E A ST COUNTY
SEASON THE OBSERVER’S GUIDE TO THE AR TS AND SOCIETY
Observer
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Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
INSIDE VIRTUAL REALITY The ultimate guide to enjoying events at home.
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YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
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FREE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020
VOLUME 22, NO. 47
YOUR TOWN
Better armed for emergencies East County soon will be patrolled by two additional ambulances. PAGE 3
Liz Ramos
Surprise bears lead to hugs Lakewood Ranch’s Kylie Caffrey and Ava Laurie were enjoying a day at the Mall at University Town Center when they were given free teddy bears by surprise. “It was pretty exciting,” Caffrey said while giving her new fuzzy friend a hug. Caffrey and Laurie, who are 13 years old, were among the first 100 children to go by the MedExpress table and receive a free bear during the Wellness Expo on Sept. 26.
SMART adopts a plan Horse ‘adoptions’ make financial sense for nonprofit. SEE PAGE 18
Liz Ramos
Jazz, who can be adopted by making a donation to the Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, is groomed by volunteer Terri Arnold. Courtesy photo
Masked ninja in Summerfield Summerfield residents John Annis and Regina Morris have had an unwelcome guest the past few weeks. It’s a pesky raccoon they’ve nicknamed My Friend (MF). Despite Annis’ best attempts — a cone baffle and coat hangers cut and hung to create an insurmountable obstacle — the raccoon has proven itself to have ninja-like abilities as it climbs a pole to feast on seeds in their bird feeder. The last effort — cooking spray on the bird feeder pole — hasn’t yet been tested by the raccoon, but it’s proving effective on other animals. “The squirrels aren’t very happy,” Annis said.
A+E
Addition equals better learning
Sarasota Cuban Ballet perseveres. SEE PAGE 12
Courtesy photo
Second graders Jelena Konatar and Aaron Jawitz work on assignments while social distancing in a new school addition at Robert E. Willis Elementary.
Willis’ expansion is finished just in time for social distancing. SEE PAGE 5