Boomer Beauty

By Julie Milton

There’s a part of me that would have loved to live in Sarasota in the 60s, 70s or 80s. I can only imagine how fun and carefree it was back then. Few cars, beaches with tons of empty space, an evolving arts and culture scene, and lots of friendly people, mostly Mid-Westerners, who quite likely knew your name. Kind of like Cheers on steroids. 

With this our Boomer Beauty issue, we thought it fitting to showcase images from Sarasota Scene’s 63-year-old archives of people who graced our covers during these decades. They are our Boomers of today. Are they still a part of our Sarasota scene?  Did you know one or more of them? 

During this crazy time of added stress and strife, we all could use a nostalgic pause and a smile. Enjoy this walk down memory lane, and if you recognize anyone featured, reaching out to them may certainly brighten your day and theirs as well. Who couldn’t use that right now?

Top Left: Holiday Fun… two easygoing dresses for the swing set. Debbie Johnston is wearing a red knit coat dress accented with navy and white braid. Barbara Lynne Sackett models a lacy knit with free falling lease and embroidered appliques. Dresses from Lad ‘n Lassie in Southgate. 1969

Bottom Left: Mrs. Maxwell Cooke, publicity chairman of the New College Inaugural Ball with daughter Ashleigh. They are photographed on New College Campus with a new hardtop Sedan de Ville from Cooke Motor Company. 1967

Top Right: Our voyagers, Linda Rosenbaum and Don Martin, were photographed aboard the luxurious motor yacht “Hellion” with Douglas W. Neill at the wheel.  1967

Bottom Right: Summer at the Shore! Cheryl Paver in a Fiesta printed bikini by Cole. Picnic basket filled with accessories for spending the day at the beach. All from The Sea Stable on Longboat Key. 1969

Top Left: A fanfare of pleats. Mrs. Nan Oliver models a pink polyester knit dress with a spill of raspberry beads. In the background, the NEW Lewis and Eugenia Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall designed by William Wesley Peters. 1970

Bottom Left: Valerie Von Guttenburg shown with a pink straw hat woven to let the sun shine through. St. Armands Key. 1970

Top Middle: Checked out for spring, Joy Chutz models a double knit polyester pant suit. Photographed on New College Campus. 1970

Top Right: Ginger Dillard models the right look. Slim pants flaring at the hemline. All from the Rings, St. Armands Key. 1972

Bottom Left: The lush greenery of Myakka State Park helps give the illusion of coolness and tranquility as we wind up another summer. Model Karen Williams.  1977

Top Left: The Vintage Years… Sharon Spelman, who plays the role of the incomparable Billie Dawn to perfection in Asolo’s production of “Born Yesterday”, models a blazer next to a 300 Mercedes. 1971

Bottom Left:  Jillian Lindig and Robert Murch, Asolo performers in Jean Anouilh’s French comedy “Ring Around the Moon” are photographed at the Asolo on the grounds of The Ringling Museum. 1974

Bottom Middle:  Miss Polly Holliday at the Asolo Theatre where she is appearing from now until fall playing to perfection such leading roles as Bananas Shaughnessy in “The House of Blue Leaves.” 1972

Top Right: Revival of the Beaux Arts Ball at the Sarasota Exhibition Hall under sponsorship of the RIngling Art School Library Association. With the picturesque Asolo Theatre as a background, honorary chairman Guy “Pappy” Saunders helps third year design student Patricia Johnson with a preview of a colorful costume featured at the ball. 1976

Bottom Right: Taking one more bow at this Sarasota landmark soon to be torn down to make way for the new, are Ginny Blough (star of “Funny Girl”, ”On a Clear Day”, “Annie Get Your Gun”, and “I do, I do”) and Jo Richard (Star of “Mame”, “Hello Dolly,” “Roberta” and “Butterflies are Free”). The old theater at the corner of North Trail will be replaced by a new one to open late 1974.  1974

Top Left: Miss Sarasota 1965— Miss Sandra Hegler poses at the Lido Biltmore in a sculptured white bathing suit which emphasizes her tawny tan. A wide band at the midriff is knit in a loose lacy stitch and belted with pompon ties. 1965

Middle:  Miss Sarasota 1966, Miss Diane Colston models a swish of a small silk dress designed by Anika. Photographed on the Circle, St. Armands Key. 1966

