For the past 50 years, Euphemia Haye has been a go-to for fine dining in our community. This iconic restaurant has served as a vital gathering place for special occasions and has attracted visitors globally with its distinctive cuisine and atmosphere.

Late last month, the beloved restaurant abruptly closed without warning, leaving only a note on the door that read it was closed for the evening and apologized for the inconvenience. It never reopened.

In response, former employee Teal O’Fee launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the 35 displaced staff members as they search for new employment. O’Fee shared this heartfelt message:

“A few of you have reached out to us individually and asked how you could help. We so appreciate the offers! They mean the world to us—as do you! We have been waiting on some of you and your families for 20 or 30 years. We know your kids and grandkids. We love seeing you come back every season—maybe with a few more gray hairs—on all of us. We are heartbroken. We love the restaurant. We love our coworkers. We love our customers and friends. We love what we do!”

Euphemia Haye was first opened in 1975 by Leslie “Les” R. Buntin, an electrical engineer who named the intimate one-room dining spot after his grandmother. In 1980, Buntin passed the torch to Chef Raymond Arpke and his wife, D’Arcy Arpke, who nurtured the restaurant for 41 years. During their tenure, they expanded seating from 28 to 76 and earned praise from Zagat, Wine Spectator, and Frommer’s Travel Guides. Amy Whitt joined the team in 2007 as an administrative assistant and later became the bookkeeper. When the Arpkes retired in 2021, Whitt eagerly stepped in to carry on their legacy.

Those wishing to contribute to the staff can donate at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/aid-for-our-beloved-restaurant-staff. All funds will be evenly distributed among the team members. 

Pictured: Euphemia Haye will be remembered for their delicious meals and stunning presentations.

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The Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has voted to move forward on the purchase of a property that will serve as an additional campus for Manatee County Government. For more information on Manatee County Government, visit online at www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on X, @ManateeGov. 

For a coastal county such as Sarasota, managing the area’s watersheds is of the utmost importance. This past week, the Sarasota County Stormwater Division of Public Works shared its updated Watershed Master Plan with the community. The plan is the product of a countywide study administered by Dr. Fred Bloetscher and his team at Florida Atlantic University to aid decision making in reducing flooding caused by climate change and development.

The major objectives of the plan are to evaluate future conditions and existing conditions storms, assess the impact of sea level rise, identify the county’s wetlands and natural channels and create a dedicated funding source for the county to implement the plan. The updated plan comes at a critical juncture for Sarasota County—last fall, Hurricanes Helene and Milton slammed the region, causing near unprecedented damage to residences and businesses across the area. Understanding how rainfall and storm surges move through the different wetlands and channels of the county is critical in mitigating future flooding.

“The grants for this plan came through the Florida Division of Emergency Management, with the idea being to allow us to figure out ways to reduce flooding short and particularly long term in the community,” says Dr. Bloetscher. “Part of the Division of Emergency Management’s Bureau of Mitigation’s mission is to prioritize flood management and determine the risk of flooding to communities, infrastructure and property. FAU has adopted a program to look at the risk of flooding and certain properties have greater risk potential than others.”

A completion and adoption of the Watershed Master Plan is necessary for Sarasota County to improve its Community Rating System (CRS) classification, a voluntary incentive program that encourages community floodplain practices that exceed the base requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program. Improving the CRS classification would allow for residents to get to the next level of federal flood insurance reduction, paving the way for a safer Sarasota County for years to come. 

Provided photo.

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HCA Florida Englewood Hospital recently honored its dedicated team of more than 100 volunteers during a sunflower-themed luncheon celebrating National Volunteer Month. Together, these volunteers contribute more than 15,000 hours of service each year, playing a vital role in patient care and creating a welcoming environment for all who walk through the hospital doors. Barb Artiglier was recognized for 20 years of volunteer service. After retiring, Artiglier returned to the hospital to give back as a greeter. “I volunteer to give back to the community,” Artiglier said. “This seems worthwhile, and it completes you in a lot of respects.” The hospital also presented its Biggest Heart Award to three exceptional volunteers: Dr. Karen Weinstein, Rann Hopp and Grace Drescher. 

