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Your Observer | All

Sandy Caliendo and Shannon Parsons
    By
  • Harriet Sokmensuer
  • April 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Dreams Are Free Food Truck Rally

Dreams Are Free held its inaugural Food Truck Rally Wednesday, April 16. Families from both Dreams Are Free and St. Martha's Catholic School celebrated the beginning of spring break with hot food from food trucks. The luncheon was a fundraiser for the school for students with special needs. 'All of our families were able to join together,' says Dreams Are Free Principal Rebecca Shields. 'This was really a community builder as well as a fundraiser.'

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch High softball team is introduced prior to its Class 7A-District 10 semifinal versus Sarasota April 15.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Class 7A-District 10 Semifinal Softball- Lakewood Ranch vs. Sarasota

The No. 2 seed Lakewood Ranch High softball team defeated No. 3 seed Sarasota 9-1 in the Class 7A-District 10 semifinals April 15. Freshman Logan Newton allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out four in five innings of work to earn the win on the mound. Junior Amanda Rak pitched the final two innings in relief, striking out five, to earn the save. Jackie Schoff went 1-for-1 with a double, three walks, a stolen base, a RBI and three runs scored to lead the way for Lakewood at the plate. Maddie Biggs went 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored. Kaylee Misiti went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. SaraBeth Wengerd went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored to lead the way for Sarasota at the plate. Clarissa Lynch pitched 1/3 of an inning before turning the ball over to Brittany Bendel. Lakewood Ranch will travel to rival Braden River for the district championship April 17.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota School District Superintendent Lori White, left, and School Board Chair Jane Goodwin.
    By
  • Nolan Peterson
  • April 16, 2014
School Board pushes to leave Todd's seat vacant

The selection of former board member Carol Todd's replacement should wait until the Aug. 26 primary election, the Sarasota School Board said Tuesday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Madeline Brogan and Terry Stottlemyer started Mothers Helping Mothers 24 years ago because of the need they saw to help struggling mothers.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • April 16, 2014
The Good News: Terry Stottlemyer and Madeline Brogan

The all-volunteer, nonprofit organization provides assistance for struggling mothers through community donations.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Valentin Zhelyaskov, Vesta Zhelyaskova, Mariana Sendova and teacher Retsy Laver
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • April 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Embracing Our Differences reception

The quote winners wore blue sashes and the art winners wore red ones. Artists, families and teachers, plus board members and supporters of Embracing Our Differences celebrated the free outdoor exhibit at a reception Tuesday, April 15.

  • Arts + Culture
Kiddie Academy owner Marina Wolf-Schmidt and Academy Director Tina Pouso enjoy breakfast.
    By
  • Amanda Sebastiano
  • April 16, 2014
PHOTO GALLERY: Breakfast of Champions

The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance hosted a morning of bacon, eggs, orange juice and an optimistic message April 16. Attendees of Breakfast of Champions, an event sponsored by The Observer Group, enjoyed a presentation by guest speaker Justin Su'a, IMG Academy's mental conditioning coach. Su'a focused on themes of having a positive attitude and "flexing optimistic muscles," while leading group activities and playing audio clips of his favorite inspirational speakers, at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police have charged Freddie Johnson, 65, with the armed robbery of a CVS on Fruitville Road.
    By
  • Alex Mahadevan
  • April 16, 2014
CVS customer thwarts armed robbery

Sarasota Police arrested a 65-year-old man for allegedly attempting to rob the CVS pharmacy at 2773 Fruitville Road Sunday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Duval's New World Café is located on Main Street in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2014
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Duval's New World Cafe

This week we went in the kitchen at Duval's New World Cafe with executive chef Nils Tarantik while he prepares their signature Spice Rubbed Grilled Goldentile, with sauteed shoestring vegetables, sweet soy glaze and crispy cellophane noodles

  • Arts + Culture
Connor Jones and Kristen Mendez
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2014
Lakewood crowns students

Lakewood Ranch High School juniors Connor Jones and Kristen Mendez became school royalty March 31, after being named Mr. Mustang and Miss Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2014
MTI takes top awards

The Manatee Technical Institute Postsecondary Chapter of HOSA, formerly known as Health Occupations Students of America, dominated the Postsecondary-Collegiate Division at the HOSA State Leadership Conference April 3 through April 6, in Lake Buena Vista.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2014
Schooled on Jazz

Students at Haile Middle School kept the audience's toes tapping April 8, during the school's Night of Jazz event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Courtesy photo
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2014
Golfers trade clubs for duds for charity

The Palm-Aire Country Club recently held its annual fashion show, in conjunction with the 21st annual Men's Classic Golf Tournament. The $2,000 raised at the event benefited Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center and Baby Basics.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2014
Fund seeks nominations

The Lakewood Ranch Community Fund is accepting nominations for the 10th annual C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian of the Year Award.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2014
Club welcomes author, daughter

The Spyglass Women's Book Club of Country Club in Lakewood Ranch welcomed author Virginia Glass to its March meeting.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 16, 2014
Freedom rings in USO-style show

Students from Freedom Elementary School lent their vocal talents to a special USO-style variety show April 12, at McKechnie Field.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Julia Hill, an 11-year-old utility, was one of 12 players for Manatee Softball 12U All-Stars. The newly-minted Manatee Softball Little League will continue giving players like Hill an opportunity to compete beyond state lines.
  • July 1, 2026
Manatee Softball 12U All-Stars make first Little League tournament run
2
Drs. Joel and Gail Morganroth could be often seen dotting on their dogs, Brandy and Bentley. The couple is seen here at the Siesta Key home in early 2025.
  • July 1, 2026
Prominent Sarasota philanthropist, mentor, dies at 80
3
Greg Sander, the new principal at Freedom Elementary School, is ready to build on the existing culture and traditions of the school.
  • July 1, 2026
Experienced Manatee County educator to lead Freedom Elementary School
4
Barbara Joseph, Marylee Danahy, Kristin Sciuto, Andrea Burr and Barbara Thornton embrace the motto of fun, friendship and community service through the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club.
  • July 1, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Women's Club provides friendship and community service
5
Director of Public Safety Jodie Fiske (in the front wearing black) stands with fire district staff from across Manatee County.
  • July 1, 2026
Manatee County task force initiated to strengthen disaster response

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