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Sarasota | Neighbors

Kelley Storey packs one of the boxes.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 18, 2019
Season of giving

Gulf Gate Rotary Club partnered with Children Protection Center to donate Thanksgiving dinners to 80 families in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarabeth Kalajian and William Jervey
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 18, 2019
Night of surprises

Sarabeth Kalajian was recognized for her 35 years with the Sarasota County library system on Nov. 13.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 16, 2019
Festival rocks hunger in Lakewood Ranch

Giving Hunger the Blues at the Sarasota Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch benefits Mayors' Feed the Hungry program.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • November 16, 2019
Sand sculptors compete at 2019 Crystal Classic

The annual sand sculpture competition runs Nov. 15 to 18.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Marissa Dobbert is Sarasota County Middle School Teacher of the Year.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 14, 2019
Sarasota Schools celebrate Teacher of the Year finalists

School district staff joined Education Foundation representatives in surprising the three finalists at their schools.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarah Darling lost her engagement ring while on vacation at Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 14, 2019
Have you seen this ring?

The custom-made gold engagement ring is believed to be around the Hyatt on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The world's first telephone box was opened in 1881 in Berlin.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 14, 2019
The 20th century is calling

Selby Library is home to two pay phones.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Vicki Dworski, Don Walker and Melliss Kenworthy Swenson rehearse "The Prize" by Arthur Keyser.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 14, 2019
Senior Friendship Center to hold Holiday Extravaganza performance

The "Holiday Extravaganza" will run from Nov. 19-22.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 14, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: November 14

Stephen Jordan captured a beautiful sunset from Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 13, 2019
Founders Garden Club blooms at annual luncheon

The annual Flower Talk was held on Nov. 13 at Art Ovation.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lori Lockhart and Karen Howe
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 11, 2019
Arlington Park takes center stage at Porchfest

The fourth annual event took place in Nov. 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ralph Franklin, 99, cuts the birthday cake with a sword.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 11, 2019
Marine Corps celebrate 244th birthday with a Sarasota gathering

Veterans of the U.S. Marine Corps gathered Nov. 10 at Marina Jack to celebrate birthday.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Katie Dick, 9, picks out her new mug.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 11, 2019
Bowls of Hope: A day for soup and appreciation

The 17th annual event was held on Nov. 10.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ryan Praerke and Kendra Simpkins, co-founders of Operation Warrior Resolution.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 11, 2019
Sarasota's Veterans Day parade salutes those who served

Young and old take part in the annual celebration of veterans.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 8, 2019
Thanksgiving comes early to Temple Emanu-el

Temple Emanu-el preschool held its annual Thanksgiving Feast on Nov. 8.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • November 7, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: November 7

Allison Forsyth captured these boats docked at Island Park near Marina Jack.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dennis Yoder, owner and founder of Siesta Key Creamery, started in the ice cream business in 1982.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 7, 2019
What's the scoop: Siesta Key gets new creamery

Veteran ice cream shop owner opens store in Siesta Key South Village.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Heather Hooper, Mote's senior aquarium biologist and dive safety officer, cleans the Selby Library fish tank.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 7, 2019
What's in the tank?

Selby Public Library gets a visit from Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Diane McFarlin, Dean of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications and former Community Foundation Board Chair.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 6, 2019
Community Foundation of Sarasota celebrates 40 years

The 40th anniversary breakfast was held on Nov. 6.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The mobile baptism truck has visited 15 states.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 6, 2019
Baptism on the go

Time to Revive ministry travels throughout the United States with its Mobile Baptismal truck.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 4, 2019
Kids bounce through Nathan Benderson Park

The Big Bounce America took over Nathan Benderson Back from Nov. 1-3.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
(This one is my favorite because you can see the bulbs up close and the sculpture in the background establishes where the lights are.)
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 3, 2019
Out on a limb with lights

Wait... are those Christmas Lights in October?

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 1, 2019
UBS opens office to trick-or-treaters

UBS Financial Services Inc. welcomed trick-or-treaters from after school programs on Oct. 31.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • November 1, 2019
Sarasota Kiwanis Club's Veterans Day breakfast sends out a call to action

Retired Sergeant Major tells gathering communities must help veterans

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 31, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: October 31

Pamela Williams captured image of a deer while visiting Rothenbach Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Jim Martin with Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota County members.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 31, 2019
Sarasota man receives $20,000 grant for Boys & Girls Clubs

Jim Martin has been a volunteer with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County for more than 15 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kathy Trost and Lexi, 2, dress as matching witches.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 30, 2019
Pups pack Arlington Park for Bark-O-Ween

Pups dressed up in Halloween costumes for Bark-O-Ween at Arlington Park on Oct. 29.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kathy Trost and her dog Lexi, 2, dress as witches for Arlington Park's Bark-O-Ween.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 30, 2019
Seeing double

This Halloween match your costume to your pet's!

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 28, 2019
Arlington Park gets spooky with Haunted Trail

Arlington Park and Aquatic Complex held its first-ever Haunted Trail Carnival on Oct. 25.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 24, 2019
Sarasota weather page photo: October 24

Unusual wave-made sand formations were photographed at Turtle Beach on Siesta Key by Richard Wulterkens.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
SRO Chip Cone and Ashton Elementary Principal Kristi Jarvis
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 24, 2019
Special guests serve kids lunch

School Lunch Week is a national initiative.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kylo Phillips, 3, tries on a pair of vision impairment goggles.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 22, 2019
Mobility Challenge takes over Selby Library

Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center celebrated White Cane Safety Day with Mobility Challenge Without Sight on Oct. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Caitlin Loewe and Kat Grimmett pick flowers.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 22, 2019
Sarasota schools celebrate farm to school month

Farm to School is an initiative from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 21, 2019
Slime squishes its way into Sarasota

The first-ever Slime Festival took place at Robarts Arena on Oct. 19.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
To Sarasota students, this artwork is what health looks like.
    By
  • Whitney Elfstrom
  • October 21, 2019
Students’ art takes top prizes

Sarasota students participated in a Southwest Florida wide art contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 20, 2019
Runners triumph at First Watch Sarasota Half Marathon

The event made adjustments in light of the rainy weekend, but carried on strong.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest in Sarasota

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