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OBITUARY: Mike Giobbe

Michael E. Giobbe, Jr. (a.k.a Papa), 79, of Boca Grande and Chappaqua, N.Y. died peacefully in his home in Boca Grande on March 6, 2021.   Michael was born on April 13, 1941 the youngest of three children, to Marguerite Visconti and Dr. Michael E Giobbe of Torrington, Conn. He arrived on an Easter Sunday […]

EDITORIAL: The GICIA turns 50 years old

SUBMITTED BY THE GICIA – As the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association celebrates its 50th Anniversary working to preserve island life, it is the perfect time to reflect on its beginning. In the late 60s there were fewer than 500 homes on Gasparilla Island. The zoning regulations, at that time, allowed for high rise […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: The last resort?

To the Editor, “… some rich men came and raped the land, nobody caught’em. Put up a bunch of ugly boxes, and Jesus, people bought’em. They called it paradise the place to be. They watched the hazy sun sinking in the sea…”  – The Eagles When I drove past the property at 13000 Gasparilla Road […]

Keep those cards and letters coming regarding the NHR

BY SUSAN HANAFEE – In anticipation of next week’s meeting, scores of emails have been received by the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board on the proposal to include a portion of the downtown in the National Register of Historic Places. To date, the vast majority have opposed the plan, with many suggesting that it might […]

What to do with a 300-pound deceased sea turtle

BY TONYA BRAMLAGE – One of the most amazing aspects of living on the beach on Gasparilla Island is to see sea turtles coming up to nest on our beaches. While only a few people have been lucky enough to witness that, or a clutch of sea turtles emerging from their sandy nests, many more […]

Register now for the Annual Bike Path ‘Grande’ Parade

STAFF REPORT – The 35th Annual Bike Path “Grande” Parade will be held next Saturday, March 13, with heat times running between 10:30 to 11 a.m. (no regular line-up due to social distancing). Registration deadline is Thursday, March 11. Even if you do not register for the parade, you can still come out and watch! […]

GICIA approves landscape beautification plan

SUBMITTED BY THE GICIA – The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association continues its 50th Anniversary Celebration by announcing plans for a landscape enhancement project for the Charlotte County portion of GICIA Bike Path. The GICIA Board approved project will commence with the beginning of the rainy season in late May or early June. The […]

Lighthouse United Methodist Church to hold art sale on March 14

BY SUSAN HANAFEE – More than 50 items, many of them original art pieces by local artists, will be for sale in the Methodist Church Fellowship Hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 14. Proceeds will benefit women and children in need who are served by charities in Lee, Charlotte and Sarasota counties. […]