• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

LWR Life

    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 18, 2021
Style: Handmade Treasures

Lakewood Ranch artists and artisans bring a human touch to the handcrafted, one-of-a-kind treasures they create.

  • LWR Life
Yvonne Martin, Rob Commissar, Donna Downes and Nancy Sykes (Photo by Lori Sax )
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • November 18, 2021
Class Act: Game Changers

Armed with spreadsheets, data and plenty of empathy, Nancy Sykes and her fiercely dedicated team at Esplanade Gives Back offer critical help to the surrounding community.

  • LWR Life
Brad Jones, president and CEO; Carol Jones, director of residential services; and Alison Thomas, CEO, stand outside The Haven's Mary Jane House. (Photo by Heidi Kurpiela)
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • November 18, 2021
Charity Snapshot: Homes With Heart

The Haven has long provided residential services, full-time care, jobs and more for people with severe disabilities. By the time 2022 dawns, the organization plans to break ground on two new group homes.

  • LWR Life
Former SMR President and CEO John Clarke says he takes pride in being part of the vision of Lakewood Ranch becoming a reality.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 17, 2021
Former SMR CEO takes pride in being part of the vision of Lakewood Ranch

John Clarke, the former president and CEO of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch Inc., looks back at the early days of Lakewood Ranch — and the family that made it all possible.

  • LWR Life
    By
  • Su Byron
  • November 17, 2021
The best Lakewood Ranch spots to pop the bubbly

Champagne and sparkling wines are not just for special occasions. What makes classy bubbly a sip for all seasons? Three Lakewood Ranch experts weigh in.

  • LWR Life
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • September 22, 2021
Style: Back to Events, With Style

Not sure what to wear this coming event season? Local boutiques and jewelers have some ideas.

  • LWR Life
The home’s open-concept living area includes formal seating, formal dining and a state-of-the-art kitchen.
    By
  • Robert Plunket
  • August 19, 2021
Haven: Brains and Beauty

A just-completed Lake Club home is as elegant as it is smart.

  • LWR Life
    By
  • Su Byron
  • August 19, 2021
Art and About: The Arts Scene is Back!

It’s fall, but it feels like spring. The once-dormant area art scene is finally making a comeback. Here’s a glimpse of what’s happening.

  • LWR Life
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 19, 2021
In the Shadows

Although their teams drew crowds in the tens of thousands, traveling the country to play America’s pastime, many of their experiences were never recorded. Lakewood Ranch resident Leon Harris Jr. remembers his time in the Negro Leagues as one of many ano

  • LWR Life
Braden River Nature Park is a great place to enjoy nature and get some exercise to shift your perspective.
    By
  • Jess McIntyre
  • August 19, 2021
Back at the Ranch: Combating COVID Fatigue

After this prolonged period of stress, one thing remains paramount: taking care of yourself.

  • LWR Life
  • By Emily Leinfuss
  • August 19, 2021
Sweat It Out

Exercise: We know it’s good for us. We know we need to do more of it. But choosing activities that are fun and engaging boosts your chances of success. Here are four ways to spice up your gym routine.

  • LWR Life
Brett Hutchens, the president and managing partner of Casto Southeast, says Center Point will fill community needs.
    By
  • Kevin McQuaid
  • August 19, 2021
Class Act: From the Ground Up

Casto President Brett Hutchens strongly feels the pulse of the Lakewood Ranch community. After all, he has been part of its growth since nearly the beginning.

  • LWR Life
The organization’s sisters gathered for a group shot at its 10-year celebration earlier this year.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 19, 2021
Charity Snapshot: Full Circle

Sisterhood For Good, which began as a women’s giving circle, has far eclipsed its origins.

  • LWR Life
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • August 19, 2021
All fun and games

What started as a way to bring people together during the pandemic has grown into a full-fledged recreation program.

  • LWR Life
This Lake Club home at 16006 Foremast Place sold for $3.6 million in June, the highest price any Lakewood Ranch home has sold for in 2021.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • August 19, 2021
Movin’ on Up

Why has the number of homes sold for more than $1 million kept climbing since the pandemic started? Turns out, the trend has multiple causes, Realtors explain.

  • LWR Life
« 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
Katherine Ceaser, Lydia Chapdelain and Jessica Armstrong
  • March 22, 2026
Art Center Sarasota brings Beaux Arts Ball back to celebrate centennial
2
Mike and Julie Paige, and Amber and Lenny Larson, pose by an "SRQ Wine" sign.
  • March 22, 2026
Festival pours wines from around the world, all at Selby Five Points Park
3
Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April
4
  • March 20, 2026
Longboat Key's Cops, Cars & Coffee rescheduled
5
City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism
  • March 20, 2026
City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now