Written by T Michele Walker on . Posted in Profiles.
On a sunny August morning in Boca Grande Laquanda Dixon took a short break to sit out by the fountain and answer a few questions about her work at the Boca Grande Health Clinic, her ties to the island, and even a debate about a “q.” “Laquanda is spelled with a lowercase ‘Q,’ even though […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Submitted by the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority Toll revenue was up by comparison with the same months in 2020 by 10 percent in discount passes and 21 percent in cash (non-discounted) tolls, according to Executive Director Kathy Banson-Verrico’s report at the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority quarterly board meeting held on Wednesday, Aug. 18. She also […]
Written by T Michele Walker on . Posted in News.
If you’re familiar with Boca Grande history at all, when you hear the name “Boca Grande Hotel” you might think of the grand building built by Joseph Spadaro decades ago that stood just south of 1st Street where Boca Bay is now. However, now that famous name will grace another iconic structure on the island […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Education.
On Tuesday, Aug. 10 the classrooms at The Island School were once again ringing with the sounds of the voices of teachers and children as the first day of school began. Parents of the students stood in the parking lots and on the lawn, making sure everything was a go, and eventually left the children […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
BY KAREN GRACE AND THE BOCA GRANDE HISTORY CENTER The first Fugate in Boca Grande was Jerome who arrived by train and ferry in 1909 before the railroad trestle to the north end of the Island had been constructed. He came to work at the port commissary located at the south end of the Island. […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
As the water heats up and the rains start coming more frequently, we all start to get nervous about our old nemsis named red tide. For weeks we had been hearing about the problems Tampa Bay was having with the algae named Karenia brevis, but it wasn’t until two weeks ago that we realized “Karen” […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
SUBMITTED BY THE BOCA GRANDE HEALTH CLINIC The Delta variant of the coronavirus has arrived on island with the Clinic seeing an uptick in COVID-19 cases this past week including symptomatic infections in those fully vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put forth new face mask guidelines in response to surging COVID-19 cases […]
Written by T Michele Walker on . Posted in News.
Boca Grande has always been an oasis, a haven from the outside world. It should come as no surprise that Boca Grande is defying the odds when it comes to the business impact felt by COVID-19. The World Bank conducted a study of businesses around the world and its findings come as no surprise. It’s […]
Written by T Michele Walker on . Posted in News.
They say it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity. In Florida, it’s both. When temperatures rise into the mid to upper 90s, combined with the oppressive Florida humidity, it can turn your fun beach vacation into a trip to the emergency room. Ambulance calls on the island for heat-related illiness have increased in recent weeks, […]
Written by Tonya Bramlage on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
Did you know that the average American spends eleven hours per day on a screen and more than 90 percent of their lives indoors? The 1998 film “Hope Floats” highlights her character being admonished by her mother in the film to get up and go outside, “It’s a beautiful day out. Take a look at […]