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East County | Neighbors

ThunderBug amps up the crowd just before the first puck drop between the Lightning and Devils at a watch party held on Lakewood Ranch Main Street on Saturday, Jan. 11.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch shows its hockey pride at Tampa Bay Lightning Watch Party

People of all ages enjoyed a ball hockey tournament and a Lightning vs. Devils game.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Star Farms residents Barbara Malta and Lynette Cahill attend the expo to explore medical services because they're new to town.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 11, 2025
Sarasota wellness expo showcases local medical services

The annual New Year, New You Health & Wellness Expo was held at the Mall at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brian Dryfhout, director of marketing and communications for SunCoast Blood Centers, stands in front of the nearly empty cooler at the Lakewood Ranch location. SunCoast is asking the community for donations due to a shortage of blood.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 11, 2025
Lakewood Ranch blood center needs donations to stock shelves

SunCoast Blood Centers provides blood to area hospitals and the Sarasota Fire Department.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High student Yulia Morales hosted her first-ever 'Science Stars' lesson on Friday, Jan. 3 at the Lakewood Ranch Library.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 8, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High student creates 'Science Stars' to inspire tweens

Yulia Morales hopes to show kids how science can be fun with monthly experiments.

  • East County
  • Schools
Manatee County is gearing up for the RUN Manatee 5K Series in 2025. Three races will be held across the county at different locations from April through November.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 8, 2025
Manatee County gears up for new 5K series

The races will take place at Tom Bennett Park, Coquina Beach and Rye Preserve from April through November.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Former champion Ron Orlando hands Debra Quinn the 2024 YMCA Bridge Club trophy on Dec. 19 at the annual potluck luncheon.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 7, 2025
Bridge Club stimulates mental exercise at Lakewood Ranch YMCA

Members of the Lakewood Ranch YMCA Bridge Club say the game is challenging and fun.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Local artist Trevor Bystrom and musical partner Peter Mawanga, from Malawi, Africa, performed their music for Lakewood Ranch on Dec. 18 at Ranch Nite Wednesday at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 7, 2025
Two musicians bridge gap between US and Africa

Regular Lakewood Ranch performer Trevor Bystrom unites with Malawian musician Peter Mawanga for a Waterside show.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The band Funky Bonez brings a "Neon New Year Party" to the Green at UTC on Jan 2.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 3, 2025
Neon dance party packs The Green at University Town Center

Funky Bonez performed at 2025's first installment of UTC Live on the Green in Sarasota on Jan. 2.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
SCF student LaShawn'te Lee, MTC students Emma Ramirez and Krystal Camacho, Scholarship Committee Chair Peg Buck and SCF Foundation Chair Chris Romine pose for a photo during the Palm Aire Women's Club Scholarship Luncheon.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 1, 2025
East County women's club aims to make a difference

The Palm Aire Women's Club raises money for charity and scholarships.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By None
  • January 1, 2025
Make Space for Good

As you reflect on your resolutions, take a moment to go through closets, storage bins, and those forgotten corners of your home.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The Elks' Faith Frost joins Prodigal Daughters' Denise Gattuso and Ruth Perez-Hernandez and the Elks' Darrin Simone in distributing toys to kids in need during the Elks Toy Drive.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 24, 2024
Elks show their heart in Lakewood Ranch with toys for children in need

More than 7,500 toys were collected during the Elks Toy Drive with help from Walgreens.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Boats numbering in the hundreds came out in support of keeping Midnight Pass open.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • December 21, 2024
Your Observer's most-viewed stories of 2024 reveal not-so-surprising observations

Thirteen of the 25 most-viewed stories of 2024 on YourObserver.com were hurricane-related.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
  • December 19, 2024
A New Lease on Life, Following Weight-Loss Surgery

For years Russell tried to lose weight through exercise, dieting and medications, but nothing seemed to help. Her decision to finally turn to weight-loss surgery at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center was in part, because of her profession as a licensed practical nurse.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Mike and Sandy Sobzack return home to East County for the holidays. The couple stop by the University Park Country Club for lunch on Dec. 9.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 18, 2024
East County world travelers stop home for the holidays

Mike and Sandy Sobzack set off on a whirlwind retirement tour around the world in March.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Two-yeear-old Wells Whitehead and his mom Aston Whitehead visit with Santa before the Tara Holiday Golf Cart Parade Dec. 13.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 18, 2024
18 holes of community fun at Tara Golf and Country Club

Neighbors decorated their golf carts and themselves to enjoy the Tara Holiday Golf Cart Parade.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
« 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 »
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Latest in East County

1
Three comedians including Bradenton's Tim Boyd will perform at the “Hearts of Hope: A Valentine’s Comedy Night” fundraiser to benefit Harbor 58, Foster the Family, and Bring on the Ministry on Feb. 13.
  • February 6, 2026
Nonprofits to host Valentine's comedy fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
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

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