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Neighbors

Pat O'Connell, Brenda Baril, Beth Scheible and Kim Lawrence said winning the championship Swing for the Cure annual golf day on Feb. 24 was especially meaningful to them, considering Lawrence is a cancer survivor.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 25, 2026
Swing for the Cure unites golfers in fight against breast cancer

The annual golf fundraiser supports Breast Health Sarasota, which recently surpassed $750,000 in contributions to support community members with cancer.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Elizabeth Henderson, the founder and president of the Little Free Library Club in Lakewood Ranch, began the group in 2023.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 25, 2026
Little Free Library Club works to keep reading accessible in Lakewood Ranch

Since 2023, the club has built five libraries in local parks. In order to expand, volunteers and books are needed.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Negotiations continue between Manatee County and its two garbage haulers — Waste Management and Waste Pro.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 24, 2026
Plan for Community Cleanup Day on Longboat Key

Get ready to safely dispose of household hazardous materials, electronics, papers for shredding and bulk items.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rabbi Howard Simon, master of ceremonies at Temple Beth Israel's 47th annual gala, welcomes attendees to the event on Feb. 22 at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 23, 2026
47th Temple Beth Israel gala centers on community

The annual gala celebrated the contributions of Suzan and Barry Friedman and family over the years.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Artist Kathleen Murphy Willer, based in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, said she has fun incorporating elements evocative of childhood in her acrylic paintings. She was one of the artists to brave the sun and rain at last weekend's fine art festival on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 23, 2026
Specialized artists turn out for fifth Longboat Fine Art Fest

From glass molding to close-up photography, artists showcased works in a variety of media at the weekend festival.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Executive directors Brian Walton, Jessica Ryherd and Amy Steinhauser respectively from Save Our Seabirds, Feeding Empty Little Tummies, Inc. and The Paradise Center, pitched their future development ideas to attendees at the inaugural Longboat Key 100 fundraiser Feb. 17 at The Resort at Longboat Key Club.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 22, 2026
Inaugural fundraiser awards $100K to combat childhood hunger

Attendees at the first Longboat Key 100 fundraiser heard from Save Our Seabirds, The Paradise Center and Feeding Empty Little Tummies.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ryley Hoaglin, 10, looks at birds from the gazebo.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 22, 2026
Sarasota Audubon welcomes the public to its nature center with Fly Wild

The community event, held at the Sarasota Audubon Society, raised awareness of the organization's activities, offering free exhibitions, presentations and tours.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Nicholas Quintero, Conner King, Greyson Alexander and Lucas Matallana are campout ready with snacks, a lantern and even a headlamp.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 22, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Community Campout lights a fire for families and friends

Approximately 150 people attended the Lakewood Ranch Community Activities event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
University Park Women’s Club members Kristy Schubert and Fifi Queen co-chaired the “An Evening at SEA” fundraiser that raised $22,300. The funds will benefit two nonprofits — Women's Resource Center and Feeding Empty Little Tummies.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 21, 2026
University Park Women's Club raises $22,300 for local nonprofits

The two nonprofits, Women’s Resource Center and Feeding Empty Little Tummies, will each receive $11,150.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
St. Barbara's Hellenic Folk Dance Group member Harrison Barakos gives a wave, while being cheered on by fellow dancers Maria Stylianoudakis and Gianni Cappelluti, as his name is called at the St. Barbara 42nd annual Greek Festival.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 20, 2026
St. Barbara hosts 42nd annual Greek Festival all weekend

Members of the church come together to celebrate their faith and their Greek culture.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Golfers competing in "Pittsburgh vs. The World" may be rivals out on the green, but at the celebration afterward, they have nothing but smiles for one another. Jan Van Iten and Carol Westwood are the original captains in the friendly tournament, which marked 25 years on Feb. 16.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 20, 2026
Longboat golfers celebrate 25 years of friendly competition

Dubbed "Pittsburgh vs. The World," this annual golf competition started as a friendly feud and has become a beloved tradition.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Terry Creighton lines up a shot at a Feb. 15 tennis session at The Sanctuary.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 20, 2026
The Sanctuary kicks off season's activity with tennis pro

Claudiu Retean, a Sports Professionals Association-certified tennis pro, offered technique tips and motivation at the Feb. 15 session.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Weizhen Jiang Wolf and Yuhong Wan of Zen Rhythm Dance Group perform a Mongolian Dance at the Lunar New Year Celebration.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 20, 2026
Sister Cities of Sarasota hosts Lunar New Year celebration

With an estimated 400 attendees, the Sister Cities Association of Sarasota hopes to expand the celebration even more next year.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Joyce Hecklau, who played essential roles in planning Longboat Harbour's change of watch and holiday festivities, earned the title of Woman of the Year.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 19, 2026
Longboat Harbour names event planner extraordinaire Woman of the Year

The Longboat Harbour Owners Association, Inc., honored Joyce Hecklau at the annual Men's Club-hosted brunch.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
One of things that makes Lakewood Ranch unique? The family behind it.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 19, 2026
Lakewood Ranch: How it all began

Although it may seem relatively new, Lakewood Ranch's beginning is rooted in a founding family that came to the area more than 100 years ago.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April
2
  • March 20, 2026
Longboat Key's Cops, Cars & Coffee rescheduled
3
City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism
  • March 20, 2026
City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism
4
Dolores M. Stevens (2025)
  • March 19, 2026
Dolores M. Stevens
5
Zachary Keller and Helen Krushinski star in "Water for Elephants," which comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Feb. 12-14, 2027.
  • March 19, 2026
'Water for Elephants,' 'Six' and 'Hell's Kitchen' lead Van Wezel's 2026-27 lineup

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