Letter to the Editor: BIPS says ‘thanks all around’ for Green Gala

To the Editor:

The Barrier Island Parks Society (BIPS) extends a heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to making our 2012 Green Gala “Caesars Palace” fund raiser a great success!

The Boca Bay Pass Club was a perfect setting for this year’s Green Gala. Guests were able to view a picture perfect sunset from the tent on the lawn.

This casual evening of good fun, good food and goodwill supports the Boca Grande Lighthouse, our own and nearby barrier island parks, and many educational programs for both adults and children in our community.

Sincere thanks to many dedicated members and directors who helped with all aspects of this event: Florida Park Service Rangers Chad Lach and Mark Duncan, Sharon McKenzie, Carol and Nathan Forrester, Mike Giobbe, Larry and Pam Hannah, Jim and Lynda Grant, Mary Lou Humphrey, David and Joyce Ferrie. Kudos to the generous Fishing Guides: Captains Frank Davis, Nat Italiano, Mark Liberman, Tommy Locke, Mike Reark, Gary Peeples, Doug Stewart and Charlie Coleman.

A special thanks to those who helped underwrite our band and other expenses: Gulf to Bay, Sotheby’s International Realty, Gasparilla Properties, Michael Saunders & Company and Key Agency Inc. as well as Mary & Wentworth Caldwell, Mike Giobbe, Lynda & Jim Grant, Pam &Larry Hannah, Jean & Walter Meanwell, George Robinson and Bill & Vicky Winterer.

And we salute our great Silent Auction Donors who do so much for us: Jane Carlson, PJ’s Seagrille, Photographic Images, The Gasparilla Inn, Pam & Larry Hannah, Useppa Island Club, Sue Shaffer, Lemon Bay Golf Club, Gina Riddiford, Coral Creek Club, Lona Kissinger, James Griffith Hair Salon, Palm Island Resort, Jack Lyons, Marine Max, Judi Guy, Carol & Nathan Forrester, Lock N’ Key Retaurant, The Berg’s, Katie & Bill Caldwell, Captain Jack’s Charters, Christie Jenkins, Bayond the Sea Restaurant, Mary Beth Vieha, Diane Boyer, John Mitchell, Royal Palm Players, Nancy & Bob Miles, Esther Jensen, Courtyard Hair, Cape Haze Car Wash, Ron Buth.

And finally our gracious thanks to all BIPS volunteers, Terry Bisset and the Boca Bay Pass Club Staff, The BIPS and Florida Park Service staff, Ron Thompson and to everybody who came and shared in the fun. For anyone who missed out on the fun it is still possible to support our tractor appeal by mailing a check to PO Box 637, Boca Grande 33921 or better yet, visit the Lighthouse and drop your check off.

Our four state parks are in desperate need of a tractor that costs $32K. The tractor would replace the existing broken tractor and be used for a multitude of purposes including keeping the roads to all the parks nice, creating additional parking and moving museum exhibits to the mezzanine level in our storage facility.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us raise $13,650 to-date! To all of you, it was a memorable, fun event and without your dedication and assistance our mission to conserve, preserve and support our natural assets on this island paradise and our other special island state parks could not happen.

And last but certainly not least, thank you Boca Beacon for your publicity and photos every year!

Sincerely, Chrys Hyde, for the 2012 Green Gala Committee