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East County | Neighbors

The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle members Lauren Hirsch, Cinda Krouk, Barbara Najmy, Jennifer Alokeh and Joy Stone sit in front of their record haul of 550 pairs of sneakers donated to The Twig.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 22, 2025
Lake Club Women's Giving Circle proves its sneaker drive is a great fit

The Lakewood Ranch group collects 550 pairs of new sneakers to benefit The Twig.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Hearts of ODA camp was led by Camela Giraud, the director of collaborative learning and education outreach at ODA. She was assisted by co-facilitator Colby Heidke, who is a 2025 ODA graduate and also the founder of the Sarasota Mobility Alliance.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 18, 2025
Hearts of ODA camp in Lakewood Ranch provides volunteer time and talent

The student campers have volunteered at nonprofits such as All Faiths Food Bank and Meals on Wheels.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Killdeer are dedicated parents known for their 'broken-wing' display, feigning injury to lure intruders away from their chicks or nest.
  • By Miri Hardy
  • July 15, 2025
New life thrives in Myakka’s habitat restoration zone

Plants and animals continue to respond favorably to re-created floodplain marshes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch resident Stephanie Chen brought her daughters Aurora Chen, 3, and Stella Chen, 6 along with family friend Lola Nguyen, 7, to Waterside Park for a "girls night out."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 12, 2025
Waterside Place feels the energy during Movie in the Park

The monthly event in Lakewood Ranch is sponsored by Grace Community Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Meeks is 2 months old and up for adoption.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 10, 2025
A merry Barks and Brews at University Town Center draws people and pups

The monthly fundraiser celebrated Christmas in July at The Green in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Deena King says the Lakewood Ranch market is full of buyers who don't care if their art matches the sofa and the drapes.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 9, 2025
Fine arts gallery tests the waters in Lakewood Ranch area

Expressionist painter Deena King brings her brand of art to the border of Waterside.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Three days after moving to Lakewood Ranch, Waterside resident Erin Mason found the LWR Girls Who Walk club, which was started by Paige Venuto of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 9, 2025
LWR Girls Who Walk creates a sense of community through fitness

The Lakewood Ranch club began in March and has 140 members.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Volunteers are given an introduction by co-founder Mark Coates before heading into the workshop to build.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 9, 2025
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit offers a sound night's sleep

Beds for Kids delivers up to 50 beds a month throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Eric Konovalov of The Goal Guide accepts the Volunteer of the Year award, the top award at the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's Sandies.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 8, 2025
LWRBA sets up Small Business Bootcamp to teach important business skills

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance sets up a series of seminars to boost business skills.

  • East County
  • Business
The next SRQ Women's Expo will be held at The Grove July 26-27.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 6, 2025
SRQ Women's Expo headed to The Grove

The last expo attracted more than 500 attendees.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Roller skating sensation Anita Zeman manages to keep smiling, even as her husband Karoly Zeman launches her into the air under the Waterside Place Pavilion July 4 during Star-Spangled Spectacular.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 5, 2025
Star-Spangled Spectacular lights up Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch's first July 4 festival is a smashing success at Waterside Place.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Best friends Olivia Geler and McKenna Bonura snap their photos from the finish tower July 3 at Nathan Benderson Park during Fireworks on the Lake.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 4, 2025
Rain can't stop the pop at Nathan Benderson Park

The park hosted its annual Fireworks on the Lake celebration July 3.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nathan Benderson Park holds its annual Fireworks on the Lake on July 3.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 2, 2025
Nathan Benderson Park expands July 3 fireworks show

This year, the Fourth of July fireworks show has been stretched from 15 minutes to 18 minutes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cinda Krouk, Joy Stone and Barbara Najmy of the Lake Club Women's Giving Circle say they love helping foster kids through their sneaker drive.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 1, 2025
This sneaker drive fits the Lake Club Women's Giving Circle

The fundraising group has a goal of donating 400 pairs of sneakers to foster kids through The Twig.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kristin Hokanson, the Fiorelli Winery owner, says the Red, White and Blueberry Celebration gets bigger and better each year.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 30, 2025
Fiorelli Winery hosts Red, White and Blueberry Celebration

The pre-July 4 celebration gets bigger each year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
2
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy
3
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade
4
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
5
Capri Finan, 7, Madelyn Finan, 9 and Maverick Finan, 3, pose with Santa after telling him what they want for Christmas, which includes a doll house and a trampoline.
  • December 18, 2025
Braden River High transforms into Winter Wonderland

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