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East County

Barry Gradert, right, spends weekends at the Tara home of his stepmother, Polly Gradert, whom he has known since 1979. Barry Gradert has lived at Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities’ Friendship House for the last 26 years.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 17, 2013
Special-needs prom brings smiles and dancing

Barry Gradert isn't one to shy away from the dance floor, nor is he afraid to ask a girl to dance.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Students and staff came up with the idea of having Assistant Principal Tia Henderson and Principal Kathy Hayes dress as clowns if they beat a $10,000 fundraising goal at Gullett’s annual Walk-a-Thon.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 17, 2013
Administrators show off their funny sides

Gullett Elementary Principal Kathy Hayes and Assistant Principal Tia Henderson dressed like clowns April 12 to fulfill a fundraising promise delivered to students.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
"I liked the idea of flying through the air. It sort of came naturally to me."
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 17, 2013
Record-Setter: Tre Gregory

The Out-of-Door Academy sophomore pole vaulter Tre Gregory will compete in the Class 1A-Region 3 meet April 18.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2013
SIDELINES

Imagine School wins soccer championship; River Dawgs win local tournament; ODA comes up big

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2013
JUST THE STATS

700 - The number of students who are expected to participate in the Manatee Elementary Track Championships April 20, at Bayshore High.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 17, 2013
Athlete of the Week: Taylor Pawelkoski

Twelve-year-old middle linebacker Taylor Pawelkoski recently was selected to represent Team Florida in the 2013 Future Stars Game June 15, at Bolles School in Jacksonville.

  • East County
  • Sports
Read this week's Cops Corner.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2013
Cops Corner: East County

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • East County
  • Cops Corner
Led by Polly Curran, the Henley neighborhood of University Park hosted a Florida-friendly landscaping program for 18 members of the Sarasota Garden Club April 10.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 17, 2013
Your Neighbor: Polly Curran

Polly Curran's Florida-friendly certified Lakewood Ranch lawn first took root in Asia.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 17, 2013
Prom-A-Palooza: Pine View students ready for Italian affair

What started as a potluck dinner in a chemistry classroom has expanded to a full-on catered event with months of party planning and extravagant dance decorations.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 17, 2013
Prom-A-Palooza: Cardinal Mooney prom-goers go Vegas

Students take a gamble that expensive outfits will do justice to the 'Old School Vegas'-themed prom at Polo Grill.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This home in Lake Club, which has four bedrooms, five baths, two half-baths, a pool and 8,063 square feet of living area, sold for $1,515,000. Photo by Pam Eubanks.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 17, 2013
Home in Lake Club sells for $1,515,000

A home in Lake Club tops all transactions in this week's real estate. Mark Miller sold his home at 7941 Waterton Lane to Jeffrey Isaac, of Lakewood Ranch, for $1,515,000.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Ritz-Carlton secures big golf event
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2013
Business Briefs

Ritz-Carlton secures big golf event; John Neal Homes brings biggest model to Ranch; Medallion Home hits record first quarter

  • East County
  • News
East County resident Sue Tonn submitted this photo of a storm moving over Holmes Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2013
Weather Photo: RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY

East County resident Sue Tonn submitted this photo of a storm moving over Holmes Beach.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Key Island Chapel cell tower lease will expire - learn more in today's daily headlines!
  • By Amanda Heisey
  • April 16, 2013
April 16: Daily Headlines Video

Top Stories: Chapel cell tower lease will expire; Maintenance facility construction progressing; Sarasota County hires senior strategist

  • Longboat Key
  • News
City commissioners approve solicitation ordinance — learn more in today's headlines!
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2013
April 16: Morning Headlines

Commissioners approve solicitation ordinance; Sarasota and Manatee commissioners talk transportation; today's forecast

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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University Park's Marilyn Kern reacts after making the winning bid during the live auction for a Hawaiian vacation at Sisterhood for Good's Tropical Escape Feb. 27 at the Sarasota Polo Club.
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