Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE On Friday, Feb. 12 the last piece of steel was removed from the old swing bridge, and with it a significant piece of Gasparilla Island’s history turned into lore. According to Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority Executive Director Kathy Banson-Verrico they will still be breaking up concrete, taking out pilings and taking […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
BY SUE ERWIN Ralph DiCarlo has lived on the island with his wife, Charlene, for more than 20 years. The couple relocated from Springfield, Mass. After spending some time on the east coast of Florida, they decided they preferred the west coast because of the calmer, less populated areas.“This side of the state is beautiful – we […]
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BY BAYNE STEVENSON The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association has successfully purchased the Mercabo 30-acre tract at the entrance to the Boca Grande Causeway. The outpouring of support from Gasparilla Island residents and the surrounding communities was unprecedented, exceeding more than 1,100 donors, including several island nonprofits. Phase II of the “Preserve” project focuses […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
BY VICKY WINTERER – The Island School, a tuition-free charter school for grades K-5, held its 3rd Annual $1,000,000 Golf Shootout last week on a benign winter day at The Gasparilla Inn & Club’s golf course. The funds raised by this popular event are a vital component in providing financial stability for The Island School, Lee […]
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Lemon Bay Conservancy invites you to a free Open House at Wildflower Preserve on Saturday, Feb. 13 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Come explore nature and take a guided trail walk with knowledgeable guides that will leave every hour. Various walks will focus on different natural elements of the preserve. The first walk of […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
The Coast Guard held a routine inspection at the Range Light on Wednesday morning. This is one of the final inspections before the turnover, meaning that the Barrier Island Park Society will receive a licensing agreement to restore and operate the newly named Range Light to the Gasparilla Light. The turnover is planned to happen […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial.
BY BEN SCOTT AND ANGEL ALOMA – Thirty-three families left homeless by the devastating 2010 earthquake have received homes in a new village in Gressier, Haiti. Built by Boca Grande’s Hope For Haitians Committee through the international and relief organization, Food For The Poor, the village is the committee’s fifth Friendship Village and marks the […]
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BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Ginger Watkins and Lee Majors retain their seats as chairman and co-chairman of the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority, as a vote was cast at the board’s quarterly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 2. The board also voted in Drew Tucker as the Audit and Finance Chairman, replacing Bill Holmberg who is moving […]
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BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Developers looking into purchasing the 9.98 acres at the south end of the island, commonly known as the former FPL land, are one step closer to their goal as Lee County Commissioners recently voted to redesignate the future land use from “public facilities/port” to “urban community.” Two developers, Seagate Development Group, […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – I just read an article submitted to the Interwebs universe by The Cultural Landscape Foundation, an article written about Gilchrist Avenue, with no author named but photo credit given to an island resident. It’s a humdinger. I will start by saying the article is well written, and in all honesty it’s […]