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Home is where the health is: Governor issues Executive Order ‘Safer at Home’

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – In a move that surprised many, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 2020-91, the “Safer at Home” Order, on Wednesday, which means that all people in the state of Florida at this time should “limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or […]

The loss of Nina Houghton resonates with many islanders

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Nina Rodale Houghton, a former Boca Grande resident who made a tremendous impact on our island, passed away on March 15, 2020. Nina was born on November 13, 1937, and raised in Allentown, Pa. She was the daughter of Anna Andrews and Jerome Irving Rodale, a publisher (Rodale Press), editor, author, playwright, […]

The official word regarding our island population and COVID-19

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – As the Florida Department of Health and private labs are able to provide more and more tests for Florida residents, numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases are exploding. As of 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, there were 7,773 cases confirmed, with one of the highest 24-hour jumps reported – 819 new cases […]

A message from the Clinic: A tale of two viruses

BY DALY WALKER, MD – I would like to commend those of you who have been practicing social distancing. The results of your sacrifice are not readily apparent, but I can assure you that by helping to suppress the spread of the  coronavirus, you are preventing yourself and others from getting sick and in doing so, […]

OBITUARY: Dustin Hogan

Dustin Ray Hogan, born May 12, 1984 in Sarasota, recently passed away in his home in Saint Louis, Mo. He was the son of Debra and Steve Hogan, and he married Christy Moessmer on April 7, 2013 in Avon Park. Dustin and Christy lived in Saint Louis for the last six years.  Dustin is survived […]

A time for learning some hard lessons

BY LAUREN HANA, MD – It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the incredible onslaught of information and misinformation that we all see daily in the headlines. Anxiety, panic and fear are now our new normal emotions. We can combat these with composure, preparedness and knowledge. Here are a few life lessons I’m learning or re-learning in […]

A message of hope, just when we need it most

As children, many of us had “fairy god mothers, secret santas or maybe the tooth fairy. They were special envoys sent to cheer us up or bestow a small gift. When I think about those times in my childhood it brings a remembrance of happiness and comfort. You knew that someone cared about you – […]

PROFILE: Skip Branin

BY OLIVIA CAMERON – Francis ‘Skip’ Branin has dedicated his work to preserving financial stability within the community of Boca Grande. His skillset has allowed him to monitor the funding for island organizations. Before he was ever wintering on Gasparilla Island, Skip grew up in Cranbury, New Jersey, and now spends summers at the “Jersey […]