• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

PHOTO GALLERY : Celebrating Paul Thorpe


  • By Yaryna Klimchak
  • | 4:00 a.m. April 25, 2013
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share
PHOTO GALLERY : Celebrating Paul Thorpe
Paul Thorpe is shocked by the 120 people waiting for him as he steps through the door.
Paul Thorpe is shocked by the 120 people waiting for him as he steps through the door.
Mayor Suzanne Atwell, Danny Bilyeu, Bishop Henry Porter and Gail Moore
Mayor Suzanne Atwell, Danny Bilyeu, Bishop Henry Porter and Gail Moore
Sandy Thorpe with her mother in law JoAnn Thorpe, friend Mike Pender and husban Paul Thorpe III
Sandy Thorpe with her mother in law JoAnn Thorpe, friend Mike Pender and husban Paul Thorpe III
Ron Soto presents Paul Thorpe with a plaque from the Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association.
Ron Soto presents Paul Thorpe with a plaque from the Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association.
Don Adamec presents Paul Thorpe with a collage board of Thorpe through the years.
Don Adamec presents Paul Thorpe with a collage board of Thorpe through the years.
Phil Pagano with Mary and Terry Hart
Phil Pagano with Mary and Terry Hart
Peter Fanning and Dina Lareau
Peter Fanning and Dina Lareau
Paul Thorpe walks into a room full of 120 people for his surprise party.
Paul Thorpe walks into a room full of 120 people for his surprise party.
Paul Thorpe is overwhelmed when he enters the surprise party.
Paul Thorpe is overwhelmed when he enters the surprise party.
Mayor Suzanne Atwell presented Paul Thorpe with the key to the city.
Mayor Suzanne Atwell presented Paul Thorpe with the key to the city.
Doug Brough, Diana Sanders with her husband Rick and Bill Carman
Doug Brough, Diana Sanders with her husband Rick and Bill Carman
Dede Curran, Eileen Wallace and Susan McLeod
Dede Curran, Eileen Wallace and Susan McLeod
Chris Baer, Ron Soto, Wendy Getchell, Don Adamec, Ron Soto’s wife Kim and father Fred
Chris Baer, Ron Soto, Wendy Getchell, Don Adamec, Ron Soto’s wife Kim and father Fred
A Slice of Heaven made the cake.
A Slice of Heaven made the cake.
A Slice of Heaven made the cake for the party. They designed it to reflect Paul Thorpe and his achievements in downtown Sarasota.
A Slice of Heaven made the cake for the party. They designed it to reflect Paul Thorpe and his achievements in downtown Sarasota.
Barbara Strauss put a photo of Paul Thorpe age 12 onto a photograph from a 1928 Sarasota Parade and joked that he really was at the first Sarasota parade. Paul Thorpe organizes the Sarasota holiday parade every year.
Barbara Strauss put a photo of Paul Thorpe age 12 onto a photograph from a 1928 Sarasota Parade and joked that he really was at the first Sarasota parade. Paul Thorpe organizes the Sarasota holiday parade every year.
Mayor Suzanne Atwell presents Paul Thorpe with the key to the city.
Mayor Suzanne Atwell presents Paul Thorpe with the key to the city.
Allie and Jim Cantonis and Connie Thomkins
Allie and Jim Cantonis and Connie Thomkins
Guests silently wait to surprise Paul Thorpe as he walks through the door.
Guests silently wait to surprise Paul Thorpe as he walks through the door.

 

Latest News

Screenshot of a body-worn camera video shows the moment SPD Officer Michal Banasiak reaches for a bottle before grabbing the man in distress and pulling him to safety.and
  • April 3, 2026
Sarasota Police officers rescue man threatening suicide
Corinne Arriaga (left) has been promoted to the city's chief transportation planner and Alvimarie Corales to capital projects manager.
  • April 3, 2026
City transportation team members promoted to new roles
Karie Friling meets with Sarasota community members during the open house portion of the immersive two-day interview process with four other finalists for the city manager position.
  • April 2, 2026
New city manager finds dream job at Sarasota City Hall
Landscaping projects such as the one proposed for South River Road SR 777) in Venice by the state transportation department are accounted for in the state budget. But upkeep is almost always a county responsibility, something Sarasota officials are concerned about.
  • April 2, 2026
Costs connected to roadway landscaping concern county

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

These dishes have delighted Sarasota-area barrier islands for decades.
  • April 2, 2026
These one-of-a-kind dishes are signatures of the keys
Hall of fame coach Urban Meyer gets back to work in his new community
  • April 2, 2026
Hall of fame coach Urban Meyer gets back to work in his new community
Nate Gold stands with his horse Alonzo.
  • April 2, 2026
The key to happiness? Rock climber-turned-horse trainer says it's all about flow
The spacious living area features 16-foot-high ceilings and views out to a forest of palm trees.
  • April 2, 2026
Lido Shores home pairs a modern aesthetic with splashes of personality
Aledia Tush, co-owner of CB’s Saltwater Outfitters, has spent nearly five decades helping shape the business into a Siesta Key institution known for its welcoming spirit and family-first approach.
  • April 2, 2026
After 50 years of change, the best things stay the same at this stalwart shop
Walkers head out on the walk in 2025.
  • April 1, 2026
Teams prepare for April 11 Walk to Defeat ALS

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now