Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: I fully support the mission of the churches on Gilchrist, but as a resident of Gilchrist I also want to protect the historical neighborhood I love. It is time for us to come together to provide ample church parking on the median for scheduled church services, weddings and funerals. If this […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – In just a scant few weeks, the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association has achieved something that is virtually unheard of in Boca Grande: solidarity. That word was used by Boca Grande Woman’s Club Parliamentarian Camille Williams when describing the outpouring of support for the GICIA’s pending purchase of the Mercabo Property, […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
As of Tuesday, Dec. 8 the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association has received more $18 million in pledges toward their $22 million goal of purchasing the 30-acre Mercabo property at the mouth of the Boca Grande Causeway. This goal includes the $20.6 million purchase price and $1.4 million to demolish the buildings and begin […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY SUE ERWIN – Many people wouldn’t look twice if they saw a small, wounded dog in a crowded park all alone and looking desperate. But Blanche Vedette is not one of those people. Blanche Vedette and Jacques Boudreau are the owners of The Loose Caboose Restaurant and founders of the 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Tank’s […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, Profiles.
BY SUE ERWIN – Island Realtor Christina Sexton was born and raised in Englewood, and she is enjoying watching her real estate career blossom in Boca Grande. She recently joined Michael Saunders & Company’s Gasparilla Island real estate office.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: First of all, I want to publicly applaud Buzzy Stevenson and the GICIA for initiating the drive to save the Mercado property for the benefit of all Boca Grande. The outpouring of positive responses proves the conviction that everyone has to protect our island environment and preserve our limited, treasured green space. […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: I was disturbed at the gratuitous use of my name in the lengthy “Gilchrist timeline” article in the Beacon last week. I do not understand just what you were attempting to imply in the following paragraph: “Renowned architect and current president of the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board, Tim Seibert, purchased […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Profiles.
BY SUE ERWIN – Island employee Dianne Pavia has worked as a cashier at Hudson’s Grocery for the past year. She is originally from Massachusetts and relocated to Rotonda West two years ago. “My twin sister, Donna, moved to this area, and she also works at Hudson’s,” Dianne said. “We used to vacation down in […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Featured News, News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Just when I thought nothing more about the Gilchrist parking situation would surprise me, I found I was wrong. The proposal by the Gilchrist Neighborhood Association has really left me scratching my normally objective head. It’s time again to bring this to people’s attention, because there’s a slim chance Lee County Commissioners […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
It’s always amazing when lives are saved by the fates, good fortune and kind hearts. Mark Futch rediscovered that feeling last Thursday as he cruised in his seaplane up around the Peace River just north of the Nav-a-Gator Restaurant. Mark was with Rogan White, son of author Randy Wayne White. He was teaching him to […]