EAST COUNTY
Observer
Letters to Santa
Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
PAGE 1B
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2023
VOLUME 25, NO. 25
YOUR TOWN
More Premier pool delays Commissioners cut back on aquatics center design to reduce costs. SEE PAGE 3A
CHAMPION-LEVEL DETERMINATION Liz Ramos
These elves should be sent to the principal A pair of mischievous elves, also known as Robert E. Willis Elementary School Assistant Principal Katie Fradley and Principal Kathy Price (above), were up to some shenanigans at school Dec. 14. Fradley and Price surprised students and staff by sitting on top of the school’s roof and throwing snowballs at them as they walked up to the front entrance of the school, where a snowmaking machine was making it feel like winter. The elves later were found in various places in the school, such as the library and in classrooms, making people wonder what they were up to throughout the day.
Ryan Kohn
Braden River High sophomore Nicolas Dieter and freshman Landen Chandler have been able to lean on each other during their ups and downs.
Two Braden River High students won’t let cancer stop them from embracing their love of soccer. SEE PAGE 15A Courtesy image
Playing dress-up
East Manatee Fire Rescue Lt. Jim Darby manned the station during Winterfest at the Family Church at Christian Retreat — not the brick-and-mortar station, but the bounce house station. The event attracted nearly 4,000 visitors on Dec. 1 to kick off a month’s worth of events. Hospitality Director Rosie Korfant (above with Darby), is wearing a costume from a production of “The Gospel According to Scrooge” that the church presented a few years back. “It’s just one of the fun things we thought added to the ambiance of the hayride,” she said. The church is located at 1200 Glory Way Blvd. in East County. Beyond special events through the end of December, the boulevard will be lit up with lights until the end of January. “People are welcome to come,” Korfant said. “It’s just a big festival kind of place.”
Santa’s Sleigh loaded down in Lake Club The residents go on a drive to grant Christmas wishes for 80 kids in need. SEE PAGE 6A Liz Ramos
Dawn Stanhope, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Manatee County, is grateful for all the work Lake Club’s Maureen Cozzi and dozens of residents did to support families at the Boys and Girls Club.
A+E Life of a salesman: In photos INSIDE