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.)

Guide to Giving

Meet our 2016 Volunteers of the Year

Young brothers who make reading fun. A 98-year-old Compeer volunteer. A woman who ensures no cat is left uncuddled. Our Volunteers of the Year have a whole lot of heart.

09/07/2016 By Hannah Wallace and Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 7 Things to Do: Sept. 1-7

Young Guns of Country; $6 Saturdays at Mote Aquarium; a Brews, Bands and Boots Festival at Snook Haven, and more.

09/01/2016 By Ilene Denton

Power Players

Meet the 25 Most Influential Men and Women in Sarasota Today

Each of the 25 power players on our list wields major clout in our community.

08/31/2016 By Susan Burns, Tony D'Souza, Pam Daniel, Ilene Denton, Kay Kipling, and Cooper Levey-Baker

Why I Care

Wayne Hoitt Restores Vintage Boats for Historic Spanish Point

Hoitt scrapes, patches, paints and repairs the two boats at Historic Spanish Point.

08/31/2016 By Ilene Denton

Flower Power

Want to Have a Bromeliad Named After You?

Find out how at the Bromeliad Show and Sale Sept. 9-11.

08/26/2016 By Ilene Denton

On the Homefront

Neal Communities Breaks Ground at Newest Development, a New Rosemary District Project and More

Here's this week's local real estate news and notes.

08/26/2016 By Ilene Denton

Out of the Box

An Englewood Couple Plans to Create Area's First Shipping Container Home

Three 40-foot steel shipping containers are soon to become home sweet home for Englewood couple Kathryn and William Birkholz.

08/26/2016 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 5 Things to Do: Aug. 25-31

Free outdoor concert at the Van Wezel, Selby's Secret Garden and more.

08/25/2016 By Ilene Denton

On Our Radar

Selby Gardens Exhibit Showcases Rare Antique Botanical Illustrations

The two-part exhibit will run from Aug. 26-Nov. 27.

08/25/2016 By Ilene Denton

Weekend Planner

Your Top 7 Things to Do: Aug. 18-24

Splash Bash at the Y, Mote’s Fins & Fun Family Festival, One Night Rodeo at the White Buffalo Saloon and more.

08/17/2016 By Ilene Denton

Top Sale

A Siesta Key Estate is July’s Top Residential Sale

The 2.8-acre property is set on Little Sarasota Bay.

08/12/2016 By Ilene Denton

On the Homefront

Tour the Paul Rudolph Umbrella House

A few tickets remain for the docent-led tour this Saturday; plus, news about downtown Sarasota's Q condos on Ringling Boulevard and new construction at The Concession.

08/12/2016 By Ilene Denton