The Gulf Coast’s most whimsical new hotel, Cirque St. Armands Beachside (233 Benjamin Franklin Drive), is actively seeking passionate and service-driven individuals to join the team and help bring the magic of this circus-chic boutique property to life. Located just steps from Lido Beach and the vibrant St. Armands Circle, the newly reimagined hotel blends Sarasota’s storied circus legacy with elevated coastal hospitality. The hotel, which is part of the award-winning Opal Collection, is calling on local talent to help shape a one-of-a-kind guest experience filled with charm, color, and exceptional service.  For those who are just starting out or bringing years of experience, Cirque St. Armands offers an opportunity to be part of a dynamic team committed to excellence. Interested candidates are encouraged to complete an application at the hotel today.  

During Skin Cancer and Melanoma Awareness Month, Bliss Dermatology + Wellness is motivating the community to a Skin Check Challenge to fight the growing threat of skin cancer. Throughout the month of May, all are encouraged to schedule their annual skin check with one of Bliss’s board-certified dermatology providers in either their Englewood and Venice offices. The practice has a goal of achieving 500 skin checks during this time for existing patients and new ones. Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, but it is also one of the most preventable and treatable when caught early. “A skin check can help identify suspicious moles or spots before they become more serious, often long before symptoms appear,” said Dr. Michelle Pennie, Medical Director and Mohs Surgeon at Bliss. As part of the Skin Check Challenge initiative, Bliss Dermatology + Wellness invites the public to join them for free skin cancer screenings on Melanoma Monday, May 5th, from 4:00 to 5:00 PM. This is a drop-in event, no appointment necessary, to be held at the Englewood office

699 S Indiana Ave, Englewood, FL 34223. 

Skincare meets quality organic ingredients at Layle Beauty, now open at Miromar Outlets in Suite 152 near J.Crew. The boutique blends science-backed skincare, clean beauty, and high-performance haircare into a one-stop shop for modern beauty lovers. Designed for beauty enthusiasts who crave results and intentionality, Layle Beauty offers a curated range of skincare, haircare, and wellness products that blend science, luxury and clean ingredients. 

Find Your New Favorite Spot at University Village Shops! From flavorful eats to rejuvenating wellness stops, University Village Shops offers a little something for everyone. Savor a delicious meal at one of our diverse restaurants, refresh your look at a local beauty studio, or dance into a new hobby at Arthur Murray Dance Center. Break a sweat at HOTWORX or stretch it out at IM=X Pilates. Looking to capture the moment? Sundaze Studios provides hourly rentals and professional photo and video services perfect for any occasion. Whether you're here to explore, unwind, or treat yourself, University Village Shops is where flavor, wellness, and creativity come together. Now Open! Via Roma Gelateria brings an authentic taste of Italy to University Village Shops. 

University Village Shops is located on Ben Hill Griffin Road at exit 123 off I-75 in Estero between Naples and Fort Myers. 

HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital has once again earned an ‘A’ grade for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog focused on patient safety. The organization assigns letter grades to hospitals across the country based on more than 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries, infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them. Hospitals that have earned an ‘A’ grade in at least five consecutive grading cycles earn a “straight A” designation from The Leapfrog Group. This highly coveted distinction shows consistent dedication to patient safety. 

BayCare, the leading health care system in West Central Florida, broke ground today on BayCare Hospital Manatee, its 17th hospital, and BayCare HealthHub® (Manatee). This milestone marks a significant step in expanding access to health care for the growing Manatee County community. The hospital will be the county’s first not-for-profit hospital and the only hospital north of the Manatee River. For more information: BayCare Hospital Manatee and BayCare HealthHub (Manatee).  

Speakers from local, state and federal agencies will lead the Community Conversation: Hurricane Preparedness on Thursday, May 8, hosted by Sarasota County at Riverview High School, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota. Speakers will share vital information on disaster preparedness, recovery resources and insights from the 2024 hurricane season. More information on the speakers can be found at scgov.net/CommunityConversations. The program will be moderated by Sarasota County Emergency Services Director Rich Collins. Doors open for the Community Conversations at 5 p.m. Attendees should arrive early to pass through the school security system. The discussion will begin at 6 p.m. 

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