“We all saw how the local business community came together to support one another when they needed it the most.”
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kim Verreault Read more on page 16A
The town of Longboat Key commission approved an additional extension to the town’s storm-related permit fee waiver until Sept. 30. At the commission’s April 7 meeting, Director of Planning, Zoning and Building Allen Parsons assured commissioners the waiver would not negatively impact the department.
“We have sufficient funding in reserves to be able to deal with having these fees waived,” Parsons said. Parsons and his staff recommended approval of the waiver
that applies to storm-related permits such as building permits, seawalls, docks, gutters, inspections, water heaters, sewer repairs and more.
Department staff suggested including certificate of occupancy, temporary certificate of occupancy and tree permits to the waiver.
During the week of March 21-27, the department received 186 permits, issued 382 permits and completed 346 building inspections. Parsons told commissioners about half of the permits the department
receives are storm related.
The town commission approved the initial fee waiver on Oct. 7, 2024, after Hurricane Helene. Then, after Hurricane Milton, the commission approved an extension to the existing waiver to last through April 30, prompting the matter to go before commissioners at the April 7 meeting.
Commissioners approved the extension 6-0, with Commissioner-At-Large BJ Bishop abstaining to prevent perceived material benefit from the legislation.
Town meter upgrades begin
The town of Longboat Key advised residents via social media that contractors will begin working on the island to upgrade several utility meters.
The upgrades began April 7 and are expected to last for two months. This program will upgrade existing meter registers to a cellular signal, the town’s post stated. The town also said residents would have no interruptions in service.
For questions or more information, contact the town’s Public Works Department at 941-316-1988.
Joint meeting set with Manatee County
The Longboat Key Town Commission set a date for its annual meeting with the Manatee County Commission.
The two commissions will meet at 1:30 p.m. on May 7 at the Manatee County Government Administration Center, fourth floor, Manatee Room (1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton). This will be the first joint meeting for newly elected Longboat Key Commissioner-At-Large Steve Branham, as well as Manatee County District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique, whose district includes Longboat Key.
According to email correspondences between commissioners, initial agenda discussion items include infrastructure, beaches, beach nourishment, interlocal agreements, transit and a future community space.
Manatee County previously committed to bringing a community center to Longboat Key focused on adult education and providing meeting space for community groups. However, earlier this year, the county decided to terminate its lease for the proposed space at Whitney Plaza. County staff and Siddique said the county would prefer to own a space on Longboat Key.
WORK IN PROGRESS
ANDREW WARFIELD, CARTER WEINHOFER, DANA KAMPA AND IAN SWABY STAFF WRITERS
From the southern tip of Siesta Key to the northern edge of Longboat Key, life after the 2024 hurricane season along Sarasota County’s barrier islands is largely similar.
Some steadfast residents have vowed, and are doing whatever they can, to stay. Those who do stay know they are losing neighbors they have lived alongside for years, if not decades. Relationships will be lost, perhaps new ones forged in their stead.
“Life feels like it is mostly back to normal, except for the fact many people aren’t here,” St. Armands resident Chris Goglia said. “You definitely feel the absence of some neighbors and friends around your house and when you’re out and about on St. Armands Circle. But aside from that — going out to dinner, doing whatever activities you do like golf or boating — life seems mostly back to normal.”
On Sept. 26, Hurricane Helene, a category 4 storm, roared past the coast, more than 100 miles offshore on its way to landfall in the Big Bend. However, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it sent a storm surge of 6.68 feet to Longboat Key. NOAA didn’t have official numbers for Siesta Key, but its storm surge is estimated at between 5.7 and 6.7 feet.
Two weeks later, at 12:30 a.m. on Oct. 10, Hurricane Milton landed on Siesta Key Beach as a Category 3 with 115 mph winds ripping off roofs, downing trees and causing power outages throughout Siesta Key and Sarasota.
After the hurricanes, Longboat Key suffered more than $180 million in damages, and all of Sarasota County suffered $440 million.
Cleanup of the coastline with sand pushed everywhere took time, effort and money. But, beaches at Siesta Key and Lido Beach reopened quickly in November.
With all the repairs, damage and inhabitable areas, tourism numbers expectantly took a drop before regaining footing in the latter months of January through March.
Area businesses have suffered the most, especially on St. Armands Circle, where life is still trying to return to normal, with some businesses trying to rebound or others that have just left.
Mainstays like the Old Salty Dog on City Island only recently reopened in early March, while O’Leary’s Tiki Bar at Bayfront Park remains closed.
In some ways, our area is returning to normal after the storms. In others, it will never be the same.
Water from Milton flooded the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and canceled events from October through New Year’s Eve.
The ceiling at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport collapsed at Concourse B, but in a show of resilience, not only was the ceiling replaced, but SRQ opened its new Concourse A in January.
In the next two editions of the Longboat Observer , we will look back and forward to what happened to residents, and where the town, city and county stand in recovery efforts. We’ll look at permitting, including who has been getting permits and who hasn’t, and what businesses have suffered from the storms while others received a boost.
Deep down, it’s the residents of Longboat Key and Sarasota who have been through the most, and their stories shed the best light of where we were and where we are today.
What they all share in common is their affinity for living in their coastal communities from the north end of Longboat Key to the southern tip of Siesta Key, and everywhere in between.
