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Annual art show to coincide with World’s Richest , June 7 and 8

■ STAFF REPORT In collaboration with the 2019 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament, Carroll Swayze presents the 8th Annual Boca Grande Invitational Art Festival on June 7 and 8. It’s spring in Florida, tarpon season is here and it’s time for Boca Grande Pass to fill with boats and anglers vying for a chance to fish […]

Lights out for nesting season, learn your types of turtles

■ BY SUE ERWIN The Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association would like to remind everyone that sea turtle nesting season officially began on May 1, and it’s more important than ever to remember to cover up holes and knock down sand castles when visiting the beach, and dispose of any trash properly. So far, 39 […]

Obituary: Patricia L.H. Drumm

Patricia Louise Hayes Drumm departed this life peacefully on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at Montereau Assisted Living in Tulsa. Born May 27, 1930 in Fayette, Mo., she was the daughter of Jay Button and Lucille Ownby Hayes. She was preceded in death by her three siblings, William Hayes, Jay Hayes and Mary Hayes Gustin. Her […]

Profile: Richard Gordon

■ BY SUE ERWIN Chef Richard Gordon has been cooking up delectable dishes at Fusion for the past two years, and that’s a result of decades of experience dating back to when he was a teenager. “My first job was as a dishwasher when I was 15,” he said. “And since then, I’ve done just about […]

The Kids Classic is coming soon … with ‘park & ride’

■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE The Gasparilla Island Kids Classic Tarpon Tournament that will be held on Saturday, June 1 this year is filling up fast, and Camp Margaritaville is in the final stages of planning. The tournament weekend begins on  Friday, May 31, when everyone is invited to come to the Boca Grande Community Center and […]

Saturday’s ‘Howl’ time changed, tourney now a Belt Buckle qualifier

■ STAFF REPORT The 15th annual “Howl at the Moon” Invitational Tarpon Tournament, sponsored by Gasparilla Outfitters, will still be held this Saturday, May 18, but the time has now changed to 7 to 10 p.m. That is one hour earlier than the originally scheduled start time. There’s another new development regarding this tournament: It […]

Little Spook – Big Winner

■ BY SUE ERWIN This year’s Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament was an extra-special one, with 41 boats releasing 33 tarpon and $22,960 in prize money given to three winning teams. The artwork to commemorate Ladies Day was very special as well. Created by artist Brendan Coudal, the rendering portrays […]

Profile: Parker O’Bannon

■ BY SUE ERWIN Persistent and adventurous is a perfect description for Capt. Parker O’Bannon. He is a sixth-generation Floridian born in Fort Myers and raised in Boca Grande. He is an only child, and he follows in the footsteps of 100 years of notable O’Bannon guides spanning four generations, who have hunted and fished all over […]

Your water might smell a bit odd …

To the Editor: The Gasparilla Island Water Association, Inc. will be temporarily changing the disinfection process for its Placida and Boca Grande potable (drinking water) water supply. From May 20 at 8 a.m. through July 1, GIWA will disinfect the water with free chlorine rather than combined chlorine/ammonia (chloramines). This conversion to chlorine (which is […]

Ladies Day weekend is here! – Celebrate moms and silver kings, win cash money and keep the tradition

■ STAFF REPORT Right now there is someone out there making Jell-O shots. Someone else is buying Mardi Gras beads, and yet other someones are calling their mom, grandmother or sister to talk about this weekend’s festivities. The 2019 Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament, sponsored by the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce, is upon us. […]