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Neighbors

Longboat Harbour hosted its annual Lighting of the Docks on Dec. 2.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 7, 2023
Longboat Harbour lights up its docks with holiday cheer

Residents go all out for the Lighting of the Docks at Longboat Harbour with angel displays, hand-painted nutcrackers and Florida Santa.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lights in Bloom is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 7, 2023
See Lights in Bloom illuminate Selby Gardens

The display is made up of 2 million individual lights across the botanical gardens' downtown Sarasota campus.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Spencer Bryant and Vickie Oldham
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 7, 2023
Celebration of Newtown history intertwines with holiday season

The historic Leonard Reid house will be home to music, lights and holiday spirit as a Christmas tree at UTC shares the stories of Newtown.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
River Club's Lynn Hague and Bob and Pearl Taboh ring in the holiday season together at River Club's first Jingle Ball.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 6, 2023
River Club hosts its first Jingle Ball

The Jingle Ball gave neighbors an opportunity to meet and reconnect in a formal and fun setting.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Janice Newman
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 6, 2023
Sarasota artist displays rock-themed collection at All Angels Gallery

Janice Newman focuses on creating community around art to use it as a tool for discovery and meditation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Carl Backman and Nancy Cunningham, members of Aloha Ukulele, perform with the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities club for Play Music on the Porch Day on Aug. 26, 2023.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 5, 2023
Lakewood Ranch clubs suit every interest

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities offers 66 clubs that range in interests and size.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of Girl Scout Troop 365 takes pride in their school so they decided to recreate Robert E. Willis Elementary School out of gingerbread.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 5, 2023
UTC's Gingerbread Festival gives Girl Scouts chance to express creativity

The annual event runs through Dec. 10 at The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Observer reporter Carter Weinhofer returns a ball.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 5, 2023
Longboat Observer reporter contracts a case of 'pickleball fever'

"I gave into peer pressure and now might have a new addiction."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ava Kane, 7, looks at shark jawbones held by Alison Goldy, manager of community programs at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium at The Bay Park.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 5, 2023
Sarasota events encourage eco-friendly living

The Bay and Science & Environment Council partnered for environmental-themed events in downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tables of bowls lined the walkway around Ed Smith Stadium.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 4, 2023
Bowls of Hope combines crafts and cuisine to raise money

Featuring more than 30 vendors along with local artisans, Bowls of Hope is All Faiths Food Bank's largest fundraiser of the year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Louis Langley, Allison Byrd, Karen Tonnesen, Scott Tonnesen, Missy Erickson and Kathy Callahan
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 4, 2023
Longboat Lawn Party reaches raffle sales goal of $20,000

Longboaters enjoyed dishes from more than 25 local restaurants at the Kiwanis Club's biggest fundraiser of the year.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ella Bryant, Rhema Stahlmann, and Ariana Hagaman
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • December 4, 2023
St. Armands Circle lights up for the holidays

Thanks to the Holiday Night of Lights, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences float makes its way down Main Street.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 3, 2023
Downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade lets it snow community spirit

The parade brought together organizations and businesses throughout the community to celebrate a theme of “Christmas Around the World.”

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's John Rapp and Susan Rapp drop off 249 shoeboxes the Acts of Kindness Group at Grace Community Church made. The group more than doubled its donations compared to last year.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 3, 2023
Community rallies to help seniors in need with Shoebox Collection

Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee received hundreds of donated shoeboxes from community members and businesses.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tara's Dennis and Lisa Pyeatt are all aboard the Jiggs Express.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 3, 2023
Jiggs Landing shines bright with annual boat parade in east Bradenton

The Holiday Boat Parade is more than a celebration of the holidays to a Tara couple.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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