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East County | Neighbors

Linda Matte, Theresa Langston and Rosemary Cummings of Stitchers welcome people of all skill levels to join the group on Mondays and learn about sewing, quilting and more.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 15, 2026
Neighbors create threads of friendship with Lakewood Ranch club

Stitchers, a club that meets in Lakewood Ranch, aims to bring creative people together to quilt, sew and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Coastwise student development team members Charles Mesia, Justin Kim (back), Colton McGill, Gabi Otera (back) and John Onesti gather to utilize a NASA STELLA Q-2 VNIR spectrometer, a handheld device that measures light intensity and plant health.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 14, 2026
Free Coastwise summer camp seeks more Manatee student sign-ups

A $4,500 grant from the Manatee Community Foundation will make the program free for students who participate.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Boston's JJ Maguire, 4, Ariel Maguire, 6, and their mom, Kasha Grabowski, wear funky hats while enjoying treats from Jeremiah's Italian Ice at the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 13, 2026
Despite the heat, the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch is still the place to be

In the midst of summer, the market at Waterside Place continues to be packed on Sundays.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Keith Pandeloglou took over as the president of the board of the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation in June.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 10, 2026
New leader set to guide the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation

Keith Pandeloglou became president of the board in June and his hope is to build on the nonprofit's success.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Deborah Callahan-Stratton, Joy Stone, Barbara Najmy and Jennifer Alokeh are collecting sneakers for the fifth annual Sneakin Back to School Sneaker Drive to benefit The Twig.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 8, 2026
The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle transitions to a nonprofit

The official name now for the Lakewood Ranch group is The Lake Club Women's Charitable Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Harper Fraser, 7, Jack Fraser, 5, and their mom, Melissa Fraser, test out the Royally Cosmic photo booth at the Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 5, 2026
Star-Spangled Spectacular lights up Lakewood Ranch

The Waterside Place event attracted thousands to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Pops Orchestra of Sarasota and Bradenton performs on the second stage.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 4, 2026
Nathan Benderson Park goes big for Fireworks on the Lake

The lineup included a band, a pops concert, a waterskiing show and an apple pie eating contest.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Emersyn Baker, 3, woke up Thursday morning eager to ride in the bike parade at the Kiddie Academy.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 3, 2026
Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch kicks off Independence Day weekend

Children created hats, decorated bikes and rode in style to celebrate the country's 250th anniversary.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 3, 2026
Voices of America: What will America look like in another 250 years?

In our series of questions for Americans in honor of the country's 250th birthday, we explore the future of the U.S.

  • Spirit of America
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 2, 2026
So, you want to be a citizen?

Thousands of people are naturalized as Americans every year. But how?

  • Spirit of America
Kids share their perspectives on the Fourth of July
    By
  • Ian Swaby, Madison Bierl
  • July 2, 2026
Kids share their perspectives on the Fourth of July

Kids say the darndest things — especially when you ask them about Independence Day, U.S. History and what it means to be a good citizen.

  • Spirit of America
Sarasota History Center Manager Josh Goodman is an avid historian who loves checking out maps of the region in the 1700s.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 2, 2026
The land almost no one wanted

Historians say few braved the brutal Sarasota environment when our forefathers were signing the Declaration of Independence.

  • Spirit of America
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2026
Voices of America: What do you like best about America?

In our series of questions for Americans in honor of the country's 250th birthday, we ask respondents what they like best about America.

  • Spirit of America
“I thought he was trying to die on us. But then they stopped the bleeding and I felt hopeful again.” - Linda Stelle, Wife of patient Roger Stelle
  • By Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
  • July 2, 2026
Critical Patient Is Saved by Quick Efforts of Hospital Teams

When Roger Stelle collapsed at home, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center was there to help.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Travis and Martha Barfield took over what had been a small neighborhood fireworks show in Myakka City and turned it into something thousands could enjoy.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 1, 2026
This July 4 celebration pops in Myakka City

Myakka Skyworks' free show will include a 37-minute fireworks spectacular.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest in East County

1
This past season was Jordan Guerrero's first as the Out-of-Door Academy baseball coach. Guerrero, who pitched in the San Diego Padres organization from 2015-23, guided the Thunder to an 8-12 record.
  • July 16, 2026
Retired pros bring unique experience to high school coaching
2
Edward Bailey, Jr., a 22-year-old former District 5 commissioner's aide, is now vying for a seat on the dais.
  • July 15, 2026
Young candidates vie for Manatee County Commission, school board
3
Linda Matte, Theresa Langston and Rosemary Cummings of Stitchers welcome people of all skill levels to join the group on Mondays and learn about sewing, quilting and more.
  • July 15, 2026
Neighbors create threads of friendship with Lakewood Ranch club
4
Official renderings for the multiplex will be completed after the site plan is finalized, but this rendering offers a glimpse of what the facility at Premier Sports Campus North could look like.
  • July 15, 2026
Lakewood Ranch-area residents divided on proposed ice rink for Premier
5
Co-owners Tory Delany and Kevin O'Hanlon say every aspect of Delany's Public House on Lakewood Main Street is genuine Irish.
  • July 15, 2026
Delany's Public House ready to open on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

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