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PROFILE: Edie Gardner

Truly, Edie believes in the old saying that “to rest is to rust.” There is certainly no rust on her, as she is still out walking the dog and doing yoga regularly. She doesn’t mind disclosing her age: She is proud of the life she is living, and plans to keep living as long as she can. In fact, when asked what her plans are for her 100th birthday, she doesn’t bat an eye. She hasn’t quite decided yet, because she has something more pressing on her mind in the near future – the wedding of her granddaughter. She is getting married on the island next May, and those plans come first. The big birthday party can be planned after that.

Edie is healthy and strong, thanks to a life-long commitment to eating right and exercising, as well as maintaining an active social life. She is also surrounded by lots of family and friends to bolster a positive, well-rounded outlook on life.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Island AUXCOMM group thankful for new donation to project, to all who donated and for great coverage

To the Editor: I’m very glad to advise you that in the wake of Friday’s comprehensive Beacon update on the Auxiliary Emergency Communications Project, a concerned private citizen donated $20,000. That donation reduces the remaining amount needed to $59,065 of the original $305,065 goal.   It is the first donation from an individual – I’m […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: New court money scam to watch for

To the Editor: The State Attorney’s Office would like the public to be on alert for a scam happening in Southwest Florida, targeting people being subpoenaed for court cases and demanding money. These scammers are reading the public record files of cases and calling those being subpoenaed. They are utilizing information in the cases to […]

SO CLOSE, BUT YET SO FAR

Two pieces up on new tower … work will begin again next week (Cover photo by Bob Melvin) Joe Steele and Luke Boultonhouse have become very acquainted with our regional airports. They are two of the representatives from T Steele Construction, Inc., a telecom construction company out of Rock Island, Illinois, who have been working […]

Warm Mineral Springs development moving forward 

Warm Mineral Springs restoration and development is moving forward. After much public input and North Port City staff work, the City Commission has approved a plan to develop the park surrounding the Springs. 

At its meeting on September 12, the Commission gave its okay to hire Ardaman & Associates, a geotechnical engineering firm headquartered in Orlando, but with offices in Sarasota, to perform an evaluation of the subsurface conditions within the proposed building areas that could impact the proposed development.

OBITUARY: Annie Parsons

Annie Elizabeth Oakley Parsons, 84, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, September 12, 2023. Annie was born to Cary and Mildred Oakley on July 10, 1939, in Dora, Alabama. Due to her ever-loving and devoted parents, she enjoyed an amazing childhood growing up in the countryside in Gorgas, Alabama. She earned bachelor’s degrees in […]

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Richard Malcolm

There is a personality “type” the psychology professionals call “The Caregiver” or “The Consul.” People of this sort tend to be outgoing, loyal, organized, and tender-hearted. They gain energy from interacting with other people, according to the “Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Guide,” used by many folks who study such things.
These caregivers are typically described as “outgoing and gregarious.” They have a way of encouraging other people to be their best. In Boca Grande, one of the best examples of this type of person is Richard Malcolm. Richard has not only made his life reflect these characteristics, but makes a living at it, as well.
Richard – not Rich or Rick or Ricky – lives in Englewood, but has been a fixture on Gasparilla Island since the early 1990s. He started out working in the restaurant industry, working as a waiter, bartender, busboy … whatever was needed. His first gig was at Uncle Henry’s, where he recalls an incident that may have started him on the road to being a professional “helper.”

All kinds of October fun at Cedar Point Park

There’s always something interesting going at the Cedar Point Environmental Park off Placida Road, and here are just a few things to put on your calendar.

Every Saturday Night in October, Cedar Point Environmental Park will hold a “Halloween Haunted Hike” from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will feature a spooky guided haunted hike, food trucks, pumpkin patch, keynote speakers, crafts and more.

Historic Board’s denial of Gilchrist CoA heard by HEX examiner

The case of the property at 161/181 Gilchrist Avenue went before the Lee County Hearing Examiner on Tuesday, Sept. 12, with a full house in the audience and two attorneys giving their sides of the story.

Donna Marie Collins, Esq. heard Attorney Megan Strayhorn, representing the property owners, gave her presentation first. She outlined the facts of the April meeting of the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board and explained that while the COA in front of the board was to approve the building of a home and several accessory buildings on the two-strap property, controversy about the Whispering Bench took precedent over the matter at hand.

A future for branch banking? While so many have closed, our local banks vow to remain viable

Despite at least a dozen local bank branch closures in as many years, local “brick-and-mortar” banks are still a part of local banking habits. And they may well be around for the foreseeable future.

“My card got stolen the other day.” said Doug Izzo, director of the Englewood Chamber of Commerce. His first move? Go into a bank branch to sort it out. While the bank ultimately had to resolve the issue online, there was at least a person there to intercede.

“That’s why I like the hometown banks,” said Izzo. “They actually pay attention.”