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East County | Neighbors

Zack Kallis uses brandy to light up the saganaki as Renee Amoratis looks on.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 17, 2024
Opa, St. Barbara Greek Festival is back in Sarasota

The annual Greek Glendi is in its 40th year and runs through Sunday at the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jonathan Cortez sings "The Music of the Night" from "Phantom of the Opera."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 17, 2024
Sisterhood for Good soars with Phantom at Sarasota Hyatt Regency

The themed fundraiser expected to raise major funds for Lakewood Ranch area non-profits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Clydesdales don't shy away for their close-ups.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 16, 2024
8-pack of Budweiser Clydesdales strut down Lakewood Ranch Main Street

Hundreds lined the street to see the majestic horses.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The gleaming structure is 65 feet high, three stories and 12,000 square feet inside.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 15, 2024
Solomon’s Castle is a gleaming monument to the weird, wacky and wonderful

Take a stroll through whimsy and delight with a tour inside Howard Solomon’s creation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A dramatic feature wall in the living room provides a fireplace, seating, and displays for art.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • February 15, 2024
Lifestyle lessons from a luxurious Lake Club home

David Ahrens and Kirk Beckwith's home in The Lake Club shows a keen understanding of their shared past and their present way of life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tiko is a yellow-headed amazon at Sarasota Parrot Conservatory.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 15, 2024
Parrots at Myakka nonprofit help veterans heal old wounds

Greg Para's special relationship with parrots helped him through a harrowing period in his life — and inspired him to form the Sarasota Parrot Conservatory.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mark Clark says faith and family are the keys to everything.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 14, 2024
Foundation leader keeps connection with community strong

Mark Clark brings his passion for family into his work leading the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Get a close-up look at the Budweiser Clydesdales on Thursday at 5 p.m. at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 14, 2024
Clydesdales show off in Manatee and Sarasota counties

The famous Budweiser team has several stops that include Siesta Key, North Port, Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Florida State Film School student Keith Cohen's short documentary "Healing Paws" has been nominated for a College Television Award.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 14, 2024
Braden River grad nominated for College Television Award

"Healing Paws," aspiring filmmaker Keith Cohen's short film on the therapeutic powers of dogs, has been nominated in the Nonfiction Series category.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The new Lakewood Ranch Library features 45,000 items, including books, audiobooks, musical instruments and DVDs.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 14, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Library fosters a culture around community

Tiffany Mautino shares why libraries remain relevant — and why they are key in the fight for intellectual freedom.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Eric Guimond and Paulina Whyte offer dance with the St. Barbara Hellenic Dancers in 2023. Whyte is following in the footsteps of her mother, Tina Whyte, who performed in the first Greek Glendi 40 years ago.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 13, 2024
St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church prepares for 40th annual festival

Volunteers who have been there since the Greek Glendi's inception celebrate 40 years of tradition.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
American bumblebees are important pollinators for food crops. Light pollution disrupts their day and night cycle, which affects reproduction.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • February 13, 2024
Light pollution disrupts lives of plants and animals

Excessive artificial light at night changes wildlife behaviors, alters ecosystems and damages natural communities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Vice Principal Robin Hamilton and Principal John Hettler run the Sea of Strengths Academy.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 11, 2024
Lakewood Ranch school emphasizes joy of learning

Sea of Strengths Academy, which serves third through 12th graders with learning disabilities, instills confidence in its students alongside its highly structured approach to academics.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Steve and Laura Saladino finish the Run for the Beads together. Steve says Laura, who married him 31 years ago, "is still trying to get away," but she can't run fast enough.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 10, 2024
Run for the Beads returns to Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch

The Mardi Gras-themed event produced a fun atmosphere while generating serious funds for community nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Anna and Elsa walk their fans over to a better photo spot. The sisters were mobbed with hugs the minute they arrived.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 10, 2024
Movie in the Park at Waterside Place attracts 'Frozen' super fans

It was a special night in Lakewood Ranch to stay up late and dress like your favorite princess.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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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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