• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • 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
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Longboat Key Garden Club hosts Dinner and a Movie

The club usually hosts one of these events in a year, but the last one was so popular.


  • By Nat Kaemmerer
  • | 9:23 a.m. March 21, 2022
  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Dinner, a movie and a beautiful sunset are a recipe for a good evening anywhere, especially on Longboat Key. On March 18, a record number of people took advantage of the Longboat Key Garden Club's Dinner and a Movie event. 

This time, 140 people came out for dinner and to watch "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" on an inflatable projector at Bayfront Park. Club President Susan Phillips said that last time the club hosted Dinner and a Movie, 105 people attended, which was a record at that time. They also raised a record amount of money for their scholarship fund, which helps local students attend summer camps at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium and Selby Botanical Garden. 

Usually, Dinner and a Movie only happens once a season, but the October event was a smash hit. 

"At the end of the last event, as everybody was leaving and they were saying, 'When's the next one?'" Phillips said. "It was just so popular in October and people are kind of starved for fun and socializing. It's a perfect event for this time of year and this location." 

Attendees mingled around Bayfront Park, bidding on auction items and catching up with friends until dinner was served. The tables were decorated with planes, trains and automobiles to fit the theme of the evening. 

Fittingly, the tables were decorated with planes, trains and automobiles.
Fittingly, the tables were decorated with planes, trains and automobiles.
Marian Witte, Cyndi Seamon, Lloyd Witte and Sam Lastinger grabbed drinks before the movie.
Marian Witte, Cyndi Seamon, Lloyd Witte and Sam Lastinger grabbed drinks before the movie.
Susan Loprete and Meike Gooley shaded their eyes from the evening sun.
Susan Loprete and Meike Gooley shaded their eyes from the evening sun.
Ken Schneier caught up with Rae Dowling and Dave Bullock.
Ken Schneier caught up with Rae Dowling and Dave Bullock.
Caritha Greeley, Peter Smith and Pamela Mogul staked out a spot at their table.
Caritha Greeley, Peter Smith and Pamela Mogul staked out a spot at their table.
Akiem Esdaile provided music for the evening, as he does for most Garden Club events.
Akiem Esdaile provided music for the evening, as he does for most Garden Club events.
Diane Blake, Kathy Garcia and Frank Garcia caught up before the movie.
Diane Blake, Kathy Garcia and Frank Garcia caught up before the movie.
Pete Mitchell and Lynn Christensen
Pete Mitchell and Lynn Christensen
Attendees were served dinner.
Attendees were served dinner.
Attendees could take a look at auction items before the bidding started.
Attendees could take a look at auction items before the bidding started.
Phyllis Black and Jack Black attended with their friends John and Jean Thornton, who visited from Atlanta.
Phyllis Black and Jack Black attended with their friends John and Jean Thornton, who visited from Atlanta.
Joi Ronan, Dan Ronan, Patti Meeder and Bruce Flory
Joi Ronan, Dan Ronan, Patti Meeder and Bruce Flory
Steve Branham and Bill Dooley wait for food.
Steve Branham and Bill Dooley wait for food.
Judy Kelsey and Dan Kelsey wait to grab some dinner before the movie.
Judy Kelsey and Dan Kelsey wait to grab some dinner before the movie.
A record number of guests attended the dinner.
A record number of guests attended the dinner.
Cynthia Craig and Jaleigh White
Cynthia Craig and Jaleigh White

 

Latest News

Suncoast Waterkeepers regularly tests water quality at 12 sites in Sarasota Bay and its adjacent waters, including the Linley Street boat ramp on Longboat Key.
  • February 7, 2026
Sarasota, Manatee bayside beaches graded for water safety
Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee
The house at 3638 San Remo Terrace overlooks the north Siesta Key bridge.
  • February 5, 2026
Rock star sells Sarasota estate for $7.5 million

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

Everything from fun fashion to deals on furniture can be found at the upcoming Trash to Treasure rummage sale.
  • February 7, 2026
Trash to Treasure sale making its return
Chefs Justin Kurtz and Ismael Flores showcase some of Mar Vista’s signature dishes.
  • February 6, 2026
Innovative chef at Mar Vista honors tradition — and keeps reinventing it
Longboat Key Police Department Customer Service Specialist Ivan Zunz shakes hands with Police Chief Russ Mager at a Town Commission meeting Monday, Feb. 2. Zunz was recognized for 10 years with LKPD at the meeting.
  • February 5, 2026
Ivan Zunz recognized for a decade with LKPD
Palm trees and a white sand beach provide a classic tropical setting.
  • February 5, 2026
Natural forms inspired by the sea add drama to a Longboat Key showplace
Perfectly in sync, Ski-A-Rees skiers Natalie Brannon, Debbie Brannon, Ella Walker and Steph Ouellette skim across Sarasota Bay, blending athleticism and grace.
  • February 5, 2026
From flips to ballet, Ski-A-Rees have done it all on the water since 1957
Front: Elliot Salenger, Larry Coleman, Dr. Lee Edstrom; Back: Steve Davidson, Bob Nusbaum, Paul Levenson
  • February 5, 2026
These tennis players unite for the love of the game — and ribbing each other

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