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

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.”

Pastor Gary Beatty celebrates 50 years in the ministry

This past Sunday, Jan. 30, the First Baptist Church of Boca Grande honored their pastor, Dr. (Pastor) Gary Beatty and his wife Betty for 50 years of service to the Lord Jesus Christ. Of those years, 21 have been here in Boca Grande.
The church celebrated with a special service and lunch in the Polk Fellowship Hall. Several members commented on Pastor Beatty’s passionate preaching from the Word of God and Betty’s beautiful touch on the organ and piano.

River Road expansion proposal will significantly cut down on evacuation time

Anyone who has traveled River Road from just north of Englewood to the I 75 offramp knows that it can be a tedious, time-consuming, even dangerous drive. Recently the Florida Department of Transportation District One held a public workshop to explain the proposed widening of the road, and while the design is not yet complete it appears the proposal will become a reality.

Cutting a Christmas tree on-island and other memories

The February 9 History Bytes program features the Davis family – Frank Davis, Robin Davis Melvin, Doug and Gail Coleman Davis – who spent their summers and holidays in Boca Grande during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Their memories include arriving on the train from Arcadia, cutting the family’s Christmas tree at the north end of the Island and days of freedom, fishing, swimming and fun.

BGHPB to discuss Journey’s End, St. Andrew’s memorial garden

The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board will hold their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. in the Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium. The items on the agenda include a project at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and one at Journey’s End, the historic home at the end of 18th Street.The proposal at […]

PROFILE: Dr. Bret Kueber

Dr. Bret Kueber always knew that he wanted to semi-retire in Florida; he just didn’t think it would happen this soon. It seems as though while he was waiting for his daughter Katie to finish high school, Boca Grande was suddenly thrust in his path.
“We found this place and, wow! It’s perfect.” he said. “I didn’t want anything too touristy and I was looking for something more low-key, more old Florida style. I love to boat, my son David loves to fish and Katie likes being out on the boat. I love being on the water. That’s my happy place.”

OBITUARY: William Johnson

William “Bill” Johnson, 82, died peacefully and surrounded by family in his home on January 28, 2022. William Vincent Johnson was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, on January 7, 1940, the fifth son of James and Eleanor nee Kerrick Johnson. Eleanor passed away when “Billy” was four, after giving birth to her sixth child, a girl. […]

ECOWATCH: Are we giving our pets more than love?

How about COVID-19? We share quite a bit with our furry companions: homes, food, time spent cuddling, playing and walking — and some pets are even allowed to sleep in our beds.
While this closeness is always desirable, one of the main reasons for having these loving creatures, there could be a price to pay for this privilege if their owners have COVID-19.