An organic farm highlights the pleasures of life in the country

Long rooted in the region, Lee and Caroline Wetherington have created their custom, clean-leaving oasis on a 30-acre farm full of animals, organic gardens and wide-open spaces.

Rustic yet sophisticated, a Myakka farm provides an enviable lifestyle for a prominent Sarasota couple.
Rabbi Howard Simon, master of ceremonies at Temple Beth Israel's 47th annual gala, welcomes attendees to the event on Feb. 22 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
  • February 23, 2026
47th Temple Beth Israel gala centers on community
Artist Kathleen Murphy Willer, based in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, said she has fun incorporating elements evocative of childhood in her acrylic paintings. She was one of the artists to brave the sun and rain at last weekend's fine art festival on Longboat Key.
  • February 23, 2026
Specialized artists turn out for fifth Longboat Fine Art Fest
Executive directors Brian Walton, Jessica Ryherd and Amy Steinhauser respectively from Save Our Seabirds, Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Inc. and The Paradise Center, pitched their future development ideas to attendees at the inaugural Longboat Key 100 fundraiser Feb. 17 at The Resort at Longboat Key Club.
  • February 22, 2026
Inaugural fundraiser awards $100K to combat childhood hunger
Ryley Hoaglin, 10, looks at birds from the gazebo.
  • February 22, 2026
Sarasota Audubon welcomes the public to its nature center with Fly Wild

