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Making masks to help the community, islanders work together

BY OLIVIA CAMERON – With increasing Coronavirus cases in the U.S., officials are recommending mask wearing when in public or at work. Essential workers have boosted safety precautions and it is encouraged that those at home should do the same. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using a cloth face covering as opposed […]

PROFILE: Karen Snyder

BY OLIVIA CAMERON – Stage lights and scripts are familiar to Royal Palm Players’ actress Karen Snyder, who enjoys taking part in the entertainment aspect of Boca Grande. Before ever wintering on the island, Karen grew up in Rocky River, Ohio. “As a kid I was always performing little skits for the family,” said Karen. […]

OBITUARY: Frank Marra

Born in New York City at the height of the deadly Spanish Influenza on Sept. 24, 1918, Frank Edward Marra succumbed to complications of COVID-19 on April 5, 2020, in White Plains at the age of 101. The son of the late Arthur and Mary Marra, Frank resided for most of his long life in […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: ‘Safer at Home’ means ‘stay at home’ unless travel is essential

To the Editor, On Wednesday, April 1, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-91. This  – “Safer at Home” –  Executive Order directs a halt to all non-essential activities in the state. It also calls for non-essential workers, senior citizens and those with significant underlying medical conditions to remain at home. The Executive Order […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Looking forward, it’s almost time to submit your space requests at the Community Center

To the Editor, It is time once again for local organizations to submit space request forms for the use of the Boca Grande Community Center and Park for the 2020-21 season (October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021). Lee County Parks & Recreation appreciates the opportunity to be a part of your community events by […]

The loss of Nina Houghton resonates with many islanders

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Nina Rodale Houghton, a former Boca Grande resident who made a tremendous impact on our island, passed away on March 15, 2020. Nina was born on November 13, 1937, and raised in Allentown, Pa. She was the daughter of Anna Andrews and Jerome Irving Rodale, a publisher (Rodale Press), editor, author, playwright, […]

The official word regarding our island population and COVID-19

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – As the Florida Department of Health and private labs are able to provide more and more tests for Florida residents, numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases are exploding. As of 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, there were 7,773 cases confirmed, with one of the highest 24-hour jumps reported – 819 new cases […]

Rumors, like COVID-19, spread: Charlotte County points out the fake news

BY OLIVIA CAMERON – There is a large amount of misinformation circulating regarding the Coronavirus pandemic. Medical experts are up against time to research the virus and formulate the correct information. This research is vital to public health and containment.  However, the spread of rumors is comparable to how quickly the virus is scattering. These […]

A time for learning some hard lessons

BY LAUREN HANA, MD – It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the incredible onslaught of information and misinformation that we all see daily in the headlines. Anxiety, panic and fear are now our new normal emotions. We can combat these with composure, preparedness and knowledge. Here are a few life lessons I’m learning or re-learning in […]