LONGBOAT
Health Matters OCTOBER 2020
Observer
SARASOTA
Observer
Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
The Faces of
COVID-19 INSIDE Locals recall their experiences with the virus, as well as what they learned to help them recover. SEE INSIDE
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
SLOW PROGRESS
Antibody tests not yet proof of immunity.
VOLUME 43, NO. 10
FREE
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PAGE 7
IN FOR 6, OUT FOR 8
Breathing exercises help lung health.
PAGE 8
FIRST STEP
If COVID-19 has worsened your mental health, you’re not alone.
PAGE 9
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2020
Who’s going to run?
YOUR TOWN
Election season opens with three commission seats up for grabs. PAGE 3A
Mark Bergin
The town’s beach management plan will take place over five years.
File/courtesy photos
Above: Kennedy, 3, and Brynn Legler, 6 Top: Kennedy Legler IV campaigns for his grandfather on Longboat Key in 1996 at age 10.
Limit set for bond borrow
On the rise
BREEZY TUNES
Commissioners OK $22 million ceiling for beach debt. PAGE 2A
Concerts in the fresh air a big hit. PAGE 1B
A+E Selby blooms for women. SEE PAGE 4B
It’s obvious the Legler family is familiar with local politics. Kennedy “Ken” Legler Jr. served nine years on the Longboat Key Commission, beginning in 1996, and was mayor from 2000-2002. As seen in the Observer in 1996, the career lawyer, who died in 2012, had a little help from his 10-year-old grandson campaigning. Now, all grown up and running for the Sarasota County Charter Review Board, Kennedy B. Legler IV is getting a little help from a new, younger generation: daughters Brynn, 6, and Kennedy, 6 (the fifth Kennedy in the family). “Including the girls in this process to understand that their dad is running for an election, explaining to them what an election is and why we do this has been very rewarding,” their dad said.
Nat Kaemmerer
Chris and Bob Stobaugh enjoy a musical performance at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church.
We’re No. 8! Travel site ranks resorts, island high. SEE PAGE 6A
Courtesy photo
Condé Nast Traveler ranked the Zota Beach Resort as the ninth best resort in Florida. Longboat Key was ranked eighth.
Familiar face, new place Donna Blaney, the friendly face at the front desk for the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, has to drive a little farther south to get to work these days. She’s now the community outreach and marketing manager for The Paradise Center on Bay Isles Road. Blaney is still helping out at the chamber, too, but President Gail Loefgren hopes to hire new staff by the end of the year.