Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Obituaries.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – It’s amazing how such a diminutive body can wield such a mighty soul, but everyone who met Patti Middleton recognized her tremendous spirit. The tiny body that could get easily lost in a crowd had the roar of a lion when she needed to, and the fiery passion of a tempest […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
SUBMITTED BY THE GICIA – In 1985 the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association completed construction of the five miles of paved bike path that runs from First Street north. In the time since, GICIA has continued to focus on maintaining an attractive and safe path. As the numbers of island residents and visitors increase, […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: The first tournament of the season started off with a fun night of fishing for 22 boats filled with ladies fishing the Ladies Howl at the Moon! The tarpon were biting, and the action started right at the start with cries of “fish on,” and howls and squeals of excitement in the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – The Gasparilla Island Municipal Service Benefit Unit, a.k.a. the “iguana panel,” held their regularly scheduled advisory meeting on Friday, April 23, and discussion featured a commitment to continue discussions with state entities to allow iguana trapper George Cera permission to hunt on lands they own. Currently Cera is not allowed to […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – While no sea turtle nests have been found yet this season on Gasparilla Island, May 1 heralds the beginning of this very special time. Most residents who live on the island year-round may feel like they know sea turtle regulations pretty well, but we like to take this week every year […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY TONYA BRAMLAGE AND MARCY SHORTUSE – It’s common to hear the phrase “There is no use in dredging things up,” but when it comes to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – the people charged with keeping U.S. waterways unobstructed for boats and ships – they feel just the opposite is true. Recently the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
STAFF REPORT – After taking 2020 off because of COVID-19, the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic Tarpon Tournament will return on Saturday, June 5, and will be held in Boca Grande Pass from 3 to 6 p.m. According to Capt. Sandy Melvin, the founder and coordinator osf the tournament, this is the world’s greatest kids fishing […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY KAREN GRACE AND THE BOCA GRANDE HISTORY CENTER – The beginning of the du Pont family in Boca Grande came in 1916 or 1917 when Louise (du Pont) and Frank Crowninshield rented Frank’s brother’s (Benjamin) Gulf front cottage. In the years that followed, Louise and Frank bought land at First Street and Gulf Boulevard, […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
SUBMITTED BY GIBA – The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority Quarterly Board meeting was held on Wednesday, April 21 in the offices of the Authority, with part of the discussion featuring the fact that March of this year saw the highest amount of traffic in GIBA’s history. When the board was provided the traffic and revenue […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY TONYA BRAMLAGE – Bridge part II explores the rumors, intrigue, and little known nuances of game play here in Boca Grande. In the 1940s, bridge was played in 44 percent of American homes according to the Association of American Playing Card manufacturers. In 1970, ACBL membership stood at 170,000. Today, that figure remains around […]