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SIESTA KEY

Observer Formerly the Pelican Press

Crawford says goodbye to Pines. PAGE 18

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE

VOLUME 48, NO. 7

YOUR TOWN

THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2017

Heart of the city

Courtesy photos

Julie and Phil Delaney

Over the hill? Phil Delaney was all cheers Aug. 17 as he celebrated his 40 years at Northern Trust Co. The vice chairman was feted at a company party two days after his actual Aug. 15 anniversary.

File photo

Judgment call Sarasota’s own David Wyant is headed to the 2017 World Rowing Championships — well, sort of. Wyant, now a business law attorney with Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, has no shortage of rowing experience. He was a coxswain in high school and coaches for Sarasota Crew. But he’ll be lending his voice outside the boats come Sept. 31 as an announcer for the 2017 World Rowing Championships. “Announcing these races is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and will be one of the highlights of my life,” he said in a release.

TURTLE TRACKS AS OF AUG. 20 TOTAL NESTS: 2017 2016 Lido Beach 180 170 Siesta Key 634 450 Casey Key 1,864 2,045 TOTAL FALSE CRAWLS: 2017 2016 Lido Beach 210 178 Siesta Key 646 1,323 Casey Key 3,124 3,241 Source: Mote Marine Laboratory

Paul Thorpe’s love for downtown left a lasting mark. DAVID CONWAY DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

P

aul Thorpe, the man who earned the nickname “Mr. Downtown” for his dedication to civic service and his foundational role in several Sarasota institutions, died Aug. 24 at 91. For nearly five decades, Thorpe was a central figure in the evolution of downtown Sarasota. Earlier this year, the city renamed a park at Lemon Avenue and Pineapple Avenue in his honor and erected a plaque to reflect his outsized legacy within the community.

SEE PAGE 3

A+E McCurdy’s teaches stand-up basics. INSIDE

A plan to pay Legacy Trail expansion rests with voters in 2018. PAGE 6 Eric Garwood

Dog-lovers have their day City leaders OK canine-friendly additions for Gillespie Park and Whitaker Gateway Park. More could be on the way. PAGE 9


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