Six months after Milton punctuated the stormy season with its landfall directly over the Sarasota area, residents shared with the Observer their stories of resilience and resignation as the long road to recovery continues.
HELENE BROUGHT THE WATER
“Life feels like it is mostly back to normal, except for the fact many people aren’t here.”
—St. Armands resident Chris Goglia
It was 9 p.m. and Hurricane Helene was heading to the Florida panhandle when Lourdes Ramirez recalls losing power in her Siesta Key home. No big deal, she thought, believing she and her husband, Eric, dodged another one. Then she heard the sound of water sloshing outside the house.
Living just less than a mile from the coast and not along a canal, she never considered storm surge to be a danger, especially from a storm 100 miles off the coast and heading north.
“We took a flashlight and looked in our backyard and saw water. We knew because it hadn’t been raining that much so we knew that it was storm surge,” she said. “Fortunately, my next door neighbor had a second-story patio and the house is on stilts. She was not there, so we spent the night on her patio waiting out the storm. It was my husband, myself and our cat up there waiting to be rescued the next morning.”
Partially covered by a roof, they were high, but not dry, as winddriven squalls rained on them throughout the night.
Among the
“The water must have come in pretty forcefully, because everything we thought we lifted high enough got knocked over or was
was destroyed.”
Hurricane Helene Sept. 24-27, 2024
Hurricane Milton Oct. 5-10, 2024
MAP KEY Hurricane Helene HurricaneMilton
Longboat Key residents who navigated the worst of the storms is Deborah DiCarlo as
Helene ravaged her home.
floating,” she said. “Practically everything below four feet down there
St. Armands Residents Association
President Chris Goglia and his wife, Cathy.
Andrew Warfield
The damage at 335 N. Washington Blvd. on St. Armands Key following Hurricane Milton.
Courtesy images
The high water mark from the Hurricane Helene storm surge marks the Siesta Key home of Lourdes Ramirez.
ACTIONABLE RESPONSE
FPL
Following Helene and Milton, on Wednesday Oct. 9, as many as 275,860 Florida Power & Light customers were without power, which is 88% of Sarasota County.
In a matter of 24 hours, that number reduced to 181,230, leaving 61% without power. By 6 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, the number was cut in half at 30% with 89,310 without power.
By Tuesday Oct. 15, only 14,480, or less than 5%, were without power and that was because of heavy damage suffered.
Throughout the state, FPL had a restoration workforce of 20,000 from 41 states and Canada.
Staging for Sarasota County was at the Sarasota County Fairgrounds during the time of restoration.
SARASOTA COUNTY RESPONSE
Sarasota County has spent approximately $85 million to date in recovery efforts for the three named storms. That total includes the total do-date billed debris removal costs at just less than $59.6 million.
County staff has confirmed it is investigating all eligible reimbursements from FEMA and expects to receive reimbursements of approximately $75 million. Until then, those costs are paid out of the county’s general fund, which at the end of fiscal year 2024 showed a fund balance of $133.6 million, $74.2 million of that earmarked for contingency/emergency/disaster relief reserves.
The county’s contracted haulers collected approximately 32 million cubic yards of vegetative debris from Siesta Key, which was reduced to mulch and relocated, plus 45,415 cubic yards of mixed debris. The data does not include
sand, appliances or household hazardous waste and applies only to unincorporated Siesta Key. The northern end of the key is in the Sarasota city limit.
CITY OF SARASOTA RESPONSE
The city’s cleanup response following the 2024 storms, which included severe flooding the Pinecraft area from Phillippi Creek caused by the heavy rains of Tropical Storm Debby, totaled about 320,000 cubic yards of vegetative and household debris. Including nearly $10 million to get the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall up and running in time for the second half of the performance season, the cleanup and recovery bill exceeded $17 million, well more than half of the city’s $28.7 million in general fund reserves.
The city did receive an advance of more than $7.7 million from FEMA, leaving a nearly $10 million gap. But that’s not all. Several city parks are awaiting repairs and restoration, some of those not expected to be complete until 2027.
LONGBOAT KEY RESPONSE Immediately following Hurricane Milton, the town of Longboat Key requested outside help and additional resources from regional and state departments. The town requests help from a county emergency operations center and first receives resources available regionally. If the resources are not available, the EOC then sends the request further out to other parts of the state and, sometimes, other states.
It’s a need-based system, said Town Manager Howard Tipton, and, if asked in the future, the town would send resources or personnel it could spare to assist municipalities in a similar situation.
Officers and fire department crew members from municipalities such as Miami-Dade Police Department, Biscayne Park Police Department and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue traveled more than 200 miles to assist Longboat Key with extra patrols and traffic control.
The town also requested assistance in getting its lift stations operational, and the city of Bonita Springs showed up to help. Sand and debris covered Longboat Key’s roads and some properties, after Helene and Milton. It was the town’s responsibility to clean up debris along town-owned roads, which Tipton said cost more than $4 million.
The Florida Department of Transportation handled debris cleanup from Gulf of Mexico Drive, which is a state-owned road. Altogether, Tipton esti-
mated $10 million was spent on Longboat Key’s roadway debris cleanup between the town and FDOT.
After crews removed the debris from the roads, it was staged in a vacant lot on the island where some of it was processed and ground to finer pieces to make it easier to pack. Then, the debris was sent off to a landfill on the mainland.