Top Right: Miss Sarasota 1972—The title goes to Miss Ellen Louise Fisher. She’s wearing a polished cotton short jump suit with a long blowy skirt. Photographed at the fabulous Ringling Residence. 1972

Bottom Left: Miss Sarasota 1974, Donna Roberts, photographed in the lush setting at the Sarasota Garden Club. 1972

Bottom Right: For girls who know where they’re going, this is the way to look. Lisa Donovan, the current Miss Sarasota, models a canvas and leather coat over a striped jersey dress. A combination that is unmistakably Bonnie Cashin. Photographed at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. 1970

The 1970s scene featured lots of photos of cover girls Lou Binns and Mary Stottlemyer in a variety of outfits and locations.

Top Left: An assignment to liven up some walls at Sarasota High School, turned into a fun program for the school’s senior art department. The initial effort was the art and graphics motif on the wall on the north side of the building. Completing the finishing touches are teacher H.O. Davis, student art director Paul Roberts, and art student Eric Zundel. 1981

Bottom Left:  A new stadium at Riverview High. The 10,000 seat Ram Bowl was constructed by public subscription through a campaign spearheaded by Joe Fitzgerald and E.E “Gene” Simmons. Shown on the field are: Robert Brown, Cedric Saunders, Warren Berg, Tom Biggy, James Bacon, Jim Brown and cheerleaders Robin Arthur and Cindy Thompson. 1972

Top Right: This trio of Back To Schoolers have the distinct advantage of attending classes on the verdant campus of the Prew School, a co-educational day school established in 1931. Jeanne Miller, Diane Minto and Laurel Greenwood. All fashions from P.J.’s on Main Street. 1974

Bottom Right:  A crew from one of the Living Room Reading areas at the soon to be opened Selby Public Library. Pictured left to right are: Debbie Torine, Riverview High, Shari Nichols, Pine View, and Amy Surfus, Out of Doors School. 1976

When it comes to breathtaking settings for beautiful photos, there’s no better place than Selby Gardens…Then & Now!

Top Left: A lovely gal in a vivid print dress at Sarasota’s own exotic Selby Gardens graces this month’s cover. The print dress is from Lilly Pulitzer, St. Armands Circle and is worn by Florence Renault. Photographed in the Display House at Selby Gardens. 1984

Bottom Left:  A breathtakingly beautiful orchid reflected in the eyes and face of Patti Lloyd photographed at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, preparing for the annual Orchid Show, one of Sarasota’s best attended events. 1978

Top Right: Vivid hibiscus blossoms frame the pretty face of Karen Johnston from United First Federal as a reminder of the annual hibiscus show planned for August 5 in the Venice office of United First Federal. 1979

Bottom Right:  The beauty of the rustic setting at Pelican Cove, provides the perfect foil for the vivid colors of these dresses worn by Mrs. Lowell Brame, left, and Mrs. Robert McDaniel, right. Dresses from Conrad Egan on Siesta Key. 1975

Our sunny days lured kids out of their homes and outdoor sports were as popular then as they are now.

Top Left: The Longboat Beach and Tennis Club provides the background for Marilyn Marigold photographed in one of her own designs to be marketed under Concept Ltd. label. 1974

Bottom Left: Sarasotans are discovering the exhilarating sport of windsurfing at Turtle Beach on Siesta Key.  1979

Top Right: Outdoor Sarasota is more than beaches, sailing, tennis courts and golf. Riding, too, is a major sport. Bitsy Kunkle on Diamond with Mrs. Dareen Kunkle holding Sash. 1973

Bottom Right: Pictured is the SHARKS, the local swim team that this year holds the National YMCA championship. Despite problems with pool availability, these enthusiastic swimmers practice eleven and a half months a year. 1982

Left: A perfect Midsummer’s Eve wedding. Miss Ruth Ann Lovelace and Ward Harris Patton III at their home. Mr. Patton is the son of Sarasota Scene founder Ward Patton. 1983

Top Right: The elegant Rolls Royce Bentley is the priced possession of Craig Sager. Photographed on St. Armands with Shelley Hill, a local librarian. 1975

Bottom Right: While sand beaches are an integral element of the Sarasota Scene and none are lovelier than this stretch off Big Pass. Susan and George Jones beach the Hobi Cat for a sunset picnic.  1977