LONGBOAT
Observer
Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
INSIDE
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023
VOLUME 46, NO. 15
YOUR TOWN
Conservation starts at home Longboat is laying the groundwork for years of environmental action with a wide-ranging plan. SEE PAGE 3
Carter Weinhofer
Marlene McBrier
Holiday giving
Looking for another spot to donate toys to children this holiday season? J. McLaughlin, located at 515 Bay Isles Parkway, is currently running its third annual toy drive in collaboration with the Longboat Key Garden Club. Cathy Bishop and Marlene McBrier were at the shop on Nov. 17 to kick off the drive, with 15% of sales from that day benefiting Children First. Longboat Key Turtle Watch was also at the event to show support and provide educational resources. Bishop said last year they collected more than $2,500 worth of toys. From now until Nov. 26, donation boxes will be at J. McLaughlin to accept donations of toys for children under the age of 5. The Garden Club will also be donating $500 to go toward purchasing children’s books.
NETWORK AT THE DISCO Femcity, a women’s networking group throws a retro party. SEE PAGE 18
Petra Rivera
Jane Fennessy and Majorie Stapleton
100 and fabulous
One-hundred never looked so good. Majorie Stapleton turned 100 years old surrounded by her closest friends and family from Longboat Key and around the country. Her birthday party was held on Nov. 17 at the Bird Key Yacht Club. “My mom is just such a strong human being,” said Stapleton’s daughter, Jane Fennessy. “She is so caring and loving to everyone she meets.” Originally from Michigan, Stapleton has lived on Longboat Key since the 1980s. She has been involved in the Longboat community, especially at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church. She used to sing in the choir and play the bells at the services for many years. Stapleton said this party has allowed her to see people she hasn’t seen in years. She loved greeting people and being able to reconnect. Everyone at the party was asked to fill out memory cards with their favorite memory with Stapleton. Since she can’t see well anymore, her family plans to make a recording for Stapleton to hear the memories whenever she would like. Fennessy said there are enough memories for Stapleton to be able to listen to them for the next six months.
Petra Rivera
Jennifer Graue, Juile Wilson, Jojo Fusco and Medge Jaspan don their ’70s best at the Femcity Disco Party Nov. 16 at Bird Key Yacht Club.
Walk this line
A+E
Carter Weinhofer
A new pedestrian crosswalk is being installed near Broadway Street.
Crosswalks are being installed or upgraded on at five locations on Gulf of Mexico Drive. SEE PAGE 5
Garden party. INSIDE