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East County | Trending

Dressed as a policeman, 4-year-old Ethan Armor proved to be one of the fastest runners.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Creaky Bones 5K

East County residents on Oct. 22 headed to Nathan Benderson Park for the Creaky Bones 5K & Sarasota Dragon Boat Festival.

  • East County
  • News
Freedom Cafeteria Manager Therese Rickrode stands with Shelby King, owner of King Family Farm. Photo submitted by Therese Rickrode.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 24, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: School Lunch Week

Students at Freedom Elementary School learned about farming and food during National School Lunch Week Oct. 10-14.

  • East County
  • News
Kindergartner Connor Loukota took a much-needed break from all of the fun and games.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 23, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival

Hundreds of East County residents flocked to Hunsader Farms for the 20th annual Pumpkin Festival Oct. 23. Guests enjoyed picking out pumpkins in the pumpkin patch, hayrides, a corn maze, a petting zoo, children's rides and games, a craft fair, music and a plethora of fair food and drinks, among other activities. The Pumpkin Festival will resume this Saturday and Sunday and will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Braden River High football team is still alive in the Class 7A-District 10 race.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 22, 2011
Pirates stay alive in playoff race

The Braden River High football team kept its playoff hopes alive with a 26-11 victory over visiting Sarasota Oct. 21.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch junior Danielle Valley won four events, including the 200-yard individual medley.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 22, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Manatee County Swimming and Diving Championships

The Lakewood Ranch High swim team once again showed its dominance, breaking seven meet records and sweeping all of the relay events en route to capturing the boys and girls championships at the Manatee County swimming and diving championships Oct. 19 at the G.T. Bray Aquatic Center. The Lady Mustangs scored 615 points to finish ahead of St. Stephen's (353.5) and Braden River (205) while the Mustangs scored 575 points to finish ahead of Southeast (298) and Braden River (261). Lakewood set new meet records in the boys 200-yard medley relay and 400 freestyle relay. Will Kazokas also set records in the 100 butterfly (53.63) and 500 freestyle (4:47.24). Other Lakewood meet record-setters include: Danielle Valley in the 500 freestyle (5:03.06); Luke Hanner in the 200 individual medley (2:09.39); and Kevin Berkenbusch in the 200 freestyle (1:55.80).

  • East County
  • Sports
Everyone in attendance was able to select a handcrafted ceramic bowl to take home.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 22, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY:Empty Bowls

Dozens of East County residents enjoyed hearty bowls of soup during the annual Empty Bowls event Oct. 21 on Lakewood Ranch Main Street. Participants were able to sample a variety of soups from local restaurants and take home handcrafted ceramic bowls, which were mad by local potters. Proceeds from the event benefit The Food Bank of Manatee.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lillian Fuller, June Sgarzi and Maureen Grarafalo walked for a friend who died in 2004.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 22, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Sporting pink shirts and bras, Sarasota and Manatee county residents walked for a cause Oct. 21 during the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event at the Sarasota Polo Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mikaela Campbell, Skylar Homan and Caroline Cestaro are all in fifth grade.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 22, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: McNeal Costume Ball

Donning their Halloween costumes, children at McNeal Elementary School gathered Oct. 21 with their families in the school's cafeteria for a Costume Ball. Attendees enjoyed pizza and ice cream, dancing and a costume contest, among other activities.

  • East County
  • News
Under the new process, the School Board will act as the primary information-gathering body and will hold workshops to discuss budget-related issues and gather information from staff, departments and the community.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 22, 2011
Superintendent announces new budget process

A new budget development process is being implemented for the Manatee County School District's 2012-2013 school year.

  • East County
  • News
Alise Mirikitani, 8, proved she had a good reach.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 21, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: YMCA Fall Festival

East County residents gathered Oct. 21 at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA for the Y's annual Fall Festival event. Children and their families enjoyed carnival-style games, music and other festivities.

  • East County
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch High football team improved to 3-0 in Class 6A-District 7 with a 35-21 victory over Dixie Hollins Oct. 21.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 21, 2011
Mustangs remain perfect in district

The Lakewood Ranch High football team scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to secure a 35-21 victory over visiting Dixie Hollins in a Class 6A-District 7 Oct. 21.

  • East County
  • Sports
The suspects stole $40 cash and a $150 metro PCS phone. They returned to their vehicle and fled the area.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 21, 2011
Man robbed at gas station

A Sarasota man was robbed at gunpoint at a gas station in the 2800 block of University Parkway Oct. 20.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 21, 2011
COMMUNITY SPORTS TIPS: Grip

This week, Tara Golf & Country Club PGA Golf Professional Melissa Williams shares tips on improving your grip.

  • East County
  • Sports
Women’s Club of Lakewood Ranch members Linda McGrath and Gunnel Nilsson both live in Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 20, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY:Lakewood Ranch Women's Club Bazaar, Boutique and Luncheon

Members of the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club enjoyed an afternoon of socializing and shopping during the club's fifth annual Bazaar, Boutique and Luncheon Oct. 19 at Fete Ballroom at the Polo Grill and Bar. Guests enjoyed perusing the various boutiques and vendors who were displaying a variety of items, including quilts, light boys, children's toys, scrapbooking accessories, handmade doll clothes, plants, jewelry and more, before sitting down to lunch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
These doves found a comfy perch on Lakewood Ranch Main Street today.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 20, 2011
PHOTO OF A DAY: Birds of a feather

These doves found a comfy perch on Lakewood Ranch Main Street today.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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