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More details disclosed about new Banyan Gasparilla Sound resort

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.

This week it was announced that Banyan Gasparilla Sound, just outside of Boca Grande at the Fishery property, has opened up their sales through Gulf to Bay Sotheby’s International Realty’s Rich Taylor.
The announcement contains the most details released to date and includes information about the 99 condominiums, designed by SB Architects, that start at $1.3 million. The sizes will range from 1,400 to 2,100 square feet with two or three bedroom options and will be decorator ready.
The project also includes 83 fully furnished resort residences.

Two well-known artists together for the first time

Written by Susan Hanafee on . Posted in News.

Two artists who have made their mark in Boca Grande and nearby communities – John Mitchell Sr. and Carroll Swayze – are joining forces for the first time in a show that opens on Friday, Feb. 18, on Cole Key, better known as the Boca Grande North Club House at 6020 Boca Grande Causeway.
The opening reception will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18 and will continue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 20. All are welcome. There is no charge for entry to the show.

Creative solutions for the ‘Great Resignation’

Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.

The pandemic continues to transform the labor force. During the first months of 2021, millions left their jobs, resulting in what some call “the Great Resignation.” 
As it is with many things, Gasparilla Island has not experienced the same worker shortage as the rest of the mainland, but it’s easy to see once you cross the causeway that “help wanted” signs are hanging in every restaurant and store, and many businesses are forced to close early due to a lack of employees. In fact, around the country businesses are struggling to find qualified employees, and many are starting to think outside the box.
While many retirees have gone back to work to take advantage of sign-on bonuses and additional income, there are also organizations like Easterseals who have highly-trained clients willing and ready to step into these available job opportunities.
And businesses are taking notice.

Boca Grande wildlife needs you!

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.

Never has there been a time when wildlife rescue volunteers were needed more on Gasparilla Island. To say there is a dire lack of people willing to pick up and drive injured or ill wildlife to local rehabilitation centers is an understatement – in fact, there are virtually none. From 2005, Blanche, co-owner of The […]

History Bytes: The Davis brothers remember some of their best years

Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community History.

Doug and Frank Davis spoke for themselves, their sister Robin Davis Melvin and Doug’s wife Gail Coleman Davis at the Feb. 9 History Bytes presentation. During the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, the Davis family lived in Arcadia and in Belle Glade but their summers and holidays were spent in a house on Gilchrist, across from St. Andrew’s Church, that was haunted. The ghost they called George appeared regularly. A bedroom door would open, a bright light would be seen – Doug says it looked like someone had turned on the hall light – then a figure would appear. Once they found footprints on the hall floor in some spilled body powder Robin or her mother Judy used before going to bed. And their dog, Coco, growled at sounds of footsteps coming up the stairs but there was no one there. While startling at first, George was not threatening and they learned to live with him.

Internationally renowned organist to christen new organ at St. Andrew’s

Written by T Michele Walker on . Posted in News.

“Jeremy is phenomenally talented and internationally recognized for his extraordinary playing of both organ and piano,” said Alan Corey, Minister of Music at St. Andrews. “He has many highly regarded recordings to his credit.”
Dr. Filsell is the Organist and Director of Music at St. Thomas Church, 5th Avenue, New York City, and the men and boys’ choir director, the only existing boys’ choir school in the country.
St. Andrew’s new organ comes from the Walker Organ Company. John Carpenter, the company’s president, is expected to attend the concert on Friday.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Boca Grande – a charming place made even more charming by its honest, kind people

Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.

To the Editor:
Two weeks ago, our family had a wonderful vacation in Boca Grande. It was our third visit to the island and we had rented a hundred plus-year-old cottage on Tarpon Ave. We love what a step back in time this charming town portrays. No chain stores, no high rises, no litter, no graffiti, a fabulous bike path and walking path, very little vehicular traffic, beautiful beaches, and a warm, friendly, welcoming attitude that is hard to find. Everyone is so outdoorsy and active. It is obvious the residents take great pride in their property and are grateful to live in such a special place.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Former resident wonders about name, as well as effects from, new development

Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.

To the Editor:
Having spent most of my life in and around Placida, I am writing to express my thoughts and concerns about the planned development of the old Fishery property located in Placida. I am not anti-growth or against change but I’m saddened to see the elimination of a place’s traditional identity. Seems to me that smart growth incorporates that identity into the new development.

ECOWATCH: The puppet masters are pulling strings again 

Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Opinion.

I had every intention of listing some good and bad events in the ecosystem that needed to be shared. However, I shall digress for just a short time. Long-time readers of this column are familiar with the many quotes I have used through the years. I usually pick a writer who has something to say and will nudge people to think.
One such person I have used often was Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States. He was responsible for setting aside land for our national parks that people still enjoy and use today. He was the ultimate conservationist, and he said, “The conservation of natural resources is the fundamental problem. Unless we solve that problem, it will avail us little to solve others.” His most famous quote gave us a little peek into his character: “Speak softly and carry a big stick — and you will go far.” He went on to say, “I’m a part of everything I have read. I am an American, free born and free bred, where I acknowledge no man as my superior except for his own worth, or as my inferior, except for his own demerit.”

Friends of renowned island artist Patti Middleton donate her last painting to TIS

Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in News.

Friends from decades past, I came to regard Patti Middleton as the true artistic nature muse of our coast. Her passing in May of last year seemed emblematic of the titanic scale of change throughout our island world and beyond.
I really felt this first when legendary seaplane pilot Mark Futch went on ahead in 2018. So memorable from earlier flying days was a sunset flight with Mark from the Boca Grande bayou out over Boca Grande Pass, which I preserved in a poem “Charlotte Harbor Sea Peace” in my collection called “Verdana Poems.”