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Sarasota | Neighbors

Missy Weishaar and Rev. Fausto Stampiglia
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 20, 2025
Sarasota parishioners celebrate priest's 65th year of service

Rev. Fausto Stampiglia was the face of St. Martha Catholic Church for 31 years before retiring in 2022, and was ordained as a priest in Rome in 1960.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Anti Aging & Ketamine Center
  • November 20, 2025
Restoring Vitality to Patients with Hormone Replacement Therapy

How one clinic is restoring lives with Bioidentical Hormone Therapy.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Sheena Works, Sebastian Works, 7, Alissa Silvers, and Isabella Coulton, 7, pose together in front of the mural.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 19, 2025
Community unites to paint mural at Arlington Park

The project, led by Alissa Silvers, brought a tropical-themed mural to the park's lifeguard building.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bird Key Yacht Club General Manager Tammy Hackney and Commodore Tony Britt donned the hard hats for the official groundbreaking of the new clubhouse on Nov. 13 at the site of the former facility.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 19, 2025
Bird Key leaders break ground on new yacht club facilities

During early fall, the old building came down, and on Nov. 13, the first shovels of dirt were turned over on the site of the future clubhouse.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gladys Delgado with Chuck Sidlow (Chucko the All American Clown).
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 18, 2025
Fundraiser event in Sarasota spotlights babies in need

Baby Basics of Sarasota County brought a circus theme to its annual fundraiser, held at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes events on the beach adjacent to its campus.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 18, 2025
Artist retreat receives more than $300,000 in grants

The grants will help fund Hermitage Artist Retreat's operations, storm recovery and programming.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Artists including Isabelle Gasse (front) compete during the festival.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 17, 2025
Siesta Key's 'sand manager' has made a career out of sand

Andy Daily grew up on the sands of Siesta Key beach, and now his life involves serving the Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sand Sculpting Festival.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Tidewell Hospice
  • November 13, 2025
Hugo's Sunset Cruise

Hugo, a 105 year-old veteran in the care of Tidewell Hospice, he cherishes the memories of time spent boating on the open water.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
It's Read Everywhere winner finds high ground in Swiss Alps
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 12, 2025
It's Read Everywhere winner finds high ground in Swiss Alps

This year's winner of the Observer's It's Read Everywhere contest enjoyed the "trip of a lifetime" and showed that the Sarasota/Siesta Key Observer is as well traveled as Agent 007.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Students and instructor Elisha Byerly perform "Pennies from Heaven" with Sarasota Contemporary Dance.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 12, 2025
'You Raise Me Up' puts local arts education on stage

The finale of the 2025 Living Arts Festival in Sarasota highlighted arts education in the local area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Students from the Riverview High School Kiltie Band march along the parade route.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 11, 2025
Generations honor sacrifices at Sarasota Veterans Day Parade

Amid cold weather, the parade featured various local organizations and clubs, schools and government departments.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A team from the community of Heritage Oaks volunteered at the event and included Sandi Merrill, Pauline St. Martin, Gary Chapin, Sheri Abramson, Alice Chapin, Ruth Scribner, Steve Ronis, Linda Trageser and Sharon Boss.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 11, 2025
Bowls of Hope event helps fight hunger in the community

The Sarasota event brought around 50 area restaurants to offer samples of their meals to guests, while also raising funds for All Faiths Food Bank.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Front row: Vickie Miller-Yanics, Elliott Metcalfe and Becky Metcalfe. Back row: Tom Smith, Tom McElheny and Ben Knisely
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 11, 2025
Marine vets celebrate 250th birthday of US Marine Corps

This year's Marine Corps Birthday Luncheon in Sarasota hosted Elliott Metcalfe, the former public defender who founded the event in 2003.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A giant helium-filled nutcracker takes a bow during the 2025 Santa's Grand Arrival Parade Nov. 8 at University Town Center in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 9, 2025
University Town Center delivers parade thrills under the wire in Sarasota

High-wire artists Nik and Lijana Wallenda thrill thousands with a criss cross stunt, and then the parade floats through the mall area.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tommy Bahama CEO Doug Wood said he is thrilled with how the rebuilding of the restaurant and retail space at 465 John Ringling Blvd. turned out, especially the indoor bar area.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 8, 2025
Tommy Bahama celebrates grand return to St. Armands Circle

The combined restaurant and retail store invited guests to join in recognizing the official return after rebuilding from last year's hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sheriff Kurt Hoffman says his department is annually happily surprised that the response gets bigger and bigger.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 8, 2025
Sarasota Sheriff's Office kicks off toy drive Dec. 1

The toy drive benefits Teen Court of Sarasota, the All Star Children's Foundation the Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office and other organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Crowds enjoyed the slightly cooler autumnal weather while strolling around St. Armands Circle for the fine art festival on Oct. 18-19.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 7, 2025
Check out free St. Armands art fest this weekend

Admission is free to this annual art show, which will feature mixed-media artists, painters and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Arrive early and stay late to avoid parade congestion at UTC
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 6, 2025
Arrive early and stay late to avoid parade congestion at UTC

The Santa's Grand Arrival Parade on Nov. 8 is sure to attract more than 15,000 spectators in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Valerie DiLorenzo, Janice Boring and Silvia Flores perform a book signing.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 6, 2025
Group of seniors becomes first-time authors with memoir writing program

The new Gussin Center for Creative Writing at Senior Friendship Centers helped to publish the work of memoirists in "Joyful Journeys, Vol. 1."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cindy Mastrin browses the items on display.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 4, 2025
Market brings local businesses to downtown Sarasota

