News

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – When you go to leave the island next Tuesday, Dec. 15, you’ll be getting a whole new perspective from a lot higher up. That’s because you’ll be driving on our brand-new swing bridge. According to Kathy Banson-Verrico, executive director of the Gasparilla Island Bridge, that is the day they are shooting for […]

BY SUE ERWIN – Many people wouldn’t look twice if they saw a small, wounded dog in a crowded park all alone and looking desperate. But Blanche Vedette is not one of those people. Blanche Vedette and Jacques Boudreau are the owners of The Loose Caboose Restaurant and founders of the 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Tank’s […]

Plan for a fun-filled day at Whidden’s Marina on Saturday, Dec. 12 to benefit the Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum. A giant tent sale starts at 9 a.m., featuring local artists, antiques, collectibles, furniture and the latest museum t-shirts and merchandise. The third annual Horseshoe Tournament kicks off at 3 p.m. All are welcome to participate. […]

  To the Editor: The Board of Directors of the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce want to extend many thanks to those who helped make our 2015 Boca Grande Christmas Walk a success. The Christmas Walk is a perfect example of how Boca Grande is a tight-knit, charming and fun community to be a […]

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – When Zoey Mills steps up to the pitcher’s mound, the opposing team sits up a little straighter. That’s because Mills, a right-handed 10-year-old at The Island School, is a true force to be reckoned with. She helped her softball team, the Englewood Bombers, finish their season undefeated with a 10-0 record […]

SUBMITTED BY MOTE MARINE LABORATORY & AQUARIUM – Mote Marine Laboratory is pleased to welcome Dr. Ryan Schloesser, a postdoctoral scientist who will be working with the Fisheries Ecology & Enhancement Program to help develop and test responsible stock enhancement technology to help restore depleted snook populations and advance knowledge about wild snook stocks as […]

Carroll Swayze’s 28th Annual Studio Party & Art Lover’s Appreciation Day is Saturday, Dec. 12, from 3 to 11 p.m. at 2373 Donovan Road in the north end of Englewood just off SR 776. You can’t miss it. Just turn at the hanging lighted bicycles! You know the holidays are here when Swayze opens her […]

  Vaughn Everett McCarthy, 69, was born September 19, 1946 in Portland, Maine. He moved to St. Petersburg in 1957 and died at home in South Pasadena this past Tuesday, Dec. 8. He was a graduate of Northeast High School in St. Petersburg and was a combat United States Marine corporal wounded in Vietnam and […]

BY SUE ERWIN – Island Realtor Christina Sexton was born and raised in Englewood, and she is enjoying watching her real estate career blossom in Boca Grande. She recently joined Michael Saunders & Company’s Gasparilla Island real estate office.