Time moves a little differently in Pinecraft. Located just east of downtown Sarasota, this quaint and quiet neighborhood has been a major resort destination for Amish and Mennonite visitors since the 1920s. In Pinecraft, you’ll find people riding around on adult-sized tricycles, playing shuffleboard in the park, shopping for handcrafted goods and enjoying delicious comfort food at beloved eateries like Yoder’s and Der Dutchman. And now, you can join locals and visitors as they gather to enjoy a sweet treat at Scoops and Sprinkles Creamery. Originally opened as a trailer, Scoops and Sprinkles moved into a permanent brick and mortar location in Pinecraft in September of 2025.

“We have a bigger space now with indoor seating and outdoor patio seating,” says owner Danita Troyer. “I love seeing people come and enjoy the space. We’ve had Bible studies here, and people enjoy game nights with friends. One of the things I love about this community is getting to know all the local people.”

While visitors are undoubtedly attracted to the welcoming atmosphere, the real draw is the locally-made ice cream, which is luscious and indulgent. There is a set menu of hand-dipped ice cream flavors, as well as limited-time flavors that rotate into the lineup seasonally. The newest seasonal offering is Christmas Cookie, a cookie dough ice cream with sprinkles, sugar cookies and a cream cheese swirl. There’s also Dairy-Free Peppermint Chip, which consists of cool peppermint ice cream packed with peppermint candy and chocolate flakes. Scoops and Sprinkles offers creamy soft serve custard, too. They’ve recently reintroduced Creamy Maple Soft Serve Custard as a seasonal flavor. Be sure to enjoy these tasty treats in a waffle bowl or cone–the waffles are made fresh in-house every day.

Scoops and Sprinkles Creamery, 3303 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota, 941-225-3994, scoopsandsprinkles.com. 

Pictured: Danita Troyer, owner of Scoops and Sprinkles, showcases one of their sweet treats. Provided photo.

The savings don't stop after Black Friday. Gift givers and bargain hunters can take advantage of our Holiday Gift Card sale for Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and well after the holidays! From November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026, enjoy our annual Holiday Gift Card Sale—the perfect way to treat friends, family, clients, or even yourself. For every $100 in Michael’s On East gift cards you purchase, you’ll receive a bonus $20 gift card FREE, our way of adding a little extra sparkle to your celebrations. Whether for unforgettable dinners, purchasing that special wine, for special occasions, or a night out at Sarasota’s premier fine dining destination, a Michael’s On East Gift Card is always in good taste. Purchase in-person in the restaurant or wine cellar, or online by clicking the button below. 

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December is here, and Taste of Spain has wonderful events and holiday offerings to share with you. Taste of Spain has been honored with the Colmados de Espana 2025 distinction, recognizing them as an ambassador of Spanish food culture in the USA. This certification celebrates the commitment to offering 100% Spanish products and sharing Spain’s culinary traditions with the Sarasota community. If you would like to reserve a class or place your holiday paella order, call 941-580-8663. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota invites guests and locals alike to enjoy a delightful afternoon tea featuring a performance and photo opportunities with enchanting characters from the beloved story we all know and love. An exciting addition to the resort’s 2025 holiday lineup is a new partnership with The Sarasota Ballet School and Studio Company to bring two Nutcracker Teas to life. Experience a festive tea service featuring signature blends and seasonal sips paired with menu items like truffle chicken salad on mini croissants and smoked salmon tartlets, sweet treats such as Grand Marnier cream puffs and Dulce cheesecake, and whimsical children’s favorites including Rice Krispies “sushi” and “Mad Hatter” marshmallow teacups. Nutcracker Tea will take place Sunday, December 7 and 14 from noon – 2 p.m. Reservations can be made by visiting The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota’s page on OpenTable here: https://www.opentable.com/r/the-ritz-carlton-sarasota. 

Small, independent restaurant company...dedicated goals...to practice exceptional hospitality and celebrate the timeless ritual of sharing a meal & a toast. The Watershed Hospitality Concepts family of restaurants was honored to receive the inaugural "Business Excellence" Haley Hall of Fame Award at Visit Sarasota County's Insights & Indicators Summit.  This award recognizes an organization in Sarasota County that acts as a champion for strengthening hospitality and furthering connections in our industry and community.  We are SO proud to also shine the spotlight on our exceptional teams who were finalists for the Front Line, Management and Heart of the House Excellence awards: Rebecca Jackson, GM at Blase Martini Bar; Raul Alberto Rodriguez, Kitchen Manager at Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar; Liz Shurley, FOH Star at Blase Martini Bar; Elysia Stacey, FOH Star at Cask & Ale.   

