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Your Observer

Upper Manatee 288 LLC, a Bradenton company managed by homebuilder and developer Carlos Beruff, of Medallion Home, has purchased the site at 112 Upper Manatee River Road for $4.7 million.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 21, 2011
Homebuilder buys Moore's Dairy site for $4.7 million

Upper Manatee 288 LLC, managed by Carlos Beruff, purchased the former Moore's Dairy site out of foreclosure for $4.7 million.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 21, 2011
Bayside spreads Christmas cheer

Bayside Community Church's Family Christmas Spectacular will feature sledding, family pictures, pony rides and more.

  • East County
  • News
More than 1,200 pieces of duct tape held Principal Bill Stenger to the wall.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 21, 2011
Students raise more than $45,000, tape principal as reward

Willis Elementary students taped Principal Bill Stenger to the wall Dec. 13, as a reward for raising more than $45,000 for the school.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 21, 2011
Garden Leaders files bid protest

Lakewood Ranch CDD boards have taken steps to ensure Down to Earth Lawn Care will start landscaping services Jan. 1.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 21, 2011
FCCLA students complete backpack donation

Lakewood Leaders filled 40 backpacks and donated them to the One Stop Center as part of the Give Back Backpacks drive.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2011
News Briefs

Ranch preschool files for bankruptcy

  • East County
  • News
Members of the Waterlefe Book Club served popcorn. Pictured are Janet Stepp, Vicki Joshpe, Kim Hogan, Janis Bumgarner, Linda Gratsch and Ken Bumgarner.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 21, 2011
Freedom Elementary families party at the park

Freedom Elementary School hosted a special Party in the Park event Dec. 14 for its students at Manatee Mobile Home Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Last Christmas, our son, Lyric, then 2, finally overcame his fear, giving us our first shot with the Big Guy sans waterworks.
    By
  • Michael Eng
  • December 21, 2011
OBSERVED: There's always next year, right?

This was supposed to be the year. This was the year we'd finally get a photo of our two children with Santa Claus.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • December 21, 2011
Lakewood Ranch CC home tops weekly real estate sales

A home in the Country Club of Lakewood Ranch tops all transactions in this week's real estate.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Denise Cady took this photo from her back yard in Greyhawk Landings.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2011
Cool Today Winner: Backyard Getaway

Denise Cady took this photo from her back yard in Greyhawk Landings.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Courtesy rendering
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2011
Our View: The story behind His birth

Children love to hear their grandparents and parents recount the details of whence their family came, the genealogy of who they are, how they came about and why they are.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Read this week's Castaway.
  • By Jorge Blanco
  • December 21, 2011
Castaway

Enjoy this week's Castaway cartoon.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Juan Martinez-Baez hopes to share his love of riding and polo with the next generation.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 21, 2011
Professional polo player offers private and group lessons

Sarasota Polo Club polo instructor Juan Martinez-Baez this season is offering private and group riding and polo lessons to both children and adults.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mara Falahee's 1,000-point career is a first for ODA.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 21, 2011
Thunder star scores 1,000th point

Senior Mara Falahee scored her 1,000th career point on a three-pointer during the Lady Thunder's 43-9 victory over St. Stephen's Dec. 18.

  • East County
  • Sports
The River Dawgs' coaches say they work to not only build championship-caliber baseball players but also champions for life. Courtesy photo.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 21, 2011
River Dawgs win winter tournament

The travel baseball team won the Winter State Championship Tournament and the RBI Holiday Hardball Classic Tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
The East County Observer and Bogey's Restaurant and Sports Pub have teamed up to showcase the East County’s top athletes. Each recipient's article will be featured on the restaurant's wall.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 21, 2011
Athlete of the Week: Gabriella Diaz-Granados

Lakewood Ranch High senior guard Gabriella Diaz-Granados had a game-high 16 points while helping lead the Lady Mustangs to a 54-28 victory over Booker Dec. 12.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River High senior Brittany Jaco celebrated her accomplishment with her younger sister, Madison, left, and parents David and Wynna.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 21, 2011
Outside hitter signs with Manatees

Brittany Jaco signed a national letter-of-intent to play for the State College of Florida.

