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East County | Neighbors

Angela Long coaches the veterans team at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 12, 2025
Veterans find camaraderie in paddling at Nathan Benderson Park

The veterans dragon boat team operates under the umbrella of the park's nonprofit conservancy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sue Ann Miller, Regina Negrycz and Sue Glass represent the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library, which won the award for the Group/Club of the Year.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 11, 2025
Youth fishing volunteer hooks big award in Lakewood Ranch

Ed Van Stedum snags Volunteer of the Year award at the Community Appreciation Awards.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Vincent Van Slyck keeps his flag waving during the Tribute to Heroes Parade Nov. 9 at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 10, 2025
Tribute to Heroes Parade salutes veterans

The Lakewood Ranch event made its November debut after shifting from its traditional Memorial Day Weekend spot.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A giant helium-filled nutcracker takes a bow during the 2025 Santa's Grand Arrival Parade Nov. 8 at University Town Center in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 9, 2025
University Town Center delivers parade thrills under the wire in Sarasota

High-wire artists Nik and Lijana Wallenda thrill thousands with a criss cross stunt, and then the parade floats through the mall area.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Evan Prince, a second grader at Freedom Elementary, poses next to his masterpiece, "Warm Colored Sky."
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 9, 2025
Manatee River Artists Guild celebrates 20 years of collaboration

Waterlefe residents and grade school students raise money each year for two local schools.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cape Coral's John Svidroniv IV paints himself green as a goblin for the Sarasota Medieval Fair, where creatures of all shapes and sizes gather for a magical day.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 7, 2025
Sarasota Medieval Fair returns with themed weekends all November

Live performances, vendors, food, costumes and more bring fair goers into another world.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sisterhood for Good's Glo Reber not only shows off the first prize of the night, a $1,200 Stella McCartney tote, but her numbers were then called and she won the bag.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 7, 2025
Sisterhood for Good's gamble for charity was in the bag

A record 293 players showed up for the annual fundraiser at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Arrive early and stay late to avoid parade congestion at UTC
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 6, 2025
Arrive early and stay late to avoid parade congestion at UTC

The Santa's Grand Arrival Parade on Nov. 8 is sure to attract more than 15,000 spectators in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • By Ganges Restaurant & Bar
  • November 6, 2025
Family Passion Fuels Culinary Legacy

The Sureddy family opened their first Tikka Indian Cuisine in Venice in 2018, when Radha Krishna Sureddy decided to follow his lifelong passion for food and hospitality.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Diane Kontonickas, Pat Trempelas and Effie Stratis are among the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church’s Philoptochos Society members who are making Greek cuisine and desserts for Autumn Fest.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 5, 2025
Annual Greek celebration to make a sweet return in Sarasota

The fundraiser put on by the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church's Philoptochos Society will donate a percentage of the proceeds to Stillpoint Mission.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Herman Martinez shows off medals he earned with the U.S. Army while serving in Vietnam. Martinez said if asked to serve today, he would go.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 5, 2025
Despite Agent Orange exposure, Vietnam veteran says, 'I would still serve today'

Lakewood Ranch's Herman Martinez says his love of America and veterans still burns bright.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch Jewish Club was founded in 2010 and now has 500 active members who participate in their events. Saul Zuchman, president of the club, said it is not about what religion you were born into, but the opportunity to come together to have social and spiritual thought.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 4, 2025
Lakewood Ranch Jewish Club provides social and cultural opportunities

Founded in 2010, the club has 500 active members who connect with like-minded individuals.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A 1970 Plymouth Superbird draws a few admirers.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 2, 2025
Lakewood Ranch car show drives donations to St. Jude's

The Knights of Columbus host the annual Car Show and Cookout at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Evan Percoco, co-owner of Twisted Pit BBQ of Lakewood Ranch, dishes out samples at the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch's Suncoast Food and Wine Fest, Nov. 1 at Premier Sports Campus.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 2, 2025
A Premier feast served by the Rotary club, with charity for dessert in Lakewood Ranch

For the 23rd year, the Suncoast Food and Wine Fest raises funds for the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sweetwater's Monica Zacour and 5-month-old Everly curl through the parade route at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center Oct. 29.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 31, 2025
Little Nippers Parade is prescribed for fun at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

Moms who have used the Little Nippers support program get a chance to catch up with their new friends.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
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
2
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
3
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
4
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
5
Capri Finan, 7, Madelyn Finan, 9 and Maverick Finan, 3, pose with Santa after telling him what they want for Christmas, which includes a doll house and a trampoline.
  • December 18, 2025
Braden River High transforms into Winter Wonderland

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