Dick Vitale Gala raises $21 million for pediatric cancer research

In its 21st year, the gala nearly doubled last year's $12 million total, with Vitale currently battling cancer for the fifth time.

A beaming Dick Vitale with his All-Courageous Kids at the 21st annual Dick Vitale Gala held on May 1 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
The Sourdough Society of Lakewood Ranch members Camille Piccininni, Erica Calka and David Wiegand each created a loaf of sourdough with different ingredients to make each unique.
  • May 5, 2026
Sourdough Society of Lakewood Ranch rises by sharing ideas
At his first time participating in Corevettes on the Circle, newcomer Bob Hanstra took home the award for Best in Show. Car enthusiasts brought 150 Corvettes of all sorts of years, models and colors for the May 2 car show on St. Armands Circle.
  • May 4, 2026
Corvettes on the Circle welcomes 150 vehicles to showcase
Casey Gonzmart Jr. explains a PowerPoint slide to the club.
  • May 3, 2026
Fifth-generation Columbia owner discusses restaurant's endurance
Carissa Smentowski, who played a big part in creating the Peaceful Path, receives a hug from the Peaceful Path Director Jamie Reagan during the World Labryrinth Day program.
  • May 2, 2026
Peaceful Path in Lakewood Ranch offers a stroll on World Labyrinth Day

