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Neighbors

Longboat Key: 2023 in photos
    By
  • James Peter
  • December 27, 2023
Longboat Key: 2023 in photos

Let's take a breath to appreciate where we've been.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
East County: 2023 Through the lens
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 26, 2023
East County: 2023 Through the lens

Here’s a taste of what the East County Observer saw through the camera lens during a fascinating 2023.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A look back at 2023 on YourObserver.com
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 25, 2023
A look back at 2023 on YourObserver.com

The past year was packed with news in our area. Here are readers’ favorite stories from YourObserver.com.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
East Bradenton students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 22, 2023
East Bradenton students share Christmas wishes in letters to Santa

These Gullett, Willis and Gene Witt elementary students can't wait to see what's under their tree Christmas day.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Loree Pogue, Midge Saint, Lori Zandi and Jane Imperiale were bell-ringers for the Salvation Army in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • December 22, 2023
Salvation Army bell-ringers shatter fundraising goal in Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch crew of Salvation Army bell-ringers smashed their goal of collecting $10,000 at Publix this holiday season.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The RoboRumble program teaches students how to build robots from Legos, leading up to a competition pitting the different teams' robots against one another.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 21, 2023
Student-designed Lego robots battle in Fab Lab competition

The inaugural Lego RoboRumble competition pits students’ robotic Lego creations against one another for awards, prizes and learning.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
River Club's Mark Sinclair puts the finishing touches on his mince pies.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer, Liz Ramos, Ryan Kohn
  • December 21, 2023
East County cooks share their favorite holiday recipes

Lakewood Ranch and east Bradenton residents' recipes mix tradition and love to make the holiday season special.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Asst. Chief Martin Szalbirak and Asst. Chief Jentzen Barton.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 20, 2023
Firefighters share 20-year fire service journey leading to Longboat

Longboat Key Fire Rescue assistant chiefs Jentzen Barton and Martin Szalbirak served in multiple fire departments together and now find themselves taking a new step on the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Luke Safford, Nancy Rozance and Shae Safford at Light Up Longboat on Nov. 25, 2023.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 20, 2023
From Santa to Wonder Woman, Longboater spreads cheer in costume

Rotarian Nancy Rozance is a costumed crusader who brightens smiles across the Key as Wonder Woman, Josh the Otter, the Easter Bunny and Santa.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Chloe Marino, 7, meets Santa Claus at the Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade on Dec. 2, 2023.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 19, 2023
Sarasota Santa shares what it takes to wear the red suit

Mark Welikci, who has been a fixture of the Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade, explains what makes the perfect "Ho, ho, ho," his favorite cookie flavor, and the heart and soul of being Santa Claus.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Where do Longboaters get their Christmas trees?
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 19, 2023
Where do Longboaters get their Christmas trees?

With no on-island tree lots, town residents share their approaches to the Longboat Key tree dilemma.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lian Guerra Lopez, Luis Posso and Ember Aberegg are first graders at Myakka City Elementary School. The Myakka Co-op partnered with the school on a Christmas card fundraiser.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 18, 2023
Myakka students decorate Wallace the Warthog cards to raise funds

The Myakka City Elementary students embellished more than 300 Wallace the Warthog holiday cards to raise money for their school.

  • East County
  • Schools
The top Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton light displays to see this holiday season
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer, Liz Ramos, Ryan Kohn
  • December 18, 2023
The top Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton light displays to see this holiday season

Residents get into the holiday spirit with vibrant decorations.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Taylor Galford
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 18, 2023
Music Compound now offers virtual, hybrid guitar instruction

The Sarasota music school's new course, “Introduction to Guitar Fundamentals: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide," was launched in early December.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Christmas in the Garden at Longboat Island Chapel
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 18, 2023
Longboaters make Christmas in Garden an inclusive community

Local organizations, businesses and residents share the meaning behind the trees they donated to Christmas in the Garden at Longboat Island Chapel.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
2
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy
3
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
4
Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
  • December 20, 2025
Longboat Goodwill officially celebrates grand opening
5
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

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