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Don Platt, Englewood's Esteemed Elder


Donald D. Platt, 91, of Englewood's esteemed elder, passed peacefully guided by a beautiful Englewood sunset on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. 

Don was a very special man who loved his town...  and his town loved him.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.  

Godspeed, Don!  Fair winds and following seas.

Read About Don's Life





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Don Platt, Englewood's Esteemed Elder


Don Platt
May 15, 1920 - January 09, 2012

Son of Joshua and Grace (Biorseth) Platt, born May 15, 1920, in Sarasota, FL. Moved to Englewood at age 6. Graduated from Venice/Nokomis High School. Stationed out of Key West, FL he served our country with pride in the United States Navy aboard the U.S.S. Astoria. Honorably Discharged October 2, 1945.

Owner of Platt’s Gov’t Surplus, builder, owner operator of Lemon Bay Marina, now known as Royal Palm. So proud to see his dream and plans for the marina as it is now. He believed in our community and the importance of preservation of the history. The Pioneer Picnic was a favorite event he started to get all the generations together to enjoy fellowship, good food and lasting memories. As a pioneer of Englewood his care and concern was evident as a founding father of Lemon Bay Historical Society and his involvement in many Englewood causes.

Honored as a member of the Secret Society of the Smoked Mullets and his portrait on Dearborn Street were two things that made him most humble and appreciative.
Survived by daughters Tammy (Ken) Birdsong and Midge (Bill) Orren of Englewood; Sister Dorothy Tuynman of Sarasota. Grandchildren Joshua (Gina) Newell, Melissa Meharchand, Rhiannon Meharchand, Ryan Meharchand, Tiffany Platt, Chris Platt and Savannah Platt. Eleven great- grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceded in death by his mother and father, brothers, Everett, Robert and Buddy, son Dee Platt, grandson, Bradley J. Platt.

A memorial service in Don’s honor was held on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 at Royal Palm Marina. Memorial donations may be made to: Philanthropy Department, Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34238.

Lemon Bay Funeral Home and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements. You may express your condolences to the family at lemonbayfh.com
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It's that time of year again and Royal Palm Marina needs your help for their annual "Santa Project."

Do you know of a family that is in dire need of help for the holidays? Then they'd like to help.

Email Johnna their story at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and they will try to help.

Last year they helped 3 families and provided an entire Christmas for them, down to the turkey on the table. They need names as soon as possible. They cannot help everyone but they sure  can sure make a difference for a few folks! Thanks!

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This was the first year that the Winter Fine Arts Festival was sponsored by the Olde Englewood Village Association, and it was a resounding success.  The Best in Show winners were Steve Kourz in the 2D category (shown here with his amazing painting of an African elephant in the wild) and Marily Vaillencourt for 3D. 

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The show was produced by Janet Landis, former President of OEVA and former owner of the Lemon Tree Gallery.  She has produced the show for many years, and she brought her experience and grace to the task, a terrific combination that left everyone with a positive experience.



Ben Essenberg, painter, and Jim Sears, bronze sculptor, and Al De La Vega, metal artist,  brought their work to the show, but even beyond that, that volunteered and assisted all of the artists to make their experience a positive one.  It should be noted that these master-artists removed their work from consideration in the judging, to give all other artist participants more of an opportunity.

Please visit the websites of these local treasures!  www.jamessearsbronzesculpture.com/ and  www.benwessenburg.com. and www.copperwhimseasbyal.com.

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Englewood is a special community.  Every day, people come together to learn, to play, to work, to create and to try to make a difference.

We laugh, we grieve, we celebrate and we share life.  At the center of it all these days our local online daily "newspaper", The Englewood Edge is there to tell our stories.

Mark Chapman is the Editor and Publisher, Nancy Chapman is the Photographer and Reporter and their son Eric is the Designer and "Internet Wrangler".  They have brought down-to-earth, local journalism to us at a time when local coverage is spotty at best in the mainstream media.

Many Englewood residents have taken up the ritual of opening the Englewood Edge with their morning coffee.  The wit, sensitivity and honest coverage is a refreshing way to start the day.

For the first few months of their existence, "The Edge" offered all content freely to provide a taste of what they offer.  They now are a subscription-based publication, offering a healthy portion of rich local color at the very fair price of $7 per month.

Now a member of Olde Englewood Village Association, (OEVA) "The Edge" is here to stay, and to help us as we continue to celebrate the richness of life in Englewood.

To subscribe to The Englewood Edge:  Visit www.englewoodedge.com

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