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East County | Neighbors

Lakewood Ranch's Phil Thibodeau takes his wife, Nicole, 7-year-old son Lochlan, 5-year-old daughter Zolana and 4-year-old son Dexon camping at the Adventure Park.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 25, 2024
Lakewood Ranch campout becomes a neighborly adventure

Dozens of families pitched their tents at Adventure Park to introduce their children to camping.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Co-chairs of this year's fashion show are Ann King and Sherry Kenny.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 24, 2024
Palm Aire Women's Club struts for scholarships

The East County club held its annual fashion show to raise money for local students and charities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kambrie Rowell, a Ballard Elementary kindergartner in 2022, loves working with her literacy mentor, Esplanade's Barbara Liodice, who volunteers for the Books for Kids Kindergarten program.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • February 19, 2024
Lakewood Ranch Rotary needs volunteers to expand Books for Kids

Manatee County principals say the Books for Kids programs spark a love for reading in students and that they want more classes involved.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ezequiel Rodriguez-Guadalupe and Sol Castro will move into a smart home provided by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 19, 2024
Knights of Columbus hosts Patriotic Ball at Tara Country Club

The annual event was held to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

  • 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
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Latest in East County

1
Though Florida Power & Light employs a variety of advanced technology to avoid power failures, often the basic work of tree trimming goes a long way toward heading off trouble.
  • May 24, 2026
With our deep dependence on power, FPL gears up to keep the lights on
2
A rendering of the 12U baseball/softball fields five-plex that will be built at UMR Sports complex in East County.
  • May 23, 2026
Expansion 'gets real' at UMR Sports of Bradenton
3
Oceane Visa, who says she has waited years to walk across the stage for graduation, is congratulated by Head of School Debra Otey.
  • May 22, 2026
Out-of-Door Academy graduates showed up for the moments that matter most
4
Leighton Paul (right), pictured here during the FHSAA Class 5A-Region 3 final May 14 against Gulf Coast, was Braden River's leadoff hitter this season. She went 0-for-3 in the state semifinals against Niceville.
  • May 22, 2026
Late rally not enough for Braden River High softball in state semifinals
5
Lakewood Ranch's Bruce Stamm says residents in District 1 are being denied due process because of a lack of representation.
  • May 22, 2026
Felts' Manatee County Commission seat remains empty

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