LONGBOAT
Observer
Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
Two decades of tennis PAGE 16
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023
VOLUME 46, NO. 16
YOUR TOWN
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce flips the switch at the Town Center Green. SEE PAGE 11
Petra Rivera
Karen Pashkow and the Rev. Brock Patterson jam out.
Jamming at the Chapel
Carter Weinhofer
Mango Sunday at the Chapel is back for its third year. After their communion service at the Longboat Island Chapel on Nov. 14, congregants got to take home a special gift — mango jam. The Rev. Brock Patterson made it from church members’ extra mangoes. The mango jam was handed out by Connie DiMaggio and Karen Pashkow (above) and was put into decorated mason jars. Mango Sunday is usually hosted around Thanksgiving to represent how grateful the chapel for its members. It is also a community effort and a welcome Florida addition to the Thanksgiving dinner table. Sue Reese said it was a fun way to gather everyone together and lighten up their weekend. Chapel members are already looking forward to the next Mango Sunday.
The Downtown Duchess takes passengers on its inaugural ride along the Manatee River.
New ferry service bridges the gap If ferry service expands, officials say Longboat is logical next place for a stop. SEE PAGE 3
Petra Rivera
Muriel Klosterman and Val Evanko
Celebration of lights and music A little rain will never stop the fun on Longboat Key. Longboat Island Chapel hosted its opening night to Christmas in the Garden on Nov. 26, even if it wasn’t able to hold it in the garden. Through Dec. 31, the Chapel Garden is decorated for its annual Celebration of Lights and Music. The community gathers to enjoy decorated Christmas trees donated from local organizations, businesses and Longboat residents. Every two days, there are special musical presentations, refreshments and treats with performances at 6 p.m. Because of rain, opening night was moved inside, but it gave everyone more room to dance and enjoy the evening’s entertainment. Steve Quinn from Custom Entertainment Concepts was the musical performance for the night. Chapel members wore festive holiday hats and served hot chocolate. The chapel was filled with new and seasoned residents of the Key excited to share their holiday cheer with each other.
Petra Rivera
Michael and Medge Jaspan enjoy the fifth annual “Light Up, Longboat” event on Nov. 25.
A first for Christ Church Petra Rivera
Originally from Illinois, the Rev. Julia Piermont is now the fulltime pastor at Christ Church of Longboat Key.
The church welcomes its first full-time pastor. SEE PAGE 13
A+E Holiday horns INSIDE