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Neighbors

The Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes free sunset concerts on the beach at its Manasota Key campus.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 5, 2026
Arts incubator receives $450,000 in grants

The Hermitage Artist Retreat has received $450,000 in grants from several benefactor organizations to support its arts incubation campus programming.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Christy James, owner of Longboat Key Flower Shop, is the driver of one of the island's most recognizable rides, a Barbie-pink limo.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 5, 2026
Longboat florist cruises paradise in her iconic pink limo

The not-so-mini pink Cooper draws smiles wherever she drives on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Survivors In Sync is a dragon boat team made up of breast cancer survivors.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 5, 2026
Dragon boating offers healing to cancer survivors, veterans

The paddling program at Nathan Benderson Park has grown to about 150 members.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key author Wilma Davidson, president of the local Pen Women chapter, is celebrating the publication of 'Super Cat Chit Chat,' the follow-up story to the 'Super Cat! Splat! Splat!' children's book.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 4, 2026
Local author's 'Super Cat' returns with sequel children's book

Wilma Davidson, president of the local Pen Women chapter and author of the original "Super Cat" children's book, shares the second installment of the planned trilogy.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Post Commander Dave Daily and Michael Massmann, the senior army instructor at Braden River High School, are glad the students have veterans to inspire them to be patriotic members of the community.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 3, 2026
VFW Braden River Post 12055 works to inspire future generations

Through scholarships, essay contests, volunteer opportunities and more, members of the local VFW are glad to serve students and their community.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch 11-year-old Finn Morris, who has been playing soccer for six years, likes competing at the Sarasota Paradise youth soccer camp.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 31, 2026
Sarasota Paradise's 'language' brings kids together

Paradise's youth summer camp speaks to children from 5 to 13 who learn all about soccer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sally Lippert and Mark Shrosbree are preparing to sail to The Bahamas together.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 30, 2026
Couple prepares for Bahamas voyage as they work together on junk rig

Sarasota’s Sally Lippert was looking for the next adventure. Mark Shrosbree was already in the process of circling the globe.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tanya Waxler and Eddie Balen enjoy Christmas in July in celebration of her book signing for "Santa's Extreme Dream Team and the Hospital Mission."
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • July 29, 2026
Local children's author celebrates Christmas early with new book

Tanya Waxler held a book signing "Santa's Extreme Dream Team, and the Hospital Mission" with a Christmas in July book signing at 1 Hot Cookie & Ice Cream.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Angie Elmendorf and Jon Minton, on either side of Allswell owner Tory Delany, are behind the Lakewood Ranch/UTC Foodies Restaurant Reviews Facebook page and the newly formed Lakewood Ranch Dinner Club.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 29, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Dinner Club serves up connections

Strangers become friends over dinner through the Lakewood Ranch Dinner Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Mah Jongg Weekend was filled with colorful, coastal mahjong sets provided by Event Organizer Rennee Fannin.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • July 29, 2026
Paradise Center hosts first Mah Jongg Weekend fundraiser

The Longboat Key Paradise Center's fundraising event included raffle prizes, Boozy Bingo and a chance to make connections with Floridians outside of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brooks Peirce, 6, holds the epic fossilized megalodon tooth off Lido Beach that Garrett Peirce found while freediving.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 28, 2026
Vacationing family uncovers a 'Jaws'-dropping Lido treasure

With a keen eye and a bit of luck, a free diver found a fossilized megalodon tooth of epic proportions.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ernie Smith lines up trays of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for lunch at Resurrection House. He and nine other volunteers prepared a meal on July 23 as one of St. Armands Key Lutheran Church's monthly charitable events.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 28, 2026
St. Armands volunteers put their cooking skills to good use

St. Armands Key Lutheran Church and several others in the area help Resurrection House with its mission to feed those in need year-round.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Avi Sigal-Verier,10; Rachel Moulton, associate artist and director of education; and Joah Sigal-Verier and Sterling Saiger, both 8, pose together.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • July 27, 2026
Florida Studio Theatre brings old memories and new beginnings

FST Summer Camp educators recently discovered FST is keeping its mission alive through generations.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Linda Berman and Javier Chero, board members with Stillpoint Mission, pack their car to the brim with donations of toilet paper for one of Longboat Island Chapel's most popular charity drives. Even more rolls were waiting.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 25, 2026
Popular community toilet paper drive returns

Stillpoint Mission is on a roll with its community partnerships, evidenced by robust participation in its recent toilet paper charity drive with Longboat Island Chapel.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lara Zoppe and Victoria Peddie, both of Lakewood Ranch, sing "No Reason" as Lydia and Delia in "Beetlejuice Jr.," at Ovation School of Musical Theatre.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 25, 2026
Ovation School of Musical Theatre campers present 'Beetlejuice Jr.'

The cast of "Beetlejuice Jr." had four weeks to perfect their show before its debut July 24.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest News

1
Sarasota Military Academy is at 801 N. Orange Ave. in Sarasota.
  • August 5, 2026
Sarasota Military Academy's downtown campus listed for sale
2
Country Club East's Mark Allen Baker shows off his newest book, "Willian A. Brady — The Life of a Boxing and Broadway Impresario."
  • August 5, 2026
Classroom assignment can launch a career
3
The $2.6 million tax refund to the School District of Manatee County was voted by the county commissioners on July 28.
  • August 5, 2026
County sends $2.6 million back to Manatee schools
4
The Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes free sunset concerts on the beach at its Manasota Key campus.
  • August 5, 2026
Arts incubator receives $450,000 in grants
5
Kids arrive by bus at Southside Elementary. School begins Monday in Sarasota County.
  • August 5, 2026
School zones will be active as kids return to school on Monday

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