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Letter to the editor: More thanks for a great event, this time from Woman’s Club

To the Editor: Members of the planning committee for “Fantasy Island: Live Your Dreams!” would like to thank the more than 130 volunteers who made last Saturday’s Women’s Club Spring Fair and Bike Parade a huge success! A special thanks goes to those members of the Women’s Club who chaired the featured events: Pauline Mendez, […]

Obituary: Raymond H. Carr

Raymond H. Carr, 90, of Chester Springs, and Boca Grande, Fla., Chester County real estate developer, entrepreneur and antique car enthusiast; died peacefully, surrounded by love in his Boca Grande home on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. He was the son of Robert H. and Edith Duling Carr. Being a lover of Big Band music, Ray […]

A man who wore every hat in Boca Grande: Darrell Polk

BY MARCY SHORTUSE Another piece of Boca Grande’s heart was lost this week, as Darrell Polk passed away at the age of 84. He now joins his wife, Margaret, who passed away in June of last year. There was hardly an important job on Gasparilla Island that Darrell either didn’t have at one point or […]

It’s time again for Whidden’s Back Bay: Get your team together

Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum wraps up the Boca Grande winter season April 11 and 12 with the Whidden’s Back Bay Tournament. The weekend kicks off at Whidden’s Marina on Saturday, April 11, with the Captain’s Party and Boca Grande’s first-ever Comfort Food Cook-Off. Beginning at 5 p.m. this event showcases island cooks and their finest […]

Garden Club visits the Naples Botanical Garden

SUBMITTED BY THE BOCA GRANDE GARDEN CLUB The Boca Grande Garden Club bused down to the Naples Botanical Garden last week to view “Gardens with Latitude,” a showcase of gardens encircling the globe between the 26th latitudes north to south where some of the most diverse plant communities exist. Founded in 1993 by eight residents […]

Cuba: Rebuilding churches

BY JACK SHORT This is the fourth installment in a series of stories regarding the Boca Grande United Methodist Church mission trip to Cuba in February. During discussions about Cuba, and especially about help that various organizations provide, it can be all too easy for some to imagine people with their hands out and nothing […]

Summer months bring need for vigilance in fight for manatee lives

BY JACK SHORT As more boaters make their way out onto the water again for fishing season, they risk contributing to one of Lee County’s least desirable legacies: disproportionately high manatee deaths due to watercraft strikes. The early spring months, according to Ron Mezich, biological administrator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, are an […]

Numbers are up for 2015 season

BY JACK SHORT It’s probably tough to find a full-time Florida resident who, during any given season, doesn’t think it’s the worst one yet. And of course, by “worst” they usually mean “busiest,” although business owners may hope for and revel in as many visitors as possible to make up for slower business during off-season […]

Get your Ultimate Dining Experience tickets today

Time is running out to get raffle tickets for the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce Ultimate Dining Experience. With each $20 ticket purchased you increase your chance to win dinner for two at 11 island restaurants. Yes, that’s right, one person wins the whole enchilada. Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber Office on Railroad […]

Profile: Pastor Brian Brightly

BY JACK SHORT Pastor Brian Brightly is a remarkably energetic speaker and a progressive thinker. I confess I’ve never attended a sermon given by the pastor – but I spent a week in Cuba with the man and had a few long conversations besides. I also learned it may be necessary to interject more forcefully […]