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East County | Neighbors

Carissa Smentowski, who played a big part in creating the Peaceful Path, receives a hug from the Peaceful Path Director Jamie Reagan during the World Labryrinth Day program.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 2, 2026
Peaceful Path in Lakewood Ranch offers a stroll on World Labyrinth Day

Peace Presbyterian has joined the worldwide effort to "create a rolling wave of peace."

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ed Catalane of the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club does his part to teach children, including Lakewood Ranch's Hayes Cochran, further their fishing skills at the Youth & Teen Fishing Seminar May 2.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 2, 2026
Expert cast teaches fishing lessons in Lakewood Ranch

One hundred and forty kids attended the Youth and Teen Fishing Seminar by the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club to learn the basics of fishing.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Martha Jepsky and Rebel Jackson say The Lake Club Women's Giving Circle is a great place to build community and support a great cause.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 1, 2026
Lake Club Women's Giving Circle wine event raises funds with taste

Uncorked and On the Rocks fuels the group's charity given, which totaled more than $100,000 in 2025.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Skyler Betts is the CEO of All 4 the Members, a nonprofit that serves residents, 65 and older, living in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 29, 2026
Nonprofit supports seniors and caregivers in Sarasota, Manatee counties

All 4 the Members offers resources and financial support to residents who are 65 and older.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
River Strand's Bonnie and Manoj Mathew stand between two of the crew members. John Pallasch is on the left and Joe Leach is on the right.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 29, 2026
River Strand couple hosts fundraiser for nonprofit Foar the Brave

Two veterans and two civilians are preparing to row 2,800 miles across the Pacific Ocean in June.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
James Kleiner, who is working at Jiggs Landing for his grandmother, concession owner Denise Kleiner, made fast friends with Shiloh, the lost pet parrot.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 28, 2026
After a flight to Jiggs Landing, dancing pet parrot reunited with distraught owner

Bradenton teen James Kleiner cares for Shiloh, a sun conure who had been missing for almost a month.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Mateo Orlandini and East Bradenton's Alex Molina both have a passion for soccer and love to play with new people at the Lakewood Ranch Residents Soccer Club.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 22, 2026
Soccer club provides free space to grow and socialize

With soccer being such a popular sport in Lakewood Ranch, Carrie David wanted to provide a free option for players of all ages and skill levels to play together.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Adriana Fil, Mya Fil and Charlotte Miller greet adoptable puppies from Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center at Woofstock on Lakewood Main Street.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 19, 2026
First Woofstock event fills Lakewood Main Street with dogs

More than 30 pet-centered vendors, a Puppy Pals Live show, caricatures and more attracted dog lovers to Lakewood Main Street.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Senior Alexis Huffstutler says she enjoys helping younger students, like freshman Naya Cordero, to come out of their shells and express themselves through acting.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 18, 2026
Braden River High School presents 'Godspell'

With a cast and crew of 22 students, theater and dance director Tabetha Walter directed her first show at Braden River High School.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Rosedale Golf Classic for Homes for Our Troops was founded by Kathi Skelton and Deb Kehoe in 2013. Prior to this year's money raised, $1.5 million has been donated to the organization from their efforts.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 17, 2026
Rosedale Golf Classic brings veterans, community members together

Rosedale's Kathi Skelton and Deb Kehoe have been raising money for Homes for Our Troops, a nonprofit that builds homes for veterans, since 2013.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sue Ann Miller's story is featured in the Donate Life display at the Lakewood Ranch Library.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 15, 2026
Lakewood Ranch volunteer puts her second heart to good use

After receiving a heart transplant, Sue Ann Miller has gone on to volunteer for several nonprofits, including LifeLink of Florida.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Phil Orapallo and Sarasota's Kendra Simpkins Walsh are eager to welcome veterans and golfers alike to the Operation Warrior Resolution Golf Classic at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club on April 27.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 14, 2026
Operation Warrior Resolution Golf Classic to benefit local veterans

The second annual Operation Warrior Resolution Golf Classic was founded by a Lakewood Ranch resident who knows the kind of trauma veterans can go through.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Calusa Country Club's Gene Bohland will be performing as a member of the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble for the April 19 concert “The Magic of Music."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 14, 2026
Music speaks to retired educator through his heart

Calusa Country Club's Gene Bohland's whole career has been playing and teaching music and he's not stopping now.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Chloe Jarvis, Vice President Donna Quilici-Smith and Sara Sweetnich socialize before the scholarships are given out at Palm Aire Country Club April 10.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 12, 2026
Palm Aire Women's Club awards scholarships to local students

Scholarship recipients from State College of Florida and Manatee Technical College joined the Palm Aire Women's Club for a luncheon April 10.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Luke and Ashley Gustafson moved from Texas 6 months ago They say events like the Lakewood Ranch Block Party put them in "magical awe."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 11, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Block Party features 70 local businesses, builders and clubs

The Lakewood Ranch Block Party, which was a collaboration between Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and Lakewood Ranch Communities, took place April 10.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Commissioners George Kruse and Mike Rahn supported the project from the start.
  • May 4, 2026
Compromise gives Lakewood Ranch-area development another shot
2
Kelly Kirschner is the son of the late Kerry Kirschner, who led the Argus Foundation and also was mayor of Sarasota.
  • May 3, 2026
Sarasota's youngest mayor joins race to fill Buchanan's Congressional seat
3
Carissa Smentowski, who played a big part in creating the Peaceful Path, receives a hug from the Peaceful Path Director Jamie Reagan during the World Labryrinth Day program.
  • May 2, 2026
Peaceful Path in Lakewood Ranch offers a stroll on World Labyrinth Day
4
Ed Catalane of the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club does his part to teach children, including Lakewood Ranch's Hayes Cochran, further their fishing skills at the Youth & Teen Fishing Seminar May 2.
  • May 2, 2026
Expert cast teaches fishing lessons in Lakewood Ranch
5
Rangeland High School, previously referred to as AAA High School, is being built near Premiere Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch and is set to open to freshmen and sophomores in August 2027.
  • May 1, 2026
New school in Lakewood Ranch is officially named Rangeland High School

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