Longboat Harbour residents celebrate Memorial Day

Longboat Key
Neighbors

About 50 residents gathered for a Memorial Day celebration Monday at Longboat Harbour.

It was a classic American barbecue complete with hotdogs, hamburgers and a whole lot of red, white and blue. Flags lined the complex, and partygoers dressed to match. Connie Hauber went all out wearing patriotic sunglasses, beads and a big blue hat.

While the chatter and laughter of old friends filled the room, there was also a moment of silence for the lives lost.

Bonnie Coughlin noted the contrast when welcoming guests. “It’s a day off work,” she said, “It’s such a solemn day too.”

In recognition of that sentiment, Karen Pasnkow put together a fallen soldier’s table near the entrance of the banquet hall.

“The glass is inverted because they are not here,” Pasnkow said.

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Lesley Dwyer

Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.