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By Jane Bartnett For Siesta Key resident Dan Witten, shells are gifts from the gulf waters. Discovering the most elusive and beautiful shells on the island’s sandy shores began as a casual interest and soon turned into a passion that he and his wife, Robin, both share. After retiring about six years ago from Selby […]
Dismal season for snowy plover on Siesta Key The snowy plover, for a variety of reasons, had a tough time this year on Siesta Key. Kylie Wilson, shorebird coordinator for Audubon Florida, gives the following report: “This past nesting season, snowy plovers laid only two nests on Siesta. That is the fewest number of nests […]
By John Morton The idea of 52 vendors on a 60-acre estate is a big thing, but it’s the little things that make the Phillippi Farmhouse Market so special. For starters, it’s run by volunteers. And Fred and Grace Whitehouse have served as managers of this massive production for 11 of its 12 years. “We […]
Anne James has been telling stories all her life. “Even before I knew how to write, I used to tell my daddy stories,” said James, the founder of beloved Siesta Key eatery Anna’s Deli. “It was a great part of my early childhood. It was just something we did. My mother used to say, ‘What […]
Living the dream, selling the dream Q: Share with us your history with Siesta Key. A: No matter where I go in the world, the pull of Siesta Key always calls me home. My history on the Key has been a long one. I’ve lived in Northern California, Siesta Key, Santa Monica, Siesta Key, New […]
By Delores Day Strength training “Take care of your body, it’s the only place you have to live.” — Jim Rohn As a fitness and empowerment coach for more than 23 years, I have learned some great truths and developed disciplines that I know help to support my mind, body and soul. I pass onto […]
This large, American wading bird is sometimes misnamed the Wood Ibis because of a decurved bill reminiscent of the smaller yet unrelated ibis. Other nicknames include flinthead, stonehead, and ironhead. These monikers aptly describe the stork’s prehistoric-looking head and neck that, in their featherless state, give the appearance of stone. This is the only stork […]
The Brazilian red cloak is a monotypic genus of plants containing a single species, Megaskepasma erytrochlamys. The plant family is Acanthaceae. This is a free-branching, upright, showy, and tropical shrub that is native to Venezuela, and is also found throughout the tropical Americas. Growing from 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, this evergreen semi-woody […]
By John Morton Yes indeed, Mark Spitz’s accomplishments in 1972 resulted in me sporting the all-American red, white and blue Speedo. I loved that swim suit. I once even tried to wear it to school. FYI. Forty-nine years later, I’m still working on the mustache. Hey, sister of mine, don’t laugh so loud. Dorothy Hamill’s […]
By Rodger Skidmore How to (not) waste your time America’s, and the world’s, fascination with found objects did not start with the Broadway musical Stomp, that show about such items as broom handles, innertubes and garbage cans: The entire field of archeology is nothing but the sifting through of detritus left by the “us” of […]