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East County | Neighbors

"My wife said the other day that I’ve excelled at everything except retirement," Mark Pentecost says. "I’m really bad at retirement."
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 22, 2024
Entrepreneur Mark Pentecost is good at a lot of things. Retiring isn’t one of them.

The charmed life of Mark Pentecost includes nice houses in multiple states, a 10,000-acre East County ranch, tens of millions given away to cancer organizations and even his own private island. Getting to the top required a combination of grit, guts and good old-fashioned hustle.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A rich mix of textures and colors creates an intriguing atmosphere in the living room. The paintings are all by prominent Latin American artists; the coffee table is from Crate and Barrel. Muse believes in mixing mainstream pieces with antiques and one-of-kind finds.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • August 22, 2024
A life well-lived is curated and on display in this dramatic home

In a divergence from the ubiquitous coastal palette, this Country Club home dazzles with perfect taste and subtle artistry.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Summerfield's Maureen Flaherty receives kisses from Mina, who recognized "Auntie Mo" within five seconds of seeing her. It's been at least two years since Flaherty last saw Mina.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 21, 2024
Doggy siblings reunite in Lakewood Ranch after 10 years apart

The cocker spaniels, now 11, were adopted out and haven't been together since a 1-year anniversary.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
President Sue Ann Miller, librarian Tiffany Mautino and board member Janet Allen attend the ceremony to celebrate the Robinson Family Foundation's book donation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 19, 2024
The Lakewood Ranch Library has some great friends for support

The Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library provide supplies and programming beyond what Manatee County can offer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch resident Keltsey Costner stops to meet Cleopatra at Barks and Brews on Aug. 13.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 17, 2024
Dogs let loose during luau at University Town Center in Sarasota

The monthly event at University Town Center's The Green benefits Nate's Honor Animal Rescue.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
  • August 15, 2024
Patient Finds Relief from the Pain of Spinal Stenosis

Kevin Parks said, "“I will be forever grateful to the staff at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.”

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Lakewood Ranch Elks Exalted Ruler Kevin Burke and EFELT Executive Director Andrea Hitcho stand in front of bins at the Elks Club used to collect food donations.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 14, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Elks seek storage area for its food donation program

The Elks provide more than 500 children with free meals through its Elks Feeding Empty Little Tummies program.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Braden Woods' Amanda Chandler works with students who have dyslexia and other reading deficiencies through The Re-Reading House, which she started in January.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 14, 2024
East County educator founds The Re-Reading House

Braden Woods' Amanda Chandler works with students with dyslexia and other reading deficiencies.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Nathan Russell is working to develop a partnership to have his coffee cart, Traveling Bard Coffee, weekly at Lakewood Ranch Library.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 13, 2024
Traveling Bard Coffee serves Lakewood Ranch and surrounding areas

Owner Nathan Russell makes dream of being a barista a reality with a traveling coffee cart.

  • East County
  • Business
In addition to benefiting native flora and fauna, wetlands within and upstream of urban areas are particularly valuable for flood protection.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • August 11, 2024
Myakka wetlands reduce downstream flooding

By containing waters, flooding in the park supports natural and human communities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch resident Willow Reilly shows off her athleticism at the Toddler Olympics at Lakewood Ranch Library on Aug. 9.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 10, 2024
Competition heats up at the Lakewood Ranch Library Toddler Olympics

About 15 area toddlers ran an obstacle course to earn medals.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Christine Monachos celebrates her hole-in-one.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 8, 2024
MVP Sports and Social brings big fun to mini golf in Sarasota

Participants meet new people while working on their mini golf game.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Neirda Thompson-Pemberton wants to make education fun.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 7, 2024
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit tricks kids into liking math

FUNducation practices "educational espionage" with Legos and robots.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch resident Olivia Weldon, 6, is torn between pizzas No. 3 (Fresh Market) and No. 4 (Michelangelo's).
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 2, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Library hosts first Pizza Taste-off

Teens were invited to a blind taste test of pizza from four different Lakewood Ranch establishments.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kyle McCreight adopted Tre on June 29, 2019, from Nate's Honor Animal Rescue in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 30, 2024
Three-legged dog gives 'Tre'-mendous inspiration

A dog inspired a Sarasota man to reach a berth on "American Ninja Warrior."

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
« 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 »
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Latest in East County

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
3
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy
4
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade
5
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man

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