MOMENTS IN TIME

1983 — April 28
Nine-month–old Billy Herb appeared quite impressed with the “Best of Show Award” given to his parents, Bill and Leslie, during Siesta Fiesta, for their raku ware, a Japanese pottery technique that dates back to the 16th century.
— Taken from the April 28, 1983, Observer archives

1978 — May 4
Charles Dubic was enjoying his early morning walk Tuesday, May 2, 1984, on Siesta Key beach, when he noticed dead sharks had either washed up or been dumped on the shore at Beach Road and Avenida Messina. A number of other sea-life creatures were also found dead nearby.

Seven sharks, three large tunicates, a Jack fish, a large crab and a huge stingray were among the dead. Bob Pelham, of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, identified five of the sharks as bonnet heads, which grow to a size of about 3 feet, and other two as black tips, also a small species of shark.

Pelham said the sea-life had been dead for a couple of days.

“They were all apparently someone’s catch and had been dumped,” Pelham said. “But I can’t figure out why they’re all together in one spot. Usually they’re found scattered. They generally wash up about a mile apart when they’re dumped out of a boat.”
— Taken from the May 4, 1978, Observer archives