• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Spirit of America
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Spirit of America
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Your Observer | All

An aerial view of John Ringling’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel in 1952.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 30, 2013
The Ghost Hotel

John Ringling's Ritz-Carlton hotel stood vacant on the Key for more than 30 years, leading many locals to call it 'the Ghost Hotel.'

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A historic marker on Broadway commemorates the old town dock that was destroyed in a 1921 hurricane.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 30, 2013
Longboat Lore: Marker project made Key history

The installation of seven historic plaques throughout the island was a longtime goal of the Historical Society.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Clockwise from bottom: Marty Samowitz celebrates with granddaughter Gia Haynes, daughter and son-in-law Lani and Chad Haynes, granddaughter Kayla Haynes and his wife, Paulette.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 30, 2013
Samowitz receives salute at 99th birthday party

Grand Bay resident Marty Samowitz celebrated his 99th birthday with family members and friends Monday, Oct. 28.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Suzanne Horner
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • October 30, 2013
The Good News: Jeaneen Hall & Suzanne Horner

Jeaneen Hall & Suzanne Horn are volunteers at Historic Spanish Point. Read more about them and watch a video in this week's Good News.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Angela Mortellaro and Monica Gonzalez
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 30, 2013
Day in the Life

Two singers will perform arias in November at Sarasota Opera House - one a teenaged aspiring opera singer; the other, a professional principal.

  • Arts + Culture
Emma Thurgood checks in on her favorite permanent piece at Art Center Sarasota, "Fighting Crime in Florida," by Jack Dowd, in 2013.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • October 30, 2013
Backstage Pass: Emma Thurgood curates excitement

Read this week's Backstage Pass about Art Center Sarasota's Emma Thurgood.

  • Arts + Culture
7922 S. Holiday Drive. Photos courtesy of Premier Sotheby's
    By
  • Robert Plunket
  • October 30, 2013
Three Things: Trophy Homes to Match a Celebrity's Lifestyle

The news that Rosie O'Donnell bought a $5 million home on Casey Key has the whole town talking. The four-bedroom, 4,700-square-foot beachfront residence seems perfect as a second home for the comedian and her family, but we can't help but wonder - what other properties did Rosie look at? So, just in case buyer's remorse sets in, or you happen to know any other house-hunting celebrities, here are some other trophy homes that are just special enough to tempt the lucky few who can afford the ultimate.

  • Arts + Culture
ALASKA. Jim Larson and his wife, Longboat Key Commissioner Lynn Larson,  took their Longboat Observer along while visiting Juneau, Alaska.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 30, 2013
It's Read Everywhere

ALASKA. Jim Larson and his wife, Longboat Key Commissioner Lynn Larson, took their Longboat Observer along while visiting Juneau, Alaska.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Gabby has been a permanent resident of Save Our Seabirds for two-and-a-half years.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 30, 2013
Gabby celebrates every day at SOS

The 14-year-old umbrella cockatoo soars in her role of greeting visitors at the bird-rescue facility.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Stephenson-Moe, right
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 30, 2013
Stephenson-Moe brings peace offering to Vatican

The longtime Church of the Redeemer and Temple Beth Israel musician will conduct a piece, composed by her husband, the late Daniel Moe, in Vatican City.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Alexis Orgera
  • October 30, 2013
Book Review: 'The Last Banquet' by Jonathan Grimwood

"The Last Banquet'" by Jonathan Grimwood is a sense-feast of a novel spanning 18th-century France.

  • Arts + Culture
Stone
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 30, 2013
Alan Stone paired swans with Harbourside golf course

The Harbour Links resident who brought original swans George and Gracie to the Key died Friday, Oct. 25. He was 84.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Larry Barrett of Simply Gourmet Caterers
    By
  • June LeBell
  • October 30, 2013
Tidbites

Cooking for Kids; Learning to cook as an adult; Eat Here Out There; and Quick Bites.

  • Arts + Culture
"A Day in my Shoes Sarasota" featuring Terri Klauber
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • October 30, 2013
Black Tie & Tales

Wine, Women and Shoes ... and Men ...; They CAN Dance; Tidbits; and Black Tie Affair

  • Arts + Culture
Photos courtesy of Foxy Lady South. Lynn Walters and Chris Meyers celebrate at Foxy Lady South’s anniversary party.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • October 30, 2013
Business Observer

Foxy Lady South celebrates its first anniversary on St. Armands Circle; Design 2000 welcomes new stylist; Bees create a buzz on Pine Avenue

  • Longboat Key
  • News
« 3509 3510 3511 3512 3513 3514 3515 3516 3517 3518 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
The Pops Orchestra of Sarasota and Bradenton performs on the second stage.
  • July 4, 2026
Nathan Benderson Park goes big for Fireworks on the Lake
2
The 1,475 square foot Udermann house has been partially raised using about 50 hydraulic jacks in The Village in Longboat Key. It currently sits 4 and a half feet up and will eventually be raised to 12 feet.
  • July 4, 2026
Town may encourage home raising through code amendment
3
State Rep. James Buchanan was one of the driving forces behind a one-year accommodation in a state tax bill that requires either county governments to cover any fees associated with collecting voter-approved school taxes or to waive those fees.
  • July 4, 2026
Buchanan proposal on school-tax fees now law
4
Emersyn Baker, 3, woke up Thursday morning eager to ride in the bike parade at the Kiddie Academy.
  • July 3, 2026
Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch kicks off Independence Day weekend
5
A rendering of the Fruitville Road elevation of the 1899 Fruitville project.
  • July 3, 2026
1899 Fruitville apartment development advances

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free