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Longboat Key | Neighbors

Kelly Shrout, one of the main coordinators of the Friendship Garden at Longboat Island Chapel, takes a look at one of the butterfly plants in the garden. Volunteers recently helped spruce up the community garden that holds the memories of many residents who have contributed to rebuilding since hurricanes Helene and Milton.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 14, 2026
New year brings renewal to Friendship Garden

The overseer of the community garden at Longboat Island Chapel shared her pride in seeing it flourish post hurricane with residents' support.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A group of 13 veterans and volunteers met at Ken Thompson Park on City Island where they embarked on kayaks for a guided tour of Sarasota Bay led by Wayne Douchkoff of Wayne Adventures and sponsored by Sarasota Bay Estuary Program.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • January 13, 2026
Veterans enjoy peace of Sarasota Bay through guided kayak outing

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program-funded tour was led by Wayne Douchkoff and included a guided meditation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Local author Lydia Zorzi Scotti recently published her first children's book, "Sir Knight and His Boy," held up by local artist Medge Jaspan at the book's local December launch.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 13, 2026
Grandson's paper knight inspires local author's first children's book

The adventures of Sir Knight take him to the beaches of Lido Key and beyond in this heart-warming tale of love and acceptance.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rotary Club of Longboat Key President Terri Driver presents awards to members Ellen Greenberger, Carol Erker and Belinda Bauer for not only contributing their hours, but also offering financial support to the Rotary's mission over the years. Driver presented the awards at their Jan. 6 meeting, which featured guest speaker Charlie Mopps from Public Works.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 13, 2026
Public Works looks to past and future of storm management

Longboat Key Public Works Director Charlie Mopps appeared as the Rotary Club's latest guest speaker, giving insights into how the department operates.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tara Maffei, executive director of Family Promise of Sarasota-Manatee, accepts a check from Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding as part of the funds raised through last year's pancake breakfast.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 12, 2026
Pancake proceeds generate $4K for Family Promise

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key presented the second of two checks to Family Promise of Sarasota-Manatee at a Jan. 8 meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bandleader and clarinetist Michael Drapkin said he connected with his fellow band members while performing with The Venice Symphony. The Yiddish Cowboys performed on Jan. 11 at The Education Center.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 12, 2026
Yiddish Cowboys kick off Sunday Performing Arts lineup

The quartet of classically trained musicians delighted audience members with favorite tunes from childhood at The Education Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bartender Sam Lastinger keeps the party going at Taste and Tunes of the Keys.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 6, 2026
Save these dates in 2026 for Longboat-area events

There are plenty of opportunities to explore the local flavor in the upcoming year, whether it's through art, parades or just fun community gatherings.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
With a hearty collective effort, community members help “push in” the newest fleet addition at Fire Station 92 during a March 25 open house. The public was invited to see the facility, which opened in 2021, as well as check out the station’s new $600,000 ambulance.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 31, 2025
With equal doses of grit and fun, we review 2025 on Longboat Key in photos

From political kerfuffles to heartwarming moments of community celebration, the Longboat Observer captured it all in the past year. Here are our top moments of 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
All sidewalk murals at Avenue of Art in Burns Court have been removed per order of the Florida Department of Transportation, including this one by artist Beck Lane.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 28, 2025
YourObserver.com's most-read stories of 2025 typically connected with deeper issues

Big-picture issues, such as new trash cans and disappearing art, strike a chord with readers. But there were exceptions in this year's top headlines.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Police Department.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 26, 2025
Show off your cars, enjoy coffee at LKPD community event

The Longboat Key Police Department invites community members out for "Cops, Cars and Coffee" after the holidays.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Howard Tipton, Irwin Pastor and Susan Goldfarb stand beside the newly installed sign for The Education Center on Bay Isles Road. The center starts its winter term of programs Jan. 5.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 24, 2025
Explore French art, cinematic history and more this winter

The Education Center at Temple Beth Israel's upcoming term promises plenty of exciting new programs at classes starting Jan. 5.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Chef Drew Adams recently took the helm as the new head chef at CW Prime, The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort's signature steakhouse. He brings his experience working on the Sarasota food scene.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 23, 2025
Sarasota chef celebrates local ingredients at CW Prime

Drew Adams, the former chef of acclaimed Sarasota restaurant Adeline, is bringing his vision to the St. Regis Longboat Key steakhouse.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboaters share their treasured holiday traditions, large and small
    By
  • Dana Kampa, S.T. Cardinal
  • December 23, 2025
Longboaters share their treasured holiday traditions, large and small

From faux sleigh bells to tacos for Christmas dinner, residents serve up a heaping of their memories and rituals.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cindy Ritchell, Ann Quackenbush, Brenda Korthauer, Beverly Sutton and Kit Torchia all lend a helping hand in packing seeds to send internationally to farmers who need them. Quackenbush is a driving force behind Hope Seeds, a charitable ministry through Christ Church of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 22, 2025
Longboat's Hope Seeds nears 10 years of giving back

Volunteers with the group credit organizer Ann Quackenbush with knowing how to get the job done.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family

Sue Wertman, among her numerous other contributions to the community, has been ringing the bell for the Salvation Army on Longboat for 12 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
Barista Claudia Aridus pours a latte while Sara Rountree rinses a cup at Sips this January. The popular north-end coffee shop is expanding with a second location on Longboat Key.
  • January 16, 2026
Longboat Key coffee shop's success brews expansion
2
Renourishment of Lido Beach is scheduled to be completed prior to sea turtle nesting season.
  • January 15, 2026
Sarasota's Lido Beach renourishment project begins soon
3
Commissioner-At-Large BJ Bishop and Scott Dudley with the Florida League of Cities Advocacy Committee.
  • January 15, 2026
Longboat commissioner picked as president of Manasota League of Cities
4
Kelly Shrout, one of the main coordinators of the Friendship Garden at Longboat Island Chapel, takes a look at one of the butterfly plants in the garden. Volunteers recently helped spruce up the community garden that holds the memories of many residents who have contributed to rebuilding since hurricanes Helene and Milton.
  • January 14, 2026
New year brings renewal to Friendship Garden
5
All appears back to normal in some areas of St. Armands Circle, such as the sidewalk and landscaping aside Columbia Restaurant. Many storefronts, however, remain vacant 15 months after Hurricane Milton.
  • January 14, 2026
St. Armands resilience allocation brings 'sense of accomplishment'

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