News
Bad weekend weather makes for many fire calls
September 11, 2020
STAFF REPORT- Labor Day weekend weather was temperamental, including some major storms, which led to several fire calls. On Saturday, Nov. 5 the Boca Grande Fire Department received a call of a water…
The horse doorbell: Another piece of island history
September 11, 2020
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Just a week ago, master metalsmith Alex Klahm was back on Gasparilla Island with another restoration project, this time at a residence on First Street. Klahm is a trusted lighthous…
Sugar flowers by Suzanne bring a beautiful touch to quarantine celebrations
September 11, 2020
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- The year 2020 was something to look forward to, whether that was because it meant a sudden twist into an unknown future or the long-awaited invention of the hoverboard. Instead, we…
So many questions, so much frustration about the ‘rona- especially when it comes to our kids
September 11, 2020
BY MARCY SHORTUSE- I wanted to take this opportunity to let you in on some things we are working on for next week, and they’re pretty important things. You see, in our little school on our little isl…
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Royal Palm Players makes announcement: ‘The show must go on!’
September 11, 2020
To the Editor: As President of Royal Palm Players, I would like to take a moment to let you know what RPP has planned for this season. Back in March, our board of directors had to re-evaluate the sho…
Obituary: Doris Russell
September 11, 2020
Doris Russell, 61, a longtime resident of Rotonda, passed away on June 19, 2020. For the past 30 plus years Doris has overseen the care of multiple properties and assisted several families in Boca G…
PROFILE: Nick Gassman
September 11, 2020
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Some people come to Gasparilla Island for its renowned beaches, to reminisce on the Olde Florida feel or to sip on cocktails inspired by ocean puns. No matter where people are visi…
A message from the Clinic: Thoughts about gatherings and herd immunity
September 4, 2020
BY LAUREN HANA- These are just a few thoughts about gatherings and COVID-19 (by popular demand). First, let’s start with a definition of a term we are all hearing thrown around a lot lately: Herd imm…
They’ll be partyin’ hard at the sandbar this weekend
September 4, 2020
Be prepared for a more-than-full field of boats this Saturday, Sept. 5, as the First Annual Sandbar Music Festival will take place, as well as a Trump flotilla that will fill the waters between Pine…
Island resident creates chalk mural, sheriff’s deputy hoses it down
September 4, 2020
STAFF REPORT- A chalk mural down the length of Banyan Street became a bone of contention on Sunday morning, Aug. 30. The mural, painted in water and chalk, said “Black lives matter” in multi-colored…