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Friends of renowned island artist Patti Middleton donate her last painting to TIS

Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in News.

Friends from decades past, I came to regard Patti Middleton as the true artistic nature muse of our coast. Her passing in May of last year seemed emblematic of the titanic scale of change throughout our island world and beyond.
I really felt this first when legendary seaplane pilot Mark Futch went on ahead in 2018. So memorable from earlier flying days was a sunset flight with Mark from the Boca Grande bayou out over Boca Grande Pass, which I preserved in a poem “Charlotte Harbor Sea Peace” in my collection called “Verdana Poems.”

Pastor Gary Beatty celebrates 50 years in the ministry

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.

This past Sunday, Jan. 30, the First Baptist Church of Boca Grande honored their pastor, Dr. (Pastor) Gary Beatty and his wife Betty for 50 years of service to the Lord Jesus Christ. Of those years, 21 have been here in Boca Grande.
The church celebrated with a special service and lunch in the Polk Fellowship Hall. Several members commented on Pastor Beatty’s passionate preaching from the Word of God and Betty’s beautiful touch on the organ and piano.

Cutting a Christmas tree on-island and other memories

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Community History, News.

The February 9 History Bytes program features the Davis family – Frank Davis, Robin Davis Melvin, Doug and Gail Coleman Davis – who spent their summers and holidays in Boca Grande during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Their memories include arriving on the train from Arcadia, cutting the family’s Christmas tree at the north end of the Island and days of freedom, fishing, swimming and fun.

‘We’re just overwhelmed’: Gasparilla Mobile Estates residents seek assistance to figure out their next steps after the storm

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.

On Sunday, Jan. 16 at 6:37 a.m. the winds of change blew at 110 mph for many residents of Gasparilla Mobile Estates. The EF-1 tornado that touched down and cut a narrow swath through the park completely destroyed seven mobile homes, and up to 33 more had damage. Many of the homes that were not destroyed still have been tagged as unfit for inhabitance. That means while people can still go in and get belongings and look at damage at their own risk, they cannot live there.
Out of the homes affected, only two were insured.

ROLLING! The Boca Grande Film Festival has begun

Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Entertainment, News.

While it was a rainy night for the opening party of the Boca Grande Film Festival, the people who gathered in the Boca Grande Community Center Woman’s Club Room were warm and sheltered from the elements, as they celebrated the announcement of films. This event was virtual last year, so this was a welcome gathering.
Sponsored by the Boca Beacon and Friends of the Boca Grande Community Center, this event includes special guests from some of the films. Many of these have been viewed at well-known festivals such as Sundance and each one was hand-picked for the event.
Here is your line-up of films and schedule for the 2022 Boca Grande Film Festival:

Online access for GIBA toll pass holders is available now

Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.

As the island welcomes seasonal visitors back to Boca Grande, the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority wants to encourage all toll pass account holders to register for online toll account monitoring.Simply follow the instructions at right to set up your access. Once established, you can use this feature to replenish your account, monitor your usage, print […]

ASK A DOC: What do I do about COVID-19?

Written by Boca Grande Health Clinic on . Posted in Health & Wellness.

By Thomas J. Ervin, M.D., Boca Grande Health Clinic Being asked “What do I do about COVID?” is a complicated question for anyone in clinical medicine to answer. If the COVID-19 pandemic was an elephant (it is large), it’s description would depend on which part of the anatomy was being viewed or described. The pandemic […]

Animals, animals, animals! Three island artists get together their best beautiful beasties for a new show

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.

When Boca Grande artists Emerson Wickwire, Linda Wolcott and Nancy Bass sat down together and looked at each other’s proposed art pieces for a show they were putting together, they all had a moment of clarity.
Each one of them was featuring animals in their work.
“We looked at each other and said, wait a minute. Animals. It just sort of happened,” Wickwire said …

Gasparilla Island Water Association welcomes new utility director

Written by BBadmin7502 on . Posted in News.

After conducting an extensive executive search, we are excited to announce that Ron Bolton has joined us as our new Utility Director, effective January 3, 2022. Ron brings over 35 years of experience with Water Distribution, Sewer Collection and Stormwater Management programs.