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East County | Neighbors

Lakewood Ranch Prep Band Director Jay Belmont has not only given the new Big Band a place to play, but he has joined the band as well.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 20, 2025
Those who want to join the Lakewood Ranch Big Band need to sound off

Polo Run's Chuck Huffine is seeking interested musicians.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Asolo Rep on Tour performs an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland at Waterside Place Oct. 17.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 18, 2025
Asolo Rep turns Waterside Place into a Wonderland

An adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland" was the latest offering from Lakewood Ranch's Sights and Sounds series.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Shih tzu father and son Mushu and Emmett dressed as the scarecrow and tin man from the "Wizard of Oz" with Sarasota's Teagan Nickols as Dorothy.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 16, 2025
It's happy Howl-o-ween at The Green at UTC in Sarasota

This month's Barks and Brews, which benefits Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center, had dogs of all shapes and sizes in different costumes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Former Lakewood Ranch barbershop owner Barry Rainwater has launched his career as an author with "2025: Gardens and Creeks."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 16, 2025
Former Lakewood Ranch barbershop owner writes a new life chapter

Barry Rainwater's science fiction thriller "2525: Gardens and Creeks" is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Danny Slavin and Michael Miller, owners of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii on University Parkway, donate $5,000 to the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Fund Oct. 10.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 15, 2025
Dick Vitale aims to surpass $120M for pediatric cancer research in 2026

In 20 years of hosting an annual gala, the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund has raised $105.4 million.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Del Webb's Jerry and Karyn Waxman organize an annual golf tournament to raise money for polycystic kidney disease research.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch transplant survivor tees up for kidney disease research

Del Webb's Karyn and Jerry Waxman are hosting the PKD Applied Underwriters Invitational on Oct. 27 at Lakewood National Golf Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Witt, a 5-month-old mixed breed male, gains enrichment through working to get a taste of peanut butter from the lick mat at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 13, 2025
Is it nuts to give dogs peanut butter?

At Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center, peanut butter is used as a tool to distract and provide enrichment in the shelter environment.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Jenna Ziegler works quickly to move as much water as she can with a hand pump at the Dakin Harvest Festival Oct. 12 in Myakka.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 12, 2025
Harvest Festival makes a big splash at Dakin Dairy Farm

The event continues every Saturday and Sunday in October.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Ariana Swayka, 4 and Alexia Swayka, 6 are in the full holiday spirit with their Halloween themed shirts and face paint.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 11, 2025
Hunsader Farms kicks off 34th annual Pumpkin Festival

In case you missed it, the festival continues every Saturday and Sunday in October.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A private dining room is transformed into a pop-up shop.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 11, 2025
Fashion luncheon supports Myakka City animal sanctuary

Scout & Molly's Boutique set up a pop-up shop at Pascone's Ristorante to benefit Donte's Den.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By PIckleballing Pete
  • October 9, 2025
Local Pickleball Coach to Compete in World Championships

Pete Capobianco, also known as Pickleballing Pete, will be competing in the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour 2025 World Championships.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Matt Baar is hosting the first annual Turkey Toss cornhole tournament in his Myakka City backyard Nov. 22 to benefit the Children's Dream Fund.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 8, 2025
Myakka City resident's dream is to help critically ill children

At 14, Matt Baar received a dream from the Children's Dream Fund. At 27, he wants to grant dreams in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Students from The Out-of-Door Academy volunteer at Mixon Fruit Farms Oct. 3.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 8, 2025
Mixon Farms benefits from ODA students' cleanup effort

Out-of-Door Academy seniors volunteered with the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance program Alliance Gives Back.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Linda McMillan, Gail Edelman, Mercedes Andrus and Helene Levin gather to play Canasta through the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club Canasta/Mahjong Club.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 7, 2025
Canasta and Mahjong mean socialization and strategy for women's club

Beginners receive instruction and patience when they join the Lakewood Ranch club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Women on Wheels Ride participants were pumped up before the start of the 11th annual event Oct. 5 on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 5, 2025
WOW! What a ride for women in Lakewood Ranch

More than 200 women ride in the Women on Wheels Ride to support Selah Freedom.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Though Florida Power & Light employs a variety of advanced technology to avoid power failures, often the basic work of tree trimming goes a long way toward heading off trouble.
  • May 24, 2026
With our deep dependence on power, FPL gears up to keep the lights on
2
A rendering of the 12U baseball/softball fields five-plex that will be built at UMR Sports complex in East County.
  • May 23, 2026
Expansion 'gets real' at UMR Sports of Bradenton
3
Oceane Visa, who says she has waited years to walk across the stage for graduation, is congratulated by Head of School Debra Otey.
  • May 22, 2026
Out-of-Door Academy graduates showed up for the moments that matter most
4
Leighton Paul (right), pictured here during the FHSAA Class 5A-Region 3 final May 14 against Gulf Coast, was Braden River's leadoff hitter this season. She went 0-for-3 in the state semifinals against Niceville.
  • May 22, 2026
Late rally not enough for Braden River High softball in state semifinals
5
Lakewood Ranch's Bruce Stamm says residents in District 1 are being denied due process because of a lack of representation.
  • May 22, 2026
Felts' Manatee County Commission seat remains empty

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