Crown Jewel

The History of Mar-a-Lago

How the mansion of a great Florida philanthropist became ground zero for one of the most consequential elections in American history

09/01/2024 By Robert Plunket

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo

How Cinderella’s Castle Became the Latest Battleground in the Culture Wars

Is it changing from something aspirational and inspiring to something darker and even dangerous?

11/03/2023 By Robert Plunket

Mr. Chatterbox

'My Weekend as a Tourist in Pinecraft'

What's a Sarasota vacation like for the Amish and Mennonites? Our humor columnist aims to find out.

06/05/2023 By Robert Plunket

Cold Case

The Heist That Rocked Sarasota's Art World

In 1969, thieves made off with 15 of Ben Stahl’s most famous paintings. The heist ruined him financially and left behind a mystery that has never been solved.

03/03/2023 By Robert Plunket

Escape From Englewood

Hurricane Ian Was Approaching. My House Was Shaking. I Didn’t Know What to Do.

The wrong decision could have enormous consequences, from inconvenience to death.

10/21/2022 By Robert Plunket

Mr. Chatterbox Returns

Mr. Chatterbox Makes His Own List of Banned Books

Perhaps the following books once had some merit, but in these “woke” times they constitute a clear and present danger, and they need to be “canceled” ASAP.

05/10/2022 By Robert Plunket

Ballyhoo Days

The Unsettling World of Circus Freakshows Once Flourished in Sarasota

Who were these people who were once our neighbors? What sorts of lives did they live?

03/01/2022 By Robert Plunket

In Memoriam

In Memory of Rebecca Baxter

For some 30 years, she took all the party pictures that documented the town as it transformed from small Florida backwater to international glamour capital.

02/05/2022 By Robert Plunket

You Must Remember Hiss

Brilliant, Imperious and Public-Spirited, Philip Hiss Helped Establish Sarasota’s Claims to Fame

Of all the fabulous characters who made Sarasota what it is today, Hiss is the great mystery.

12/14/2021 By Robert Plunket

Real Estate Junkie

Carl Abbott's Putterman House Was Just Listed for $4.5 Million

Designed in 1985, it was the home of Florence Putterman, a well-known artist, and her husband Saul.

10/20/2021 By Robert Plunket

Real Estate

Can You Buy a Home in Sarasota for Less Than $250,000?

Yes—but you have to act fast.

10/18/2021 By Robert Plunket

Behind the Buildings

Meet the Women Behind Six Iconic Local Buildings

Sarasota architecture wears the names of women from our past. Here are six to know.

09/01/2021 Photography by Robert Plunket

Real Estate Junkie

For Sale: A Parisian-Style Mansion With 10.5 Bathrooms on Manasota Key

The 12,000-square-foot house is built in the scale and style of a Parisian hotel.

08/05/2021 By Robert Plunket

Real Estate Junkie

For Sale: A Midcentury Modern Time Capsule in Bradenton

It was built in 1957, in a style that strongly suggests the Hollywood Regency look that was so popular in Los Angeles back in the day.

07/01/2021 By Robert Plunket

Real Estate Junkie

For Sale: An Iconic Downtown Live-Work Space

It’s 50 percent residence, 50 percent beauty salon, and 100 percent fabulous.

06/11/2021 By Robert Plunket

Real Estate Junkie

For Sale: A $12.9 Million Cruise Ship-Inspired Home on Longboat Key

Let's be honest: the real attraction is that water slide.

06/04/2021 By Robert Plunket

Real Estate Junkie

For Sale: A Rare Midcentury Find in Whitfield Estates

The home has been nicely updated and will perfectly showcase your collection of 1950s and '60s furniture.

05/19/2021 By Robert Plunket

Real Estate Junkie

A Look at Boca Royale, Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn's New Home

Flynn and his wife just paid $545,000 for a three-bedroom, two-bath home in the golf course community.

04/22/2021 By Robert Plunket

Life Story

HBO Planning New Documentary About Paul Reubens

The two-part series documentary will shine a light on Reubens, who created the beloved character Pee-wee Herman.

03/12/2021 By Megan McDonald and Robert Plunket

Wish They Were Here

Six Sarasota Tourist Attractions From the Past

Let's take a look at these long-gone favorites and try to discover what they say about our town and its history.

03/06/2021 By Robert Plunket