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East County | Neighbors

Members of St. Barbara Philoptochos Society gather to make dolmades, which are stuffed grape leaves, for Autumn Fest.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 10, 2023
St. Barbara Philoptochos Society prepares for Autumn Fest

The group of women spends hours baking and cooking homemade dishes and pastries to sell at the annual Autumn Fest, which will be held Nov. 17-18.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Owner Bruce Cassidy has turned The Concession Golf Club into a major player on the world stage.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 9, 2023
The man putting The Concession Golf Club on the elite level

Bruce Cassidy has used his coal industry work ethic to bring major golf events to the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Austria photo wins Observer's It's Read Everywhere contest
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 8, 2023
Austria photo wins Observer's It's Read Everywhere contest

Pam and Russell Hyatt have won the It's Read Everywhere contest for 2023 and will be going on a seven-day Celebrity Cruise to be booked by Marc Bokoff of Cruise Planners.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
MaryAnn McWilliams waves to friends as she goes down the runway
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 7, 2023
Tara fashion show raises funds for Pace Center for Girls

Tara residents raise $1,200 for statewide nonprofit through annual fall fashion show.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bob and Michele Bowermaster live along the Braden River in East County. Bob Bowermaster earned two Purple Hearts for his service with the U.S. Marines in Vietnam.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 7, 2023
Vietnam battles still take a toll on East County veteran

U.S. Marine Bob Bowermaster tells of the Nông Sơn Mountain attack that left him with two bullet wounds and shrapnel injuries.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ruth Harenchar, Sharon Mitchell, Mike Mitchell, Theresa Phillips and Emmy Treston (not pictured) are members of the Peace and Justice Ministry who organized the Prayer Service for Victims of Gun Violence.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 6, 2023
Church prayer service held for victims of gun violence

Our Lady of the Angels in Lakewood Ranch tries to organize the community to demand stricter control on assault weapons.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The School of Rock is open in Lakewood Ranch. The soft opening was on Sept. 11, and the grand opening was on Oct. 29.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 6, 2023
Bradenton couple brings personal experience to School of Rock

Gary and Kelley Falcon, who opened the new Lakewood Ranch music education school, have spent more than 30 years in the music business.

  • East County
  • Business
Gene Kennedy, the owner of Bandit Movie Cars, brought a replica of the 1969 Charger used in the movie "Dukes of Hazzard."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 5, 2023
Burt Reynolds still the Boss Hogg at Lakewood Ranch Car Show

The Knights of Columbus event expects to raise $10,000 for St. Jude Children's Hospital.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Mark Dietz dresses for the occasion with his 10-year-old daughter Livia Dietz, 8-year-old son Marek Dietz and wife, Erin Dietz. Livia Dietz says she loves the human chess matches at the fair.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 5, 2023
Sarasota Medieval Fair begins its run in Myakka City

Attendees dress for a day of jousting, human chess matches, live music and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
"I've gone around like 20 times," Kaitlin Verrinder said of choosing a bowl.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • November 4, 2023
Empty Bowls fundraiser fills need in Lakewood Ranch

The 23rd annual soup tasting was held on Nov. 3 at Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Carol Edwards serves soup during the 2022 Empty Bowls fundraiser that benefits Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 30, 2023
Empty Bowls fundraiser takes a bite out of hunger

Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee's annual event, which will be held Nov. 3, provides funds for The Food Bank of Manatee.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Boo Run is invaded by zombie cheerleaders Morgan Ross and McKenna White of Lakewood Ranch. While the both were set to run, Ross said, "It doesn't mean I'm good at it."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 28, 2023
Twentieth Boo Run in Lakewood Ranch continues to make a difference

The annual race raises funds for the Another Day for Gray Foundation and the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Headless Horseman haunts the Sarasota Polo Club grounds.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 28, 2023
'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' returns to Sarasota Polo Club

The Headless Horseman rides again in Lakewood Ranch to get people in the Halloween spirit.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club planted and maintains a garden behind Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 28, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Garden Club emphasizes uniqueness of Florida

Club President Anita Machlin says the club's programming is meant to educate and entertain.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mike and Tara Warmuth and Terry and Madeleine Eagle dress up as characters from "The Addams Family." The foursome attended BooFest dressed as Teletubbies last year.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 28, 2023
BooFest lowers the boom for fun at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

Thousands attended the annual fright night on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
CEO Mike Bisaha says the new equipment will at least triple Big Top Brewing Co.'s beer production.
  • December 3, 2025
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons
2
Mill Creek's Ilana Simone, who performs as Ilana Armida, has returned to her roots after living in Los Angeles to pursue her musical career.
  • December 3, 2025
Mill Creek musical artist continues to search for her audience
3
Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Jason Huh has founded a few different companies, including Sodi Pop. Sodi Pop is now available in a healthy vending machine at the school for staff and students to enjoy.
  • December 3, 2025
Sodi Pop, billed as a healthier product, comes to Lakewood Ranch High
4
Marine Corps veteran Dale Cole lives in Greenfield Plantation and is a regular user of Manatee Moves.
  • December 3, 2025
Ride service for Manatee County veterans is on the move
5
Commissioners George Kruse and Bob McCann are on opposite sides of the AAA High School vote. Kruse voted in favor of approving the site plan, and McCann voted to deny the site plan.
  • December 3, 2025
Manatee commissioners have final say about new school but no real power

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