Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – It was quite an honor when Little Toot paid the island a visit … not to mention Christopher Robin as well. Last week the Johann Fust Library brought the small tug and its captain to Boca Grande Marina. Little Toot is a very famous children’s story written and illustrated by Hardie […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Obituaries.
Florence Rita P. “Florita” Field, 91, of Scituate left this world on June 9, 2019 and entered another, to join her daughter Janet for all time. Florita leaves her husband of 68 years, Charles; children Susan McGowan (Randolph, Mass.) and Amy Chessia (Scituate) and spouse Eric Stamp; son Charles Jr. and wife Susan (also of […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
BY SUE ERWIN – Ashley Scarpa has been an entrepreneur in the restaurant business since 2006. Since April, she and her husband Glenn have been leasing the space that, until last summer, was home to PJ’s Seagrille located at 321 Park Ave. on the island. They own and operate Scarpa’s Coastal restaurant. The husband-and-wife team behind […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Letters to the Editor, Sports & Outdoors.
To the Editor: The 37th annual World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament was filled with Grande traditions, exciting tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass, expert captains, mates and anglers, generous sponsors, incredible judges, talented artists, hardworking volunteers and the love and spirit of the Boca Grande Community. The Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce was honored to […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE More information has come to light regarding the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association’s lawsuit against Lee County, an individual and a Florida company regarding alleged violations of several acts and state statutes. The suit was filed on June 5 with Lee County courts, naming the GICIA as the plaintiff and […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Due to the current beach renourishment project, Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association patrol members have relocated 15 nests – 12 between 2nd and 18th Street and three at the South End from Gasparilla Island State Park. “They have been moved to a safe location, and we’ll continue to monitor nests in […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Ozzie Lessinger learned to fish before he could walk. His father, an avid fisherman, put 6-month-old Ozzie in a backpack carrier and placed a fishing pole in his hand and taught him to fish. Ozzie was hooked, so to speak. Originally from Tuxedo, New York, Ozzie moved to Tallahassee with his family when he […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Letters to the Editor, News, Opinion.
To the Editor: What a great year for the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic Tarpon Tournament. Records were broken with 81 tarpon released, and we raised $42,000 for community charities! The Board of Directors of Boca Grande Charities, Inc. would like to thank everyone for making the tournament such a great success. An event like this […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Here are your 2019 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament winners! Hey, Moma! with Capt. Wayne Joiner took the $12,500 prize for the last fish caught of day one. Searene with Capt. Lamar Joiner Jr. took second place for $20,000 with three tarpon released yesterday and the only tarpon released on day two, for a total of […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE When 5 p.m. came around on Saturday, June 1, Head Judge of the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic came over the radio and announced the beginning of the tournament. Less than 10 seconds later, the voice of Capt. Waylon Mills came over the radio and said those magic words: “Fish on.” From that […]