This is the first part of a series on our NYC-WTC , Our Town 50 Tour. The sign to the left says, "The human spirit is measured not by the size of the act but the size of the heart" The sign is painted directly next to and overlooking the WTC.

President Bush's plane shown leaving Sarasota-Bradenton Airport after the 9/11 attack. Photo: Our Town 50 Exclusive.  Picture may not be copied or reproduced or transmitted without express written permission of Michael W. Penn.

Photo Lt. Terry Marshal.

Winners of the 2002 Fire Fighters Chili Cook Off: Station-  Station #4 "B" Shift.
2nd place goes to Fire PDQI
3rd place to Firefighters Benevolent.
Approximately $ 4,000.00 was raised.

The Police Athletic League held a Labor Day Weekend raffle for a new motorcycle at Classic Motorcycles.

Auntie Bumble from the TV series "The Huggabug Club" helped out at the Animal Shelter for their "Animal Adoption Day". L-R Judy Landers, Auntie Bumble and Audrey Landers who are the Executive Producers of the series along with their mother Ruth Landers.


The Sarasota Chamber of Commerce held their Hob Nob event at the Sarasota Fairgrounds this week. Plenty of good food and cool drinks mixed well.

The Siesta Key Chamber ties up members with chains and weights and throws them in the pool for fun. (This stunt was performed by MagicMan, a local entertainer)

The Manasota Mako Club held their annual Owners Funament. The children pictured above all won trophies. The youngest was 4 months old :) Some won trophies for being conservationists :) We love it.

The American Business Women's Club - Gulf Coast held a 50's dance Saturday night. There wasn't a dull moment with hoola hoop,  and bubble gum blowing contests. Click here for more pictures of the dance.

Tommy Young, left, heads the Care Free Learner Program at Sarasota H.S. Tommy typically takes 8 H.S. weekly classes and 80 6th grade classes on to Sarasota Bay to learn about marine life. In addition he takes out other groups who are interested such as the local American Littoral Society, above. Tommy talks with Roger from CT, on the Care Free Learner. The boat was built by Sarasota H.S. students in 1978.

Sailor Circus performers who are all area students exhibit the seesaw jump onto a bar.

SW
Florida's first "Bionic Man", Dan Strzempka, a native of Sarasota demonstrates to the press the first  bionic leg in the world that works based on electronic sensors. Previous to this new invention persons with prosthetic legs could not put weight on them while the knee was bent. Dan, an avid golfer, says that the new leg allows him greater follow through with his swing and to extend his walking range. This golfer not only got a new bionic leg but he is the manager of Manasota Orthopedic which offers the new leg made by Otto Bock a German prosthetics company. Dan flew to Bocks office in Minnesota to pick up the leg and learn how to program it with a laptop computer.