Boat Races and Hotdogs Make a Good Holiday Beach Combo

Fully-loaded Chicago-style Hotdogs and the close-up roar of Grand Prix Superboats lured just more than 100 Lido Shorians, family members and friends to our beach front on Sunday July 6th. By the time the first race heats started at 11am... several tents and dozens of beach umbrellas dotted our corner of North Lido Key.

 Mary Lee and Denis Bischoff (behind cooler) with friends

Several neighbors took advantage of the Pavillion to get a little shade and relief from the hot and humid summer conditions. Children played in the sand, while other people waded out into the choppy surf to get a birdseye view of the go-fast boats as they churned in and out of New Pass.

Some first timers and race veterans walked to the Lido public beach to get a better view of the actual races. An estimated 40 thousand spectators crowded along the shoreline and cooled off in the Gulf to watch the boats speed by.

bird's eye view

The other star of the Sunday show—famous Chicago Hotdogs. They were brimming with peppers, pickles and kraut and were once again the day's main food group, provided ably by Earl from Tasty Takeout.

Thanks to Daniel Jittu and Social Committee Chair Carol Bowen for hand delivering ice cream and fruit pops to those on the beach.  What service!

One neighbor made an unexpected and rather dramatic exit, by way of ambulance. Succumbing to a combination of heat, dehydration and new blood pressure meds, your editor checked out before the checkered flag. Diagnosed with vasovagal syncope (in other words passing out or heat stroke) I went through a battery of tests at Sarasota Memorial and was released a short time later.

Karen Byles, Carol Falck

Many thanks to those who came to my aid. Dr. Lance Cassell, Miriam and Stu's son, who calmly assured me I was OK. My wife Susie who rightfully insisted I take an escorted ride to the hospital. Christina Landry who called the ambulance.  A nurse who seemingly appeared by my side to help.  (If someone knows who she is, please let me know) And our visiting friends Jim, Lolo and Carol who kept me calm and shaded, along with Kathy Edstrum and several other dear neighbors I can't recall but know were there.

I do vaguely remember a couple of great quips while walking to the ambulance. Anne Essner saying something like... "It figures you would spotlight your exit." Diane Desenberg also made me smile.  What I heard was, "must have been the hotdog."  And a clever email from Center Place neighbor John Byles who commented on "the really good use of props in staging a dramatic exit."

Susie and I already knew it, but this was a resounding confirmation of the quality of friends and extended family we are blessed to have in our Lido Shores community. Please accept my sincere thanks for coming to our aid.

Enjoy the photos. If anyone has any others to share, please send them to bthill@me.com.

~ Bob Thill

hot diggity dogs and some hot peppered chips

Rhoda Beningson, Chicky Drost, Herb Beningson, Janet Minker

Alice and Wayne Freed

Patriotic swim attire

Elliott Himelfarb, Janet Minker, Lee and Kathy Edstrom, Alan Stewart

steering clear of the sea turtle nests

Susie Thill, Lolo and Jim Kanthak, Carol Falck

Diane and Ed Fliss

Mary and Kevin Berkebile, Larry Reinebach

Joe DeLeo, Jacque Landry, Carol DeLeo, Christina Landry, Julie Magenheim

Bob Garvin, Dick Robbins

,Joan Reinebach, Lois and Les Fishman

Official greeters - Jan Blivas, Daniel Jittu, Carol's mom and Carol Bowen

Diane Desenberg, Tom Mawn, Herb Beningson

Susie and Bob Thill