EAST COUNTY
Observer
Lakewood Ranch’s weekly newspaper since 1998
A+E Changing of the guard. INSIDE
YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
FREE • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2023
VOLUME 25, NO. 26
YOUR TOWN
FEBRUARY
NEW DIGS Building Homes for Heroes, Pulte, and Schroeder-Manatee Ranch combined to provide U.S. Army Sgt. Lucio Gaytan, who was severely injured in a 2018 parachuting accident, a mortgage-free home in Sapphire Point. Gaytan’s 1-yearold daughter, Lyanna, was right at home with her own shovel during the groundbreaking ceremonies.
Liz Ramos
Spreading holiday cheer the name of this tune Ron Olson was thrilled to see his great-grandsons (above) Roman Ruzanov, 1, and Nikolai Ruzanov, a first grader at Braden River Elementary School, walk through the doors of Daybreak Adult Day Center on Dec. 14. Olson listened and bobbed his head along as Nikolai Ruzanov, along with 84 other first graders, sang “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to the clients of Daybreak Adult Day Center. Nikolai Ruzanov stood proud with antlers on his head as he portrayed Blitzen, one of the nine famous reindeer in the song. The first graders sang five other holiday classics to the seniors. They wore their favorite holiday sweaters and donned antlers, Santa hats or elf ears.
2023 THROUGH THE LENS
G Courtesy image
Magic moment on the Ranch More than 200 people celebrated “The Magic of the Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club” at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club on Dec. 6. The LWRWC has been around for 26 years. The holiday party included a gourmet dinner, live music and a magic show, but it wasn’t all fun and games. Monika Templeman and Cyndy Scott (above) co-chaired the event, which raised money for HOPE Family Services, Sarasota Manatee Association of Riding Therapy, Solve Maternity Homes and the Children’s Guardian Fund. “‘The Magic of LWRWC’ charity fundraiser represents the fun, friendship and community service that epitomizes LWRWC and our wonderful LWR community because supporting charity and celebrating together is what great communities do,” Templeman said in a press release.
File photos
rowth and politics dominated the news scene, but East County residents had plenty of time to enjoy festivals and events, and the heart to use their energy to raise money for nonprofits. The East County Observer was along for the ride, and here’s a taste of what we saw through the camera lens during a fascinating 2023.
SEPTEMBER
GETTING THROUGH THIS HURRICANE WAS A BREEZE While some areas along the Manatee River flooded during Hurricane Idalia, East County mostly was spared any significant impact from the storm. Of course, this Caddy’s sign in Bradenton did seem to capture the moment. Some nerves were on edge, though, as the storm came a year after Hurricane Ian caused significant flooding in Myakka City.
SEE PAGE 2A
MARCH
BRING HOME THE GOLD Athletes and sporting events do make the front page of the East County Observer and Braden River High wrestler Jessey Colas definitely earned the spot. Colas went an amazing 71-0 during the season and closed out his high school career with a state championship in the 182-pound class of the 2A division.
FEBRUARY
BURNING DESIRE TO COOK One of East County’s many favorite festivals is the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church’s Greek Glendi. Sarasota’s Yianni Chalvedakis warms up for the festival by getting ready to cook saganaki and loukaniko. Every year, local residents flock to the festival to experience Greek culture and to taste the many Greek foods.