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Longboat Key | Neighbors

Longboat Key 100 founders Julia Woodward, Betsy Juliano, Heidi Berry, Danielle Gladding and Michelle Johnson, along with Nicholle DiPinto McKiernan and Julia Woodward (not pictured), have united to launch a new, one-night evening of giving to support a local nonprofit with $100,000 in donations.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 20, 2026
New charity on Longboat aims to gift $100K

Inspired by an effort originating in Wisconsin, seven local leaders are coming together to coordinate a large-scale gift to an organization in need of a boost.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Don Katz, founder of the audiobook company Audible, reminisced with Bird Key Yacht Club members about the company's beginnings just following its 30th anniversary. Katz joined members for this season's lecture series on Jan. 9 at The Ora. Richard Besser, CEO and president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, moderated.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 20, 2026
Audible founder Don Katz reminisces with Bird Key Yacht Club members

Just after the audiobook company celebrated its 30th anniversary, the founder had a blast from the past meeting one guest.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Soloist Kei Sulhi, backed by fellow members of the Temple Beth Israel choir, offers her annual rendition of “The King of Love is Dead,” originally sung by Nina Simone and written by Gene Taylor, in memory of Martin Luther King Jr. at a special Shabbat service.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 19, 2026
Differences celebrated at MLK Jr. memorial Shabbat

Representatives from Embracing Our Differences spoke to the importance of inclusion during Temple Beth Israel's special Shabbat service memorializing Martin Luther King Jr.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Leaders from the Longboat Harbour Yacht Club participate in the swearing-in ceremony during the Jan. 17 Change of Watch. From left, John Shea, dockmaster; Susan Luke, purser; Herb Ritchell, scribe; Mike Perez, vice commodore; and Jeff Hecklau, commodore.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 19, 2026
Commodore Jeff Hecklau returns to lead Longboat Harbour Yacht Club

Club leaders participated in a Change of Watch ceremony Jan. 17, reaffirming their commitment to helping the boating community thrive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay kicked off its 60th anniversary celebration on Jan. 15 with live music and special guests including Plymouth Harbor President and CEO Jeff Weatherhead, City of Sarasota Mayor Debbie Trice, Chris Pfahler, Plymouth Harbor vice president of philanthropy, Pastor Wes Bixby of First Congregational United Church of Christ Sarasota and Sara Little, president of the Resident Association.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 18, 2026
Plymouth Harbor celebrates 60 years

The senior-living facility on Sarasota Bay kicked off this year's merry-making with music and sharing memories.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bonnie Michaels, literacy coach at Alta Vista Elementary School, helps students Deja (5th grade), Gianni (4th grade), Yoselyn (1st grade) and Andre (2nd grade) try out the new book vending machine. Sarasota Yacht Club youth board members coordinated the installation to help promote strong reading habits.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 18, 2026
Reading comes with a fun twist via new book vending machine

Members of the Sarasota Yacht Club's youth program took the lead in installing the machine at Alta Vista Elementary School to promote reading habits.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tom Watson showcases his 1929 Ford Model A.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 17, 2026
Sarasota Yacht Club, St. Armands commemorate anniversary with century of cars

A parade and a car show featured machines that span the same time period as the two organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
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1
Jonathan Hande, senior avian hospital technician with Save Our Seabirds, demonstrates how NOT to hold a brown pelican when bringing it in for assessment at the bird rescue organization. Anyone handling an injured pelican should keep an ideally gloved finger between the bird's beak to keep the bird restrained without inhibiting its ability to breathe.
  • July 5, 2026
What you need to know for fledgling season
2
Lucy Clark and Carlin and Ellie Mackintosh, granddaughters of Longboat Key artist May Lou Johnson, help release the first of 250 butterflies at Freedom Fest. The Fourth of July festivities also included a parade, canine costume contest, rededication of Bicentennial Park and family activities.
  • July 4, 2026
Longboat Key pulls all the stops for special Freedom Fest
3
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
4
  • July 3, 2026
Voices of America: What will America look like in another 250 years?
5
  • July 2, 2026
So, you want to be a citizen?

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