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Cutting the Gordian Knot that is the Boca Grande cell tower

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.

Another chapter has been written in the ongoing “Gordian Knot” saga of the Boca Grande cell phone tower, as this week cell tower committee members have announced that Lee County has finally issued a demolition permit for the Bakery Building. 

At the same time, the committee has had contractors come out to look at the wall between the bakery and The Barnichol Hardware, to determine if it is possible to start construction on the new cell tower base while the building still stands.

It wasn’t days after Hurricane Ian hit the island hard on September 28, 2022 when cellular services started putting up COWs on the island. These Cells on Wheels were placed in the middle of town, as well as one at the north end. There are no COWs south of 1st Street. Even with the COWs, service has been unreliable for many for 10 months now, with some people – primarily on the south end of the island – having no service at all.

Two Swinneys and a Wise man take the Boca Grande Open 

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.

Boca Grande resident Dabo Swinney and his family love Independence Day. So much so, in fact, they turn one day of celebrating into several. It isn’t a stretch to conclude that a guy who can lead his team to win a few football games like Clemson Coach Dabo has, can probably handle coordinating activities for the friends and family he brings together here at his island home during the first week of July.

It was more than a few years ago that we began to see the love the Swinneys have for spending time outdoors and with each other on the Fourth of July. There have been, of course, more than a couple of casual football games. They haven’t failed to make an appearance at the parade for several years. They also hold a run through town that this year included almost 20 people. The group is also known to put on a rousing game of wiffle ball, which is not uncommon either (check out some YouTube videos on this – wiffle ball is kind of a thing for Clemson players).

‘The Gateway Project’ to Gasparilla Island discussed by the Boca Grande Disaster Relief Fund

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community, News.

Upon taking that first journey onto the island on the heels of Hurricane Ian, there are sights that were seen that many will never forget. The tall pines down across the Boca Grande Causeway after the middle bridge. Homes ripped wide apart. The lake of water at the base of the south bridge, stretching all the way past the Gulf Shores Drive and the Boca Grande Club. 

But it was the trees that came down across from Grande Quay that made so many so sad. One didn’t realize their size and girth until they were seen laying with their tips in the lake and their massive root systems exposed. These trees that lined the west side of the Causeway road were pulled up by the roots as if a giant had come through and picked them like weeds. Their root balls lining the roadway were 20 feet tall and 30 feet wide.

Repairs at Port Boca Grande Lighthouse will take some time, according to BIPS

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.

There’s a lot of work to be done at the south end of the island, specifically at the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse, the Amory Chapel and even on Cayo Costa. As many of our readers are probably well aware, trying to set things right after a storm of the magnitude of Hurricane Ian is a game of “Hurry-Up-and-Wait,” which can be tedious and frustrating. It is no different for our historic landmarks at the south end that we love so well.
According to Sharon McKenzie, the executive director of the Barrier Island Parks Society (BIPS), the laundry list of repairs that need to be done is long. Knowing it is important to keep residents of the island abreast of what’s going on, she gave us a peek into what they are going through right now. They cannot lobby, only inform when it comes to these matters.

Bonisolli named as new supervisor at Boca Grande Community Center

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.

Tim Bonisolli has been named the new supervisor of the Boca Grande Community Center. Tim started his career with Lee County as a senior equipment operator on Boca Grande in 2006 and most recently was a Lee County park ranger on the island. Tim has been working in Boca Grande since 1990, when he started as a maintenance crew member for The Gasparilla Inn. Stop by to welcome him.