E A ST COUNTY
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Relay event reworked.
PAGE 14
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FREE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2020
VOLUME 22, NO. 44
YOUR TOWN
Slight rise in tourism Hoteliers say Premier soccer event signals positive shift. PAGE 3
One busy beekeeper
Liz Ramos
She’s a hands-on type of student Avery Ruffing, a fourth grader at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School, was so focused on her paint project Sept. 2 at Greenbrook Adventure Park that she didn’t notice light-blue paint was getting all over her hands. She and five other McNeal students were gathered there for the school project while social distancing. After watching her paint choices of blue, magenta and gold blend together on her canvas, Ruffing rubbed her hands together, finally noticing she was spreading the blue paint even more. “I looked like a Smurf,” Ruffing said while showing her hands to a group of fellow e-learning students.
Greenbrook woman started her sweet hobby in Lakewood Ranch. SEE PAGE 20
Jay Heater
After being stung near the eye, Lauren Hofing says she now errs on the side of caution when checking on her beehives.
Make yourself count
Courtesy photo
Schools graced with supplies Grace Community Church members, including missionary Juno Llamado, were anxious to help teachers start the new school year on the right foot. They provided teachers within their congregation, at schools throughout Sarasota County and at Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch with back-to-school supplies and about 200 teacher gift bags.
Pam Eubanks
Lake Vista’s Steven Harrison prepares a notice of visit in River Club. It was one of several homes on Partridge Street Circle that hadn’t replied to the census.
Local census workers go door-to-door to update information. SEE PAGE 8
NEIGHBORS
Derby event adds sunshine. SEE PAGE 18