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Longboat Key | Neighbors

Alex Ortega started building a career for himself at Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay when he was 16 years old and new to the country.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 27, 2023
Alex Ortega built an American dream at Turtles on Little Sarasota Bay

Now 50 years old and the general manager, Ortega started working at the Siesta Key restaurant when he was only 16 and didn't speak English.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Harvest House CEO Erin Minor embraces a Freedom client after she receives her graduation certificate.
  • By Ryan Kohn
  • June 27, 2023
Sarasota, Manatee nonprofits push their clients' lives forward

Support for clients comes in the form of financial assistance, education, creative outlets and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Curtiss Schantz, a past commodore, shakes Steven Horton's hand after swearing him in as the commodore for 2023-24.
    By
  • James Peter
  • June 26, 2023
Bird Key Yacht Club installs new commodore, Board of Governors

The club looks to grow membership and improve facilities while maintaining a "personal touch."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Laura Wallace, Walter Killings, Shirley Pearson, Karen Pashkow, Jurome Killings and Sandra Johnson
    By
  • James Peter
  • June 25, 2023
Longboat Island Chapel outreach event overflows with donations

More than a vanload of shoes, clothing, personal items and toiletries was donated to the Mt. Carmel Resource Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Barry Gaines aims perfectly to dunk people in the dunk tank while other employees cheer around him.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • June 24, 2023
Longboat Key’s town staff gather for employee appreciation luncheon

The town hosted a BBQ honoring all town employees and showing appreciation through different bonding activities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Barb Torrence, Longboat Library volunteer
    By
  • James Peter
  • June 21, 2023
Longboat Library has new releases for every taste

Punch a literary ticket for a road trip with giraffes, a historical shipwreck or cooking better through chemistry.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Madeline Wikler's painting from her travels to India.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • June 20, 2023
Longboat artist says watercolor is a 'happy dance'

Madeline Wikler connects with her artwork through the viewers' perspective.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Garden Club officers Susan Loprete, Sharon Meir, Susan Mason, Melanie Dale, Lyn Haycock and Susan Phillips at the club's Arbor Day Picnic & Annual Meeting which was held on April 28 at the Longboat Island Chapel.
    By
  • James Peter
  • June 20, 2023
Longboat Key Garden Club named grand marshal of Freedom Fest parade

The club was recognized for its many beautifying efforts on Longboat Key, support for conservation causes and community service.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Josh the Otter visits one of Sarasota's elementary schools to talk about water safety.
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • June 19, 2023
Rotary Club of Longboat Key's season of service

The Rotary Club of Longboat Key has been a steadfast pillar for the community, supporting philanthropy, youth literacy and conservation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bird Key Yacht Club raised over $1,700 to purchase 34 pairs of shoes.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 17, 2023
Bird Key Yacht Club provides new shoes for Tennis for Fun athletes

The club raised more than $1,700 to purchase tennis shoes for residents of The Haven and Tennis For Fun participants.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Volunteer scuba diver Mark Fishman at Mote Laboratory and Aquarium's Ocean Day event.
    By
  • James Peter
  • June 15, 2023
Mote reminds Ocean Day visitors that water connects us all

Conservation organizations and environmental educators treated visitors to eye-opening facts and fun.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mirabai Holland coaching clients via Zoom recently.
    By
  • James Peter
  • June 14, 2023
Wellness coach builds healthy lifestyles one Zoom session at a time

Longboat-based health expert Mirabai Holland coaches clients through surgeries, teaches healthy eating habits, leads fitness classes and so much more.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Squirrels are expert foragers; wild mushrooms are an important part of their natural diet, providing the nutrients they need to survive and thrive.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • June 12, 2023
Feeding squirrels or other wildlife never ends well

Squirrels support healthy ecosystems. We can help keep them and other wild animals healthy by never feeding wildlife.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Inna Schoeler, fiber artist
    By
  • Sidra Wali
  • June 11, 2023
St. Armands craft fest combines fine art, artisanal foods, crafts and botanicals

Regional artists and artisans displayed and sold their work Saturday and Sunday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bert Tucker and Sherry Wetherington
    By
  • James Peter
  • June 11, 2023
Longboat Republican Club barrels into offseason with bourbon tasting

The cookout and bourbon tasting was part of an effort to foster stronger community for year-round resident members.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
Le Gardenia Bleu's John and Lita Brannan showcase their ornament tree filled with Florida's iconic flamingos and more at the 20th annual Meet Greet Eat.
  • July 6, 2026
Le Gardenia Bleu closes on Longboat Key
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
  • July 3, 2026
Voices of America: What will America look like in another 250 years?

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