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East County | Neighbors

Lakewood Ranch's Luke and Ashley Gustafson moved from Texas 6 months ago They say events like the Lakewood Ranch Block Party put them in "magical awe."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 11, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Block Party features 70 local businesses, builders and clubs

The Lakewood Ranch Block Party, which was a collaboration between Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and Lakewood Ranch Communities, took place April 10.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
“I felt genuinely cared for during all phases of pregnancy, delivery and postpartum.” Aubrey Robertson, Maternity Patient
  • By Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
  • April 9, 2026
Women’s Center “Felt Like Home” for Maternity Patient

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center became a second home during one woman's pregnancy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Angelina Goesch and her mom, Ana Goesch, founder of Dogs of Lakewood Ranch, pose with Ana's 4-year-old Golden retriever, Maple.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 8, 2026
The Dogs of Lakewood Ranch club allows canine lovers to network

The group's Facebook group members have found important information, such as available dog sitters and referrals for dog-related issues.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Harlyn Voyles, 7, holds on for dear life during the mutton busting at Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash April 4.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 5, 2026
Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash attracts 2,000 fans on Easter weekend

From egg hunts and slides, to mutton busting and bull riding, families had their choice of a variety of activities at the dairy in Myakka City.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Jerry and Marilyn Schneider, who have been married for 63 years, enjoy the live music at Music on Main April 3.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 4, 2026
Dancers show off their moves at Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch

Musician Chuck Black realized a longtime dream by playing with his band Silver Thunder at Music on Main.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Myakka's Sydney McCullough shows off the first place ribbon and belt buckle she won in January for whip cracking in the senior division at the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 1, 2026
Cracking a whip has been a snap for Myakka teenager

Sydney McCullough displays the art at Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Little League plays at Lakewood Ranch Park March 25.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 1, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Little League expands to improve accessibility

Creative scheduling allows 762 children to participate in the league.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President and CEO Brittany Lamont and Board Chair Wayne Parrish are eager for members to hit the course for the Ranch Scramble.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 30, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance takes a swing at networking

The Ranch Scramble draws 140 golfers and 40 businesses to Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Pam Yulke, modeling an outfit by J. McLaughlin at the "Lights, Camera, Legacy" fashion show, is a past president and has been in the University Park Women's Club for 23 years.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 29, 2026
A fashionable event for the University Park Women's Club

Held at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch, the fashion show celebrated 25 years of the club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch sisters Jade Lowrey, 5, and Hazel Lowrey, 3, had fun collecting eggs and getting their faces painted at Eggstravaganza.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 28, 2026
It's no yoke! 600 children scoop 10,000 eggs at Eggstravaganza

The annual event is hosted by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and sponsored by Grace Community Church in Waterside.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • March 26, 2026
View + Vision =

Maison du Lac features a large private lot that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding natural beauty and private view over the lake.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Sponsored Content
The Silverwings Choir, a Lakewood Ranch club of 40 members, gather at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall every Saturday and sing in Mandarin.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 25, 2026
Silverwings Choir combines Chinese culture and music

The choir was founded in October and brings together singers of all abilities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch guitarist Chuck Black plays with the Silver Thunder band April 3 at Music on Main.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 25, 2026
A rock 'n' roll dream comes true in Lakewood Ranch

Summerfield guitarist lands his biggest gig at Music on Main 44 years after getting his first guitar.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School fourth graders Leona Killion and Michael Chmielarski created business cards as a dancer and a soccer player for the Project T.E.A.C.H. activity on March 12.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 23, 2026
Project TEACH volunteers work to inspire young minds in Manatee County

Fourth grade classes all over the district were joined by local business people to talk about careers and dreams.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota's Tracy Tutton and Tania Cook, sisters from Canada, enjoy drinks while listening to Sweet Fleet at My Hometown Fest on March 21.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 21, 2026
My Hometown Fest event raises funds for kids with speech needs

The fundraiser has been held 11 years and brings the community together through music, food, and beer,

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Though Florida Power & Light employs a variety of advanced technology to avoid power failures, often the basic work of tree trimming goes a long way toward heading off trouble.
  • May 24, 2026
With our deep dependence on power, FPL gears up to keep the lights on
2
A rendering of the 12U baseball/softball fields five-plex that will be built at UMR Sports complex in East County.
  • May 23, 2026
Expansion 'gets real' at UMR Sports of Bradenton
3
Oceane Visa, who says she has waited years to walk across the stage for graduation, is congratulated by Head of School Debra Otey.
  • May 22, 2026
Out-of-Door Academy graduates showed up for the moments that matter most
4
Leighton Paul (right), pictured here during the FHSAA Class 5A-Region 3 final May 14 against Gulf Coast, was Braden River's leadoff hitter this season. She went 0-for-3 in the state semifinals against Niceville.
  • May 22, 2026
Late rally not enough for Braden River High softball in state semifinals
5
Lakewood Ranch's Bruce Stamm says residents in District 1 are being denied due process because of a lack of representation.
  • May 22, 2026
Felts' Manatee County Commission seat remains empty

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