Longboat Key first responders enjoy midsummer cheer

By Dana Kampa
| 2:30 p.m. August 9, 2025

Longboat Island Chapel Chef Chef David Stone, Longboat Key Police Department Training Captain David Eggleston, Firefighter/Paramedic (FF/P) Ryan Corso, Lt. Jose Rivera, FF/P David Oliger, Assistant Chief Mike Regnier, Lt. Ron Koper, Lt. Tim Haas, FF/P Jamison Urch, FF/P William Lewis, Fire Chief Paul Dezzi; front row Rev. Brock Patterson Fire/Rescue Liaison CC Imbriaco, chapel members Carol Peschel and Connie DiMaggio. Members of Longboat Island Chapel provided a special lunch to firefighters at Station 92 on Longboat Key.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Even in the low season, first responders are out and about on Longboat Key, answering emergency calls and patrolling neighborhoods. Members of Longboat Island Chapel took the opportunity last week to thank those responders with a provided lunch.

Congregation members shared a meal with firefighters at Longboat Key Fire Rescue on July 31 at Station 92 and with police officers on Aug. 5 at the Longboat Key Town Police Department headquarters.

Longboat Island Chapel Rev. Brock Patterson and Longboat Key Police Department Deputy Chief Frank Rubino catch up over a lunch the church provided to officers on Aug. 5.

In addition to sub sandwiches from Publix and other snacks, Chef David Stone whipped up desserts including pumpkin muffins and cheesecake.

Rev. Brock Patterson, joined by Stone, Carol Peschel and Connie DiMaggio said the church was happy to make the show of support.

Peschel said they've done similar luncheons for about the past five years, which she believes started with an idea by resident Lesley Rife.

Rev. Brock Patterson, Carol Peschel, Connie DiMaggio and David Stone from Longboat Island Chapel bring sandwiches, snacks and scratch-made baked goods to a lunch for officers with the Longboat Key Police Department on Aug. 5.

LKPD Deputy Chief Frank Rubino, who served as interim police chief from January to the Aug. 4 swearing in of new Police Chief Russ Mager, thanked the community members for their support.

"The nice folks at Longboat Island Chapel have always supported the police department, and we appreciate the support from all the members of the Town of Longboat Key," he said. "It's so nice when they come, and the officers really appreciate it."

He continued, "The fact that business owners and religious leaders take the time out of their busy schedules to do things like this is sincerely appreciated."

Longboat Island Chapel members brought handmade pumpkin muffins, chocolate chip cookies and cheesecake to the lunch with the Longboat Key Police Department.

The fire service offered similar gratitude in a statement shared by Fire Administration & Communications Manager/PIO, Tina Adams.

"A heartfelt thank you to Longboat Key Island Chapel for generously providing lunch to our team," the department stated. "The Publix subs, chips, and delicious homemade desserts were truly appreciated and enjoyed by all."

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.