Nokomis: A Community of Firsts
#41 - July 14, 2025 - First Hotel - First Bank - First Church - First Public Beach
Nokomis is known as a “community of firsts.” So much of the progress experienced in Nokomis is the result of the work and vision of its pioneers — Rev. Jesse Knight and Frank Higel — and its land developers in Dr. Fred H. Albee and community designer John Nolen. Our history tells us that Nokomis was the location of many firsts. Among them were the first church in the area, the first bank in the area, the first hotel and the first dairy in the area, the first library and first high school in the area, and the first cemetery in the area. Nokomis Beach, located on Casey Key, is the oldest public beach in Sarasota County. Nokomis also had the first theater – Venice-Nokomis Theater -- for live performances, community events, and movies. The theatre opened April 10, 1926. It was later destroyed by a fire in the 1930s.
Nokomis continues to evolve, growing stronger as it faces a changing population, economic growth, and the effects of seasonal hurricanes. Its best days are ahead.
That Was The Week That Was
Time flies and you may have missed some of these local events last week.
Wednesday, July 9th: Jeana Hilligoss brought to life the First Lady of Venice, Ann Ruth Everett Worthington Manning (1896-1987) at the inaugural Summer Picnic of the Venice Area Historical Society, held at the Venice Train Depot, Venice, FL. Her presentation was followed by tours of the Train Depot and the Circus Car Museum.
Friday, July 11th & Saturday, July 12th: Christmas in July. This annual event and sale in Historic Downtown Venice attracted a nice crowd of visitors and shoppers.
Saturday, July 12th: Book sale! This was the day all voracious readers and collectors wait for each year. What a crowd that showed up!
All books were just one dollar each. All sales benefit Friends of the Venice Library.
Sunday, July 13th: Church services were held at the Chapel on the Beach, located on the north shore end of Siesta Key at Patriots Pier (Sunset Point). Services are offered every Sunday at 8:30 am. Free parking at Siesta Key Chapel, 4615 Gleason Avenue, Siesta Key. Free shuttle to the beach.
This Week in Nokomis
Wednesday, July 16th: Nokomis Drum Circle. On Nokomis Beach, 207 Casey Key Road, Nokomis. From 2 hours before and thru sunset. Drumming, singing, dancing. Family friendly. Everyone is welcome. Free admission. Free parking.
Thursday, July 17th: The Osprey-Nokomis Chamber of Commerce holds its annual Member Appreciation Day at Pop’s Sunset Grill this evening from 5:30-9:00. Ticketed event.
Saturday, July 19th: Nokomis Drum Circle. On Nokomis Beach, 207 Casey Key Road, Nokomis. From 2 hours before and thru sunset. Drumming, singing, dancing. Family friendly. Everyone is welcome. Free admission. Free parking.
Nokomis Fishing Update: Third Week of July
July in Southwest Florida is a good month for catching Sheepshead, Mangrove Snapper, Tarpon, Pompano, Flounder, Spanish Mackerel, and Cobia. Mind the changing weather as you drop your line, and above all, stay safe.
FOR CURRENT FISHING TRENDS and updates on what’s biting, where the fish are, and what bait and tackle to use to catch the fish you want, check in with our Nokomis experts on all things sportfishing: Capt. Joe Cellamare and his team at: Fish Tales Bait & Tackle, 101 S Tamiami Trail, Nokomis, FL 34275; Phone: (941) 615-7485.
Nokomis Beaches, Parks & Natural Places
Nokomis boasts more than 10 beaches and public parks. All are open to the general public with free admission. Most are open 6am until sunset. Several have a 10pm closing time. For the best experience, please mind the posted hours of operation.
Happening In Nearby Osprey & Venice
July 14-August 31: Patti Smith: “A Book of Days.” Patti Smith, a poet and musician, is the artist-in-residence at Selby Gardens Historic Spanish Point in Osprey (401 N. Tamiami Trail). This is an outdoor exhibit featuring large prints from Smith’s bestselling book, “A Book of Days.” Admission: $20. Opens at 10am daily.
