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East County | Neighbors

Three-year-old Hannah Leitzman dressed up as a cowgirl for Halloween.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • November 2, 2010
Sarasota Baptist enjoys fall fun

Dozens of East County children and their families enjoyed an evening of fun and games during Sarasota Baptist Church's Fall Festival Oct. 31. Children enjoyed carnival-style games, bounce houses, live music and refreshments before going trunk-or-treating.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Janelle Silva, Hannah Oesincs, Mackenzie Moritz and Cassie Wilson danced the night away.
  • By Gene Venditti
  • November 2, 2010
Imagine School parties at Halloween dance

Middle school students at Imagine School of Lakewood Ranch scared up a good time at a Halloween dance Oct. 22. Students grooved with their glowsticks to classics like Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and also enjoyed parent-provided treats of brownies, cupcakes, nachos and cookies.

  • East County
  • Schools
Fabiola Sanchez, 7, had a blast on the slide with her friends.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 31, 2010
Families enjoy Woodland fall festival

Hundreds of families gathered at Woodland - The Community Church for the church's Fall Festival Oct. 31. Attendees enjoyed games, inflatable slides, pony rides, a petting zoo and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
This year's Primrose parade featured a plethora of different costumes.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • October 31, 2010
Costumed kids parade at Primrose

Buzz Lightyear, Batman and even Nintendo's Super Mario made an appearance at Primrose School of Lakewood Ranch's Parade of Costumes Oct. 29. Following the parade, the costumed kids returned to their classrooms for a Halloween party.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lorena Roberts had a front-row spot to watch the Lakewood Ranch marching band perform.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • October 29, 2010
Families flock to Main Street fright night

Hundreds of costumed kids flooded Lakewood Ranch Main Street for the community's annual Boo Fest Oct. 29. The event featured a costume parade, a performance by the Lakewood Ranch High School marching band, trick-or-treating, games and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Natalie Stennes tried out her Halloween costume a few days early.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • October 29, 2010
Braden River boogies at Halloween dance

Ghosts, superheroes and plenty of bumblebees flocked to Braden River Middle School for its Halloween dance Oct. 28. Participating students signed a pledge to remain drug free prior to hitting the dance floor.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Nolan boys were ready to hit the dance floor.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • October 29, 2010
Nolan students party at fall dance

Nolan Middle School turned its cafeteria into a dance hall for the school's fall dance Oct. 28. The dance featured plenty of tunes as well as a haunted house for Halloween.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sean Ellis, 7, and his sister Emily Ellis, 5, attend Braden River Elementary School.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 29, 2010
Moms group celebrates fall

East County mothers and their children gathered at Greenbrook Adventure Park Oct. 25 for the MOMS Club of Manatee's Harvest Festival. Families enjoyed lunch, decorating pumpkins, playing on the playground and other activities.

  • East County
  • News
Jim and Kathy Valente lost their son, Jimmy, in 2007.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 28, 2010
NOPE Vigil lights hope for future

Families and friends who have lost loved ones to drug overdoses gathered at the Manatee County Judicial Center tonight for the NOPE Candlelight Vigil. The event was held as part of Red Ribbon Week, the country's oldest and largest drug prevention campaign.

  • East County
  • News
Dozens of pumpkins were entered in the pumpkin carving contest.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 28, 2010
Polo Grill celebrates Halloween

Dressed in their Halloween best, families headed to the Polo Grill and Bar Oct. 27 for the restaurant's Halloween Party and Pumpkin Carving Contest. Attendees made candy apples, decorated cupcakes and other treats and checked out entries for the pumpkin-carving contest.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 27, 2010
Tara assists in medical mission

Teachers, administrators and staff at Tara Elementary School have rallied behind the child of one of their own.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Clockwise from bottom left: Naomi Burg, Anthony Pistella, Norma Martin of Synovus Bank, Sarah Cox, Theresa Novak and Alaina Megill
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 27, 2010
Essay winners receive prizes

The five winners from The East County Observer's Lakewood Ranch anniversary essay contest each received $100 savings accounts from Synovus Bank for their winning entries.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Rev. Jim Hedman has served at St. Mary since October 2006.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 27, 2010
St. Mary Magdalene church gains autonomy

Lakewood Ranch's St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church became its own parish Oct. 9. The church celebrated with a special parish picnic Oct. 16.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Adalee Rebecca Heath was born to University Place residents Jaime and Erik Heath at 10:51 p.m., Sept. 27, 2010.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 27, 2010
Birth Announcements 10.28.10

Congratulations to the East County parents who celebrated recent births. The East County Observer will publish birth announcements the last Wednesday of each month.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kelsey Fowler, Zach Rand and Holly Rizzo
    By
  • Loren Mayo
  • October 25, 2010
Asolo introduces 'Bonnie and Clyde' cast and artists

The Asolo Repertory Theatre welcomed the artists and cast for "Bonnie and Clyde," a new musical from Ivan Menchell, Don Black, John McDaniel and Jeff Calhoun.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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