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East County | Neighbors

As executive director of Meals on Wheels of Sarasota, Rhonda Leiberick has found work that is deeply meaningful.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 16, 2023
Get-it-done attitude put to work for Meals on Wheels of Sarasota

Rhonda Leiberick, a Lakewood Ranch resident and the executive director of Meals on Wheels of Sarasota, finds her calling creating meaningful connections.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gabriel McDerment has been working on his musical, "Acceptance Pending," since his freshman year at New York University where he is now a junior.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 15, 2023
Braden River High alum to produce musical for Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Gabriel McDerment will debut his musical, "Acceptance Pending," in the international performing arts festival.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Country Creek's Mila Goetting always keeps her eyes on the next obstacle. In this case, she's thrusting herself from one hopscotch to the next.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 14, 2023
Ninja courses no obstacle for Bradenton 12-year-old

Country Creek's Mila Goetting grew to love such competitions by watching "American Ninja Warrior."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Almost all Florida manatees have propeller scars from past collisions with boats. Complying with “Idle Speed No Wake” speed limits for boats helps protect manatees from harm.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • August 14, 2023
Florida manatees find food and shelter at Myakka

Efforts to protect these imperiled mammals at the state park include removing dams that can leave them stranded and increasing awareness about boat speed limits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mateo has had enough of pictures and is ready for his walk. He's accompanied by Shelter Director Dani Ziegler and Board and Executive Committee Member Cheryl Johnson.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 9, 2023
Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch volunteers go above and beyond

The Myakka City nonprofit uses care and love to prepare pets for adoption.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch High School junior Byron Simon, who launched Southernly Simon Apparel, hopes people like Parrish Community High's Makayla Chenard relate to his clothing brand.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 8, 2023
Lakewood Ranch high schooler launches clothing brand

Southernly Simon Apparel encourages mental health awareness and addresses other topics.

  • East County
  • Business
Lakewood Ranch's Sue Carlton had just had dinner at Good Liquid Brewing at Waterside Place Aug. 5 when she heard the music and decided to have some fun with singer Sheri Nadelman.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 6, 2023
Stay tuned for musical growth at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch

Singer Sheri Nadelman says the crowds at the entertainment hub will continue to grow.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Scarlett Hafner, a fifth grader at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, her mother, Cassie, brother Preston, a seventh grader, and father, Mark Hafner, at the 80th parallel just north of Svalbard, Norway.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 6, 2023
Lakewood Ranch-area teachers, students take the summer to travel the world

From Tennessee to Peru to Japan, teachers and students on break traveled to five of the seven continents.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bradenton's Nicole Figueroa, who is 11, and Abdiel Figueroa, who is 8, show off the school supplies they received during the Back to School Bash.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 5, 2023
Mall at UTC's Back to School Bash prepares students for a new year

Character greetings, free school supplies, face painting and more get students excited about school starting.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Adrian Olivo brings his canoe to shore after competing in the Men's Masters B 200 meters of the ACA Sprint Canoe National Championships at Nathan Benderson Park. He finished third in 57.911.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 4, 2023
Nathan Benderson Park hosts national paddling event

ACA Sprint Canoe National Championships ended its four-day run in Sarasota on Friday.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
John Skeen, once a World War II U.S. Army infantry soldier, visits with Anne Lancelle, an Honorary Consul representing France, during a veterans meeting July 27 at Bob Evans restaurant in East County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 2, 2023
Painful but historic memories recounted by WWII infantry soldier

At 104, former infantry soldier John Skeen of Bradenton says our nation can't forget those who fought in World War II.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rachel Scharbo, the teen librarian at Braden River Library, goes over opening a checking account and savings account during an Adulting 101 session.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 31, 2023
Braden River Library offers classes on 'adulting'

Adulting 101 teaches teens about finances, budgeting, nutrition, time management and more to help prepare them for their futures.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Jacqueline Darby shares memories of going to Mixon Fruit Farms with Janet Mixon. Darby has been going to Mixon Fruit Farms for 40 years.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 29, 2023
Mixon Fruit Farms closes its doors in Bradenton

Patrons said goodbye to Mixon Fruit Farms after 84 years of memories.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A Coast Guard helicopter flies over Nathan Benderson Park on July 26 for the Spirit of America camp week.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 27, 2023
Coast Guard teaches boating safety at Nathan Benderson Park

Campers, ages 10 to 14, enjoyed fun, adventure and safety during Spirit of America week at the park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
To the campers, it's all fun and games at Dream Oaks Camp, but goals are set by parents and staff members ahead of their arrival.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 27, 2023
Dream Oaks camp is a dream come true for campers and parents

Foundation for Dreams and its camp offer horseback riding, canoeing and swimming for kids and a respite for their parents.

  • 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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