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Neighbors

Rudolph and Clarice join misfit toys in Riverwalk's Tim Cunningham's Christmas lights display. Cunningham has been buying the misfit toys as he has found them since he and his family moved to Florida in 2007.
    By
  • Ian Swaby, Liz Ramos, Ryan Kohn
  • December 23, 2022
East Bradenton homes shine bright during holiday season

Families are ready to deck the halls — and the yard, garage and roof — with holiday light displays.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ginny Hoenig holds one of her handmade crocheted hats.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 22, 2022
Sarasota Nice List filled with good deeds from 2022

The Sarasota community has made the holiday season brighter by going the extra miles this year with nice gestures.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Key Niners Janet Hartman, Pam Crowe, Joyce Welch and Mary Taylor
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 21, 2022
Generosity of Longboat organizations put them on the Nice List

Longboat Key residents don't take the season of giving lightly.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lights and ornaments decorate the Longboat Island Chapel's garden.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad, Lesley Dwyer
  • December 21, 2022
The best thing about the holidays on Longboat Key

Longboat Key residents tell the Observer about the best part of the holidays on the island — or wherever they celebrate.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Cassidy David paints the face of Sarasota's 7-year-old Emily Gordon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 20, 2022
Hanukkah at the Green creates special event at UTC in Sarasota

Benderson Development co-sponsored the annual event along with Temple Emanu-El.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Emma Weber will act as one of the clowns at Sailor Circus Holiday Special.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 20, 2022
Sailor Circus prepares for a whimsical holiday spectacle

The Circus Arts Conservatory's Sailor Circus Academy is getting ready to perform at next week’s Sailor Circus Holiday Special.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 20, 2022
East Bradenton students share their Christmas wishes in letters to Santa

From pets to hoverboards, scooters and more, Braden River, Tara and McNeal elementary first graders and kindergartners share what they want Santa to deliver.

  • East County
  • Schools
Bill Sadlo of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, Jamie Purmort, Danny Bilyeu and Wells Purmort — with a cameo by Tom Brady's head — on the jumbotron at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 20, 2022
Original Buccaneers 'crew' member honored by the team

Sarasota's Wells Purmort was honored by the Tampa Bay Bucs during Sunday's game for being a charter season ticket-holder and his work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Tim Clarke has been a member of Sarasota Yacht Club since 1994.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 19, 2022
Sarasota Yacht Club commodore cherishes his new role

The Longboat Key bank and advertising executive calls his CEO-like volunteer responsibilities a "great honor."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police Department receives thank you card from Riverview High School.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 18, 2022
Riverview students thank first responders

Riverview High School wrote handmade thank-you letters for the law enforcement agencies that responded to the Oct. 11 swatting.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sid Friedman, Akasha Smith and Mayor Kyle Battie joins the crowd in listening to a live performance from Sarasota Music Conservatory.
    By
  • Dariela Delgado
  • December 16, 2022
RADD Holiday Bash brings community together in Rosemary District

Guests celebrated an evening of holiday cheer while supporting the Boys & Girls Club at DreamLarge.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key meets for their montly meeting to discuss the Dec. 3 Lawn Party by the Bay.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 15, 2022
Kiwanis Lawn Party tops record

The Kiwanis Club met Thursday morning to discuss the results of their annual lawn party held on Dec. 3 at Ken Thompson Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kit Torchia, Wiley Osborn, Gordon Lenci, Nancy Smith, Jay Smith and Patty Buck
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 15, 2022
Christ Church packs seeds and spreads hope

Congregation members meet once a month to fill seed packets for Hope Seeds in Bradenton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Peyton Washington happily accepts his gift from Santa.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 15, 2022
Christ Church gives the gift of reading

About 40 children from the 13th Avenue Dream Center were treated to a feast, toys and a visit from Santa on Dec. 14 at Christ Church.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lourdes Capote-Dishaw, a Braden River High School junior, will continue to work with Bobbert during winter break to prepare for the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • December 15, 2022
Barn doors stay open during FFA students' winter break

Future Farmers of America students return to campus during winter break to care for their animals and prepare for the Manatee County Fair.

  • East County
  • Schools
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
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
5
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

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