Following an impressive $54 million transformation, the Bradenton Area Convention Center is now open and looking forward to an ever-growing list of events in 2026 and beyond.  Managed by the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the new venue and its modern headquarters hotel have garnered attention from meeting planners nationwide, especially those looking to mix business and leisure at their next conference, trade show, or corporate retreat. The reimagined Convention Center offers 95,000 sq. ft. of versatile meeting space for up to 3,800 guests. Highlights include a new Grand Ballroom that seats up to 800 guests banquet style, an Exhibit Hall well-suited for large-scale events, a Conference Center with four breakout rooms that can be divided into seven spaces, as well as two outdoor event plazas. Connected to the Convention Center by a climate-controlled corridor is the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, featuring 252 spacious rooms, rooftop dining, spa services, and other luxury amenities for the ultimate attendee experience. Those interested in booking an upcoming event or touring the new Bradenton Area Convention Center should reach out to Convention Sales Manager Jack Hoza at meetings@bacvb.com or 941-729-9177. 

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Bowled Co, an Upstate New York–born startup known for its fresh, customizable, and inclusive menu, is excited to announce the upcoming grand opening celebration of its newest Florida location in Venice’s Wellen Park. Although already open and serving customers, the official grand opening event will give the community a chance to experience Bowled Co at its best. Offering salads, rice bowls, wraps, smoothies, and açaí bowls, Bowled truly has something for everyone. The grand opening celebration will take place Thursday, December 4 from 4–7 PM, featuring $5 menu items including fan favorites like the Signature Açaí Bowl, Pitaya Bowl, Mediterranean Bowl, Spicy Chicken Grain Bowl, and Steak N’ Bacon Bowl. The first 100 customers will also receive a FREE $10 Bowled gift card for a future visit. Guests can look forward to giveaways, free smoothie samples, and plenty of Bowled-style energy throughout the evening. More information about Bowled Co can be found at www.bowledco.com. 

Friday, Dec 5 from 5:30-8:30 is a night for great food, music and dancing. Bluestar Band takes the stage bringing the incredible talents of bluesman, John Putnam, to the forefront! With his dynamic keyboard and guitar skills, Putnam's growling, twangy voice resonates with the spirit of a Mississippi juke joint—both honky-tonk hot and cool. Hamlet’s Eatery will be serving dinner until 8pm with adult beverages available until the band finishes. Prepare for an electrifying evening filled with classic blues tunes and original compositions that will keep you dancing all night long! Don’t miss your chance to experience this incredible lineup. The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime shops will not be open. Tickets $10.50 and available in advance at The Bazaar is located at 821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota. 

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For 22 years, the Perlman Music Program Suncoast (PMP Suncoast) has brought the celebrated Perlman Music Program (PMP) Winter Residency to Sarasota, establishing it as a cornerstone of the region’s cultural season. Under the guidance of renowned violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman and his wife, Toby Perlman, this two-week program has delighted local audiences while providing world-class training to gifted young string musicians from around the globe. This year, the PMP Winter Residency is December 30-January 10, and moves from USF Sarasota-Manatee to Sarasota, bringing music, mentorship, and community events into the city’s vibrant cultural center. A total of 28 gifted string students and Fellows (student mentors) from around the world will participate in lessons, studio classes, works-in-progress recitals, chorus and orchestra rehearsals leading up to the PMP Orchestra Celebration concert. Starting on December 30, the public is invited to watch free orchestra rehearsals under the baton of Itzhak Perlman and works-in-progress recitals by the students. Audiences will also be able to watch Patrick Romano, Chorus Master, rehearse with the PMP chorus. 

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is pleased to announce that its opening Winter Mainstage production, Lucky Stiff, has been extended through January 4, 2026. With Book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and Music by Stephen Flaherty – the Tony-winning duo behind Ragtime and Seussical – this fast-paced romp of murder and mistaken identities has audiences and critics cheering. For more information, visit FloridaStudioTheatre.org or call (941) 366-9000. 

Longtime Sarasota Memorial leader Frank Morgan has been promoted to president of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital – Sarasota campus.Previously, Morgan served as Chief Operating Officer of the Sarasota campus since October 2024. In his new position, he will assume a dual role overseeing day-to-day operations and overall performance of the flagship 897-bed hospital, and work with medical and nursing chiefs and other senior leaders on strategic goals and key initiatives of the health system. Before serving as COO, he was vice president of Sarasota Memorial’s Ambulatory Services Division, overseeing the operations for more than a dozen outpatient centers located throughout the region. Morgan began his career at SMH in 2002 as an Administrative Fellow after graduating from the University of Missouri with a master’s degree in Health Care Administration. He progressed through a series of senior leadership positions and has been instrumental in developing and implementing SMH’s highly successful outpatient growth strategy and improving the community’s access to top-quality care.