Longboat Kiwanis welcomes new members amid busy season


Longboat Key Kiwanis Club President Michael Garey shares memories of the Café on St. Armands.
Longboat Key Kiwanis Club President Michael Garey shares memories of the Café on St. Armands.
Photo by Dana Kampa
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As a longtime restauranteur, Longboat Key Kiwanis Club President Michael Garey was particularly excited about the location of the first monthly meeting of the year.

Café on St. Armands recently held its official reopening on Jan. 21, and Garey commended the owners for the work they put into the remodel despite the hurdles caused by Hurricane Helene. He also shared stories of his own time at the restaurant, formerly known as Café L'Europe.

He offered a brief history of the 100-year-old building, which formerly served as John Ringling's real estate office. Just by happenstance, he met someone who was walking their dog one evening 20 years ago, and the man shared the building's unknown tidbit of history.

After he and then-owner Titus Letschert did some digging and discovered two aerial photos of St. Armands Circle from the 1920s that helped prove it true.

The building also had a history as an inn, a grocery store, and eventually, the beloved restaurant.

"There are so many stories to tell," Garey added.

The meeting also offered an opportunity for the club to welcome its five newest official members.

From left, new official Kiwanis Club members are Mike Frashier, Jeff Hawks, Bo Fuller, Danielle Gladding and Nick Gladding.
Photo by Dana Kampa

Garey noted the club has also had a strong history of retaining members.

Members will certainly be busy this year, especially as they make plans for its popular pancake fundraiser.

Steve Branham, candidate for an at-large seat with the Longboat Key Town Commission, also introduced himself to club members, touting his own experience as a past Kiwanis president.

 

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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.

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