SARASOTA
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 16, NO. 48
FREE
YOUR TOWN
•
Pandemic dating: A wild frontier. PAGE 26 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020
A more perfect Circle
From hotels to Jenga, St. Armands leaders talk change. PAGE 3
Courtesy photo
A grateful gathering
After months away, the Sarasota Branch of the National League of American Pen Women was thrilled to reunite with a Garden Gratitude Party on Oct. 14. The party, held at the Villa Serena grounds, had 26 members of the arts nonprofit putting on their best hats and face masks for a socially distanced get-together. Members with the most creative hats and masks took home prizes. The league went over plans for the season, including a performance luncheon with awards for high school seniors gifted in the arts.
A slice of courage
White Cane Day
There’s a long history in America of celebrating White Cane Day, starting with President Lyndon B. Johnson establishing the day in 1964 to raise awareness for people who are visually impaired. On Oct. 15, Sarasota police partnered with state organizations for their own White Cane Day event, which had visually impaired children and supporters walking with white canes across intersection of Main Street and North Lemon Avenue. The audience heard from Cooper Vollmer, a 9-year-old who is visually impaired and a White Cane Day spokesperson; Sarasota Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch; and others.
Whether it’s reopening her shop or donating a kidney, ‘Cheese Louise’ braves challenges with a smile. SEE PAGE 20
Harry Sayer
Louise Converse has adapted her store, Artisan Cheese Co., throughout the pandemic while learning she was a kidney match for a friend in need.
A+E
Masks stay at schools
Turtle Tracks AS OF OCT. 17 TOTAL NESTS: 2020 2019 Siesta Key 447 711 Lido Beach 138 98 Casey Key 1,515 2,312 TOTAL FALSE CRAWLS: 2020 2019 Siesta Key 581 1,158 Lido Beach 215 192 Casey Key 1,985 2,983
A divided board adopted long-term mask regulations. SEE PAGE 5 Harry Sayer
Doug LaFalce protests the school mask policy.
In-person enjoyment on the way. PAGE 22