Moving forward, Tipton said one of the biggest takeaways from Helene and Milton was that hurricanes and large storms don’t need to be directly hitting an area to cause significant damage.
“I think there has to be this reckoning that it doesn’t have to be a direct line to us, it doesn’t have to be close ... everybody has to be on their game when something is in the general area,” Tipton said.
That anticipation will become a new normal, Tipton said, and one that he thinks will keep resiliency projects front of mind.
“I think it’s getting to the infrastructure projects and understanding that resiliency is the No. 1 issue for our island,” Tipton said. “It’s the cloud that hangs over us, or as I like to look at it, the opportunity in front of us.”
Projects like beach nourishment, roadway drainage improvements and canal dredging — which is a part of the town’s stormwater drainage — will likely be given a higher priority, Tipton said.
The Sarasota County Fairgrounds is a staging area for post-hurricane recovery efforts.
AI: The next new frontier?
While some media organizations are clamoring to be leaders in artificial intelligence, the Observer is following a different approach.
KAT WINGERT EXECUTIVE EDITOR & COO
As a child of the ’80s growing up during the popularity of the two “Terminator” movies — stories built around the dystopian theme that learning machines become self-aware and start a war to exterminate humans — the idea of artificial intelligence is a bit unsettling.
I know I’m not in the minority here. The spectrum of fear surrounding AI ranges from general uneasiness with having computers specifically programmed to emulate human beings to doomsday scenarios of all of us losing our jobs and becoming enslaved to our computer overlords.
I don’t know what the future of AI looks like. And, from a two-day summit I attended this past week on AI Ethics in Journalism put together by the Poynter Institute and hosted by the Associated Press in New York City, I can confidently say: No one else does, either. But here’s one thing I do know: It’s here, whether we like it or not. Even if you don’t realize it, you’re most likely using it daily.
Aside from the platforms set up to use AI via prompts from humans, such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini, companies have been baking AI into their technology in more subtle ways you may not have noticed. For example, ever been writing an email and it starts suggesting how you can finish your sentence? That’s AI. Ever used a chat feature with specific prompts during a customer service call or online session? More AI. Ever search for something in Google and a paragraph pops up at the top of the results with an overview answering your question? 100% AI.
In a 2024 study by the Reuters Institute, researchers found that, in the U.S., fewer than half of people over the age of 35 have heard “a large or moderate amount about AI.”
Three years after ChatGPT’s launch in 2022, that means the majority of our population still doesn’t really know that much about it.
WHAT IT MEANS FOR NEWS
AI is a complicated, double-edged sword of epic proportions. On one hand, it has the potential to do amazing things that could benefit readers and, possibly, humans in general.
For example, some publications are using it as an accessibility tool to read news for those who are vision impaired in a better, more lively way than our typical monotone text readers.
It also can help journalists with the needle-in-a-haystack problem. When data or investigative journalists are working with large volumes of documents, AI can help sift through and flag important things that can lead to more-informed and thorough stories. Some would argue this is its greatest strength: identifying and pointing out patterns. For large news organizations that have trimmed many of the reporters who used to cover things like school boards and town councils in small communities, they are investigating using AI to summarize government meetings so readers have some idea of what’s going on.
Or, even further, using AI to create entire newscasts using AI-generated news anchors who look and
Reuters Institute
A 2024 study by the Reuters Institute found that across several markets worldwide, more than half of respondents over 35 had not heard “a large or moderate amount about AI.” Furthermore, it showed that 52% of respondents in the U.S. were uncomfortable with news generated mostly by AI, while 23% said they were comfortable with news produced mostly by AI.
sound like real people. Creepy. On the negative side, especially with AI inserting itself at the top of your search results, it’s effectively diverting traffic that would go to the news source, in our case, YourObserver.com.
This has two negative outcomes for us and our readers. First, we lose the traffic that otherwise would come to our page, which we monetize by connecting readers with our advertising partners. They are essentially taking information that we spent money and time on to synthesize answers, often poorly and without credit. You may not think that’s a big deal, but the second outcome is that the information provided in AI overviews is often incomplete, misleading and inaccurate.
For example, I Googled, “What are historic property tax rates on Longboat Key, Florida?” The AI Overview from Google responded: “Longboat Key, Florida, located within Sarasota County, offers an ad valorem tax exemption program for property owners making qualifying improvements to properties listed on the Sarasota County Register of Historic Places or similar registers within the county’s municipalities.” Huh?
Its sources, the links shown to the right of the answer, link to the Sarasota County Libraries, Florida Department of State and How to Find Property Tax Records in Florida on a bogus county lookalike account on YouTube.
OK, it thought I meant taxes for historic properties. Let’s try again, with different phrasing.
This time I received an overview of property taxes and how they work … in Sarasota County. No mention of half of Longboat Key even being in Manatee County. That’s when I know we will always need human reporters to make sure we see the full picture.
HOW THE OBSERVER IS USING AI
So, how are we at the Observer using AI for our news content?
In short, we aren’t.
About eight months ago, the newsroom met to discuss what we know about AI, how reporters use any AI tools and whether we think they might be useful in the future. Although many of our reporters had played around with ChatGPT, there was 100% consensus, from reporters aged 22 to 67: We don’t trust it, and we’re not going to use it.
