Lido Shores: LSPOA Neighbors Mix Business and Fun at the 2016 Annual Members Meeting and Dinner

Reception for 2016 LSPOA Annual Meeting and Dinner gets underway at Bird Key Yacht Club Monday night

More than 70-LSPOA members gathered on Monday January 18th for the 2016 Annual Meeting and Dinner at Bird Key Yacht Club. For the second straight year, popular local pianist (and Engelbert Humperdink’s former music director Eddie Tobin) entertained during the reception, while neighbors greeted each other and enjoyed complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks (another “tradition” begun in 2014).

Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks

An assortment of hors d’oeuvres were passed during the reception by Bird Key’s friendly and capable staff. Neighbors participated in LSPOA's yearly membership meeting, then dined on filet of beef Oscar, lemon herbed sea bass or the chef’s vegetarian specialty. A chocolate trilogy followed for dessert.

Annual Meeting

LSPOA President Anne Essner called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm, thanking Carol and Phil Fuoco for again hosting us at Bird Key Yacht Club. Essner also singled out Social Committee chair Carol Bowen and her team for arranging the evening’s events. Hats off as well to Carol Fuoco and Mary Lee Bischoff, who volunteered to check members in.

Outgoing LSPOA President Anne Essner

Anne reported LSPOA now has 106 members. Given that Lido Shores has approximately 120 properties, this impressive number also represents the highest level of membership in recent history.

Essner welcomed attending new members Roger and Pamela Foulks and Stu and Gail Barzman, both of whom purchased homes in 2015. She also recognized members for whom the 2016 Annual Meeting was their first, including David Feuerstein, Ronald Bates and Randall Lasley.

Treasurer Elliott Himelfarb distributed copies of the fiscal 2015 LSPOA income and expenses report, which indicated a successful year for the Association. 2015 income increased 5.6% over the previous year’s, while expenses were up 0.9%. Income after expenses was $3,677. The total balance of our operating account and three reserve funds was $97,591 on January 15, 2016.

A major storm had wreaked havoc over the weekend prior to the Annual Meeting, causing serious beach erosion, and ripping LSPOA’s two benches from their pylons, casting them out in the gulf. One of the benches was found this week stranded at Marine Max on New Pass.

Beach Committee Chair Ken Abt discussed the damage, including a potential serious situation for LSPOA’s Pavilion, as it is substantially closer to the beach now that the dune in front has been reduced by some six-eight feet. Abt also discussed the continued impact of last winter's sand dredging on our beach.

New Board Member Roberto Arguedas and Howard Rooks

These issues will be discussed further at the upcoming February 1st LSPOA Board of Directors meeting. The meeting will be held at 5:00 pm at incoming President Bob Lifeso's home at 150 Morningside Drive. All members are invited to attend.

Social Chair Carol Bowen recounted the LSPOA social events from 2015 and announced the following dates for this year's upcoming Pot Luck dinners:

March 20th – Spring Pot Luck, Umbrella House, 1300 Westway Drive

November 13th – Fall Pot Luck, Home to be Announced

Mary Lee Bischoff, Carol and Phil Fuoco

Election Results

Seven Directors were elected: Ken Abt, Roberto Arguedas, Gail Barzman, Elliott Himelfarb, Bob Lifeso and Howard Rooks. Phil Fuoco was elected as a write-in candidate.

Carol Bowen, Mary Lee Bischoff and Lynn Carvel will continue to serve on the board in the second year of their first term as Directors.

Essner then revealed the LSPOA slate of Officers for the 2016 Board of Directors:

Chocolate Trilogy for dessert

Bob Lifeso - President
Ken Abt - Vice President
Elliott Himelfarb - Treasurer
Roberto Arguedas - Secretary

Attendees were then treated to Bob Thill’s always-creative “Year in Review” video of life in Lido Shores during 2015. The video remembered those LSPOA members who had passed away last year, including Dorcas Lane and Kathryn Dunlap. Also noted were Dick Hangen and Jan Blivas, who have moved out of Lido Shores.

A discussion of our departing volunteer Board of Directors followed. Anne thanked board member Carol Fuoco and Secretary Dan Mills, who are leaving because they have both served their maximum terms of four-consecutive years.

Alice Allen and Susie Thill

Kathy Edstrom, who has tirelessly managed the LSPOA Directory for more that 15 years, turned over the duties to Mary Lee Bischoff. Anne thanked Kathy for her efforts in keeping track of members’ comings and going and for maintaining and updating our Lido Shores name tags.

LSPOA often honors outstanding individuals in the Sarasota community who make an impact on our lives in Lido Shores. The honoree this year was Nancy Kelly of the Neighborhood Partnership Office of the City of Sarasota. Carol Bowen introduced Nancy and on behalf of the Association gave her a well-deserved Certificate of Appreciation.

Nancy Kelly, City of Sarasota, receives LSPOA Award from Carol Bowen

Incoming LSPOA President Bob Lifeso gave heartfelt thanks and congratulations to outgoing President Anne Essner for her dedication and devotion to the job as board president over the past two years.

Jan Voigts and Andrew Vac playfully welcome Bob Lifeso as new President

The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm. The wine continued to flow for another two hours as members chatted and caught up with each other.

Attendees were encouraged to take home the beautiful centerpieces, paid for with a grant from the Neighborhood Partnership Office of the City of Sarasota.

Members are encouraged to continue to participate in all the Lido Shores events throughout the year, and to celebrate our wonderful and special Island community!

Thanks to Carol Bowen, Anne Essner and Elliott Himelfarb for contributing to this article.

~ BT

Photo Gallery Below – Photo Credits: Janet Minker and Bob Thill