon learning of the impending construction — most likely a condo rehab and redevelopment across Palm Avenue, which remains months away for approval and likely more than a year before commencing — she told the owner she works from home and the construction would present a nuisance to her livelihood.
She told the officer her wouldbe landlord is unwilling to return her deposit as she wishes to seek a more serene live/work environment. She was advised the matter is civil in nature, and no further action taken.
MONDAY, OCT. 20
LEGAL SLEAZE
3:37 p.m., 1900 block of Main Street
Harassment: A female attorney who advised an officer she posts ads for her services on Craigslist complained of inappropriate text messages.
She advised she received texts on Oct. 10 and again on Oct. 15 from an unknown person, asking if she would take their case. Then on Oct. 20, she received a message from the same unknown party that detailed his carnal prowess, describing his technique in an ill-fated attempt to elicit a swoon. Then on Oct. 21, perhaps coming to the realization that the complainant is, in fact, an attorney with unfettered access to the legal process, the same person texted with an apology.
As any good attorney would do, she preserved the evidence and provided copies of the messages to the officer. No further action was taken at the time, and the messages were placed into evidence.
MONDAY, OCT. 20
FAMILY FEUD
3:45 p.m. 1800 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way Criminal mischief: Convinced her son slashed two of her tires while she was at work inside a medical office, a complainant told law enforcement she wishes to press charges. She advised there had been constant tension between she and her 21-yearold son for about two years.
A witness told the officer he observed a male approximately 6 feet tall wearing black shorts and a black hoodie approach the vehicle, unsheathe a large knife and stab both the front and rear tires on the driver’s side of the vehicle. He said he thinks he could identify the subject if he saw him.
The officer called the subject on his cell phone and described him as immediately knowing the purpose for the call because his mother had already called him, leaving screaming voicemails. He said was not in the area at the time of the tire slashing incident.
Security video was inconclusive, showing only a “skinny” male approach the vehicle, but because of the camera angle, did not capture the moment the knife was pulled or when the tires were slashed, keeping his identity concealed.
Lacking solid evidence showing the perpetrator, no further action was taken.
Mira Mar makes its first appearance before city staff
The project to restore the historic Mira Mar building funded by two new condo towers makes its initial submission before the Sarasota Development Review Committee.
ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER
Much has happened with the Mira Mar property on South Palm Avenue in the three-plus years since the Sarasota Historic Preservation Board denied its demolition by then-owner Mark Kauffman.
His plan was to sell the property to Seaward Development, which would build a two-story commercial plaza in the spirit of the Mira Mar’s architecture and 70 condominiums across two towers behind the rebuild.
His contention was the 100-year-old Mira Mar, stickbuilt in only 60 days atop a sand foundation, was on the verge of collapse, and with restoration cost of more than $20 million at the time, saving the structure wasn’t financially viable.
Rather than pursue an appeal to the City Commission, Seaward — after first backing out of the deal — went forward with the acquisition of the two buildings that comprise the Mira Mar as it devised plans to rezone the property behind it along Mira Mar Court to permit two 18-story residential towers.
Sale of those condos would generate enough revenue to cover the now $30 million estimated cost to restore the Mira Mar to its 1920s appearance and still make a reasonable profit on the project.
Mission accomplished.
Doing business for the project as Mira Mar Acquisition Company, Seaward has partnered with Miami-area firms REG Architects, a historic restoration specialist, and Nichols Architects, which is designing the new towers.
On Nov. 5, it made its first appear-
ance before the city’s Development Review Committee.
Covering 1.42 acres and some 400 linear feet along South Palm Avenue, the project secured a Comprehensive Plan amendment and rezoning during the summer, allowing it to restore the entirety of the 27,500-square-foot, twobuilding Mira Mar and monetize it with the residential towers.
Although resubmittal to the committee is required to address dozens of outstanding staff comments — which is typical at this early stage — it marks the initial foray into the administrative approval process.
Because it is located in one of the downtown zone districts, the project requires only staff approval
unless making requested adjustments that only the Planning Board can grant.
In total, the Mira Mar will include 38,000 square feet of commercial space, some of it surrounding a courtyard area between the historic building and the new towers. Seaward recently announced a starting price of $3.8 million per unit. The historic rehabilitation of the existing buildings can start next month, with the residential towers expected to be completed by the end of 2028.
Image courtesy of Nichols Architects
A rendering of the Mira Mar preservation and redevelopment project shows two new residential towers positioned behind the restored historic buildings.
Vibrant Senior Living Coming Soon to Lakewood Ranch!
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Hugo’s Sunset Cruise
BY: TIDEWELL HOSPICE
We’ve all experienced how smells, sounds, and tastes can cause memories to come flooding back, making us feel transported to another time or place. Memories lift our spirits and cause us to forget reality - even if just for a few minutes. For Hugo, a 105 year-old veteran in the care of Tidewell Hospice, he cherishes the memories of time spent boating on the open water.
Patty, a social worker on Hugo’s care team, heard him reminisce about how much he loved boating. Given our region’s proximity to the coast, Patty wondered if it would be possible to get Hugo out for one last boat trip. She spoke with Hugo’s daughter, Donna, who agreed that he would be thrilled with the opportunity.
This is where our generous community shines, because funds from the Tidewell Foundation’s “Wishes and Humanitarian Fund” made it possible for Hugo to make the trip that would allow him to enjoy a sunset cruise with Donna. Care Van Transport ensured he was safely delivered to and from the dock where the Oasis Tiki Boat waited. Having been on the water for most of his life, it was a joyous occasion for Hugo. As he relished the salty spray of the sea
and the rhythmic rock of the boat with Donna at his side, Hugo’s pain and feelings of uncertainty about the future subsided.
“We couldn’t have imagined this,” Donna said during the cruise as Hugo shook a tambourine while wearing a festive tropical lei and turquoise sunglasses. His utter delight was evident to everyone on board that afternoon.
