Columns
The Island Golfer: Rahz has PTSD under control at Lemon Bay
January 16, 2025
Severe weather events are the scourge of golf course superintendents, causing bunker washouts, downed trees, and other adverse conditions rendering courses unplayable. Locally, it might present as P…
Ahh, the bright-green retention ponds of Florida
January 16, 2025
We are now two weeks into a moderate bout of red tide.
If you want to study the science of red tide, explore sites like Mote Marine Lab or any of the other facilities that are researching it. Inf…
Reading about fishing: Author favorites Robert Fritchey, Hart Stilwell
January 9, 2025
It’s a new year, but I’m stuck reminiscing about old observations.
I’ve read several older books about fishing; it’s amazing that it took me 70 years to discover that I didn’t invent the wheel. W…
Port Noise Complaint: The conclusion to the story
January 2, 2025
BY MILTON BELL Milton Bell is a Boca Grande native, born October 26, 1950, who grew up on the property of the phosphate loading facility at Port Boca Grande. He is one of six children born to Angelo…
SW Florida Fishing: It’s trout time around the harbor
January 2, 2025
BY CAPT. WILL WATERHOUSE
Not only have the holidays brought great weather, they have also brought great fishing! The back country fishing has been outstanding this past week!
Large speckled tr…
Advice from writer Thomas McGuane lingers still
January 2, 2025
BY KATHY Y. FUTCH
One February, a few years back, islander-author Thomas McGuane enthralled an auditorium full of readers and writers in the Boca Grande Community Center. Those present then were…
Push a pole, watch the birds, grasp opportunity in 2025
December 27, 2024
We celebrate the birth of Christ, Christmas and welcome a New Year.
2024 was tough on most of us and I’m looking forward to 2025. While times have been challenging, we live in a very special plac…
EcoWatch: Tis the reason for the season
December 19, 2024
“Christmas is a bridge. We need bridges as the rivers of time flow past. Today’s Christmas should mean creating happy hours for tomorrow and reliving those of yesterday.”
Gladys Taber, author of…
SW Florida Fishing: The spirit of Christmas … on the water
December 19, 2024
BY CAPT. JOE LECLAIR
If you believe in the true spirit of Christmas then you know about all things red and green, silver and gold, happy days, warm nights and the wonderful smells of the holiday…
EcoWatch: There is still time to make this a green Christmas
December 12, 2024
“When you give someone your time you are giving them a portion of your life that you’ll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give is your time.”
Rick Warr…