Feature
Celebrating Sarasota: Local Leaders Reflect on Their Time in Our City
By Ryan G. Van Cleave | April 2022
April is Sarasota Scene‘s 65th anniversary, and the magazine wouldn’t have survived and thrived for so long without the support of this terrific community. To help celebrate the wondrous place that we call home, we partnered with Kirstin Fulkerson and Kelly Carlstein at Gulf Coast Community Foundation to identify some of the area’s leading philanthropists who’ve committed to making this area so much more than great weather, stunning beaches, and first-rate restaurants.
Here are some of their favorite memories, experiences, and impressions of Sarasota.
“As a Sarasota native, I’ll never forget the day my mother DRAGGED me to the Asolo Rep to see an Italian comedy when I was 11. I thought I’d hate it, but the performance sparked a lifelong love of the arts. I never intended to stay in Sarasota after college, but I’ve remained here primarily because of Sarasota’s ever-expanding cultural richness. And in a full-circle moment, I’m now a proud member of the Asolo Board of Directors!”
—Charlie Huisking
“Sarasota’s thriving spirit, which supports our vibrant community, has always struck me as very special. Sarasotans work together tirelessly to improve the community and help those in need. Our unique spirit, volunteerism, and charitable impulses bring us together, in addition to supporting our thriving environmental, culture, and arts organizations.”
—Pauline Wamsler
“We were of course attracted to the beautiful and plentiful water views, the high-quality abundant retail and services, the magnitude and excellence of the arts and civic events, but most importantly, the culture of Sarasota. The culture is one of helpful friendly acts to all from the people you meet on the streets to the government workers doing difficult jobs. “
—Joel & Gail Morganroth
“What we find special about Sarasota is its diversity of humanity and cultural imperatives. Oh, and of course, some good Italian restaurants! It also empowers both Katherine and me to do something that can be eternal by our involvement in the Sarasota Ballet, Children First, Ringling College of Art and Design, Selby Gardens, and last but certainly not least, The Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition.”
—Frank & Katherine Martucci
“Coming to Sarasota in 1991, I was immediately welcomed by open and caring people throughout the city. The smart, kind, and warm people who live here and love Sarasota continue to make this a remarkably wonderful place to live. The aesthetic beauty of Sarasota is matched by the heart of Sarasotans. I have found friendship, love, and support from a wide variety of people here, diverse in age, ethnicity, and financial status. Thirty years after first experiencing our city, I still revel in the wonder of our warm and open community.”
—Deb Kabinoff
“Living here in Sarasota for over 50 years, it is HOME! Through all the changes, Sarasota has retained its fundamental qualities: its warmth, both climate and friendliness; its caring nature for those less fortunate; its cultural heritage, bringing us life in so many ways; and its vibrancy for all ages! We are blessed to be a part of this community!”
—Dennis & Graci McGillicuddy
“It should be no surprise to learn that what we find special about Sarasota is its incredible art. If the mere beauty of our beaches isn’t enough, we have world-class performing arts (Orchestra, Ballet, Opera, and Theater) along with internationally recognized museums both indoor (The Ringling, Sarasota Art Museum, and Mote) and outdoor (Selby Gardens, Myakka and Oscar Scherer State Parks, and Spanish Point). Very few large cities can boast this diversity and quality, much less smaller towns like us. Sarasota is just plain beautiful!”
—Sherry & Tom Koski
“In addition to the fabulous weather and wonderful people, what clinched the deal for us with Sarasota was the incredible array of cultural and arts organizations. I can’t think of another relatively small community in this country that offers such a variety of amazing performances, many of which are home grown. This is a community that supports the arts, knowing that what the arts contribute to the community is what enhances the aura of Sarasota.”
—Skip & Gail Sack
“Sarasota is a small city that has all the bells and whistles of a large one in the realm of entertainment and culture and the natural beauty is overwhelming…but more importantly, it’s a city that takes care of the more unfortunate with its extensive philanthropic outreach. We can’t think of anywhere else we’d like to live.”
—Bob & Pat Gussin
“In 1975, as young parents of a two-year-old, we left the cold Canadian winters for warm, sunny Sarasota. In the early years, Sarasota was a quiet, unassuming town—which also described our business in its infancy. Sarasota is now on the national radar as a “destination,” and we’re able to support many incredible charitable organizations located here. Sarasota has been very good to us—it feels great to give back. We’ve truly lived the American Dream in this city over the past 47 years.”
—Bob & Lin Williams
“When I first arrived in the 80s, Sarasota was a sleepy little town. Many of our roads were two lanes, the downtown Five Points Park was a fish market, and the adjacent library was a tire company. Downtown had no luster. But this town had the arts and add that to the beaches and great healthcare, and here we are today! The arts were and are playing a major part in changing this town. We are a small city with big-city arts. Top it off with Florida’s tax laws, and paradise is the right name for our vibrant Sarasota.”
—Margaret Wise
“After living in several cities around the world, our impression when we first arrived here was that this was the place where we wanted to spend the rest of our lives. We enjoy the natural beauty, exceptional arts and culture, and friendly people—we’ve made so many lifelong friends! Since 2012, we’ve seen the city’s rapid growth and the many challenges that brings. Yet, when we watch the sunrise and sunset, we marvel at the beauty here and feel blessed to call Sarasota our home!”
—Ali & Gloria Bahaj
“We chose to live here in 1983 because we thought the Sarasota area was the best location in the whole state. We have never changed our minds and consider ourselves blessed to make our home in Nokomis where our son and granddaughter also live. The Venice Symphony and Venice Theatre, along with the Asolo, Van Wezel, and Florida Studio Theatre provide a rich cultural choice for us. The most important plus about our area is the concern and support given to the charitable agencies that help so many deserving causes.”
—Stephen & Redenta Picazio
“We moved to Sarasota for the beauty, warm weather, and golf, but quickly discovered that the true warmth and beauty of this community is its caring and benevolent culture. From the incredible arts organizations to the numerous social service agencies, this community strives to support the needs of all its residents in every respect. We feel truly blessed to have made this unique paradise our home!”
—Debbie & Larry Haspel
“While we love the arts in all its forms, we’re especially drawn to the Sarasota Orchestra, the Sarasota Opera, and every one of the professional theaters. Getting internationally recognized conductor Bramwell Tovey to serve as the Sarasota Orchestra’s new Music Director speaks volumes about the quality of that group. The Sarasota Opera, too, has iconic leadership through Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Victor DeRenzi who is the only person in the world to have conducted every musical note written by Giuseppe Verdi. And we can always count on the theaters here to provide high-quality performances that entertain while driving cultural change. All of this makes Sarasota a truly special place to live.”
—Jack & Priscilla Schlegel
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