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Longboat Key | Neighbors

Susan Benjamin, The Education Center's biographical historian who is praised for her engaging presentations about the lives of some of the industry's most famous musicians, turns her attention to Billy Joel, Gene Kelly and Bob Fosse this season.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 3, 2026
Education Center dives into the stories and music of Billy Joel

Biographical historian Susan Benjamin teams up with singer Jay O'Brien to celebrate the life and times of the Piano Man at their latest presentation with The Education Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ann-Marie Thompson and Cheryl Mulherin, attendees at the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild new members luncheon on Jan. 29, applaud the soon-to-be-outgoing board members.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 2, 2026
New Women's Guild members share stories of togetherness

From planning for a Valentine's Day art fest to reviewing scholarship fundraising efforts, guild members prepped for the 2026 season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mary Baker, board president of the Longboat Library, says guests can plan a fun book date for Valentine's Day to shop the annual sale.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 30, 2026
Plan a book date for Valentine's Day on Longboat Key

Longboat Library is bringing back its annual book sale on Feb. 14, which organizers say is the perfect time for couples to make a book date.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key resident Sarah Frederick, pictured above in one of her favorite competitions, said she knew from the age of five that she loved working with horses. Little did she know then that she would go on to craft a 55-year career in racing, breeding and caring for them.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 28, 2026
Longboat Key resident jockeys for space on the track

Sarah Frederick recounted her 55-year career riding as a jockey, part of an early wave of women in the sport.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Muriel Klosterman of Longboat Island Chapel presents Carolyn Nielsen, Turning Points' volunteer and events coordinator, with a check for $3,000 at the church's Gather and Give charity drive on Jan. 20.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 27, 2026
Chapel gifts $3K, supplies to Turning Points

Attendees at this month's Gather and Give filled Turning Points' guest speaker's car with donated cleaning supplies.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This year's New to You art sale promises some unique, larger finds for art enthusiasts, according to Linn Torres, All Angels by the Sea administrative assistant and art sale coordinator. Torres showcases a Grecian-style, three-dimensional piece of art.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 27, 2026
Big surprises await at New to You art sale

The popular Longboat Key art sale begins Feb. 2 at All Angels by the Sea and benefits Turning Points of Bradenton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rotarians Gene Luca, left, and President Terri Driver, right, thank Goodwill Manasota Veterans Services' Margie Genter and Randy Wright for offering insights into how it benefits community members. Representatives joined the Rotary Club of Longboat Key on Jan. 20 at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 26, 2026
Goodwill Manasota Veterans Services helps those who served get back to work

From coffee socials to job placement services, staff assist those who served in a variety of ways, as they detailed to Rotarians.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Reed Medical Group and Longboat Key Fitness both celebrated their grand reopenings on Jan. 22 at the Shoppes of Bay Isles complex, introducing visitors to their expanded facilities. Dr. James Reed, owner of the concierge medical service, wields the big scissors.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 25, 2026
Longboat Publix plaza celebrates grand openings

Reed Medical Group and Longboat Key Fitness held their grand reopening festivities on Jan. 22 at The Shoppes of Bay Isles complex.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe singer Michael Mejia-Mendez belts the opening note of Harry Belafonte's iconic "Day-O" during a tribute performance on Jan. 21 at Christ Church of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 24, 2026
'King of Calypso' tribute singer gets Christ Church grooving

Singer Michael Mejia-Mendez brought to life the tunes and tales of Harry Belafonte for a special performance.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Couch LBK joined neighboring Brista Commons businesses in celebrating their official opening on Jan. 20.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 22, 2026
Meet the people behind Brista Commons' new opening

Longboat's new "one-stop shop" for homeowners officially opens at the mid-Key plaza, covering realty, flooring, furniture and windows.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Malia Price, co-owner of The Sarasota Style, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 14 with the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 21, 2026
Lifestyle, clothing brand officially opens on St. Armands Circle

The Sarasota Style, the latest addition to St. Armands Circle's business community, recently opened.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
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
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
The southern end of Longboat Key feature many mid-rise condo buildings including the Beaches of Longboat Key (right, built in 1984), Regent Place of Longboat Key (middle two buildings, built in 1995) and Longboat Key Towers (left two buildings, built in 1970).
  • April 1, 2026
Inspections show LBK condo buildings in sound shape but come at a cost
2
Garden Club President Melanie Dale helps lead efforts to beautify and support the Longboat Key community. Butterflies visit flowering plants cultivated to support pollinators, reflecting the club's focus on sustainable, Florida-friendly landscapes.
  • April 1, 2026
Longboat Garden Club's efforts help beautify and nurture a community
3
Harry's Continental Kitchens has been a local favorite for decades.
  • April 1, 2026
A staple of Longboat Key for over 40 years, Harry's Continental Kitchens keeps it fresh
4
The home at 590 Birdie Lane sold for $5.5 million. Built in 2017, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,297 square feet of living area.
  • April 1, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 16-20 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key
5
Artist Darina Bratkova, originally from Ukraine, is the creator of thought-provoking, water-based scenes that many visitors to St. Armands Circle first view when coming to the business hub. She shared how she got her start as an artist and her hopes for educating others in the future.
  • April 1, 2026
St. Armands artist shares insight into thought-provoking art

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