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BGHPB to vote on Tower Landing, discuss Octopus Tree

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community, Community History.

The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 10 a.m. in the Woman’s Club Room of the Boca Grande Community Center to discuss issuing a Special Certificate of Appropriateness to construct a new three-story commercial/residential building at 384 E. Railroad Ave. The proposal for a three-story structure was submitted by Tower Landing, LLC. 
This is the “Bakery Building” property, next to Barnichol Hardware. It will be very similar  to the old building in size and stature. 
According to Lee County planners, the proposal includes removing the utility structure at the east side of the property (the old tower base) and in its place that part of the building would be three stories. The majority of the proposed building will be two stories, but the rear portion will be three stories and will abut directly onto the alleyway to the east. The proposed building will serve as a mix of commercial activity on the first floor and residential uses on the second floor. The top of the building will be usable roof space, with the exception of that portion of the three-story part of the structure.

As we say good bye to one, we welcome another

Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community, News.

It’s official. Fr. Anthony Hewitt has been installed as pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic parish. While Father Anthony took over his duties in Boca Grande in July, there were some formalities that needed to be taken care of before the assignment was official. These took place Sunday, Oct. 1, at the church.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice, under whose auspices Our Lady of Mercy parish operates, came to Boca Grande to finalize those details. The bishop and Fr. Anthony celebrated the 10:30 a.m. Mass together, along with about 50 members of the parish and Fr. Anthony’s family.

‘Book of Charlie’ author to present for Fust Foundation

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community.

The Johann Fust Library Foundation looks forward to hosting another spectacular season of literary events in the 2023-2024 Literary Series, which will begin on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 4 p.m. with award-winning journalist and author David von Drehle. 

In his newest book, “The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-year-old Man,” veteran Washington journalist von Drehle chronicles the remarkable life of Midwest physician Charlie White, who was born in the early 20th century and lived a decade into the 21st.

Real estate sales down but average prices rise

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.

High real estate prices in Boca Grande are giving the rest of the Cape Haze peninsula and the neighboring islands a price boost.

“Palm Island has really gone through the roof in the last three years,” said Brian R. Corcoran, owner and broker for BRC Group. “Anything nice on Palm Island is being snapped up quickly.”

With Gasparilla Island properties about triple the price, Palm Island and Manasota Key are starting to look pretty good for some buyers. Corcoran said that new prospects have begun to understand that there are basic services on Palm Island, as well as paved streets and trash pickup.

Across the market, current buyers are opting to forego conventional financing. “Anything over $3 million is going to be cash,” said Corcoran.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: April Miano

Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.

When April Miano gets a new job, she is all in with it. That is why you will see her in her first stage play ever, now that she is box office manager for the Royal Palm Players. She will play a couple of roles in the November staging of “The Dining Room” on Boca Grande.

April arrived at the Royal Palm Players by chance, if you believe in such things, around January of this year. She and her husband Joe had had enough of the “salt life,” living on a sailboat, and decided to make their land-based home in Rotonda West. Searching for a job, she saw an opening at the Royal Palm Players and went for it. The rest is history.

Sitting down with Roger Lewis to discuss the new ‘Friends’ season of programming

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community.

BB: Do you have a theme for this year’s talks?

RL: There are two themes if you can consider one book a theme. This year we will look at fish, vegetable farming, and the plight of birds and insects. The lone book deals with America’s first rape trial in 1783 and its impact then and impact now.

BB: Let’s start with fish.

RL: Paul Greenberg is a lifelong fisherman and an award-winning writer on oceans, climate change, the environment, and culinary matters. His book, Four Fish: The Future of the last Wild Food, looks at four fish – salmon, bass, cod, and tuna (recently he has added shrimp to the list!) that are at present the base of a fish diet.

BB: Sounds interesting, what is his main thesis?

RL: A century ago nearly all seafood was wild. Now half is produced through aquaculture. Paul travels the globe looking for where we went wrong with the human – ocean relationship and how we might one day get it right.

PROFILE: Edie Gardner

Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.

Truly, Edie believes in the old saying that “to rest is to rust.” There is certainly no rust on her, as she is still out walking the dog and doing yoga regularly. She doesn’t mind disclosing her age: She is proud of the life she is living, and plans to keep living as long as she can. In fact, when asked what her plans are for her 100th birthday, she doesn’t bat an eye. She hasn’t quite decided yet, because she has something more pressing on her mind in the near future – the wedding of her granddaughter. She is getting married on the island next May, and those plans come first. The big birthday party can be planned after that.

Edie is healthy and strong, thanks to a life-long commitment to eating right and exercising, as well as maintaining an active social life. She is also surrounded by lots of family and friends to bolster a positive, well-rounded outlook on life.

Historic Board’s denial of Gilchrist CoA heard by HEX examiner

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.

The case of the property at 161/181 Gilchrist Avenue went before the Lee County Hearing Examiner on Tuesday, Sept. 12, with a full house in the audience and two attorneys giving their sides of the story.

Donna Marie Collins, Esq. heard Attorney Megan Strayhorn, representing the property owners, gave her presentation first. She outlined the facts of the April meeting of the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board and explained that while the COA in front of the board was to approve the building of a home and several accessory buildings on the two-strap property, controversy about the Whispering Bench took precedent over the matter at hand.

Woman’s Club donates BIG to EmComm fund

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Police & Fire.

With a projected expenditure amount of around $300,000, the Island EOC Emergency Communications and Interoperability Working Group gratefully accepted a $75,000 contribution from the Boca Grande Woman’s Club this week. Others who have contributed so far are the Boca Grande Disaster Relief Fund ($50,000) and $1,500 from Boca Grande Charities (for 10 Btech radios for BGFD volunteers).

A future for branch banking? While so many have closed, our local banks vow to remain viable

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Despite at least a dozen local bank branch closures in as many years, local “brick-and-mortar” banks are still a part of local banking habits. And they may well be around for the foreseeable future.

“My card got stolen the other day.” said Doug Izzo, director of the Englewood Chamber of Commerce. His first move? Go into a bank branch to sort it out. While the bank ultimately had to resolve the issue online, there was at least a person there to intercede.

“That’s why I like the hometown banks,” said Izzo. “They actually pay attention.”