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Neighbors

John Hettler, principal and founder of SOSA said he is very grateful to the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation for their generous donation towards the new playground equipment and necessary repairs. Executive director Kate Mulligan and president Mark Clark were amongst the members of the foundation present.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 2, 2025
Sea of Strengths Academy receives grant for new playground

The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation presented them with a grant for $8,700 to go towards the playground after Kelly Gonzalez, a parent at the school, wrote approximately 30 different ones.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Former Longboat Key Garden Club president Susan Phillips and current president Melanie Dale thoughtfully map out a phased approach to rebuilding Bicentennial Park from hurricane damage.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 2, 2025
Longboat Key Garden Club digs into Bicentennial Park renovation

After working hard to raise funds through the Taste of the Keys, Arts in April and other efforts, the Longboat Key Garden Club is moving ahead with fixing up Bicentennial Garden.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Maria Swirczyuski, 10 showcases her artwork from Lina Rincon Art Studio. She also created the painting of the heron to the left.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 30, 2025
Creative Kids SRQ hosts first block party event with Youth Art Fest

The nonprofit, which aims to empower young artists, expanded its Youth Art Fest into the streets.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alitza Trumpler leads a Q&A with Katie Moulton and Winfred van Workum at Pierre Condominiums about the transition from The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort to St. Regis Longboat Key Resort.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 30, 2025
Leaders of Longboat Key's resorts reflect on evolution

From hurricane devastation to hitting the top 100 hotels, St. Regis Longboat Key Resort has undergone a transformative journey.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jennifer Alokeh and Barbara Najmy lead The Lake Club Women’s Giving Circle with passion and compassion.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 30, 2025
Lake Club Women's Giving Circle grows into an important community resource

The circle started with 10 members over 10 years ago and has since doled out over $220,000 worth of grants.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Courtney Warner of Longboat Key started her career in entertainment through dancing but transitioned to acting, and she looks forward to the release of several upcoming films.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 30, 2025
Longboat actor reflects on films and future goals

Courtney Warner has acted in films ranging from romance to thriller, and now she looks forward to a new challenge.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Recipients of this year's grants from the Longboat Key Garden Club shared stories of how the funds will bolster their environmental educational efforts.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 29, 2025
Garden club focuses on youth education with grants

The Longboat Key Garden Club spent Arbor Day awarding $35,750 in grants.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mason Manahan, 5, and Juniper Hassler, 6, dig in a compost pile.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 29, 2025
Families celebrate Earth Day outdoors at The Bay

The event brought together various community organizations, and was hosted alongside a city tree giveaway.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Alex Benson says the current mural is much more detailed and will take more time than previous projects. His goal is to have it complete over the summer, ready for the 2025-2026 school year.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 29, 2025
Local mural artist volunteers his talent to beautify McNeal Elementary

Alex Benson has painted three murals at the Lakewood Ranch school.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Acting Bishop Robert Rose, Rev. Eric Wogen, Rev. Kenneth Blyth and Rev. Robert Zimmer celebrate the rededication of St. Armands Key Lutheran Church on April 27.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 29, 2025
Rising from ruin, St. Armands church celebrates rededication

Last year's hurricanes swept through St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, but nothing could keep this congregation down.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Medge Jaspan and John Nash host an open house to share their insights on energy-based healing on April 23.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 29, 2025
Open house aims to open minds to biophoton energy healing

Medge Jaspan promotes biophoton energy healing practices at Longboat Key open house.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bird Key Yacht Club members opened a time capsule from 2000 during its celebration of the clubhouse's final days on April 26.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 28, 2025
Bird Key Yacht Club hosts a party 'like it's Y2K'

The club unveiled a 25-year-old time capsule at its party looking forward to building a new clubhouse.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A series of Thunderbirds line the car show.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 28, 2025
Car enthusiasts gather for Devereaux-Kaiser Collector Car Show

The annual show, which drew about 400 cars, is held by the Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Diego Chappa, 6, and his brother Tadeo Chappa, 8, showcase their medals.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 28, 2025
Education Foundation Ringling Bridge Run returns for second year

The run over the John Ringling Causeway supported student and teacher programming in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jim Howell and Jack McCaffrey are students at Florida Studio Theatre. McCaffrey studied animation and design at the Ringling College of Art and Design.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 28, 2025
Free acting class series coming to Lakewood Ranch Library

Florida Studio Theatre employees will lead classes on Improv for All, Acting Foundations, Reader’s Circle and Intro to Playwriting.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Shane Catts, who started Happy Paddler Kayak Tours & Ecoventures with his wife, Holly Rolls, said the Longboat Key-based business has been proud to be part of so many families' favorite times vacationing and living on the island in the nearly 10 years it has been open on the north end.
  • August 6, 2026
Happy Paddler celebrates family legacy on Longboat Key waters
2
  • August 6, 2026
Voter organization to hold election information sessions
3
Workers install boat slips behind the vacant lot where the Buccaneer Restaurant is planned. Additional slips will be installed behind the Harbor Square office building pictured left.
  • August 6, 2026
Boat slip addition underway behind future Buccaneer Restaurant site
4
Sarasota runner Vinny O'Shaughnessy completed his goal of running a marathon in every state. Since then, the runner hasn't slowed down, starting on a new mission to do the same with a half marathon in every state.
  • August 6, 2026
Marathon man accomplishes goal of racing in every state
5
Paused 'generational' city projects subject to commission review
  • August 6, 2026
Paused 'generational' city projects subject to commission review

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