Nostalgic wonders await at Sarasota’s newest museum. The Sarasota Toy Museum opened its doors this August, featuring an impressive display of vintage and antique toys, model trains and comic books.

The museum is the brainchild of owner Richard Pierson, a retiree who after a career in fashion business, was looking for something to latch on to. A comic book aficionado, Pierson stumbled upon a gold mine when he came across the Vermont Toy Museum while vacationing in Vermont. “We were antiquing in Vermont and found ourselves at the Vermont Toy Museum. Outside was a sign which said the owner, Gary Neil, was looking to sell the place,” says Pierson. “For a laugh, I gave him a call and over the next few months we became quite friendly. I was moving down here from New Jersey and looking for something to do with my 21-year-old son, who has autism, and decided to buy the museum and bring it down here.”

Amongst the museum’s extensive collection of toys–think cap guns from the turn of the 20th century, vintage GI Joe’s, Space Race era laser guns and about 800 metal lunchboxes–is what could be considered the crown jewel: a massive replica of the Green Mountains with five levels of toy train tracks. “It’s 30 feet long and about 20 feet wide at its widest point. One of the key features is that it changes seasons as you walk around it. It has a spring side, summer side, fall side and a whole winter side,” says Pierson. “It was originally coin operated when we got it. The Sarasota Bay Model Railroad Society was instrumental in helping us reconstruct it after we shipped it down from Vermont. With their help, we were able to switch it to a digital operation where you can control the trains with your Iphone or Ipad.”

3580 17th St, Sarasota, 941-993-1897. 

Pictured: One of the many shelves of toys at the Sarasota Toy Museum. Photo courtesy of the musuem.

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Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner announced today the start of a three-week tour of local high schools to offer voter registration to students. “Now that the calendar has turned to September, I think many of us are beginning to focus on the November 5 General Election,” Turner said. “Likewise, students who may be voting for the first time or near voting age are beginning to pay attention as well. We want to go to where those students are to make sure they are registered to vote and answer any election-related questions they may have.” Each September, the elections office works with Sarasota County School District to schedule student voter registration events at local high schools. September is an ideal month for the voter registration events because there are often elections in November that help emphasize the importance of voting and being civically engaged. For the schools, September is usually when social studies and government classes begin covering the voting process. The student voter registration events will focus on registering students who are 18 or older, while encouraging students aged 16 and 17 to pre-register to vote. “In Florida, 16 and 17-year-olds can pre-register to vote,” Turner said. “By doing so, they will be ready to go when they turn 18, and perhaps best of all, they can participate in the election process as a student poll worker.” The student voter registration tour kicks off Tuesday with visits to Booker High School and the Sarasota Military Academy and concludes with a stop at Pine View School on Wednesday, September 25. For more information, contact the elections office at 941.861.8619. 

Following the success of an action-packed summer with 30 hands-on camps, the Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab (Fab Lab) is excited to continue inspiring young minds with its Fall lineup of youth programs focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM). LEGO® RoboRumble is back! This six-week, project-based learning competition teaches students in grades 1-6 the fundamentals of robot design, construction and programming using the Scratch coding language. Working in teams, students will face the ultimate challenge: building a robot to compete in the second annual RoboRumble battle! Throughout the program, participants will hone key life skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking and creativity. No previous coding or robotics experience is required. Classes are available on Sundays, with special sessions on Tuesdays for homeschool students. The registration fee of $330 per student includes six build sessions, a practice round, and entry into the final RoboRumble competition on December 15. Classes begin on October 6—registering sooner than later is strongly recommended! To secure a spot or learn more, visit https://suncoastscience.org/lego. STEAM Saturdays also return to the Fab Lab this October, offering a range of hands-on classes every weekend from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Designed for students in grades 2-8, these sessions cover a variety of topics, from Woodworking and Artificial Intelligence to Jewelry Design and Astronomy. Special seasonal classes like Halloween Forensics and Santa’s Maker Workshop add a fun twist to the schedule. From designing 3D models in Computer-Aided Design class to concocting a spine-tingling treat in Trick or Treat Food Science, there’s something for everyone! Classes are $50 each. For a full schedule and to register, visit https://suncoastscience.org/steam-saturdays. Both RoboRumble and STEAM Saturdays are uniquely developed and led by high school students in Fab Lab leadership programs, utilizing a peer-to-peer learning model that fosters mentorship and collaboration. This approach not only allows younger students to connect with relatable role models, but also creates a special learning environment that boosts confidence and engagement. For more details about all the innovative programming offered at the Fab Lab, visit https://suncoastscience.org. 

Pictured: Halloween fun in Chemistry STEAM Saturdays class. Photo courtesy of Fab Lab.

Local LGBTQ+ advocacy nonprofit Project Pride SRQ invites the community to the vibrant Rosemary District in downtown Sarasota for the Gulfcoast Pride Festival & Street Party, which takes place on Saturday, October 19 from 3-11 p.m. The festival was formerly known as Sarasota Pride but has been rebranded as the celebration now encompasses the former Manatee Pride event as well. The event officially launches with a parade – featuring Ken Shelin, former Sarasota City Commissioner and Vice Mayor, as Grand Marshall – down Main Street at 2 p.m. The event continues in the Rosemary District, starting at 3 p.m. It will feature: a market comprising numerous local vendor booths; a drag show featuring headliner Pork Chop, from “RuPaul’s Drag Race”; a kids’ zone with age-appropriate activities; pet zone and pet pageant; an art zone; cool-down zone; special guests and performances, including Marty, the mascot from the Bradenton Marauders and a stilt walker; and much more. The market runs from 3-8 p.m.; the street party continues through 11 p.m., with a street dance presented by SRQ Beats, and musical headliner, Zee Machine. Zee Machine (aka Joe Bissell) is an LA-based pop/rock/electronic singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. After a handful of singles, he released a seven-song EP “Can I Be Honest…” in July. He has been featured in People magazine, SPIN and other prominent outlets. Project Pride SRQ is grateful to Gulf Coast Community Foundation, the Presenting Sponsor for the Gulfcoast Pride Festival & Street Party this year. This family-friendly, free event is open to all; sponsorship opportunities are still available. Visit ppsrq.org for more information. 

Pictured: On October 19, Project Pride SRQ will present the Gulfcoast Pride Festival & Street Party.

Our new Shellstone at Waterside community is now open!  We are excited to unveil new floor plans and our three new model homes available for daily tours. Homes by Towne offers 65’ and 52’ homesites with lake and preserve lots. Shellstone is more than a community, it’s a place to connect with neighbors
and enjoy life. Two resort-style amenity centers provide residents with a variety of recreation and relaxation.  Midway Park is a shared amenity that offers 13 acres for residents to explore, play and connect. From racquet sports to hoops, parks and play equipment for your kids and dogs, a variety of fitness equipment for bodyweight strength workouts, or simply gather with friends and neighbors on the event lawn. Residents of Shellstone will have exclusive access to the Summit at Shellstone which includes a social hall, fitness center, pool and spa, firepit and fitness lawn. Whether your perfect day is relaxing in a hammock or kayaking around the lake, Shellstone has your covered. For a limited time, Homes by Towne will be offering a variety of Grand Opening Incentives including lot discounts, design credits and more.  Visit us today and ask our sales associates for specific details. 

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The connection between teacher and student is celebrated in the Teacher Artifacts of Worth Exhibit at the Sarasota Art Museum, September 2024.

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