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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
The panelists at the June 25 luncheon were David St Pierre, SeaPort Manatee's senior director of public safety and security; Sandra Tapfumaneyi, Sarasota County's chief of emergency management; Abby Elliot, Oysters Rock Hospitality's senior director of operations; and Jodie Fiske, Manatee County's director of public safety. The moderator was Devaney Iglesias, the area manager of Florida Power & Light.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 30, 2025
Manatee, Sarasota experts share 'lessons from the eye of the storm'

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance partnered with Florida Power & Light to shed some light on how best to prepare for hurricane season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tracy Eisnaugle, professional women in building chair, Jessica Seper deputy executive officer and membership and councils director and Megan Schroeder, young professional committee co-chair were behind the Stuff the Backpack event.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 29, 2025
School supplies donated to kids in Manatee and Sarasota counties

The Suncoast Builders Association made the donations of stuffed backpacks through the Boys & Girls Clubs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Fourth of July 2025 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 26, 2025
Fourth of July 2025 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch

From parades to the classic fireworks, check out these events to help you celebrate Independence Day right.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
The artistry of Pat Neal is building and selling homes, and he continues that journey with the Lakewood Ranch-area's Palm Grove, which hosts a grand opening June 27.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 25, 2025
Palm Grove celebrates its grand opening in Lakewood Ranch area

Pat Neal continues to be a master navigating tumultuous real estate waters.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Mary Bilkie is one of the original volunteers for Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 25, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Elks volunteers feed empty little tummies

Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies packed 14,000 bags of food for school children last year alone.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
As a member of the Savannah Bananas, Correlle Prime's career takes him on the road, but his heart always is with his family in Manatee County.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 24, 2025
Savannah Banana's greatest connection is with his Manatee County family

Ballplayer Correlle Prime maintains a balanced diet: Bananas on the road and his family at home.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Kevin Allen connects with the crowd during the Florida Studio Theatre's improv show at Waterside Place June 20.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 23, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre entertainers provide the laughs at Waterside

The improv artists collected fodder from the audience for their outdoor show.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
"Shrek the Musical Jr." was put together from beginning to end in a span of two weeks at a summer camp led by Michelle McCord, the director and owner of Ovation School of Musical Theatre.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 23, 2025
Young performers tell the story of 'Shrek the Musical Jr.'

In a two-week camp at Ovation School of Musical Theatre, the actors learned the musical from start to finish.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sisterhood for Good's Pamela Modisett presents a grant check for $5,000 to Save Our Seabirds Executive Director Brian Walton June 19 at the Annual Grants Ceremony at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 21, 2025
Lakewood Ranch's Sisterhood for Good presents $150,150 in grants

Thirty regional nonprofits were awarded funds in the nonprofit's annual grants ceremony.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Aerial straps specialist Aidan Bryant will perform during the Circus Arts Conservatory performance at Star-Spangled Spectacular July 4 at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 19, 2025
The flag is up! Waterside Place hosts July 4 Spectacular

Star-Spangled Spectacular is Lakewood Ranch's initial foray into July 4 entertainment.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor
  • June 19, 2025
FINANCIAL FOCUS: Work toward your own financial independence day.

Your first step is to define what financial independence signifies to you.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • February 4, 2026
Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall
2
Braden River boys basketball has clinched its first 20-win season since 2011-12, and won eight games in a row to close out the regular season.
  • February 4, 2026
Braden River High boys basketball team turns the tides with teamwork
3
Sisterhood for Good members Nikki Pelier-Simon, Samina Morrow and Allison Adams show off some fashions that will be in the spotlight at Tropical Escape July 27 at the Sarasota Polo Club.
  • February 4, 2026
Lakewood Ranch fundraiser is a hula for moolah
4
Thundercloud Ranch is one of two conservation easements Manatee County purchased Jan. 27.
  • February 4, 2026
Manatee County purchases two easements, conserves nearly 1,500 acres
5
Village Idiots Cycling Club member Patrick Franklin Sr. (center) was killed riding his bicycle Jan. 22 when hit by a truck pulling a trailer on Conquistador Parkway in Bradenton.
  • February 4, 2026
Building safer roads for cyclists worth a discussion in Manatee County

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