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PROFILE: Kim Newlin

Written by T Michele Walker on . Posted in Profiles.

When we first met Kim Newlin back in 2005, she was a wife, a mother of two young children, and a new business owner of Newlin’s Mainely Gourmet. Today, she and Frank are happy and “Newlin’s,” as the islanders fondly call her business, is going strong, and her children are in college.
“When we opened, my daughter was at The Island School. I remember looking at Tallulah walking across the street to school, and I thought, ‘Okay, I’m a little bored.’ I was only going to do this business for two years.”

OBITUARY: Carol Richardson

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.

Carol Ann Richardson, 86, of Middle Bass Island, Ohio and 25 year winter resident of Boca Grande, passed away on Tuesday Jan.18, 2022 from lymphoma at the Renaissance Retirement Community in Olmsted Falls, Ohio. Carol was born Carol Adams on August 24, 1935 to Wesley Adams and Helen (nee Sutherin) Adams in Canonsburg, Penn.  Carol […]

OBITUARY: James Stanley

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.

James R. Stanley, 90, of Lake Bluff, Ill. passed away peacefully on January 30, 2022, at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital in Lake Forest, Ill.  Born in Williamsport, Penn. in 1931 to Col. Leslie W. and Hazel E. Stanley, Jim graduated from Pennsylvania State University and later served as First Lieutenant in the United States Army […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Former resident wonders about name, as well as effects from, new development

Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.

To the Editor:
Having spent most of my life in and around Placida, I am writing to express my thoughts and concerns about the planned development of the old Fishery property located in Placida. I am not anti-growth or against change but I’m saddened to see the elimination of a place’s traditional identity. Seems to me that smart growth incorporates that identity into the new development.

First History Bytes of season: Pranks and programs

Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community, Community History, News.

Janet Gillespie who lived in Boca Grande between 1978 and 2004 told stories of the jobs she held, the friends she made, the programs she helped start and the pranks she pulled to the interest and delight of the audience at the Historical Society’s first History Byte since 2020. A number of themes ran through Janet’s presentation, her love of horses and of the water and fishing, her creative friends with whom she started several Island organizations and events and her history of pulling pranks.

Friends of renowned island artist Patti Middleton donate her last painting to TIS

Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in News.

Friends from decades past, I came to regard Patti Middleton as the true artistic nature muse of our coast. Her passing in May of last year seemed emblematic of the titanic scale of change throughout our island world and beyond.
I really felt this first when legendary seaplane pilot Mark Futch went on ahead in 2018. So memorable from earlier flying days was a sunset flight with Mark from the Boca Grande bayou out over Boca Grande Pass, which I preserved in a poem “Charlotte Harbor Sea Peace” in my collection called “Verdana Poems.”

Pastor Gary Beatty celebrates 50 years in the ministry

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.

This past Sunday, Jan. 30, the First Baptist Church of Boca Grande honored their pastor, Dr. (Pastor) Gary Beatty and his wife Betty for 50 years of service to the Lord Jesus Christ. Of those years, 21 have been here in Boca Grande.
The church celebrated with a special service and lunch in the Polk Fellowship Hall. Several members commented on Pastor Beatty’s passionate preaching from the Word of God and Betty’s beautiful touch on the organ and piano.

Cutting a Christmas tree on-island and other memories

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Community History, News.

The February 9 History Bytes program features the Davis family – Frank Davis, Robin Davis Melvin, Doug and Gail Coleman Davis – who spent their summers and holidays in Boca Grande during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Their memories include arriving on the train from Arcadia, cutting the family’s Christmas tree at the north end of the Island and days of freedom, fishing, swimming and fun.