Moments in time

1977
Preserving and protecting the public beaches has been at the forefront of public discussions for years. Michelle Wolk took this photo and won third-place photo in the vo-tech spring class contest. It ran in the Pelican Press as a reminder that no matter how beloved a pet they are, man’s best friend is not allowed on the beach … still.
— According to the Aug. 4, 1977, Observer archives

1986
Road improvement and widening projects on Bee Ridge Road took place through November 1986. As part of the project, a portion of Bay Road between Osprey Avenue and U.S. 41 was also widened to include four lanes.
— According to the Aug. 7, 1986, Observer archives

2000
Beachgoers were greeted with a surprise on an early August morning in 2000, when 10 to 12 manatees gathered to mate in the surf. Spectators gathered to watch the group of manatees as they moved north along the beach until they moved past the north end of the island into Big Pass. Philip McAveety, an elementary school principal from Glasgow, Scotland, captured the moment on film and submitted it to the Pelican Press.
— According to the Aug. 10, 2000, Observer archives