• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Braden River Branch Library decks the halls

The East County library hosted a Holiday Decorating Party Dec. 3.


  • By Amanda Sebastiano
  • | 8:00 p.m. December 3, 2015
  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Whether they were naughty or nice, Dec. 3, children and their families enjoyed some Christmas cheer.

While some attendees of the Holiday Decorating Party, held at Braden River Branch Library, used red, silver, green and other sparking ornaments to decorate the faux Christmas tree inside the library, others made Christmas ornaments of their own and decorated cookies.

Three-year-old Hayden Keever was one of a few children who used glue to paste puzzle pieces on to a cardboard cut out of a Christmas tree.

"Do we get to take this home?" Keever asked his grandparents and event volunteers. 

With the help of his older brother, Evan, Keever plans to use a hole punch and string to transform the 3-D tree into a new tree decoration.

"I'm going to make this tree into an ornament, but then I'm going to leave it alone," Keever said, in a matter-of-fact voice.

The library hosts the event each year to give children a free craft to bring home for the holidays.

Seven-year-old Calen Brown, of Bradenton, puts the finishing touches on the Christmas tree.
Seven-year-old Calen Brown, of Bradenton, puts the finishing touches on the Christmas tree.
Ansley Kidd, of Heritage Harbour, decorates a tree with puzzle pieces.
Ansley Kidd, of Heritage Harbour, decorates a tree with puzzle pieces.
Isabella Hernandez, of Bradenton, finds the perfect sparkly ornament for the tree.
Isabella Hernandez, of Bradenton, finds the perfect sparkly ornament for the tree.
Three-year-old Hayden Keever, of Bradenton, uses glue and puzzle pieces to make his 3-D Christmas tree.
Three-year-old Hayden Keever, of Bradenton, uses glue and puzzle pieces to make his 3-D Christmas tree.
Amanda Hernandez, of Bradenton, volunteers to help children make holiday-themed crafts.
Amanda Hernandez, of Bradenton, volunteers to help children make holiday-themed crafts.
Twelve-year-old Evan Keever, of Bradenton, plans to use his craft as an ornament.
Twelve-year-old Evan Keever, of Bradenton, plans to use his craft as an ornament.
Sophia Tabb, of Bradenton, works with her father, Steve, to decorate a cardboard tree.
Sophia Tabb, of Bradenton, works with her father, Steve, to decorate a cardboard tree.
Toni Comito, of Bradenton, is  a member of the Friends of Braden River Library group.
Toni Comito, of Bradenton, is a member of the Friends of Braden River Library group.

 

Latest News

Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
Sarasota County this week activated the traffic light, the first of its kind in a roundabout in the area, the county said.
  • May 15, 2026
Traffic signal added to Apex Road roundabout
Amanda Parrish was named interim CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. in January.
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County economic development evolves
Officer Ryan Block and K-9 Partner Kodak have become Sarasota Police Department's second certified explosive detection team.
  • May 15, 2026
SPD K-9 team earns explosive-detection certification

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Holiday House SRQ's Megan Micale, executive director, and Sepi Ackerman, co-founder and executive president, say a grant would allow for 350 Title I students to receive school uniforms, shoes and a holiday experience.
  • May 14, 2026
Sisterhood for Good hosts annual Grant Expo in Lakewood Ranch
Bradenton's Trey Johnson finishes his swing during the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Golf Tournament, which raises funds for local nonprofits.
  • May 11, 2026
Lakewood Ranch rallies to support golf tournament fundraiser
Waterside’s Victoria Ortiz, 24, said her 7-month-old son, Flynn, has changed her life for the better.
  • May 10, 2026
Mothers discuss their journeys before their special day
Parker Hippich, 12 months, gets a lift from mom, Tessa Hippich, during Petals and Poses on Saturday at Waterside Place.
  • May 10, 2026
All about the mothers at special event in Lakewood Ranch
Alannis Peterson of Prism Artistry "eats" fire at Agave Bandido for its Cinco de Mayo Celebration May 5.
  • May 6, 2026
Agave Bandido hosts Cinco de Mayo party in Waterside of Lakewood Ranch
Janet and Dean Mixon are retiring. The couple sold their food truck to Polk Sheriff Charities, Inc.
  • May 6, 2026
Mixon Swirl food truck finds a new home in Polk County

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free