One of the biggest bones of contention, however, was not either of those things, but rather something that sits on the property of the big house. The Whispering Bench, created by Louise du Pont Crowninshield in the early 1900s, sits next to The Promenade and has been recognized by some as one of the last vestiges of the original Crowninshield property that once stood there, aside from the home next door that was Frank Crowninshield’s art studio and the pool and pool house at the corner of 1st Street and Gilchrist. 

Friends of Boca Grande invited Bren Smith to share stories from his book, “Eat Like a Fish,” detailing his bold vision for the future at the Community Center on Wednesday, April 19 at 4:30 p.m. Bren will show how we can transform current agriculture models while enjoying delicious, nutritious, locally grown food, not to mention how restorative ocean farming could create millions of jobs and protect our planet from the causes and effects of climate change. To learn about Bren Smith in advance of his lecture, please plan to join him the night before for a kelp inspired seafood dinner prepared by the chefs at the Eagle Grille on Tuesday, April 18, 5:30 p.m.

More than 100 angry people showed up for the North Port City Commission meeting earlier this week to object to what they see as the city’s attempt to railroad through the development of the Warm Mineral Springs property by private investors. Many believe something “smells funny,” and it is not the minerals in the Springs.

On March 25 some 92 players took to the course for the 2023 tournament fundraiser that helps bring these values to life for the young golfers. The tournament met its financial goal, raising more than $70,000 for the A Better Shot Foundation, which supports the work of the program. Mary Anne Hooker is president of the Foundation, and leads a very active and involved board. 

Next week on Wednesday, April 12 the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board will meet for their monthly meeting at 10 a.m. in the Woman’s Club Room at the Boca Grande Community Center. This meeting has a couple of interesting requests from a property owner on Gilchrist Avenue that have drawn attention from island island residents, particularly in regards to a historically-contributing home on one of the old Crowninshield properties. 

The Adam family, owners of 161/181 Gilchrist Ave., have requested permission to change the status of the small cottage that sits at the front of the property from contributing to non-contributing. They intend to demolish the building, as it has become structurally unsound due to years of disrepair. 

They have also requested an allowance for the gulfside home on the property, which is not historically contributing, to be demolished. 

The public is allowed to attend but seating is limited.

Donations are down in the blue barrel at Barnichol Hardware, and that makes Jane Caple a bit concerned. They are down in all of the island’s barrel locations, in truth. The group that has worked with island residents to fight hunger in our area, Englewood Helping Hand, has Boca Grande volunteers driving to the pantry weekly to help stock shelves. Lately, though, the donations to take have become less and less.