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Learn about peeling rocks like fruit and more at ZimSculpt

Zimbabwe is the only African country with vast amounts of carveable stone. In fact, the stone found there is of such great importance to the people of Zimbabwe, that the word “Shona” is derived from a word in their native language literally meaning “house of stone.” This art medium has been made into a world renowned traveling exhibition of these modern Zimbabwean Shona stone sculptures and, in 2022, the prestigious honor for the exhibition location has been bestowed upon the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens in Punta Gorda. Join the festivities and listen to the sound of chisels clinking against stone echoing throughout the gardens through April 18. 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: History Bytes for 2022 is over; many thanks to those who made another great year possible

To the Editor: It was our pleasure to be back at the library this season, celebrating 21 years of History Bytes. I’d like to thank all who made this past February’s History Bytes program a huge success. The History Byte program began with Sally Van Italie’s idea and Capt Robert Johnson organized the program for […]

Learn about peeling rocks like fruit and more at Zimsculpt

Zimbabwe is the only African country with vast amounts of carve-able stone. In fact, the stone found there is of such great importance to the people of Zimbabwe, that the word “ Shona” is derived from a word  in their native language literally meaning “house of stone.” This art medium has been made into a world renowned traveling exhibition of these modern Zimbabwean Shona stone sculptures and, in 2022, the prestigious honor for the exhibition location has been bestowed upon the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens in Punta Gorda. Join the festivities and listen to the sound of chisels clinking against stone echoing throughout the gardens from February 4 through April 18. 

PROFILE: Mary Anne Hooker

There’s a familiar quote, “If you want to get something done, ask a busy person.” Mary Anne Hooker is one of those busy people who knows how to get things done.
“I had a houseguest here last week who I love her to death, but she’s one of those people that likes to put on pajamas and watch a movie. She loves to sit around in her bathrobe in the morning and drink coffee. I don’t even have a bathrobe,” laughed Mary Anne.
Mary Anne’s morning routine is active and bathrobe-free.
“I get up in the morning. I walk my dogs, and I get busy. I like staying busy. It’s important to me.”

PROFILE: Sharon Yonker

Born and raised in Connecticut, later moving to Berwyn, Pennsylvania with her husband Dan, Sharon learned how to play tennis at the local YMCA, where she taught aerobics classes.
“I started playing tennis when I was 27. I worked at the local YMCA, so I got free babysitting for my children. They came with me because they were zero and two years old at the time. I also got free classes, so I got to take tennis. I had never picked up a racket, but I thought it would be kind of fun. I fell in love with the game.”
Sharon met her husband, Dan, at Denison University in Ohio. After graduation, they traveled through Europe.
“When we came back, we said whoever gets a job first, the other will move to that area. Dan found a job in Berwyn, so I moved here, and we’ve been there ever since.
“My son Charlie works for a catering company in Orlando, and he loves it,” she said. “My daughter Laine works in Manhattan, but due to the pandemic, she decided to stop paying rent because she could never go to her job. Now she’s a nomad, spending a few weeks in Boston and here in Boca Grande. She says that it’s been the best thing ever for her. She was paying so much money in rent, and now she can live anywhere.”

More details disclosed about new Banyan Gasparilla Sound resort

This week it was announced that Banyan Gasparilla Sound, just outside of Boca Grande at the Fishery property, has opened up their sales through Gulf to Bay Sotheby’s International Realty’s Rich Taylor.
The announcement contains the most details released to date and includes information about the 99 condominiums, designed by SB Architects, that start at $1.3 million. The sizes will range from 1,400 to 2,100 square feet with two or three bedroom options and will be decorator ready.
The project also includes 83 fully furnished resort residences.

Becoming a centenarian

By Dr. Raymond James, Boca Grande Health Clinic If you’re looking to have a long, productive life, there’s a lot to be learned from the lifestyle choices made by people in the world’s “Blue Zones” – places where people live the longest and are healthiest. These “secrets to longevity” were discussed in the January 25 […]

OBITUARY: Carol Richardson

Carol Ann Richardson, 86, of Middle Bass Island, Ohio and 25 year winter resident of Boca Grande, passed away on Tuesday Jan.18, 2022 from lymphoma at the Renaissance Retirement Community in Olmsted Falls, Ohio. Carol was born Carol Adams on August 24, 1935 to Wesley Adams and Helen (nee Sutherin) Adams in Canonsburg, Penn.  Carol […]

Pastor Gary Beatty celebrates 50 years in the ministry

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.

OBITUARY: Fay Dixon Moser

Fay Lorraine Dixon Moser of Sweetwater, Tennessee went to be with her Lord and Savior at 1:38 a.m. on January 6, 2022. As she entered the gates of glory, she was met by her husband, James Washington Moser and her daughter, Miracle Ann. Starting on August 19, 1949, she and J.W. spent 37 earthly years […]