I was surprised. I thought for sure someone would see value in it.
Help in writing headlines? Using it to rewrite calendar entries? Nope, they said.
This is not because they were scared of losing their jobs. I challenge AI to go cover the county fair, or write a balanced, well-contextualized story on a contentious county commission vote.
They don’t value it because they don’t trust it.
As I’m sure you’ve heard, AI has a tendency to “hallucinate,” meaning it comes up with completely false information while trying to answer a question. Just like a human who is hallucinating might be a little scary and unsettling, we as journalists feel the same way when computers do it.
If we can’t rely on this information, then readers can’t rely on us. That’s a non starter.
The exception to this is transposing software, such as Otter. ai, which helps reporters translate recorded interviews into notes more efficiently. We have also tested some copy-editing tools, but, again, not great. No improvement over the regular spell and grammar checkers, anyway.
Are there potential uses in the future in which we might use, say, a graphic generated by AI to visualize information that we have reported independently and verified? It’s possible.
Will we keep an open mind about new tools that can augment our journalists in their work? Definitely. Will we be transparent about our efforts? Always.
But for now, we as a newsroom decided being 100% humanpowered is a unique thing these days, and as it becomes more rare, it’s only going to make what we do more valuable.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
What does this mean for you?
Unfortunately, it means now legitimate news is swimming in the same internet information stream that delivers “AI Slop” begging for your attention and spreading misinformation. Think of it as spam, only in your social media and search feed. So, if you care about things that are real, you’re going to have to be more discerning.
We already know this from social media algorithms. Nothing has been more effective at filtering other points of view from your feed. Just “like” one thing leaning one way or the other politically and you will be swooped into a land of agreement and posts that reinforce
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your view of the world.
The same is true with AI. If you, say, hit “like” on an AI-generated image of Shrimp Jesus just for fun, you may notice that you are soon served up AI-created videos of cats attacking alligators, people saving drowning kids from a flood and all sorts of things that are unbelievable … because they’re not real.
There are people who make money by creating AI images and videos and then monetizing them via websites, social media, YouTube and other online platforms. All fine if you want to entertain yourself that way, but just know those platforms are prioritizing these kinds of content over news.
The more you watch, the more you’ll see.
The way around all of this AI tomfoolery, fake videos and inaccurate content is what it has always been: Select a trusted source of news when you’re reading, and be intentional on what you reward as a consumer.
In the “you vote with your dollars” adage, you also vote with your time, your clicks and your likes. Be judicious with them.
Now more than ever, it is essential to know your source and be mindful of increasing your media literacy. Call us old-fashioned, but we think there’s value to being able to connect with a real human who creates the content you consume.
Someone with a byline, a phone, an email ... and a pulse.
At the Observer, that will remain at the heart of the stories and images our journalists create and the type of community we want to foster.
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Facebook
Shrimp Jesus is one of the more wellknown AI-generated images swimming around Facebook these days.
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Progress still far out for beach projects
Longboat
CARTER
One of the most noticeable impacts after the hurricanes was the change in the island’s sand. Hurricane Helene’s storm surge propelled water and, with it, sand from the beaches.
The surge drove some of that sand across the island, packing Gulf of Mexico Drive and many beachfront properties with sand. Some sand went the opposite way as the surge receded, far out into the Gulf and out of the island’s system.
Overall, though, it was a loss of over 400,000 cubic yards of sand.
When residents returned to the island following the storms, mounds of sand stood along Gulf of Mexico Drive, and some owners reported a couple feet of sand in front or inside of properties.
But at the other end of the issue were the impacts on Longboat’s beaches. While the town needed sand removed from roads and properties, it now needs sand back on the beaches.
About six months after Helene and Milton, the beaches still appear flatter, and a lack of dune protection is one of the key reasons behind that.
On Nov. 12, 2024, Director of Public Works Charlie Mopps and Al Browder, senior coastal engineer of The Foth Cos., presented an impact analysis to town commissioners.
SAND CLEANUP
Sand was a big haul after the hurricanes, and Manatee County cleared the piles that covered the roadways following the storms.
Town Manager Howard Tipton estimated about 40,000 to 50,000 cubic yards of sand were cleared from the roads, about 10% of what was lost. The remaining 90% ended up in and on private properties or further offshore.
Manatee County then took the sand to a processing site on Coquina Beach and the clean sand was relinquished to the county.
Tipton said when the town does a beach nourishment project in the future, it would hope for some financial assistance from Manatee County following the sand donation. The town’s next beach renourishment project is planned for 2029, according to Mopps.
Overall, about 643,000 cubic yards of sand eroded from the beach and dunes. That’s about 12 cubic yards of sand per foot of beach that was moved during Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. Of that, estimates show 407,300 cubic yards of sand were lost from the storms, with no chance of it returning to the beach system. Mopps said the town is working on claiming that loss through the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, through a Category G claim that covers parks, recreation facilities and beaches.
If received, the claim could financially assist the town in rebuilding the beaches.
“Hypothetically, it’s supposed to bring back pre-storm conditions ... so right before September 2024,” Mopps said.
The town and its environmental consultants conduct annual beach monitoring surveys to track the annual changes on Longboat’s beach, but also to have background for these types of post-storm claims.
