World's Richest day one complete, Spooked Again in the Lead Friday, 24 May 2013 13:12 Day 1 of the 2013 "World's Richest" Tarpon Tournament in the books. So far, 33 tarpon caught and safely released. Read the Full Story

World's Richest, Kids Classic, Art Festival and street party schedule of events Friday, 24 May 2013 13:06
Schedule of events for the World's Richest Tarpon Tournament, Gasparilla Island Kids Classic, Boca Grande Invitational Art Festival, and street party ... Read the Full Story

Happy Graduation to Abigail, Dafne, Luke and Jake, TIS 2013! Friday, 24 May 2013 10:19 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - Four tassels were turned on Thursday, May 23, as Luke Crosser, Dafne Garcia, Abigail Turner and Jake Van Atten graduated from fifth grade and from The Island School. Prior to their commencement ceremony the four, with the help of others, did a “dramatic statues” and chant performance. Afterward, the third, fourth and fifth graders all participated in a song called “Flip Flop,” written and produced by TIS music teacher Diana Donlon. Read the Full Story

FWC releases findings in Bull Bay accident Friday, 24 May 2013 10:17 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has completed its report on the two-boat accident in Bull Bay on April 12, and the FWC is holding both Jesse Smith and Capt. Steve Ahlers at fault. Smith, of Port Charlotte, was travelling southwest in a gray 18’ open motorboat. He turned to the south to enter a blind, narrow passage between two mangrove islands when he spotted Ahlers’ yellow boat heading in the opposite direction. Ahlers, of Boca Grande, was traveling northwest towards the same passage, with three passengers on board his 20-foot yellow boat. Read the Full Story

Art festival details for this weekend’s tarpon festival weekend Friday, 24 May 2013 10:14 The Boca Grande Invitational Art Festival has an exciting slate of 60 amazing artists in a wide variety of mediums. Organizer Carroll Swayze is excited and filled with anticipation for the event. “(We) have some amazing work this year,” she said. “The festival is near and dear to my heart because Boca Grande is home to me. The people on the island have supported me for my whole life and I am proud to be able to hand-pick a Fine Art Festival to present to the island. I have spent the past year trying to choose artists who fit the theme and the ideals of the World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament of conservation, education and sportsmanship. I have world-class marine wildlife artists coming as well as some of the finest Florida landscape painters the state has to offer. I hope that everyone will come out, enjoy the festival and meet the artists who work so hard to create their beautiful original artwork.” Read the Full Story

Grant says ‘good-bye’, Kaplans say hello to island Friday, 24 May 2013 10:12 BY LIZA STROUT - Serendipity brought Grant Quirk to Gill’s Grocery, and a decade later it led his successors, the Kaplans, to the store.
Ten years ago, Grant Quirk was discussing the end of his clamming business with a friend. The one-two punch of red tide and “rolling moss” had ruined his clam beds, and he was looking for something new to do. Read the Full Story

Boca Grande, Sweet Pea highlighted in June Vogue magazine shoot Friday, 24 May 2013 10:09 Boca Grande has been the location for an awful lot of photo shoots, so many we usually don’t report on them. But, a couple of months ago a very high-profile fashion magazine – Vogue, to be exact – turned up in town with an interesting model. Her name is Dree Hemingway, and she is the great-granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway. Read the Full Story

FWC break-away jig study refuted by originating scientist Friday, 17 May 2013 10:06 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - In the summer of 2004 Dr. Justin Grubich picked up the phone to take a call from a woman who said she was with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The woman, Kathy Guindon, talked with Justin for about 30 minutes foul-hooking tarpon, and he was asked to provide expert witness testimony on how tarpon feed. He didn’t give the conversation much thought. Read the Full Story

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World's Richest day one complete, Spooked Again in the Lead
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Obituary: James ‘Jim’ Ernest Fuller

24 February 2012 Last Updated on 24 February 2012 Marcy Shortuse

James “Jim” Ernest Fuller passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012 in Florida.

Born in Detroit on October 17, 1939, Jim attended the University of Michigan. He lived for many years in Detroit, then moved to Grand Rapids, where he and his wife raised their family.

Suzanne and Jim moved to Boca Grande in 1994, and last December he and Suzanne celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary amidst family and friends there. Jim was genuinely fulfilled by connecting with people for whom he cared, and there were many. He loved catching up with friends, whether over a cocktail or his various lunch dates, regardless of how much time may have passed since their last meeting.

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Profile: Dr. Frank Downing

24 February 2012 Last Updated on 24 February 2012 Marcy Shortuse

If there was ever a lover of the written word, it is Dr. Frank Downing. The former English teacher, football coach, and academic athletic advisor has spent the last three winters on Gasparilla Island teaching the children at The Island School to love poetry, to understand Shakespeare, and to communicate through writing.

One of his primary objectives is to teach and encourage children to write from an early age.

“Most kids have a huge listening vocabulary,” he said. “Next is speaking, and then reading. By the time you get to their writing vocabulary, it’s next to nothing.”

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Hope for Haiti to meet on Tuesday

24 February 2012 Last Updated on 24 February 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Angel Aloma, the executive director of Food for the Poor, is scheduled to address the Boca Grande Committee at an event that will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Boca Bay Power House. Committee members include Ben and Louise Scott, the Rev. Gary Beatty, the Rev. Bryan Brightly, the Rev. Jerome Carosella, the Rev. Read Heydt, George and Lois Castrucci, Patricia Chapman, Ray and Iliene Corcoran, Charlie and Florita Field, Evelyn Finnegan, Lou and Corie Fusz, Stephen and Susan Jansen, Tom and Nancy Lorden, Colvin and Madelaine McCrady, and John and Pauline Mendez.

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5K to be held Sunday

24 February 2012 Last Updated on 24 February 2012 Marcy Shortuse

The Boca Grande Community Center is looking for volunteers to help with their 5K Run & Fun Walk on Sunday, February 26th.

Volunteers are needed from 6:45 to 8:30 a.m. to help as course monitors. The race monitors will direct runners throughout the course. No experience is necessary, just a friendly and encouraging smile. If you're interested in helping to make the race a big success, please call Joe Wier or Bob Green at 964-2564.

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Come greet the Big Red Bus and roll up those shirtsleeves

24 February 2012 Last Updated on 24 February 2012 Marcy Shortuse

BY LIZA STROUT - Ladies and gentlemen of Boca Grande, it is time to roll up your sleeves for a good cause. Take an hour out of your day to visit the Big Red Bus when it stops at the United Methodist Church of Boca Grande on Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This is the first general blood drive on the island in years. It all came about because island resident Jane Caple saw the Big Red Bus in Tiffany Square and stopped to get information. “I learned that 60% of people are eligible to donate blood, but only six percent actually do,” she reported.