Author: Guest Columnist

SW Florida Fishing: Redfish, bluefish, I tie to fish

BY CAPT. JOE LACLAIR No, this is not a political conversation, I am talking about my flies for snook and redfish. With the clear water and clear skies, the fish have been easy to spot but hard to...

EcoWatch: Unruly trained dog

BY HARRY KALAJIAN As a dog owner, sooner or later you will opt for some obedience classes. Owners must realize professional dog trainers are not magicians, they just know the proper steps needed...

Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association seeks mule to speed recognition

BY ARLENE HALL, BOCA GRANDE SEA TURTLE ASSOC. Although there is still a bit of morning chill in the air and in the gulf waters along the beaches of Gasparilla Island, sea turtle nesting season will...

The Island Golfer: Cap patrol prevents sandbaggers from unfair advantage

BY SCOTT COTHERMAN Hang around the first tee at any golf club and you will hear foursomes pair off for friendly games of wager. This includes the exchange of player handicaps which, thanks to advancements...

SW Florida Fishing: Trout Time …

BY CAPT. SANDY MELVIN Last week was a good one for big speckled trout in the backcountry. We also saw some nice redfish scattered around as well. On these warmer days, we saw some big snook that...

SW Florida Fishing: It’s time for a day on the water

BY CAPT. JOE LACLAIR Spring fishing is so great, I love it. Big snook, reds, trout, and suicidal pompano on the shallow grass on windy days all makes for a great day! We don’t normally see large...

Remarks on the Bridge Authority’s early years

BY GINGER WATKINS Editor’s Note: At her last meeting as chairman last month, outgoing GIBA Chairman Ginger Watkins assembled facts and history about the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority. We have...

GUEST ESSAY: Memories of my first days in 1970s Boca Grande

February 22, 2024
Guest Columnist
Columns

BY K.Y. FUTCH When I first started my secretarial business, I had to use the typewriter at Capt. Charlie Wheeler’s home on Tarpon Street, where I and my husband, Mark, also lived. Charlie was quite...

Dr. Thomas J. Ervin: Mentor, friend, confidant and healer

December 15, 2023
Guest Columnist
Columns, Opinion

By Dr. Raymond A. James What does it mean to be a good physician? What makes a physician great? These are difficult questions, and they can mean different things to different people. Some...

THE SCOTLAND DIARIES … ENTRY #6

November 16, 2023
Guest Columnist
ham-it-up

BY ANGEL GODWIN p31-1Download