“We do our physical monitoring survey prior to each storm season, typically June or July, and that way we have a baseline survey so we can compare that,” Mopps said.
As of April, Mopps said things were still in flux with the FEMA claim, with no major activity expected for another six months.
Mopps and the town are also considering pursuing additional funds through the state, which could help with a beach improvement project. According to Mopps, the state is reviewing possible funding for impacted areas.
He hopes this funding could improve the beaches beyond just 2024 losses and build toward what the beaches were in 2021 after the town’s last major beach renourishment.
The town placed 1 million cubic yards of sand along miles of Longboat Key’s beaches during the 2021 renourishment project that cost about $36 million.
LIDO BEACH OPEN, BUT WORK REMAINS
In 2021, the widening of a 1.56-mile section of the beach by an average of 300 feet is thanks to a renourishment that brought in 700,000 cubic yards of sand. The city of Sarasota and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the replenishment. The idea was dormant until reintroduced in 2013. The sand for the project came from the dredging of Big Pass on Siesta Key. The impacts of Milton and Helene changed all that three years later, depositing much of that sand along Benjamin Franklin Boulevard and along the side streets of Lido Key. The city was responsible for sifting, replacing and removing sand and the beach was reopened in early November. Although Lido Beach reopened on Nov. 2, it isn’t back to its prior condition. According to a city spokesperson, additional repair and renourishment efforts are ongoing.
South Lido Beach at Ted Sperling Park, which is owned and operated by Sarasota County, reopened in mid-March following an extensive recovery operation that included sand cleaning and replacement. Volumes of sand for both Lido Beach and South Lido Beach were not available.
Dana Kampa
Lido Beach welcomes plenty of visitors near the end of the busy season, despite challenges posed by the hurricanes six months ago.
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Owners at Pendry Residences Tampa appreciate an unprecedented living experience including unique and thoughtful dining concepts, a rooftop pool, an elite Fitness center, and stunning social lounges and guest suites. In addition, world-class Spa Pendry is an on-site beauty and wellness haven featuring best-inclass treatments, products, skincare innovation and more. Personalized services by the dedicated staff embrace everything from in-residence dining and chef-catered events to specialty provisioning, gift wrapping, and pet walking. Residents also enjoy travel privileges that extend to Montage Hotels & Resorts and Pendry Hotels & Resorts around the world in existing and planned locations like Park City, Manhattan, and the Caribbean.
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CIRCLE OF LIFE
The head of the St. Armands Circle Association discussed the state of St. Armands Circle in April — as the 2025 hurricane season looms.
ELIZABETH KING BUSINESS OBSERVER
At St. Armands Circle on a recent Thursday afternoon, diners packed tables from Crab & Fin to Columbia and Lynches Pub to the Daiquiri Deck. Boutiques and beachy shops were abuzz with groups of shoppers.
But every so often storefronts sat empty, with “now leasing” signs or covered windows — a reminder of the destruction Hurricanes Helene and Milton left behind.
Some 75% of stores on St. Armands Circle have reopened following the 2024 hurricanes, said Rachel Burns, executive director of the St. Armands Circle Association, in an early April interview. The Circle is home to more than 100 merchants, and she said 84 were open by late March.
From October through December, amid recovery efforts, things looked significantly different.
“We’ve never had a hurricane season that affected so many merchants,” Burns said. “Typically, damage is isolated to one section of the circle.”
But in Hurricanes Helene and Milton, no one was spared.
“Every store flooded,” said Annika Sandstrom, owner of Olivia boutique at 17 S. Boulevard of the Presidents. “It was a nightmare,”
BEAUTIFICATION AHEAD
In addition to more businesses reopening, a landscaping face lift is in the works for St. Armands Circle, said St. Armands Circle Association Executive Director Rachel Burns.
The city of Sarasota will “be investing some money into the beautification of the area,” Burns said.
Landscaping on St. Armands is expected to take place in May or June, according to city spokesperson Jan Thornburg.
Both the city and Sarasota County officials will also be looking at infrastructure issues.
“Hopefully, in the next couple of months, we’ll be hearing more from them on allocation of funding or ... grants that they’re applying for in order to really have a plan that can make an impact,” Burns said, “so we don’t have catastrophic disasters like this in the future.”
she said, recalling knee-high water and not being able to open the door to her store, which at the time was several doors down.
“It was like a war zone,” she said, with mannequins and a fridge floating in the shop. Insurance paid nothing, she said, because she did not have flood insurance.
TOURISM SLOWDOWN
Because Sandstrom had spring merchandise on the way after the hurricanes, she had to find a place where she could reopen sooner than in her old shop at 9 Boulevard of the Presidents. She opened in mid-January at her new location.
“January and February were not what (they) should be” as far as sales, said Sandstrom, who has owned Olivia for 38 years. “March was really good.”
Her experience in the winter months aligns with that of other merchants, according to Burns.
“Definitely, it is a slower tourism season than we would typically see,” Burns said. “Tourism ... has been down overall for the area, and I believe that falls in line, unfortunately, with what we’re seeing for Sarasota as a whole.”
Area residents who love St. Armands have been coming out to support the local businesses, Burns added, and the Circle will again begin hosting its special events in May with Corvettes on the Circle set for May 3, hoping to drive foot traffic to the area.
