Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – “Let’s get back to you and islands Compass Cay and the warm salt air, Staring at that blue horizon Close my eyes and I’m right back there. I swear the sunset at Boca Grand(e) Made us fall in love again I can’t forget that last night …” If you haven’t heard the newest […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community History.
SUBMITTED BY THE BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY – A November 1978 article in the St Petersburg Times announced the creation of a new development on Gasparilla Island, to be called the Boca Grande Club. The original investors in the project were Harper Sibley, who developed the Ocean Reef Club on Key Largo; Wilber H. (Bud) Cole, a founder of Punta Gorda Isles Inc.; Louis […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
The morning of July 29, a 30-foot yacht caught fire near the Boca Grande Pass. Chief C.W. Blosser noted the team was dispatched at 9:12 a.m. after the report came in. The Boca Grande Fire Department responded alongside Lee County’s Marine Emergency Response Team to subside the smoke. The fire was out shortly before the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
SUBMITTED BY THE BOCA GRANDE HEALTH CLINIC- Boca Grande has always been unique and comes to hold a special place in the hearts of all who have the opportunity to experience the island. The Boca Grande Health Clinic, the Boca Grande Health Clinic Foundation, the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association, the Boca Grande Fire […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY THE BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY– In 1988, an interview with journalist Frank Oliver appeared in the Boca Beacon. Oliver, then 86, and his wife Mary called a house on Park Avenue home from 1952 to 1992, when Frank died at 90. Oliver was born in England. When he decided to pursue journalism, his […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Education, News.
BY MARGUERITE TREMELIN- Boca Grande’s littlest learners have returned to preschool. The pre-kindergarten 4 and 5-year-olds returned on June 16, followed by the 1 to 3-year old children on July 7. Children, teachers and parents are happy to be back. It was three months ago, on March 16, when the Boca Grande Preschool closed its […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Entertainment.
STAFF REPORT- On Sunday, June 21 at 5 p.m., Grande Glee is going to premiere their Cocktail Concert on the Spark Boca Grande TV channel on YouTube. No, it’s not the concert they originally planned to sing last April. Instead, this group decided to spend the pandemic working on new solos. Together. Every Wednesday […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE- An old Boca Grande business is getting a new leg up with customer service: Grande Aire Services, Inc. recently announced they will open a new location, in Englewood. Don’t fret though, Boca Grande customers. They will be continuing to serve our island community at their current location; they’ll just have less traffic […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE- Without our history, it’s difficult to remember where we came from. These words of wisdom have been repeated quite often as of late, but they take on a new meaning when pertaining to the island. Gasparilla Island has changed so much, it’s difficult to picture what it used to be like. A […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: We love coming to Boca Grande on short visits. Beautiful fun area for just chilling, shopping, dining and just enjoying the area. Yes, things have changed all over our country. We have noticed too. People are just not extending the olive branches, of friendliness like in years past. But for the most […]