Featured News
Keep those cards and letters coming regarding the NHR
March 7, 2021
BY SUSAN HANAFEE – In anticipation of next week’s meeting, scores of emails have been received by the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board on the proposal to include a portion of the downtown in…
Sago palms everywhere on the island, but deadly to pets
March 7, 2021
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Pet owners, be aware: Sago palm trees are in full fruit, and the red nuts that fall all over the ground can kill a pet or child if ingested. Several island dogs have succumbed t…
What to do with a 300-pound deceased sea turtle
March 7, 2021
BY TONYA BRAMLAGE – One of the most amazing aspects of living on the beach on Gasparilla Island is to see sea turtles coming up to nest on our beaches. While only a few people have been lucky enoug…
Register now for the Annual Bike Path ‘Grande’ Parade
March 7, 2021
STAFF REPORT – The 35th Annual Bike Path “Grande” Parade will be held next Saturday, March 13, with heat times running between 10:30 to 11 a.m. (no regular line-up due to social distancing). Regist…
OBITUARY: Garfield Beckstead
February 27, 2021
Garfield Ray Beckstead, founder and owner of Useppa Island Club, passed away peacefully on the evening of February 16, 2021 at the age of 82 after a long and bravely fought battle with cancer. …
EDITORIAL: Something to be remembered by; would you be willing to leave a legacy to the people of Placida and Boca Grande?
February 27, 2021
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Just across the little bridge by the Fishery is a 91-acre piece of land that for many of us is a piece of old Florida eye candy. You’ll recognize the parcel I mean by mention…
What women need to know about heart disease
February 20, 2021
BY LAUREN HANA MD – In honor of American Heart Month, in our continuing series on heart health, today I want to focus on women and heart disease. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the …
No festival, but plenty of strawberries ‘ to go’
February 20, 2021
BY SUSAN HANAFEE – The annual Strawberry Festival on Boca Grande, sponsored by the United Methodist Women (UMW), will not be held this year. But there will be strawberries and Jan Myer’s famous sho…
Fred Rich presents his latest novel at Fust for Booknotes 2021
February 20, 2021
T MICHELE WALKER – The Johann Fust Library Foundation kicked off it’s Island Booknotes 2021 with a successful virtual livestream event on Thursday, February 11. Featuring author Fred Rich, who spo…
Hindsight is 2020 …
February 20, 2021
BY KATHY JAMES – No one will dispute that the year 2020 had its challenges, the biggest being COVID-19, the global pandemic. It was and is devastating to so many people for so many reasons in terms…