A nearly native Floridian, Ilene Denton has lived in Sarasota since her senior year in high school. Besides her long journalism career, she had a 10-year stint as deputy director of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. (Ask her about some of her backstage shenanigans sometime.)

My Five Favorite Things

My Five Favorite Things: Selby Gardens Horticulture Director Mike McLaughlin

Horticulture director Mike McLaughlin lovingly tends the 15-acre Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

05/30/2018 By Ilene Denton

Splash!

Cool Off at These Four Fantastic Splash Parks

It’s hot, the days are long and the kids are out of school. We’ve got four great places to let off steam.

05/30/2018 By Ilene Denton

Sneak Preview

Public Can Soon Tour the Twitchell/Rudolph Cocoon House

Sarasota Architectural Foundation to launch tours of the famed midcentury modern residence this summer.

05/29/2018 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 5 Things to Do: May 24-30

Myakka River Blues Fest, a sunset kayak tour, Memorial Day parade and more.

05/24/2018 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 5 Things to Do: May 17-23

Battle of the Garage Bands at Historic Spanish Point, Ari and The Alibis plays Selby Gardens and more.

05/17/2018 By Ilene Denton

On the Homefront

New Homes in West Villages, Founders Club and The Islands on the Manatee River

News and notes from the real estate industry.

05/17/2018 By Ilene Denton

High Points for Style

Design Takeaways from the Spring High Point Furniture Market.

From the Romanza Interior Design team and London Bay Homes.

05/17/2018 By Ilene Denton

Downtown Update

The Rosemary District Continues to Grow

Twenty-eight residential and commercial projects are on the books, half already built, in just three years.

05/16/2018 By Ilene Denton

Top Sale

Longboat Key Bayfront Residence, Acqua Vita, Sells for $7 Million

It’s the highest price paid for a bayfront home on the key in 10 years.

05/16/2018 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 6 Things to Do: May 10-16

The Sarasota Orchestra plays Ed Smith Stadium, Art Center Sarasota’s Beaux Arts Ball, Harvey Milk Festival and more.

05/10/2018 By Ilene Denton

Oh, Baby

A Lakewood Ranch Mom’s Baby Nursery Goes Viral

It was the No. 1 viewed nursery of 2017 on the website Project Nursery.

05/03/2018 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 5 Things to Do: May 3-9

Tony Danza at the Opera House, Sand Sculpting on Siesta Beach and more.

05/03/2018 By Ilene Denton

Top Sales

Late April Sees Record-Breaking Residential Sales on Lido, Longboat Key

Three beachfront properties go for $7 million, $5.4 million and $5 million.

04/30/2018 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 7 Things to Do: April 26-May 2

Ragtime opens at the Asolo Rep, Yanni visits the Van Wezel, Siesta Fiesta and more.

04/26/2018 By Ilene Denton

Lean on Me

Finally, LGBTQ Seniors Have Support for Issues of Aging

Finally. LGBTQ seniors have support for issues of aging.

04/26/2018 By Ilene Denton

Why I Care

Gail Clifton Teaches Therapeutic Horseback Riding to People with Special Needs

Clifton was the executive director of the Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy (SMART) for 17 years.

04/26/2018 By Ilene Denton

Memory Lane

Home Tour: A Hollywood Casting Director Replicates Her Family's 100-Year-Old Cottage

Lora Kennedy—whose hits include Wonder Woman and Argo—has fond memories of her grandparents' Bradenton Beach vacation home.

04/26/2018 By Ilene Denton

One Day

A Day in the Life of Sarasota Farmers Market's Phil Pagano

Navigating downtown’s farmer’s market with executive director Phil Pagano.

04/26/2018 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 10 Things to Do: April 19-25

Sarasota Magazine’s Best of Party, Shakespeare outdoors at Selby Gardens, Silk Road with Yo-Yo Ma and more.

04/19/2018 By Ilene Denton

Sneak Preview

The Modern Show Returns to Center for Architecture Sarasota May 4-5

Modern furniture and art, home tours, lectures and a cocktail party are part of the annual event.

04/16/2018 By Ilene Denton