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.)

One Book

Author David Grann Discusses Killers of the Flower Moon

The best-selling nonfiction murder mystery about mass killings in the Osage Nation in the 1920s recently became a smash-hit movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Martin Scorsese. It was Sarasota County’s 2019 One Book selection.

01/02/2024 By Ilene Denton

Red-Hot Neighborhoods

Home Sales Are Sizzling in These Sarasota-Manatee Neighborhoods

With listings scarce and prices going through the roof, the local real estate market has entered an unprecedented era.

10/11/2021 By Ilene Denton

Neighborhood Guide

Neighborhood Guide: Anna Maria Island

Where to live, eat and play.

09/01/2021

100 Days for 100 Years

Sarasota County Marks Its Centennial This Year

On July 1, 1921, Sarasota County was officially formed. A Centennial initiative will kick off March 23.

03/06/2021 By Ilene Denton

Game On

Active Adult Communities are the Future for Baby Boomers Retiring to Our Area

These communities are all designed to cater to older adults’ emphasis on wellness, and to have fun staying that way.

01/26/2021 By Ilene Denton

Unity Awards

From Food Inequality to Education to Emergency Funds, Joe and Mary Kay Henson Always Step Up

“We’re problem solvers, or at least we like to think we are."

01/12/2021 By Ilene Denton

Home Tour

House Tour: A Modern Anna Maria Island Beach House

Take a tour of Seagrape House, a recently completed home on Anna Maria Island.

01/08/2021 By Ilene Denton

New Wave

Take a Look at This Curvy New Vacation Retreat on Longboat Key

The way it takes advantage of water views—with a long-distance view of Sarasota Bay to the north and an intimate view of the mangroves to the east—gives one the feeling of floating.

01/08/2021 By Ilene Denton

Neighborhood Guide

Anna Maria Island Offers a Taste of Old Florida

Three communities, each with its own distinct personality, make up this popular vacation destination.

01/04/2021 By Ilene Denton

What Your Money Can Buy

What $4.8 Million Will Buy You in Osprey

Plus, a Sarasota School of Architecture gem in Venice and a waterfront home in Bradenton.

01/01/2021 By Ilene Denton

Set Your Mind at Ease

Four Everyday Things You Can Do to De-Stress

Our collective stress and anxiety are taking a toll on our mental and physical wellbeing. Try these calming pursuits to help you cope.

01/01/2021 By Ilene Denton

Best of the Year

Five Real Estate Stories Worth Noting in 2020

From a big new Longboat luxury project to a mammoth community coming to Englewood, here’s a look at some real estate developments we covered this year.

12/22/2020 By Ilene Denton

Best of the Year

Five Homes We Loved in 2020

Take a look back at some exceptional residences we profiled this year.

12/22/2020 By Ilene Denton

Best of the Year

Five Notable Residential Sales of 2020

From the record-breaking sale of Serenissima to the beachfront Aquadisia estate, it was a very big year for luxury real estate. Here are five notable Top Sales of 2020.

12/22/2020 By Ilene Denton

Top Sale

Casey Key Residence Tops 2020 Sales on That Barrier Island

A Gulf-to-bay home on 1.6 acres has sold for $6.8 million.

12/16/2020 By Ilene Denton

10,000 Steps

Explore Your City With These Five Walking Adventures

Learn some history about the community, see the sights and feel better, too.

12/07/2020

Architecture Events

Take a Walk Through the History of Sarasota’s Built Environment

'Designing Sarasota: An Architectural History' is a collaborative exhibit coming Jan. 12 to the Center for Architecture Sarasota.

12/07/2020 By Ilene Denton

Real Estate

Wellen Park Continues to Grow with Neal Communities’ Avelina

The single-family neighborhood will offer 96 single-family homes at build-out.

12/07/2020 By Ilene Denton

Neighborhood Guide

Neighborhood Guide: Downtown Sarasota

Your guide to living the good life downtown.

12/07/2020

Simply Fab

The Suncoast Science Center and Its Faulhaber Fab Lab Enliven the Study of Science

The science center is chockablock with 3D printers, mills for fine metal work and other gee-whiz machines.

12/01/2020 By Ilene Denton