Through its philanthropic support of Tidewell Hospice and the not-for-profit Empath Health affiliate organizations in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto Counties, the Tidewell Foundation brightens the lives of patients, their families, and those who are grieving. Compassionate care is elevated through a variety of enriching programs and services, which include coordinating special wishes. Music, art, and pet therapies are additional options for patients and families as they cope with the barrage of emotions the end-of-life journey brings.
Learn more about the Tidwell Foundation and how you can help make wishes come true when you visit our website: www. TidewellFoundation.org or call 941-552-7546.
TRIBUTES
Americo Borza 1942-2025
Americo Borza, a true “Sarasotan” born at Sarasota Memorial Hospital on May 5, 1942, passed away on September 22, 2025. A respected Sarasota attorney for almost 50 years, Americo was known for his boundless curiosity, constant learning, and extraordinary intelligence. He possessed a passion for always “doing the right thing,” exuded integrity, and lived by an unshakable moral code that guided every aspect of his life.
The third of four children born to Charlie and Thea Borza, Americo was named in honor of his parents’ pride in becoming U.S. citizens after immigrating from Europe through Ellis Island in 1940. (Had he been a girl, he would have been named “America.”)
Charlie and Thea Borza were celebrated circus performers in Europe before moving their family to the United States to work with the Polack Brothers Circus and later the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Americo often shared vivid stories of his parents’ command performances across Europe, including one in 1938 before Adolf Hitler.
After retiring from the circus, Charlie and Thea opened the Main Bar sandwich shop in 1958, which
became a legendary Sarasota eatery known for its variety of sandwiches and its walls lined with photos of circus performers. Among them is a photo of Americo and his siblings performing an acrobatic act on The Ed Sullivan Show.
A 1960 graduate of Sarasota High School, Americo enlisted in the U.S. Army and served four years in Vietnam. After his honorable discharge, he worked as a rocket scientist, earned a degree in psychology, became a stockbroker and analyst, and ultimately received his Juris Doctor degree from Florida State University.
Americo was a devoted son to Charlie and Thea and carried their values with him throughout his life. While he did not maintain close relationships with the rest of his family, he was a fiercely loyal and devoted friend, often providing personal and legal assistance whenever it was needed.
For nearly five decades, Americo was a talented lawyer, a skilled negotiator, and a fiercely principled advocate. He was known to tell opponents, “I’m not attacking you personally as a human being; I’m attacking the lack of logic in your argument.”
Those who knew Americo understood his unwavering moral compass, rooted in honesty and integrity. His keen intellect, sharp wit, and wry sense of humor will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. May his memory be eternal.
Lightweight and travel-friendly. Folds flat
SPORTS
“I got my first three Olympic trial cuts, which was really good for me. I’m excited to see what happens next.”
RAISED TO THE RAFTERS
“I hear stories all the time, to this day, ‘Man, you’re the one who got me to bounce the basketball.’”
— Marcus Liberty
1990 through 1994. Liberty became a true journeyman during the eight years that followed, competing in Greece, Turkey, Puerto Rico, Sweden, Japan, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, France and Chile.
But the whirlwind came to a stop in 2002. These days, his on-court efforts are focused on running Liberty Edge in Sarasota. He co-founded the youth basketball program alongside his wife, Christine Liberty, in 2013.
“I get the most fulfillment out of seeing kids grow. That’s one thing I wanted to do, is be a mentor,” said Marcus Liberty. “Instead of being just a basketball coach, I wanted to be a mentor — someone who could share some of their ups and downs.”
The Sarasota resident and former NBA player, now committed to mentorship, sees his jersey raised to the rafters at his alma mater.
JACK NELSON SPORTS
RREPORTER
ecalling a moment or two from high school isn’t easy for Marcus Liberty. His archive of basketball memories is more expansive than most. That library spans not years but decades.
Buckets blurred together. Teams constituted an ever-rotating carousel. Most wins and losses are just numbers now.
It’s the people who have often been unforgettable. When he stepped onto the campus of his alma mater this past weekend, he came face to face with many he hadn’t seen in quite some time.
Yet, it was even more gratifying to meet those who he’s never hit the hardwood with.
“Just seeing that me playing basketball actually touched a lot of kids,” Liberty said. “I hear stories all the time, to this day, ‘Man, you’re the one who got me to bounce the basketball.’” Liberty, now a 57-year-old Sarasota resident, had his No. 30 jersey retired Nov. 7 at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. College Preparatory High School in his hometown of Chicago. He helped the school’s boys’ basketball team to the Illinois High School Association’s 1985-86 Class AA state championship, and as a senior, spearheaded an AA runner-up finish in 1986-87.
He made it all the way to the highest level of the sport, playing four seasons in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons from
There were no big-time ballers offering him guidance at a young age. He would’ve welcomed such a resource, but had none while growing up in the Chicago projects.
So Liberty grinded it out on his own. He put himself on the map at King College Prep, polishing off a stellar senior campaign in 1986-87 as the USA Today boys’ basketball player of the year and a McDonald’s All-American.
Boasting an elite skillset to match his 6-foot-8 stature, the small forward had the profile befitting of a Division I prospect. Illinois won the recruitment battle.
But Liberty had never planned on staying in state. His eyes were fixated on the East — the Big East, to be exact.
“It’s funny, I didn’t want to go to the University of Illinois,” Liberty said. “I wanted to go to Syracuse, and the reason why is because I wanted to be on television one way or another. They had a big broadcast school.”
He never played a minute in his first year with the Fighting Illini. In 1983, the NCAA adopted Proposition 48, setting minimum GPA and SAT/ ACT score requirements studentathletes had to meet to be eligible as freshmen.
It was first enforced in 1986 and kept Liberty off the court entirely.
When he came back as a sophomore, he averaged 8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game in 1988-89.
That season, though, was about much more than himself — Illinois reached its first Final Four in 37 years. He played alongside fellow future pros in Nick Anderson, Kenny Battle, Kendall Gill and Steve Bardo.
The team even defeated Syracuse in the Elite Eight to get there.
Liberty entered his name into the 1990 NBA Draft after a junior season in which he posted 17.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game as a full-time starter. Denver snatched him up in the second round at pick No. 42 overall.