Sandstrom said she is unsure what the summer will bring, adding: “If we all work together to make the Circle great again, we can do it.”
BUILD ANEW
Water damage was the chief issue after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Burns said, adding it “affected so many people that just have never had to make repairs like this.”
Six months later, much of the structural work is complete.
Karyn Powell, who owns Jewelry by Cole at 7 N. Boulevard of the Presidents with her husband, Stephen Cole Powell, reopened for business March 15.
Powell’s store had to be stripped down to the studs, with no walls, as the shop was rebuilt.
“We had to replace everything,” she said, except for the merchandise, which she took to safety deposit boxes before the storms.
Open Arms, Loving Hearts, Accepting Minds
FEMA provided some financial assistance, while insurance did not, Powell said, because she did not have wind insurance.
“I have used personal money, everything I’ve got,” said Powell, to reopen the store, which she has owned for more than 30 years. “We were going to retire this year. That’s not going to happen.”
Since the hurricanes, Jewelry by Cole has gotten a refreshed interior, as well as new display cases, including two towers to showcase its handcrafted jewelry.
“It’s been exciting to be brandnew and different,” Powell said, reflecting on the upside. “We’re grateful that we could reopen.”
HOLDUPS, DELAYS
Many merchants have faced delays beyond their control for reopening, Burns said.
“Initially it was supply issues,” she said. “Really the whole west coast of Florida had so much damage” that it was difficult to get drywall and contractors, she added.
“One of the biggest holdups for a lot of people reopening has been reordering cases and display units and cabinetry — the finishes,” Burns said.
One merchant told Burns the business was using fold-out tables as displays because its cabinets have been on order since November.
“They got to the point where they just had to make that decision,” Burns said. “They couldn’t go all year without an income.”
more permits issued so far in 2025 than it had in all of 2024.
“The city was attempting to expedite all the permits for people impacted by the hurricane. Given the number of permits that inundated the permitting office, we’ve been assured that they are approving them as fast as they can,” Burns said. “Unfortunately, that doesn’t always feel fast enough.”
COME ALIVE
Meanwhile, several prominent businesses on the Circle are working toward reopening, including:
n Lily Pulitzer is planning to reopen in mid-April following a store redesign, Burns said, and related children’s brand Beaufort Bonnet Co. is opening soon as well.
n White House Black Market, Chico’s and Soma are all under the same parent company and will be opening “soon,” Burns reported in early April.
said in a statement.
n Tommy Bahama, which closed its restaurant at 300 John Ringling Blvd. after the hurricanes, plans to reopen where Shore used to be, at 465 John Ringling Blvd., in the months ahead.
n Sunglass Hut and Armel Jewelers will be “opening as soon as possible,” according to the St. Armands Circle Association. Meanwhile, several new stores have come online.
Getting permits has also “really held people up quite a bit,” Burns said, noting St. Armands has had
Please Join Us for Holy Week
APRIL 13TH - 10:00 A.M. Palm Sunday in the Sanctuary
APRIL 18TH - 6:00 P.M.
Good Friday Service in the Sanctuary
APRIL 20TH - EASTER SERVICES
EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE in the Garden - 7:00 A.M.
EASTER SERVICE WITH ORCHESTRA in the Sanctuary - 10:00 A.M.
Special music, inspiring messages, and loving folks at all services.
n Kilwins is also planning to welcome customers again shortly.
n Starbucks, which closed after Hurricane Helene, plans to reopen in the near future, the company
Merci Boutique at 486 John Ringling Blvd. and Breeza beachwear at 16 Boulevard of the Presidents recently opened, according to Burns, who said women’s clothing store Salty Stitch opened a second location called Kismet, where Little Bo-Tique used to be, at 17 Boulevard of the Presidents. Others have changed locations, like Olivia. After a fire broke out in January at Rochelle’s Boutique, neighbor Sea Glass Lane moved across the street to 59 S. Boulevard of the Presidents. Garden Argosy, whose previous building was sold, has moved to 18 S. Boulevard of the Presidents.
St. Mary, Star of the Sea, CATHOLIC CHURCH
Welcomes You, Your Family Members, & Friends to Celebrate Holy Week with Our Parish Community
CONFESSIONS: Friday, April 11, 4:00-6:00pm Wednesday, April 16, 9:30-Noon
HOLY THURSDAY: 9am Liturgy of the Hours Prayers, 4pm Mass-Lord’s Supper & Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Mass until 7pm
GOOD FRIDAY: 9am Liturgy of the Hours Prayers, 12pm Stations of the Cross • 3pm The Lord’s Passion, Veneration of the Cross, Holy Communion
of
Photos by Elizabeth King
The Daiquiri Deck hums with activity, while a neighboring resort-wear store is boarded up and closed for renovation.
Olivia moved a few doors down from 9 to 17 S. Boulevard of the Presidents.
YOUR NEIGHBORS
PIPE UP
St. Armands is home to a new pipe organ.
DANA KAMPA STAFF WRITER
With approximately 2,200 individual pipes, the newly installed organ at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church is quite the instrument to behold.
Church members recently celebrated the culmination of a project several years in the making — a feat with a commemorative visit from a special guest before long. Michael Bodnyk, minister of music and director of operations, said of the installation, “Every part is handmade, and this is a real gift to
the church and the community.”
