LONGBOAT
Observer Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
Popular novelist remembered. PAGE 18A
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 41, NO. 30
FREE
YOUR TOWN Tick, tock. Turn forward your clock! Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. March 10.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019
High-light anxiety Streetlight concerns are premature, town leaders say. PAGE 3A
BARGAIN HUNTERS
Courtesy photo
Easton Nock with Bradenton police officers
Best birthday surprise ever On the eve of Longboat Key resident Easton Nock’s 4th birthday, he asked his parents if they could pull over so he could say “hi” to a Bradenton police officer. Nock does this every time he sees a police officer or sheriff’s deputy. His mom, Jessica, mentioned to this officer that Easton’s birthday party was the next day at the Bradenton Country Club. Well, surely enough, the next day, Officer Cook and two other officers walked into Easton’s birthday party as a surprise. The officers passed out badge stickers and wished Easton a happy birthday.
Master of the arts Longboater Andy Maass had important business to take care of over the weekend. Maass spent the weekend as the juror for the 49th Gasparilla Festival of the Arts in Tampa. He has been involved with the festival more nearly 35 years, but this was his first time to judge the 250 artists. He reviewed the artists’ work for five hours before narrowing the competition down to 37 pieces. Thirty of those artists received an Award of Merit, and Maass also awarded Best of Show.
Katie Johns
The clothing department was one of the busiest during the St. Mary Royal Rummage Sale on March 1.
St. Mary’s annual rummage sale draws another crowd of thrifty shoppers. SEE PAGE 1B
Just hangin’ out Before bridge project can begin, crews must tend to the bats. SEE PAGE 6A
A+E Myakka magic INSIDE