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East County

“Music, sound and guided imagery are a powerful combination,” says Zooey “Zen” Seraphine.
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • August 22, 2024
5 ways to increase your mental, physical and spiritual health

Five Lakewood Ranch practitioners blend traditional, holistic and modern techniques.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Karen Eckert, Nancy Schneider, and Carolyn Lowry-Nation have all played a role in helping grow and sustain the Gardeners Out East Club.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 22, 2024
Garden club digs into strengthening roots

A determined group of gardening gurus overcame a slow start and is now a thriving Lakewood Ranch club. But it’s not all about plants.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nathan Benderson Park’s dragon boat program is the second largest in the country.
  • By Susan Burns
  • August 22, 2024
Local dragon boat teams dig in for their next competition in waters overseas

Nathan Benderson Park's dragon boat program has become one of the largest and most competitive in the U.S. In September, its athletes are headed to the world competition in Italy.

  • East County
  • Sports
"My wife said the other day that I’ve excelled at everything except retirement," Mark Pentecost says. "I’m really bad at retirement."
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 22, 2024
Entrepreneur Mark Pentecost is good at a lot of things. Retiring isn’t one of them.

The charmed life of Mark Pentecost includes nice houses in multiple states, a 10,000-acre East County ranch, tens of millions given away to cancer organizations and even his own private island. Getting to the top required a combination of grit, guts and good old-fashioned hustle.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A rich mix of textures and colors creates an intriguing atmosphere in the living room. The paintings are all by prominent Latin American artists; the coffee table is from Crate and Barrel. Muse believes in mixing mainstream pieces with antiques and one-of-kind finds.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • August 22, 2024
A life well-lived is curated and on display in this dramatic home

In a divergence from the ubiquitous coastal palette, this Country Club home dazzles with perfect taste and subtle artistry.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Steve Spurrier spoke about his coaching career at Grove restaurant in Lakewood Ranch on Aug. 17.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 21, 2024
The 'Head Ball Coach' shares his wisdom in Lakewood Ranch

Former University of Florida Head Coach Steve Spurrier provides words of wisdom in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
Summerfield's Maureen Flaherty receives kisses from Mina, who recognized "Auntie Mo" within five seconds of seeing her. It's been at least two years since Flaherty last saw Mina.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 21, 2024
Doggy siblings reunite in Lakewood Ranch after 10 years apart

The cocker spaniels, now 11, were adopted out and haven't been together since a 1-year anniversary.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High School's Maya Gilkison, Maya Kopija, Isaiah Schulz and Ryniah Milner work in the blood lab at SunCoast Blood Centers.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 21, 2024
SunCoast Blood Centers give Lakewood Ranch students glimpse at medical field

The students started as volunteers and were hired to work in the blood lab.

  • East County
  • Schools
George Kruse celebrates with family, friends and constituents his win of the republican nomination for the District 7 seat on the Manatee County Commission.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer, Liz Ramos
  • August 20, 2024
Grassroots candidates dominate Manatee County's primary election

Bob McCann upsets incumbent Ray Turner in District 5 Commission race while Carol Felts wins in District 1.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Primary election results
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 20, 2024
Manatee County Primary election results

George Kruse, Bob McCann, Carol Felts big winners in Commission races

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch High girls sophomore golfer Phoenix Scanlan.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 20, 2024
East County Athlete of the Week: Phoenix Scanlan

The Lakewood Ranch High sophomore girls golfer wants to get the Mustangs back to the state tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
Senior quarterback Lucas Despot will act as a stabilizing force for Braden River High in 2024.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 20, 2024
Braden River High football hits the reset button in 2024

A new coaching staff will lead a group of inexperienced players.

  • East County
  • Sports
This Savanna home at 13709 American Prairie Place sold for $1.3 million. It has seven bedrooms, five baths, a pool and 5,280 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 20, 2024
Lake Club home tops sales in Lakewood Ranch area at $1,925,000

Four home sales top $1 million in East County residential transactions.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House general manager Leslie Carmody and division manager Dacie Broshears show the variety of seafood available in the restaurant's fresh food market.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 20, 2024
Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House open in Waterside Place

The restaurant offers upscale coastal casual dining with fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico.

  • East County
  • Business
Austin Chen, a Robert E. Willis Elementary School fourth grader, and Superintendent Jason Wysong are fully engaged on a group discussion about careers relating to science.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 19, 2024
Support system key to 'best first day' in Manatee schools

Jason Wysong says he wants to sustain the momentum he established leading the district.

  • East County
  • Schools
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Latest in East County

1
The Manatee River Youth Sailing Program serves kids ages 6 to 16.
  • May 18, 2026
Kids learn lessons on and off the water at Manatee River Youth Sailing Program
2
Jeff Toale stands inside the Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center in Lakewood Ranch, where light-filled spaces and a contemporary design reflect a shift toward more personalized, meaningful memorial experiences.
  • May 17, 2026
Jeff Toale looks to deepen and double impact at helm of the LWRCF
3
Brittany Lamont and Nicole Hackel congratulate Jacob Kinsel of the Manatee Education Foundation as he is announced as the winner of the "Next Gen" award at University Park Country Club May 13.
  • May 16, 2026
Young Leaders Alliance presents its top award in Lakewood Ranch
4
The Sarasota Orchestra bought a site on Fruitville Road for its Music Center in 2023.
  • May 16, 2026
Want to be where the people are? You have to go east.
5
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board

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