Opinion
Letters: Dear islanders: Try a blower-free Christmas week
December 11, 2025
To the Editor:
Leaf blowers driving you inside? Glad you’re not home when your neighbors’ crews are scheduled? Have you had to restrict your activities due to the toxic cloud put at head height b…
Letters: Improved access to beaches with management
December 11, 2025
To the Editor:
Gasparilla Island State Park is an oceanfront treasure. This resource is currently underused. The state park has over one mile of beachfront land with five parking areas. There are…
Wrapping up another year and wishing you a very Merry Christmas
December 11, 2025
We tend to reflect more at this time of the year, especially as we get no younger. I’m so thankful to still be living here. We were blessed to be spared hurricanes this year. I’m thankful. We even g…
Such are promises during an eventful week
December 11, 2025
Christmas is on, even at the Baby Publix, where The Salvation Army is out with a red bucket crew. We thank our friends at Publix for allowing them to ring the bell, and the couples, many retired, wh…
The Island Golfer: Lemon Bay and Coral Creek chart their paths forward
December 11, 2025
Change is inevitable is an oft-used phrase that applies to most everything in life. No more so than around here where the locals have been dealing with changes – some temporary, some permanent – fro…
EcoWatch: Controversy and facts collide on Dec. 6 … bear hunt
December 11, 2025
Hunting is not a sport. In a sport both sides should know they’re in the game.
Paul Rodriguez, comedian and writer born Jan. 19, 1955, known for his impacting quotes that often address social iss…
SW Florida Fishing
December 11, 2025
Tides, weather, temps and fish
BY CAPT. WILL WATERHOUSE
A chilly start to the week has it feeling like winter. The beginning of the week brought some very low tides following the front.
Th…
Preparing for the Christmas ahead in Advent
December 4, 2025
This weekend is a two-fer evening of tradition on island. Saturday night is the Christmas Walk, and Sunday is the Woman’s Club Christmas Tree Lighting. As always, see Ballyhoo for details. This year…
EcoWatch: Get armed for the battle against offshore drilling
December 4, 2025
The primal rhythmic power and the resonant sound of waves on the shore are like the earth’s heartbeat and becomes our connection with the body of nature
Jonathan Lockwood Huie Poet, author known…
SW Florida Fishing: December fishing is great!
December 4, 2025
BY CAPT. WILL WATERHOUSE
We had quite the Thanksgiving week out on the water! The first half of the week felt like summer with temperatures in the 80s and light winds and warm waters.
Lots of…