Featured News
Boca Blue takes first in the Red Gill 25
May 29, 2025
Moonshine takes second place
Boca Blue took first place at the 11th Annual Red Gill Tarpon Tournament last Sunday, May 25.
Red Gill is hosted by William Woodroffe and benefits the Gasparilla I…
COLUMNS: BART DESTEFANO
May 29, 2025
Restrictions on beach parking will affect livelihoods
BY BART DESTEFANO, SOUTH BEACH BAR & GRILL
I am writing in response to the proposed restricted parking measures in Boca Grande. While…
2025 Graduates of The Island School
May 23, 2025
Each year, the fifth graders at The Island School write of their favorite moments at the school, and their future plans, just before graduation. Below, our graduates:
Amelia Besant
I have…
Red Gill tourney this Sunday benefits Maritime Museum
May 22, 2025
This Sunday, May 25 is the 2025 Red Gill Invitational tarpon tournament at Whidden’s Marina.
The tournament, hosted by William Woodroffe, raises money for the Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum, h…
Tarpon season is in full swing; time to enjoy waters
May 22, 2025
Tarpon season is in full swing.
The Ladies Day tarpon tournament was successful despite windy weather. Capt. Frank Davis aboard the Native guided his sister-in-law to two silver kings and a first…
Boca H2O lineup for Saturday
May 22, 2025
This Saturday, May 24, is the Buzz Me’Up Boca H20 Festival, held in the water off the sandbar between Gasparilla Island and Placida.
The music lineup for the sandbar, according to organizer Brian…
Unextreme makeover of ‘this old house’ of Bob Vila approved by board
May 15, 2025
Other approval is house by famed architect of Mar-a-Lago
Two important Gilchrist house renovations, including a house formerly owned by Bob Vila and another house designed by the architect of Mar…
Grande Tradition and Captains party kicks off the ‘World’s Richest’
May 15, 2025
The 2025 Grande Tradition honorees were the late Freddy Futch and Capt. Wayne Joiner.
Freddy Futch was local fishing guide and grew up at Gasparilla Village, north end of island. He was born in 1…
Methodist Church announces agreement with neighbors on parking
May 15, 2025
Tuesday’s meeting at Lighthouse United Methodist Church regarding parking started with an announcement that the church had struck an agreement with neighbors in its decades-long fight over parking o…
Native takes first in Ladies day
May 15, 2025
In the Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament last Saturday, May 10, there were a total of 37 boats. Team Native won first place with two fish caught.
Fishing was from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and there wer…