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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
Bradenton's Cymia Martin is selling cups, tumblers and mugs at Kids Mart.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 25, 2023
Young entrepreneurs sell their arts and crafts at Kids Mart

Children ages 5-14 are starting their own businesses and will be selling their arts and crafts at Braden River Library's Kids Mart on Nov. 4.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Amanda Hiney and her 5-year-old daughter Brynlee stopped along the path for a game of tic-tac-toe.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 23, 2023
Halloween path tells kids 'witch' way to go in Lakewood Ranch

Peace Presbyterian Church offers a not-so-scary hike for area children.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Justice Thornton, a Manatee Technical College baking and pastry arts student, slices kiwis and strawberries.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 23, 2023
MTC students prepare for Suncoast Food and Wine Fest

Baking and pastry arts students get a real-world experience baking desserts for a Lakewood Ranch staple event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Luna and Zander Hartman enjoy the pumkin patch at The Green at UTC.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 20, 2023
UTC Night Market in Sarasota embraces the fall season

Innovative vendors lined The Green at the Mall at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dan and Deborah Slottke of Mill Creek enjoy their ride through life with their 1979 Trans Am playing a big part.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 18, 2023
On the road with a couple of Bradenton Bandits

The upcoming car show at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church showcases unrelenting passion.

  • East County
  • Opinion
East County's Ellie Blitz and her horse, Gunner, look forward to improving at Western dressage and continuing to volunteer at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 17, 2023
East Bradenton teen forms winning partnership with American paint horse

Gunner, an 8-year-old American paint horse, has excelled both in dressage and helping with therapy at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Help protect imperiled plants like pine lilies, as well as their sensitive ecosystems, by leaving blooms in place, and minimizing our direct and indirect impact on their habitats.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • October 16, 2023
Pine lilies thrive thanks to fire

These imperiled flowers are important indicators of health for Florida habitats.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Crowned king and queen, Mason Kramer and Emily D'Agostino lead the 2022 Buddy Walk.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 16, 2023
Manasota BUDS to host 21st Buddy Walk

The Buddy Walk takes place on Oct. 28 at Bayside Community Church’s Lakewood Ranch campus.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
With so many things to do at the Pumpkin Festival, almost 2-year-old Jameela Williams plays with a flag. Her family was traveling from Tampa back to Sunrise, so they made a pit stop at Hunsader Farms.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 15, 2023
Hunsader Pumpkin Festival opens for its 32nd year

The pumpkin festival runs every weekend through the end of the month in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Rising senior quarterback Louisen Desinor will start under center for Braden River High football in the fall. This spring was his opportunity to strengthen bonds with the playmakers around him.
  • May 25, 2026
High school coaches defend relevancy of spring football in Florida
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
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

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