Reality about the league’s cut -
FAST BREAK
Marcus Liberty poses for a photo on Nov. 10 at Edgewater Park in Lakewood
He was featured as a forward for the King College Prep boys’ basketball team, which won the Illinois High School Association’s 1985-86 Class AA state championship.
Jack Nelson
A HALL-OF-FAME CONNECTION
Dick Vitale, legendary ESPN broadcaster and Lakewood Ranch resident, has maintained a longtime friendship with Marcus Liberty.
During the nationally televised 1987 McDonald’s AllAmerican Game, Vitale said, “Give me Liberty or give me death.” Liberty — to this day — credits Vitale for coining that phrase.
It was Vitale who dubbed the 1988-89 Illinois men’s basketball team the “Flyin’ Illini,” a moniker the players carried with them throughout their run to the Final Four. And he also encouraged Liberty to take up high school coaching at The Out-of-Door Academy.
Vitale sent a personal video to King College Prep, offering his congratulations and well wishes, and it was played at the jersey retirement festivities.
“I will tell you this — so deserving,” Vitale said. “I know that he represents everything that you want an athlete to be like. He’s made it off the court, as well as on the court.”
throat nature hit him soon thereafter.
“The NBA is strictly a business. You have to know how to separate the two. You just can’t go in there and say, ‘You know what? I’m going to have fun,’” Liberty said. “They want you to be a professional. You’ve got to show up on time, you’ve got to stay late, you’ve got to put that extra work in. You’ve got to go outside in the community and build your own brand, as well.”
He came off the bench in his first year with the Nuggets and averaged 6.7 points in 15.4 minutes per game, playing 76 contests in all. But he also felt an off-court calling many of his teammates did not.
Liberty served as community ambassador for the franchise. The forward had reached basketball’s most global league, and for the first time in his life, truly had a platform.
There was no hesitation to make the most of it.
“I remembered me as a kid,” Liberty said. “I would’ve loved to have an NBA guy be in my community, and be able to touch and talk to him and see what it was like to get to that high level.”
He maintains that mentality today, more than 20 years removed from his own playing days. It was precisely why both he and his wife have sought to uplift and inspire athletes of the next generation through Liberty Edge.
There was a time when Liberty thought high school coaching was his avenue. From 2014-15 to 2017-18, he was The Out-of-Door Academy boys’ basketball coach, as well as the girls’ basketball coach in 2020-21.
Mentorship, though, is where his heart truly lies. He smiles extra wide when kids bring stories about how they aspire to dribble, shoot and jump like he once did.
To all those hopeful hoopers, he relays the same message.
“Don’t count on just basketball alone,” Liberty said. “Understand that ball will stop bouncing at some point in your life. You have to have a Plan B.”
ABOUT LIBERTY EDGE
The program offers travel teams, camps, clinics and personalized training for young players in the Sarasota area.
Holiday basketball camps for boys and girls in grades 3-8 will be held Nov. 24 to Dec. 31.
Additionally, a court IQ lab for boys and girls in grades 4-9 is currently held every Sunday from 9:30-11:30 am at the John Marble Recreation Center through Dec. 28. For information and registration, go to LibertyEdgeBasketball.com.
Riverview girls’ swimming and diving took home gold in 10 of 12 events at the FHSAA Class 4A-Region 3 championship on Nov. 7 at Selby Aquatic Center. The team collected 21 medals in all and featured six different swimmers with multiple first-place finishes. Freshman Sydney Hardy won the 200-yard individual medley (2:00.12), 100-yard breaststroke (1:03.86), 200yard medley relay (24.79) and 400-yard freestyle relay (50.88). Right behind her were freshman Alexandra Pearson and junior Angelina Lista, with three golds apiece. Pearson notched a personal-best in the 50-yard freestyle (22.79), as well as winning the 200-yard medley relay (23.21) and 200yard freestyle relay (23.19). Lista, meanwhile, topped the field in the 100-yard butterfly (54.07), 400-yard freestyle relay (51.19) and 200-yard freestyle relay (24.09). ... On the boys’ side of the regional meet, it was Sarasota who owned the day. The Sailors won eight of 12 events as six of their own swimmers took multiple first-place finishes. Senior Bogdan Zverev and junior Andrew Malaj led the pack — each of the two raked in four gold medals. Zverev emerged triumphant in the 200-yard individual medley (1:48.39), 100yard butterfly (48.84), 200yard medley relay (22.32) and 200-yard freestyle relay (21.19). Malaj was right alongside him at the top of the podium with wins in the 200-yard freestyle (1:39.22), 400-yard freestyle relay (45.98), 100-yard freestyle (46.11) and 200-yard freestyle relay (21.35). ... The postseason has arrived for local high school football teams. Cardinal Mooney (9-1) earned the No. 1 seed in Class 2A Region 3 and will host North Broward Prep (5-5) at 7 p.m. on Nov. 14. Booker (9-1), meanwhile, will welcome Mulberry (4-6) to town as the No. 1 seed in Class 3A Region 3 — a matchup set for 7 p.m. on Nov. 13. Rounding out the bunch is Riverview (8-1-1), which was awarded the No. 2 seed in Class 7A Region 2 and will host Winter Haven (6-4) at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 14.
— Bogdan Zverev, Sarasota swimming
Jack Nelson Selby Aquatic Center played host to the FHSAA Class 4A-Region 3 swimming and diving championship on Nov. 7, where both the Riverview girls and Sarasota boys were successful.
Courtesy image
Back in his high school days, Marcus Liberty was one of the nation’s more highly touted recruits as a senior, but was ultimately persuaded by Illinois then-assistant Jimmy Collins to join the Fighting Illini.
Ranch.
Murky waters
Aloud hum fills the air as high-powered engines rev up. Boats fly at blistering speeds, gliding and bouncing on the water below. Cheers echo across a sunny and sandy shoreline.
Those were the sights and sounds at Lido Beach every July or September. Dating back to 1986, it was a simultaneous dance with danger for competitors and high-octane spectacle for onlookers.
Rather suddenly, though, all of that energy dissipated.
