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Camp kids say thanks to Woman’s Club and community through beach street clean-up

To the Editor: Our 2019 Boca Grande Community Center Summer Camp kids wanted to say “Thank You” to the island and especially the Boca Grande Woman’s Club for their sincere generosity in creating a fun, educational and rewarding experience this summer. What better way to say thanks than our annual “Boca Grande Cleanup.” Not to […]

We’ve got a whole lot of new sand on our beach!

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Excavators were seen driving off island Thursday morning, June 20, as the beach renourishment program is wrapping up. The extra beach isn’t as obvious at the Historic District access points … but my, oh my, is it ever noticeable at the old fishing pier at the south end. The landmark that […]

Searene is on fire! 11 releases to win the Red Gill

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – It was a very eventful few hours on the evening of Saturday, June 15 as the anglers participating in the Red Gill Invitational Tarpon Tournament brought 67 releases to the boat. In first place was Capt. Lamar Joiner Jr. and his team that included Richy Edwards, Leslie Edwards, Tiki Seralles and […]

It’s hot, the iguanas are afoot: Here’s what you need to know

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – While we have been dealing with an iguana eradication program for many, many years, at Tuesday’s meeting it became apparent that either people haven’t been reading about the situation or just recently moved here. Because of this, and at the iguana panel’s request, we will attempt to break down the pertinent […]

Three new green turtle nests this week on local beaches

BY SUE ERWIN – Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association patrol members were happy to report three new green sea turtle nests documented on island beaches this week. “This is exciting news,” said Board member Mel Csank. “Last season we had only two Green turtle nests, so we are trending ahead significantly this year.” The north beach […]

Little Toot paid a visit to Gasparilla Island

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – It was quite an honor when Little Toot paid the island a visit … not to mention Christopher Robin as well. Last week the Johann Fust Library brought the small tug and its captain to Boca Grande Marina. Little Toot is a very famous children’s story written and illustrated by Hardie […]

Military Heritage Museum to celebrate Treaty of Versailles day

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – When you walk through the World War I portion of the Military Heritage Museum, a haunting site will catch your eye immediately. A cast sculpture called “The Buddies” by John Nelson Battenberg depicts two paratroopers, very similar to those who dotted the skies over Normandy on D-Day. Upon closer inspection you […]

OBITUARY: FLORITA FIELD

Florence Rita P. “Florita” Field, 91, of Scituate left this world on June 9, 2019 and entered another, to join her daughter Janet for all time. Florita leaves her husband of 68 years, Charles; children Susan McGowan (Randolph, Mass.) and Amy Chessia (Scituate) and spouse Eric Stamp; son Charles Jr. and wife Susan (also of […]

PROFILE: Ashley Scarpa

BY SUE ERWIN – Ashley Scarpa has been an entrepreneur in the restaurant business since 2006. Since April, she and her husband Glenn have been leasing the space that, until last summer, was home to PJ’s Seagrille located at 321 Park Ave. on the island. They own and operate Scarpa’s Coastal restaurant. The husband-and-wife team behind […]

Boca Blue wins World’s Richest!

■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE A  rough patch of weather and an iffy tide may have slightly slowed the fishing for the 2019 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament, but the circumstances were summed up by Capt. Sandy Melvin quite succinctly: “Fish have tails. Sometimes, they swim away. Fishing is different every day.” Melvin and his team – […]