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East County | Neighbors

Braden Woods' Kathy Varsalona participates in Braden River Library's rock painting class. She's been painting rocks at home to hide in her neighborhood for the past year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 15, 2023
Braden River Library hosts rock painting class for adults

Participants spread joy to others through messages and images on painted rocks.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
University Park's Ronni Loundy and Eileen Cantarella, the co-chairs of Answer to Cancer SRQ, are raising $100,000 this year for research that is exploring the relationship with aging and metastatic breast cancer.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 15, 2023
University Park duo works to raise money for American Cancer Society

Ronni Loundy and Eileen Cantarella's team, Answer to Cancer SRQ, is working to raise $100,000 this year for cancer research.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tampa's Madi Sparks won the Most Creative division of the costume contest at Barks and Boos with 13-year-old Daisy, who seemed to enjoy her perch in a popcorn machine.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 11, 2023
UTC event at The Green features dogs in costume

Barks and Boos drew hundreds of dog-friendly patrons and vendors.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The cast and crew of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" rehearse on Oct. 8. The show opens on Oct. 19.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 11, 2023
Lakewood Ranch couple takes on 'The Rocky Horror Show'

The show opens at the Manatee Performing Arts Center on Oct. 19 and runs through Nov. 5.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Joe Martinez conducts the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble on March 24, 2023.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 11, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble set to open fifth season

The band makes its season debut Oct. 15 at Peace Presbyterian Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Clayton Reagan, an eighth grader at Carlos E. Haile Middle School, looks at the way a pig walks, its bone structure and whether the pig has a drop in its belly before selecting a pig to show at the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 10, 2023
What makes a perfect show pig for the Manatee County Fair?

East Bradenton students and FFA advisors talk about the qualities they seek in a show pig.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Grayson Tullio and Monika Oberer have built a friendship on trust, honesty and a passion for helping others.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 10, 2023
Unconditional friendship raises money for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research

Monika Oberer and Grayson Tullio's 10-year friendship has meant not only supporting each other but also raising funds to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Although Lakewood Ranch 8-year-old Kenny Van Slyck, 3-year-old Carmela Van Slyck, 5-year-old Angelina Van Slyck and 6-year-old Vincent Van Slyck love seeing the first responder vehicles, they also love the free snacks.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 8, 2023
Safety Town teaches children about first responders in Lakewood Ranch

Children explored first responder vehicles as they learned about what local emergency services do for the community..

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Del Webb's Valerie Heyer was diagnosed in 2011 with stage four sarcoma. She says it means a lot to her that the Del Webb Breast Cancer and Beyond Walk is supporting people who are impacted by all types of cancer.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 7, 2023
Del Webb hosts Breast Cancer and Beyond Walk in east Bradenton

The Del Webb Breast Cancer and Beyond Walk supports those impacted by all types of cancer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Cornerstone and Company serves craft cocktails including a spicy mango margarita.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 6, 2023
Ranch Nite Wednesdays returns to Waterside Place

Ranch Nite offers shopping, dining, live entertainment and cornhole in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
John Skeen, a 105-year-old World War II veteran, is honored during "The Littlest Flag" reenactment Thursday in front of Lowe's in Creekwood Crossing. The event told the story of Skeen's 70th Infantry Division liberating Forbach, France.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 5, 2023
A little flag flies high in Bradenton with World War II reenactment

The event told the story of East County resident John Skeen's 70th Infantry Division liberating Forbach, France.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Lodge is located at 4602 Lena Road.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 5, 2023
Everybody knows your name at the Lakewood Ranch-Sarasota Elks Club

While the Elks is a social club, it's also a charitable organization.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Wallace takes a nap with one of his beloved stuffed animals.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 4, 2023
Myakka City warthog gains fans on TikTok

Wallace the Warthog has nearly 100,000 followers and even receives gifts from fans.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Fernhill Copain and Jonathan Holling put their best foot forward as they compete in show jumping at Terra Nova's 2022 event.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 3, 2023
TerraNova recruits volunteers for big event in Myakka

The Event at TerraNova from Nov. 16-19 needs a workforce of 100 volunteers.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Su Harley, the exalted ruler for Sarasota South Elks, wonders if the stuffed orca she chose is too big.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 2, 2023
Recycled Reading Buddies brings reading to life through stuffed animals

The east Bradenton organization pairs books with stuffed animals that look like characters in the books donated to children.

  • 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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