EAST COUNTY
Observer
Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
Here come the kiddies. PAGE 6B
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2026
VOLUME 27, NO. 48
YOUR TOWN
Appraising your home a complex assignment
BURSTING WITH PRIDE Special 250th anniversary celebration at Benderson Park. SEE PAGE 4B
Lesley Dwyer
Dashing through the goal ’Tis the season for Christmas in July, but that’s not the reason Skye Reyes (above on the right with Cristina Davila) was wearing a Santa hat on Lakewood Main Street in summer. Reyes was wearing green, white and red to root for Mexico in the World Cup on June 30. The team played Ecuador and won 2-0. Before watching the game at Ed’s Tavern, Reyes and Davila stopped at the Ice Cream Shoppe for some sweet treats. Davila was dressed to order a taste of her childhood: Superman ice cream. She said the shop has a great selection of flavors, but not that one, so she chose the next best thing: Super Vanilla.
Manatee County uses a staff of 65 to appraise 236,000 parcels each year. SEE PAGE 3A
Madison Bierl
Teachers’ support is elementary Jazmin Bautista and Lauren Davis (above) are among the staff members at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Braden River, who are spreading the word about the school supply drive that supports Tara Elementary School. This is the third year of the drive and Davis has been able to serve the Tara Elementary teachers at their luncheon, where they receive the items for the last two years. “It’s cool to see them get excited and be appreciated,” Davis said. “It’s a great way to help the community.” To support local teachers, community members are able to go to Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, located at 6581 State Road E., and pick out a teacher’s wish list. The goal is to lessen the money teachers pay out of pocket to fill their classrooms with supplies.
Lesley Dwyer
Those in the finish tower have a great view of Fireworks on the Lake at Nathan Benderson Park.
Lesley Dwyer
The Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office appraises about 236,000 real estate parcels in a year.
New leader wants to build solid foundation
A+E
Read the Observer anytime, anywhere on our free app! Visit YourObserver.com/app-offer or use the QR code below Madison Bierl
Keith Pandeloglou, founder of CoworkLWR, has taken over the role of president of the board of the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation.
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation transitions to Keith Pandeloglou as its president of the board. SEE PAGE 8A
A dogged desire to entertain. PAGE 13A