■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE – A Boca Grande native was one of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office law enforcement officers who responded to the Pulse Club shooting in Orlando early Sunday morning, June 12.
■ STAFF REPORT The Boca Grande Health Clinic is pleased to announce the appointment of Hilja R. Bilodeau, RN, as the Chief Executive Officer of Boca Grande Health Clinic.
■ STAFF REPORT An island man was arrested by local deputies recently, after being charged with the burglary of a Gasparilla Island home and damage to property. According to reports issued by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the complainant called on Saturday, June 4 to report a burglary in the 4000 block of Shore Lane.
■ BY SUE ERWIN A worldwide ocean celebration is on the horizon. Aquatic scientists from Mote Marine Laboratory invite everyone to join them from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 11 to celebrate World Oceans Day at 480 East Railroad Ave. in Boca Grande.
■ STAFF REPORT April Fool’s Day will be a little more special next year, as the biennial Boca Grande Dog Show will be held that day. This is a tradition of high standing in the Boca Grande community, as this is a place where dogs are as important as their people. Show festivities […]
I have fished and observed many tournaments over the years and have seen this for myself. I have fished with Capt. Babe Darna and his first mate (and son) Scooter many times, and caught my first tarpon with them. If you listened to them, you would catch a tarpon. Period. Same with Capt. Sandy Melvin. That guy will keep you hopping in the quest to catch a tarpon, snook, redfish, whatever it is you’re angling for. Think you’re going to enjoy a cup of coffee while getting your line wet with Capt. Sandy? Wrong. You’re working it, and he’s showing you how every second. Every fish I just named – and more – I caught with Sandy Melvin. (Walking the dog on the backwater is almost as good as tarpon fishing, believe me.)
But the weirdest thing I ever saw was Capt. Willie Mills call dibs on third place in a tournament almost before the first fish was caught. I’m going to tell a tale on him real quick, and I hope he doesn’t take me to task for it because, honestly, he’s a little scary.
BY SUE ERWIN – Denise Searle and her husband, Jimmy, enjoyed living and working in Boca Grande for many years, but in 2015, they suddenly felt a yearning to pursue a lifelong dream. Having worked in the hospitality field for numerous years, the couple visualized owning their own business one day.
■ STAFF REPORT The Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce will host an April Mixer on Wednesday, April 13 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at their office, located at 471 Park Avenue in the Pink Pony Courtyard. Stop by and learn what’s new with your Chamber of Commerce!
■ BY SUE ERWIN Approximately 500 cyclists will be spinning down Gasparilla Road on Thursday, April 14. But don’t be alarmed – precautions have been well planned out, and the event shouldn’t have much effect on the island. Bike Florida is organizing its first tour of Florida’s Gulf Coast Region, and for the […]
■ BY SUE ERWIN The lease is here. Gasparilla Island Light Committee Jim Grant announced that Barrier Island Parks Society has received a lease dated as of April 1 to restore the Gasparilla Island Range Light. “This will enable BIPS to get the key and start fixing it up,” he said. Grant gave a presentation […]