The Powerboat Grand Prix, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in Sarasota Bay back in 2024, was canceled for 2025. P1 Offshore announced in January that it took the race off this season’s calendar, interrupting a long and illustrious history with the area.
Budget concerns and The Bay’s master plan were the biggest factors in their decision, according to the race organizer’s press release. They claimed the quality of the event would be lesser because of ongoing construction at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall parking lot and Centennial Park.
Uncertainty still lingers — 10 months later — about whether the race will return for 2026.
“In conversations with (P1 Offshore) in the last couple months, it’s still up in the air,” said Pete Harvey, director of sports for Visit Sarasota
County. “They’re talking to the city about where they are in that construction and the possibility of dates.”
Faithful competitors and spectators alike affectionately call the longtime event “The Indy 500 of Powerboat Racing.” Upon its 40th anniversary, it ranked as the second longest-running powerboat race in the country.
Sarasota County turned the Grand Prix into more than just a motorsport event, attracting a mix of locals and tourists with a weekend festival. Crowds regularly packed the beach, with some people even showing up early to secure the best viewing spot possible.
A unique combination of history and popularity in recent years made the event a high-priority on Visit Sarasota County’s yearly calendar.
“From a drive market, it probably brings in thousands of people who just enjoy this type of athletic event — and the history of it, and tradition of being here in Sarasota,” Harvey said. “Being on the beach and watching the chase helicopters and the speed of these amazing boats ... It’s got a huge draw.”
But the outlook for the race’s return appears bleak.
Things are not trending in a positive direction. Traditionally held on the Fourth of July weekend, the race was moved to Sept. 13-15 for 2024.
December 6 2025
The P1 Offshore event celebrated its 40th anniversary here in 2024, but was canceled earlier this year.
That preceded its disappearance entirely.
For the 2025 season, P1 Offshore organized its schedule into a “Triple Crown.” Races held in New Orleans on June 20-22, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, on Aug. 8-10 and St. Petersburg on Sept. 5-7.
Clearly, the organization maintains a strong interest in holding races along the Gulf Coast. But it failed to find an alternative site in Sarasota County.
“They hadn’t talked about taking the one from Sarasota to anywhere else — that I know of,” Harvey said. “They’ve never mentioned that to me.”
Financial motivations likely played a larger role than P1 Offshore let on. Powerboat racing may be popular in Florida, but has a limited national reach, and finding sponsorships is a struggle.
The sport peaked in popularity during the 1990s with an abundance of attention from the ultrawealthy. It began to sink, though, with rising costs and safety concerns as auto racing steadily dominated the world of motorsports.
On that front, internal changes happening within P1 Offshore should raise some eyebrows. The race organizer was acquired by the International Hot Rod Association on Oct. 17. In a press release, IHRA claimed the acquisition will ensure a “unified and expanded 2026 racing season.”
Such a move is likely because of P1’s struggles to stay afloat financially on its own. After all, budget concerns were one of the reasons it cited for pulling out of Sarasota.
And it’s not like the county has failed to support the organization. In 2023, the Grand Prix off Lido Beach generated an estimated $5 million in economic impact.
“The number of people that participate ... they’re coming into town, they’re staying in our hotels,” Harvey said. “The fans that come in — whether it’s a drive market or from further away — they’re staying in our hotels, they’re utilizing our restaurants, they’re visiting the attractions in the off times of the race. I think it’s a great event here in Sarasota.”
There’s also a considerable possibility that construction in The
Bay will be unfinished by July or September 2026.
Of course, that won’t affect boats in the water or the grand prix itself. What it will affect is the accessibility for spectators and the amount of space for an on-land weekend festival.
P1 Offshore may very well need to find a new site in the county to bring a race back to Sarasota. Now that it has financial backing from IHRA and remains partners with Visit Sarasota County, though, there’s reason to believe it can successfully pivot.
Every effort to bring back offshore powerboat racing needs to be made. Forty years of history and a faithful fan base can’t be left stranded at sea.
Jack Nelson is the sports reporter for the East County and Sarasota/Siesta Key Observers. Contact him at JNelson@ YourObserver.com.
File image
The T/S Motorsports/Marine Technology boat piloted by Taylor Scism, of Missouri, and Johnny Tomlinson, of North Miami, Florida passes crowds of spectators on the beach.
Lido Beach is usually packed with locals and tourists alike for the Sarasota P1 Grand Prix, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the action.
Bogdan Zverev
The Sailors have set a course for the FHSAA Class 4A boys’ swimming and diving state championship. Seeking its fifth title in six years, Sarasota will compete for the crown Nov. 14 at Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training in Ocala.
Bogdan Zverev helped ensure the team’s return to the statewide stage. The Alabama commit won four events at the Class 4A-Region 3 meet, including individual golds in the 200-yard individual medley (1:48.39) and 100-yard butterfly (48.84). Alongside his teammates, he also earned first place in the 200yard freestyle relay (21.19) and 200yard medley relay (22.32). Zverev is the Sarasota Athlete of the Week.
When and why did you start swimming?
I started swimming when I was 8 (years old) in Oregon, because my parents just wanted me to do a sport, and they decided that swimming was the best option.
What do you enjoy about this sport on any given day?
It’s very nice that I don’t sweat. I don’t feel like I’m sweating when I’m swimming, which is a really big bonus. And I just feel like I’m free in the water. I just move freely through it, and it’s fun to do.
How are you focusing in practice to prepare for top competition at states?
I’m working on (butterfly) right now, because my best event is the (200yard butterfly) and some (individual medley). So we’re working on underwaters butterfly. I needed to improve my freestyle a little more, so we’re working on my stroke count for that. I tend to swim really smooth and spread out, so we’re trying to work on that, too.
When you’re not swimming, how do you like to spend your free time?
I usually bake. I post some of my stuff on Instagram. And I sew, I knit (and) I crochet. I made a sweater before, but I haven’t really done a big
If you would like to make a recommendation for the Sarasota Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Jack Nelson at JNelson@ YourObserver.com.
project
If you
I’ve met (four-time
ist) Summer McIntosh. I’ve swam with her before.
If you could go anywhere right now for a dream vacation, where would you go and why?
