Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Profiles.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON – Francis ‘Skip’ Branin has dedicated his work to preserving financial stability within the community of Boca Grande. His skillset has allowed him to monitor the funding for island organizations. Before he was ever wintering on Gasparilla Island, Skip grew up in Cranbury, New Jersey, and now spends summers at the “Jersey […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Featured News, News.
BY I am writing this on April Fools’ Day. Yet, none of us are fools during this time. The rise of COVID-19 has given all of us time to think and process. For my spouse Joy and I, we have taken a little time to sort through old pictures and recall great stories from our […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor, Gotta love this town. My golf cart was stolen and wrecked – Angelo (one of the sheriff’s deputies) met me last night and helped me get the steering wheel put together, enough to get the cart to the Barnichol this morning. While I was waiting on Gary to come from the back […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
STAFF REPORT – If you’re bored because everything fun in Boca Grande has been canceled, then Royal Palm Players has an antidote: Audition. That’s right. Audition for one of RPP’s shows next season by video. It’s easy to do and is exciting to focus on while stuck in the house. RPP directors invite you to submit […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Featured News, News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – It seems like each week we experience a new phase in the COVID-19 crisis. From a lack of groceries to a constant battle with ourselves not to touch our faces, so many every day tasks and situations are somehow hindered by this life-or-death crisis. Last week we spent a lot of […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Profiles.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON – Boca Grande’s Englewood Bank has just hired a new manager to keep their tellers in good hands. Gretchen Holla has been in the banking business since her career history began and she is now part of the island crew. However, her managerial title didn’t fall out of the sky. Gretchen joined […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Featured News, News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Did you ever think things would get this crazy? Just a couple of weeks ago we were worried about things that seem so inconsequential now. Whether you believe this virus threat is real or not (and many people don’t), it is affecting your daily life in a very big way. My […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Profiles.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON – family, business, sports and nonprofit work in a partnership capacity was a way of life for Phil Hubbard long before he and his wife Patsy began to winter in Boca Grande.Growing up in a middle-class family in Fairfi eld, Connecticut, sports were a huge part of his life. His interest in […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
STAFF REPORT When Wini Smart died in 2017, she left not only her wonderful paintings but a group of wonderful stories of her life and the acquaintances she made in Boca Grande. Wini’s paintings will be shared on March 16 at the Historical Society’s show and sale. The stories shared here are in her booklet, […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY BOB ELLIOT I have often been accused by being a “homer.” For those not familiar with the term, it means someone who always roots for their local team. A baseball announcer recently accused his partner of being a “homer”… being subjective about the play on the field favoring the home team. When I grew up […]