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Neighbors

Lakewood Ranch's CJ Bannister says her eight years in the Air Force are some of the best years of her life. It instilled in her a heart for service not only to the military but the community.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • April 30, 2024
Lakewood Ranch veteran honored for service to the military and community

Tidewell Foundation honors U.S. Air Force veteran C.J. Bannister.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Elyssa Ackerman, Saleeah Kofar-Naisa and Naomi Flores
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 30, 2024
Christ Church sponsors reading of new children's book

The Sarasota-based authors of "Jamani's Lucky Day" entertained students in the Reading Buddies program at 13th Avenue Dream Center in Bradenton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Barbara Jendrysik has participated in every Longboat Key town hall art reception.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 29, 2024
Town of Longboat Key celebrates local artists

The eighth annual town hall exhibit on April 23 gave residents a chance to support 10 Longboat artists whose art hangs in town hall.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Key Garden Club awarded $59,200 to different nonprofit organizations that help to promote environmental conservation.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 29, 2024
LBK Garden Club awards $89,200 in local scholarships and grants

The club hosted its scholarship and grant recipients for an end-of-season picnic on Arbor Day.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The playground at Tom Bennett park is open. A splash pad will follow in the fall.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 28, 2024
Playground opens at Tom Bennett Park

The playground is accessible to all children, including those with disabilities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Alexander Simon, 1, makes his way across the floor in the Diaper Derby.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 28, 2024
Community Baby Shower helps provide for essential needs

The 2024 Community Baby Shower highlighted services for families while keeping kids entertained with events like the “Diaper Derby.”

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Scott Kuykendall, Dmitry Polishuk and Tony Shiva
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 26, 2024
Longboat Key Chamber gathers for sold-out Networking at Noon

The monthly networking event, held at Zota Beach Resort, was the first networking opportunity for more than 30 new members.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kathie Williams, Alan Williams, Sheila Loccisano and Barry Levine pose with The Golden Paddle after the Bayfront Park team won the challenge.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 26, 2024
Two pickleball groups go head-to-head in first Island Challenge

Players from Bayfront Park and the Longboat Key Club faced off in the first Island Challenge, which both groups hope to continue annually.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dolores Engelke
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 25, 2024
Longboater knits 2,500 stuffed bears to give away to charity

Dolores Engelke spends about five hours every day knitting to provide stuffed bears stitched with love and comfort.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Wind ensemble blows through Peace Presbyterian in Lakewood Ranch
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 25, 2024
Wind ensemble blows through Peace Presbyterian in Lakewood Ranch

A talented saxophone musician says the group has exceptionally high standards.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Avenue of Art expands mission of bringing color to the city
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 25, 2024
Avenue of Art expands mission of bringing color to the city

The project in Burns Square now enters its third phase, with 100 sidewalk paintings set to be added to the existing 210 by the end of the month.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Michael Garey, Cynthia Craig, Svetlana Ivashchenko and Chris Sachs
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 24, 2024
Longboat Kiwanis raise over $100,000 for Children's Guardian Fund

Cynthia Craig and Executive Director Svetlana Ivashchenko share the impacts that the Lawn Party will have on kids.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ianna Guedes and Lucia Moretta add a treatment to their bacteria. The Giving Challenge has helped meet the needs of students at Sarasota High School's MaST Research Institute.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 24, 2024
Giving Challenge lends helping hand to Sarasota County nonprofits

The fundraising event, which spans four counties, helped once again to strengthen nonprofits in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gardeners Out East members Carolyn Lowry-Nation, Nancy Schneider and Melodie Friedebach stand by the Gold Star Memorial installed by the club at the Lakewood Ranch Library.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 24, 2024
Gold Star Memorial to be dedicated at Lakewood Ranch Library

Gardeners Out East will hold the dedication ceremony on May 4.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Carl Monticelli, Angelo Monticelli, Gabriele Salvatori, Kim Verreault, Lois Hefflefinger and Brian Harmon
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • April 22, 2024
Longboat Key Chamber promotes Tuscany trip with a wine tasting

Gabriele Salvatori traveled from his winery in San Gimignano to provide an authentic wine-tasting experience to Longboaters considering traveling to Italy.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key Past President Michael Garey said he heard of the Miracle League of Manasota when his daughter, Amelia, volunteered as a buddy to the athletes. Garey suggested the 501(c)(3) as the club's new charitable partner, which board members recently accepted.
  • June 22, 2026
Accessible baseball league benefits from Kiwanis pancake breakfast funds
2
Kiki Bullas will be busy over the next few weeks competing in the USATF and AAU regional track and field junior olympics, hoping to reach the national competition in both.
  • June 22, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Kiki Bullas
3
A May 2024 rendering of the Sarasota County library on Longboat Key.
  • June 22, 2026
Property tax overhaul may put Longboat Key library in jeopardy
4
Manatee County staff and key stakeholders toss ceremonial dirt to kick off construction on a half-mile trail segment that will span from the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant to Rye Preserver.
  • June 22, 2026
Trail system breaks ground near Lake Manatee
5
Sienna Linn, a rising first grader at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, says she has no pets at home but has had a blast with her dog, Mia, at the Little Vet School camp.
  • June 20, 2026
Little Vet School teaches skills at The Out-of-Door Academy's summer camp

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