Tom and Joe Freeman

BY LIZA STROUT - The first of the “History Bytes” series by the Boca Grande Historical Society, featuring former island residents Joe and Tom Freeman, drew an overflow crowd to the D.L. Moody Fellowship Hall at the First Baptist Church on Wednesday.

“The Lure and Charm of Boca Grande” was the theme, and Joe spoke first. He was a Port Agent for 10 years, and was the last person to hold that position before the port closed. His son, Tom, was born and grew up on Gasparilla Island. Tom has written a song celebrating the bonds that still exist among those who grew up here, however far apart they may be.

After a short remembrance of Sallie VanItallie by Linda Edic, Robert Johnson introduced the Freemans. Tom performed his paean to his childhood home, “The Isle of Boca Grande.”

Then, the PBS production, “Untold Stories: Boca Grande” was played for the audience. After the video, the floor was opened for questions.

The BGHS has a busy schedule next week, with the second edition of History Bytes on Wednesday at 11 a.m. – “When Boca Grande had a Dairy”, along with the popular Historic Home Tour on Valentine's Day.

 

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