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Neighbors

Artist Darina Bratkova, originally from Ukraine, is the creator of thought-provoking, water-based scenes that many visitors to St. Armands Circle first view when coming to the business hub. She shared how she got her start as an artist and her hopes for educating others in the future.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 1, 2026
St. Armands artist shares insight into thought-provoking art

After moving from Kyiv, Darina Bratkova found an opportunity to pursue her passion for art in Florida, growing to be a featured artist at a St. Armands Circle gallery.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Little League plays at Lakewood Ranch Park March 25.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 1, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Little League expands to improve accessibility

Creative scheduling allows 762 children to participate in the league.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bird Key Yacht Club members Carol Smith, Amy Lazarus and Beth Nothstine played instrumental roles in keeping the club's lecture series fresh this season by inviting friends to tell their fascinating life stories. Closing out the series, Bobbi Brown shared tales from her journey starting a makeup empire.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 31, 2026
Longtime friendships make Bird Key lecture series possible

The Seafarers Speaker Series brought special guests to tide over Bird Key Yacht Club until the new clubhouse is finished.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Judy Johnson has lived on Siesta Key since 2010 but grew up hanging out on the Key.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • March 31, 2026
Siesta Key resident helps others embrace their inner beach babe

Judy Johnson has the perfect antidote to a busy day: Putting her feet in the water. "I see sharks and dolphins on a regular basis. And a million sunsets."

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The Easter Bunny offers encouragement to the families joining the egg hunt at Longboat Key Club Resort.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 31, 2026
Hop to it this Easter weekend on Longboat Key

From Easter services to egg hunts, check out these Longboat Key events happening next weekend.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance President and CEO Brittany Lamont and Board Chair Wayne Parrish are eager for members to hit the course for the Ranch Scramble.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 30, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance takes a swing at networking

The Ranch Scramble draws 140 golfers and 40 businesses to Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jeff Smith, president of the Landings Management Association, and Judi Smith, display two tanks into which they dumped phytoplankton, one with oysters and one without, to show the work the oysters do in keeping the water clean.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 30, 2026
The Landings neighborhood showcases its natural landscapes

Nature Day by the Bay allowed the public to explore the neighborhood's trails, which run through its 78 acres of mangroves.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kellen Dorsch and his wife Alanna Giuliani sit with Velly.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 29, 2026
6th annual Get Your Mutt Movin' helps get support moving for rescue animals

The annual event, a fundraiser for Satchel's Last Resort, raised about $45,000, according to the rescue.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Pam Yulke, modeling an outfit by J. McLaughlin at the "Lights, Camera, Legacy" fashion show, is a past president and has been in the University Park Women's Club for 23 years.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 29, 2026
A fashionable event for the University Park Women's Club

Held at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch, the fashion show celebrated 25 years of the club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Roland Nyarfadi, 7, finds an egg.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 28, 2026
Kids make a splash for Easter egg hunt at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex

The Aqua Egg Hunt provided a refreshing twist on a typical Easter egg hunt.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch sisters Jade Lowrey, 5, and Hazel Lowrey, 3, had fun collecting eggs and getting their faces painted at Eggstravaganza.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 28, 2026
It's no yoke! 600 children scoop 10,000 eggs at Eggstravaganza

The annual event is hosted by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and sponsored by Grace Community Church in Waterside.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sue Wertman and Ann Quackenbush join their sister-in-law, Molly Quackenbush, in enjoying a pancake breakfast fundraiser hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key. Chris Sachs and fellow Kiwanians volunteers to raise support for Family Promise of Sarasota-Manatee.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 28, 2026
Kiwanians support Family Promise chapter at pancake breakfast

Volunteers with the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key helped raise funds to support local families facing homelessness.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tennis pros Robert Jendelund and Tomasz Borucki face off in a doubles match against Jhonathan Gonzalez and David Pfister at the Longboat Key Tennis Center's end-of-season party March 25.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 28, 2026
Tennis pros face off at end-of-season bash

Tennis Center players closed out their season with their annual friendly tennis match with the pros and fond farewells.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Steven Ball in front of the organ at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, where he directs organ and choral music for the parish’s principal services.
    By
  • Emily Leinfuss
  • March 28, 2026
St. Boniface's new leader starts on a high note

Organist and educator Steven Ball takes the helm of one of Southwest Florida’s most respected church music programs.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Together, John and Shannon Barton make the "Roaring '20s" at the Great Gatsby-themed annual dinner for members of the Friars Club. Attendees shared their favorite memories from the season and gave out awards at the March 24 celebration at the Harbourside Ballroom.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • March 27, 2026
Friars golfers throw back to Roaring '20s

The annual dinner recognized longtime members of the golfer social group.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
The New York City improv troupe Shitzprobe creates musicals on the fly based on audience suggestions.
  • April 13, 2026
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2
Bernhard Langer hits a drive on the third hole during the first round of the 2025 Charles Schwab Cup Championship. He's won an all-time record 12 senior majors in his storied career.
  • April 13, 2026
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3
Government protections remain important in keeping the Myakka River healthy and pristine.
  • April 13, 2026
Some residents say Manatee pulled 'bait and switch' on Myakka River monitoring
4
The team aboard the "Triple Threat," captained by John Novak, rounds the first marker of the Bird Key Yacht Club's annual Sarasota Bay Cup regatta on April 11.
  • April 13, 2026
Seasoned sailors take advantage of smooth seas at Sarasota Bay Cup Regatta
5
Artist Ena Jasmin Carroll credited her friend and fellow artist Pat Lundy with bringing her in for the second annual Artists in the Garden last weekend at Longboat Island Chapel. A dozen local artists showcased and sold their works at the two-day event.
  • April 13, 2026
Local creatives participate in return of Artists in the Garden

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