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East County | Neighbors

Bagpipe players lead the dogs in the Lucky Dog Parade at the 2024 Irish Celtic Festival.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 21, 2025
The best things to do in Lakewood Ranch this spring

From live music to classic cars, the Lakewood Ranch area has events for everyone.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Jaydyn Boucher has been fishing since she could hold a fishing rod.
    By
  • Emily Leinfuss
  • February 20, 2025
To find the best fishing holes, you have to ask the locals

With its many lakes, Lakewood Ranch offers prime fishing spots that invite anglers to cast a line amid serene surroundings, whether they're seeking a quiet escape or the thrill of reeling in the catch of the day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The National Basketball Association named Rick Barry one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 20, 2025
Has age softened NBA star Rick Barry? Ask his pickleball opponents.

This part-time Lakewood Ranch resident was one of the most prolific scorers and accurate free throw shooters in basketball’s history.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Stacey Lipton's captivating watercolor paintings capture the beauty and essence of nature.
    By
  • Su Byron
  • February 20, 2025
The Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch shows off its multitude of talent

Members of the Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch unite to inspire each other and create community awareness.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
In the living room, shades of crème and blue create a soothing, seaside-inspired mood. The painting above the fireplace was created by the homeowner, Mary Ann Steinbock.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • February 20, 2025
A home in the Country Club proves that a classic look never goes out of style

This showplace in the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club proves a house doesn't have to be new to be desirable. It just has to be unique.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Beginning to End Interiors | B2End
  • February 20, 2025
Are You Truly Ready for Your Remodeling Project?

“We’re here to help our clients navigate the often overwhelming maze of design and renovation decisions,” says Alan Gravley. “There are more misconceptions out there than you might think.”

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Phillip Mockler, director of community engagement with Operation Warrior Resolution, has worked closely with Lakewood Ranch resident Phil Orapallo to create the Operation Warrior Resolution Golf Classic to benefit veterans.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • February 19, 2025
Lakewood Ranch resident starts veteran benefit golf classic

Phil Orapallo wants other veterans to avoid the struggles he faced after serving.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chef Greg Campbell says few restaurants cook from scratch with real ingredients such as vanilla bean when making dishes such as crème brûlée.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 19, 2025
Grove will serve up a Campbell's scoop in Lakewood Ranch

"Cooking with Campbell" looks to entertain, feed, and educate those who attend about best cooking practices.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
At the 2024 gala, friends Erica Molinar and Jessica Mendez cheers to Mendez's good health and the much needed financial support she received from the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2022.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 18, 2025
Lakewood Ranch foundation to host murder mystery gala

The Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation is hosting Mystery Under the Stars on March 1 at The Ora in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mike Harrison and Amish, one of several horses of his on the Florida Cracker Trail Association’s Annual Cross-State Ride, a trek from Bradenton to Fort Pierce.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 18, 2025
Cracker Trail lures riders to a vanishing Old Florida

The Cracker Trail Ride "either gets on you or in you."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rich and Blakely Williams are camping with their four children: 4-year-old Blake, 3-year-old Briley, 9-year-old Brayden and 7-year-old Blaine.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 16, 2025
Have S'more fun at Lakewood Ranch Community Campout

About 130 people pitched tents in Greenbrook Adventure Park for the annual campout.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This year is the 25th year for Art in the Park, set for March 14-16 at the University Park Country Club.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 16, 2025
Art in the Park set to celebrate 25 years of community talent

The 25th annual juried show showcases creativity within University Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jon Mast’s Buck Shot Chili gets a stir at the Suncoast Builder’s Association’s third annual Chili Cook-off Feb. 13.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 14, 2025
Spicy showdown at Suncoast Builders Association Chili Cook-off

The annual event in Lakewood Ranch is increasing in popularity with more entries.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2025-26
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 13, 2025
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2025-26

Readers from across the region submit their photos to the Observer's 2025-26 Weather and Nature Photo Contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
From left to right, these are the newly installed leaders of the Women's Club: Kathy Matheson, Joanne Byrne, Sue Pace, Stefanie Fine, Shirley Driskill, Susan Braunstein, Kathy Stewart and Susan Francisco.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 12, 2025
Women's club mixes fun with philanthropy

The Women's Club at Cascades of Sarasota fosters camaraderie by raising money for local nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 »
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Latest in East County

1
Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
2
Nicholas Savarese, a teacher who has a background in chemical engineering, judges junior Lillian Pevzner-Downer's project on the comparison of conventionally grown crops with chemicals and pesticides versus organically grown crops at the Lakewood Ranch High School Science Fair.
  • December 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High revives its science fair
3
Greenbrook's David, Hannah and Jaime Marco all had a part in creating Jaime Marco's new book “Unfunkt: Quiet the Noise. Ignite the Light.”
  • December 12, 2025
Readers can shed the funk with Lakewood Ranch author's 'Unfunkt'
4
SMR's new coffee table book, "Lakewood Ranch — A Legacy of Living with the Land" is available locally and on Amazon.
  • December 10, 2025
'Lakewood Ranch — A Legacy of Living with the Land' is a fun history lesson
5
Carrie Walden, the Project Edge classroom instructor, is teaching 10 students including Mia Pardella and Justin Torres in the Project Edge program at MTC East.
  • December 10, 2025
MTC program teaches students with disabilities skills to enter workforce

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