A Fantastic Annual Meeting & Dinner held at the Sarasota Yacht Club

The LSPOA Annual Meeting was held Tuesday, January 16th. 76 members attended the dinner at the Sarasota Yacht Club, up 14 from last year.  Guests mingled inside and out, enjoying the marvelous view and surprisingly cooperative weather. Spirits soared and libations flowed as members savored passed bites of bacon wrapped scallops, chicken lemongrass pot stickers and brie and raspberry phyllo purses.

Guests settled into the lovely surroundings at the Sarasota Yacht Club, as outgoing president Bob Lifeso treated us to a humorous reflection of his years of service and reminded each of us to extend a welcoming hand to our new neighbors. Thank you, Bob, for all you've done for this community!

Outgoing treasurer Elliott Himelfarb gave his last financial report, announcing we are in great fiscal shape. Thank you Elliott for an astonishing 7 years of dedicated service! 

Andrew Vac informed us of his herculean efforts to enlist the help of FPL to trim the vegetation and trees from power lines. This should happen sometime in 2018. Way to go Andrew for making that happen!

VP Ken Abt shared news of our ongoing struggle to stem beach erosion. Thank you, Ken, for continuing to serve and make a difference!

In his role as the new communications manager, Bob Thill explained our new phone service, which will be employed to alert LSPOA members, in a timely manner, to critical information.

As social chair, I thanked all members for their contribution to our great neighborhood and offered a recap of the year's activities. Thanks to Bob Thill for creating a wonderful presentation of our year in review as well as a tribute to community icon Bob Garvin, who passed away last year. 

Julie Magenheim accepted an award honoring Bob's service to and presence in our community, moving everyone with her loving words about her long-time partner. 

Outgoing president Bob Lifeso closed the meeting by thanking outgoing board members Phil Fuoco and Elliott Himelfarb for their service and offered a hearty welcome to incoming president Dr. Lynn Carvel, along with new board members Bernard Melanson, Richard Labrie, Anne Essner, (as board member and social chair) and returning board members Gail Barzman and Roberto Arguedas. 

The night's entrees included wild caught salmon, beef short rib, and grilled organic vegetables. A warm dessert of whisky bundt cake completed the service. Members had a wonderful time, extending the bar and dinner service an extra half hour.

Although the event was supposed to end at 8:30 pm, at 9 pm, with most of the members still in their seats and no signs of our party breaking up, the staff gracefully began to clear the room. You know it's a great party when the majority of members are still present and enjoying themselves a half-hour after the end of the meeting!

In closing my term as social chair, I want to acknowledge those of you that have lifted me up and supported me. You know who you are and I am forever grateful for your kindness and friendship.

We are a turning point in this community, with a split of longer term to new residents, many of which have called Lido Shores home for 5 years or under. I'm hopeful LSPOA will continue to serve all of its members and include the new voices who are integral to our vibrant and diverse community.

I ask each of you to consider volunteering for service on the board, or in any capacity, if only to help clean our beach or parkway. Please contact any board member if you would like more information on how you can join the fun. 

Thank you for your contribution in making Lido Shores the best place to live in Sarasota.

--Peggy Shannon

Ken and Peggy Abt

Vic Bass, board member Carol Bowen and Fred Fiala

Kent and Jean Williams, Susie and Bob Thill with Sue Lifeso

New members Christoper Banner with Kathrine Huelster 

Incoming board member Bernard Melanson, Mary Berkebile, Terry Nugent

Roger and Pam Foulks

Pam and Carl Erb

Alice and Wayne Freed

Kevin Berkebile with Jean and Kent Williams

Howard Rooks with Karen and Jeff Heath

Bob and Anne Essner

Randon Carvel, outgoing board member Phil Fuoco, Stuart Cassell

Cathy and Jan Voights with Kathy Edstrom

Stuart and Gail Barzman. Gail is a returning board member.

New members Jonathan and Diane Cook

Terry Nugent

Olga and Bill Shoff

Bob and Susie Thill with Lorraine and Louise Cersosimo

Sue Lifeso and Julie Magenheim

Larry Reinbach and new member Kimberly Pelyk with board member Mary Lee Bischoff

Elliott Himelfarb, Ron Bates and Randall Lasley, Anne Essner

Janet Minker, Peggy Shannon, Carrie and Ken Cox

Judy Fiala, Christopher Banner and Kathrine Huelster, Fred Fiala

Carol and Tom Williams

Andrew Vac and Romona Glanz

Randon and Lynn Carvel

Ron Stanish, Bob Lifeso, Andrew Vac, Jan Voights

Irene and Firky Isaac

Ken McMillen and Janet Minker

Howard Rooks, Christina Landry, Lorraine and Louis Ceresosimo

One of the four good neighbor certificates honoring each member of LSPOA.

Board member Roberto Arguedas with Kathy Edstrom

Kathy and Lee Edstrom. Lee is LSPOA's incoming treasurer.

Outgoing Treasurer Elliott Himelfarb giving his final financial report.
THANK YOU, ELLIOTT for 7 years of service!

Communications manager Bob Thill informing members on our new alert system

Andrew Vac sharing the results of his hard work with FPL on our behalf

Julie Magenheim accepting award honoring Bob Garvin from President Bob Lifeso

Meal place cards: a red heart = short ribs, a gold = wild caught salmon

Olga and Bill Shoff, Peggy Shannon, Carrie and Ken Cox

Mary and Kevin Berkebile

Table decorations

Members enjoying each other in the beautiful surroundings at Sarasota Yacht Club

Vice President Ken Abt bringing us up to speed on our beach

Members watching the lovely tribute video to Bob Garvin

Honoring the good work of community icon Bob Garvin

Outgoing President Dr. Bob Lifeso with incoming President Dr. Lynn Carvel

Outgoing Social Chair Peggy Shannon with incoming Social Chair Anne Essner