E A ST COUNTY
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
Dance career takes off.
PAGE 13
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
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FREE THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020
VOLUME 22, NO. 25
Wiser ways with water
YOUR TOWN
Courtesy photo
Time to party Lakewood Ranch’s Remy DeVictor (above) could not celebrate his 12th birthday with friends because of the COVID-19 outbreak, but his mother, Susan, got creative. She dropped off cake to six friends’ homes April 18, and at 4 p.m., the group joined in for a Zoom call to talk and eat cake together. The kids played games on the share screen and enjoyed playing with the virtual backgrounds. “It was a great opportunity to get to see and talk to my friends during this quarantine,” Remy DeVictor said.
Self quarantine provides time to check your home’s water efficiency. PAGE 3
Multilayered generosity GreyHawk Landing resident bakes cakes to brighten her neighbors’ day. SEE PAGE 8 Liz Ramos
Valerie Demino ices a rainbow cake. The cakes are a way for her to thank people who are helping others during COVID-19 and put smiles on people’s faces.
Quick shift in local politics
Courtesy photo
Walk the chalk East County’s Adaline Reeves hopped and twisted through a chalk walk her mother, Angie, made for the family on their driveway April 17. Angie Reeves (shown with Adaline above) started the project as a way to keep her 9-year-old daughter, Adaline; 7-year-old son, Zane; and her husband, Brad, moving while having to stay at home due to the pandemic. “Being sure they get enough exercise while at home is a priority for us as it helps with their stress and also helps them eat and sleep better at night,” Angie Reeves said.
File photo
Commissioner Vanessa Baugh is now unopposed in District 5.
Commissioner’s decision not to seek reelection sets off chain reaction. SEE PAGE 5
New times to graduate Lakewood Ranch, Braden River high schools move their graduation ceremonies to late July. SEE PAGE 2