Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ STAFF REPORT United States Coast Guard Capt. Robert A. “Bob” Melvin III, (deceased), father of islanders Sandy and Bob Melvin, served his country honorably in the U.S Army and the U.S. Coast Guard. He risked his life time and again over his career to help others during his service. Below is the official account […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ SUBMITTED BY GIWA The Gasparilla Island Water Association had planned to begin replacing aging clay gravity sewer lines on Gasparilla Street this week, but an area of greater concern was discovered on Harbor Drive by a sewer video inspection crew last week; therefore, the Gasparilla Street project has been temporarily postponed. As is customary […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Evelyn Carter McKinney took her first breath of air in the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse. She was born in 1934 in a bedroom of the circa 1890 Lighthouse that doubles as a museum of regional history. Her father, Light Keeper Osmund McKinney, served as the keeper of the establishment from 1931 to […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN After 27 years of working in the fashion industry on 7th Avenue in New York City, Boo Thayer Gemes perceived a void in the market for stylish and affordable separates, so she created a collection of clothing that appeals to women of all ages. “I design clothes for real people, clothes that […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Obituaries.
Leonard Mathew Saari of Riverside, CT, and Boca Grande, FL, died as a result of a sudden stroke on October 19. 2019, at Greenwich Hospital. He was born in Los Angeles, CA, on January 19, 1938, to Mathew A. Saari, originally from Raahe, Finland, and Esther E. Saari, originally from Tampere, Finland. Raised in Baltimore, […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Letters to the Editor, News, Opinion.
■ BY MARY BESSWe need to understand the spark of divinity within human beings who put their lives at risk to benefit others. Of particular interest are those who commit acts of heroism for which they will not be honored and may even be vilified, despised and ostracized. Especially on Veterans Day, helicopter reconnaissance pilot Hugh […]
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■ STAFF REPORT Lee County Parks & Recreation announced last week that it will host a public meeting at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5 in the auditorium at the Boca Grande Community Center, regarding a proposed dog park coming to Boca Grande. The park is being considered for the Wheeler Road ball field location. […]
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■ BY BONNIE PRINGLE, GASPARILLA ISLAND WATER ASSOCIATION The Gasparilla Island Water Association is wrapping up Phases I and II of our much-needed wastewater treatment facility rehabilitation on The Gasparilla Inn golf course. To minimize the impact on golfers, our lease with The Inn allows construction of the new facilities between May 1 and November […]
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■ BY CATHERINE S. BALLMAN Anyone who knew Lolo Weir knew she was a lot of fun. This made Lolo, who died December 21, 2017, the spark- plug for many island activities, including the Boca Grande Garden Club. For many years she designed and created the floral table pieces that highlighted the Club’s monthly teas. […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE Boca Grande has made yet another list recently, in a slightly more obscure niche market. A website called The Richest (therichest.com) compiled a list of the top 10 richest towns in Florida. Their qualifiers included the reported income of the residents and the overall time the residents were in their Florida […]