What. A. Year.

As we editors look back on 2024 for our annual Year in Review roundups, every conversation about what should be included has gone something like this: "Wow, we totally forgot about this story because of the hurricanes." And yes, Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton—plus that unnamed storm in June that broke local rainfall records in just one day—were the biggest local stories of the year. But while the storms may have frayed the tapestry that is our region, no weather events can rip that fabric completely. Life goes on, and so do we.

Is Sarasota Changing for Good?

Our region is becoming more populated, more conservative and more polarized, and many residents are wondering: Is it for the best? Editor in chief Cooper Levey-Baker included this piece, by Elizabeth Djinis, in his roundup of list of favorite stories of the year, and it deserves a spot on this list, as well—especially because, a year later, the questions Djinis poses are as relevant as ever.

A New Historical Marker Memorializes Victims of Lynching and Racial Terror in Sarasota

In the first half of the 20th century, at least seven African Americans were lynched in the Sarasota area. The names of the victims—the ones we know about—were Henry Thomas, Sam Ellis, Wade Ellis, William English, James Franklin and Lewis Jackson, and a seventh victim had the last name Ruddy, first name unknown. The names are among those of thousands of victims of lynchings that took place between the end of the Civil War and 1950, many of whom are memorialized by the Equal Justice Initiative at its National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama. In February, the local victims were also memorialized here, with a historical marker erected outside the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota.

DreamLarge Acquires Sarasota Magazine

In March, DreamLarge—the local benefit corporation known for its social impact and community engagement—acquired Sarasota Magazine from Sagacity Media. Not only are we back to being locally owned, we've got a new H.Q. in the heart of the Rosemary District—and it all happened as we celebrated the 45th anniversary of our founding.

A Selby Gardens Botanist Was Part of a Team That Discovered a New ‘Miracle Plant’ in Ecuador

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens botanist John Clark was part of a team that discovered the tiny Amalophyllon miraculum in an area of Ecuador that his colleagues had almost entirely written off because of deforestation. The story was a reminder that not only do Selby Gardens researchers make major headlines in the scientific community, but that sometimes the smallest things—like this two-inch "miracle plant"—can have a big impact on their environment.

A New Program Aims to Protect Vulnerable Local Mangroves

Mangroves are one of the most critical parts of our ecosystem—and they’re increasingly at risk. As temperatures get higher, dangerous storms become more common, sea levels rise and residents continue to flock to Southwest Florida, the footprint of mangroves has declined drastically, mostly due to human activity. That's problematic because they are hotspots of biodiversity and integral parts of the ecosystem. We need mangroves, which protect the shoreline and minimize the risk of damage from storm surge, flooding, and wind damage. They’re also breeding grounds and nurseries for fish. A new program is determined to keep them safe.

Meet the Woman Behind Downtown Sarasota’s Mermaid Fountain

Did you know that artist Nancy Goodheart Matthews’ iconic fountain is included in the Smithsonian Institution’s registry of public art? The City of Sarasota celebrated the recognition with a gathering in September. We spoke to Matthews about her inspiration for the beloved sculpture and how she feels about it now compared to when the City of Sarasota commissioned her to create it back 1993.

Photos: Downtown Sarasota After Hurricane Milton’s Landfall

Longtime Sarasota Magazine contributing photographer Barbara Banks ventured out after Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane on Siesta Key and took stock of the storm’s aftermath. Her photos show Sarasota in a light that's much different than we're used to: battered after two storms in less than two weeks, with boats pushed ashore, windows broken in high-rise buildings and debris everywhere.

Did You Know That Bob Dylan First Recorded ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’ on Siesta Key?

This piece got a lot of reaction—from "Wow!" to "There's no way that happened!"—and everything in between. But according to the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the lore is true: Dylan was staying at the home of friend and fellow musician Eric von Schmidt when the recording was made in May 1964 at 532 Beach Road on Siesta Key. (That said, the best-known version of the song, from Dylan’s 1965 studio LP Bringing It All Back Home, would not be recorded until January 1965.)