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Neighbors

Mission in Motion's Ruth Barker, Rose Marie Hartley, Faith Michael, Mothers Helping Mothers director of donations Barbara Braun, Debbie Apple and Judy Kirkpatrick fill a truck with toy donations.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 25, 2025
Lakewood Ranch's Mission in Motion delivers the goods to local charities

Gathering both physical and monetary donations, Mission in Motion is currently supporting eight organizations.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Organizers of this year's Lawn Party by the Bay eagerly anticipate the foodie festival, which will feature more restaurants than ever before. From left, The Resort at Longboat Key Club Managing Director Rick Konsavage, Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding, Children's Guardian Fund Executive Director Svetlana Ivashchenko and Kiwanis Club Past President Michael Garey.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 25, 2025
Kiwanis Lawn Party on City Island will host 32 restaurants

The charitable event is raising funds for the Children's Guardian Fund, which supports foster families throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Brio Italian Grille Executive Chef Josué Pabellón learned about the best Thanksgiving Day leftovers by growing up in a family of chefs in Puerto Rico.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • November 24, 2025
Love the Thanksgiving Day leftovers as much as the main meal

Brio Italian Grille chef says Thanksgiving Day is just round one of the annual feast.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch sisters Mariapaz Ritter, 7 and Analia Ritter, 12, got their faces painted by Akiko Graphics at the at Greenbrook Adventure Park. Mariapaz chose a peace sign because "paz" the last part of her name means peace in Spanish and Analia chose daisies because they are her favorite flowers.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 24, 2025
Greenbrook Adventure Park reopens with a fun day

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosted Party in the Park with live music, face painting and activities for families.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Miriam Cornell and James Garlanger of Bear Gully Creek Farms talk with Cornell's mother, Sharon Cornell, and Jim Sroka.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 23, 2025
Perfect weather yields steady turnout for Sarasota Farmers Market

Vendors said that mild weather drew a steady turnout during this week's downtown farmer's market.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mark Lorah created a Lego version of the Imperial Theatre in Augusta, Georgia.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 23, 2025
Lego artists show their imagination in Sarasota's first BrickUniverse

The Lego fan expo event at Robarts Arena showcased the work of artists from near and far with a mission of inspiring kids and adults.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Geoff Levin, Marcy Klein, Steven Goodman and Patricia Courtois volunteer at the Van Wezel.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 23, 2025
All Faiths Food Bank works to distribute record number of turkeys

This year, the Sarasota food bank ordered a total of 14,500 turkeys to distribute to community members in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alison and Eloise Fichner snap a photo with Santa Claus at Light Up Longboat on Nov. 22 at the Town Center Green.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 23, 2025
Families partake in early-season cheer at Light Up Longboat

Longboaters and their family members kicked off the holiday season with annual festivities on Nov. 22 at the Town Center Green.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Stephanie Kruk, Georgianna Vicari, Pat Young and Carol Fischbein joined the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild for its welcome-back luncheon on Nov. 18.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 22, 2025
Women's guild welcome-back luncheon celebrates charitable successes

Members of the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Women's Guild planned upcoming activities at their welcome-back luncheon on Nov. 18 at the church.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Laurie Swink, co-founder of Selah Freedom, speaks to members of the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild on Nov. 18 about how the program helps survivors of human trafficking find a path forward.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 22, 2025
Anti-human trafficking survivors share stories to Longboat group

Representatives from Selah Freedom disclosed their experiences with St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild members.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Missy Weishaar and Rev. Fausto Stampiglia
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 20, 2025
Sarasota parishioners celebrate priest's 65th year of service

Rev. Fausto Stampiglia was the face of St. Martha Catholic Church for 31 years before retiring in 2022, and was ordained as a priest in Rome in 1960.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
"Jiggs is a community asset in every sense," Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department Director Charlie Hunsicker says. "We’ve preserved a wonderful river and lake environment for this generation and the next."
    By
  • Emily Leinfuss
  • November 20, 2025
Jiggs Landing preserves the best of Old Florida for the next generation

At Jiggs Landing Preserve and Outpost in Manatee County, fishing, food and live music come together on the banks of the Braden River.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bill Schmeising, John Stryhn and Al Knezevich display their radio-controlled Soling 1-Meter yachts at Nathan Benderson Park’s Green Parrot Lake.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • November 20, 2025
Camaraderie trumps competition for the members of this racing club

Meet the members of the Sarasota Model Yacht Club, who find purpose, rivalry and plenty of laughter steering their "toy boats" across Benderson Park's Green Parrot Lake.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The formal living room boasts a striking painting of a rhino, acquired during a recent safari in South Africa.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • November 20, 2025
Drama and luxury characterize this estate-size home in The Lake Club

This Lake Club home balances timeless design with contemporary comfort — and the distinctive artistry of its owners.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates delivers the central sermon at the 45th interfaith Thanksgiving service hosted by St. Armands Key Lutheran Church on Nov. 18. She was joined by SAKLC's Rev. Kenneth Blyth, Longboat Island Chapel's Rev. Brock Patterson, Christ Church of Longboat Key's Rev. Julia Piermont, All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church's Rev. David Marshall and St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church's Fr. Robert Dziedziak.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 19, 2025
Religious leaders across faiths celebrate unity for Thanksgiving

Leaders on Longboat and St. Armands keys have been working to unite community members at Thanksgiving for 45 years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Britnie Sutika, CEO Kristie Skoglund, Kimberly Treharne, Paola Pinillos and Kate Reed
  • December 7, 2025
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Students from Sarasota High School's marching band walk in the parade.
  • December 7, 2025
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  • December 6, 2025
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