• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • 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
  • Things to Do
  • 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
  • Things to Do
  • 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
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Longboat Key Chamber meets for Business After Hours

The evening networking event took place at Whitney's.


  • By Nat Kaemmerer
  • | 4:15 p.m. October 28, 2020
  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Masks and Halloween go together better than ever in 2020. 

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce took time days before the spookiest day of the year to bring their members together for the networking event Business After Hours. Oct. 27 was the first time the event had been held since before the pandemic began. 

President Gail Loefgren encouraged members to dress up their drab daily masks with some creativity or spookiness as they gathered outside at Whitney's on the north end of the island. Jimmy Bonner, sales representative for the Sherwin-Williams Co., decked out his mask with Sherwin-Williams paint samples. 

There were a few winners for best masks: Scariest to the skeleton twins Debby McClung and Liz Yerkes, best homemade mask to the glittering Lael Hazan and most representative of his business to the colorful Bonner. 

More than 20 members showed up to network and catch up with chamber friends. 

Debby McClung and Liz Yerkes dressed as skeletons.
Debby McClung and Liz Yerkes dressed as skeletons.
Lael Hazan, who made sure her mask  matched her shirt, and Andrew Vac.
Lael Hazan, who made sure her mask matched her shirt, and Andrew Vac.
The winners of the best masks got to choose a prize from the table.
The winners of the best masks got to choose a prize from the table.
Jimmy Bonner and his paint chips.
Jimmy Bonner and his paint chips.
Gail Loefgren takes a card from Matt Michala.
Gail Loefgren takes a card from Matt Michala.
Jimmy Bonner, John Renkawitz and Ron Valdez
Jimmy Bonner, John Renkawitz and Ron Valdez
Celia Moore and Harry Christensen
Celia Moore and Harry Christensen
Celia Moore and Harry Christensen
Celia Moore and Harry Christensen
Liz Yerkes left her skeletal hands and homemade spooky mask on the table as she sipped her drink.
Liz Yerkes left her skeletal hands and homemade spooky mask on the table as she sipped her drink.
Liz Sparr and Gail Loefgren
Liz Sparr and Gail Loefgren
Liz Sparr and Gail Loefgren
Liz Sparr and Gail Loefgren
Liz Yerkes and Debby McClung pick out prizes.
Liz Yerkes and Debby McClung pick out prizes.
Jimmy Bonner takes home his prize.
Jimmy Bonner takes home his prize.

 

Latest News

Village Idiots Cycling Club member Patrick Franklin Sr. (center) was killed riding his bicycle Jan. 22 when hit by a truck pulling a trailer on Conquistador Parkway in Bradenton.
  • January 29, 2026
Death of beloved cyclist leaves Village Idiots Cycling Club members in shock
Sales for the Waldorf Astoria Residences in Sarasota kicked off on Jan. 28 with an event at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. The 18-story building is expected to be finished in 2029.
  • January 29, 2026
Sales for Sarasota's Waldorf Astoria Residences get underway
David Crawford is 2026 president of Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.
  • January 29, 2026
Real estate market conditions show signs of a more robust 2026
A site map of the location of the proposed 41-unit 414 Lime Avenue townhome development in the Park East neighborhood.
  • January 29, 2026
41 new townhomes planned for Limelight District

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

Longboat Key resident Sarah Frederick, pictured above in one of her favorite competitions, said she knew from the age of five that she loved working with horses. Little did she know then that she would go on to craft a 55-year career in racing, breeding and caring for them.
  • January 28, 2026
Longboat Key resident jockeys for space on the track
Muriel Klosterman of Longboat Island Chapel presents Carolyn Nielsen, Turning Points' volunteer and events coordinator, with a check for $3,000 at the church's Gather and Give charity drive on Jan. 20.
  • January 27, 2026
Chapel gifts $3K, supplies to Turning Points
This year's New to You art sale promises some unique, larger finds for art enthusiasts, according to Linn Torres, All Angels by the Sea administrative assistant and art sale coordinator. Torres showcases a Grecian-style, three-dimensional piece of art.
  • January 27, 2026
Big surprises await at New to You art sale
Rotarians Gene Luca, left, and President Terri Driver, right, thank Goodwill Manasota Veterans Services' Margie Genter and Randy Wright for offering insights into how it benefits community members. Representatives joined the Rotary Club of Longboat Key on Jan. 20 at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church.
  • January 26, 2026
Goodwill Manasota Veterans Services helps those who served get back to work
Reed Medical Group and Longboat Key Fitness both celebrated their grand reopenings on Jan. 22 at the Shoppes of Bay Isles complex, introducing visitors to their expanded facilities. Dr. James Reed, owner of the concierge medical service, wields the big scissors.
  • January 25, 2026
Longboat Publix plaza celebrates grand openings
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe singer Michael Mejia-Mendez belts the opening note of Harry Belafonte's iconic "Day-O" during a tribute performance on Jan. 21 at Christ Church of Longboat Key.
  • January 24, 2026
'King of Calypso' tribute singer gets Christ Church grooving

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