Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE & JIM BENSON Jim Benson may be a young man, but his passion for life and his work ethic run deep. That’s not to say he’s a guy who can’t have a good time – he definitely can – but he has proven to be one of the most up-and-coming real […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Approximately 500 cyclists will be spinning down Gasparilla Road on Thursday, April 14. But don’t be alarmed – precautions have been well planned out, and the event shouldn’t have much effect on the island. Bike Florida is organizing its first tour of Florida’s Gulf Coast Region, and for the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN At an educational summit held on Tuesday, April 5 at the Boca Grande Community Center, some of the nation’s top educators gathered with islanders to talk about new trends and successful techniques in educating our primary and secondary school-age children. The invitation-only event, orchestrated by Cavendish Global, packed the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE Iguana hunting taxes are going up by 0.102 percent, but iguana numbers are definitely going down. At an annual meeting of the MTSBU advisory committee for Gasparilla Island’s street lighting and iguana control Friday, April 1, Lee County MSTBU Coordinator Melissa Geissler told the Board they had to raise […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
■ BY SUSAN ERWIN Boca Grande part-time resident Garry Carley is a native of Detroit, Michigan, and while he enjoys the peaceful island life here, he also has a sincere passion for the revitalization of his hometown. He currently serves as Chairman of Detroit Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. Carley met his wife, Nancy, while […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Obituaries.
Sydell Friedman was a Boca Grande phenomenon. She and her husband, Stanley, were well known throughout the island and highly regarded in intellectual, social and tennis circles (and in just about every endeavor in which they participated) for more than 30 years. They were loving parents, grandparents and pet owners, as well as being energetic […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Letters to the Editor, News.
Letter to the Editor; Most people know by now about the BG Haiti project that has been taking place for the last seven years. In that time period, this generous community has donated $1,650,000 to build five villages consisting of 200 homes plus schools and community centers/ churches, and to provide fresh water, outdoor lighting, […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ STAFF REPORT Island Art Days will be back for its 11th year on Saturday and Sunday, April 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the parking lot next to 431 Park Avenue, home of Gasparilla Outfitters/Special Effects and the Boca Beacon. Featured artists will include Bob and Ruth Wessell, pottery; Carroll […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ STAFF REPORT Calling all lovers of the tarpon season. The 2016 Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament will be held, as is traditional, on Mother’s Day weekend, Saturday, May 7. Can’t fish it this year? Sign up to be an observer. Contact Melissa at (941) 473-4506. Fishing will be held in the Boca Grande Pass from […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Florida Governor Bob Graham and Former CIA Director Porter Goss will speak about important issues Florida residents are facing in light of the 2016 national elections. The discussion will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 8 in the Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium. The conversation will cover various topics […]