Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: Regarding 161/181 Gilchrist Avenue: As I said at the meeting, “When Mrs. Crowninshield’s hand-carved coral bench met its’ demise by a sledgehammer and was thrown in a dumpster, I feared this day would come,” the day when someone can come into the historic district with total disregard for the history, and for […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: It was nice to know that five rows of legal representatives and assorted experts did not carry the day on April 12 when the Historic Preservation Board met to hear proposals making certain changes to 161/181 Gilchrist. Kudos to Sue Sligar, Tom Bowers and others who spoke passionately and eloquently against some […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News, Profiles.
This week Mote Marine Laboratories wrapped up its 2023 Coffee with a Scientist series of presentations at the Boca Grande Community Center. The series took deep dives, so to speak, into some of the research going on by Mote scientists. Through this series, audiences have had the opportunity to hear from the scientists, themselves, about their work and its value to the betterment of the Gulf, and the rest of the world.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, Obituaries.
Elsie Bracken: 1933 – 2023 The one man who could tame Elsie Bracken, has done so. God took her on April 15, 2023, and probably had no idea what he was getting himself into. One perfect description was given by a friend of hers: “A jalapeno frosted in fondant.” If the word “feisty” belittles her, […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, Obituaries.
Elsie Selden Bracken, 90, died April 15, 2023, peacefully at home in Boca Grande, FL. She was born in North Carolina. She lived in Sarasota and later moved to Boca Grande, in 1978. She was famous for her prowess fishing for tarpon catching record numbers with pictures of fish that were bigger than she […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
One of the biggest bones of contention, however, was not either of those things, but rather something that sits on the property of the big house. The Whispering Bench, created by Louise du Pont Crowninshield in the early 1900s, sits next to The Promenade and has been recognized by some as one of the last vestiges of the original Crowninshield property that once stood there, aside from the home next door that was Frank Crowninshield’s art studio and the pool and pool house at the corner of 1st Street and Gilchrist.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News.
There’s a lot of speculation about a structural “folly” along The Promenade, located behind 161 Gilchrist Ave., called “The Whispering Bench,” or “Whispering Circle.” It was part of the large Crowninshield compound that was once located along Gilchrist Avenue, which included the Frank Crowninshield art studio – located next door to the south – as well as Las Olas, horse stables and the swimming pool and pool house at 1st and Gilchrist. Most of the homes located on Gilchrist were once owned by the du Pont/Crowninshield families, in fact. They were all built around the same time as well, in the 1920s and ’30s.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Friends of Boca Grande invited Bren Smith to share stories from his book, “Eat Like a Fish,” detailing his bold vision for the future at the Community Center on Wednesday, April 19 at 4:30 p.m. Bren will show how we can transform current agriculture models while enjoying delicious, nutritious, locally grown food, not to mention how restorative ocean farming could create millions of jobs and protect our planet from the causes and effects of climate change. To learn about Bren Smith in advance of his lecture, please plan to join him the night before for a kelp inspired seafood dinner prepared by the chefs at the Eagle Grille on Tuesday, April 18, 5:30 p.m.
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News.
More than 100 angry people showed up for the North Port City Commission meeting earlier this week to object to what they see as the city’s attempt to railroad through the development of the Warm Mineral Springs property by private investors. Many believe something “smells funny,” and it is not the minerals in the Springs.
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News.
On March 25 some 92 players took to the course for the 2023 tournament fundraiser that helps bring these values to life for the young golfers. The tournament met its financial goal, raising more than $70,000 for the A Better Shot Foundation, which supports the work of the program. Mary Anne Hooker is president of the Foundation, and leads a very active and involved board.