• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday 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
  • LWR 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
  • LWR 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
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Seniors get into costume at Halloween Boo Bash


  • By Ian Swaby
  • | 11:30 a.m. October 31, 2024
Peter Salefsky, Barbara Bostic and Gail Duerst
Peter Salefsky, Barbara Bostic and Gail Duerst
Photo by Ian Swaby
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

You're never too old for a hat and a broomstick. 

In fact, many members of the West Coast Sand-Witches come from Senior Friendship Centers. 

That was one reason the local group decided to join the organization's annual Halloween Boo Bash to offer a dance performance, at its Sarasota location, on Oct. 30.

"Some of the witches are members here, so we thought this would be a great place to recruit more witches and have some fun," said organizer Connie Farris.

Also taking place at the Venice location, the event featured live music by Krazy Entertainment Live and a Halloween costume contest with awards for the best costumes. 

Ron Longhurst, who was the winner of the contest for his costume of the Pope, said he always enjoys the chance to dress up. 

"I tell people outside the center that, every day, from one to three, we have live music, we have dancing, and we act like a bunch of seventh graders at a sock hop," he said.

The West Coast Sand-Witches including Gail Duerst (center) offer a performance.
The West Coast Sand-Witches including Gail Duerst (center) offer a performance.
Photo by Ian Swaby
The West Coast Sand-Witches, including organizer Connie Farris, Sami Blouin, Nancy Creighton and Judith Calissi, offer a performance.
The West Coast Sand-Witches, including organizer Connie Farris, Sami Blouin, Nancy Creighton and Judith Calissi, offer a performance.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Senior Friendship Centers' Bethany Colbrunn and Evelyn Vaz watch the dancing action at the event.
Senior Friendship Centers' Bethany Colbrunn and Evelyn Vaz watch the dancing action at the event.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Diana Fava dances with Ron Longhurst.
Diana Fava dances with Ron Longhurst.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Joy Wiltzius dances with Jim Willsey.
Joy Wiltzius dances with Jim Willsey.
Photo by Ian Swaby
The hall at Senior Friendship Centers was filled with
The hall at Senior Friendship Centers was filled with
Photo by Ian Swaby
Halloween treats were on offer at the event.
Halloween treats were on offer at the event.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Gina Brockman of Golden Girl Solutions serves treats to David Spengler
Gina Brockman of Golden Girl Solutions serves treats to David Spengler
Photo by Ian Swaby
Marlene Bischman, who is dressed as Cher, takes her turn explaining her Halloween costume to  Center Manager George Maggio.
Marlene Bischman, who is dressed as Cher, takes her turn explaining her Halloween costume to Center Manager George Maggio.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Peter Salefsky, Barbara Bostic and Gail Duerst
Peter Salefsky, Barbara Bostic and Gail Duerst
Photo by Ian Swaby
Gina Brockman of Golden Girl Solutions and Timothy Arbagy of Krazy Entertainment make an announcement.
Gina Brockman of Golden Girl Solutions and Timothy Arbagy of Krazy Entertainment make an announcement.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Lucille Pererva dances with her longtime friend Frank Cefola. The two enjoy matching their Halloween costumes each year.
Lucille Pererva dances with her longtime friend Frank Cefola. The two enjoy matching their Halloween costumes each year.
Photo by Ian Swaby
John Ross dances with Holly Larrimore of West Coast Sand-Witches.
John Ross dances with Holly Larrimore of West Coast Sand-Witches.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Attendees take to the dance floor, including Ron Longhurst (center).
Attendees take to the dance floor, including Ron Longhurst (center).
Photo by Ian Swaby

 

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.

Latest News

Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire
The building at the corner of N. Boulevard of the Presidents and Madison Drive may be the location of a revived Shore Restaurant on St. Armands Circle.
  • December 12, 2025
Shore Restaurant could return to St. Armands
Part of the renovation of Fruitville Library is a new History Center, replacing a building in Osprey a document calls "aging and inadequate to house the county's collections of historic artifacts.''
  • December 12, 2025
Fruitville Library renovations begin with Dec. 18 closure
Former Sarasota City Attorney Robert Fournier has drafted an updated noise ordinance for the city, which was approved by the City Commission on first reading.
  • December 11, 2025
City asks: How much noise is too much?

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

A Kwanzaa display rests on the table during the event.
  • December 11, 2025
Kwanzaa celebration prepares community for the holiday
  • December 11, 2025
Monday’s Child is Fair of Face
  • December 11, 2025
Florida Families Can Help Neighbors and Celebrate an Energy-Efficient Holiday
Sarasota Deputy Police Chief Scott Mayforth delights a young shopper at a previous Shop with a Cop event.
  • December 10, 2025
Shop with a Cop event returns Saturday
Jolly (Flynn Nolen, center) is surrounded by the other characters including Candy (Christiana Allison), Mrs. Claus (Jillian Hurley), Jangle (Ray Barber), Tinsel (Vanessa Smith), Jingle (Mareece Love) and Santa Claus (Dellan Short).
  • December 9, 2025
'Deck the Halls' celebrates the holidays, Sarasota-style
With a sparkle in his eye and a wave of the hand, jolly old St. Nick illuminated the lights on St. Armands Circle's 60-foot Christmas tree at a lighting festival on Dec. 5.
  • December 7, 2025
St. Armands celebrates magical Christmas tree lighting

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 © 2025 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