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East County | Neighbors

Ronald and Marcia Owens say they do most things together, but they especially have fun delivering meals together.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 23, 2023
Meals on Wheels Plus Manatee volunteers add extra care into delivery

Lakewood Ranch residents Ronald and Marcia Owens have been delivering meals for the nonprofit for over 13 years.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
John Mcclain tours PGT Innovations, a custom windows and doors manufacturer. Students are learning about the manufacturing process, safety protocols and available jobs through The Haven's vocational summer camp.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 22, 2023
The Haven's camp works at getting jobs for those in need

A four-week camp in Sarasota introduced students to job opportunities with local manufacturers.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kaytlyn Fleming, who is 7, makes the most of her time in the YMCA pool. Fleming says swimming is her favorite activity at camp.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 20, 2023
Swimming, reading just two activities offered at the YMCA summer camp

The Lakewood Ranch YMCA provides plenty of activities to keep children entertained during the summer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
White-tailed deer often travel in groups. If you see a deer crossing a road or on a road's shoulder, please slow down as more deer are bound to follow.
    By
  • Miri Hardy
  • July 19, 2023
Even in protected habitats, roads put wildlife at risk

Help protect wildlife by slowing down and being attentive, especially when passing yellow animal-crossing signs, which indicate you're driving through wildlife habitats.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
London's Jadie Metcalf grew up at Jiggs Landing on the Manatee River. He says his trip to Jiggs Landing the second week of July will probably be the last of his life.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 18, 2023
One final trip to Jiggs Landing in Manatee County

The 88-year-old nephew of founder Al "Jiggs" Metcalf visits the Braden River fishing camp one last time.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nancy Schneider, the publicity chair for Gardeners Out East, meets former HGTV host John Gidding in person. Schneider used to watch Gidding on Curb Appeal for the show's dramatic before and afters.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 17, 2023
Former HGTV star John Gidding offers gardening advice in Lakewood Ranch

About 125 people showed up to meet the former host of "Curb Appeal" at the Robert Toale and Sons Celebration of Life Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Bradentucky Bombers play Saturday nights at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 17, 2023
Lakewood Ranch resident transforms into a roller derby robot

Bradentucky Bomber Jane Martin says she and her teammates try not to show the pain of the sport, like a robot.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jackie Tamminga listens to tips before her first lesson from Ashlie Osburg at the Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 16, 2023
New Sirius Day Spa director saddles up for polo lesson

A lesson at the Sarasota Polo Club welcomes Jackie Tamminga to the community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Representatives from PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program and Building Homes for Heroes welcomes the Gaytan family to their new home in Sapphire Point of Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 16, 2023
Army veteran is welcomed to new home in Lakewood Ranch

Veteran Lucio Gaytan and his family are ready to move into their new home provided by Pulte, Building Homes for Heroes, and SMR.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brooke Oliver, a rising fifth grader, mixes all the ingredients for the potsticker filling. "It looks interesting, but it smells delicious," she says.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 13, 2023
Out-of-Door Academy's Crazy Cooks Camp a recipe for fun

Campers enjoyed making food from scratch and then sharing recipes with their families.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
John Gidding, the host of HGTV's former show, "Curb Appeal," will be speaking in Lakewood Ranch on July 15.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 10, 2023
Author wants homeowners to curb appeal for non-native plants

John Gidding, the host of HGTV series "Curb Appeal," will speak in Lakewood Ranch about his new book, "At Home With Nature."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Greyhawk Landing's Jake Zeitler watches his 7-year-old Calum Zeitler try to get a bag into the hole while playing cornhole. When Calum Zeitler does, he throws his hands up and yells in celebration.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 8, 2023
Heat doesn't keep people away from Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch

Stifling heat doesn't stop huge crowd from enjoying the monthly concert and block party series.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
East County's Margaux Buchanan is thrilled 4-month-old Safari has spots like her parents. Buchanan hopes to train Safari to become a polo horse.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 8, 2023
Sarasota Polo Club becomes home to leopard Appaloosas

East County's Margaux Buchanan hopes her new foal will follow in her mother's footsteps as a polo horse.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rotary is still and has been a part of Sybil and Bill Porter's lives for 43 years.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 5, 2023
Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch combines good work and friendship

The club currently has 100 members and is looking to expand.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nathan Benderson hosts its annual fireworks display the night before the Fourth of July.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 4, 2023
Fireworks at Nathan Benderson Park cap another holiday event

Fireworks on the Lake on July 3 once again draws thousands to the park and the surrounding area.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Keith Pandeloglou took over as the president of the board of the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation in June.
  • July 10, 2026
New leader set to guide the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation
2
Work has either started or will begin soon on four roundabouts on University Parkway, east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. University Parkway also is being widened from Lorraine Road to Bourneside Boulevard.
  • July 8, 2026
Necessary construction will snarl University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch
3
FoodTrukt, a new app, aims to bring together food truck owners and customers through making locations, schedules and menus more accessible.
  • July 8, 2026
Find nearby food trucks with new app
4
Deborah Callahan-Stratton, Joy Stone, Barbara Najmy and Jennifer Alokeh are collecting sneakers for the fifth annual Sneakin Back to School Sneaker Drive to benefit The Twig.
  • July 8, 2026
The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle transitions to a nonprofit
5
Avery Banfill (left) and Phoenix Scanlan (right) grew up on the same junior golf circuit. Their respective journeys converged at Parrish Community High and will converge once again at Memphis next fall.
  • July 8, 2026
Stars align for local golfers who are headed for the University of Memphis

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