SIESTA KEY
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 50, NO. 24
FREE
YOUR TOWN
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A legacy of love.
PAGE 2
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2019
2019 IN SARASOTA NOVEMBER
Whitney Elfstrom
Woman sews 2,000 stockings
These 2,000 stockings might not be hanging by the chimney, but they were sewn with care by Dee Webber, the assistant director of Brothers and Sisters Doing the Right Thing, December 20 marks the seventh year Webber and Alice Jones, the founder of Brothers and Sisters, have donated 800 handmade, candy-filled stockings to Booker Middle School. This year, in addition to the 800 for Booker, hundreds more were distributed in Wimauma, Immokalee and elsewhere.
Students lead service numbers
Most high schools expect students to dedicate community service hours, and Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School is no different. But four students went above their call of duty. Senior Aaron Dhanhai has completed 612; junior Mallory Allbritton comes in at 440 hours; sophomore Allyson Galvin has 330; and Cooper Flerlage has completed 330 hours of service.
BLACK
TIE
SELBY PLAN IS REJECTED: Months of discussions, recommendations, demonstrations and more came down to a 3-2 vote by the City Commission to deny a key portion of Selby Gardens’ proposed master plan, rejecting the bayfront attraction’s plan to redevelop its 14.7-acre property. Those opposed pointed to the plan’s parking garage and rooftop restaurant as bad fits in a largely residential neighborhood. Supporters of the plan said the remake was critical for the nonprofit to move forward with a sustainable plan for the years ahead.
JULY
From the serious to the whimsical, a lot happened in the past year. PAGE 3 FEBRUARY
CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS: Cardboard, water and paddles added up to another round of annual fun at the third Rock the Boat Regatta, sponsored by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County. Kids, teens and area CEOs competed in their own classes in a race that emphasized not sinking over sheer speed.
NOVEMBER
Black tie’s best 2019 moments INSIDE
File photos
SAND SCULPTORS MAKE THEIR MARKS: Professional artists came to Siesta Key for the 10th annual Crystal Classic sand sculpting event. About $15,000 was on the line in such categories as team, solo and sculptors’ choice.
MAKING A STATEMENT: Police early in the morning spotted graffiti sprayed on the sometimes-controversial “Unconditional Surrender” statue on the city’s waterfront. A crew normally tasked with the artwork’s upkeep was quick to respond and had the message removed later in the day.