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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
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening

Shoppers explore offerings from the 13,000 books at the retail location, which also includes beach towels, decorative pieces and games.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Artist JC Wayne hangs the ninth and final piece in her series "Atomic Universe," the latest installation at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church. The display will be up throughout the holiday season.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 19, 2025
Artist delves into ideas of existence at Longboat exhibition

JC Wayne, All Angels' latest featured gallery artist, merges themes of spirituality, science and art in her series of paintings.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Osprey play an important role in local ecosystems, and they seek out high perches on either designated nesting perches or, as in this case, power poles.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 18, 2025
Ospreys get a home renovation

The city of Sarasota recently straightened out an osprey perch on City Island that was damaged by Hurricane Milton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Beverly Sutton introduces Santa Claus, who made an appearance at the Reading Buddies Christmas party on Dec. 11 at Christ Church of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 18, 2025
Christ Church Reading Buddies celebrate Christmas

Children enjoyed cake, presents, a reading hour and an appearance from Santa Claus at the Christmas party.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Check out the following options for holiday services this season.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 16, 2025
Celebrate season's tidings at these Longboat holiday services

Longboat Key residents and visitors have no shortage of ways to celebrate their faith this holiday season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This house on the corner of Wedge Lane and Bogey Lane takes the cake for one of the most colorfully decorated homes on Longboat Key this season.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 14, 2025
Which Longboat homes dazzle the most with holiday lights?

Lit-up lights on Longboat Key may take some sleuthing to find, but several homeowners embraced the holiday season with their festive decorations this year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
David Forester sings a solo of "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" with The Venice Symphony for a big band-style Christmas concert on Dec. 12 at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 13, 2025
Big band means big tunes at St. Mary Christmas concert

Members of The Venice Symphony performed a 1950s-era big band setlist of Christmas tunes for a concert at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.

  • 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
« 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 »
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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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