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 […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ 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. […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ 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 […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ 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 […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ STAFF REPORT The Barrier Island Parks Society is making history again at The Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum. Beginning November 1 thru April 30, BIPS will host climb tours to the top every Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $10 per person to tour to the top, and all […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN While a tiny evening bat sat nestled in the front pocket of her jacket, Shari Blissett Clark gave a 90-minute presentation about Florida bats at the Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium on Friday, Oct. 25. Clark is president of the Florida Bat Conservancy. She’s dedicated the past four decades of her life […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Ann Fletcher, the new president of Royal Palm Players, has been involved with the organization for the past 18 years and she’s been working diligently since June 1 on planning for an exciting upcoming season. Her mentor, Roger Lewis, previously president of the Friend’s of Boca Grande Board on which Ann also […]