Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
■ STAFF REPORT Accompanied by members of the Sarasota Orchestra, The Qol Quartet will be presenting “Händel’s Messiah – Christmas Portion” on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 5 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. This special concert is open to the public at no charge, although donations will be welcomed. In 1742, when George Frideric Håndel’s […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Capt. Mark Futch has brushed shoulders with many famous people in his days. He’s been a fishing guide for Neil Armstrong and helped him land a 115-pound tarpon. He’s also filmed scenes from his seaplane with stars like Colin Farrell and Denzel Washington. “Running a saltwater seaplane is a very expensive operation,” Mark […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: The Johann Fust Library Foundation held their Fall Book Sale on November 13, 14 and 15. The event was attended by hundreds of island residents and visitors. The Library Foundation would like to thank Betsey Hall and Joanne Hall and all the dedicated volunteers who worked very to make this popular book […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
Lee County Parks and Recreation and the Boca Beacon hosted the 16th annual Turkey Hoop Shoot Contest last Saturday, Nov. 18, with 41 people competing for prizes. The tournament was open for children and adults. Ten first-place trophies, seven turkeys between 18 and 25 pounds, nine basketballs and three Publix Gift cards were won. Individual […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
The scholarship committee of the Boca Grande Woman’s Club is now accepting applications for the 2018-2019 school year. Applicants for the program must meet the following criteria: 1) be applying for admission to a school of higher education; 2) demonstrate a B or better high school grade point average; and 3) be a resident of […]
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PROVIDED BY THE BARRIER ISLAND PARKS SOCIETY – Nearly 30 years ago, a group of concerned island residents set out to rescue the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse at the south end of the island from decades of neglect and the effects of an eroding beach. By working together, the historic lighthouse was restored and the legacy […]
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BY MARY BESS – At 90 years of age, island resident Tim Seibert was an engaging speaker at last weekend’s MOD Weekend in Sarasota, where he was the guest of honor. Full of fun and good stories, and generous in his appraisal of the good work of his colleagues, he was characteristically unassuming and occasionally telegraphed […]
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BY MARCY SHORTUSE – It was another winning year for Capt. Sandy Melvin and his angler, Patrick Waterhouse, on Tuesday, Nov. 21 as the 24th Annual Gasparilla Island Fly Fishing Tournament was held. They took the top spot with a 19-inch trout. Second place went to Richie Meehan with Capt. Jamie Allen, and third place went […]
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Students at The Island School relived local and Florida history once again on Wednesday, Nov. 15 when a Calusa shaman, Ponce de Leon, a pirate and an early member of the Padilla fishing family visited. The Johann Fust Community Library and the Boca Grande Historical Society once again teamed with the school’s staff to demonstrate […]
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 […]