Barbara (Bobbie) Hoyt passed away peacefully at her home on May 6, 2022. Bobbie was fast approaching her 101st birthday, as she was born on July 13, 1921. Bobbie spent her time between Cleveland, Ohio and Boca Grande, Florida and was the mother of three children, Jim, Peter and Terry. Bobbie graduated from Hathaway Brown […]
In order to not forget the many sacrifices of Boca Grande and Florida residents, the History Center has completed a multivolume collection of many articles pertaining to Florida, Boca Grande and World Wars I and II. The History Center has also compiled a list of over 260 names with relevant data on those who served in the military during WWII and had lived at a specific time in Boca Grande.
Jean “Je-Je” Harding Pierce of Boca Grande, Fla. and Woods Hole, Mass., passed away peacefully on Friday, May 6, 2022 in Boca Grande, at the age of 94. Born February 29, 1928 in Canada to Fred and Lillian Harding, Je-Je was a “leap year” baby. She was a graduate of Colby-Sawyer College in New London, […]
It’s difficult to get your bearings when you first see the old Fishery property without the shops, the fish house, the restaurant and the charter fishing buildings that used to be there. The only things left to remind you at this point are the concrete platform the restaurant once stood upon, the old docks and the last two Albritton houses still standing on the southernmost tip. The view is breathtaking, with the alcove and docks for Gasparilla Marina on your left and the old railroad trestle over to the right. The old memories are still there, but new memories are to be made.
Chef Tim Spain and his assistants, Effie Joiner and Savannah Pope, put on quite the spread at a recent island dinner party. On the menu was tuna poke with plantain chips, a charcuterie board, caramelized goat cheese and roasted beets with avocado and grapefruit and sous vide Florida Brangus beef tenderloin with Yukon potatoes, red wine demi […]
The many wonderful voices of RPP were on offer, among them those of Julia Pierce, Alice Court, Kimberly Whipple, Jeff Lehrian and Peter Powell, as was the delightfully dramatic crooning of James Martin and comic bemoaning of Elaine Skypala. Jim Grant tweeted like a bluebird singing out “that it’s always darkest just before they turn on the lights.” Posturing humor was richly delivered as always by Jim Grace, Lynda Grant, Sally B Johnson, Cori Palmere, Erica Ress Martin, Priscilla Masselink, Sarah McDonald, Linda Rollyson, Nancy Ryan and Boots Tolsdorf. Kris Doubles brought down the house with his hysterical rendition as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh from Anything Goes! Four routines by Tappers Patty Brink, Carol Forrester, Robbin Gilligan, Mary Hancur and Ned Lehrian were highlighted, to the great delight of the audience, and accentuated following each routine by the deadpan delivery of “that’s a hard act to follow” by David Jenkins, who got laughs every time.
The story of their little church took place at a time when the island was in the midst of growing pains. Boca Grande was a town that had alligators resting on the lawns of homes along the canal, large snakes sunning on the middle of the road on cold days, and a multitude of other species of wildlife on the island. All lived in harmony. Iguanas still had not made the trip from a little Mexican town. But that’s another story for another time.
On April 29, the University of Florida Institute will offer “Go Florida Native for Arbor Day.” Those interested can sign up to plant and care for a collection of native plants in their own yards. The Institute will offer one kit per household to those who preregister and attend a short class on planting and caring for their plants. This kit will consist of one Florida native tree, two shrubs and two grasses.
Art provides a common language of wonder, awe and appreciation that, as Picasso said, “soothes the soul.” In these conflicting times we thank Nat’s commitment to the arts and his assistance in keeping the visual arts alive and accessible.
Thank you, Italiano Insurance!
On February 20, 2022 Portia Westerfield, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away with a smile on her face and in the loving company of her husband, James Kroll. Born in Evanston, Illinois, on November 15, 1930 to Eleanor and Alexander Patterson, Portia lived a rich and robust life. She was raised in Paoli, PA and on […]