E A ST COUNTY
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
Top bananas as servers
PAGE 15
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
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FREE THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019
VOLUME 21, NO. 27
Mote Marine picks its builders
YOUR TOWN
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History comes alive Third-grade students at Gene Witt Elementary learned history can come to life when they stepped back in time to become part of a living museum May 17. Students worked on projects where they chose a famous person who contributed to society, then wrote an essay about the person they selected. In the final part of the project, students like Grace Hoot and Marley Matras (above as Queen Elizabeth and Shirley Temple) dressed as the famous figures they chose before sharing information about that person’s life in a presentation.
Willis Smith and its partner, Orlando’s Whiting-Turner, land Science Education Aquarium project. PAGE 3
Respect for our heroes
Community packs Main Street to remember those who served. SEE PAGE 8 Jay Heater
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Navy veteran Ken Green was part of the honor guard that, during the Tribute to Heroes Parade in Lakewood Ranch May 19, saluted those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
A+E
Seniors’ talents unleashed
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Purr-fect reunion Summerfield’s Janine Claycomb didn’t have the heart to tell her son, Cale, his beloved cat, Sophie, had gone missing Feb. 18. Cale was away at school in Texas, and Janine prayed Sophie would come home. She finally did. Janine found Sophie (above) May 16 living under a shed at a home in Braden Woods. She arrived at home in time for Cale’s trip home for his 17th birthday.
Andrew Atkins
Lakewood Ranch High’s Chloe Sutherland and Dinecia Louisy participate in their graduation ceremony.
Local public high schools graduate Class of 2019. PAGES 21-23
Painter breaks the rules. INSIDE