Arts + Culture

Richard and Rebecca Hopkins are longtime leaders of Florida Studio Theatre.
  • April 30, 2026
Leadership changes coming to Florida Studio Theatre
In The Sarasota Players' production of "Assassins," Brian Finnerty (upper left) plays The Proprietor, Caitlin Ellis is Squeaky Fromme, Craig Weiskerger is John Wilkes Booth and Jason Ellis is the Balladeer.
  • April 29, 2026
In 'Assassins,' Sarasota Players shines light on America's dark side
Sarasota William Kelley has traveled the world to create his rainbow-hued paintings.
  • April 27, 2026
Sarasota artist William Kelley paints the colors of his mind
Nearly every member of the Sarasota Ballet will be on stage for “Checkmate” May 1-2 at the Sarasota Opera House.
  • April 22, 2026
Sarasota Ballet stages a dramatic death dance in 'Checkmate'
At his first time participating in Corevettes on the Circle, newcomer Bob Hanstra took home the award for Best in Show. Car enthusiasts brought 150 Corvettes of all sorts of years, models and colors for the May 2 car show on St. Armands Circle.
  • May 4, 2026
Corvettes on the Circle welcomes 150 vehicles to showcase
Carissa Smentowski, who played a big part in creating the Peaceful Path, receives a hug from the Peaceful Path Director Jamie Reagan during the World Labryrinth Day program.
  • May 2, 2026
Peaceful Path in Lakewood Ranch offers a stroll on World Labyrinth Day
Ed Catalane of the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club does his part to teach children, including Lakewood Ranch's Hayes Cochran, further their fishing skills at the Youth & Teen Fishing Seminar May 2.
  • May 2, 2026
Expert cast teaches fishing lessons in Lakewood Ranch
Katie Kephart and Shawn Tritschler get into the 80's spirit.
  • May 2, 2026
Downtown Sarasota takes a turn back to the '80s
Longboaters met some of the current residents at the Humane Society of Longboat Key headquarters for the latest Off the Clock social on April 29, including Light. Light is a member of the "Hidden Gem Club" and promises to light up a room for his future adoptive family.
  • May 1, 2026
Chamber members see behind the scenes at Humane Society social
Martha Jepsky and Rebel Jackson say The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle is a great place to build community and support a great cause.
  • May 1, 2026
Lake Club Women's Giving Circle wine event raises funds with taste
Outgoing board members for the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild passed the torch to new leaders at the April 14 installation service. The outgoing board includes President Kay Kochenderfer, Vice President Lyn Kennelly, Treasurer Marilyn Davol, Recording Secretary Susan Gilmore Clarke and Corresponding Secretary Mary del Pup. The new board is President Barb Sikora, Vice President Mary McGinn, Treasurer Susan Hartrick, Recording Secretary Carol Basi and Corresponding Secretary Paula Sharp.
  • April 29, 2026
Longboat Women's Guild welcomes new board
Jodene Moneuse shares a smile with Longboat Key Police Sergeant Lee Smith while Hagan Lyssy looks on at the first "Cops, Cars & Coffee" social event on April 25 at Whitney Plaza.
  • April 28, 2026
Officers, community connect over coffee at new social event
Swan parents Donald and Lydia shepherd their six cygnets, pictured only about 72 hours after hatching.
  • April 28, 2026
Swan's cygnets hatch on Longboat Key
Zachary Papper and Dillon O'Callaghan carry Tatiana Moskalenko, who plays Tanya, as she sings "Does Your Mother Know" in The Out-of-Door Academy production of "Mamma Mia!"
  • April 27, 2026
'Mamma Mia!' graces the stage at The Out-of-Door Academy
Susan Phillips, board chair of the Longboat Key Foundation and a Longboat Key Garden Club member, contemplatively peers through a clue-finding magnifying glass at the murder mystery-themed Dinner and a Movie fundraiser on April 24 at Bayfront Park. The event closed out this year's Arts in April programming.
  • April 27, 2026
Arts in April closes out with mystery movie night
Artist Cheryl Moody, who participated in Artists in the Garden earlier this month, joins the local creators showcasing their work at the 10th annual artists' reception and exhibition at Longboat's Town Hall on April 23. The display of works by the featured artists will be up and open for purchases until June.
  • April 27, 2026
Town celebrates 10th year of spotlighting local artists
Rebecca Resinski and Amy Stevens show their support.
  • April 26, 2026
Runners cross Ringling Bridge to raise support for students and teachers
Emma Mandzick, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, plays Elsa and also choreographed the whole show for "Frozen."
  • April 26, 2026
'Frozen' a red-hot hit at Lakewood Ranch High School
Molly Biter, Winfred Van Workum and Katie Moulton get the meal sizzling.
  • April 25, 2026
Parents and staff cook up meals in support of arts education
At least 60 community members of all faiths joined in a clean-up of the island on April 18, celebrating the anniversary of Paul Revere's famed ride. Volunteers collected approximately 140 pounds of trash before coming back together for a breakfast and morning service hosted by Temple Beth Israel.
  • April 21, 2026
Togetherness at heart of Faith 250 community cleanup
Awardees joined members of the Longboat Key Garden Club's grant committee on April 17 to celebrate receiving funding for their community environmental education and outreach programs. Members raised money all year to support local organizations and fund student scholarships given at the annual meeting.
  • April 20, 2026
Garden club uplifts environment, education with record funding
Stand-up comedian Al Ernst opens the second-annual Comedy Night performance through Arts in April, made possible through the Longboat Key Foundation. He and three fellow comedians performed April 16 at the Town Center Green.
  • April 20, 2026
Comedian quintet brings jokes to Longboat listeners
Lakewood Ranch's Adriana Fil, Mya Fil and Charlotte Miller greet adoptable puppies from Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center at Woofstock on Lakewood Main Street.
  • April 19, 2026
First Woofstock event fills Lakewood Main Street with dogs
Elizabeth Hall of Cypress Pillar Healing Arts teaches Liam Lopez, 6.
  • April 19, 2026
YMCA Healthy Kids Day gives families ideas for an active summer break
Couch LBK co-founders Noel Ladd — who happened to be celebrating his birthday — and Ken Rushing connect with community members at the entrance to the 20th annual Meet Greet Eat social. The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce organized the April 14 networking event at The Resort at Longboat Key Club.
  • April 18, 2026
Meet Greet Eat welcomes new businesses on Longboat Key
Senior Alexis Huffstutler says she enjoys helping younger students, like freshman Naya Cordero, to come out of their shells and express themselves through acting.
  • April 18, 2026
Braden River High School presents 'Godspell'
Margarita Lenk, Ari and Stephanie Weiner pick out their slices at the Longboat Harbour annual farewell pizza party on April 16.
  • April 17, 2026
Longboaters bid farewell to seasonal neighbors
The Rosedale Golf Classic for Homes for Our Troops was founded by Kathi Skelton and Deb Kehoe in 2013. Prior to this year's money raised, $1.5 million has been donated to the organization from their efforts.
  • April 17, 2026
Rosedale Golf Classic brings veterans, community members together
Lauren Luke of Resilient Retreat speaks with Traci Willingham of Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson's and Karen Misantone of Sarasota Opera.
  • April 16, 2026
In 24 hours, Giving Challenge raises more than $16.7 million
Za'Tajh Coach, 3, climbs over a barrier in the obstacle course.
  • April 15, 2026
Sarasota Police Department opens up to the community at Spring Fest
Longboat Key Tennis Center pro Robbie Salum tosses a tennis ball up for warm-ups at a clinic on April 8. He and his fellow pros shared what they find special about the public courts and insight into the career paths that led them there.
  • April 15, 2026
Meet Longboat Key's Tennis Center pros
The team aboard the "Triple Threat," captained by John Novak, rounds the first marker of the Bird Key Yacht Club's annual Sarasota Bay Cup regatta on April 11.
  • April 13, 2026
Seasoned sailors take advantage of smooth seas at Sarasota Bay Cup Regatta
Artist Ena Jasmin Carroll credited her friend and fellow artist Pat Lundy with bringing her in for the second annual Artists in the Garden last weekend at Longboat Island Chapel. A dozen local artists showcased and sold their works at the two-day event.
  • April 13, 2026
Local creatives participate in return of Artists in the Garden
Chloe Jarvis, Vice President Donna Quilici-Smith and Sara Sweetnich socialize before the scholarships are given out at Palm Aire Country Club April 10.
  • April 12, 2026
Palm Aire Women's Club awards scholarships to local students
Overall female winner Vicky Romocki poses with Shelley.
  • April 11, 2026
Over 1,000 turn out to Siesta Key Beach for Run for the Turtles
Lakewood Ranch's Luke and Ashley Gustafson moved from Texas 6 months ago They say events like the Lakewood Ranch Block Party put them in "magical awe."
  • April 11, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Block Party features 70 local businesses, builders and clubs