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Neighbors

St. Barbara's Hellenic Folk Dance Group member Harrison Barakos gives a wave, while being cheered on by fellow dancers Maria Stylianoudakis and Gianni Cappelluti, as his name is called at the St. Barbara 42nd annual Greek Festival.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 20, 2026
St. Barbara hosts 42nd annual Greek Festival all weekend

Members of the church come together to celebrate their faith and their Greek culture.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Golfers competing in "Pittsburgh vs. The World" may be rivals out on the green, but at the celebration afterward, they have nothing but smiles for one another. Jan Van Iten and Carol Westwood are the original captains in the friendly tournament, which marked 25 years on Feb. 16.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 20, 2026
Longboat golfers celebrate 25 years of friendly competition

Dubbed "Pittsburgh vs. The World," this annual golf competition started as a friendly feud and has become a beloved tradition.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Terry Creighton lines up a shot at a Feb. 15 tennis session at The Sanctuary.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 20, 2026
The Sanctuary kicks off season's activity with tennis pro

Claudiu Retean, a Sports Professionals Association-certified tennis pro, offered technique tips and motivation at the Feb. 15 session.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Weizhen Jiang Wolf and Yuhong Wan of Zen Rhythm Dance Group perform a Mongolian Dance at the Lunar New Year Celebration.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 20, 2026
Sister Cities of Sarasota hosts Lunar New Year celebration

With an estimated 400 attendees, the Sister Cities Association of Sarasota hopes to expand the celebration even more next year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Joyce Hecklau, who played essential roles in planning Longboat Harbour's change of watch and holiday festivities, earned the title of Woman of the Year.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 19, 2026
Longboat Harbour names event planner extraordinaire Woman of the Year

The Longboat Harbour Owners Association, Inc., honored Joyce Hecklau at the annual Men's Club-hosted brunch.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
One of things that makes Lakewood Ranch unique? The family behind it.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 19, 2026
Lakewood Ranch: How it all began

Although it may seem relatively new, Lakewood Ranch's beginning is rooted in a founding family that came to the area more than 100 years ago.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jessie King, Jadis Hebdon in the chair and Carlos Fuentes
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 19, 2026
MTC barbershop students learn the skills needed to showcase the style

At Manatee Technical College, the next generation of barbers finds skill, confidence and a career with staying power.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bob Gardner Park offers a mile of trails, sports courts, frisbee golf, pavilions, a kids’ gravity rail and dog parks, all set against peaceful wetland preserves.
    By
  • Marty Fugate, Su Byron
  • February 19, 2026
A few of our favorite (Lakewood Ranch) things

Here is a short list of cool pleasures, delightful encounters and only-in-the-Ranch moments.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rustic yet sophisticated, a Myakka farm provides an enviable lifestyle for a prominent Sarasota couple.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • February 19, 2026
An organic farm highlights the pleasures of life in the country

Long rooted in the region, Lee and Caroline Wetherington have created their custom, clean-leaving oasis on a 30-acre farm full of animals, organic gardens and wide-open spaces.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ability to Include's Grace Murby and Chris Collins are thrilled with a $10,000 grant that was presented to them by Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Executive Director Kate Mulligan to help build a universal soccer pitch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 18, 2026
Nonprofit makes its pitch for a new soccer field in Lakewood Ranch

Ability to Include raises funds for a TopSoccer universal soccer field.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Artist Michelle-Marie Heinemann recently created the non-profit Flower Tree Foundation to facilitate bringing art installations to public spaces. She stands next to a larger-than-life statue that is part of her daisy series of statues, the first public installation she brought to the New College of Florida.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 18, 2026
Sculptor explores the power of the flower for community unity

Artist Michelle-Marie Heinemann brings her towering flower statues to New College of Florida, Hawaii, Paris and beyond.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Campers get hands-on training at S&B Metal Products in Bradenton.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 18, 2026
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit aids students and women in manufacturing careers

The CCAI Finishing Education Foundation offers camp and scholarship opportunities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Nancy Prendergast walks away from the annual Longboat Library book sale happy with her find of a book by Jenny Lawson.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 17, 2026
Longboat Library books find loving homes

The Longboat Library annual book sale took place Valentine's Day and saw a solid turnout, organizers said.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Fourth grader A’Nylah Johnson and third grader Dariana Mills head down the slide.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 17, 2026
A snow day comes to the Star Lab school in Newtown

The private school for elementary-aged children held a "snow day" along with help from the Sarasota Police Department's Sarasota Learning Center.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Kamala Martinez, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, leads the regional nonprofit’s efforts to connect young people with life-changing mentors.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • February 17, 2026
With Big Brothers Big Sisters, mentors change the story

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast pairs caring adults with kids who need guidance, stability and someone in their corner.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
A lane closure will affect traffic on the John Ringling Causeway during an FDOT maintenance project.
  • May 14, 2026
Roadwork will close Ringling Causeway lane at Bird Key
2
Holiday House SRQ's Megan Micale, executive director, and Sepi Ackerman, co-founder and executive president, say a grant would allow for 350 Title I students to receive school uniforms, shoes and a holiday experience.
  • May 14, 2026
Sisterhood for Good hosts annual Grant Expo in Lakewood Ranch
3
Richard Frank Wokoun
  • May 14, 2026
Richard Frank Wokoun
4
Karie Friling makes brief comments to the Sarasota City Commission during her visit to the May 4 commission meeting.
  • May 14, 2026
New city manager calls career in public service 'most noble of professions'
5
Instructor Suzy Brenner leads her "Stretch and Strengthen" class for the first official activity following The Paradise Center reopening on Sept. 29 at Longboat Island Chapel.
  • May 14, 2026
The Paradise Center expands digital classes

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