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East County | Neighbors

John Hettler, principal and founder of SOSA said he is very grateful to the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation for their generous donation towards the new playground equipment and necessary repairs. Executive director Kate Mulligan and president Mark Clark were amongst the members of the foundation present.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 2, 2025
Sea of Strengths Academy receives grant for new playground

The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation presented them with a grant for $8,700 to go towards the playground after Kelly Gonzalez, a parent at the school, wrote approximately 30 different ones.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jennifer Alokeh and Barbara Najmy lead The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle with passion and compassion.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 30, 2025
Lake Club Women's Giving Circle grows into an important community resource

The circle started with 10 members over 10 years ago and has since doled out over $220,000 worth of grants.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Alex Benson says the current mural is much more detailed and will take more time than previous projects. His goal is to have it complete over the summer, ready for the 2025-2026 school year.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 29, 2025
Local mural artist volunteers his talent to beautify McNeal Elementary

Alex Benson has painted three murals at the Lakewood Ranch school.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jim Howell and Jack McCaffrey are students at Florida Studio Theatre. McCaffrey studied animation and design at the Ringling College of Art and Design.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 28, 2025
Free acting class series coming to Lakewood Ranch Library

Florida Studio Theatre employees will lead classes on Improv for All, Acting Foundations, Reader’s Circle and Intro to Playwriting.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
W. Kenneth Tyler Jr. is a Lakewood Ranch Certified Public Accountant, and now he's an author too.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 27, 2025
Lakewood Ranch accountant's creativity adds up to fiction

W. Kenneth Tyler Jr. is an accountant by day and author by night.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Andy and Anna Mignery opened The Thrivery in February.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 25, 2025
New cafe brings pure juices, superfoods to Lakewood Ranch

Andy and Anna Mignery share their health journey by providing clean eating choices at The Thrivery in Center Point.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Parrish 2-year-old Faris Akel decided to look through the holes of the giant Connect 4 game instead of playing the traditional way at UTC Kids Club Wednesday.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 24, 2025
UTC Kids Club: Gameland offers small children a host of activities

Geared toward children under 6, the event is hosted at The Green at UTC on the fourth Wednesday of every month.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Latham Pools
  • April 24, 2025
A Latham Fiberglass Pool is the Perfect Fit for Your Florida Home

Latham fiberglass pools are not only a fantastic choice for Florida homeowners, but they also offer numerous advantages over other types of pools.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Darwin is a 12-year-old sulcata tortoise.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 23, 2025
Beloved tortoise returns home after five days on the loose

Since being adopted from a rescue in 2019, Darwin has endeared himself to his owners, extended family and neighbors.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Final chance to see Lipizzan stallions in Myakka City this season
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 23, 2025
Final chance to see Lipizzan stallions in Myakka City this season

Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions will close the season with a salute to Operation Cowboy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rob Oglesby gives Nik and Erendira Wallenda a tour of Nate's Honor Animal Rescue that includes dog hugging.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 23, 2025
Circus Arts Conservatory, Wallendas donate $125,000 to Nate's Honor

Nate's Honor Animal Rescue was selected as charity partner of the Circus Arts Conservatory and Nik and Erendira Wallenda's holiday spectacle, "Wonderland: Illuminate."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dale Root, a member of the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club, stands with a Zebco rod and reel that will be given to kids who attend the Youth and Teen Fishing Seminar on May 3 at Summerfield Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 22, 2025
Kids get hooked on fishing in Lakewood Ranch

The Anglers Club of Lakewood Ranch along with Lakewood Ranch Community Activities will host a youth fishing clinic May 3.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dr. Owen Bradley never wanted to pursue a career simply playing an instrument. He knew he wanted to be a band director since he was in 10th grade.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 21, 2025
Longtime teacher gears up to conduct the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble

Owen Bradley has 35 years of experience teaching jazz, concert and marching bands.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Arcadia's Whitley Stewart earns a high score for staying on the bull so long during the Dakin Bull Bash April 19 in Myakka City.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 20, 2025
Dakin Bull Bash attracts hundreds to Myakka City

The Elite Bullriders Association event includes mutton busting, bull riding and barrel racing.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Christina and Robert Dickens attended Spring Fling with their son Carter who is 2 years old. Carter Dickens has attended Primrose School at Lakewood Ranch since he was 2 months old. "We love it, it's like his second family," Christina Dickens said.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 20, 2025
Primrose School at Lakewood Ranch raises funds for charity through Spring Fling

The proceeds will be split between the Primrose Children's Foundation and Mothers Helping Mothers.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Work has either started or will begin soon on four roundabouts on University Parkway, east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. University Parkway also is being widened from Lorraine Road to Bourneside Boulevard.
  • July 8, 2026
Necessary construction will snarl University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch
2
FoodTrukt, a new app, aims to bring together food truck owners and customers through making locations, schedules and menus more accessible.
  • July 8, 2026
Find nearby food trucks with new app
3
Deborah Callahan-Stratton, Joy Stone, Barbara Najmy and Jennifer Alokeh are collecting sneakers for the fifth annual Sneakin Back to School Sneaker Drive to benefit The Twig.
  • July 8, 2026
The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle transitions to a nonprofit
4
Avery Banfill (left) and Phoenix Scanlan (right) grew up on the same junior golf circuit. Their respective journeys converged at Parrish Community High and will converge once again at Memphis next fall.
  • July 8, 2026
Stars align for local golfers who are headed for the University of Memphis
5
The Manatee County Property Appraiser is located at 915 4th Ave. W. in downtown Bradenton.
  • July 8, 2026
How your home is appraised in Manatee County

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