I’d want to go to France, because I love the French cuisine. I’d just want to visit France sometime and experience some European country again.
If you were stuck on a desert island with only one item to survive with, what would you bring and why?
I’d bring a box of matches to start a fire.
What’s your favorite meal?
There’s so many good things to choose from. It really depends on the day, but I really like sushi and pizza. Those are so customizable — you can have something different every day and not get tired of it.
What’s your favorite music? I love Lady Gaga. I listen to her every day before I swim at practice (and) before my swim meets. She just gets me going every time. I went to her concert in August, and it was the best experience I’ve ever had. It was wonderful.
Finish this sentence. Bogdan Zverev is ... Vibrant.
The view leaves you shaken, not stirred
IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER
oug Staley stood reading the Sarasota Observer amid the Schilthorn, a mountain in Mürren, Switzerland, featured prominently in one of James Bond’s daring missions, in the film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1969).
However, as he and his wife, Sabrina Staley, set out on their vacation, they didn’t approach the Observer’s It’s Read Everywhere photo contest with the mindset of Agent 007.
Although they were aware of the contest, they wanted the picture to happen authentically, Doug Staley said.
They created the photo that readers voted, out of a total of 78 submissions and 785 votes, as the winning image.
It began at the airport, where Doug Staley picked up a copy of the Observer and placed it in his bag, prepared to read about the local happenings back home once their “trip of a lifetime” was underway.
The two-week trip, which included an itinerary in Switzerland and Italy, followed stops during his service in the United States Army more than 30 years ago.
He and Sabrina were first married while stationed in Neu-Ulm, Germany, where she taught the base’s American children of those families for the Department of Defense.
However, the couple had always wanted to return to Europe to visit other areas they hadn’t had the opportunity to see yet.
“I think everybody should travel and have that opportunity, and we definitely wanted to get back, so this was an opportunity for us to kind of get back and do some more traveling, and explore areas that we hadn’t done before,” he said.
It was while they were in Mürren, a mountain village in the Swiss Alps that was their second stop in Switzerland, that the photo happened.
The couple reached the hotel first by train and then by cable car. (The village of Mürren is car-free.) After enjoying breakfast, they headed onto a balcony area at the hotel.
“I pulled it out and said, ‘Let me take a look at what’s in the Observer,’” he said.
Staley enjoyed taking in the view, while looking over the information from back home.
As he did so, Sabrina Staley began taking photos, and asked him to move a little so she could better capture the mountain backdrop, which includes (out of view of the camera) the Piz Gloria restaurant that was a filming location for the movie.
If the scene doesn’t recall the James Bond film, you might compare it to the sights of the Alps in “The Sound of Music,” another film Staley mentions, which is set on the other side of the Alps in Austria.
“It’s like you’re looking at the masterpiece of God that he created; it was absolutely breathtaking,” he said. “It’s just so beautiful, so picturesque. The colors were so vibrant, the flowers, even the snow on the mountains that was there, everything, it just seemed so much more vibrant.”
However, the story doesn’t end with the Staleys enjoying the trip of a lifetime, along with becoming the winners of the It’s Read Everywhere contest.
In addition to receiving a $500 prize, the winner chooses a charitable organization to auction off a private flight by Orion Sky Charters, with room for up to four friends, to either Key West or Miami.
As executive director of the Child Protection Center in Sarasota, Staley plans to auction off the prize at the organization’s fundraiser gala, Blue Ties and Butterflies.
The event on April 10, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, will raise funds to help the organization’s mission of prevention, intervention and treatment for child abuse.
“It’s exciting because, what an incredible giveback opportunity from the Observer, and then for the nonprofit, so I’m excited about the opportunity for our nonprofit to raise significant dollars through the generosity of the Observer, to help our cause,” he said.
He said staff has already been in touch with Orion Sky Charters about putting the experience together.
“Somebody gets an incredible experience with the private flight, and then it helps our bottom line and
TO
This year’s winner of It’s Read Everywhere contest enjoyed the ‘trip of a lifetime’ and showed that the Observer is as well-traveled as Agent 007.
ENTER Snap a photo of you on vacation holding your Observer, then submit your photo online at YourObserver.com/ ItsReadEverywhere. Stay tuned for this year’s prize, and happy travels!
our mission, as well,” he said. He said with all of the places the Observer has traveled, he’s grateful that people chose the couple’s photo.
“There were incredible photos ... ” he said. “Just going through and looking how far the Observer traveled is just mind-boggling ... Obviously, a lot of people agreed with the backdrop, voting for the photo, so we’re very appreciative.”
Sophia and Melanie Tabb enjoy the great view of the Napali coast with their East County Observers at Kalalau Lookout in Kauai, Hawaii.
WINNER
SWISS BLISS: Douglas Staley reads the Sarasota Observer in Mürren, a beautiful Swiss mountain village, at the site of where the 1969 James Bond movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” was filmed.
ALOHA:
BONJOUR: Medge and Michael E. Jaspan with the Longboat Observer at the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Salute to service
James Williams, a Korean War veteran, wasn’t accustomed to being involved in events such as Sarasota’s Veterans Day Parade and ceremony.
However, Williams, who turns 93 next month, said his many nieces and nephews led him to become part of that morning’s events.
“It means a lot to me to be recognized,” he said. “It never happened to me before.”
Hosted by the city of Sarasota and the Sarasota Patriotic Observance Committee, the parade brought together various local organizations and clubs, government departments and schools.
A ceremony at J.D. Hamel Park, where the keynote speaker was Mike Bennett, a former Florida legislator and Manatee County elections supervisor and current Sarasota City Commission candidate, followed.
He spoke about the need for continued appreciation of Veterans Day and what it represents.
“So many people don’t understand that Veterans Day is more than just a day off work, it’s more than a day off school; it’s a day to remember all of the people that gave so much, and oftentimes, everything, in protection of our country,” he said.
— IAN SWABY
Photos by Ian Swaby
Rafaello Fainelli, 8, watches the parade.
