Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Entertainment, News.
“The play’s the thing” is an apt aphorism, but the backstory of how the cast got to the play is a thing in itself. It is instructive of the many routes there are, should you have begun such a journey or would like to begin one. These stories about the cast and crew of “On Golden Pond” greatly enrich an appreciation for each actor’s performance.
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in News.
The Barrier Island Parks Society (BIPS) is delighted to extend an invitation to friends and families to share the magic of the season at the annual Lighting of the Lighthouse! Please join us at Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum between 5:30 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. Gates to the Port Boca Grande […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
And yes, that includes the ‘Lake in the Road’ The Friday, Nov. 18 Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority quarterly meeting was abuzz with talk of the hurricane, and how so much has been learned since that day in September. To begin, the GIBA Board voted to implement a Temporary Hurricane Relief Emergency Overweight Policy. “This policy […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
If you remember Rowdy Gaines, the ultimate Olympic swimmer from the 1970s and ’80s, it might excite you to know that he has a home on Little Gasparilla Island. Being the ever-charitable guy that he is, he just recently raffled off five days and four nights at the beach house to the lucky winners who […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
Bart DeStefano and Marco Meola, owners of South Beach Bar & Grille, have announced they will be coming back bigger and better than ever, maybe even in the next couple of months. Of course, they won’t be at their original location on Gulf Boulevard, which quite literally exploded and burned to the ground during Hurricane […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News.
There is bad news and good news at the Barrier Island Parks Society (BIPS) regarding damages from Hurricane Ian. Initial assessments have been completed on the BIPS properties, and there is plenty of bad news: Significant damage was found on all its historic structures: the Amory Memorial Chapel, the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and the […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community, News.
The four churches in Boca Grande did not escape the wrath of Ian. Nevertheless, two of the four were able to hold services the weekend after the storm. These were Lighthouse United Methodist and Our Lady of Mercy Catholic churches. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church will open in about two weeks, as the drying out process […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
Boca Grande Charities, Inc. – a charitable foundation founded by Capt. Sandy Melvin (and now includes Ron Walker and Pat Waterhouse) – helped save the day regarding fuel, not only on Gasparilla Island but on Little Gasparilla Island as well. Melvin worked with Mike Krause of Okeechobee Fishing Headquarters, who by happenstance during a conversation […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News.
The board had begun discussing the need for an elevator some 10 years ago, she said, but actually voted to initiate this aspect of the project three years ago. Among the first things necessary was to find an architectural firm to design and plan out the work required to add an elevator to the facility. The choice was not difficult, based on the success of the library renovations made in 2012 and 2013.
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in News.
FEMA supplied the County with the updated preliminary maps back in 2019, at which time the County set up outreach meetings to inform the public of the upcoming map changes. Citizens and business owners viewed the new maps and asked questions of FEMA and County staff. The meetings were very well attended, and FEMA representatives praised County staff on their outreach and marketing efforts. Charlotte County had more people attend the community outreach meetings than all the community meetings in Southwest Florida combined.