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East County | Neighbors

    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 18, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance delivers its annual Sandies Award

Benderson Development's Julie Fanning earns the Volunteer of the Year award.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 17, 2022
East County weather page photo: November 17

Valerie Voutsas captured this photo of a pond at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • November 17, 2022
Animals of all kinds take refuge in this Myakka City sanctuary

Dozens of unwanted and abandoned animals have found a safe haven at Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary in Myakka City.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota daredevil Bello Nock went to great lengths to bring home the Ringling train car his circus performer parents lived in more than 50 years ago.
    By
  • Heidi Kurpiela
  • November 17, 2022
Bello Nock hasn’t gotten to the top by accident

Still at the top of his game, hometown daredevil Bello Nock is leveraging his high hair and high jinx for a higher purpose.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lily Wojtkowski self-published her first book of comics, “Pretzel Rat,” at the end of 2021. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • November 17, 2022
Pet rat inspires tween's first published book of comics

Twelve-year-old Lily Wojtkowski’s whimsical book, "Pretzel Rat," was inspired by her pet rat, Pretzel.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Neirda Thompson-Pemberton wants to make education fun.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • November 17, 2022
Nonprofit engages kids by believing learning is anything but boring

Neirda Thompson-Pemberton started FUNducation to make S.T.E.A.M. education more accessible to school-age children.

  • East County
  • Business
Ray Baker looks over the 289 cubic inch engine in his 1964 1/2 Mustang. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 16, 2022
Mustangs on parade in Lakewood Ranch car show

The 30th annual Ponies Under the Palms fundraiser is set for Nov. 20 in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chris McComas, Cecilia Torres and Kelly Harmon have fun with cornhole. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Abby Weingarten
  • November 16, 2022
New app connects Ranchers to their favorite sports and each other

Chris and Jessi McComas of MVP Sports and Social are launching a new app connecting Lakewood Ranchers to all things sports and social.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Lakewood Ranch Community Fund’s mission, under Adrienne Bookhamer, remains the same: to support the 100-plus nonprofits that improve the lives of Lakewood Ranch residents. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 15, 2022
Lakewood Ranch Community Fund hires its first director

Adrienne Bookhamer, the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund’s first executive director, is excited about shining a light on the dozens of organizations helping regional residents.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Main Street Market founders are looking for locally owned businesses that either handcraft or locally source the goods they sell. (Photo by Nancy Guth)
    By
  • Abby Weingarten
  • November 14, 2022
Locals-first market blossoms on Lakewood Main Street

Niki Dalsing and Lindsay Wood, the founders of Main Street Market, launched these boutique-style shopping experiences in 2020 with 24 vendors. The vendor list has now grown to more than 75.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 13, 2022
Suncoast Food and Wine Fest once again the toast of Lakewood Ranch

The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch offers another successful food and wine festival.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Marilyn Blazakis, the president of the St. Barbara Philoptochos Society, shows off the various pastries and foods available at Autumn Fest. (Photos by Liz Ramos)
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 12, 2022
St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church to host Autumn Fest in Sarasota

The annual festival offers a taste of Greece while benefiting charities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Congressman Vern Buchanan presents the Congressional Veteran Commendation award to Richard Petrucci. (Photo by Ian Swaby)
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 11, 2022
Former Navy pilot reaches great heights

Lakewood Ranch resident Richard Petrucci continues to serve the military community long after his retirement and was honored with the Congressional Veteran Commendation award.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The watercolor paintings of Stacey Lipton will be featured at the Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch's 20th annual Fall Show and Sale on Nov. 19 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. (Photo by Jay Heater)
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 10, 2022
Lakewood Ranch artist hopes to draw crowds to Fall Show and Sale

Painter Stacey Lipton will be featured during the Creative Arts Association of Lakewood Ranch event Nov. 19.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 10, 2022
East County weather page photo: November 10

Tim Lyons took a photo of James Patton Park in Lakewood Ranch at sunrise.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Three comedians including Bradenton's Tim Boyd will perform at the “Hearts of Hope: A Valentine’s Comedy Night” fundraiser to benefit Harbor 58, Foster the Family, and Bring on the Ministry on Feb. 13.
  • February 6, 2026
Nonprofits to host Valentine's comedy fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch
2
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • February 4, 2026
Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall
3
Braden River boys basketball has clinched its first 20-win season since 2011-12, and won eight games in a row to close out the regular season.
  • February 4, 2026
Braden River High boys basketball team turns the tides with teamwork
4
Sisterhood for Good members Nikki Pelier-Simon, Samina Morrow and Allison Adams show off some fashions that will be in the spotlight at Tropical Escape July 27 at the Sarasota Polo Club.
  • February 4, 2026
Lakewood Ranch fundraiser is a hula for moolah
5
Thundercloud Ranch is one of two conservation easements Manatee County purchased Jan. 27.
  • February 4, 2026
Manatee County purchases two easements, conserves nearly 1,500 acres

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