Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board on Wednesday morning unanimously approved a request to add a free-standing, covered pavilion over the outdoor concrete stage at the Boca Grande Community Center. The addition would be constructed in the north-side courtyard with the intention to provide shade, rain cover and acoustic enhancement. The fabric of […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUSAN HANAFEE When architect Rick Thurkow bought Boca Grande’s infamous “Hotel Hell” in 1986, he never dreamed he would be entering his own permitting purgatory. Before he finished his $150,000 renovation of the 70-year-old structure, Thurkow would spend two years “haggling with building and zoning officials” to get the approvals he needed. “Rick […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN The Johann Fust Library Foundation has a new president, and she’s enthusiastic about all the programs that are planned for this season. New Foundation President Lindsay Major said there are several significant events planned for 2018. “We are extremely proud that we’re able to get Amor Towles to come and speak […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
■ BY ERICA RESS MARTIN What happens when four couples dare to deal with the differences in their relationships? Well, it’s complicated. Once again, the Royal Palm Players have produced a hilarious show – Peter Quilter’s “Duets.” Yes, it’s about relationships, male and female relationships, specifically, yet it is not an examination of romantic love. Instead, it’s […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Hal McCombs and his wife, Lynne, have been visiting Boca Grande for nearly 30 years. They enjoyed their time on the island so much that they acquired a home here in 2014. Lynne’s maiden name is Marmet. Her parents – Barbara and Bob – were very active on the island for years, which […]
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■ STAFF REPORT A two-day symposium on World War I is planned to take place from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on November 9 and 10 at the Boca Grande Community Center. The event will feature two keynote speakers. Margaret MacMillan will present “The War That Ended Peace,” and Jay Winter will present “What Americans […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Tony Zaranti is passionate about high-quality food and wine service, and that makes him an ideal leader as the new general manager of the Boca Bay Pass Club. Tony was born in Chicago, Illinois, and his parents retired and moved to Las Vegas when he was 10 years old. After he graduated from […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Featured News, News, Opinion.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE This past Saturday was the traditional Halloween Carnival, an event that island kids have treasured for almost 40 years. It was raining by the time the carnival began, but that didn’t stop the fun.The costume parade and contest usually held on the outdoor stage was held instead in the auditorium, and […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Featured News, Letters to the Editor, News, Opinion.
To the Editor: Susan Hanafee has done our island a great favor by researching and describing for us the tortured history of the Gasparilla Island Act. I hope our residents have taken the time to read her articles, because too many of us will tell you that our island is protected by the Act so […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE From Bocaween to the Halloween Carnival, our island has always held the Halloween holiday in high esteem. We may not have residential trick-or-treating, but we do have our own variety of haunting festivities to make the spookiest of nights complete. Many years ago Halloween was – shall we say – an […]