Longboat town open house features nearly 40 reps

By Dana Kampa
| 7:15 a.m. March 9, 2026

Mark Daunt from The Resort at Longboat Key Club doles out a sweet pick-me-up from the organization’s booth at the 3rd annual Town of Longboat Key Open House on March 7 at the Town Center Green.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Longboat Key residents had the opportunity to directly connect with nearly 40 local departments, religious organizations, nonprofits and businesses at this weekend’s town open house.

Attendees strolled around the Town Center Green on March 7 to chat with representatives about upcoming events and tips.

Tina Adams, fire EMS liaison and spokesperson, said the town was glad to connect with Longboaters and answer their questions at this third annual event.

One of the events the town highlighted is a briefing on the proposed Canal Navigational Maintenance Program, which aims to promote safe, healthy waterways. The meetings take place at 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. March 17 and 18 at Bayfront Park.

Attendees also picked up tips from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, which was focusing on several key boating safety tips.

Vessel examiner Marsha Grogan from the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Cortez said it is especially important that boat operators actually attach their engine cutoff switch lanyard.

“We have boats where the captain falls off, and then the vessel can circle back and run over the captain,” she said. “Whoever is on the boat needs to know how to turn that boat off.”

The Coast Guard offers boating safety information at USCGBoating.org, and Grogan encourages anyone who spends time on the water to check out available boating safety courses.

“A lot of people will say, 'I just stay in the intercoastal,’ but you never know if you’re going to drift out,” she said.

The USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 82 on City Island offers classes every fourth Saturday. Town employees and immediate family can take them for free, and the general public can join for $35. Email [email protected] for more.

For information on upcoming town events, visit LongboatKey.org.

Tents dotted the walkways around the Town Center Green, where Longboaters visited with representatives from local businesses, nonprofits, religious groups and more about upcoming events.

From the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, Kim Verreault and Connie Darrah spotlighted events including the April 14 “Meet, Greet, Eat” evening at the Longboat Key Club Ballroom.

Victoria Newman, Melanie Dale and Cathy Bishop represent the Longboat Key Garden Club at the 3rd annual Town of Longboat Key Open House on March 7 at the Town Center Green.

Dee Newberry and Brittany Kitchel from Longboat Link said they are planning on hosting more lunch-and-learn sessions to educate Longboat Key residents about aging in place.

Marsha Grogan from the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Cortez highlights boater safety tips at the Longboat Key open house.

Marsha Grogan from the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Cortez encourages kayakers to ensure their vessel has a contact sticker in case it gets lost.

Danielle Kehs and her dog, Raven, check out the food trucks at the open house while taking a break from their booth for SRQ Vets.

First responders FF/PM Joshua Falcon, Lt. Tim Haas, FF/PM Brent Kruse and Aaron Maness said families attending the Longboat Key open house had fun checking out the rigs.

Longboat Police Chief Russ Mager and Town Manager Howard Tipton greet attendees at the town open house.

Shereese Yancy and Daesyn Johnson check out all the fun to be had at the Town of Longboat Key open house, with Johnson modeling an expertly crafted face mask.

Leo Kissling, Renée Dillon and Suzy Mitchell oversee the Turtle Watch booth, complete with several updated displays. Nesting season begins in May.

Linda and Aramis Velazquez and Pat Watral represent the Longboat Key Green Team at the open house.

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.