Dr. Carl Wise related the weird, wacky and sometimes tragic history of the Spanish Empire in Florida during the 16th Century at the latest History Byte. The special edition was held at the Community Center Auditorium, and was well attended.

It is hoped that a film and forum series devoted to some knotty issues will capture the interest of Gasparilla Island over the next week. Four experts on Islam and the Arab Spring have been invited to speak by the Boca Grande Community Center and the Johann Fust Library: two university professors, a writer whose prize-winning book has been turned into an acclaimed film, and a beloved Deerfield Academy headmaster who created a modern, co-educational school in the traditional society of Jordan.

The next community spaghetti dinner will be held at the Louise duPont Crowninshield Community House on Sunday, March 11 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Anyone interested in bringing a dessert (we hope many, many people are) should contact Joy Wyman at 964-0703.

The dinners are an annual tradition, and the last one was a record-breaker. Can you help to top it? Everyone is invited.

To the Readers:

As of press time on Thursday, March 8 I am holding my editorial, pending what happens this week with the Friends organization. I have reason to believe that things might change between then and now. If things change for the better, we will all be much relieved.

If they do not, you will find my editorial here next week on this subject of after-school care and the Munchkins program.

Marcy Shortuse

Editor, Boca Beacon