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East County | Neighbors

Julie Farmer stops by the sandbag station at the Myakka Community Center. She's not as worried about her cabin off River Road as she is her cottage on Anna Maria Island.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 29, 2023
Myakka City residents are calm, but they respect Idalia's threat

No one was overly worried about Hurricane Idalia's possible impacts, but preparations carried on just in case.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Carl Backman and Nancy Cunningham, members of Aloha Ukulele, perform with the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities club for Play Music on the Porch Day on Aug. 26, 2023.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 27, 2023
Heat sends music event inside at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall

That didn't bother 35 attendees who sang along with Aloha Ukulele during the Play Music on the Porch event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nokomis 15-month-old Lilly Murphy has a unique approach to mini golfing. Her mother, Heather Murphy, says UTC Kids Club is a new way for them to find a different playgroup.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 23, 2023
UTC Kids Club provides activities for children to enjoy

Dozens attended the first UTC Kids Club of the season on the Green at UTC.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Short Par 4 owner Martin Haas and CFO Todd Stires talk to Lakewood Ranch Community Fund Board Member Debbie Urban about the non-profit's upcoming events.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 23, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Community Fund generates more support

A special event at Short Par 4/Hidden Ranch offered information about the nonprofit's direction as it moves forward.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Janjay Gehndyu says his education at Lakewood Ranch High School paved the way for his success in life.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 23, 2023
Principal is proof that caring teachers can alter a student's path in life

Once a "troubled" child, Panther Ridge's Janjay Gehndyu leads Visible Men Academy in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Schools
There's a pool down the street from her Esplanade home, so Carolyn Lowry-Nation opted for a garden on her lanai.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 23, 2023
Gardeners Out East club grows flowers, friendship

The 40-member club in Lakewood Ranch was founded on friendship and stresses environmental education.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kristin Hokanson, who owns Fiorelli Winery and Vineyard with her husband, John, is looking forward to the winery's next grape picking experience where participants will be able to have their chance to pick grapes right off the vines.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 20, 2023
Fiorelli Winery to host grape-picking experience in east Bradenton

The grape harvest will allow people to get hands-on experience in the winemaking process.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Music Compound music instructor Alicia Schiavone offers Palmetto 6-year-old Bennett Blumer a beginner's lesson guitar. "He has some type of performer in him, we just don't know how to channel it yet," says Hilary Blumer, Bennett's mother.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 19, 2023
Back to School Bash a hit at Music Compound in East County

Children learned about their musical potential in Bradenton by trying different instruments.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Maya Taeoalii dances for the audience, but she arrived before the performance at Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch to teach the ladies how to hula dance.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 18, 2023
Grand Living at Lakewood Ranch hosts a luau

The Royale Polynesian Revue performed for the senior residents on Aug. 17.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tara Poulton has the perfect pairing of personality and work ethic for her job.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 17, 2023
Putting politics into action locally isn’t easy. Tara Poulton just makes it look that way.

With a cool-under-pressure personality mixed with a get-stuff-done work ethic, Tara Poulton is the right fit as the new district director for Lakewood Ranch’s only U.S. Congressman.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Seeburg’s 1951 Model B (right) was among the first jukeboxes that could play 45 RPM records.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 17, 2023
This home collection of jukeboxes is a museum-worthy experience

When a jukebox in a store window caught Vickie Compton’s eye, she had to have it. That led to four decades of collecting and restoring them with her husband, Rodger.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sights + Sounds debuted in May 2022 with Broadway on the Lake.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 17, 2023
Waterside gets lively with a new performance series

Sights + Sounds at Waterside Place is a monthly series showcasing performances by area arts groups.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jeanne Dubi and Christine Johnson are longtime friends and allies, and their organizations have regularly partnered over the years. This project is their most consequential undertaking.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 17, 2023
Nonprofits pair up to preserve Celery Fields

The Sarasota Audubon Society and the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast have collaborated to rewild the Quad Parcels at the Celery Fields, creating new bird habitats and wildlife viewing.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tennis Coach Dickie Herbst and Cornell Professor Emeritus Joe Novak formed a friendship after Herbst read a story about Novak in the East County Observer. Novak died in September.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 16, 2023
Former Cornell professor lends education theories to sports training

Lakewood Ranch's Joe Novak, 92, works as a consultant for NXT Athletics Institute for Learning and finds that his learning theories are still in demand.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Alexia, Suzanne and Juliana Mattes perform together for the first time at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 16, 2023
'Something Rotten' a family affair for Lakewood Ranch mom, daughters

Suzanne Mattes and her two daughters, Juliana and Alexia, appear in the ensemble cast at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Tony Barrett is running for the at-large District 6 commission seat in Manatee County.
  • April 1, 2026
East Manatee fire commissioner enters at-large County Commission race
2
Myakka's Sydney McCullough shows off the first place ribbon and belt buckle she won in January for whip cracking in the senior division at the Manatee County Fair.
  • April 1, 2026
Cracking a whip has been a snap for Myakka teenager
3
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
  • April 1, 2026
DOGE questions Manatee County's capital expenditures, additional staff
4
John Saputo (left), Denise Saputo (top center), Lorraine Vitale (right) and Dick Vitale (bottom center) at the "March Mayhem" fundraiser and Elite Eight watch party. The Saputos were the hosts March 28 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
  • April 1, 2026
March Mayhem fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch benefits pediatric cancer research
5
Lakewood Ranch Little League plays at Lakewood Ranch Park March 25.
  • April 1, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Little League expands to improve accessibility

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