Hidden Histories

Sarasota’s African-American Cemeteries Have, Thankfully, Been Preserved

The history of segregation and black cemeteries in Florida and around the country was highlighted last fall when two black cemeteries in Tampa were discovered.

01/30/2020 By Isaac Eger

Community Cleanup

Newtown Community Cleanup Set for Jan. 25

The free event will take place from 8 a.m.-noon.

01/13/2020 By Staff

Paying tribute

Newtown Alive, School System Partner to Honor an Education Pioneer

The organizations plan to commemorate Dorothye Smith, the first African-American principal to be hired at an integrated Sarasota County school.

12/20/2019 By Shelby Schwartz

Education

Sarasota County Schools, Newtown Alive Partner to Honor Dorothye Smith

Smith was the first African-American principal hired within the integrated school system in Sarasota County.

11/06/2019 Photography by Staff

Lectures

The Ringling, Newtown Alive! Partner for 'Collecting Recollections' Series

Three local women will recount their coming-of-age experiences in Sarasota during Jim Crow segregation, their transformation into adulthood and their participation in the Civil Rights movement..

10/28/2019 By Staff

Events

Selby Gardens Will Host 'Newtown Alive' Program

The panel discussion and Q&A will look back at Sarasota's black history.

09/17/2019 By Staff

Cleaning House

Newtown Community Cleanup Set for Aug. 10

The cleanup will be held from 8 a.m.-noon.

08/01/2019 By Staff

RIDESHARE

Gotcha Expands Services to University Parkway

The ride-share service can now take you to Sarasota Jungle Gardens and the Ringling Museum.

06/26/2019 By Giulia Heyward

Weekly Planner

A Blue Crab Festival, Morton's 50th Anniversary Party and More of This Week's Best Food and Drink Events

Also happening: a walking food tour and a grand opening for the new Newtown Farmers Market location.

05/15/2019 By Giulia Heyward

Newtown Nation

The Newtown Farmers Market Is Moving

And we've got the scoop on where it will set up from now on.

05/08/2019 By Giulia Heyward

Design

New Program Aims to Encourage Historic Preservation in Newtown

Property owners interested in making improvements or restorations to their buildings could be eligible for a portion of $200,000 in funding.

03/27/2019 By Staff

Politics

Sarasota Added to U.S. Civil Rights Trail

The Sarasota area was added to the trail because of the Lido Beach "wade-ins"—protests created to push Sarasota to desegregate local beaches.

01/22/2019 By Staff

Soul Food

Big Mama's Collard Greens Fest Returns to Newtown This Month

This soul food staple has found itself the center of an annual festival meant to bring the community together.

10/11/2018 By Giulia Heyward

Time travel

Vickie Oldham Kicks Off Monthly Newtown Bus Tours This Weekend

The Newtown & Overtown History Bus Tour takes place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1.

08/30/2018 By Giulia Heyward

Local Hero

New Portrait Honors Groundbreaking African-American Physician

Guests gathered at Sarasota Memorial’s Internal Medicine Practice in Newtown on Wednesday to pay tribute to the late John Chenault, M.D.

08/16/2018 By Vanessa Blankenship

Meat and Three, Coming This Fall

Builders Break Ground on New Nonprofit Newtown Restaurant

"This is the exact opposite of gentrification," said Terrill Salem, whose company, T. Salem Construction, LLC, will be building Miss Susie's Newtown Kitchen.

02/20/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Unity Awards 2018

Vickie Oldham Wants to Preserve the History of Newtown

Oldham and a team of professionals and volunteers have produced a book, a report, installed 15 historical markers, conducted oral history interviews and inventoried 150 historic Newtown structures.

01/23/2018 By Susan Burns

Feeding the Soul

Restaurateur Steve Seidensticker Starts a Nonprofit Newtown Eatery

An upscale restaurateur starts a nonprofit Newtown eatery.

12/27/2017 By Hannah Wallace

New hires

Newtown Redevelopment Office Selects New Manager

Sarasota's Newtown Redevelopment Office recently hired DeAndrae Spradley.

12/12/2017 By staff

Curry On

Pride of Jamaica Serves Up Big Flavors in Newtown

Powerful flavors are the name of the game at Opal Bell's casual Newtown eatery.

03/09/2016 By Cooper Levey-Baker