LONGBOAT
Observer Longboat Key’s weekly newspaper since 1978
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 43, NO. 11
FREE
YOUR TOWN
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PUNCH LINE Longboat Key artist grabs unique opportunity to bring levity to the election season with her crafty creations. SEE PAGE 18
File photo
This way to the ribbon-cutting It was 1951 when Longboat Key resident and U.S. Navy WWII Veteran Harold Ronson graduated from Philadelphia Textile College. In 2020, the school is now known as Jefferson University and home of the recently completed Kay and Harold Ronson Health and Applied Science Center. Ronson attended the ribbon-cutting via Zoom on Oct. 13, the result of the postponed April 3 in-person event. University President Stephen Klasko ran the show, which Ronson Zoomed in on with friends from his days as a board member, as well as student beneficiaries. Even a downside has an upside, friend Molly Schechter wrote, Ronson enjoyed the event from his condo.
PAGE 22 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020
Optimism buoys season forecast Those in the know anticipate a slightly different season, but a good one nonetheless. NAT KAEMMERER STAFF WRITER
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s many Longboat Key residents as you talk to, you’ll probably hear something different about the upcoming winter. Some snowbirds are staying away from Florida indefinitely, such as many Canadians. Others are keeping their plans solid or even coming down earlier, and still others are delaying their trips until the new year. “I think people are playing it by ear,” Seaplace resident Kathy Neudorfer said. “They don’t know what to do.” In a year unlike any other, of course we’ll have a season unlike any other. Although most are optimistic that there will indeed be a winter season, the question of how exactly it will go remains. But in the “mini season” of
Beach day from far away Can’t get away for a beach day? Then check out the EarthCam at Sand Cay. The newly installed camera offers livestreamed views of the Gulf from a vantage point at Sand Cay Beach Resort, meaning you can keep your eye on paradise anytime, anywhere. There’s also a Siesta Key EarthCam, so there’s no shortage of barrier island beauty to get you through a day indoors. You can visit bit.ly/LBKEarthCam for all your far away beach day needs.
Hope spreads seeds.
Nat Kaemmerer
Lynn Armstrong-Coffin takes some political jabs on the jaw from a couple of the puppets she creates.
SEE SEASON, PAGE 3
A+E In-person enjoyment on the way. PAGE 14
Turtle Tracks LONGBOAT OCT. 11-17 2020 Nests 0 False Crawls 0
2019 0 0
Total as of Oct. 17 2020 2019 Nests 1,136 1,342 False Crawls 1,307 1,518 Source: Mote Marine Laboratory
Mark Bergin
Harry’s explores expansion The restaurant has a plan to increase indoor dining space and parking at its mid-Key property. SEE PAGE 4