Lido Shores: Soggy Sunday at the Lido Beach Hot Dog & Boat Race Party

Thursday, July 11, 2019

Soggy Sunday at the Lido Beach Hot Dog & Boat Race Party

Super Power Boats race in 35th Annual Grand Prix off Lido Beach

July 7 — Sunday dawned slightly overcast. Ever the optimist, I didn’t even bother to check the weather forecast. After all, it never rains on Hot Dog Day, does it? Apparently there were other Lido Shorians who figured the same. By 10:00 am, people were unloading sand chairs and other beach paraphernalia to claim their spots on the shore.

But by 11:00 am, clouds started rolling in, the skies got dark and horrors — it began to rain. The Webber’s Hot Dogs staff were already set up and grilling food for the crowd, so no problem there. Quite a few texts flew back and forth between LSPOA members who were on the beach and those who were still at home: “Is it raining?” and then “R U staying??” Indeed we were!

Pavilion an ideal place for race viewing and keeping dry

Members took shelter in our pavilion...where Carol Bowen and Vic Bass had already set up platters of delicious watermelon slices... and continued where they’d left off socializing on the beach. There was still a great view of the race course — let’s not forget that our Hot Dogs event coincides with the Superboat Races that take place on the Sunday of the July 4^thweekend — and with the finish line moved even closer to our stretch of beach, our location was perfect.

Because family and friends are invited to this event, there were plenty of new faces in the crowd for us to meet. Ron Bates and Randy Lasley brought a couple of friends (April and Jo Ann); Carol Bowen brought her mom Leila, daughter Kimberly and her boyfriend Matjia as well as local Sarasotans (artist John Pirman and his partner Steve); Miriam and Stuart Cassell and Judy and Fred Fiala both brought groups of friends too.

We welcomed LSPOA newcomers Shelly and Ross Masters, who recently purchased Lisa Kates and Richard LaBrie’s home at 200 Morningside Drive. Their wish? To live in Lido Shores long enough for their house to become known as “the Masters’ place” instead. Given that they arrived on time, stayed through the rain and were still partying when I left at 2:00 pm, I suspect it’s going to happen in no time at all.

Buddy Powell, just back from a trip to Cuba to visit Mote’s manatee and sea turtle projects, was among those who came stag. Wife Maureen was a little under the weather ...weren’t we all?... and she decided it was better to stay home.

Mark Mattia arrived alone too. Matt and Laura had just come back from a cruise. He told me Laura had delivered a TED talk (great work, Laura!) just before they went and was exhausted from all that activity. We’ll look for them at our next event. Christina Landry came without daughter Jackie, who is hard at work in New York City following her graduation from college.

Denis and Mary Lee Bischoff arrived in time for lunch, despite knowing that they’d have to field many questions along the lines of “So when are you moving into the new house?” Thankfully, it looks like they’re getting close.

Those whose house situations were well under control (and therefore they had nothing to fear, conversation-wise) included Bob and Sue Lifeso, Cathy and Jan Voigts, Linda and Alan Stewart, Katie and Matt Best, and Janet Minker and Elliott Himelfarb. Following an unexpected change of plans, Ed Balian was able to attend and brought Susan Sloan along with him. All in all, some 60 people were in attendance at some point during the event.

Susie Thill, Cathy Voigts, Shelly Masters, Carol Bowen, Anne Essner

Through it all, Bob Thill kept on his photographer’s cap and snapped the wonderful pictures you’re seeing that makes our neighborhood website such fun to read. Wife Susie made her way through the crowd and let Bob do his work.

Karen and John Byles were in from Canada — also with plans to put a new house on their present location. Watch out, Denis and Mary Lee; you won’t be the center of attention once they get under construction. John gave Bob a little competition for providing photos. He took some nice shots of the powerboats as they sped by.

Thanks to all who attended, despite the soggy conditions. The sporadic showers didn’t dampen our spirits (much) and the good cheer displayed by the Webber’s hot dog crew even made the day feel a little bit sunny.

In fact, Webber’s was such a draw that Bob Essner and Stu Barzman, who were holed up at home watching the final match of the World Cup (USA vs Netherlands), hopped into Bob’s golf cart, drove down to the beach, grabbed two hot dogs and then drove back home!

Ron Bates, Judy Fiala, Randy Lasley

Here’s hoping for better weather next year — but honestly, it really didn’t matter a bit!

— Anne Essner - LSPOA Social Chair

PS: Mark your calendars now for the Fall Potluck Dinner: Sunday, October 20^th, hosted by Anne and Bob Essner at the Umbrella House, 1300 Westway Drive from 5:30 to 8 pm. Please RSVP by October 16th to Anne Essner: Emil anne.essner@icloud.com or Call 941-388-0876.

Special thanks to John Byles, Katie Best and Bob Thill for photos.