Finding Community in Sarasota’s Farmers Market

When looking for a nice place to live after graduating from Florida State University, I knew what I was looking for: a warm, walkable city with a strong sense of community. I knew Florida would be warm, and by choosing to live downtown, I ensured it would be walkable. 

Shortly after graduation, I moved to Sarasota without knowing anyone and hadn't found my community—until I discovered the Sarasota Farmers Market.

On my first visit to the market, I was amazed by its scale. Coming from Miami, I had underestimated what this city had to offer, but I was quickly blown away. With over 80 vendors, I wandered from stall to stall, attracted by new smells and sounds. The scent of fresh bread and fresh flowers filled the air, live music played in the background. Vendors, many of whom have spent years side by side, greeted each other like old friends.

As a new resident, they welcomed me, too—not just with their products, but with stories of Sarasota. Those same vendors are now the ones I return to, week after week, for both goods and conversation.

The Sarasota Farmers Market isn’t just a marketplace—it’s a cornerstone of community in Sarasota.

—James Myrtetus, Sarasota 

Keep The Ringling under FSU stewardship

I have just read your March 6, 2025, Opinion from the Longboat Observer regarding the possible transfer of the Ringling Museum to New College of Florida.

As a past chair and board member of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Foundation, I am deeply disturbed by the prospect of this transfer. I cannot think of a worse thing that could happen to The Ringling.

I visited the museum when it was under the stewardship of the secretary of state’s office, and there were 50-gallon trash cans collecting rainwater in the Rubens Gallery! 

FSU President Sandy D’Alemberte appointed me to the board in 2003. When he agreed to take control of the museum, D’Alemberte requested the Legislature provide funds to cover the deferred maintenance at the museum and for several projects that were in the planning stages. 

When these funds were approved, the FSU Board of Trustees released one-half of the funds and challenged the Ringling Foundation trustees to confirm they could raise the funds that would help with the projects and cover the increased operating costs of the expanded Ringling campus. 

I worked with the Foundation Chair, Vern Buchanan, and the other board members to raise the required funds in fewer than 12 months. These funds were used for the McKay Visitors Center, the Searing Wing, the Tibbals Learning Center and the restoration of Ca d’Zan.

Thank goodness for the hard work and foresight of Bob Johnson, Bob Blalock, John McKay and Sandy D’Alemberte. 

I do not believe that New College has the capacity to manage the Ringling Museum, maintain its facilities and continue the high level of programming that has been and should be provided in the future to the citizens of and visitors to Florida. 

As the State Museum of Florida, the Ringling Museum needs to remain part of FSU.

—Frank “Sandy” Rief III, Tampa