SIESTA KEY
Observer Formerly the Pelican Press
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE
VOLUME 48, NO. 13
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017
YOUR TOWN
More than just books Libraries shift with the times. PAGE 3
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Health Matters: Aging in paradise INSIDE
Anna Brugmann
Library-use data shows residents increasingly favor digital downloads to book checkouts and in-person visits.
FIRED UP Photos by Anna Brugmann
Monte Keno (top) and Morgan Wooden
Walk this way
Wilkinson Elementary School students took some steps in the right direction Oct. 5 — toward school, that is. Students, teachers and staff gathered at nearby Bee Ridge Park for National Walk to School Day. The group trekked to school, toting signs with safe-walking messages. The walkers were greeted at Wilkinson Elementary by their mascot, Wilkie the Wildcat, before heading into the school for their usual class schedule. Anna Brugmann
Members of the Longboat Key Fire Department and volunteers pose during the Morton’s 18th Annual Firehouse Chili Cook-off. The department took second place in the competition.
Firehouses answer the call with their best chili recipes in charity cook-off. PAGE 22 A+E RIAF: Expect the unexpected.
‘Win-win-win’ Cassidy Alexander
INSIDE
David Conway
City Commissioner Hagen Brody believes a Rosemary District development can accommodate several community desires.
Could one project address affordable housing and park land needs? PAGE 5
Jane Boaks
Finest hours
Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s longest serving volunteer decided to retire this week. Jane Boaks, 94, celebrated her 16,000 hours of service over more than 31 years on Monday with hospital staff. Boaks leaves SMH with the most volunteer hours logged by any volunteer to date.