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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Boca Grande – a charming place made even more charming by its honest, kind people

To the Editor:
Two weeks ago, our family had a wonderful vacation in Boca Grande. It was our third visit to the island and we had rented a hundred plus-year-old cottage on Tarpon Ave. We love what a step back in time this charming town portrays. No chain stores, no high rises, no litter, no graffiti, a fabulous bike path and walking path, very little vehicular traffic, beautiful beaches, and a warm, friendly, welcoming attitude that is hard to find. Everyone is so outdoorsy and active. It is obvious the residents take great pride in their property and are grateful to live in such a special place.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Former resident wonders about name, as well as effects from, new development

To the Editor:
Having spent most of my life in and around Placida, I am writing to express my thoughts and concerns about the planned development of the old Fishery property located in Placida. I am not anti-growth or against change but I’m saddened to see the elimination of a place’s traditional identity. Seems to me that smart growth incorporates that identity into the new development.

ECOWATCH: Valentine love tributes to a tree

Almost every year Ecowatch has written love quotes from poets who have exclaimed the power and joy of love between man and women, animals sharing love and other venues of love. However, there is another pathway to love that is too often overlooked and that is the love of trees and what they wish to share with all of us.            

DOG LIFE: Misconceptions about dog training

You’re fed up with your dog for not listening to you, so you look for a trainer who can educate Fido to be the perfect dog. Well, there’s more to it than just hiring a professional trainer to help you. Dog training is not hard as long as you follow instructions from the trainer and practice. But don’t think that one or two classes with your trainer will make Fido a perfect dog. The trainer is not a magician.

ECOWATCH: The puppet masters are pulling strings again 

I had every intention of listing some good and bad events in the ecosystem that needed to be shared. However, I shall digress for just a short time. Long-time readers of this column are familiar with the many quotes I have used through the years. I usually pick a writer who has something to say and will nudge people to think.
One such person I have used often was Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States. He was responsible for setting aside land for our national parks that people still enjoy and use today. He was the ultimate conservationist, and he said, “The conservation of natural resources is the fundamental problem. Unless we solve that problem, it will avail us little to solve others.” His most famous quote gave us a little peek into his character: “Speak softly and carry a big stick — and you will go far.” He went on to say, “I’m a part of everything I have read. I am an American, free born and free bred, where I acknowledge no man as my superior except for his own worth, or as my inferior, except for his own demerit.”

Last call for Lovelines!

NOW IS THE TIME TO CONFESS YOUR LOVE, WHETHER IT’S RED AS FIRE OR WHITE AS A DOVE;YOUR LAST DAY TO SEND THEM IS FEBRUARY 8, IF YOU KNOW WHAT’S GOOD FOR YOU, YOU SHALL NOT BE LATE!Email your lovelines to mshortuse@bocabeacon.com by Tuesday, Feb. 8.

First History Bytes of season: Pranks and programs

Janet Gillespie who lived in Boca Grande between 1978 and 2004 told stories of the jobs she held, the friends she made, the programs she helped start and the pranks she pulled to the interest and delight of the audience at the Historical Society’s first History Byte since 2020. A number of themes ran through Janet’s presentation, her love of horses and of the water and fishing, her creative friends with whom she started several Island organizations and events and her history of pulling pranks.

Friends of renowned island artist Patti Middleton donate her last painting to TIS

Friends from decades past, I came to regard Patti Middleton as the true artistic nature muse of our coast. Her passing in May of last year seemed emblematic of the titanic scale of change throughout our island world and beyond.
I really felt this first when legendary seaplane pilot Mark Futch went on ahead in 2018. So memorable from earlier flying days was a sunset flight with Mark from the Boca Grande bayou out over Boca Grande Pass, which I preserved in a poem “Charlotte Harbor Sea Peace” in my collection called “Verdana Poems.”

‘Proof’ by RPP is back on, to be held under the Sunshade

Here’s the scoop! The Royal Palm Players are presenting a rescheduled table reading of “Proof” in a theater-in-the-round setting created on the Friend’s Pavilion next Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 15 – Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. All tickets are for general seating and can be purchased by phone from the Royal Palm Players Box Office by calling 964-2670 or on the website at royalpalmplayers.com. The ticket cost is $15.

Pastor Gary Beatty celebrates 50 years in the ministry

This past Sunday, Jan. 30, the First Baptist Church of Boca Grande honored their pastor, Dr. (Pastor) Gary Beatty and his wife Betty for 50 years of service to the Lord Jesus Christ. Of those years, 21 have been here in Boca Grande.
The church celebrated with a special service and lunch in the Polk Fellowship Hall. Several members commented on Pastor Beatty’s passionate preaching from the Word of God and Betty’s beautiful touch on the organ and piano.