• 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: The Rev. Bruce Porter's Retirement Party


  • By Kelsey Grau
  • | 5:00 a.m. January 24, 2014
  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • Share
PHOTO GALLERY: The Rev. Bruce Porter's Retirement Party
The Rev. Bruce Porter laughs as parishioners share memories and stories during the evening’s program.
The Rev. Bruce Porter laughs as parishioners share memories and stories during the evening’s program.
Patty Buck and Mary Ann Bopp
Patty Buck and Mary Ann Bopp
The Christ Church Choir sings a special song for the Rev. Porter.
The Christ Church Choir sings a special song for the Rev. Porter.
Kathleen Semisch plays the piano as the choir sings.
Kathleen Semisch plays the piano as the choir sings.
Ginny Porter smiles after a barbershop quartet serenaded her and offered a bouquet of flowers from the congregation.
Ginny Porter smiles after a barbershop quartet serenaded her and offered a bouquet of flowers from the congregation.
Michael Chester gives the Rev. Bruce Porter one of many parting gifts from the church.
Michael Chester gives the Rev. Bruce Porter one of many parting gifts from the church.
Karolyn and Kent Capps
Karolyn and Kent Capps
Attendees watch a video montage dedicated to the Rev. Bruce Porter.
Attendees watch a video montage dedicated to the Rev. Bruce Porter.
The Rev. Bruce Porter speaks to his congregation a final time during his retirement party.
The Rev. Bruce Porter speaks to his congregation a final time during his retirement party.
Cheryl Fraser with her grandchildren Ava, 6, and Cord, 3
Cheryl Fraser with her grandchildren Ava, 6, and Cord, 3
Sandy Warren and Van Neely
Sandy Warren and Van Neely
Al Siemer, Barbara Siemer, Ginny Porter, the Rev. Bruce Porter, Louise Porter and Susan Shumway
Al Siemer, Barbara Siemer, Ginny Porter, the Rev. Bruce Porter, Louise Porter and Susan Shumway
Lutie Uihlein and Sally Rauch
Lutie Uihlein and Sally Rauch
Ann Quackenbush, the Rev. Graham Hart and Sue Wertman
Ann Quackenbush, the Rev. Graham Hart and Sue Wertman
Debra McKenna hugs the Rev. Bruce Porter before the program.
Debra McKenna hugs the Rev. Bruce Porter before the program.
Charlie Gorham and Karen Fors with Vivian and Michael Chester
Charlie Gorham and Karen Fors with Vivian and Michael Chester
The Rev. Bruce Porter with his wife, Ginny
The Rev. Bruce Porter with his wife, Ginny
Sue Wertman, Bennie Dods and Kathy Butler
Sue Wertman, Bennie Dods and Kathy Butler
Bill Gambill and the Rev. Donald Buck
Bill Gambill and the Rev. Donald Buck
Ginny and the Rev. Bruce Porter smile at each other as they receive a few gifts from the congregation.
Ginny and the Rev. Bruce Porter smile at each other as they receive a few gifts from the congregation.

 

Latest News

Deputies shoot and wound armed man
  • April 3, 2026
Deputies shoot and wound armed man
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

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

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
  • April 2, 2026
Adnan Dedic’s $30 Million Gulf-Front Exclusive
Garden Club President Melanie Dale helps lead efforts to beautify and support the Longboat Key community. Butterflies visit flowering plants cultivated to support pollinators, reflecting the club's focus on sustainable, Florida-friendly landscapes.
  • April 1, 2026
Longboat Garden Club's efforts help beautify and nurture a community
Artist Darina Bratkova, originally from Ukraine, is the creator of thought-provoking, water-based scenes that many visitors to St. Armands Circle first view when coming to the business hub. She shared how she got her start as an artist and her hopes for educating others in the future.
  • April 1, 2026
St. Armands artist shares insight into thought-provoking art
Bird Key Yacht Club members Carol Smith, Amy Lazarus and Beth Nothstine played instrumental roles in keeping the club's lecture series fresh this season by inviting friends to tell their fascinating life stories. Closing out the series, Bobbi Brown shared tales from her journey starting a makeup empire.
  • March 31, 2026
Longtime friendships make Bird Key lecture series possible
The Easter Bunny offers encouragement to the families joining the egg hunt at Longboat Key Club Resort.
  • March 31, 2026
Hop to it this Easter weekend on Longboat Key

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