Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, News.
■ SUBMITTED BY BOB ELLIOTT The warnings about Hurricane Irma were pretty bleak, but we had decided to hide behind those storm shutters in our indestructible concrete building and “gut it out.” That is, until the Sheriff’s deputy called and said we had to get out. But where to? After trying three other public shelters […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Obituaries.
Winifred “Wini” Smart Quackenbush, a lady who has brush-stroked more of Boca Grande’s true heart and soul than almost anyone else, passed peacefully at the age of 85 in Ellsworth, Maine after a long illness, surrounded by her loving family. She graduated from Pt. Pleasant Beach High School, N.J. and attended the Philadelphia College of […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Sometimes nature can get in the way of nature. Sea turtle nests on the island took quite a hit on September 11 as the wrath of Hurricane Irma pounced over Boca Grande beaches. Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association board member and volunteer patroller Melissa Csank said the organization still doesn’t have […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
The Placida Boat Ramp closed on Sept. 18 for the delivery of supplies for the repairs on the boat ramp and finger piers. The ramp will remain closed through October 13. During this closure, boaters can use the county boat ramps at Bay Heights Park, 1000 S. McCall Road, Englewood or Indian Mounds Park, 210 […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN After days of waiting out the storm – and even more days without electricity – businesses in Boca Grande are open again and serving customers. Brian and John Corcoran of Boca Grande Vacations and Scott Peterson, Association Manager at Boca Grande North said the community fared well during the storm, considering […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Brian Darna remembers going fishing with his uncle, Capt. Babe Darna, many times when he was a teenager. He specifically recalls catching a 132-pound tarpon that took him more than 30 minutes to bring to the boat. “We used to come down in the summer and my dad would bring us […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Obituaries.
Alan L. Williams, 86, of Tallahassee died Thursday (9/7/17) after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by parents LeRoy and Dorothy Williams, sister Caryln Peterson, and wife of almost 60 years, Joan Williams. Al grew up in Beaver Dam, Wis. and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After meeting the love of his life, […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, News.
■ SUBMITTED BY THE OFFICE OF GOV. RICK SCOTT Governor Rick Scott directed the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to implement several changes to help South Florida’s commercial fishermen recover from the effects of Hurricane Irma and get back to work. The elimination of these regulations, combined with the waiving of fees, will […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY KATHY BANSON-VERRICO The swing bridge and two other bridges sustained no damage during the storm. We re-installed the protective traffic gate arms, performed a successful test opening, and the swing bridge opened to boat traffic on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 7 a.m. No opening requests have been made as of press time on […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE Would you believe we have been dealing with Irma in our daily lives since Monday, Sept. 4? That was the day, at about 9:20 a.m. when we first received word that this particular hurricane might affect our island. The spaghetti models were aimed at Southwest Florida, and people were urged to […]