Taylin Saunders, 6, Danny Bilyeu, Caycen Ward, 6, and Carson Ward, 7, stand beside one another as Bilyeu closes out the ceremony.
Megan Ronan sings “The Star Spangled Banner” during the ceremony, standing beside Mike Bennett and Darrell Butler. Miniature cars from Sahib Shriners make their way along the route. From front: Frank Metheny, Billy Payne, David Walters and Mark Nelson.
Cheerleaders from Booker High School march in the parade.
Students from the Riverview High School Kiltie Band march along the parade route.
Explorer, underwater filmmaker and former U.S. Army combat medic Scott Cassell enjoys the parade from a submarine.
A team from the community of Heritage Oaks volunteered at the event and included Sandi Merrill, Pauline St. Martin, Gary Chapin, Sheri Abramson, Alice Chapin, Ruth Scribner, Steve Ronis, Linda Trageser and Sharon Boss.
Hope amid hunger
Bowls of Hope event helps fight hunger in the community.
The federal government shutdown that began on Oct. 1 posed challenges for the community with the lapse of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in the state of Florida at the beginning of November.
That was one area in which an annual Sarasota event — the Bowls of Hope event by All Faiths Food Bank — continued to help meet the needs of a community with already high rates of food insecurity.
Held Nov. 9 at Ed Smith Stadium, the event brought the community together to enjoy bowls of soup and other foods from nearly 50 local restaurants, with the option to purchase handmade bowls amid live crafting demonstrations by Sarasota Woodturners and Sarasota Clay Co.
As the event was underway, All Faiths Food Bank CEO Nelle Miller said guests were still showing up to buy tickets. The event usually hosts 1,200 to 1,500 people.
She also said the food bank had been receiving unpredictable levels of customers, with many people showing up at distributions without having pre-registered.
“There’s a lot of, I would call it
almost panic, among the community that’s food insecure because they really are stuck at this point,” Miller said.
She said those recipients receive a box of food to meet their needs for the next couple of days, as well as a list of places for their other needs.
Miller said when the shutdown ends, a lag will still be present, including for local retailers who have lost some of their customers.
“We’re walking around and just talking about it, and it’s great to be able to talk about it, and so people anticipate this event every year. It’s very well attended, but they’re more determined now to be generous and to learn about what’s happening and how they can help,” she said.
She highlighted the contributions of the restaurants, which all donate their food, as well as the Baltimore Orioles for the use of Ed Smith Stadium each year.
Jude
and
Nick
IAN SWABY STAFF WRITER
Sarasota’s Danielle Sammelman, her son,
Sammelman, 12,
husband,
Sammelman, offered a taste of Focaccia Sandwich and Bakery.
Photos by Ian Swaby
A toast to 250 years
Elliott Metcalfe, a former public defender in Sarasota, started the annual Marine Corps Birthday Luncheon at Marina Jack in 2003, with a few phone calls.
At that point, said Tom Smith, who has been involved with the celebration from the beginning, there were about 14 people in attendance.
However, the event has grown and expanded each year to the point of hosting 100 to 200 people.
This year, for the celebration of the 250th birthday on Nov. 10, Metcalfe returned as the guest of honor, with his wife, Becky, receiving the opportunity to cut the birthday cake.
Smith said the celebration shows the bond that Marines share.
“A lot of these people have nothing in common other than they serve in the Marine Corps,” he said.
He said over the years, Marina Jack has provided a comfortable space for the event, with many of the same staff present from year to year. He said the restaurant has kept the cost relatively low to participants, in a “patriotic gesture” the group appreciated.
“It’s word of mouth, it’s loosely organized and it’s just a whole bunch of Marines getting together, because that’s what we do on the birthday,” he said.
— IAN SWABY
Stewart Regnier and Monica Regnier
Tom Smith addresses the group.
David Beliles, 95, the oldest member in attendance, with Susan Weick. Sarasota Military Academy students Vivienne Sarabia, a senior, Joey Miguel, a junior, and Zach Jewell, a senior, serve in the color guard.
Photos by Ian Swaby
Front: Vickie Miller-Yanics, Elliott Metcalfe and Becky Metcalfe. Back: Tom Smith, Tom McElheny and Ben Knisely
The Art of Waterfront Living at Wild Blue
Lakewood Ranch’s premier waterfront community offers exceptional resort-style living with stunning single-family homes by the region’s most sought-after builders. In response to phenomenal demand, Wild Blue at Waterside has released new premium homesites.
The spectacular 30,000-square-foot clubhouse, opening Fall 2026, will feature resort pools, dining, putting course, golf simulator, cinema, and fitness center. Residents are already enjoying Midway Sports Park, now open with tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts.
Secure your place in Sarasota’s most distinctive waterfront address.
McIntosh hosts fall festival
The fall festival at McIntosh Middle School, started three years ago, is “really like a tradition now,” according to Principal McHenry Lerebours.
As visitors arrived at the school on Nov. 7, they could find everything from crochet animals made by a student to real animals from the school’s agricultural program — and fun and games related to fall, including the Turkey Trot that preceded the event.
Lerebours said he believes that unless the community is involved in the school’s activities, it won’t be able to create the achievement that it wants to see from the kids who attend.
However, he said the school has noticed that since starting the festival, schoolsponsored events encourage families to attend.
“Our reputation is about building our kids, building our families, and involving our parents in their child’s education,” he said. — IAN SWABY
Rubi Barajas holds a Turkey Trot medal alongside daughter Sophia Sanchez, 11.
Principal McHenry Lerebours poses with science teacher Schelly Shaughnessy.
Ryan Rubner, 8, pets Asher.
Photos by Ian Swaby
Halima Anderson, of Capacity Faith Relief, helps Matthew Servetz, 7, atop an exercise ball.
Sasha Kenyon, of Big Cat Habitat, showcases a boa constrictor, Zero.
Alyssa Rico and her twin, Andrea Rico, 11, stand beside crochet items that Andrea made.
PET PICS
Have
Education takes the stage
Visually, Sarasota boasts quite the arts scene, but not all of its talent is visible to the community.
Yet, on Nov. 9, students comprised many of the performers taking to the stage at the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium.
