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2019
Observer
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YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
VOLUME 49, NO. 54
Observer
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YOUR TOWN
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THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2019
YMCAs closing Sept. 13 is the last day of operation for two fitness centers. PAGE 4
WIN OAR LOSE Whitney Elfstrom
Kids, CEOs compete in cardboard boats. SEE PAGE 19
Woman stumbles upon history
While the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, one Sarasota woman was tidying up her home and inadvertently ran into some history. A copy of the Dallas Morning News with the headline “Man Walks on Moon” (“Moonday” July 21, 1969) was atop a stack of newspapers Judy Armitage found in a long-ignored cedar chest. And there was more. She also found around 30 newspapers from The Detroit Free Press and Chicago Tribune from other historic dates, including the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
Siesta Chamber celebrates 60th
To mark the occasion of its 60th anniversary, the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce has issued commemorative ornaments that depict a 3D Siesta Beach lifeguard stand. The ornaments, which read “Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce” and “Celebrating 60 years 1959-2019” are $30 and come with a certificate about the chamber. To order an ornament, stop by the chamber office, 5114 Ocean Blvd., or visit siestakeychamber.com. An anniversary party is planned Oct. 4.
Whitney Elfstrom
Jose Velez and Max Hunter race to the end of the pool on July 19 at the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club.
Two-wheel tour of city sights
Turtle Tracks AS OF JULY 20 TOTAL NESTS: 2019 2018 Lido Beach 91 116 Siesta Key 672 315 Casey Key 2,180 1,084
On back roads and side streets, cyclists learned about Rosemary and Newtown districts. SEE PAGE 20
TOTAL FALSE CRAWLS: 2019 2018 Lido Beach 188 123 Siesta Key 1,108 291 Casey Key 2,840 1,311 Source: Mote Marine Laboratory
Whitney Elfstrom
Emory Sanders
A+E Photographers with heart INSIDE