'Ladies of Longboat' social group enjoys new energy

From comparing notes on hurricane rebuilding to sharing tips on the latest toys for kids and grandkids, one social gathering has grown into a valuable source of community knowledge and downright joy for Longboaters.

The Ladies of Longboat is a monthly group meetup at Ventura's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar. Longtime residents may recognize it by its former name, "Tea to Tequila."

The social group has gotten a new wind under the leadership of Ashley Dawson.

Originally, residents formed the group two decades ago as a way to make time to catch up with friends without the rigid structure of organized activities. Rather, it gave them space to chat about whatever news arose that month.

Members mostly met at one another's houses on a rotating basis. However, hosting became a mounting challenge as more people joined, as Agi Peterson described at this month's meetup.

"It was invitation only at the time, and pretty exclusive," she explained. "You had to know somebody."

The logistical difficulties came to light even more at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when avoiding close quarters was paramount nationwide.

They began exploring new locations, including Zota Beach Resort. Eventually, members landed on the Italian restaurant as a fitting venue. Dawson said the relaxed atmosphere, bolstered by the calming waterside views, worked perfectly.

Leadership changed hands several times, including to Irina LaRose. But when the demands of running the Design 2000 hair salon took all her time, she passed the torch to Dawson near the end of 2024.

Dawson said about 80 people are on the mailing list, which continues to grow by word of mouth. Attendance varies but predictably rises during the peak season.

"Every week, we get more and more people who are interested," she said.

So, what do the ladies of Longboat talk about?

What makes the meetups work is that there is often no agenda. Attendees swap stories about who is going to be a new grandmother and who just moved to the island full-time.

The true value of the group became even more apparent as Longboat Key started its recovery journey from the 2024 hurricanes.

On a practical level, attendees were able to share advice on home rebuilding and commiserate over costs and delays.

However, members said it was just as important to have a space to feel normal and, even briefly, discuss anything but the storm damage.

Many new members have joined from some areas hit hardest by the storms, including Spanish Main.

Several members from the club's early days, including Peterson, have stayed active and now welcome the newcomers.

Especially for residents who spend part of the year elsewhere, the meetup also helps them get caught up on the latest on-island happenings.

The meet-up typically takes place the second Tuesday of the month, but on the rescheduled date of March 11, several dozen residents cycled in and out of conversations over drinks and pizza, passing two hours in a blip.

What has helped the group survive over the years is its ability to adapt. It's a low-commitment engagement for newcomers that fits into a busy schedule — and attendees said they stay plenty busy keeping up with kids and work — but is still highly enjoyable and socially fulfilling.

Kristen Laviolette said the meetups are always a great place to connect, sometimes even with neighbors who live only a few doors down.

"I've lived here 20 years and met people I've never seen here," she said.

Anna Eliseeva, a new resident in the area who joined at Dawson's suggestion, said she appreciated having an easy-going space to make new acquaintances.

Dawson said her favorite part of organizing it is keeping up with the pulse of the community. She said she has been glad to see the group flourish over the past year, despite what Mother Nature threw Longboat's way.

"I'm always telling people now to bring their friends — the more, the merrier!"