• 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
    • Elections
    • 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
    • Elections
    • 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

Katherine Benoit started making masks before she realized isolation gowns would be more prudent.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 21, 2020
Class Act: Threads of Hope

When Katherine Benoit saw a need for PPE in the community, she jumped into action — and brought others along with her.

  • LWR Life
Meals on Wheels Plus staff member Terri Hill stacks cans of tomatoes. The organization is asking for all types of foods as donations, but especially nonperishables.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 21, 2020
Charity Snapshot: More Than a Meal

As Meals on Wheels Plus continues its services amid a pandemic, it relies on efficiency and the generosity of the community.

  • LWR Life
Alexander enjoys helping make buckeyes, peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate, though he oddly enough doesn’t eat them when they’re done.
    By
  • Columnist .
  • May 21, 2020
The Jolly Rancher: Happy Making Pies

Ranch Dad gives us insight into his passion for making pies with his son and his dream of owning a pie shop in retirement.

  • LWR Life
    By
  • Su Byron
  • May 21, 2020
Art and About: Binging on Books

Give your brain a break from screens by reading. Whether you want to travel the world from your living room or learn about history or cooking, there’s a book for you.

  • LWR Life
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 21, 2020
Haven: On Display

Modern-day custom closets shift from a place of storage to a living space.

  • LWR Life
All ages can delight in the hunt for shark teeth and fossils. Find spots that offer a loose graveling bottom,
    By
  • Randi Donahue
  • May 21, 2020
Paddling in Peace

Think Gulf Coast beaches are your only waterfront respite? Think again. Take a quick drive east for a trip back in time, and experience the unspoiled Florida wilderness along the waters of Peace River.

  • LWR Life
Hickory Hollow
    By
  • Shellie Terry
  • May 21, 2020
Smokin' Summer Spots

LWR Life contributor Shellie Terry shares the secrets to finding the best barbecue in town.

  • LWR Life
Center Point in Lakewood Ranch includes a medical office building, a 30,000-square-foot specialty grocer, a four-story hotel, four to five restaurants and 250,000 square feet of retail space.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 21, 2020
Point Made

A 50-acre, $50 million project is primed to turn what was only office and industrial space into a retail and restaurant destination.

  • LWR Life
As birth designer, Chrissy Coney (center) has helped more than 130 women navigate the process of childbirth, including (left to right) Kyra and Jace Perry, Darcy and Kylo Jasper, Ally and Athena Sager and Katiria and Rocko Ocanas..
    By
  • Randi Donahue
  • May 21, 2020
Baby Blueprint

Moving into its second year, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center’s Birth Designer Program proves successful in preparing patients for a positive childbirth experience.

  • LWR Life
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • May 21, 2020
Changing Times

Business leaders discuss their strategies to survive the COVID-19 shutdown and their outlook for the recovery.

  • LWR Life
Photo by Heidi Kurpiela
    By
  • Jess McIntyre
  • February 20, 2020
Back at the Ranch: New Year, New You (Again)

Thrust into the new year already feeling the need for a refresh? Check out Back at the Ranch’s suggestions for some much-deserved self-care.

  • LWR Life
530 Burns Gallery is a shared exhibition space located in Burns Court, downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Su Byron
  • February 20, 2020
Art and About: Where the Art Is

Sarasota made its mark as an arts colony in the mid-20th century. Its homegrown art is still world-class. Opportunities abound, but here are four outstanding arts spaces to view and buy works created by regional artists.

  • LWR Life
The spacious great room has a coastal feeling, with French doors opening onto the pool area. The stairway at left leads to two guest bedrooms, each with an en suite bath.
    By
  • Robert Plunket
  • February 20, 2020
Custom-made

Architect Clifford Scholz creates the perfect home for a Lakewood Ranch couple.

  • LWR Life
John “Lightnin” Campbell is a fifth-generation Cortezian who has been fishing and stone crabbing Cortez waters most of his life.
    By
  • Su Byron
  • February 20, 2020
Cortez Village: Yesterday and Today

To the proud residents of Cortez Village, history is a family affair.

  • LWR Life
    By
  • Guest Author
  • February 20, 2020
Rock of Ages

Forget going quietly into retirement. The members of Lakewood Ranch’s Blue Pelicans are ready to rock their golden years.

  • LWR Life
« 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 »
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
Reclaimed water systems run separately from drinking-water systems.
  • June 24, 2026
Dry weather cuts into Manatee reclaimed-water system's pressure
2
Roadway cameras help identify park-damaging suspect
  • June 24, 2026
Roadway cameras help identify park-damaging suspect
3
This house in Plantation Oaks is advertised on several booking platforms as sleeping up to 32 guests.
  • June 24, 2026
Manatee County commissioners consider regulating vacation rentals
4
Mia Busser's recruitment opened June 15 following the USA Gymnastics Women's Development Program National Championships. There, she placed fourth in the all-around, second on floor and fourth on vault.
  • June 24, 2026
Lakewood Ranch gymnast soars to career-best success
5
A visitor to Sarasota Art Museum takes a photo of David Hockney's "Inside It Opens Up As Well," which collector Stanton Storer loaned to the museum for "Something Borrowed, Something New."
  • June 24, 2026
Collectors lend their treasures to Sarasota Art Museum for blockbuster exhibition

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.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free