Longboat Lookback

Nov. 25, 1982
Monday, Nov. 22, was happy day for members of the All Angels by the Sea Mission and Temple Beth Israel. The first group to gather in the office of Arvida Vice President Bob Wilhelm were members of the Episcopal Mission, led by the Rev. Tom Aycock. It was time for the closing on the property chosen for All Angels church buildings. The land, situated between the south end fire station and the temple site, was purchased from Arvida for a cost of $150,000. On Monday, the church members presented the firm with a check for about $125,000. The lot is two acres in size. Then, a short time later, members of Temple Beth Israel met with Wilhelm to close on their property. The two-and-a-half acre site was purchased for $150,000, the same as that of the first church. The temple is to be located next to the mission and at the end of Bay Isles.

Nov. 27, 1986
Swedish developer Peder Wallenberg, left, toasts Town Manager Al Cox and Loy Sedlak, of Sedlak-Snyder Construction Co., celebrating the grand opening of The Centre Shops, 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Wallenberg hosted a party Nov. 20 at the new complex.

Nov. 28, 1991
A garbage rate increase was approved Nov. 21 at a special meeting of the Longboat Key Commission.
The current residential rate of $8.13 will be raised to $8.70, a 7% increase as a result of higher landfill tipping fees.

Nov. 26, 1998
When the clock struck 8 a.m. Monday Nov. 23, it was a historic moment for Longboat Key.
After nearly seven years of debating, pondering and litigation, the town’s public tennis facility, nestled amongst the shady, century old oak trees at Civic Grove, opened for business.

“It’s a worthwhile struggle,” said Dick Schlorf, who was part of the tennis saga that lasted most of the 1990s.