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More letters sent back and forth in the ongoing National Historic Register controversy

July 5, 2021
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – While a meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 5 with the Florida National Register Review Board to rehash the National Register of Historic Places nomination of part of the is…

African dust in the wind brings beautiful ‘Grande’ sunsets to Gasparilla Island

July 5, 2021
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – If you haven’t noticed, it is officially summer in Southwest Florida. The humidity is back, the temperature rarely skates below the low 80s (high 70s if we’re lucky) at night, t…

What do you do when a shark follows you home? Another hammerhead experience in island waters

July 5, 2021
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – On Friday, June 18 Dianne Ryan and her daughter, Robin Ryan, decided to do things a bit differently when it came time to their regular paddleboard excursion. The pair were used …

The Island School announces appointment of new head-of-school

July 5, 2021
SUBMITTED BY THE ISLAND SCHOOL – The Island School Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Christine Oliver as Head of School, effective August 1, 2021. She will succeed Jean M….

Are you interested in receiving a flu shot or COVID-19 booster in the fall?

July 6, 2021
SUBMITTED BY THE BOCA GRANDE HEALTH CLINIC – The Boca Grande Health Clinic is running a survey to identify interest in receiving a flu shot, or a COVID-19 booster shot (if these become available) a…

Island shopkeepers have a message for would-be shoplifters: We’re watching you

July 6, 2021
STAFF REPORT – A shoplifting duo found out the hard way that Boca Grande businesses are paying close attention to their customers, as they were arrested for their crimes that took place on Sunday, …

‘Walk with Me’ for the Lemon Bay Wrestling Club

July 6, 2021
BY T MICHELE WALKER – Michael Schyck can’t believe how much his beard has grown. “I’ve never gone past stubbles. It’s crazy,” he said. That’s what happens when you spend three months on the Appalac…

PROFILE: Scott Shanks

July 5, 2021
BY T MICHELE WALKER – Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s the new mosquito man, Scott Shanks, and he’s eradicating Gasparilla Island mosquitoes in a single bound. Yes, there’s a ne…

History Center features Boca Grande Hotel china and a whole lot more

June 28, 2021
STAFF REPORT – News from the Boca Grande History Center is that it has added the first part of a new mini-exhibit that will cover the Boca Grande Hotel and Joseph Spadaro, the hotel’s creator. The …

Leaving tracks in the sand: State parks have two new beach wheelchairs

June 27, 2021
BY T MICHELE WALKER – For people with mobility issues, the beach can be difficult to navigate. Even a simple sunset viewing can be daunting. Thanks to the Surfing Evolution and Preservation Foundat…