Crystal Waters estate sells for $21.95 million
On Sept. 17, Crystal Waters, the custom-built waterfront estate at 8501 Midnight Pass Road on Siesta Key, sold for $21.95 million.
The seller was philanthropist Crystal Lahners. She and her late husband, Dr. William Lahners, a prominent Sarasota eye surgeon with Center for Sight, purchased the property in 2019 for $3.125 million.
After demolishing the previous residence and tennis courts, the couple began construction on a new home in 2021. While vacationing in the Bahamas in December 2021, William Lahners died at age 53.
The residence, one of the largest on Siesta Key, was completed in 2024 and first listed for sale in February 2025 for $31.5 million. The listing was removed in January and returned to the market in June for $29.9 million with Kim Ogilvie and Lynn Morris of the Kim Ogilvie Group at Michael Saunders & Co. The sale was completed 45 days later.
Sitting on 2.78 waterfront acres overlooking Little Sarasota Bay, the 10,001-square-foot main residence features six bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, three half-bathrooms and an oversized three-car garage.
A 1,600-square-foot guesthouse has two bedrooms, one bathroom and its own four-car garage. The property also features a 52-foot saltwater pool, tennis courts, fountains and a 90-foot dock with deep-water access.
Edward and Julie Burke purchased Crystal Waters. They were represented by buyer’s agents Andrew Greenwell and Kelly Mooney of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.
Stofft Cooney Architects of Naples designed the West Indies-inspired residence, which was custom-built by Chris Jorgensen of Florida West Builders in Sarasota.
Phillippi Farmhouse Market returns Oct. 7
The popular Phillippi Farmhouse Market opens for the season Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Now in its 16th year, the open-air market, held on the grounds of Phillippi Estate Park, features fresh produce, flowers, prepared foods, baked goods and artisanal products. Visitors can also enjoy live music and food trucks.
The market is open every Wednesday from October through April, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 5500 S. Tamiami Trail.
More information is available at the Phillippi Farmhouse Market website and Facebook page.
Master Gardener plant sale set for Oct. 10
The free 20th annual Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Sarasota County facility at Twin Lakes Park, 6600 Clark Road.
Hundreds of perennials for shade and sun, herbs, ground covers, wildflowers, native plants and butterfly garden favorites will be available for purchase.
Master Gardener volunteers will answer gardening questions, while Extension staff will provide information about programs, classes, events and other community services.
Proceeds will benefit the Master Gardeners chapter of the Friends of Sarasota County Parks. Shoppers are encouraged to bring boxes, wagons or carts to carry their plants.
For information, call 941-861-9807 or visit UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County on Facebook or Instagram.
Gulf Gate’s Kolucan reopens under new management
Two weeks after Gulf Gate’s popular Kolucan Mexican Bar and Grill abruptly closed, a grand reopening was held Sept. 18.
The restaurant is now under new management with a new culinary team. Sarasota Magazine reported that, for legal reasons, the Kolucan name will remain temporarily before the restaurant is rebranded as Garibaldi Seafood Mexican Restaurant Bar & Grill.
The property is owned by the Melone family, which also owns Il Panificio pizzeria. Il Panificio has three locations, including one on Siesta Key and two in downtown Sarasota.
Lifeguard appreciation party celebrates 70 years
Past and present lifeguards are invited to catch a wave and drop in at the Daiquiri Deck in Siesta Village for a Lifeguard Appreciation Party at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1.
The Sarasota Surf Lifesaving Association and Daiquiri Deck will celebrate 70 years of Sarasota County Beach Patrol history.
As a tribute to lifeguards past, present and future, the Sarasota County Beach Patrol Memorabilia Wall will be unveiled during the event.
Lizzie Borden case explored at Gulf Gate Library
The notorious Lizzie Borden murder case continues to captivate mystery buffs more than a century later.
At 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, historian Christopher Daley will examine the facts surrounding the case at Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave.
Was Lizzie Borden a calculating killer or a woman condemned by rumor and circumstance? The program will explore the evidence and enduring questions surrounding the famous case.
Palmer Ranch YMCA hosts Fall Fest
A free community Fall Fest will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Palmer Ranch YMCA, 8301 Potter Park Drive.
The event will feature trunk-or-treating, an Alien DJ dance party, food trucks, local vendors and a haunted attraction.
The event is open to the public and designed for all ages.
Libraries to host free writers conference
Sarasota County Libraries will host a free, full-day writers conference from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at Selby Library in downtown Sarasota.
The conference will kick off the library system’s “Off the Page” monthlong literary festival. Publishing industry experts and established authors will discuss their work and offer advice for writers.
More information is available through Sarasota County Libraries.
