This week in history 5.14.2015

A glimpse of the way things were from the Pelican Press archives.

By Amanda Morales
| 6:00 a.m. May 13, 2015

Anthony DiGiovanni, of Siesta Key Sertoma, tries to slide into home, but he was out on the tag by Southeast Bank catcher Justin Wenchen.

Sarasota
Neighbors

May 10, 1984
In one of the most creative attempts at preventing beach erosion, a 700-foot-long grid of plastic seaweed was installed 400 feet off the shore of Longboat Key. At the time, the technology was only being tested in one other location in Florida. The seaweed was designed to move with the current and help trap sand particles that would create a sandbar to buffer any currents. Unfortunately, the fake seaweed proved ineffective.

May 14, 1987
Siesta Key used to be home to one of America’s favorite pastimes — Little League. A 1987 issue of the Pelican Press includes families and players enjoying a fish fry fundraiser for the league following a day of ball games. Teams were named after their sponsors, local businesses such as C&S, Pool & Patio Showcase and Siesta Key Kite Co.

Roberta MacDonald Turoff and Bob Turoff on the cover of Black Tie magazine.

May 1998 issue of Black Tie magazine
In an issue of Black Tie magazine, the cover story, “Bringing Broadway to the Suncoast,” features the husband-and-wife duo of Robert Turoff and Roberta MacDonald Turoff. The couple founded and ran the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre from 1971 until its closing in fall 2012. In the piece the two discuss the successful run of the production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “State Fair” at Golden Apple. Roberta Turoff, who died Tuesday, will be remembered for her contributions to the theater scene in Sarasota.