Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Uncategorized.
By KAREN GRACE In 1915, Peter Bradley of the American agricultural Chemical Company had 26 banyan trees planted on each side of what was then Second Street. The trees may have been part of a 1914 master plan produced for the company by landscape architect Carl Rust Parker. Banyan trees were proposed “to help transition […]
Written by John Fletemeyer on . Posted in Columns, Opinion, Sports & Outdoors.
BY DR. JOHN FLETEMEYER I’ve suffered the painful sting of a Portuguese man-of-war at least a dozen times. Consequently, being victimized by a man-of-war, it’s easy to argue that it’s one of a beachgoer’s worst nightmares. Every year, countless thousands are stung by men-of-war on Florida beaches. In most cases, after being stung, an intense […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial, Opinion.
Last week, there were no actual items relating to Boca Grande on the agenda of the Lee County Commission. But there was one item that was indirectly related, by inference and omission. Commissioner David Mulicka brought up a “Commissioner’s Item” relating to the purchase of a property for a boat ramp on San Carlos Island, […]
Written by John Fletemeyer on . Posted in Uncategorized.
By JOHN FLETEMEYER Key West is America’s southernmost city. Cuba is only 90 nautical miles away. It’s a city steeped in nautical history that boasts many eccentricities and oddities that are found nowhere else. One life-is-stranger-than-fiction oddity is the population of six-toed cats that roam the grounds of the late Ernest Hemingway’s home. Not surprising, […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Health & Wellness.
BY THE BOCA GRANDE HEALTH CLINIC Electrolyte drinks have become a popular choice for staying hydrated, not only after workouts but also during long days in the Florida sun. Whether you’re playing tennis, doing yard work, working in construction, or spending hours on a boat, heavy or extended sweating means your body needs more than […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News, Uncategorized.
The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority met for their quarterly board meeting on Thursday, Aug. 14, to discuss not only future finances, but to discuss drainage and the strengthening of the Causeway islands, which is now in progress. Through the whole meeting, a subtext on what the new parking regulations would do with toll revenue for […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News, Uncategorized.
The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority voted to address hurricane drainage issues on Gasparilla Road, near Kappy’s, at their August 14 meeting. After hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton, the standing water lasted for weeks in a right-of-way stretch of road at the Boca Grande Hotel and Kappy’s Market shopping center. A study by the engineering firm […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
The recent decision by Lee County Commissioners to eliminate a majority of the island’s beach access parking for visitors was a shock to many, and has reverberated through social media and the local news like an earthquake. Now, providing the parking amendment is finalized, it is the aftershocks that the island community will deal with. […]
Written by Angela McPhillips on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
The schedule has been set for the 2026 Boca Grande tarpon tournaments, one of the island’s most cherished community traditions. The season is organized collectively by the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce, William Woodroffe, and the Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum with input from local fishing guides. Gary Cross, Boca Grande Chamber’s Executive Director, says […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Construction will begin Tuesday, Sept. 2, on a $1.7 million renovation project at Wheeler Road Community Park in Boca Grande. The project will replace the park’s two tennis courts with three pickleball courts and two tennis courts, along with new parking spaces, shade structures, a chain-link fence, and a larger restroom. The restroom will be […]