New reporter steps into Longboat Observer role

It’s too hot here. I’m heading north. The transition to snowbird has begun. 

Just kidding. I’m not heading north because it’s too hot. It’s because I’m moving to Philadelphia. My time at the Longboat Observer has come to an end, but the impact on this young reporter will last a lifetime. As many of you know, I’ve bounced between Florida and Missouri my whole life. It’s time to bounce elsewhere. 

At the Observer, I went from foolishly asking, “What’s the Colony?” to covering the construction of St. Regis, from attending Kiwanis meetings to covering a record-breaking Lawn Party fundraiser, from sweating profusely at the 2019 Freedom Fest desperately trying to get names to knowing most of the people at most events. The Longboat Observer and the countless sources made a knowledgeable and passionate community reporter out of a curious and clueless college graduate.

“Observer Girl” couldn’t go to Publix without chatting about someone with something. Her secret power was a notebook with story ideas scribbled in the margins of names taken while covering an event and her cape was a camera strapped around her shoulders. The “Bat Signal” came in different forms — press releases, emails, texts about events, Facebook messages — and was always appreciated. This Observer Girl was happy to fly to wherever news needed covering, whether it was a condo association party, a nesting turtle, a Kiwanis meeting, a Garden Club party, a ribbon cutting ceremony, a tennis tournament or any of the other dozens of news nuggets that needed to be covered. 

The residents make this place what it is — a passionate, particular, philanthropic, personable hub of people who work hard to make a difference in their corner of the world. They’re eager to share important stories, but often reluctant to toot their own horns. They’re welcoming, kind, understanding and not afraid to keep a young reporter apprised of every single happening on Longboat Key. They’re people I will miss. 

But I’m proud to introduce you to the new Observer Girl. Lesley Dwyer is a longtime Sarasotan and former Sarasota Herald-Tribune freelancer. She’s been away from the journalism game for a while, but she’s eager to bust the rust and give Longboat Key all she’s got.

“I am just really excited to be back to work,” Dwyer said. “I woke up Monday like, ‘Yay, I’m working out of the house!’” 

Dwyer, a University of South Florida-Sarasota graduate, has spent her whole adult life in Sarasota. Her son, Aidan, is 8 years old and loves being by the water. The wildlife was part of what got her interested in working for the Longboat Observer in the first place. 

“I’m excited about being close to the water,” Dwyer said. “Quick Point Preserve is why I was so excited to work on Longboat because that is our favorite spot. My son catches the most critters he can catch anywhere there, like calico crabs and seahorses and jellyfish.”

Dwyer   already has  a list of story ideas brewing, but of course, send more her way when something piques your interest — [email protected], for future reference.

Longboat Key is in good hands with Dwyer and she’ll be in good hands with the residents of this beautiful barrier island.