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Neighbors

Penny Robinson, a member of Fiber Friends, has knitted a couple of bears, a rhinoceros and a hedgehog after being inspired by other artists to do so. Fiber Friends is made up of 28 members who come together to knit, crochet, sew and more.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • November 19, 2025
Fiber Friends of Lakewood Ranch will give you the needle

Whether it is knitting, crocheting or sewing, these club members can spin a yarn that will keep you interested.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Ski-A-Rees sound technician Madison Ditmars demonstrates how she makes the crab figurines she offers by donation to support the group in its ongoing recovery from last year's hurricanes.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 19, 2025
Craftswoman fabricates marine critters to support ski group

The Ski-A-Rees sound technician has a talent for crafting miniature crabs, which she offers by donation to support the City Island-based group.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sheena Works, Sebastian Works, 7, Alissa Silvers, and Isabella Coulton, 7, pose together in front of the mural.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 19, 2025
Community unites to paint mural at Arlington Park

The project, led by Alissa Silvers, brought a tropical-themed mural to the park's lifeguard building.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kendra Simpkins has been working in brain-based health with military veterans for nearly a decade.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 19, 2025
Ambitious nonprofit resolves to help more military veterans

With new space at the ready, Kendra Simpkins has big plans for Operation Warrior Resolution — dedicated to providing holistic mental health services for the region's veterans.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bird Key Yacht Club General Manager Tammy Hackney and Commodore Tony Britt donned the hard hats for the official groundbreaking of the new clubhouse on Nov. 13 at the site of the former facility.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 19, 2025
Bird Key leaders break ground on new yacht club facilities

During early fall, the old building came down, and on Nov. 13, the first shovels of dirt were turned over on the site of the future clubhouse.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gladys Delgado with Chuck Sidlow (Chucko the All American Clown).
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 18, 2025
Fundraiser event in Sarasota spotlights babies in need

Baby Basics of Sarasota County brought a circus theme to its annual fundraiser, held at the Sarasota Yacht Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 18, 2025
Longboat restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving

The following local restaurants plan to feature turkey-centric menus for the holiday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes events on the beach adjacent to its campus.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 18, 2025
Artist retreat receives more than $300,000 in grants

The grants will help fund Hermitage Artist Retreat's operations, storm recovery and programming.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eric Konovalov moved to the Lakewood Ranch area five years ago.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • November 18, 2025
This Lakewood Rancher has found success. Now he helps others do the same.

Grew up poor in a faltering communist country. Bullied in school. Served in combat zones as a U.S. Marine. Sold copiers. Eric Konovalov has done all that — and a lot more.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bert Wood, Karl Kaminski, Hudson Nesmith and Jane Conrad were among the 120 volunteers helping pack meals for Kids Against Hunger on Nov. 8 at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church. Part of the meals went to help local families, and part went to support hurricane survivors in Jamaica.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 18, 2025
St. Armands church lends hand to families and hurricane survivors

The meals volunteers helped pack with Kids Against Hunger went to both local families in need and Jamaica's hurricane survivors.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Artists including Isabelle Gasse (front) compete during the festival.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • November 17, 2025
Siesta Key's 'sand manager' has made a career out of sand

Andy Daily grew up on the sands of Siesta Key beach, and now his life involves serving the Siesta Key Crystal Classic Sand Sculpting Festival.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Phyllis Black and Andrew Vac flag down hungry diners to join the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key's pancake breakfast fundraiser on Nov. 15 at the Lazy Lobster.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 17, 2025
Longboat Kiwanis Club hosts breakfast fundraiser

Volunteers with the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key dished up breakfast for their annual pancake fundraiser.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Elaine Cichon, Lorri Harrison and Claudia Stieber bring their festive spirit to the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church annual Christmas bazaar, held last weekend at the church.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 17, 2025
St. Mary market fundraiser on Longboat features holiday finds

Proceeds from the Christmas bazaar go toward supporting the Women's Guild outreach, including through scholarships.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
StandWithUs representatives Dana Kamilar, Julie Paris, Carly Gammill, Alitza Hochhauser and Max Bray spoke to Longboaters on Nov. 16 at Temple Beth Israel about finding ways to protect against antisemitism, especially in school settings.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • November 17, 2025
Speakers offer antisemitism advice to Jewish families

StandWithUs representatives spoke with the Longboat Key community about pushing back against antisemitism.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Morgan Bettes Angell and the company she founded, Independent Jones, has helped put on the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • November 17, 2025
Blues Festival makes its return on the Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival, primed for its second year, has a varied and voluminous history in the region.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Britnie Sutika, CEO Kristie Skoglund, Kimberly Treharne, Paola Pinillos and Kate Reed
  • December 7, 2025
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  • December 6, 2025
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Devin Mignery (center) prepares to take the snap during the FHSAA Class 2A state semifinal between Cardinal Mooney and Cocoa. The senior quarterback was inserted for junior Davin Davidson and helped usher the Cougars into the state championship.
  • December 6, 2025
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