  • East County
  • Sports
Meet Peyton McLaughlin
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • December 21, 2011
Observer Team Spotlight Q&A

Meet this week's Observer Team player: Peyton McLaughlin

  • East County
  • Sports
The beach access was closed in November after concerns about erosion.
    By
  • Robin Hartill
  • December 20, 2011
North Shore Road beach access to re-open

The beach access closed in November for a seawall project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The suspect is 5-foot-11-inches tall, with a slim build and pale skin.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • December 20, 2011
Attempted bank robbery at Wells Fargo

Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is investigating an attempted bank robbery at Wells Fargo, 8595 South Tamiami Trail today.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Peter Vrinios, of Create a Cane, created candy canes of varying designs, including traditional canes, hearts and even people's names.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • December 20, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Sweets and Stripes

Peter Vrinios, of Create a Cane, showed off his candy-striping skills to Gillian's on St. Armands Circle. He demonstrated candy-cane making in its original form.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
 'People enjoy eating it, so I enjoy making it' Beverly Shapiro says.
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 20, 2011
IN THE KITCHEN WITH: Beverly Shapiro

Beverly Shapiro's grandmother came from Russia and didn't speak a word of English. Shapiro used to watch her grandmother prepare this noodle Kugel, but instead of helping would wait around for food.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Robert L. Taylor Community Center will unveil new programs and youth activities next year.
    By
  • Kurt Schultheis
  • December 20, 2011
Taylor community center exceeds expectations

The Robert L. Taylor Community Center has six times the number of pass holders than it expected after three months of operation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A sheriff's office report states the home of Jorge Alvarez was burglarized sometime between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. Dec, 16, while Alvarez was out of town.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 20, 2011
Valuables totaling $54,000 stolen from Lakewood Ranch home

A home in the 7200 block of Ashland Glen was burglarized sometime Dec. 16.

  • East County
  • News
The series of athletic competitions held in Manatee and Sarasota counties in February each year draws more than 400 athletes ages 50 and up to compete in events such as archery, basketball, bocce, bowling, cribbage, cycling and more.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • December 20, 2011
Registration opens for Gulf Coast Senior Games

Manatee and Sarasota counties have opened registration for the 23rd Annual Gulf Coast Senior Games competition.

  • East County
  • News
Brandon Sommers, Willy D. Sloan, Jennifer Real and Curtis Weeks of Chameleon performed song covers for the party
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 20, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: All Together Holiday Party

It was individual parties wrapped up in one big party at Longboat Key Club and Resort's first 'All Together' Holiday party on Dec. 16. Individual businesses and groups hosted their holiday party leaving the planning to the resort. They were treated to a buffet dinner, dancing live music.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Party organizers Harriet Ansell, Ina Logue, Renee Kasper, Eileen Dubinsky, Mitzie Eisner, Louisa Hodder and Beverly Shapiro
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 20, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Winward Bay Holiday

Over New Pass ridge and through the Key to Winward Bay we go for the holiday party on Dec. 18. The residents at Winward Bay celebrated the holidays early with drinks and appetizers in its clubhouse. Some watched football, others drank punch and everyone was cheerful.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Milton and Sadie Robinson
    By
  • Black Tie Staff
  • December 19, 2011
'Winter Variations'

'Winter Variations'

  • Black Tie
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 19, 2011
Obituary: Alyson Tracey Brown-Sticht

Alyson Tracey Brown-Sticht, of Sarasota, died Dec. 9. She was 48.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 19, 2011
Obituary: Rosemary O'Brien

Rosemary O'Brien, of Longboat Key, died Dec. 11. She was 91.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 19, 2011
Obituary: Frederick L. 'Fred' Reho Jr.

Frederick L. Reho Jr., of Longboat Key and West Bloomfield, Mich., died Dec. 11.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 19, 2011
Obituary: Cash

The Longboat Key Club and Resort's much-loved office dog, Cash, died of natural causes Friday, Dec. 16, at his home.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Santa's reindeer have already started their holiday vacation by taking over the lawn of 536 Ketch Lane on Longboat Key.
    By
  • Rachel S. OHara
  • December 19, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Santa's Wooden Fleet

Check out these handmade wooden reindeer that have found themselves a home on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kacey and Mel Froney
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 19, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Longboat Harbour Holiday

Longbot Harbour celebrated Christmahanakwanzaka with a wine and cheese get together. Residents enjoyed each other's company and on the snacks each provided on Saturday, Dec. 17.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Vincent and Isabella Becking
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 19, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Bird Key Yacht Club Children's Christmas

It was Christmas at Bird Key Yacht Club on and Santa Claus ditched his sleigh and reindeer for a yacht on Dec. 17. Children snacked on holiday cookies and colored crafts - and most of them were inside the lines while they waited. There was also a magic show, and entertainment from Michelle Gallatin playing Christmas carols on her harp.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Meghan and John Cox
    By
  • Mallory Gnaegy
  • December 19, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Sarasota Yacht Club Christmas

One child flaunts his brown balloon reindeer to his sister, 'Mine's Dasher.' His little sister immediately joined the line, shoving a pink one in his face, 'Mine's Rudolph!' she says with a smile. Other children at Sarasota Yacht club at the Children's Christmas Party on Dec. 17 had balloon flowers or swords - both used for fighting. Children were making a winter wonderland sticker page while they ate lunch and anticipated Santa's arrival. When he arrived, he gave a toy to each boy and girl. No one in the room received any coal.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

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Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
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SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
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  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
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The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
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East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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