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East County

Lewis Abate has custom artwork on his Jeep to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11. “It’s my tattoo,” he says of the artwork.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 30, 2011
TOP STORY, SEPT.: 9/11 Anniversary

Lakewood Ranch resident Lewis Abate was inside the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. On the 10th anniversary of the attacks, he shared his story.

  • East County
  • News
Country Club of Lakewood Ranch residents Bob and Karol Borkowski caught a glimpse of this precious fawn tucked into the base of a blooming plumbago. Published Aug. 25, 2011.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 29, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: August, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The East County Observer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Spc. 4 Patrick Lay II graduated from Braden River High School in 2008 as part of the school’s first graduation class.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 29, 2011
TOP STORY, AUG.: Spc. 4 Patrick Lay II

Braden River High School graduate Patrick Lay II died in an IED attack Aug. 11.

  • East County
  • News
Michael Wallace, Bob Schauer and Eric Walsh. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
University Park shines at charity ball

Members of the University Park Women's Club and their guests sparkled Dec. 10, during the club's seventh annual Diamond and Crystal Charity Ball

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
Napier's canine needs good home

Elmer, this 3-year-old black/chocolate neutered male basset hound mix, is in need of a good home.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Each morning, the Lakewood Ranch anglers climbed aboard these boats with hopes of catching the big one. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 28, 2011
Anglers earn bragging rights, remorse about the ones who got away

As the first woman member of the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club, Jeanette Wirz has had to keep her fishing skills finely honed, earning herself many fishing accolades over the years.

  • East County
  • News
Sydney Ashley and her family adopted their dog, Ky-Man, from the Sarasota County Humane Society. Photo by Jen Blanco.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 28, 2011
Sixth-grader gives cash to Lakewood Ranch rescue

Sydney Ashley bought toys for the Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch using $130 she received for her 12th birthday.

  • East County
  • News
Wish: That Floridians appreciate what Gov. Rick Scott is doing for all Floridians' future. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
Our View: Wish list for 2012 ...

We might look back at 2011 and see it was the year where the tide turned back in favor of freedom, free enterprise and the bedrock American values that made the country great.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Read this week's Castaway Cartoon.
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • December 28, 2011
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Year in Sports

Enjoy some of the 2011 sport highlights of 2011 we captured on camera.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jen Blanco, Associate Editor
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 28, 2011
COMMENT: East County athletes impressive in 2011

It seems like only yesterday that I saw the Lakewood Ranch boys soccer team make school history, hopped in my car and drove halfway across the state to cover the softball state semifinals and watched another group of seniors bid farewell to their coaches and teammates.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Braden River High boys basketball team defeated rival Lakewood Ranch 38-37 in overtime of the Class 4A-District 10 championship Feb. 11 to capture the program’s first district title.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 28, 2011
YEAR IN SPORTS: A Look Back

The year 2011 was one of the most eventful in recent history for East County sports. In the past 12 months, we've celebrated local teams capturing district, regional and state championships. We've seen our talented athletes and teams make school history. And we've watched them overcome unexpected coaching changes.

  • East County
  • Sports
Saturated Sky: John Nesbitt took this sunset photo last fall from his back yard in Sabal Harbour.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: 2011 Weather Winners

Naming a weekly winner became increasingly more difficult throughout the year, and it seemed each new submission was more beautiful than the last. We hope you enjoy this look at some of our favorite submissions from 2011. We'd also like to thank all of our contestants so far and invite you to continue submitting in the new year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Students at Rosaire's Riding Academy saddled up for a day full of horseback riding fun July 11. Published July 21, 2011.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 28, 2011
YEAR IN PICTURES: July, 2011

Take a look back at photos from this year in The East County Observer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
For the last two years, business owner Mark Manges had his eyes set on a space in Lakewood Ranch's San Marco Plaza.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 28, 2011
TOP STORY, JULY: San Marco Plaza

With banks finally foreclosing on units in San Marco Plaza, business owners began snatching up spaces at reduced prices and increasing traffic to the plaza.

  • East County
  • News
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