The Braden River and Lakewood Ranch High baseball teams were two of 32 teams from across the state who competed in the 2011 Sarasota Baseball Classic March 14-17. The Mustangs finished third in the Elite bracket with a 3-1 record while the Pirates finished with a 1-3 record in the Premier bracket. Lakewood defeated West Boca 3-2 and Bishop Verot 11-1 before falling to Barron Collier 15-10. The Mustangs closed out the tournament with a victory over Sarasota. Braden River opened the tournament with a 10-6 loss to Royal Palm Beach before defeating Bozeman 16-2. The Pirates then fell to American Heritage Delray 3-2 and Dwyer 9-7. Lakewood's Brett Hanewich, Seth McGarry and Zach Larson were all named to the 2011 All-Tournament team.

Hundreds of East County residents and art enthusiasts alike flocked to Main Street in Lakewood Ranch for the 11th Annual Art at the Ranch Fine Arts Festival March 19-20. The event, organized by ArtCenter Manatee and sponsored by LWR Communities LLC, featured painters, photographers, jewelers, sculptors, potters textile artists and more from as far away as California and Maine.

The Schoenbaum Humanitarian Luncheon honoring Diane and Robert Roskamp

Dressed in their Sunday best, dozens of girls at Gene Witt Elementary School enjoyed an evening with the special men in their lives during the school's annual Father-Daughter Dance March 18. The girls danced the night away with their dads, got their pictures taken and enjoyed ice cream sundaes and other tasty treats.

Temple Emanu-El celebrated Purim with a carnival on Sunday, March 20. The carnival included games, food, bounce houses and crafts. The money raised will go to the school.

Grand Bay residents Stuart Scheyer and Milan Adrian made a pot of "Ultimate Chili" for the March 20 buffet at the clubhouse.

As expected, Villagers had a great time at their Mardi Gras party held March 20. Hosts were Craig and Cathy Meldahl and Craig and Georgia Walters who combined their backyards for the party site.

Temple Beth Sholom held its Purim Carnival - complete with everything from rock climbing to a dunk tank -- today.

Dozens of McNeal Elementary School students and their families enjoyed an evening of fun and games during the school's annual Bingo Night March 18. Students played several rounds of Bingo while snacking on hot dogs and potato chips.