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East County | Neighbors

Steve Turner of Giving Tree Music shows Sofia Mingote, 10, how to control the volume of her classmates' drumming with her arms.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 16, 2010
Tara kids enjoy drum circle

Three Tara Elementary School teachers rewarded their Safety Patrol and TV Production students for a job well done with a special drum circle event presented by Giving Tree Music today.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch residents Frank and Michelle Vitori brought their son, Frankie, 18 months, to see Santa for the first time.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2010
Holiday traditions sparkle on Main

Lakewood Ranch Main Street continued to celebrate the holiday season with an array of activities Dec. 15. East County residents enjoyed a visit from Santa, the sounds of the Dickens Carolers, carriage rides and holiday pet photos.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch residents Dick and Lorraine Vitale are blessed to be able to spread Christmas cheer to underprivileged children.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 16, 2010
Vitale family spreads Christmas cheer

Lakewood Ranch residents Dick and Lorraine Vitale celebrated the holiday season with eight members of the Boys and Girls Club during their annual Christmas Party Dec. 15. After enjoying sandwiches and snacks and touring the Vitale home, the children gathered together and listened as Dick Vitale spoke about the importance of doing the right thing and following your dreams. Following the speech, the children enjoyed a visit from Santa Claus where they received a plethora of gifts and gift cards for Publix.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rachel Consiglio, Elinor Sevy and Naomi Burg enjoyed making candles.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2010
Candle party brightens Chabad

Smells of oil and wax wafted through the air as Chabad Hebrew School held its Chanukah Candle Crafting Workshop at the Chabad Jewish Center in Lakewood Ranch Dec. 5.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2010
Waterlefe Realtor hosts Toys for Tots bash

More than 100 children will have a Merry Christmas this year thanks to Waterlefe Golf and River Club resident and Realtor Robyn Drourr.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lara Cosgrove had a blast creating a gingerbread house with her daughters, Elise (pictured) and Cecelia.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 12, 2010
Families complete holiday homes

Using sugary sweets, frosting and plenty of homemade gingerbread, families constructed a wide variety of edible homes at Pastries By Design's Gingerbread House Workshop Dec. 11. Owner Lyndsy McDonald provided expertise as families crafted their delicious designs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gabrielle Odicio was excited to visit with Santa.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 12, 2010
Santa breaks fast with Freedom families

Freedom Elementary School students and families dined on pancakes, sausage, bacon and juice at the school's Breakfast with Santa event Dec. 11. After their meals, children lined up to play games, complete art projects and spend some time going over their lists with Santa himself.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ellie Dauphas brought her children, Ty and Daphne, to visit Santa.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 12, 2010
Hornback hosts Ranch Christmas bash

Hornback Chiropractic and Wellness invited Santa for a pre-Christmas visit to Lakewood Ranch during its Christmas on the Ranch event Dec. 11 at the Sarasota Polo Club. Families enjoyed pony rides, arts and crafts, a barbecue lunch and, of course, time with the Big Guy. Proceeds benefited Hope Family Services.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Austin Rohring, 8, eagerly decorated his sugar cookie.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 10, 2010
Families flock to Holidays Around the Ranch

East County residents flocked to Lakewood Ranch Main Street Dec. 10 for Lakewood Ranch Community Activities' annual Holidays Around the Ranch event. Attendees enjoyed live music and dance performances, food and drink, skating on an acrylic ice rink, carriage and train rides and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chad Terrel helped his 4-year-old son, Colten, decorate his gingerbread house, as did Colten’s sister, Kylie, not pictured.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 10, 2010
Woodland hosts family fun night

Woodland, The Community Church tonight hosted a Family Fun Night event. Attendees enjoyed making Christmas tree ornaments and gingerbread houses while watching Christmas movies.

  • East County
  • News
Nathan Barnes was one of the stars of this year's musical.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 10, 2010
Old West inspires BRE Christmas play

Braden River Elementary School fourth-graders took the East County on a trip to Branson, Mo., for their Christmas production, 'Santa's Holiday Hoedown,' Dec. 9. The production featured country Christmas carols and plenty of laughs. The school's Drumming Enrichment Club also performed.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Audrey O'Leary and Karen Guardino made sure to welcome Judy Kane, who just moved to the area from New Jersey.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 9, 2010
Women's Club hosts holiday dinner

About 200 ladies filled the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club Dec. 8 for the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club Annual Holiday Dinner & Auction. This year's gala raised funds for Meals on Wheels PLUS, the Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy and SOLVE Maternity Homes.

  • East County
  • News
Savanna Flores and her sister, Miranda
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 8, 2010
Nolan students march in Myakka

Students in Nolan Middle School's FFA chapter took their organization to the streets for the Myakka City Holiday Parade Dec. 5.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chairs included Alessandra DeStefanis, SSCA city director for Treviso, Italy, and Dr. Joseph Polizzi, president of The Ausonian Society.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 8, 2010
Ranch hosts Cornaro tribute

The Sarasota Sister Cities Association and The Ausonian Society celebrated a 500-year anniversary tribute to Caterina Cornaro, The Lady of Asolo, with a gala Nov. 17 at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Scottish Country Dancers performed during the event.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 5, 2010
Scottish traditions abound on Main

Hundreds of East County residents flocked to Main Street in Lakewood Ranch for the St. Andrews Scottish Festival Dec. 4. During the event, which is designed to bring awareness to Scottish traditions while raising funds for pediatric brain cancer, guests enjoyed performances by country music star David Nail, the Sarasota Scottish Country Dancers and the Jacobites Pipe & Drum Band, among others. Other festivities included face painting and other activities for children, Scottish beer samplings and a haggis-hurling competition, among others.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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