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Stump Pass beach supporters sought for new organization

■ BY SUE ERWIN – A public meeting was held at Stump Pass Beach State Park on Tuesday, April 24 to determine the level of interest residents have to form a nonprofit organization in support of the park. More than 30 people attended the gathering. The group would be call Friends of Stump Pass and would […]

Historical Society elects new directors, discusses archive system at annual meeting

BY SUE ERWIN – The Boca Grande Historical Society elected four new directors at its annual meeting on Thursday, April 19. President Karen Grace was accepted a nomination for a second three-year term. New board members elected that day were: Melissa Csank, Henry Elwood, Pamela Heilman and Charles Stark. Treasurer Marty McFadden gave a financial update for the […]

Support BIPS at the 2018 Giving Challenge this Tuesday

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County presents the 2018 Giving Challenge on Tuesday, May 1 and Wednesday, May 2. This year, the Barrier Island Parks Society has been selected to be a part of this fundraising endeavor. The Patterson Foundation will be matching all donations of up to $100 made between noon on May 1 to noon […]

Reduction in water usage required by GIWA

■ SUBMITTED BY GIWA DIRECTOR BONNIE PRINGLE – Gasparilla Island Water Association, Inc.’s current ten-year water withdrawal permit from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) includes a condition requiring GIWA to reduce our daily average water usage to 150 gallons per person per day by the end of 2019. When the permit was issued, GIWA’s […]

Catch a view like no other on Saturday

■ BY SUE ERWIN Catch a view of the entire island and celebrate Florida Lighthouse Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 21. On this one special day each year, visitors are invited to climb the island lighthouses. Guests will be able to visit two lights this year, the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse […]

Regarding an absence that will be noted for years to come …

■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE This gracious, wonderful woman has passed away at the age of 92, just days after making the decision that she would no longer accept medical care outside her Texas home. I am so glad she was surrounded by familiar things, family and friends when she passed. Former First Lady Barbara Bush, […]

‘Boca Grande Sketchbook’: An island through the eyes of Jack Horner

■ BY SUE ERWIN Through the years, artist Jack Horner sketched scenes from Boca Grande, added some watercolor to the images and incorporated them into a new book called “Boca Grande Sketchbook.” The book was just published in the winter of 2018. Some of the sketches include “Old Boca Grande” before modern-day growth took place. […]

Obituary: Vernon Armour

Vernon Armour, 90, died of natural causes on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Vernon was born in Lake Forest, IL to Lester and Leola Stanton Armour on July 1, 1927. He was preceded in death by his wife Linda Freeman Armour, and siblings Elizabeth Hollins, Lester Jr. and T. Stanton Armour. He is survived by his […]

Many questioning Scott’s new law regarding private ownership of beaches … how does it affect us?

■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE House Bill 631, signed into law last month but just recently making headlines, has some Gasparilla Island homeowners and beachgoers puzzled about their rights to access local beaches. While the answer is – of course – clear as mud when you ask a lawmaker, be assured it isn’t as impactful as […]