LONGBOAT
Observer Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
Not-so-scary.
PAGE 8B
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 41, NO. 13
FREE
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2018
YOUR TOWN
Katie Johns
One lucky customer will be able to remember the sage of the Longboat Key coyotes by purchasing this tree and ornament.
Christmas coyote While rummaging through the donations given to St. Mary, Star of the Sea, for this year’s Christmas Bazaar, the volunteering women came across one special item: a coyotethemed Christmas tree. Someone donated a small, decorated tree on a platform, but it wasn’t just any ordinary tree. On the platform, a small, stuffed coyote hangs from a branch. Did Longboat Key’s coyotes donate an item so no one would ever forget them? Maybe. But only one lucky customer will have the chance to buy this item at the bazaar on Nov. 17. It’s hard to miss with an accompanying sign explaining that, yes, this ornament could indeed be modeled after one of Longboat Key’s own.
Katie Johns
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan congratulates his son, James Buchanan, on his win for District 74 of the Florida House.
Buchanans roll to victories Incumbent Congressman wins seventh term, son takes State House seat.
OBSERVER STAFF
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan of Longboat Key won a seventh term Tuesday night, defeating Democratic challenger David Shapiro by 5 percentage points. The Republican, who represents the northern half of Sarasota County, along with Manatee County and portions of southern Hillsborough, carried his home island of Longboat Key with 51% of the Sarasota vote and 64% in Manatee.
Uniform memories from land, sea, air
Three-peat The Longboat Key Club’s USTA 6.5 women’s combo team is at it again. On Nov. 9, the team heads to Daytona Beach for sectional competition. This is the third year the team is heading to the big leagues. If successful at sectionals, the team can continue to districts and state tournaments.
In all, Buchanan received 148,799 votes (53%) to Shapiro’s 131,435 (47%) with all but four Hillsborough County precincts reporting. As Buchanan took the stage at a GOP celebration in Sarasota on Tuesday, he thanked volunteers and voters. “It’s not about me,” Buchanan said to the crowd. “It’s about you.” Buchanan said the campaign taught him that a positive vision and listening to people can lead to success. “The size of our win
Katie Johns
Following his five years of active duty, Craig Meldahl stayed in the Navy Reserves for 15 years.
Longboat veterans fondly recall their days in the service of their country. SEE PAGE 1B
tonight is humbling,” he said. Buchanan lives in Longboat Key with his wife of more than 40 years. Vern and Sandy Buchanan have two grown sons, James and Matt. James won a seat in the Florida House of Representatives Tuesday night, winning his race in District 74 against Democrat Tony Mowry and Robert Kaplan, who ran without party affiliation. SEE ELECTION, PAGE 3A
A+E
Celebrating architecture. INSIDE