Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE Ginger Watkins and Lee Major have retained their seats as chairman and vice-chairman, respectively, of the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority after open nominations were accepted at the organization’s quarterly meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Watkins accepted the position again and acknowledged her goals for her next term. “Our mission […]
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■ BY SUE ERWIN Island residents had the opportunity to meet and listen to internationally known master metalsmith Alex Klahm on Thursday, February 9 at the Boca Grande Community Center auditorium. Klahm is locally known for his meticulous work on the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse restoration project and many others in Florida and around […]
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BY MARCY SHORTUSE – On the afternoon of February 3, Island School teacher Rebecca Blalock looked around her classroom of students as they packed their things to head out for the weekend. This wasn’t a normal Friday, though, because it would be the last time she would see […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Island author Candice Shy Hooper was born in Agana, Guam. Her father served in the Navy, and her mother was a military wife. As a child, she lived on Saipan, and she moved around a lot depending on where her dad was stationed. Candice moved to the Washington, D.C. […]
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■ BY SUE ERWIN. Passion. Partnership. Philanthropy. Those are the three words Dr. Michael Crosby, president and CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory, said determine the success of the organization when he explained the mission of the lab to a group of island residents on Wednesday, February 8 at the island office. Crosby gave […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Obituaries.
William Andrew Hanley, Jr., known to all as Will, died peacefully at his home in Boca Grande in the early hours of February 6, 2017. Cotton, his loving wife of 42 years, his daughter Bobsey Fansler (Davis), his son Mike Hanley (Whitney), his stepson David Kenny (Cecily) and wonderful caregiver Felix Manual were at his […]
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■ BY SUE ERWIN Several years ago, an entrepreneurial storyteller came to Boca Grande to share a tale with children as part of a special program at the Johann Fust Community Library. Gladys Varga is an integrated-arts storyteller and theatre teaching specialist. She combined her education along with experiences from her lifetime – […]
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BY SUE ERWIN – Hilja Bilodeau has been keeping very busy as CEO of the Boca Grande Health Clinic since last summer. She officially started the job on August 1, replacing former CEO Jon Sielert. Her duties include overseeing all of the operations at the clinic on a day-to-day basis. “My responsibilities include making sure […]
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■ BY SUE ERWIN Residents are invited to a financial discussion at the annual 2017 Economic Summit planned for Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 3:30 p.m. in the Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium. Island resident John Kissinger will be moderating the event. This season’s summit will focus on the outcome of the presidential election […]
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■ STAFF REPORT February 6 is your last day to give us your special sweetheart message for our Valentine’s Day edition of the Boca Beacon. On Friday, Feb. 10 we will be displaying your love for all the world to see. Our only stipulation is that you keep it clean and at a […]