This week in history 4.9.15

April 6, 1978

Two teenage boys on Siesta Key rescued three boaters after their boat caught on fire. 

Scott Gifford, 14, and Mark McCleod, 13, were on their way home from an afternoon of fishing. In Little Roberts Bay, the two boys passed a 13-foot Boston whaler, which started to make unusual popping sounds. When the boys turned around, they saw three people jump off the boat as it burst into flames. 

The boys turned their small boat around and picked up the three overboard boaters. The Sheriff’s Marine Patrol appeared shortly to pick up the unharmed victims. 

The boat belonged to Charles C. Roberts, and the fire was caused by the carburetor backfiring and igniting the gas line. It was the first time Roberts had taken the boat out.

April 5, 1990

The Pelican Press published a special section called “Shore Lore,” filled with images of Siesta’s many waterways and articles about different issues and histories of some of the key elements of the county’s natural water systems.

Mote Marine Laboratory provided a list of the 16 most common fish found in Sarasota waters, and the Pelican published a sketch of each fish.

April 12, 1984

Adam Saah, 11, won third place in the Siesta Key sand sculpting competition for the children’s 12 and under category. Saah sculpted a turtle, which he dubbed Squeakie. Photographer Rebecca Wild Baxter caught Saah in a moment of exhaustion after he spent the entire day on the beach. 

FUN FACT: Adam Saah now works for Observer Media Group as the technology and development manager for Digital Observer Media. Saah said he remembers this competition well — he was wearing his new Casio watch.