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Island resident one of 160 chosen for national security seminar

■ STAFF REPORT Boca Grande resident Peter Solmssen participated in the U.S. Army War College’s 65th annual National Security Seminar (NSS) in Carlisle, Pa. recently. Solmssen was one of 160 business, government, academic and community leaders selected from across the country to take part in the week-long academic seminar alongside the students of the Army […]

Profile: Debbie Baraoidan

■ BY SUE ERWIN Debbie Baraoidan has taught elementary school for 31 years, but the art she creates in her spare time is what makes her an even more special person. She owns Natureheart Clay Creations, a business known for creating one-of-a-kind custom memory mosaics. Debbie set up her booth on Park Avenue at the 8th annual […]

Camp kids say thanks to Woman’s Club and community through beach street clean-up

To the Editor: Our 2019 Boca Grande Community Center Summer Camp kids wanted to say “Thank You” to the island and especially the Boca Grande Woman’s Club for their sincere generosity in creating a fun, educational and rewarding experience this summer. What better way to say thanks than our annual “Boca Grande Cleanup.” Not to […]

4th of July parade final details

■ STAFF REPORT Details for the 4th of July Golf Cart Parade have been finalized, so plan on gathering at the side parking lot between Englewood Bank and the Old Theatre Building at 9 a.m. the morning of July 4. The parade is scheduled to begin at 9:20 a.m. with a trip down 3rd to […]

We’ve got a whole lot of new sand on our beach!

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Excavators were seen driving off island Thursday morning, June 20, as the beach renourishment program is wrapping up. The extra beach isn’t as obvious at the Historic District access points … but my, oh my, is it ever noticeable at the old fishing pier at the south end. The landmark that […]

Three new green turtle nests this week on local beaches

BY SUE ERWIN – Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association patrol members were happy to report three new green sea turtle nests documented on island beaches this week. “This is exciting news,” said Board member Mel Csank. “Last season we had only two Green turtle nests, so we are trending ahead significantly this year.” The north beach […]

Little Toot paid a visit to Gasparilla Island

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – It was quite an honor when Little Toot paid the island a visit … not to mention Christopher Robin as well. Last week the Johann Fust Library brought the small tug and its captain to Boca Grande Marina. Little Toot is a very famous children’s story written and illustrated by Hardie […]

OBITUARY: FLORITA FIELD

Florence Rita P. “Florita” Field, 91, of Scituate left this world on June 9, 2019 and entered another, to join her daughter Janet for all time. Florita leaves her husband of 68 years, Charles; children Susan McGowan (Randolph, Mass.) and Amy Chessia (Scituate) and spouse Eric Stamp; son Charles Jr. and wife Susan (also of […]

PROFILE: Ashley Scarpa

BY SUE ERWIN – Ashley Scarpa has been an entrepreneur in the restaurant business since 2006. Since April, she and her husband Glenn have been leasing the space that, until last summer, was home to PJ’s Seagrille located at 321 Park Ave. on the island. They own and operate Scarpa’s Coastal restaurant. The husband-and-wife team behind […]