E A ST COUNTY
Brought to you by the
FEBRUARY 6, 2020
Observer
THE BEST PLAY HERE Lakewood National Golf Club prepares to host the second LECOM Suncoast Classic .
Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
INSIDE CLASSIC DREAMS Mark Hubbard, the winner of the 2019 LECOM Suncoast Classic, is proof the event can drastically change a life. PAGE 2
TOP 10
Who to watch? Here are 10 suggestions for golfers to follow.
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ON THE MAP
Go to these spots to enjoy the action.
PAGES 4-5
OUR LOCAL HOPE
Seath Lauer is East County’s lone entrant.
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FREE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020
VOLUME 22, NO. 12
Earthshaking news in East County
YOUR TOWN
Pam Eubanks
Students rock during bug hunt Four-year-old Aubrey Grosso (above) was ready for a search Jan. 31 after hearing her preschool teacher, Bunni Roberts, read “Under One Rock.” Grosso was the first to hunt for bugs under a large rock after she and her Tara Elementary classmates headed outside, armed with magnifying glasses and a checklist of bugs. “I found an ant!” Grosso shouted while looking through her magnifying glass.
Earth Fare, The Green’s anchor tenant in Lakewood Ranch, will close. SEE PAGE 3A
Rucker to the rescue Therapy dog gives relief to emergency providers. SEE PAGE 8A Pam Eubanks Courtesy photo
Manatee County paramedics Karleigh Alday and Lydia Wilkinson meet Rucker for the first time. They say they love having a service dog available to help deal with the everyday stresses in their pressure-filled line of work.
These students can act up
Courtesy photo
Ready for pawto-graphs Mason Chukker (above) was up for signing “pawto-graphs” Jan. 26 while dressed as Superman. The 9-month-old yellow labrador retriever dressed up for the special superhero tailgate theme and greeted spectators who could also take home his trading card. Mason Chukker is the Sarasota Polo Club’s 2020 season mascot. He is in training to be a guide or service dog for Southeastern Guide Dogs.
Liz Ramos
Best friends and seniors Gabby Macogay and Alex Kraus play lead roles in the Lakewood Ranch High theater department’s production of “Mamma Mia!”
Lakewood Ranch theater department presents ‘Mamma Mia!’ SEE PAGE 16A
Earth Fare, which announced Feb. 3 it is closing, opened its Lakewood Ranch store in January 2018.
BLACK The art of circus charity. INSIDE
TIE