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Longboat Key | Neighbors

Gary and Linda Condon of Bird Key decorated their boat to contribute to the beauty of this year's Blessing and Lighting of the Fleet on Dec. 11.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 12, 2025
Boats sparkle at Bird Key fleet blessing

Bird Key celebrants decorated their boats, socialized and joined in a prayer for those sailing waters near and far.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Beth Stewart and Christine Parseghian joined in the festive fun of the Frosty Frolic golf tournament on Dec. 9 at Harbourside Golf Course.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 11, 2025
Ladies dress to impress at Frosty Frolic

The toy drive-centric golf tournament invited members of the Women's Golf Association and the Key Niners to compete in six-person teams.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The team including Rick and Josie Bertie and Paul Christenson won second place overall and the award for best "docktail" at the Lighting of the Docks on Dec. 6 at Longboat Harbour.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 11, 2025
Longboat Harbour light competition delights viewers

Attendees who judged and voted upon this year's Lighting of the Docks entrants at Longboat Harbour loved the model train and other intricacies of this year's docks.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Many holiday events took place the first weekend of December, but there are still plenty of opportunities for festive fun to have on the keys.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 11, 2025
Catch Santa on Longboat Key before Christmas

It's not too late to share those holiday wishes with Saint Nick before Christmas.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Santa Claus welcomes Ketia Alennsia Joachim, Henry Lerricia Jeanbaptiste and John Kerry Jeanbaptiste for a morning of family holiday fun at Stillpoint Mission. Longboat Island Chapel and other local groups helped make the Dec. 6 toy distribution happen.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 9, 2025
Stillpoint Mission brings holiday spirit to community

With the support of Longboat Island Chapel and other local organizations, the group delivered toys, clothes and fun.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Violinist and pianist Donna Smith performs with singer Johanna Davis at a special Christmas concert for attendees at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church on Dec. 6.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 8, 2025
Angelic voices ring throughout All Angels for Christmas concert

All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church invited musicians Johanna Davis and Donna Smith to perform holiday tunes for attendees.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Emily Burns and Jack Coleman of Poppo's Taqueria dish up their popular pork tacos at the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key's Lawn Party on Dec. 6 at Ken Thompson Park.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 8, 2025
Longboat's Lawn Party returns following hurricane hiatus

More than 30 restaurants participated after a year off as Kiwanis Club of Longboat raises money for the Children's Guardian Fund.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Susan Borden, Kelli Veit and Nancy Harris shared a bit about the goods and games available at Temple Beth Israel's Hanukkah open house on Dec. 7.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 8, 2025
Temple Beth Israel hosts Hanukkah open house for third year

From dreidel games to holiday market stalls, visitors took in plenty of entertainment to kickstart the holiday early.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
With a sparkle in his eye and a wave of the hand, jolly old St. Nick illuminated the lights on St. Armands Circle's 60-foot Christmas tree at a lighting festival on Dec. 5.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 7, 2025
St. Armands celebrates magical Christmas tree lighting

With an appearance from Santa Claus, music by the Sarasota Academy of Arts and festive treats, the Christmas kickoff delighted attendees of all ages.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Turtle Watch members presented a nearly $12,000 donation to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to support rehabilitating sea turtles like Ellie, one of the current residents.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 7, 2025
Turtle watch contributes nearly $12K to Mote

The Longboat environmental group gifted Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium funds to support sea turtle conservation and education programs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brent Piersma and Beverly Sutton fill seed packets for Hope Seeds.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 5, 2025
Hope Seeds seeks extra hands

Increased need in Caribbean regions means Christ Church of Longboat Key is seeking extra volunteers to pack seeds.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Serge and Sonia Gauthier, owners of Gauthier Salon & Wellness Center, commissioned artist Ludmil Iliev, joined by Vladi Iliev, to paint a mural inspired by shop greeter Ziggy the dog.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 3, 2025
Furry face of St. Armands salon immortalized in new mural

Ludmil Iliev, a muralist specializing in animals, brought his talents to Gauthier Salon & Wellness Spa on St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Anne Vose and Jackie Donnelly peruse the works of artist Marie Therese Lacroix, center.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 3, 2025
Check out these artists at Lawn Party by the Bay

Local creatives are bringing a new art exhibition to this year's Lawn Party by the Bay, along with a silent auction of Peter Max's work.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A pair of Crested Caracaras become roommates at Save Our Seabirds during ongoing renovations and, as keepers noted, seem to become fast friends.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 2, 2025
Learn how to safely handle wild birds with Save Our Seabirds

Save Our Seabirds invites anyone with a passion for helping injured animals to learn the techniques for keeping both birds and handlers safe at an upcoming workshop.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
American Contract Bridge League-certified bridge player Patty Mayer checks out her hand while playing a round at the club's new meeting spot at the Bayfront Park Recreation Center.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 2, 2025
Former Paradise Center bridge group moves to Bayfront Park

The certified bridge matches at The Paradise Center on Longboat Key have moved to the recreation center at Bayfront Park in hopes to increase capacity.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
The home at 604 Mourning Dove Drive sold for $5.1 million.
  • January 21, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 5-9 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key
2
Longboat Island Chapel, at 6200 Gulf of Mexico Drive, could lend some of its space to serve as a community center for north-end residents.
  • January 21, 2026
Church may offer space for north-end Longboat community center
3
Malia Price, co-owner of The Sarasota Style, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 14 with the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
  • January 21, 2026
Lifestyle, clothing brand officially opens on St. Armands Circle
4
Buttonwood Harbour in Longboat Key was one of many residential communities that experienced significant storm damage in Manatee County from 2024 hurricanes. Manatee County’s Local Mitigation Strategy explains the threats facing the county and unlocks state and federal funding for participating municipalities like Longboat Key, which passed a resolution in October to renew its participation.
  • January 21, 2026
Buttonwood Harbour community meeting scheduled
5
  • January 21, 2026
How to take advantage of your smart water meter

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