“You Raise Me Up,” the finale of the 2025 Living Arts Festival held by Sarasota Rising, highlighted arts education in Sarasota, as well as Manatee School for the Arts, and also celebrated local organizations and individuals through awards.
Serving as judges for the performances were Mary Burke Kramer, whose has
held roles including Liesl von Trapp in “The Sound of Music” early in its Broadway run; Thea Lobo, a Grammy-nominated mezzo-soprano; and Syesha Mercado, a vocalist who appeared on American Idol Season 7 and advocates for music as a healing tool.
“All we’re here for is to be thankful and grateful and show some respect for the organizations, and then let them know that we’re here for them as well,” said Jeffery Kin, executive director and CEO of Sarasota Rising.
—IAN SWABY
Landry Murphy, 8, and Katie Guirguis, 9, perform in “Story Book Land” Tree Fort Productions
AWARD
WINNERS
■ “You Raise Me Up” Performance Award (Best of event)
Sarasota Cuban Ballet
School
■ Creativity at Its Finest Award Sarasota Cuban Ballet School, for “Dracula”
■ Small But Mighty Award
Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota
■ Excellence in Artistry and Education Award
Sarasota Youth Opera
■ The Hamblin Teacher Tribute Award
Thayer Greenberg of the Sarasota Players (runnerup) and Jacob Russo of Rise Above Performing Arts (first place)
■ Best of the Fest-2025 Living Arts Festival Award
Villanova Chorale for “Future Present Past,” and Strings Con Brio for 10-year anniversary celebration
Students and instructor
Elisha Byerly perform “Pennies from Heaven” with Sarasota Contemporary Dance.
Photos by Ian Swaby
Bryan Guerrero and Evelyn Lyman perform in Ravel’s “Bolero” with Sarasota Cuban Ballet School.
Freshman Jaxon Miklavic, instructor William Coleman and senior Colten Zwizinski perform “Rhythm of Life” with Manatee School for the Arts.
A Century Old Story
A story that began over 100 years ago and is still being written today. Once a beloved landmark, now an enduring icon reborn. Mira Mar is the future of luxury living in Sarasota, grounded in the grandeur of its past, and offering an unparalleled residential experience in the heart of downtown.
One of Sarasota’s few remaining flagships of the great Florida Land Boom of the 1920’s, it is with great pride that we restore the Mira Mar to its rightful place as a gleaming icon of Sarasota.
Rising elegantly above South Palm Avenue, the revived and resplendent Mira Mar presents a limited collection of 70 estate-style residences across two 18-story towers. Each home is designed to the highest standards, with sweeping views, refined interiors, and private access to best-in-class amenities.
Mira Mar is more than a residence — it’s a return to grace.
A home in Sara Sands tops
ADAM
HUGHES RESEARCH EDITOR
OPIE & JAX LLC sold the home at 5169 Sandy Shore Ave. to Richard Land Rones and Cynthia Nothan Rones, of Sarasota, for $2,875,000. Built in 2015, it has three bedrooms, three-anda-half baths, a pool and 2,885 square feet of living area. It sold for $1,875,000 in 2018.
SARASOTA
KENILWORTH ESTATES
Christine Cecchetti Mumma, trustee, of Raleigh, North Carolina, sold the home at 1719 Kenilworth St. to Brandon Surline and Camille Bell Surline, of Sarasota, for $1.6 million. Built in 2013, it has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,432 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.2 million in 2021.
ALFRED PARK
Donna and Collin Davis and Kathleen Bavely, of Sarasota, sold their home at 2524 Arlington St. to Moskovitz Real Estate & Equipment Co. LLC for $1,495,000. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, two-and-ahalf baths and 2,240 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.36 million in 2023.
CURRIN’S LAKEVIEW
Frank Rivers Jr., of Easley, South Carolina, sold the home at 1735 Shoreland Drive to Sarah Lopez and Michael Dante, of Sarasota, for $970,000. Built in 1970, it has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,165 square feet of living area.
FLOYD AND CAMERON
Malorie Lipman and Armando Elliott sold two properties at 1871 Prospect St. to Gary Kliesch and Stacey Kliesch, trustees, of Sarasota, for $900,000. The first property was built in 1924 and has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,420 square feet of living area. The second property was built in 1947 and has one bedroom, one bath and 270 square feet of living area. They sold for $541,000 in 2021.
RENAISSANCE
Bonnie Strickland, of St. Petersburg, sold her Unit 1203 condominium at 750 N. Tamiami Trail to Ehab Eskarous, of Somerset, New Jersey, for $662,000. Built in 2001, it has two bedrooms, one bath and 970 square feet of living area. It sold for $815,000 in 2023.
PHILLIPPI GARDENS
James and Cheryl Winterhalter, of Cincinnati, sold their home at 5524 Antilles Drive to Robert Balsbaugh, of Myerstown, Pennsylvania, for $592,500. Built in 1972, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,519 square feet of living area. It sold for $139,000 in 2000.
CRECELIUS
Lundi Perry and Jan Alan Cohen, of
Virginia Beach, Virginia, sold their home at 2225 Alice Road to Circus Tent Ventures LLC for $530,000. Built in 1956, it has three bedrooms, one bath and 1,568 square feet of living area. It sold for $480,000 in 2022.
SOUTH GATE
Diane Barber, Michele Phillips, Nancy Chupp and Kevin McCarthy, of Sarasota, sold their home at 2551 Hibiscus St. to Marianne Carson Gotch and Kaylee Olivia Oden, of Sarasota, for $527,000. Built in 1957, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,832 square feet of living area. It sold for $63,500 in 1978.
BAY HAVEN
976 Tennessee LLC sold the home at 974 Tennessee Lane to J Trujillo Enterprises Inc. for $520,000. Built in 1961, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,200 square feet of living area. It sold for $378,000 in 2023.
PINE SHORES ESTATES
ADJ Rentals LLC sold the home at 1731 Redwood St. to Redwald LLC for $520,000. Built in 1954, it has three bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 1,234 square feet of living area. It sold for $449,000 in 2018.
