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Sarasota | Neighbors

Tranda Pestrak builds a sandcastle with her kids Levi, 4, and Selah, 2, the day after Thanksgiving.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 5, 2019
Buying the beach instead

For some the day after Thanksgiving means sales, but for others it means sun.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Glossie Atkins is the mother of former Mayor Fredd Atkins
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 5, 2019
Happy 102nd birthday, Glossie

Glossie Atkins celebrates 102 years of life.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 5, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: December 5

Sarasota weather page photo: December 5

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • December 1, 2019
Siesta Key spreads holiday cheer through annual parade

Siesta Key Village hosted its annual holiday parade Nov. 30.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 28, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: November 28

Stephen Jordan captured this majestic sunset from Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
"Nucci" follows the life of a young circus performer who works to master the quadruple somersault.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 25, 2019
Life under the big top

Adrian Catarzi, the 13th trapezist to do the triple somersault, wrote a book following his journey to mastering the feat.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
John Bielinski, Jr. stands amid his students and a representative from Guinness World Records.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 25, 2019
Trainer teaches longest medical class

John Bielinski leads a Sarasota session for 30 hours.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 25, 2019
Thanksgiving surprise

Out of Door Academy gifted 75 Gocio Elementary School families with Thanksgiving meal kits.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Domenique Maitre knits new items to sell during the festival.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 22, 2019
Pinecraft gets crafty for the holidays

The 26th annual Christmas in Pinecraft Arts and Crafts Festival runs through Nov. 23.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bill Saldo, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota, and Neil McCurry, president and CEO of Sabal Palm Bank.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 22, 2019
Sabal Palm Banks hosts 'Party at the Point'

Proceeds from the event went to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 21, 2019
Preschool students give thanks through song

First Presbyterian Preschool held its annual Thanksgiving pageant on Nov. 20.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Brynn Mechem and Harry Sayer
  • November 21, 2019
Artists create 'labor of love' at 10th annual Crystal Classic

Sculptors came from all over the world to compete in the competition on Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 21, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: November 21

Allison Forsyth captured this image of a setting sun from under Ringling Bridge at Bird Key Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Naomi Person and Margaret Cass pose during the interfaith service.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 19, 2019
First Presbyterian holds interfaith Thanksgiving service

First Presbyterian Church held its community Thanksgiving interfaith service on Nov. 17.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kelley Storey packs one of the boxes.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 18, 2019
Season of giving

Gulf Gate Rotary Club partnered with Children Protection Center to donate Thanksgiving dinners to 80 families in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarabeth Kalajian and William Jervey
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 18, 2019
Night of surprises

Sarabeth Kalajian was recognized for her 35 years with the Sarasota County library system on Nov. 13.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 16, 2019
Festival rocks hunger in Lakewood Ranch

Giving Hunger the Blues at the Sarasota Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch benefits Mayors' Feed the Hungry program.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 16, 2019
Sand sculptors compete at 2019 Crystal Classic

The annual sand sculpture competition runs Nov. 15 to 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Marissa Dobbert is Sarasota County Middle School Teacher of the Year.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 14, 2019
Sarasota Schools celebrate Teacher of the Year finalists

School district staff joined Education Foundation representatives in surprising the three finalists at their schools.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarah Darling lost her engagement ring while on vacation at Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 14, 2019
Have you seen this ring?

The custom-made gold engagement ring is believed to be around the Hyatt on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The world's first telephone box was opened in 1881 in Berlin.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 14, 2019
The 20th century is calling

Selby Library is home to two pay phones.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Vicki Dworski, Don Walker and Melliss Kenworthy Swenson rehearse "The Prize" by Arthur Keyser.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 14, 2019
Senior Friendship Center to hold Holiday Extravaganza performance

The "Holiday Extravaganza" will run from Nov. 19-22.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 14, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: November 14

Stephen Jordan captured a beautiful sunset from Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 13, 2019
Founders Garden Club blooms at annual luncheon

The annual Flower Talk was held on Nov. 13 at Art Ovation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lori Lockhart and Karen Howe
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 11, 2019
Arlington Park takes center stage at Porchfest

The fourth annual event took place in Nov. 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ralph Franklin, 99, cuts the birthday cake with a sword.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 11, 2019
Marine Corps celebrate 244th birthday with a Sarasota gathering

Veterans of the U.S. Marine Corps gathered Nov. 10 at Marina Jack to celebrate birthday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Katie Dick, 9, picks out her new mug.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 11, 2019
Bowls of Hope: A day for soup and appreciation

The 17th annual event was held on Nov. 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ryan Praerke and Kendra Simpkins, co-founders of Operation Warrior Resolution.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 11, 2019
Sarasota's Veterans Day parade salutes those who served

Young and old take part in the annual celebration of veterans.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 8, 2019
Thanksgiving comes early to Temple Emanu-el

Temple Emanu-el preschool held its annual Thanksgiving Feast on Nov. 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 7, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: November 7

Allison Forsyth captured these boats docked at Island Park near Marina Jack.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dennis Yoder, owner and founder of Siesta Key Creamery, started in the ice cream business in 1982.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 7, 2019
What's the scoop: Siesta Key gets new creamery

Veteran ice cream shop owner opens store in Siesta Key South Village.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Heather Hooper, Mote's senior aquarium biologist and dive safety officer, cleans the Selby Library fish tank.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 7, 2019
What's in the tank?

Selby Public Library gets a visit from Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Diane McFarlin, Dean of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications and former Community Foundation Board Chair.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 6, 2019
Community Foundation of Sarasota celebrates 40 years

The 40th anniversary breakfast was held on Nov. 6.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The mobile baptism truck has visited 15 states.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 6, 2019
Baptism on the go

Time to Revive ministry travels throughout the United States with its Mobile Baptismal truck.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 4, 2019
Kids bounce through Nathan Benderson Park

The Big Bounce America took over Nathan Benderson Back from Nov. 1-3.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
(This one is my favorite because you can see the bulbs up close and the sculpture in the background establishes where the lights are.)
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 3, 2019
Out on a limb with lights

Wait... are those Christmas Lights in October?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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