Schantz Organ Co., an Ohio-based business founded in 1873, did the design, building and installation.
Vice President Jeffrey Dexter said it took about two weeks for the team to place all the pieces, which include 29 stops, 35 ranks of pipes and four keyboards, counting the one operated by foot.
All these pieces contribute different pitches and tampers, leading to endless possibilities.
“It’s a pretty complex and intricate piece of machinery, as well as being a musical instrument,” Dexter said.
As long as the church maintains it, such a piece can last for centuries, he
said.
Church leaders didn’t make the selection of a designer lightly.
Accompanist Kris Soderman said the church narrowed the choices down to three finalists, one of which was based in Italy and the other in Iowa.
“I think it came out really beautifully,” Bodnyk said. “We’re so happy with the way it complements the space, which is one of the reasons we went with this particular builder’s design.”
Former board President Ernie Smith said it was a lengthy process to go from idea to installation, but he is joyful to see the project finished.
Given the expansiveness of the organ, it can take a few months before it fully “settles in” to its true sound, Bodnyk explained. But he did offer a brief demonstration of the organ’s capabilities, playing a tune that trilled into the rafters.
Every stop generates a unique sound.
“You can make it sound like a flute, or a trumpet or really a whole orchestra,” he said with each adjustment. “You can even throw the sound around the room because of the division of the pipes.”
The minister said plenty of thought went into the layout of the pipes, which include a set of “festival trumpet” gold pipes donated by congregation members Art and Helen Kuh in 2007. Those legacy pieces, which Schantz refurbished, have a special place beneath the stainedglass window near the church’s ceiling, with the cross at the center.
“Their gift is still living on, which is wonderful,” Bodnyk said.
Church member John Teller said one of the first things he did postinstallation was to head outside to hear the music radiate beyond the
church’s walls.
Smith said organizers couldn’t be more pleased with the project. It was a significant undertaking, requiring both time and resources, at a cost of about $1.1 million. He said community members should be proud of their collective efforts to bring this asset to St. Armands.
John added, “There were a lot of personal donations that supported this whole process.”
Barbara Teller credited Bodnyk for being a driving force in actually materializing the idea, and she anticipates it will be a boon for the entire community.
Bodnyk noted it was challenging for the church to navigate installing the organ while still working to finish rebuilding from hurricanes Helene and Milton.
However, hearing those first notes emitting from the fully assembled organ was sweet music to the ears.
At the official dedication recital in early 2026, one of the main organists at Notre-Dame de Paris will play the new organ. The cathedral’s own “Grand Organ” has existed since 1730, surviving centuries of revolutions and renovations.
It is the largest in France and fortunately escaped significant harm during the infamous 2019 fire.
COMMUNITY FEATURE
Bodnyk said the church looks forward to seeing the pipe organ become a significant attraction for the community, drawing visiting musicians and instrument aficionados.
He said the church also plans to support the next generation of organists with lessons, scholarships, and, most importantly, access to the instrument.
“We’re going to have a whole series
IF YOU GO
ST. ARMANDS KEY LUTHERAN CHURCH REDEDICATION AND OPEN HOUSE
When: 11 a.m. to noon April 27
Where: 40 N. Adams Drive Info: Call 941-388-1234 for details.
of programs,” he said.
Bodnyk has been playing at St. Armands since 2018, joining thenmain organist Lois Habib. Habib, who served in the role for nearly three decades before stepping down in 2021, died in January.
Bodnyk said he looks forward to continuing to promote a legacy of trained organists.
With this new, high-quality organ at its disposal, the church hopes to welcome plenty of visiting artists.
Dexter, who is also the tonal director at Schantz, said one of the first reactions people often have to learning his profession is, “You mean they still build those?”
But he said this unique industry is alive and well, especially considering they have also installed the organs at Siesta Key Chapel and other locations in Florida.
“The pipe organ has been so closely mated with churches, both Christian and Jewish,” he said. “It can fill that role, but it can also be part of the wider arts community in an area.”
Smith said the church’s investment in such a piece also sends a broader message.
“It says we’re here for good,” he explained. “You don’t make this kind of commitment that is going to be for 50, 80, 100 years if you aren’t sure what’s going to happen with the church. This is permanent.”
Photos by Dana Kampa
Former board President Ernie Smith and John and Barbara Teller share their appreciation for the new instrument.
At the center of one set of pipes are parts donated from congregation members.
Michael Bodnyk, minister of music and director of operations, demonstrates the features of the new pipe organ at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church.
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TEAM TURTLE
After 7-year-old Eve Barniskis reached the finish line on the beach sands, her mother, Stephanie Barniskis, who ran with her, said she did “awesome” job.
“She didn’t like anyone passing her,” said Stephanie Barniskis. Eve was just one of the many community members energized for the 39th annual Run for the Turtles, the main fundraiser for the Sea Turtle Conservation & Research Program at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, which was held April 5 on Siesta Beach.
Melissa Macksey, a senior biologist and data manager for the program, said the race is a “huge” component of spreading awareness about sea turtle conservation and raising funds for the program’s activities including marking nests, tracking trends and collecting data.
The run kicks off the sea turtle nesting season, which runs from April 15 to Oct. 31 in Southwest Florida, and the aquarium says the run attracts more than 1,000 runners annually. It includes a one-mile fun run, as well as a 5K race sanctioned by Manasota Track Club.