SIESTA KEY
ISLAND REEF
Richard and Diane Wulterkens, trustees, sold the Unit H-506 condominium at 8779 Midnight Pass Road to Guillermo Wenceslao Morales and Miyuki Ystokazu Morales, of Peoria, Arizona, for $915,000. Built in 1980, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,768 square feet of living area.
WHISPERING SANDS
Mark Rosato, trustee, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 105 condominium at 199 Whispering Sands Drive to Barry and Kathleen Marie Catterton, of Sarasota, for $625,000. Built in 1970, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,271 square feet of living area. It sold for $520,000 in 2023.
MIDNIGHT COVE II
Robert Kaemerer, trustee, of Tinley Park, Illinois, sold the Unit 114 condominium at 1900 Cove II Place to Lynette Yepsen, trustee, of Galva,
Illinois, for $540,000. Built in 1979, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 860 square feet of living area. It sold for $175,000 in 1998.
PALMER RANCH
TURTLE ROCK
Scott and Monika Buermann, trustees, of Osprey, sold the home at 5156 Little Brook Court to Bruce and Dolores Day, of Sarasota, for $1.05 million. Built in 1997, it has five bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 3,028 square feet of living area. It sold for $575,000 in 2018.
ONLINE
See more transactions at YourObserver.com.
Other top sales by area
SARASOTA: $1.8 MILLION
Sarasota Bay Club
Sarasota Bay Club LLC sold the Unit 920 condominium at 1299 Tamiami Trail to John and Priscilla Schlegel, of Sarasota, for $1.8 million. Built in 2003, it has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,849 square feet of living area. It sold for $727,500 in 2004.
PALMER RANCH: $1.2 MILLION
Arbor Lakes on Palmer Ranch
Risa and Corey Segal, of Sarasota, sold their home at 6306 Anise Drive to Anthony and Kristin Baldea, of Wester Springs, Illinois, for $1.2 million. Built in 2014, it has six bedrooms, four-anda-half baths, a pool and 4,242 square feet of living area. It sold for $528,200 in 2014.
OSPREY: $2,315,000
Oaks Bank of America sold the home at 112 Osprey Point Drive to Kirk Scuderi, of Osprey, for $2,315,000. Built in 1989, it has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 8,621 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.35 million in 1992.
NOKOMIS: $1.5 MILLION
Bayshore Road
Danielle Rae Covelli and Mark David Covelli Jr., of Nokomis, sold their home at 2322 Bayshore Road to Ricky Joseph Stechschulte and Susan Risser, of Ottawa, Ohio, for $1.5 million. Built in 2010, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 3,948 square feet of living area. It sold for $1 million in 2021.
YOUR CALENDAR
Explore our special container displays and in-store deals featuring unique furniture finds, limited-edition pieces, and exclusive floor models — all available first come, first served.
Event Dates: November 13th-16th
Location: Copenhagen Imports - 7211 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Dr. Madeleine Berg at the Cattleridge I office a wealth of knowledge and experience in Audiology.
TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL
SATURDAY, NOV. 15
FAIR
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Arlington Park and Aquatic Complex, 2650 Waldemere St. Free. Open to all ages. Children younger than 13 must be supervised by an adult. Kids are invited to help paint the new mural at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex. Local artist Alissa Silvers guides the project and brings the design, Rhapsody in Bloom, which is inspired by Sarasota’s coast and intended to turn the lifeguard headquarters into a colorful landmark. (Acrylic paint may stain clothes.) Afterward, enjoy painting, inflatables, games and wellness activities for children and families. Registration required. Visit SarasotaFL.gov.
SATURDAY, NOV. 15
TO SUNDAY, NOV. 16
SARASOTA FALL FINE ART FESTIVAL
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at J.D. Hamel Park, 199 Bayfront Drive. Free to attend. Stroll through this park across the street from Sarasota’s Bayfront while browsing the work of artists from local to national. The wide range of mediums includes painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, glass, ceramics, fiber and wearable art, mixed-media art, woodworking and others. Visit SarasotaFL.gov.
SUNDAY, NOV. 16
SUNDAYS AT THE BAY
FEATURING LONNIE BRITTON
4:30-5:30 p.m. at The Oval, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Free. This concert series features a different local performer each week. Lonnie Britton, a self-taught musician from North Carolina, performs outlaw country blues and southern rock music that covers “addiction, triumphs, and everything in between.” Registration required. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.
MONDAY, NOV. 17
YOUTH LAB: GRATITUDE JARS
3-4:30 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St. Free. Recommended for ages 5-9. Decorate a jar to fill with things for which you are grateful. Registration required. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket.com.
BEST BET
FRIDAY, NOV. 14 TO MONDAY, NOV. 17
SIESTA KEY CRYSTAL CLASSIC INTERNATIONAL SAND SCULPTING FESTIVAL
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road. General admission is $20 adults; $18 senior or military; $12 children 5-17. Receive $1 off at checkout through Nov. 17 online only. Professional sand sculptors from around the world face off while creating frequently larger-than-life sculptures in this popular annual event. The experience also includes an amateur competition, quick sculpting competitions with the featured artists, live music and demos and lessons. Visit SiestaKeyCrystalClassic.com.
TUESDAY, NOV. 19
DANCE AT THE BAY: DANCING WITH DONALD
6:30-7:30 p.m. at The Nest, 1055 Boulevard of the Arts. Free. Donald Frison, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe’s resident choreographer, leads this evening of line dance. Each month, he will teach a different style, such as the Cha-Cha Slide or the Cupid Shuffle. No partner or experience needed. Registration required. Visit TheBaySarasota.org.
TIME SIFTERS LECTURE SERIES: ROMAN GLADIATORS
5:45-7:15 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First St. Enjoy an archeology lecture, “Roman Gladiators: The Original Ultimate Fighters,” presented by the Time Sifters Archaeology Society: presented by Dr. Denise Cali. Visit SCGovLibrary.LibraryMarket.com.
Karlis Ile of Latvia works on
sculpture.
NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH
BREAKABLES by Pam Klawitter, edited by Jared Goudsmit
