Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Fourth-generation islander Mark Futch tried desperately to succumb to retirement, but his plan has failed miserably. This may mean good things for island residents, though, who have longed for the convenience of a plane taxi service to pick them up (almost) right at their front door. Futch, a pilot with 29,000 […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and many families continue to struggle to provide their children with Christmas gifts. The mission of the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaign is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year to make Christmas dreams for less fortunate children come […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: Dust off those sneakers, and call on your friends and family to join Suncoast Humane Society at their 2017 Pet Walk benefitting homeless animals. In collaboration with Venice MainStreet, this will be a fun- filled morning on Saturday, Dec. 9 at Centennial Park in downtown Venice. Peace River K9 Search & Rescue […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
BY SUE ERWIN – Tim Spain learned how to become a chef after spending a year working at a restaurant in Bordeaux, France. Now the Zolfo Springs native is sharing his culinary talent in Boca Grande. Tim is the new executive chef at Fusion Restaurant at the north end of the island. He’s been working […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ STAFF REPORT The Lee County Parks and Recreation annual Turkey Hoop Shoot will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 18 at the Boca Grande Community Center’s outdoor basketball court. The event is free for all ages and is sponsored by the Boca Beacon. All children must be supervised. Prizes will be awarded to […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ PROVIDED BY THE GASPARILLA ISLAND BRIDGE AUTHORITY The GIBA quarterly board meeting was held on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at which topics of conversation included finances, iguanas and road flooding at the north end of the island. Engineering Chairman Peter Strong informed the board that the remediation plan for the pinion girder movement was successfully […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN The Barrier Island Parks Society met on Monday, Nov. 13 for its annual board of directors meeting, and outgoing President Linden Hustedt announced that the new incoming president for the 2017-2018 season is John Rice. Krista Potthast-Haynes is the new vice president for the organization. Hustedt thanked the new officers for […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ STAFF REPORT This year the 24th annual Gasparilla Island Flyfishing Tournament will benefit the Boca Grande Pass Web Cam project, which will be available to view by Dec. 1. A new, high-quality camera will have the ability to pan 180 degrees with zoom capability. As always, the G.I.F.T tournament will be held on the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ STAFF REPORT Saturday, Nov. 25 marks the grand opening of Boca Bargains for the 2017-2018 season. According to long-time volunteer JoAnn Welch, the shop, located on Park Avenue at Banyan Street, is “filled to the gills; we can hardly open the doors!” To showcase furniture donated over the summer, the opening will include a […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUSAN HANAFEE Skilled carpenters are in short supply. The price of materials is rising. Empty lots are disappearing. The easiest thing about building in Boca Grande’s Historic District these days may well be the process for obtaining permits. At least that’s the goal of the Lee County Community Development Department, which supervises renovation […]