“It’s a tradition,” said Cathi Skuba. She enjoys running that race, and the Sandy Claws Beach Run, each year with her grandson, Jack Skuba, 3.
— IAN SWABY
Keep Morse slaps hands with Mote’s mascot, Gilly.
Carey Beychok, Lorrie Muldowney, Jake Lasala, staff scientist and program manager with Mote, Sandy Moutoux and Tina Williams
Photos by Ian Swaby Michelle Lugo, 9, and Sebastian Kovendy await the start of the 5K.
Eleanor Spalding, 3, watches for her mother, Christina Spalding, with her father, Joshua Spalding, and sister, Maeve Spalding, 1.
An Artistic POV
Under
The free exhibition was the first event in the new “Arts in April” extravaganza, which aims to bring visual and performing artists under one umbrella to be enjoyed and celebrated by the community.
Admission was free, and 30% of art sales proceeds went to the Longboat Key Garden Club to facilitate storm rebuilding and beautification projects.
Susan Phillips noted refurbishing Bicentennial Park will be a priority as the town begins to plan for Fourth of July festivities.
The artists said they loved the venue, where decorative orchids surrounded their works intertwined with the foliage.
Marie Therese Lacroix works on both canvas and three-dimensional mediums.
She highlighted the mannequin figures she’s decorated with vibrant stripes and swirls, as well as her painting series depicting fashion icon Brigitte Bardot.
After getting her start at Collège NotreDame de Montréal, she went on to study at the Ringling College of Art and Design, eventually opening Lacroix Art Studio on Main Street.
Lacroix said she loves to keep variety in her artwork, using bold, emotive design elements to connect viewers with her art.
Participating artists brought all sorts of mediums to the show, from Erica Ferguson with her preserved mosses to Mary Dice with her felt work.
Artist Lynn Armstrong Coffin proffered art from perhaps the most unique materials. She is utilizing discarded materials from power lines, primarily insulation boards from the now-defunct manufacturer Celotex, to draw attention
to the undergrounding work happening on the island.
“I experiment all over the board, with every medium there is,” she said. “This just happens to work for me. I found something in a dumpster, I started working with it and I came up with something I liked, a style I’m going to move forward with.”
Anyone who missed the garden showcase can still catch a mix of those artists and others at the Longboat Key Town Hall exhibition at 5 p.m. on April 10.
— DANA KAMPA
Photos by Dana Kampa Artist June Morse enjoys featuring nature in her watercolors.
Anne Vose and Jackie Donnelly peruse the works of artist Marie Therese Lacroix, center.
Mary Dice features her felt-work art.
THURSDAY, APRIL 10
TOWN HALL SHOWCASE BEGINS
5-6:30 p.m. at Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road. As part of Arts in April, enjoy an art exhibition and artists’ reception. Visitors will get the chance to chat with artists about their work while partaking in complimentary appetizers and beverages. Free entrance.
FRIDAY, APRIL 11
LEARN FROM A MASTER
10 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Learn tai chi with master Max Yan. The class is open to practitioners of all levels, and walk-ins are welcome. Cost is $20 or one class pass with the center. Call 941-383-6493.
TUESDAY, APRIL 15
LET’S TALK LONGBOAT
3 p.m. at Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Join hosts Town Manager Howard Tipton, Assistant Manager Isaac Brownman and Planning, Zoning and Building Director Allen Parsons to discuss issues.
THURSDAY, APRIL 17
FOR A LAUGH
4:30 p.m. at Town Center Green, 600 Bay Isles Road. Comedy Night of Arts in April features three comedians, with Chicago-based laughinducer Don Tersigni headlining. Cost is $30. Visit LBKGardenClub. org/Events.
RECURRING EVENTS
WEEKDAYS
LONGBOAT LIBRARY
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 555 Bay Isles Road. Call 941-383-6493.
SUNDAYS AND MONDAYS YOGA
10-11 a.m. Sundays and 6-7 p.m. on Mondays at St. Armands Circle Park, 1 St. Armands Circle. This slow-flow yoga class is free to those 18 and older or accompanied by an adult. Bring a mat or towel and water. Register at Paige@YogaWithPaige.us. No classes April 20 and May 25.
MONDAYS MARKET ON THE KEY
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. first and third Mondays at the Town Center Green, 600
Bay Isles Road. The outdoor market features local artists, vendors of all types and food, continuing through April. Call 941-289-4141.
STRETCH AND STRENGTHEN
10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. This class is mostly seated and great for all fitness levels. The focus is on strength training and flexibility for balance. Suzy Brenner leads the class. Fee is $20. Walk-ins welcome. Call 941383-6493.
TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS PILATES SCULPT
9-9:50 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Pilates Sculpt is a combination class mixing traditional Pilates exercises into a fun, challenging workout to upbeat music. This class is for all levels. Cost is $20. Walk-ins welcome. Call 941-383-6493. BEST
Jules Mackie | Tracey Stetler | Nicholle DiPinto McKiernan | Patrick DiPinto | Rene DiPinto | Steven Moore | Janet Coughlin
NATURE’S BEAUTY WITH
FORECAST
MOON PHASES
TIDES
A++ by Will Nediger, edited by Jared Goudsmit
By Luis Campos
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