Health + Wellness

Giving Thanks for a New Smile

Shaping Smiles, Sharing Knowledge Article by Michelle Parnell | Photography by Nicole Mac Photography Dr. Austin Lyman hosts educational surgery event to demonstrate advanced surgical techniques that benefit his patient and the local medical community. When he first established Lakewood Ranch Oral and Facial Surgery, Dr. Austin Lyman did so with the desire to provide the community with a practice that includes the most up-to-date, state-of-the-art equipment without making people depend on a...

Professional Services

On the Green for the Red

Support the Firefighters Who Support Us Article by Sean Lucas | Photography by Provided Every time the alarm rings, firefighters answer the call—running toward danger while the rest of us run away. They protect our homes, families, and community, often at great personal risk. But when these heroes face injury, illness, or hardship, who protects them ? That’s where the Benevolent Fund steps in. More than financial assistance, it’s a lifeline of hope that ensures firefighters and their...

Local Services

Feeding Empty Little Tummies:

Giving Thanks Through Service Article by Jessi Neitzel | Photography by RCC Photography   As the season of gratitude approaches, many of us pause to reflect on the blessings in our lives, family, health, community, and the comfort of knowing there will be food on our tables. Yet in Manatee County, hunger often hides in plain sight. For too many children, the end of the school day signals the beginning of uncertainty: where will the next meal come from? This is where Feeding Empty Little...

Local Services

Giving Thanks by Lifting Others Up

Team Tony: Riding Together, Standing Strong Article by Jessi Neitzel | Photography by Nicole Mac Photography In a season when gratitude takes center stage, Team Tony reminds us that giving thanks is not only about what we hold close, but also about how we extend hope to others. For the past 15 years, the Team Tony Cancer Foundation has lived out this truth by pairing cancer fighters with survivors, easing financial burdens, and building a community of encouragement so that no one has to face...

Life + Culture

Harvest Season: Exploring Sarasota’s Local Farms

Farms That Nourish Our Community Article by Tanya Tutcher | Photography by Bilimama Photography and Four Daughters Farms There’s something about fall in Florida that feels a little different than anywhere else. While the rest of the country is pulling out sweaters and sipping hot cider, we’re still basking in sunny skies and warm evenings. But even here, there’s one unmistakable sign of the season: the farms. From fresh eggs to pasture-raised meats to jars of golden honey, our local farms...

Life + Culture

Fuel for the Journey

Beyond Cornetto and Cappuccino Article by Rachel Smith, DNP | Photography by Provided Travel can be a challenge to your senses and your stomach. Whether you’re hopping time zones or strolling medieval streets, your body needs to digest, rest, and recharge. And while indulging in local food culture is one of travel’s greatest pleasures, the way you fuel your body while traveling can make or break how you feel on the journey. As a nurse practitioner focused on metabolic health and hormone...

Food + Beverage

Real Wins Taste So Sweet

Turning every day into a day to celebrate Article by Michelle Numann | Photography by MarinoProduxions Some cravings demand more than an ordinary solution. Sometimes, only a signature swirl of buttercream on a fresh baked cupcake will do. At Sprinkles, indulgence isn’t just about satisfying a sweet tooth—it’s about transforming the everyday into something worth celebrating. From signature cupcakes to ice cream, playful Pupcakes, and even the iconic Cupcake ATM, this bakery has turned joy into...

Food + Beverage

A Taste of Elegance

Exploring cYou Luxury Boutique Coffee + Wine Bar with owner Cyndi Garza Article by Michelle Parnell | Photography by Photo Guru SRQ Why did you decide to combine a boutique with a coffee and wine bar? My mom once owned a boutique, and we always dreamed of opening one together. I also used to say that when I retired, I just wanted to pour people a cup of coffee every day. Two years ago, I lost my mom, dad, and brother within six months, and that grief shifted everything. When the chance came...

Food + Beverage

Foodie Favorites: Insider Picks from Sarasota + Lakewood Ranch

From mouthwatering authentic French pastries to LWR Main Street dining Article by Tanya Tutcher | Photography by Nick B Photos Two must-try spots that locals can’t stop buzzing about. Three years ago, I moved to Sarasota without realizing just how much Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch would steal my heart through their food and locally owned businesses. As someone who has always loved exploring local flavors, I quickly discovered this area is so much more than beaches and sunshine. It’s a true...

Arts + Culture

Handcrafted Coastal Charm

Masterfully created gifts and home décor by Gulf Coast Custom Designs Article by Michelle Parnell | Photography by Photo Guru SRQ Gulf Coast Custom Designs creates custom furniture, home décor, and art pieces that range from cutting boards to wall décor to large tables made from wood and epoxy resin. Each item that owner and artist, Tricia Bolds, designs is truly one-of-a-kind. “No two items will ever be the same because that’s how the process works,” Tricia explains. “With each item, the wood...