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State cites funding for manatees’ survival

Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted funding to protect Florida’s manatees and improve water quality while visiting Blue Spring State Park. In January, Blue Spring State Park saw a record 932 manatees seeking warm waters in the spring, beating their previous record of 736 manatees on New Year’s Day.  The state has invested over $50 million in manatee […]

Putting Around Boca Grande March 23

The Boca Grande Fire Department is holding a mini-golf event to raise funds for safety supplies and disaster relief.  “It should be a good time, and the money is going to some really cool things,” said Peter Kirvin, president of the Boca Grande Firefighters Association.  The “Putting Around Boca Grande” fundraiser, hosted by Respect First […]

From pirates to the Pelican Room

The Gasparilla Inn history tour takes guests back in time History Tour Guide Sandi Firtion had a full house on the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 6 at The Gasparilla Inn and Club. A crowd of about 30 people gathered in the sun on the front porch of The Inn to hear Firtion share her extensive […]

Open Letter: Nitrogen no fix for Charlotte County reclaimed water

BY ROBERT J. ROBBINS PhD. and PERCY ANGELO In large measure Charlotte County’s nitrogen problem results from its disposal of untreated reclaimed water on properties throughout the county. The county’s sewage treatment plants only provide secondary treatment. They do not remove nutrients. This means that the county’s reclaimed water has all the nutrients, including nitrogen, that […]

Beach Ball fundraiser to benefit Boca Grande Preschool

The Boca Grande Preschool will hold their annual “Beach Ball” fundraiser for the school at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 4 at The Gasparilla Inn Beach Club. The preschool is a nonprofit, nondenominational program, located on the campus of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church. Following a cocktail hour and dinner, a paddle auction will […]

Common sea sponge cleans up

The old Boca Grande railroad runs along the north end of Gasparilla Island over a shallow sandbar that is a popular hangout for boaters and paddlers. It is also where I take my guests on eco-tours, because the shallow waters are a perfect place to get out of the kayaks and look for different marine […]

Students, Young Life at Beach Club

A Young Life event at The Gasparilla Inn Beach Club last weekend not only raised money for the ministry’s local chapter, but allowed for local youths to tell the gathered crowd the importance of the club’s work in the community. “Even though I’m only in 11th grade, the support I was given by my Wyldlife […]

Letters: Nitrogen in Charlotte Harbor, Women’s Club

Nitrogen no fix for Charlotte’s reclaimed water BY ROBERT J. ROBBINS PhD. and PERCY ANGELO In large measure Charlotte County’s nitrogen problem results from its disposal of untreated reclaimed water on properties throughout the county. The county’s sewage treatment plants only provide secondary treatment. They do not remove nutrients. This means that the county’s reclaimed water […]

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: From 4-H to playground builder, volunteer

When it comes to getting thing organized and getting them done, few people can outshine Gloria Mitchell. She is small in stature, but has a way about her that gets big things accomplished. Love is a key ingredient of her success.  “I’ve done many fundraisers and I’ve been treasurer of many organizations. I love numbers. […]