Profiles
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A fix for flooded Gasparilla Road
October 3, 2024
The Lee rescue crew
The Lee County Department of Transportation has worked tirelessly to alleviate Boca Grande’s flooded roadways after Hurricane Helene passed off the coast.
County crews w…
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: British Army child, to art history & J.McLaughlin, Caroline Farrington
September 26, 2024
Once someone meets Caroline Farrington, they are unlikely to forget her. She has the smile, the flair, the looks and, yes, the accent, that make her virtually unforgettable. She comes by all these…
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Back in the field serving the need for water, Robert Walker
September 19, 2024
Happy endings can happen any time. Robert Walker, field superintendent for the Gasparilla Island Water Association, is a big believer in keeping the story going until that happy ending appears.
…
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Florida to Michigan and back, with Friends, Josh Cross
September 12, 2024
The Friends of the Boca Grande Community Center is a hub for entertaining, educational and thought-provoking programs that set a tone and reflect the interests of the people of the island.
One …
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Curator of the native Boca Grande landscape, Rick Joyce
September 6, 2024
F
or years, the ecological wellbeing of Boca Grande’s plant life has been one of Rick Joyce’s favorite endeavors. Boca Grande, and all of Gasparilla Island, owes much of its beauty and charm to…
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Michigan to Boca Grande Preschool, Jackie Eby
August 29, 2024
Being known as a jack of all trades is a good thing. It means you are versatile, resourceful, multi-talented and able to move smoothly from one helpful thing to another. The Boca Grande Preschool …
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: From Kentucky, Paris to Griffith Salon, Candace Beye
August 22, 2024
Getting a ride to school on your father’s fishing boat sounds like part of a story from Boca Grande’s History Center. Indeed, those stories are favorites around the island. One of the fun and char…
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: From biology teacher to Boca Grande clinic, Dyan Wilson
August 15, 2024
It’s not magic, but it is a good omen: when people come to the Boca Grande Health Clinic and encounter nurse Dyan Wilson, they often feel better immediately. Dyan is serious about medicine, but us…
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Newest teacher at The Island School, Kristen Shank
August 8, 2024
With a passion for teaching, a deep love of children, a creative spark and 14 years of experience, Kristen Maitland-Shank is “super excited” to be the newest teacher at The Island School for third…
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Front line voice for island first responders, Julie Brooks
August 1, 2024
Julie Brooks is the voice you hear on the phone when you call the Boca Grande Fire Department’s non-emergency number. She is the administrative assistant to the chief, as well as to anyone in the …