Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
There was little controversy at the October 11, 2023 meeting of the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board, and the agenda was light, considering they haven’t met since July. The items listed were interesting and included the proposed new building where the Inn Bakery was at 384 E. Railroad Ave., and the Octopus Tree on Gilchrist […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
The Picnic Basket is gone. It was not taken by a wayward bear named Yogi, but instead has disappeared because of a complaint to Lee County by a Boca Grande resident.
The basis of the complaint made in September was that it was parked on “undeveloped land,” which is specifically mentioned in Lee County code as being against regulation. The inspector who came out also cited the fact that the food trailer had tables and chairs set up, as well as shade umbrellas.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community, Community History.
If you thought like we did that last year’s Halloween Carnival and Turkey Hoop Shoot were changed to Thursdays because of Hurricane Ian issues, you were incorrect. Lee County Parks & Recreation let us know this week that this change is permanent … and there’s even more to the story. Last week on the front […]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.