A community where “neighbors are friendly, and dogs are welcome” seemed just right when Linda and Dan Vilardo made their way to Sarasota’s “West of Trail” in 2021. Coming all the way from Alexandria, Virginia, the move was a big milestone for them. After all, Linda had been in Virginia since her law school days, Dan since 1995.

 

They moved to the Sunshine State with their furry K-9s: Riley Belle (now 12) and their puppy mill rescue, Sassy. Speaking of Sassy, she 110% lived up to her name! It was not long before she became quite well-known by everyone. After she sadly passed away, they decided to expand their family by adopting 2 more adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in her memory. Ellie Mae (now 9); and Maddie Delilah (now 5) came from the Cavalier Rescue of Florida. The lucky pups found a well-deserved second chance in their new “furever home” with Riley. The pack made a unanimous decision one day and tripled up to form an exclusive club: “The Guard Dogs of Southside Village”! Ellie Mae now joyfully leads the pack in a chorus of “bark, bark, bark”!

 

Their girls proudly protect Linda and Dan’s nearly 100-year-old historic property found at 1896 Hibiscus Street. While the house might be quite old, its original beauty certainly remains. With a stucco exterior the color of a Siesta Key sunset, it stands out vibrantly from the street. Large arched windows give the house a Spanish feel, while allowing plenty of natural light into the interior. It also features oak hardwood floors; a sprawling kitchen; a green marble hearth; arched, brick entry ways; and a patio with large, curved steps that are perfect for relaxing with a morning cup of coffee or an evening glass of wine. They have been kept busy with their recent renovations. They aim to preserve the home, while enhancing it in a way that is more tailored to their personal tastes.

 

Their love for historic homes started in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. There, they purchased a 1933 cottage in 2002 that they still own today. That, too, was renovated with a similar carefulness to retain the look and charm of the original build. While the beach was a vacation destination for many years, time away has been on the back burner as they wrap up the home projects in Sarasota. They look forward to visiting again soon.

 

Linda grew up in the Midwest and the outskirts of NYC (in New Jersey), prior to pursuing her several degrees at Gettysburg College, University of Glasgow, and George Washington University. She became an Attorney who built quite a remarkable resume over the years. She finished her career at the largest black-owned media company in the country. Throughout her 20 years with Radio One, she progressed from General Counsel to Chief Administrative Officer. She also founded, grew, and acted as Managing Partner at Roberts & Eckard, P.C., a communications law firm in the greater Washington D.C. area.  In her free time, Linda likes yoga sessions, walking around the neighborhood, and reading good non-fiction books. She enjoys visiting her now 101-year-old mother about 3-4 times a year in Hickory, North Carolina- (Great genes, Linda!). Linda volunteered this year to become an active member of the South Poinsettia Park Neighborhood Association. Her dedicated efforts recently paid off with a very successful social event which she helped coordinate. In addition, she volunteers with SCORE. For those unfamiliar, SCORE is a national organization with several chapters across the country.  They match professionals who hold decades of experience with those trying to start local businesses or needing business advice. She really enjoys being able to use her legal and business skills to help others in this way.

 

Dan is from New Orleans, Louisiana, “The Big Easy”. He went on to study and complete degrees at Louisiana Tech (right after Terry Bradshaw graduated) and the University of Dallas. He became an Electrical Engineer. He most recently owned and operated Reliable Restoration and Renovation, LLC. Based in Virginia, his company prepared bids and completed residential renovation projects. Prior to this, and perhaps even more importantly, Dan’s many prestigious titles included: Patent Examiner of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); Network Architect for the United States Customs and Border Protection; Senior Network Engineer for the Internal Revenue Service; and Program Manager for the Federal Aviation Administration, where he led the development of communication networks. Since his retirement, Dan has enjoyed gardening, construction projects, and showing off his top-notch grilling skills. Linda secretly admitted: “he’s the best”! Loving to share his knowledge with others, he is always willing to lend a hand to a neighbor with issues that can be resolved through his talents. You can see for yourself by checking out the trellis he recently built on the west side of the house!

 

Melissa, Dan’s daughter, and Linda’s “bonus daughter”, is a very important part of their lives. She was married in 2022, with Linda as her Matron of Honor. She leads an exciting life in a suburb of Los Angeles. She has worked in the film industry as a camera operator and production assistant. She now repairs high-end cameras and calibrates equipment for production studios. Dan is proud of having passed down his technical skills to the next generation. She and her husband just visited this past November, which gave Linda and Dan a chance to show them the very best of Sarasota. Selby Gardens was part of the tour.

 

They have taken a cruise to the western coast of Turkey, visiting Istanbul, Ephesus, and Bodrum. On that same cruise they visited Athens, Greece and were struck by the size and detail of the Parthenon. They are partial to Italy, having visited there twice. They have driven the Amalfi Coast, and can still visualize the incredible sites of Herculaneum, Pompei and Paestum-the latter being the place where a temple built in 500 BC still stands.

 

Aside from their overseas excursions, Linda and Dan have found a lot here in town to enjoy together since the move. Their home oasis is where they unwind and relax. They LOVE to watch competitive college football games together. They are partial to the two major rival teams in Florida and Louisiana State University, consistent with Dan’s roots. They fulfill their shared affinity for continuous learning by watching television channels that document history and experiences. These include the History and Discovery Channels, National Geographic, Smithsonian Channel, and PBS. Whether it is planned or spontaneous, the couple really enjoys meeting up with neighbors for lunch and dinner. Southside Deli is the token lunch spot, where the gelato is “quite tasty”, according to Linda. Italian food at Osteria Southside ranks number one for dinner.

 

The couple does not miss the traffic and infamous beltway of Washington, D.C., where they used to do most of their driving. While seasonal traffic here might seem congested, Linda explained: “it does not compare to feeling like one is competing with Mario Andretti at the Indy 500”! Those familiar with D.C. traffic understand. Linda and Dan appreciate Sarasota’s small-town feel, yet bustling downtown. They like the convenient airport close by, the myriad of visual and performing arts, the tranquil grounds of the beautiful Ringling Museum, and so much more. In other words, the Vilardos are here to stay! Be sure to give this interesting duo a friendly “hello” when you see them Strolling around the neighborhood…. (no pun intended)!