Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Ann left us on November 28 at Saint-Mary’s Hospital, Montreal following a short illness. One of the pioneering women of her generation, Ann graduated from McGill University with a B.A. and a Bachelors in Library Science. Her popularity was highlighted when she was voted Queen of the Winter Carnival. She went on to work at […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community, Profiles.
Few people are more enthusiastic, joyful, grateful, or optimistic than Pam Heilman. She is a board member and number one cheerleader for the Boca Grande Historical Society. Pam served as president of the board for a couple of years, as well. “I was lucky,” she said, “five years ago they asked me to join and […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Susan Bruggemeier Kruder of Akron, Ohio and Boca Grande, Florida passed away at her home in Florida on December 10, 2023 at the age of 92 comforted by her loving family and caregivers. Susan was born November 1st., 1931 to the late Irene and George Bruggemeier. She was the beloved wife of the late Paul […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News.
The year 2023 was a year where things got back to normal, mostly, from Hurricane Ian. While there were still many houses and condos that were still incomplete, Gasparilla Island came back to some sense of normalcy. But it was not a total normal. Every storm brought angst. The question before every storm, whether Hurricane Idalia or […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Charlotte County Facilities Construction & Maintenance is conducting a feasibility study for accessibility to and from the bridge-less barrier islands on the coast, including Palm Island, Little Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Island and Knight Island/Thornton Key. This study seeks community input on the need for additional modes of access between the islands and mainland. A […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Opinion, Sports & Outdoors.
When Hurricane Ian struck Boca Grande on Setember 28, 2022 with its 150 mph winds, it proved to be a catastrophic storm, causing major damage to Island life and erasing many sites. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Laurence DeFrance, age 79, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2023. He was born October 3, 1944 in New York, the son of Margaret and Professor Joseph J. DeFrance. Laurence (“Larry”) grew up alongside his extended family and attended Garden City High School, where he made lifelong friends. As a Little League Yankee All-Star, baseball […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
A beach cottage at 9686 Privateer Road near the south end of Little Gasparilla Island is a complete loss after a Sunday, Dec. 17 house fire. The smoke from the fire could be seen from across the Cape Haze peninsula Saturday afternoon, as a weekend windstorm wound down. In spite of the winds, and thanks […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
For over 50 years, Suncoast Humane Society has helped tens of thousands of animals live happier, safer and healthier lives. On November 9, 2023, among community leaders, Suncoast supporters Peter and Elsa Soderberg made a milestone contribution to the SHS capital campaign and announced the naming of the new SHS campus for the Soderbergs. “This […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News.
It was just over a year ago that 16-year-old Penelope Griggs Doerge, called “Penny” by her family and friends, died at home in Glen Cove, N.Y. of a common but exceedingly difficult genetic disorder, neurofibromatosis. The disorder causes tumors to grow on nerve pathways anywhere in the body. There is no cure. In the year […]