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Methodist Church announces agreement with neighbors on parking

Tuesday’s meeting at Lighthouse United Methodist Church regarding parking started with an announcement that the church had struck an agreement with neighbors in its decades-long fight over parking on Gilchrist Avenue. “We have reached an agreement on how to remain friends and respect one another,” said Church Council Chair Peter Soderberg.  He said that the […]

Native takes first in Ladies day

In the Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament last Saturday, May 10, there were a total of 37 boats. Team Native won first place with two fish caught.  Fishing was from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and there were 10 tarpon caught in total and Gail Coleman Davis from team Native caught two, winning them the $12,950 […]

Letters: Thank you to hotel’s leadership and staff during this long hurricane recovery 

To the Editor: It’s hard to believe that six months ago our restaurants were not open, the town and many homes were underwater, we lost our post office, and the centerpiece of our island, The Gasparilla Inn, was extremely compromised. These have been challenging times. Prized possessions were destroyed, beloved cars and golf carts were […]

Barrier Island Parks reminds of community support function

FROM SHARON MCKENZIE,EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BIPS I recently attended the parking issue meeting at the Boca Grande United Methodist Church and in hindsight, I realized I did not clarify our role. Barrier Island Parks Society (BIPS) is a Citizen Support Organization (CSO) for four local Florida State Parks, Cayo Costa, Don Pedro Island and land base, […]

Charlotte sets week’s upcoming meetings schedule

Charlotte County government meetings for the upcoming week. Monday, May 19, 2 p.m. – Metropolitan Planning Organization Board Meeting, Charlotte County Administration Center, 18500 Murdock Circle, Room 119, Port Charlotte, FL 33948  Tuesday, May 20, 1 p.m. – Board of County Commissioners Quarterly Local Transportation Meeting, Charlotte County Administration Center, 18500 Murdock Circle, Room 119, […]

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Gail Coleman Davis

First tarpon of the season Gasparilla Island native Gail Coleman Davis earned the accolade of the first tarpon of this year’s tournament season at last weekend’s Ladies Day. Gail was raised on island and is now married to Doug Davis. Doug’s sister is Robin Melvin of Gasparilla Outfitters and Special Effects. She has been fishing […]

COLUMNS: VAN HUBBARD

Fixing water quality now, still cheaper than reviving dead estuaries How do we tackle water quality? Just like an elephant. One bite at a time. Many things contribute to these problems. It took years of abuse to get there, and it will require billions of dollars, and serious effort, to gain water quality resurrection.  We […]

REMINISCENCES: K.Y. FUTCH 

Seaplanes to the oyster beds: My time with Katharine Hepburn BY KATHY FUTCH Miss Hepburn made fairly regular visits to Boca Grande to be with her Houghton family relatives and also some friends. Upon entering Palermo’s “Griswold” home where she was staying, she immediately approached me and removed the straw hat I was wearing and […]

Educate Boca Scholarships awarded

Lemon Bay High School Boca Grande Chamber “Educate Boca” Scholarship recipients with Cheryl Hopkins are Dylan Smith, Mailee Minitello, Meghan Lutz, Eva Gressley, and Sophia Dickerson.                                              Photo by TK Photography

Englewood Leadership visits the island

Leadership Englewood Class of 2025 celebrated their Tourism and Hospitality Day on Gasparilla Island. Shown here are many who orchestrated the day. The class got to drive around in golf carts, learn about turtles and hear some history of the island.                             […]