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Sarasota News Leader July 12, 2013 Page 100 Siesta Seen fell, as he put it, during four "pretty lengthy periods." The ground already was significantly soggy, too, from downpours earlier in the week. But the show went on — a little earlier, though, for the fireworks themselves. CHANCE MEETING IN PARIS And, based on the lovely photos Siesta Key Association Secretary Peter van Roekens generously provided us this week, it appears everyone watching had plenty of opportunity to "Ooooh" and "Aaaah." Bruce, who now lives in Los Angeles, has been seen singing on several TV shows, among them performances in comedy skits on The Tonight Show. Charlie, who lives in Chicago, stars as Peter Mills on the hit show Chicago Fire. % 2005 Booker High School Visual Performing Arts graduate — and Siesta Key native — Bruce Merkle was in Europe in June when he decided to revisit Notre Dame. As he walked by the world-famous cathedral, he felt a hand The person in charge of the pyrotechnics saw on his shoulder. To his surprise, it was 2006 a window of opportunity before the rains be- VPA graduate Charlie Barnett. gan again and went ahead and launched the That was the story Bruce's mom, Marlene Merkle, told me recently. rockets, Cooper pointed out. Charlie Barnett (left) and Bruce Merkle pose in front of Notre Dame in Paris. Contributed photo