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East County | Neighbors

Riders enjoy a flight on the Yo Yo ride at the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 31, 2022
The can't-miss events in East Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch in 2023

Save the date for the more than a dozen signature events lined up for East County in 2023.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Harmony's Peggy Kronus hides a pickle ornament on Christmas Eve, and the first one to find it one Christmas Day gets a prize.
    By
  • Ian Swaby, Liz Ramos, Ryan Kohn
  • December 23, 2022
Family traditions brighten holiday season in East County

From special ornaments to starting Christmas with musical cheer or the bang of poppers, families in the Lakewood Ranch each have a special tradition to make the holidays their own.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rudolph and Clarice join misfit toys in Riverwalk's Tim Cunningham's Christmas lights display. Cunningham has been buying the misfit toys as he has found them since he and his family moved to Florida in 2007.
    By
  • Ian Swaby, Liz Ramos, Ryan Kohn
  • December 23, 2022
East Bradenton homes shine bright during holiday season

Families are ready to deck the halls — and the yard, garage and roof — with holiday light displays.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Cassidy David paints the face of Sarasota's 7-year-old Emily Gordon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 20, 2022
Hanukkah at the Green creates special event at UTC in Sarasota

Benderson Development co-sponsored the annual event along with Temple Emanu-El.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 20, 2022
East Bradenton students share their Christmas wishes in letters to Santa

From pets to hoverboards, scooters and more, Braden River, Tara and McNeal elementary first graders and kindergartners share what they want Santa to deliver.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lourdes Capote-Dishaw, a Braden River High School junior, will continue to work with Bobbert during winter break to prepare for the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 15, 2022
Barn doors stay open during FFA students' winter break

Future Farmers of America students return to campus during winter break to care for their animals and prepare for the Manatee County Fair.

  • East County
  • Schools
Although he grew up in a Chicago suburb, Peter Vole learned to love agriculture after moving to Manatee County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 15, 2022
Peter Vole named Agriculturalist of the Year in Manatee County

His work with kids in 4-H, FFA and at the Manatee County Fair earned him the award.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Myakka City's Larry Morris, who is 12, meets Santa and Mrs. Clause.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 14, 2022
Flight to the North Pole brings joy to Myakka boy

Myakka City's Larry Morris has been participating in the Flight to the North Pole since his kidney transplant in 2019.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Panther Ridge 9-year-old Ava Grady enjoys checking out the bears at A Country Bear Christmas at Bearadise Ranch in Myakka City.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 12, 2022
Country Bear Christmas sweet at honey in Myakka City

Bearadise Ranch back in business in Myakka with A Country Bear Christmas after clearing damage done by Hurricane Ian.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A peninsular cooter, soaking up the sun on a cabbage palm repositioned by the storm.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • December 12, 2022
Nature recovers faster than infrastructure at Myakka River State Park

The ecologically significant recreation venue remains closed while hurricane repairs continue.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tara's Dee and Jack Boenau went all out to participate in the Holiday Boat Parade at Jiggs Landing.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 11, 2022
Jiggs Landing parade brightens community in Bradenton

The annual holiday parade featured 23 boats lighting up a route down the Braden River.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
East County's Siena Williams, 5, attempts to win a prize while volunteer Shirley Bryant watches. Williams scored in the carnival game and brought home a prize.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 11, 2022
Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions horse around for holidays

The Myakka City ranch hosts a special Christmas event featuring the stallions.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Denise Kleiner owns the concessions at Jiggs Landing.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 7, 2022
Not just for the birds: History buffs welcome at Jiggs Landing

Denise Kleiner stuffs her boat tours with years of knowledge she picked up living on the Braden River.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
River Club's Vera and Jim Slocum have been each other's yin and yang for 65 years.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 7, 2022
Chance meeting led to 65 years of marriage for River Club couple

Lakewood Ranch's Jim and Vera Slocum have laughed a lot while being each other's "yin and yang."

  • East County
  • Opinion
Sarasota's Kathy Collums, Lakewood Ranch's Amy Gorman and Sarasota's Brenda Kleiber work to develop lifelong relationships for Sisterhood for Good.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 6, 2022
Sisterhood for Good benefits from the power of partnerships

Concession residents hosted a cocktail party to support Lakewood Ranch's Sisterhood for Good.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
CEO Mike Bisaha says the new equipment will at least triple Big Top Brewing Co.'s beer production.
  • December 3, 2025
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons
2
Mill Creek's Ilana Simone, who performs as Ilana Armida, has returned to her roots after living in Los Angeles to pursue her musical career.
  • December 3, 2025
Mill Creek musical artist continues to search for her audience
3
Lakewood Ranch High School graduate Jason Huh has founded a few different companies, including Sodi Pop. Sodi Pop is now available in a healthy vending machine at the school for staff and students to enjoy.
  • December 3, 2025
Sodi Pop, billed as a healthier product, comes to Lakewood Ranch High
4
Marine Corps veteran Dale Cole lives in Greenfield Plantation and is a regular user of Manatee Moves.
  • December 3, 2025
Ride service for Manatee County veterans is on the move
5
Commissioners George Kruse and Bob McCann are on opposite sides of the AAA High School vote. Kruse voted in favor of approving the site plan, and McCann voted to deny the site plan.
  • December 3, 2025
Manatee commissioners have final say about new school but no real power

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