Eat, Drink, & Shop by the Bay brought local vendors to the street beside J.D. Hamel Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kathy Lozano and Reuben Rivera check out the 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia that first-time registrant Jim Friedman brought to Ferraris on the Circle on Nov. 1.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 3, 2025
Ferraris turn out for final Flight to the North Pole major fundraiser

St. Armands Circle showcased interesting models from fans of the Italian sports car brand at Ferraris on the Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tiffany Ranieri and 10-month-old Eli White patrol for mischief-makers during his first time trick-or-treating on Halloween at Fright Night on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 2, 2025
Fright Night makes robust return to St. Armands

Trick-or-treaters said they were overjoyed to see Fright Night on St. Armands make a triumphant return.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Edgar Villegas and his wife Norma Perez
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 2, 2025
Sarasota block party combines Day of the Dead and Halloween

Clasico hosted a downtown the Day of the Dead and Halloween Block Party.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Andre Herke, Thomas Herke, 3, and Jennifer Herke dressed as pumpkins.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 2, 2025
Families head to Sarasota's Cherokee Park for trick-or-treating

The neigborhood is one of Sarasota's most popular locations on Halloween night.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Registered Nurse Clara Rock started at Sarasota Memorial Hospital as an assistant in high school. She poses with her Labor and Delivery team at the celebration.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 31, 2025
SMH celebrates 100 years of service

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System recalls its humble beginnings and looks to the future.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
At one of two "Jurassic Park" trunks, Ayla Puccio, 8, helped offer the chance to pet a dinosaur using puppets.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 30, 2025
Sarasota church, elementary school team up for trunk-or-treat

Church of the Redeemer volunteers brought to life places from "Jurassic Park" to the Hundred Acre Wood during trunk-or-treat at Alta Vista Elementary.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A seaside table set with Siesta Summer's signature style — effortless elegance with a touch of coastal whimsy.
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • October 30, 2025
Enjoy a quintessential Florida al fresco experience with tips from top planners

Creating the perfect picnic isn’t rocket science. But it is an art.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Carol Siegler sits with her great-grandson Miles Dadosky, 4.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 30, 2025
Plymouth Harbor resident reflects on a life filled with philanthropy

Carol Siegler celebrated her 100th birthday on Oct. 23.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
From his Plymouth Harbor condo, Newman enjoys a sweeping view of Sarasota Bay — and a life rich in stories, family and photography.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • October 30, 2025
Photography has done more than keep Lou Newman busy. It's kept him young.

From polar bears in the Arctic to pelicans on Lido Beach, Lou Newman has spent the last two decades capturing the world through his lens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
This Lido Shores home was once the center of Sarasota's social scene — and scandal
  • By Robert Plunket
  • October 30, 2025
This Lido Shores home was once the center of Sarasota's social scene — and scandal

Once the stage for Sarasota's most dazzling dramas, this spectacular Lido Shores estate is back in the spotlight.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Lobster Dutchess features a whole Maine lobster stuffed with shrimp, scallops, crab and lobster meat, baked in buttery stuffing with Parmesan and a splash of sherry. Seafood Portugal combines lobster, clams, mussels, shrimp and sausage over pasta.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • October 30, 2025
Lobster Pot infuses New England tradition with Portuguese pizazz

The Medeiros family blends their Massachusetts past and Portuguese ancestry at the Siesta Key Village restaurant.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
  • By JL Bainbridge
  • October 30, 2025
Apples to Apples: How to Fairly Compare Financial Advisors

What Does Your Investment Firm Actually Give You?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Gisele Pintchuck leads a Q&A session with Omer Shem Tov.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 29, 2025
Former Israeli hostage meets Sarasota supporter, recounts experiences

Omer Shem Tov, captured by Hamas during the Nova music festival in 2023 before he was freed this year, found a "second mother" who lives in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
Siesta Key Kiwanis Club members Shawna Smith, incoming president Mary-Lynn Desjarlais, Joy Horne Jones, Candace Anderson, Kimberley Amos and Steve Stonecipher (front). The club meets the first and third Wednesday of the month at Gecko's on Clark Road in Sarasota. (Photo taken at Hub Baja Grille on Siesta Key.)
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • October 29, 2025
'Mighty' Siesta Key Kiwanis Club helps children, one community at a time

Poverty can happen anywhere. The Siesta Key Kiwanis Club is working to insulate Sarasota kids from its effects.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
  • By Casino Craft
  • October 28, 2025
Add Excitement to Your Holiday Party! Casino Craft Deals in Risk-free Fun and Games

Casino Craft has four standard games – blackjack, craps, roulette and poker – but customers aren’t limited to those.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
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Latest in Sarasota

1
All games in the 2027 Sarasota College Softball Classic will be played on the championship field (lower left) at the new 17th Street Park Regional Sports Complex.
  • December 18, 2025
New north county park draws major collegiate softball tournament
2
Sarasota Police Department personnel monitor Sarasota's network of cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detectors and other devices in the nearly completed Real-Time Operations Center.
  • December 18, 2025
Police foil developing bank scam as it unfolds
3
The home at 2834 Browning Street featured countless decorations and animated figures.
  • December 18, 2025
Sarasota homes light up for the holidays
4
In new year, Sarasota parents may have 3 days to excuse absence
  • December 18, 2025
In new year, Sarasota parents may have 3 days to excuse absence
5
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.
  • December 18, 2025
Ospreys get a home renovation

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