Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE – On Friday, Feb. 12 the last piece of steel was removed from the old swing bridge, and with it a significant piece of Gasparilla Island’s history turned into lore. According to Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority Executive Director Kathy Banson-Verrico they will still be breaking up concrete, taking out pilings and taking […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
Neptune’s daughter will be cruising the streets of Boca Grande and stirring up island magic as she invites guests to the Barrier Island Parks Society’s 20th Annual Green Gala with the theme “Under the Sea.” The event will be held on Friday, March 18 at the Boca Bay Pass Club from 6 to 11 p.m. […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY DR. JEFFREY HUMBARGER – Since my last post, I have had many phone calls and questions regarding Zika, especially from ladies with pregnant daughters who may be visiting Boca Grande. As of February 10, the last reporting date, there have been 52 travel-related cases and no cases from insect vectors (mosquitos) in the U.S. […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
BY SUE ERWIN – Ralph DiCarlo has lived on the island with his wife, Charlene, for more than 20 years. The couple relocated from Springfield, Mass. After spending some time on the east coast of Florida, they decided they preferred the west coast because of the calmer, less populated areas. “This side of the state is beautiful – […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY BAYNE STEVENSON – The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association has successfully purchased the Mercabo 30-acre tract at the entrance to the Boca Grande Causeway. The outpouring of support from Gasparilla Island residents and the surrounding communities was unprecedented, exceeding more than 1,100 donors, including several island nonprofits. Phase II of the “Preserve” project […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community, News.
A local dog foster mom is desperately looking for help in placing a very handsome hound in a forever home. Renee Reeves works with Blanche Vedette at The Loose Caboose. Blanche has a foster program for dogs called Tank’s Legacy, and Renee has been fostering Frank, or Frankie Blue Eyes, as he is known.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
BY VICKY WINTERER – The Island School, a tuition-free charter school for grades K-5, held its 3rd Annual $1,000,000 Golf Shootout last week on a benign winter day at The Gasparilla Inn & Club’s golf course. The funds raised by this popular event are a vital component in providing financial stability for The Island School, Lee […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Entertainment.
SUBMITTED BY THE ROYAL PALM PLAYERS – On Broadway, every Tony award begins with an audition. Here at Royal Palm Players, we begin every season with a general audition. In the professional theatre there are two types of auditions: the “general audition” or “casting call” and the “callbacks.” The general audition, fondly referred to by […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
It was man against beast on a recent hunt in the Everglades called The Florida Python Challenge. Pilot Mark Futch and his friends Randy Wayne White and White’s son, Rogan, flew down to take part in the hunt. Rogan got one right through the head, a nice shot especially considering difficult circumstances. That snake was […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community History.
BY SUE ERWIN – Capt. Bill Miller, Capt. Ray Rodriquez and Capt. John ‘Tater’ Spinks entertained a crowd at the Johann Fust Community Library on Wednesday morning. The event, “A First Mate’s Look at Miller’s Marina Before and After the Fire,” was part of the 2016 “History Bytes” hosted by the Boca Grande Historical Society. The […]