July 14th: Foodscaping for the Suncoast exhibit is at the William H. Jervey, Jr. Venice Library. This exhibit was mounted by the UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. The display is located in the two lobby showcases in the library entrance. Available for viewing during regular library hours. 300 Nokomis Avenue South, Venice, Florida.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: July 14-July 16: Venice Museum - Financing a City: The History of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (Through July 30, 2025). We’re Staying the Night: The Historic Hotels of Venice (Through January 21, 2026). 351 Nassau St. S, Venice, FL. Museum is open Monday-Wednesday, 10am-4pm. Free admission.
Friday, July 18th: Opening Night for an award-winning musical: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. In the Pinkerton Theatre. 7:30 pm. Venice Theatre, 140 Tampa Avenue W., Venice, FL. Tickets: VeniceTheatre.org.
Saturday: July 19th: Historic Venice Train Depot Tours. 10am-4pm. 351 Nassau St S, Venice, FL 34285. Free admission.
Saturday, July 19th: Saturday Morning Bike Ride!, hosted by Bicycles International. 7:00 am. Meet at Bicycles International, 1752 S. Tamiami Trail (In the Big Lots plaza - Rt 41), Venice. This is a road ride with a brisk pace—bring your road bike and get ready to roll! Bonus: Stick around post-ride for free coffee at the shop!
July 19th: Venice Farmer’s Market. Look for this weekly market in its new location in the Venice City Hall parking lot and the northbound lane of Avenue des Parques. Market hours: Saturday: 8am - 1pm.
Saturday, July 19th: Sand Bag Filling. Yes, it’s that time of year again as we get ready for the summer rains and the start of hurricane season. This is the second of three times that Sarasota County offers residents free sandbags (10 bags per person) and access to shovels and giant piles of sand. South County Fleet, 4571 State Road 776, Englewood Road, Venice, FL. 9am - 5pm. Great exercise!
Future Event: Mark Your Calendar Now!
November 29, 2025: The 2025 Holiday Parade (# 49) is Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and kicking off the City's Centennial Celebration. Holiday Parade Theme - All Aboard the Centennial!
Nokomis Information Links
Live Webcam at Pop’s Sunset Grille: www.popssunsetgrill.com/popscam
Nokomis Beach Current Conditions via Mote: https://www.visitbeaches.org/beach/5/report/54675
What I’m Reading
I have two books to recommend this week. One is local and written by an enthusiastic shark teeth explorer. The second is about healing after the loss of a child, timely in light of the tragic loss of young lives in the Texas flood over the July 4th weekend.
Hunting Fossil Shark Teeth in Venice , Florida: The Complete Guide: On the Beach, Scuba Diving, and Inland (2011, Robert L. Fuqua), by Robert L. Fuqua. Here is everything you’ve always wanted to know about the shark teeth we find on the beach and offshore in vast quantities. Illustrated and detailed to satisfy even the most ardent shark tooth and fossil hunter.
The second book this week is Comfort, A Journey Through Grief (W.W. Norton, 2008). I received this one from a friend after the sudden accidental death of my son, Kenny, in 2010. Written by Rhode Island native Ann Hood, it is the author’s heart-wretching memoir about the sudden death of her five year old daughter Grace in 2002. Though I first read this more than a decade ago, beginning again on page one it appeared new. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to read it again.
The first line was hopeful, “Time heals.” For the next two+ hours, I read her words, felt the pain of her child’s death, teared up over and over, put it down, and stared out the living room window, and saw nothing. Ann Hood’s journey back from the shock and grief was hard to read. Every emotion was there on the page and searing into me. Ultimately, the writer finds her way through her grief. I still have moments when a sound or a word will remind me of the late night phone message saying my son Kenny was dead.
We all grieve in our own way. I believe that grief is a continuation of our love for the person we have lost. It is an endless journey. Our paths to healing may differ some, but always lead back to special memories of the best days we had together with our child.
We Love Nokomis!
Thanks for reading this week!
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