E A ST COUNTY
Observer Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Art sparks donations.
SEE PAGE 11
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FREE THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2018
VOLUME 20, NO. 24
A million reasons to buy? Million-dollar home market in East County gains momentum. SEE PAGE 3
YOUR TOWN
LIFE IN THE STICKS
Courtesy photo
Past lessons for future gain When Braden River High teacher Erik Nelson (above) works with his students, he focuses on making connections to current culture. “In today’s world, memorizing information such as who the king of England was in 1830 is less important,” Nelson said. “What really matters is analyzing the events and movements of the past.” On April 26, Nelson received the Florida Council of Social Studies’ Excellence in Teaching History award.
Porcupines sit on pins and needles as they await their new home. SEE PAGE 8 Amelia Hanks
Porgie the porcupine munches on a treat from his caretaker at Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary.
BLACK
TIE
Shine On! event a bright way to raise money. INSIDE
Players Centre drama
CEO resigns as theater group moves ahead with Lakewood Ranch move. SEE PAGE 4
Courtesy rendering
A rendering of the $30 million Players Centre for Performing Arts building planned for Waterside.
Courtesy photo
Here she comes
Lakewood Ranch’s Lauren Dalton, 12, qualified as a state finalist in the National American Miss Florida Pageant to be held July 14-15 at the Hyatt Grand Cypress hotel in Orlando. Girls 4 through 18 compete in five age divisions. Dalton (above) will compete in the Miss Florida Pre Teen event, which offers to the winner a $1,500 cash award, a crown, and air transportation to compete in the national pageant at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif.