Marc and Susan Benjamin are all smiles on the dance floor as they groove to the Aloha Sharks band March 14 at The Sanctuary.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Longboat Key
Neighbors
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Warm-weather recreation was in full swing last weekend at The Sanctuary, where residents joined in their annual poolside celebration of the season.
Donna Plaster, who moved to the community in 2021, said attendance at the upscale outdoor barbecue on March 14 was up from last year, nearing 150 RSVPs compared to the 90-some in 2025.Â
Attendees, some of whom wore early St. Patrick's Day green or flowery leis, took the time amid the busy season to enjoy the sunset.
Other attendees put on their dancing shoes to bop along to the music from Aloha Sharks, a three-piece band playing rock hits ranging from contemporary to the 1960s. The group regularly plays Thursday nights at Mattison's City Grille.
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Anita Hudepohl and Kate Glickman enjoy a poolside chat at The Sanctuary's annual outdoor bash on March 14.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Elsa Bankier gives the thumbs up for the band to kick off the celebration.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Susan Benjamin and Gerry Keen
Photo by Dana Kampa
Aloha Sharks drummer Carmen D'Amico warms up.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Helene and Doug Romine take in some sunshine at the pool party.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Barbara Irr, Melissa Barber, Rich Irr and Phyliss Barber
Photo by Dana Kampa
Terry Creighton and Elsa Bankier share a genuine laugh.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Melissa Hudepohl and Brandon Walker
Photo by Dana Kampa
Jill Serling, Susan Friedman and Elsa Bankier
Photo by Dana Kampa
Helene Romine and Barbara Chase
Photo by Dana Kampa
David Pearl and Laura Schrieshein
Photo by Dana Kampa
William Insignares and Teresa Rosenbeck
Photo by Dana Kampa
Tori Kannada Day, Cory Perry, Lakeisha Gates and Allison Mazer bring the heat with catering from Perry's Original Roadside B-B-Q.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Annie Glaub, Joan Ahern and Andy Glaub
Photo by Dana Kampa
Guitarist Dave Kish, drummer Carmen D'Amico and bassist Scott Savage play at Aloha Sharks.
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.
