Community History
Many thanks for giving legendary portrait a facelift
December 14, 2018
To the Editor: Kudos and THANKS! to Susan Bowers for having the picture of Louise du Pont Crowninshield restored and reframed. She looks wonderful hanging in her traditional spot, over the mantelpiec…
Farewell, 41: An island mourning the loss of President George H.W. Bush
December 7, 2018
Hearts are breaking all over the island with the passing of former President George H.W. Bush on November 30. Many island residents knew him, and even if they didn’t love his politics they loved him…
A pioneering Florida family: The Albrittons, Part II
August 3, 2018
■ SUBMITTED BY TIMMY SPAIN
Editor’s note: Columnist Tim Spain wrote a piece about the Albritton family in May, 2018. This is part two of that series.
Aaron Robert Albritton or “Twister,” as ma…
The matriarch of Boca Grande took her last ride over the Causeway: The passing of Isabelle Joiner
June 22, 2018
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE It’s very hard to put into words what Isabelle Joiner meant to the heart and soul of Gasparilla Island. She didn’t just live on the island, and she wasn’t just raised on the islan…
A pioneering Florida family: The Albrittons
May 3, 2018
BY TIMMY SPAIN
The man in this photo was a true Florida Cracker. Aaron Robert Albritton was his name, but everybody called him Twister. I guess he couldn’t afford a horse, so he trained that stee…
BIPS looks for final funding of Range Light project
January 27, 2017
■ STAFF REPORT The Barrier Islands Park Society has outlined the work yet to be accomplished in its restoration of the Gasparilla Island Light (formerly known as the Rear Range Light). The final…
First mates share memories about Miller’s Marina
February 12, 2016
BY SUE ERWIN – Capt. Bill Miller, Capt. Ray Rodriquez and Capt. John ‘Tater’ Spinks entertained a crowd at the Johann Fust Community Library on Wednesday morning. The event, “A First Mate’s Look at…
Ghosts and legends of Boca Grande: Part I
October 9, 2015
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE
It isn’t hard to surmise that a place as old as Gasparilla Island has a few tales to tell – and not all of them are paradise-perfect. While we are now known as an elite is…
Shall we promenade? Maybe, if we can make it through
September 18, 2015
BY MARCY SHORTUSE
If you’re like many of us who live and work on the island, sometimes it’s nice to sit at one of the beach accesses prior to heading back home or to work. You might have been sta…