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East County | Neighbors

Barry Gradert, right, spends weekends at the Tara home of his stepmother, Polly Gradert, whom he has known since 1979. Barry Gradert has lived at Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities’ Friendship House for the last 26 years.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 17, 2013
Special-needs prom brings smiles and dancing

Barry Gradert isn't one to shy away from the dance floor, nor is he afraid to ask a girl to dance.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Students and staff came up with the idea of having Assistant Principal Tia Henderson and Principal Kathy Hayes dress as clowns if they beat a $10,000 fundraising goal at Gullett’s annual Walk-a-Thon.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 17, 2013
Administrators show off their funny sides

Gullett Elementary Principal Kathy Hayes and Assistant Principal Tia Henderson dressed like clowns April 12 to fulfill a fundraising promise delivered to students.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Led by Polly Curran, the Henley neighborhood of University Park hosted a Florida-friendly landscaping program for 18 members of the Sarasota Garden Club April 10.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 17, 2013
Your Neighbor: Polly Curran

Polly Curran's Florida-friendly certified Lakewood Ranch lawn first took root in Asia.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Yaryna Klimchak
  • April 17, 2013
Prom-A-Palooza: Pine View students ready for Italian affair

What started as a potluck dinner in a chemistry classroom has expanded to a full-on catered event with months of party planning and extravagant dance decorations.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 17, 2013
Prom-A-Palooza: Cardinal Mooney prom-goers go Vegas

Students take a gamble that expensive outfits will do justice to the 'Old School Vegas'-themed prom at Polo Grill.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
East County resident Sue Tonn submitted this photo of a storm moving over Holmes Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 17, 2013
Weather Photo: RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY

East County resident Sue Tonn submitted this photo of a storm moving over Holmes Beach.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cardinal Mooney junior Demardre Patterson finished as the district-runner up in the 100- and 200-meter dashes.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 14, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Class 1A-District 10 track meet

The Out-of-Door Academy, Cardinal Mooney and Sarasota Christian boys and girls track teams competed in the Class 1A-District 10 meet April 11, at ODA. The top four finishers in each event earned a berth in the Region 3 meet April 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Chad Woodruff with Randolph Locke and George Brigido
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 14, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: OASIS Gala

Opera and animal enthusiasts alike gathered April 13, at the Palm-Aire Country Club, for the annual Opera for Animals: Singing is Saving (OASIS) fundraising gala.

  • East County
  • News
Team Hampton Inn and Suites and Courtyard by Marriott enjoyed the morning together.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 13, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: JDRF Walk for the Cure

Hundreds of advocates for diabetes research gathered April 13 on Lakewood Ranch Main Street for the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes.

  • East County
  • News
Sony representative Chris Simpson showed off new movie-watching technology for the hearing impaired to George Rochow.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 13, 2013
PHOTO GALLERY: Hearing Expo

The Hearing Loss Association of America's Sarasota Chapter, as it hosted a hearing expo event April 13, at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

  • East County
  • News
Emilio Vega, an 11-year-old Gullett Elementary School student from Colombia, was one of two students to be chosen randomly to work side-by-side with first lady Michelle Obama, as she planted a garden at the White House. Courtesy photos.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 10, 2013
Healthy Reward: Gullett students help first lady Michelle Obama

Five Gullett Elementary School fifth-graders were selected to represent their wellness-oriented school and help first lady Michelle Obama plant the White House Kitchen Garden.

  • East County
  • Schools
Rendering of Thornton's gas station that will be built on the church's 1.155-acre parcel of land
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 10, 2013
Local church sells property to gas-station chain

Faith United Church of Christ is selling a portion of its property to pay off its mortgage. A new pastor is helping to oversee the process.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • April 10, 2013
Gumbo competition heats up at Linger Lodge

The Linger Lodge Restaurant is looking for chefs eager to step up to the pot to challenge its famous gumbo recipe, during a music festival and gumbo cook-off event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Out-of-Door Academy juniors and seniors celebrate at 2012’s prom at The Founders Club. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 10, 2013
Prom-A-Palooza

Follow the East County and Sarasota Observers through May 18 for prom content and coverage, including feature stories, schedules, photos, contests and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ed Maloney proves it's never too late to start a new path.
    By
  • Josh Siegel
  • April 10, 2013
Your Neighbor: Ed Maloney

Ed Maloney began his acting career at age 67, after a life as a national sales manager for American Home Products Corp

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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