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Toads and untethered umbrellas are two things we should think about

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission FWC), cane toads are reddish-brown to grayish-brown, with a light-yellow or beige belly and can be uniform in color or have darker markings around the body. They have enlarged glands behind the eyes, which angle downward onto the shoulders. The glands secrete a potent milky-white toxin (bufotoxin) as defense against predators – including domestic pets. Cane toads generally range in size from six to nine inches in length. They can be confused with the native southern toad, however; adult cane toads are much larger than adult southern toads, which only grow to a maximum of approximately three or four inches. Cane toads do not have ridges across the head, as seen in the southern toad.

Memories of Eldred’s by Tim Dixon: Part III

In 1992 Charlotte County decided to put a public boat ramp on a strip of property they owned along the old railroad bed in Placida. It was an old rail siding that was abandoned when the rail line shut down, and the County had acquired ownership of the property after the train stopped running. The County had built the fishing pier on the old trestle, and this would provide parking for the pier as well as a boat ramp. The property was on the west side of what is now the walk path to the pier, and adjacent to the Mercury Marine test facility. Mercury got wind of it, and they didn’t want people launching boats and parking beside their operation, so they offered to trade the current site of the public ramp for the strip adjacent to their property. Why not just pass that headache to someone else? The County took them up on the proposal and built a boat ramp right beside Eldred’s Marina, then started giving away what the marina was charging for. Now the County was in direct competition with a local business, but they were providing the service for free. Private businesses can’t compete with that. 

OBITUARY: DOTTY GIBSON

Dorothy S. Gibson, of Frostproof, passed away on August 14, 2022, in her home surrounded by family. Dotty was born on December 1, 1929 in Deland to Albert A. Sullivan (deceased) and Edith Carter Sullivan (deceased). She later relocated with her family to Vero Beach, where she finished high school. She then attended Agnes Scott […]

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Ray Ledon

Ray grew up in Cuba in the 1950s and early 60s but was forced to flee the country as his father became more and more involved in the fight to bring freedom and prosperity to all the people of Cuba. Initially, this put him and his family in the crosshairs of Fulgencio Batista, and eventually in those of Fidel Castro, as well.

OBITUARY: Sam Dixon

Samuel A. Dixon, of Englewood, passed away Friday, August 12, 2022, with his family by his side. Sam was born in Richmond, Va., on September 30, 1963 to James O. Dixon (deceased) and Marian C. Dixon. Sam had four brothers: Tim, Tom, Sylvester and Andy, and five sisters: Eva Kate, Kathy, Becky, Ruth and Sarah, […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Lee County commissioners award contract for new shade structures at 10 Parks & Rec facilities

Lee Commissioners award contract for new shade structures at  10 Parks & Recreation facilities To the Editor: The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to award a contract for new shade structures at 10 Lee County Parks & Recreation facilities.  The $1.3 million contract with Florida-based Industrial Shadeports, Inc. is to install shade structures […]

Memories of Eldred’s Marina, Part II, Building Barges

My cousin, Linwood Parrish, was living on a houseboat in the marina and working around with Daddy on the island, and Linwood went to see Farrel Davis and obtained a loan to build a new barge. He and Daddy built the barge from 3/4 inch plywood and pressure-treated lumber, then fiberglassed the bottom. They got an old Lyman lap strake boat for a tow boat, and they were back in business. Daddy got a little flat-fender Willys jeep, built a trailer to put behind it, and we were really uptown! No more carrying lumber by hand! Later they bought a military deuce-and-a-half from Englewood Water District, and then came forklifts, tractors and other equipment. Later we added more length to the barge, about 10 feet if I remember correctly.

GICIA announces new Bike Path projects

If you have been on the Bike Path recently, you may have noticed that compost has been added where washouts have created areas where there is a steep edge. This week a sod company will be on-site to add sod to these areas. This will create a smoother transition along the path. The completion of this project will be pleasing to the eye and create a more enjoyable experience for path users.