Arts + Culture

Carla Noack, Ashley Raymond, Sally Wingert and Zach Harris star in Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of "The Unfriend."
  • February 23, 2026
A British comedy of manners pops up at Asolo Repertory Theatre
"La bohème," which runs through March 28 at Sarasota Opera House, is the first of four productions in the Sarasota Opera's 2026 Winter Festival.
  • February 18, 2026
For Sarasota Opera, it's a season to remember
Jamie Saunders, Corrie Owens and Alan Kim star in FSU/Asolo Conservatory's production of "Exit, Pursued by a Bear."
  • February 11, 2026
A wolf enters and a bear exits in twin FSU/Asolo Conservatory plays
LaMichael Leonard Jr.'s dance career has taken him to New York and Paris and back to Sarasota.
  • February 10, 2026
International dance star comes home to Sarasota
Rabbi Howard Simon, master of ceremonies at Temple Beth Israel's 47th annual gala, welcomes attendees to the event on Feb. 22 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
  • February 23, 2026
47th Temple Beth Israel gala centers on community
Artist Kathleen Murphy Willer, based in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, said she has fun incorporating elements evocative of childhood in her acrylic paintings. She was one of the artists to brave the sun and rain at last weekend's fine art festival on Longboat Key.
  • February 23, 2026
Specialized artists turn out for fifth Longboat Fine Art Fest
The winners of an essay contest had the chance to read out their essays during the event, and they included fourth grader Lorelei Martin, second grader Olivia Batista, kindergartener Logan Hernandez, third grader Petronius Boles, first grader Jade Rivers and fifth grader Amara Berry, pictured here with Assistant Principal Jennifer Kahler.
  • February 22, 2026
Bay Haven School of Basics Plus celebrates centennial anniversary
Executive directors Brian Walton, Jessica Ryherd and Amy Steinhauser respectively from Save Our Seabirds, Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Inc. and The Paradise Center, pitched their future development ideas to attendees at the inaugural Longboat Key 100 fundraiser Feb. 17 at The Resort at Longboat Key Club.
  • February 22, 2026
Inaugural fundraiser awards $100K to combat childhood hunger
Ryley Hoaglin, 10, looks at birds from the gazebo.
  • February 22, 2026
Sarasota Audubon welcomes the public to its nature center with Fly Wild
Nicholas Quintero, Conner King, Greyson Alexander and Lucas Matallana are campout ready with snacks, a lantern and even a headlamp.
  • February 22, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Community Campout lights a fire for families and friends
St. Barbara's Hellenic Folk Dance Group member Harrison Barakos gives a wave, while being cheered on by fellow dancers Maria Stylianoudakis and Gianni Cappelluti, as his name is called at the St. Barbara 42nd annual Greek Festival.
  • February 20, 2026
St. Barbara hosts 42nd annual Greek Festival all weekend
Terry Creighton lines up a shot at a Feb. 15 tennis session at The Sanctuary.
  • February 20, 2026
The Sanctuary kicks off season's activity with tennis pro
Weizhen Jiang Wolf and Yuhong Wan of Zen Rhythm Dance Group perform a Mongolian Dance at the Lunar New Year Celebration.
  • February 20, 2026
Sister Cities of Sarasota hosts Lunar New Year celebration
Fourth grader A’Nylah Johnson and third grader Dariana Mills head down the slide.
  • February 17, 2026
A snow day comes to the Star Lab school in Newtown
Artist Jonell Yoekel showcases her nature photography at the Women's Guild Valentine's Day-themed art show on Feb. 10 at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
  • February 16, 2026
Valentine's Day-themed art show gives back to community
About 130 Longboaters turned out to join "Choirpalooza" at the Feb. 15 service at Christ Church of Longboat Key to sing "The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune."
  • February 15, 2026
'Choirpalooza' unites 100-plus community members in song
Christine Cassanelli stands with her friend Miles Christian-Hart, founder of Paradise Riders.
  • February 15, 2026
Thunder by the Bay raises funds for children, teens and adults with special needs
Don and Tammie Gursky prepare to renew their vows.
  • February 14, 2026
Couples renew vows on Siesta Beach on Valentine's Day
The Passion for Fashion show, the Palm Aire Women's Club's biggest fundraiser of the year, took place Feb. 13 at the Palm Aire Country Club. Katherine Pike, Susan Romine and Kay Kwenski's last looks from Darci's boutique are cocktail attire.
  • February 14, 2026
Palm Aire Women's Club raises funds for charity with Passion for Fashion
Diane Collins, Sandy Ruppert and Linda Pike were among the record 150 attendees at the Feb. 11 at the Longboat Key Resort for the Go for the Cure kick-off game day.
  • February 13, 2026
Go for the Cure kickoff sees record attendance
Lakewood Ranch's Eugene Khutoryanskiy and Yana Parker are celebrating this Valentine's Day as fiances alongside their dogs Mittens and Jesse at Barks & Brews on Feb. 10.
  • February 13, 2026
A little pet lovin' and squeezin' at University Town Center in Sarasota
The Sarasota County Operations Center (East County) was honored with a plaque.
  • February 10, 2026
Sarasota Garden Club hosts Civic Beautification Awards
Second grader Sovereign Osceola experiences static electricity.
  • February 9, 2026
Wilkinson Elementary makes concepts hands-on during STEAM Night
Frank Martucci, joined by Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding and his wife, Katherine Martucci, explains what compelled him to give back his 50/50 raffle winnings from the Lawn Party to support the Children's Guardian Fund.
  • February 8, 2026
Kiwanians present record-breaking check from Lawn Party
Sue Hobbs holds the iridescent shell of the green turban sea snail to the light.
  • February 7, 2026
Sarasota Shell and Marine Life Festival showcases the science and art of seashells
Lakehouse Cove's 16-month-old Hunter Colon shows his excitement to be inside a fire truck at the Celebrate Our First Responders event Feb. 7 at the Greenbrook Adventure Park.
  • February 7, 2026
Lakewood Ranch CERT hosts the Celebrate Our First Responders event
Second graders Jordan Davis, Dominic Michalo and Sloan Middleton wave flags of Puerto Rico, which was the country they were assigned for the Tara Elementary School Olympics.
  • February 7, 2026
Tara Elementary hosts its own Winter Olympics
Thomas Modly adjusts the flagpoles as the sun sets.
  • February 5, 2026
Patriots Pier in Siesta Key receives new flagpoles
Ann-Marie Thompson and Cheryl Mulherin, attendees at the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild new members luncheon on Jan. 29, applaud the soon-to-be-outgoing board members.
  • February 2, 2026
New Women's Guild members share stories of togetherness
Ethan Freeman, 14, Skate Segal, 14, Jett Segal, 12, Florey Miller and her husband TJ Miller were among those serving foods baked by members.
  • February 1, 2026
Temple Sinai hosts Sarasota Jewish Food Festival
Myakka City Elementary first graders Delanee Verly and Emma Kelly check out the wide variety of books for sale during the CommUNITY Night.
  • February 1, 2026
Myakka City Elementary hosts Community Night
Ethan Kuhn of Suncoast United Pipes and Drums performs in the ceremony.
  • January 31, 2026
Scottish Highland Games & Celtic Festival showcases a wee bit of Scotland
Dillon Desiderato and daughter Nora Desiderato share a smile during the Miles for the Miles Family Cozy Cocoa Dash fundraiser at All God's Children Preschool on Jan. 31.
  • January 31, 2026
All God's Children Preschool raises $7,000 to support family after loss to cancer