Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
■ STAFF REPORT The tarpon are biting in the Pass and tournament season is heating up in Boca Grande, so make sure you’re signed up for all the events you’re interesting in fishing. The first event will be The annual Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament will be held on Saturday, May […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
■ SUBMITTED BY THE GASPARILLA ISLAND WATER ASSOCIATION The Gasparilla Island Water Association measured 2.47 inches of rain Tuesday morning at the wastewater treatment plant after a long-awaited drenching rain Monday night, but that doesn’t mean we are out of the woods yet when it comes to a severe drought. While this week’s rain was […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE. After several months of intense research, the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority thinks they have narrowed down the cause of a popping sound under the new swing bridge when it opens and closes. It’s not arthritis, the bridge isn’t breakdancing, and it’s probable a little dry ice will fix the situation […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Ten female athletes who were members of the Arizona State University swim team reunited recently at the Sharp House in Boca Grande. They had not seen each other in nearly 40 years, but once they were together again, it seemed like a day hadn’t passed. The ladies swam together at ASU […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
■ SUE ERWIN Gasparilla Island State Park Ranger Jon Dillard loves being outdoors. And in October of 2015, he landed a job in an ideal place to launch his career. Jon is from Clermont, Florida and attended school in the small town just west of Orlando. Jon said it used to be a quiet, rural town […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ STAFF REPORT You may have noticed some subtle changes to the 5th Street parking lot by The Gasparilla Inn Beach Club. Okay, well, they’re actually huge changes, but they are the same changes we have been reporting about for months, and they will add parking to the downtown area. According to Betsy Clayton, communications […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN If you’ve had dinner recently at Fusion – the island’s newest restaurant – you’ve likely witnessed Food and Beverage Manager Margarita Santiago bustling about the establishment and making sure everything is running as smoothly as possible. Speaking to one staff member in Spanish while simultaneously answering questions in English during our interview, […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ SUBMITTED BY JIM GRANT OF THE BARRIER ISLAND PARKS SOCIETY Last week directors of the Barrier Island Parks Society finally celebrated, after 14-plus years of frustration in obtaining the island’s Rear Range Light (now known as the Gasparilla Island Light) from its various federal landlords, the completion of its extraordinary restoration over this season! […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
■ STAFF REPORT Congratulations to the artist of the 2017 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament, Kelly Reark. Kelly is an award-winning local artist inspired by her days fishing in Boca Grande and Chokoloskee. Her mission is to motivate outdoorsmen to preserve resources for the enjoyment of all. Since 2002 she has exhibited work in conjunction with […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Profiles.
■ SUE ERWIN You might see her performing on stage in the Boca Grande Community Center auditorium, taking a painting class at the art alliance, singing in the choir at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church or perhaps even tap dancing … you never know where you’ll find island resident Julia Pierce. This spirited soul never seems to […]