News
Wildlife volunteers needed more than ever, as one faithful island volunteer is retiring
May 9, 2021
BY T MICHELE WALKER – After 16 years of service to the Boca Grande and southwest Florida community, Blanche Vedette is turning in her animal rescue badge.
From 2005, Blanche, co-owner of the Loose Ca…
Lemon Bay High School prom a raving success
May 9, 2021
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – To say that 2021 has been a year of ups and downs for the graduating class of Lemon Bay High School is an understatement. What should have been a year of prominence was – quite li…
LCSO recognizes GICIA’s bike path safety efforts
May 9, 2021
SUBMITTED BY THE GICIA – In 1985 the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association completed construction of the five miles of paved bike path that runs from First Street north. In the t…
OBITUARY: Jerry Jackson
May 9, 2021
Jerry Edmond Jackson, 73, of Thomaston Ga., passed away Saturday May 1, 2021 at Harborview Health and rehab.
Mr. Jackson was born on March 29, 1948 in Thomaston, Ga. to the late Edmond Carter Jackson…
PROFILE: Christoffer Woodard
May 9, 2021
BY T MICHELE WALKER – Some things just run in the family. It’s not unusual to find the children of physicians choosing to study medicine. Or you have your political dynasties like the Adams, the Kenn…
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: A ‘thank you’ to a generous community that believes in the arts
May 9, 2021
Dear Editor and generous friends of Royal Palm Players:
In June of 2019 I began my two-year term as president of Royal Palm Players. My initial task was addressing the necessary replacement of all li…
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Many thanks for a wonderful Ladies Howl tourney
May 9, 2021
To the Editor:
The first tournament of the season started off with a fun night of fishing for 22 boats filled with ladies fishing the Ladies Howl at the Moon! The tarpon were biting, and the action s…
Patient satisfaction at the heart of Experience Appreciation Week
May 4, 2021
BY MARK DRISCOLL, CEO OF THE BOCA GRANDE HEALTH CLINIC – This week is Patient Experience Week (April 26-30) and we wanted to spend a few minutes discussing why this is important and how it helps all…
Iguana panel meets, discusses ongoing lizard eradication methodology
May 4, 2021
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – The Gasparilla Island Municipal Service Benefit Unit, a.k.a. the “iguana panel,” held their regularly scheduled advisory meeting on Friday, April 23, and discussion featured a com…
The time of the turtles is upon us! May 1 marks start of nesting season
May 4, 2021
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – While no sea turtle nests have been found yet this season on Gasparilla Island, May 1 heralds the beginning of this very special time. Most residents who live on the island year-r…