Open house connects town staff, organizations and residents

By Carter Weinhofer
| 5:00 a.m. March 12, 2024

Rev. David Marshall blesses Spike the bearded dragon.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

If there was ever a time to get to know the town of Longboat Key, it was at the 2024 Community Open House.

The town of Longboat Key hosted more than 50 tables at the March 9 event. Residents strolled along the Town Center Green, enjoying the sunny weather and meeting the faces of Longboat Key.

Town departments like the Fire Rescue and police departments, Public Works and the Planning, Zoning and Building Department were available to talk to guests. The police department showed off its Zodiac boat, while the Fire Rescue Department came with a fire truck and ambulance.

The Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department at the 20224 community open house.

Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi said a lot of the department's recent public outreach has been focused on electric vehicles, talking about some of the hazards and how to protect the vehicles from storms.

Local businesses like Sips, Ventura's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar and the Zota Beach Resort talked to residents about what they have to offer, and some provided samples or refreshments for purchase.

Longboat Key Turtle Watch members Cyndi Seamon, Carlyn Vigil, Suzy Mitchell and Karey Kaine.

There are plenty of ways to get involved in or around Longboat Key, which was made apparent by the number of nonprofit and environmental organizations that came to the open house.

The Paradise Center, Mote Marine Laboratory, Save Our Seabirds, Longboat Key Turtle Watch, Rotary Club and the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key had lively and informative tables.

Karen Gardiner, Noel Ebrahim, Pastor Julia Wharff Piermont and Debra KcKenna with Christ Church of Longboat Key.

Christ Church of Longboat Key, All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church, Longboat Island Chapel and Temple Beth Israel were also at the open house. The Rev. David Marshall with All Angels was offering pet blessings.

Last year’s community open house was held at Bayfront Park, but this year the town decided to move it to the Town Center Green in order to make it the biggest one yet. Live music in the Karon Family Pavilion was an addition to this year’s event.

author

Carter Weinhofer

Carter Weinhofer is the Longboat Key news reporter for the Observer. Originally from a small town in Pennsylvania, he moved to St. Petersburg to attend Eckerd College until graduating in 2023. During his entire undergraduate career, he worked at the student newspaper, The Current, holding positions from science reporter to editor-in-chief.