Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO PJ’s Seagrille and The Grapevine were officially out of business. TEN YEARS AGO Kathy Banson-Verrico was named as the new GIBA director. The pipes were smokin’ in some island homes, as GIWA was looking for pipe leaks. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO The Boca Grande Reference Room in the Community Center was complete, featuring […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial.
It took 15 days to complete the Sanibel Causeway after Hurricane Ian crunched it. It took two-and-a-half months for the severely damaged Gasparilla Inn & Club to open up again. But we still don’t have a cell phone tower.
It certainly isn’t for a lack of trying on the community’s part. We have a cell phone tower committee that has met on a constant basis to get this ball rolling. Calls and meetings have been had with Vertical Bridge, the tower company, and a lot of the footwork to get this done has taken place. So why don’t we have a cell phone tower yet, 10 months after Hurricane Ian?
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community History, News.
Tuesday, July 18 was the beginning of the end for two pieces of Cape Haze Peninsula’s history. The former home of Mike Schworm was dismantled and taken down to the ground, while Eunice Albritton’s little house that stood nearby waited forlornly for its turn under the proverbial wrecking ball.
Both homes were in grave disrepair even before Hurricane Ian, but afterward they were damaged even more. They had stood there since the 1940s, when Walter Gault brought his fishing operation from the village of Gasparilla at the north end of the island over the waters of Gasparilla Sound to the southern tip of the Cape Haze Peninsula, in Placida. He purchased the Gasparilla fishery property in the 1930s, but a decade later the railroad sold the land.
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.
This week, Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) signed a contract to complete repairs at the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse at Gasparilla Island State Park, according to Brooke Keck, communications and external affairs officer for the Department.
“The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has replaced the roofs for the Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum and chapel,” said Keck. “Park staff continue to work diligently on these ongoing restoration projects and are working closely with the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources to ensure care is taken to repair and restore these historic structures to their original conditions.”
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community History, News.
Did you really think it wouldn’t be back? Ha ha, ho ho, hee hee, you must belong in the maison de fous!
The Temptation martini sign, destroyed during Hurricane Ian, is finally put back together and ready to hang over Park Avenue.
“It is finished,” said Jeff Simmons, co-owner of The Temptation.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Whale sharks just aren’t something you see every day, even in the offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico in our area. But that doesn’t mean it never happens.
In fact, it happened to some boaters approximately 26 miles off the coast of Sarasota County not too long ago, on July 3.
A video on TikTok surfaced with the encounter, taken by a charter captain named Michael Russo with the alias “Boca Grande Tarpon.” It was captioned “One of the coolest encounters I have ever had out of Sarasota. I think that sharks just follow me.”
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community, News.
Boca Grande’s Baptist community celebrated in grande style as the congregation returned to its own church building July 16 for services. The fellowship hall will be the venue for services for a while, as the sanctuary is still under renovation following Hurricane Ian.
Pastor Gary Beatty said they are “so excited to be back” in their own place, but very grateful to the Episcopal congregation for allowing them to use their church for services throughout the last 10 months.
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community History, Health & Wellness, Profiles.
Author George Bernard Shaw famously claimed youth was wasted on the young. Apparently, he never met Effie Joiner, because she is not wasting a moment of her youth. Effie is not yet 27 but is putting nearly every minute to good use and having great fun along the way.
Effie is the newest member of the staff at the Friends of Boca Grande Community Center. She is a program assistant, helping primarily on the music front. She also helps with the lecture series, selling tickets in the office and assisting wherever needed.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO Friends of Boca Grande announced they had plans to put up a sunshade at the Community Center outdoor stage. TEN YEARS AGO Abbie Turner hooked a giant jumping shark on the “Jill Marie,” but Wyatt took first in the BoMo. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO An unclaimed golf cart on the rocks, in the […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: Suncoast Humane Society is thrilled to receive two pieces of art from local artist Kelly Reark Borza to be auctioned off at the SHS Art for Animals Auction event being held at The Waverly Restaurant and Bar on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are available now for $65. […]