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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
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
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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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