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Neighbors

Amanda Eyer, internal communications and community relations director at Boar’s Head and Amber Lee, senior director of programs at All Faiths Food Bank, stand in front of one of the new vans.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 18, 2026
Boar's Head gifts two refrigerated vans to All Faiths Food Bank

The organization raised over $100,000 for the food bank through its annual Circle of Friends fundraising campaign.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Addison Gutowitz, 13, and Harriet Shore, 11, learn skills on electric guitar from 17-year-old Max Froemel in the guitar breakout session.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 17, 2026
Campers come together at School of Rock Lakewood Ranch

During the Modern Rock music camp, students learn songs to perform for family and friends.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Alexander Fine (center) presented first responders from Longboat Key Fire Rescue with a pizza lunch last week for their efforts.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 17, 2026
Longboat resident celebrates first responders with pizza party

The presenting resident thanked first responders for their heroic efforts during a cardiac-related emergency.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Visit Sarasota County President and CEO Erin Duggan (left), past President Virginia Haley (center), and Board Chair John LaCivita (second from left) recognize representatives of Watershed Hospitality Concepts with the 2026 Business Excellence Haley Award.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 17, 2026
Visitors bureau opens nominations for annual Haley honors

Visit Sarasota County will accept tourism industry nominations for the annual Haley Hall of Fame Awards through Aug. 28.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
About 120 people attended an evening sea turtle nest excavation on Longboat Key conducted by permitted experts.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 16, 2026
Experts invite public to turtle nest dig

Despite predation, 40 baby turtles hatched from an excavated sea turtle nest.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ginger Kreithen works on "The Legacy," amid other artists at the wall.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 16, 2026
Local artists create mural in contest by Sarasota business

The wall of Epic Rockworks became a canvas for four local artists, who each produced a piece of art featuring rocks.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Logan Shaw, Wolfe Shaw, Michael Garey and Calvin Shaw, the team behind the new M & W Sweet Spot frozen treat shop on Longboat Key, showcase a variety of their offerings, including frozen custard sandwiches and drinks.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 15, 2026
From frozen custard to soft serve, Longboat's treats help locals stay cool

Those seeking to satisfy their sweet tooth have plenty of options with shops including the newly opened M & W Sweet Spot on Longboat Key's north end.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Linda Matte, Theresa Langston and Rosemary Cummings of Stitchers welcome people of all skill levels to join the group on Mondays and learn about sewing, quilting and more.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 15, 2026
Neighbors create threads of friendship with Lakewood Ranch club

Stitchers, a club that meets in Lakewood Ranch, aims to bring creative people together to quilt, sew and more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Reuben Fernandez leads Tai Chi classes on Mondays and Wednesdays at The Paradise Center, and many of his students have stuck with him since he first started teaching at the Longboat Key community center.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 15, 2026
Tai chi brings mind, body, spirit benefits, Paradise Center students say

Longtime attendees of Reuben Fernandez's twice-weekly tai chi classes say they appreciate not only the physical benefits but also the social boost.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jon Mongeau and Lita and John Brannan accept the award for Emerging Business of the Year on Oct. 23 at the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce 2025 membership awards banquet at Lido Beach Resort. Following the shop's recent closure announcement, John Brannan explained their team is proud of everything it did, but knew this was a tough decision they had to make.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 14, 2026
Le Gardenia Bleu thanks community for support

The founders of the Longboat Key flower and gift shop announced earlier this month their shop was closed.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The Governor's Award recognizes the work of the Rotary Club of Longboat Key on community projects, like the installation of monofilament recycling receptacles at local parks.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 14, 2026
Longboat Rotary earns Governor's Award recognition

The district-level commendation recognizes Longboat Key's local branch for all-around success.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Coastwise student development team members Charles Mesia, Justin Kim (back), Colton McGill, Gabi Otera (back) and John Onesti gather to utilize a NASA STELLA Q-2 VNIR spectrometer, a handheld device that measures light intensity and plant health.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 14, 2026
Free Coastwise summer camp seeks more Manatee student sign-ups

A $4,500 grant from the Manatee Community Foundation will make the program free for students who participate.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Frank Kelleher stands with former Rotary Club of Sarasota president Lee-En Chung and president Bob Stobaugh.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 14, 2026
Daytona International Speedway president visits Sarasota Rotary Club

Frank Kelleher shared what the Daytona International Speedway offers with club members and also responded to their questions.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alisa Mitchell helped guide the organization to record-breaking successes in fundraising with its sell-out annual author luncheon, the group said in a release, adding that she played a significant role in growing the donor base and more.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 13, 2026
Executive director to leave Library Foundation

The Sarasota County organization raises private funding to augment tax dollars.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kelly Shrout (left) and Melanie Dale weed at Bicentennial Park Friday, July 10 in the morning before the heat index reached triple digits.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 13, 2026
Bicentennial Park hurricane repair nearly complete

New salt-tolerant grass will put the finishing touches on Bicentennial Park’s renovations on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Sarasota Military Academy is at 801 N. Orange Ave. in Sarasota.
  • August 5, 2026
Sarasota Military Academy's downtown campus listed for sale
2
Country Club East's Mark Allen Baker shows off his newest book, "Willian A. Brady — The Life of a Boxing and Broadway Impresario."
  • August 5, 2026
Classroom assignment can launch a career
3
The $2.6 million tax refund to the School District of Manatee County was voted by the county commissioners on July 28.
  • August 5, 2026
County sends $2.6 million back to Manatee schools
4
The Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes free sunset concerts on the beach at its Manasota Key campus.
  • August 5, 2026
Arts incubator receives $450,000 in grants
5
Kids arrive by bus at Southside Elementary. School begins Monday in Sarasota County.
  • August 5, 2026
School zones will be active as kids return to school on Monday

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