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East County | Neighbors

    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 15, 2013
Exchange programs seeks host families

Education First, a non-profit student-exchange company, will be bringing 50 teenage students from France and Spain to the East County and surrounding area this summer and needs host families for the program.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Despite keeping a rigorous schedule balancing a full-time job managing a car dealership, pasturing Grace Community Church, working on a doctoral degree and raising seven children, the Rev. Chip Bennett says he’s exactly where he needs to be.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 15, 2013
Grace Community opens in the Ranch

Grace Community Church has moved from its former Sarasota location to Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Andy Hooker lives for adrenaline. After 16 months as a door gunner and crew chief aboard a combat helicopter in the Vietnam War, Hooker spent his career producing rock concerts.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 15, 2013
Tribute to Heroes: Andy Hooker

Lakewood Ranch veteran Andy Hooker wears his Vietnam War colors proudly.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cameron Smalley, 14, who will play baseball for ODA next year, attended the Thunder’s final three games of the season. Cameron says he is eager to get to know his future teammates.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 15, 2013
Slugger bags ODA scholarship

Cameron Smalley was named the Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund's third scholarship recipient May 6.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • May 15, 2013
YOUR NEIGHBOR: Jeanette Wirz

Jeanette Wirz has found comfort in fishing since she began catching fish with just a hand line and a roll of string - no pole - as the sun rose after overnight shifts at nursing school.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
East County resident Karen Rawlings submitted this photo of a fisherman at sunset on Bradenton Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 15, 2013
Weather Photo: CAST AWAY

East County resident Karen Rawlings submitted this photo of a fisherman at sunset on Bradenton Beach.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Junior Megan Harden dances with senior Alexis Brocious.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 12, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River High Prom

Students at Braden River High School enjoyed prom Saturday night.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Natalie Palmer held Fruit Loop.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 11, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Bashaw Art & Music Festival

Children at Bashaw Elementary School and their families celebrated the Mexican culture with art, music, dancing and other festivities May 10, during the school's annual Art & Music Festival.

  • East County
  • News
Sabina Long with her sons, Uriah, 2, and Jerrod, 4
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 10, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Kiddie Academy Muffins with Moms

Children at Kiddie Academy celebrated their mothers this morning during a Muffins with Moms event.

  • East County
  • News
Christina and Nadia Grubbs, 4, feasted on muffins.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • May 10, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Primrose Muffins with Moms

Primrose School at Lakewood Ranch hosted a Muffins with Moms event today for its mothers.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 9, 2013
Coastline volleyball team earns national bid

The Coastline 14 Rox Black volleyball team recently earned a national bid to the USA Volleyball Girls Junior Nationals.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 8, 2013
East County photographer on display

University Park resident Polly Curran is highlighting the beauty of nature one photo at a time.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 8, 2013
McNeal playwrights recognized

Six students from McNeal Elementary School recently earned special recognition during the 2013 Young Playwright Festival sponsored by Florida Studio Theater.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 8, 2013
Autism school celebrates moms

Beyond the Spectrum, a day school and therapy center for children with autism and other disabilities, celebrated the school's mothers May 3, with a special Mother's Day Breakfast at the Tara Golf & Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 8, 2013
Imagine students hold food drive

Children in the K-Kids and Builders Club programs at Imagine School in Lakewood Ranch recently rallied with a spring food drive for the local Salvation Army. In total, students collected 127 items for the cause.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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