Occasions

BIRTHS
Jack Ryan Gruters
Sydney Gruters and her husband, Sarasota GOP Chairman Joe Gruters, welcomed the newest addition to their family, Jack Ryan Gruters, at 7:05 p.m. Nov. 18, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Jack weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces and was 21.25 inches long. Proud brother is Spence Joseph (19 months old).

Proud grandparents are Terry and Robin Gruters, of Sarasota, and Rick and Suzie Spence, of Citrus County. 

Estella ‘Este’ Jane Stroth
Nicole Kaney and her husband, Dustin Stroth, welcomed the newest addition to their family, Estella “Este” Jane Stroth, at 11:28 p.m. Nov. 18, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Este weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.

Proud grandparents are Reeny Kaney, Mike and Cindy Stroth and Tim and Jean Kaney, all of Sarasota. Proud aunts and uncles are Ryan Kaney and Lorelle Leto, of Tampa, and Jerod and Stacey Stroth, of Sarasota. Proud cousins are Riley, Ava and Cason Stroth.

LOVE STORY
Rich and Linda Watson met in 1966 on the train to the Florida State Fair. Rich was 18, Linda only 16. When Rich graduated in 1966 from Sarasota High, he moved to San Diego. He missed his love so much that one day after he’d written countless love letters, Rich sent Linda a special proposal — a one-way ticket to meet him in Tijuana, Mexico and enough money for a cab to the airport. Linda arrived in Mexico with only her hatbox filled with a change of clothes and the love letters from Rich. After some convincing that the young love was strong, Rich’s sister agreed to act as their witness in marriage.

Post-nuptials, Rich and Linda moved to San Diego, where they lived for one year. From there, they moved to Atlanta and began careers in the airline industry. In 1997, Rich and Linda moved back to their hometown of Sarasota with their two children, Linda Jo, born in 1967, and Richie, born in 1970.

On Saturday, Nov. 30, Rich and Linda will celebrate 47 years of marriage. The couple says they’ve never been happier.

Share your good news!
The Observer is seeking submissions for its announcements section, Occasions. Please send all announcements of births, engagements, weddings and anniversaries to [email protected].