Author: Marcy Shortuse

Beacon, Gasparilla Mag staff take home 12 awards at conference in Naples

August 18, 2017
Marcy Shortuse
Featured News, News

■ STAFF REPORT OIn the evening of August 11 Boca Beacon and Gasparilla Island Magazine staffers were more than happy to find out we had won a total of 12 awards from the Florida Press Association Better...

The Gasparilla Island Act: Part I The Act takes shape

August 18, 2017
Marcy Shortuse
Featured News, News

■ BY SUSAN HANAFEE Editor’s Note: This is the first in a random series of stories about the forces that have shaped and continue to impact development and construction in Boca Grande and on Gasparilla...

New boardwalk officially open!

August 18, 2017
Marcy Shortuse
Featured News, News

On Thursday, Aug. 17 Gasparilla Island State park officially opened the ADA accessible boardwalk on the south end of the island. Funds for this boardwalk were made possible through the Lee County Tourist...

Local Pearl Harbor survivor passes away just after life-changing trip

August 18, 2017
Marcy Shortuse
News

■ BY SUE ERWIN Pearl Harbor survivor John Seelie, who attended the 75th anniversary ceremony of the attack on December 7, 2016, has passed away. Seelie, 94, was a resident of Englewood and for years...

Searching for ‘La Pirate’ … have you seen this boat?

August 18, 2017
Marcy Shortuse
News

■ STAFF REPORT A 2002 26’ Glacier Bay boat was reportedly stolen from Marina Bokeelia on July 21 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. The boat belongs to Capt. Jack who operates “Capt. Jack Boat Tours” in Bokeelia....

Obituary: Gerry Getman

Gerry Getman, 70, of McMurray, Pennsylvania and Boca Grande, died unexpectedly Thursday, August 10, 2017. He was the beloved husband of Katy Getman; loving father of Chrissy (Stephen) Martin and Mandy...

Profile: Laquanda Dixon

August 18, 2017
Marcy Shortuse
News, Profiles

■ BY SUE ERWIN If you’ve visited the Boca Grande Health Clinic over the past few years, you’ve probably met Laquanda Dixon, the medical assistant at the health center. Laquanda has been working at the...

Mote Marine launches new online game: ‘Who wants to be a Sea Star?’

■ PROVIDED BY MOTE MARINE Do you love trivia? Mote Marine Laboratory recently launched a new online game called “Who Wants to be a Sea Star?” on mote.org. This game was originally created for Mote’s...

Can you hear the school bells ringing? TIS students return to school

August 14, 2017
Marcy Shortuse
News

■ The Island School began their school year on Thursday, Aug. 10 with 60 students attending. There were Coleman boys in the reading tent, hugs all around for Head of School Jean Thompson and Isabella...

Historic Board approves two requests to renovate properties

August 14, 2017
Marcy Shortuse
News

■ BY SUE ERWIN The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board approved two certificates of appropriateness at its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 9. The first item on the agenda was a request to construct...