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Longboat Key | Neighbors

Kalee Zavela, the Town of Longboat Key's first grants coordinator, explains what factors she weighs when pursuing project opportunities to improve the community, be it hurricane rebuilding or enhancing first responder equipment.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 29, 2025
Rotary honors the dedication of a town's grant coordinator

Rotarians heard from Kaylee Zavela about ongoing hurricane-recovery projects and other current undertakings.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
In an effort to raise support for mental health services, Kyndal Ray Edwards is walking to all four corners of the country. He reached Longboat Key on Oct. 25, and he set his sights on Sarasota on his journey southward.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 29, 2025
Cross-country walker reaches Longboat

In an effort to raise support for mental health services, Kyndal Ray Edwards is walking to all four corners of the country.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Wilma Davidson at home on Longboat Key, where she and her husband have lived full time for 20 years.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • October 29, 2025
Curiosity and a zest for life drive Longboat woman's storied career

Writer, educator, pilot and lifelong learner Wilma Davidson has built a career — and a life — defined by curiosity, achievement and purpose.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rev. Bill Friederich and his wife, Bah Hero, attend the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce annual awards banquet, at which Longboat Island Chapel won the Business Resilience Award. He is leaving the chapel and taking up a leadership role at Saint Andrew United Church of Christ.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 28, 2025
Longboat's Rev. Bill honored before going to Sarasota church

The outgoing care pastor and former senior pastor at Longboat Island Chapel is taking up a leadership role at St. Andrew United Church of Christ.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Valarie Evanko, Bob Mazurek and Iris White shared their hope that The Lord's Warehouse thrift shop will keep its normal operations running after a new Goodwill donation center opens on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 27, 2025
Lord's Warehouse prepares for incoming Goodwill

Organizers of the Longboat thrift shop hope they'll be able to maintain usual operations when the new Goodwill donation center opens.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jon Mongeau and Lita and John Brannan accept the award for Emerging Business of the Year on Oct. 23 at the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce 2025 membership awards banquet at Lido Beach Resort.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 24, 2025
Longboat chamber awards highlight business recovery

Business leaders celebrated their ability to rebound and recover from the 2024 hurricanes as the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce handed out 13 awards Thursday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
There were pumpkins aplenty at the festival.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 23, 2025
Get ready to trick or treat on the Circle

St. Armands Circle will soon be making a haunting transformation into a family-friendly Halloween venue.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jim Stanard
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 23, 2025
Bird Key resident finds post-retirement success as folk musician

Trading in numbers for notes, Sarasota's Jim Stanard released his album "Magical" in January of this year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Despite choppy conditions, the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees finished last Sunday's show with a grand finale three-tier pyramid.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 22, 2025
Catch the Ski-A-Rees before winter break

The family tradition continues with third-generation performers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dave Tomasko, outgoing executive director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, has always appreciated maintaining a close connection with the area's waterways. Now, he is returning to the private sector.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 22, 2025
Outgoing estuary program director proud of work on waterways

Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director Dave Tomasko is proud of how he's helped improve local waterways and now looks to make broader systemic changes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Trey Bowlin, Zach Schield, Tyler Brunton and Jamison Urch hoist the 25th Morton's Firehouse Chili Cook-Off trophy high as they take home first place for the Longboat Fire Rescue team.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 21, 2025
Longboat Fire smokes competition in chili cook-off

At the 25th annual Morton's Chili Cook-Off with other local first responders, Longboat Fire Rescue took home the top prize.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Choir member Nick Masiello brings congregants to tears with his rendition of "Bring Him Home" from "Les Misérables" at a special Shabbat service on Oct. 17, recognizing hostages of the Gaza-Israel conflict.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 20, 2025
Longboat temple lights candles for war hostages

Members of Temple Beth Israel offered a musical tribute to the survivors and victims of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Patron Disha Webb tries on a ring crafted by artist Julia Bernadsky at last weekend's fine art festival on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 20, 2025
Fine art festival showcases unique media

From resin-coated metalwork to wearable art clothing, the artists at this weekend's art festival on St. Armands Circle offered interesting finds for connoisseurs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mike McCullough at the Christ Church hurricane relief food drive.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 20, 2025
Christ Church to host welcome-back food drive

The church invites community members to help make its annual food drive for Our Daily Bread of Bradenton a success.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Robin Gupta, owner of Guppy's Longboat Key, said he's most proud of the way the restaurant has brought together people over lively conversation and hot cheesesteaks in its first year of operation.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 16, 2025
Philly-themed bar marks one year on Longboat Key

Despite opening before the hurricanes, Guppy's is now celebrating its first anniversary of offering "Philly fun under the Florida sun."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
Longboat Key Police Department Customer Service Specialist Ivan Zunz shakes hands with Police Chief Russ Mager at a Town Commission meeting Monday, Feb. 2. Zunz was recognized for 10 years with LKPD at the meeting.
  • February 5, 2026
Ivan Zunz recognized for a decade with LKPD
2
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee
3
Philip DiMaria says “there is a great opportunity here for St. Armands to evolve and become incredible again.”
  • February 5, 2026
Urban planner shares bold ideas to solve flooding on St. Armands
4
Lido Island Grill's lobster roll, filled with chilled Maine lobster and served with tortilla chips and lemon.
  • February 5, 2026
Meet the island kitchens setting the standard for a seriously good lobster roll
5
Front: Elliot Salenger, Larry Coleman, Dr. Lee Edstrom; Back: Steve Davidson, Bob Nusbaum, Paul Levenson
  • February 5, 2026
These tennis players unite for the love of the game — and ribbing each other

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