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Neighbors

Michael Garey, owner of the Lazy Lobster restaurant, greets a table full of attendees on their second stop for the first Longboat Key Turtle Crawl fundraiser on May 7. The foodie fundraiser benefits sea turtle research being done this nesting season by Longboat Key Turtle Watch and Mote Marine.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 11, 2026
Debut Turtle Crawl fundraiser sees strong turnout

Centered around a trio of Longboat restaurants, the fundraiser will support sea turtle research heading into a new nesting season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bonnie Schneider, a longtime member of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church, bestows a flower crown upon the statue of Mary as this year's honoree for the Mother's Day ceremony.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 10, 2026
May crowning honoree celebrated for generosity

The Mother's Day ceremony at St. Mary church recognized longtime member Bonnie Schneider.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
William Gensmer and Zaeta, of The Tilt, perform on stage.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 10, 2026
Be Fabulous Music & Arts Pride Fest held at Selby Five Points Park

The event hosted by the Fabulous Arts Foundation showcased LGBTQ+ artists and connected community members downtown after making its return there last year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Joseph Sprouse created costumes based on "Tron" that he and his sister Isabel Sprouse wore to the event.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 10, 2026
SiestaCon continues to bring a comic con experience to Sarasota

The event, held at Robarts Arena, returned for its third year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Waterside’s Victoria Ortiz, 24, said her 7-month-old son, Flynn, has changed her life for the better.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 10, 2026
Mothers discuss their journeys before their special day

Lakewood Ranch mothers share how motherhood has helped them grow through both happy moments and hardship.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Parker Hippich, 12 months, gets a lift from mom, Tessa Hippich, during Petals and Poses on Saturday at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 10, 2026
All about the mothers at special event in Lakewood Ranch

Petals and Poses honored the area's moms while raising funds for the Mothers Helping Mothers nonprofit.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Wendy Feinstein now divides her time between Longboat Key and Carbondale, Colorado.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 8, 2026
American Jewish Committee names new regional president

Wendy Feinstein, a Longboat Key resident, previously served the AJC as regional vice president.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alannis Peterson of Prism Artistry "eats" fire at Agave Bandido for its Cinco de Mayo Celebration May 5.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 6, 2026
Agave Bandido hosts Cinco de Mayo party in Waterside of Lakewood Ranch

Live music, a fire performer, stilt walkers, drinks and Mexican food made for a memorable event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Janet and Dean Mixon are retiring. The couple sold their food truck to Polk Sheriff Charities, Inc.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 6, 2026
Mixon Swirl food truck finds a new home in Polk County

Dean and Janet Mixon sell their iconic food truck to Polk Sheriff Charities Inc.

  • East County
  • Business
Multimedia artist Peg Green explains how stories of creation inspired this particular quilt. A collection of her works centered on ancient goddesses and muses is now on display at All Angels Episcopal Church.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 6, 2026
Longboat gallery spotlights local quilting artist

With some of her detailed works taking six years to make, artist Peg Green invests extensive research, rich stories and fine details into her quilts.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Don Schultz of Windward Bay celebrates as his top pick, Golden Tempo, crosses the finish line first at the Kentucky Derby. Schultz was the only person at the watch party to pick the long-shot horse.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 5, 2026
Birthday boy beats derby odds

Windward Bay held a Kentucky Derby watch party with a surprise twist for one resident.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
At the Women's Golf Association season farewell on April 28 at the Longboat Key Club, players enjoyed perfect golfing conditions. Pictured, Brenda Baril, Donna Newton, Jennifer Cahill, Regina Repenning, Michelle Swartz, Katie Moulton, Louise Berg and Joyce Welch.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 5, 2026
Women's Golf Association scrambles to close out season

Clear skies led to great plays by players with the Women's Golf Association at their end-of-season gathering.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sourdough Society of Lakewood Ranch members Camille Piccininni, Erica Calka and David Wiegand each created a loaf of sourdough with different ingredients to make each unique.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 5, 2026
Sourdough Society of Lakewood Ranch rises by sharing ideas

These members don't loaf around when it comes to making delicious bread.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Samantha Esposito celebrates her graduation with grandparents Mabel and Anthony.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 4, 2026
Help celebrate new grads

Send information about graduates living on Longboat, Lido, St. Armands or Bird keys who deserve celebration this season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A beaming Dick Vitale with his All-Courageous Kids at the 21st annual Dick Vitale Gala held on May 1 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 4, 2026
Dick Vitale Gala raises $21 million for pediatric cancer research

In its 21st year, the gala nearly doubled last year's $12 million total, with Vitale currently battling cancer for the fifth time.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest News

1
Peculiar Pub takes the place of Twisted Pit BBQ on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch.
  • June 12, 2026
Peculiar Pub crawls across Main Street in Lakewood Ranch
2
Carlos Pagán, a fixture of the Sarasota jazz scene, passed away June 7 at age 78.
  • June 12, 2026
Sarasota jazz crusader and filmmaker Carlos Pagán dies at age 78
3
Congressman Greg Steube speaks at the ribbon cutting for the completion of the renourishment project at Lido Beach.
  • June 12, 2026
Steube named an MVP in Congressional ballgame
4
Sarasota Crew's Gabrielle DeLeo heads to the finish of the Women's Youth 1x Thursday at the USRowing Youth National Championships at Nathan Benderson Park. She qualified for Friday's semifinal by placing eighth in 7:54.36.
  • June 11, 2026
USRowing National Championships opens in Sarasota
5
East County residents wait in line before 7 a.m. on June 11 to start shopping at the new Publix at 16642 State Road 64 East.
  • June 11, 2026
Publix opens at corner of SR 64 and Uihlein Road in Lakewood Ranch

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