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LWR Life

Nate’s Development and Fundraising Director Rob Oglesby with Rory.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 15, 2023
Nate’s Animal Honor Rescue puts final touches on expansion

The $12 million project will transform a pet rescue center into a world-class haven for dogs and cats.

  • East County
  • Business
Brian and Valerie McCarthy foresaw pickleball’s boom about five years ago.
  • By Eric Snider
  • February 15, 2023
New pickleball center gains a following

The new state-of-the-art Pickleball Club is the first indoor, pickleball-only club in the Sarasota-Bradenton area.

  • East County
  • Sports
Nancy Krohngold developed a cult following with her famous popups before she opened Nancy’s Bar-B-Q in Lakewood Ranch. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Abby Weingarten
  • November 18, 2022
Nancy Krohngold dishes out secret behind her mouth-watering BBQ

The signature barbecue at Nancy’s continues to win the hearts of regulars and the raves of reviewers. Her famed barbecue recipe was first born on her backyard Weber grill.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    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
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
Craft Growlers To Go & Tasting Room (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • August 31, 2022
Craft beer is picking up in Lakewood Ranch

Craft beer aficionados don't have to travel far to quench their thirst. Lakewood Ranch has become a go-to destination for craft beer enthusiasts and entrepreneurs.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
As president and CEO of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch since 2005, Rex Jensen heads up one of the most recognizable and sought-after land management, agricultural and development companies in the nation. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 28, 2022
Lakewood Ranch pioneer shares insights on building a community

After 20 years at the helm, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch CEO Rex Jensen sounds off on what makes a community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A sampling of books written by Scribes’ members (Photo by Harry Sayer)
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 27, 2022
Scribes club prides itself on giving writers good feedback — the kind way

A Lakewood Ranch writers’ club meets twice monthly to critique each other’s work and build lifetime bonds.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Hannah Lipsey of Punta Gorda throws knives and axes at the 2021 Sarasota Medieval Fair.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 21, 2022
The best things to do in and around Lakewood Ranch this fall

September, October and November are busy months in Lakewood Ranch. Check out a calendar of the can't-miss events.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
    By
  • Guest Author
  • August 18, 2022
Add some flair to your footwear with these fabulous styles

Upgrade your kicks with these fashionable shoe options for men and women from Lakewood Ranch businesses.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Joe Miller says he’s always felt he had an obligation to pass the music on. (Photo by Lori Sax)
    By
  • Spencer Fordin
  • August 18, 2022
Joe Miller didn’t just create the band. He leads it, too.

Joe Miller, the founder of the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble, inherited his father’s love for music — and for passing it on.

  • Arts + Culture
« 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 »
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Lakewood Ranch girls soccer defeated East Lake in sudden-death penalty kicks Feb. 17 to win the FHSAA Class 6A-Region 3 title.
  • February 18, 2026
Lakewood Ranch girls soccer advances to state semifinals
4
The Lakewood Ranch High School hockey team huddles together at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex in December. The team could call Lakewood Ranch home if an ice rink is built at Premier Sports Campus North.
  • February 18, 2026
First step taken for ice rink to glide into Lakewood Ranch's Premier Sports Campus
5
Ability to Include's Grace Murby and Chris Collins are thrilled with a $10,000 grant that was presented to them by Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Executive Director Kate Mulligan to help build a universal soccer pitch.
  • February 18, 2026
Nonprofit makes its pitch for a new soccer field in Lakewood Ranch

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