“Growing up in Sarasota was a wonderful experience. Our house sat on a small shell road that was within walking distance of the YMCA, my church and my school, so I had the freedom to enjoy so many fun activities and events while growing up. Evenings were filled with neighborhood games of hide and seek, always being a bit cautious to not wander too far in the palmetto scrub where rattlesnakes could be seen. Weekends were filled with trips to the beach, fishing off the bridge and shrimping in the waterways.” Dave Bullock, Longboat Key Town Manager

Virginia Haley in 1982 during her first drive along Longboat Key,

VIRGINIA HALEY IN 1982 DURING HER FIRST DRIVE ALONG LONGBOAT KEY,

“Six years ago, my husband and I were driving over the Ringling Bridge towards downtown Sarasota after a date night on St. Armands. It was my first time visiting Sarasota and I remember being in complete awe of the beautiful dark skyline. Lights from the buildings were twinkling, the waves were breaking in the bay and a warm breeze was flowing through the open window as we glided over the crest of the bridge. To this day, that nighttime cityscape remains one of my favorite views of Sarasota.” Marissa Rossnagle, Marketing Director at CS&L CPAs and Young Professionals Group Board Member

Marissa Rossnagle with husband, Tyler, enjoying the sunset on Lido Beach.

MARISSA ROSSNAGLE WITH HUSBAND, TYLER, ENJOYING THE SUNSET ON LIDO BEACH.

“From the very beginning, Sarasota didn’t have to work very hard to win me over. My future husband and I were on a spring training trip crisscrossing the state of Florida. As we drove our rental car south along the length of Longboat Key, we crossed the old Ringling Bridge, and first glimpsed this gem of a little city on the bay. We were struck by the colorful hues of the buildings and how clean everything was. We hadn’t planned on stopping, but we did. This first impression of the gem on the bay lingered with us as we married and began raising our family. Jack and I were living outside of Washington, D.C., slogging through horrible, long commutes each day. We made the big move in February 1989. To this day, I continue to be thankful for that fateful trip across the old Ringling Bridge.” Virginia Haley, President of Visit Sarasota County

“Growing up in Sarasota was a wonderful experience. Our house sat on a small shell road that was within walking distance of the YMCA, my church and my school, so I had the freedom to enjoy so many fun activities and events while growing up. Evenings were filled with neighborhood games of hide and seek, always being a bit cautious to not wander too far in the palmetto scrub where rattlesnakes could be seen. Weekends were filled with trips to the beach, fishing off the bridge and shrimping in the waterways.” Lori White, Sarasota County Schools Superintendent