East County Observer

In 1998, the East County Observer was introduced to cater to the rapidly expanding suburban regions of eastern Manatee and Sarasota counties.

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Sarasota waterfront house listed for $15 million

1 day ago | yourobserver.com | Louis Llovio

A house in Lido Shores has hit the market with a $14.99 million asking price. It is at 424 Bowdoin Circle and looks onto Sarasota Bay. Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, the listing agency charged with marketing the property, calls it “a stunning West Indies-inspired architectural estate” where “every detail exudes sophistication and grandeur.”Hyperbole aside, the 5,882-square-foot gated house has five bedrooms with five full baths and one half bath.
A legacy for us to carry on | Your Observer

1 day ago | yourobserver.com | Matt Walsh

Most of us don’t ever really know how much of a difference we make in our lifetimes. For sure, we don’t get to see how many people turn out for our funeral or a celebration of life, a measure of our effects. Charles “Charlie” Stottlemyer — the modest, most-likable giant of Sarasota — likely would have blushed and perhaps over-whelmed April 11 at First Presbyterian Church in Sarasota. He made a huge difference.
Easter eggs and animals feature in Siesta Key's Easter Egg Hunt

3 days ago | yourobserver.com | Ian Swaby

The Astad family may have come all the way from Norway, but they said they also love the community in Siesta Key. While visiting family in the area, they attended the annual Easter Egg Hunt, hosted by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, on April 19. “We’re just having a good time here,” said Tord Astad, noting the "great events" in the area.
Former Gator Tim Tebow headlines Good Friday event at Payne Park

5 days ago | yourobserver.com | Ian Swaby

Victoria Ustach is a “big fan” of Tim Tebow, and not only because she shared his year in school. She said the reason is “really his love for God.”“It’s an inspiration,” she said.
Big gathering heads down Main Street for stations of the cross

6 days ago | yourobserver.com | Ian Swaby

The annual Good Friday stations of the cross walk began 24 years ago with a small group of men at Church of the Redeemer, but it has since branched out to encompass the wider community. As the 2025 editing of the walk concluded, Father Charleston Wilson said he felt moved when he saw a number of people he estimated at about 1,000 gathered in front of Church of the Redeemer, where he serves as rector.
Oak Park School cuts the ribbon on new athletic track

1 week ago | yourobserver.com | Ian Swaby

After cutting the ribbon, it didn't take long for students at Oak Park School to fully circle the new athletic track during the school's first event, the Panther Prowl. "It feels amazing," said Grace Barcelo, a student in the school's structured work program, of seeing the project finally complete. The new multipurpose, lighted track and field joins the athletic facilities at Oak Park School, which provides educational and therapeutic services to over 300 students with disabilities.
Bookstore1Sarasota to host Winnie the Pooh live radio-style performance

1 week ago | yourobserver.com | Ian Swaby

People may know the Gothic Library at Bookstore1Sarasota for its darker fare. Yet its next performance is taking a fuzzier turn by focusing on a beloved "silly old bear."Director Ren Pearson says it surprised everyone that his next choice in the series of radio-style live shows was "The House on Pooh Corner." The performance, produced in association with Theatre Odyssey, will be performed April 17 and again on April 18.
Community members laugh together at laughter yoga event

1 week ago | yourobserver.com | Ian Swaby

Gail Trites said she became involved in laughter yoga five years ago, after the death of her husband. "It changed my life..." she said. "It brightened my spirits."She was one of the participants who turned out for the Florida Weekend of Laughter Celebration, held in Sarasota from April 5 to 6.
Residents learn from hurricane damage

1 week ago | yourobserver.com | Dana Kampa |Ian Swaby

Prior to hurricanes Helene and Milton, Kay Kouvatsos thinks Siesta Key had a false sense of security. "They've been telling us for 28 years, high water, flood risk, surge. It never happened," she said. "I think a lot of the residents took that as a huge wakeup call."As co-owner of the staple restaurant Village Café, with her husband Tom Kouvatsos, she's looking ahead with concern this year. “We’re praying for the best,” she said.
LWR Community Foundation makes a statement by taking care of little problem | Your Observer

1 week ago | yourobserver.com | Jay Heater

Little things matter. OK, I'm an editor. It is somewhat of a code for us. Or at least it is supposed to be. But I admit it. Little things, when they are wrong, bug me. Remember a few years back when the fancy, four-sided Rotary International clock on Lakewood Main Street stopped working, for months. Yup, it bugged me. It wasn't like I didn't have a watch. Or in today's world, a phone.