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Neighbors

Sarasota's Ariana Swayka, 4 and Alexia Swayka, 6 are in the full holiday spirit with their Halloween themed shirts and face paint.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 11, 2025
Hunsader Farms kicks off 34th annual Pumpkin Festival

In case you missed it, the festival continues every Saturday and Sunday in October.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A private dining room is transformed into a pop-up shop.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 11, 2025
Fashion luncheon supports Myakka City animal sanctuary

Scout & Molly's Boutique set up a pop-up shop at Pascone's Ristorante to benefit Donte's Den.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Orchid Show 2025: Rebecca Louise Law is on view Oct. 11 to Dec. 7.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 10, 2025
Selby Gardens' orchid show to feature indoor botanical art

The Orchid Show 2025: Rebecca Louise Law incorporates an art installation using preserved plants, created by a Wales-based artist.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Participants of the Citizens Academy visit the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department for one of the sessions.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 10, 2025
Citizens Academy enrollment open for Longboat Key's 2026 season

Eight sessions cover aspects of town government, beginning in January.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Early attendees beat the heat at last weekend's St. Armands Circle Craft Festival, which featured artisans in a variety of specialties.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 9, 2025
Get ready for a free art fest on St. Armands Circle

St. Armands Circle is set to host a free fine art festival this October.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sue McGregor
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 9, 2025
Local octogenarian prepares for Athens marathon

Sue McGregor has been running for about 30 years and has competed in races around the globe. Now she sets her sights on Greece.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Anthony Baffo celebrates his win in the stein-holding competition at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime's inaugural Oktoberfest on Oct. 4.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 8, 2025
Oktoberfest in Sarasota tests strength and food temptations

Attendees at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime's festivities joined in stein-holding and yodeling competitions, among other themed activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Talia Casey and Alex Perez brought their cat, Mister Figment Spirit Wink, to the Oct. 4 pet blessing at St. Boniface Episcopal Church.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 8, 2025
St. Boniface hosts paw-inspiring event for pet owners

Rev. Nikki Seger led the Siesta Key church's annual pet blessing on Saturday.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Matt Baar is hosting the first annual Turkey Toss cornhole tournament in his Myakka City backyard Nov. 22 to benefit the Children's Dream Fund.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 8, 2025
Myakka City resident's dream is to help critically ill children

At 14, Matt Baar received a dream from the Children's Dream Fund. At 27, he wants to grant dreams in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Helios, a Bare-Eyed Cockatoo at Save Our Seabirds, quite literally dives headfirst into enjoying the new enrichment toy he received through the avian rescue center's new Beaks and Boxes campaign.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 8, 2025
New donation program keeps birds engaged at Save Our Seabirds

With its new Beaks and Boxes program, Save Our Seabirds invites fans near and far to give enrichment toys to feathered friends.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Students from The Out-of-Door Academy volunteer at Mixon Fruit Farms Oct. 3.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 8, 2025
Mixon Farms benefits from ODA students' cleanup effort

Out-of-Door Academy seniors volunteered with the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance program Alliance Gives Back.

  • East County
  • Schools
Mike Wagner, Andy Demartini and Gretchen Demartini walked at the 5th annual NAMIWalks Sarasota and Manatee fundraiser on Oct. 4 at Payne Park in memory of Jennifer Demartini.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 7, 2025
Mental health spotlighted at Payne Park fundraiser walk

Sarasota and Manatee community members raised nearly $90,000 to support NAMI's mental health services.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Instructors Juan Uribe and Miranda Vidro from Fred Astaire Dance Studios demonstrate some salsa dance moves at The Bay's third anniversary celebration.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 7, 2025
The Bay nears a million visits on its third anniversary

Sarasota celebrants practiced their salsa moves and raised their glasses to mark three years of community activities at the park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Oil painter Allan G. Cumming uses short brush strokes to enliven the trees in his miniature paintings.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 7, 2025
Artist exhibit provides boost to Siesta Key church's hurricane recovery

All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church on Longboat Key is displaying and selling paintings by a local artist to support St. Boniface's final phase of hurricane rebuilding.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Linda McMillan, Gail Edelman, Mercedes Andrus and Helene Levin gather to play Canasta through the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club Canasta/Mahjong Club.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 7, 2025
Canasta and Mahjong mean socialization and strategy for women's club

Beginners receive instruction and patience when they join the Lakewood Ranch club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
4
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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