Written by T Michele Walker on . Posted in News.
Now scheduled for Thursday, March 3 from 1 to 5 p.m., the Art and Architecture Home Tour is Boca Grande Art Center’s ever-popular fundraiser. It’s a fabulous opportunity to tour six Boca Grande homes and is one of the highlights of the Boca Grande season.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The festival also will feature a special area for children that will include progressive storytelling, strawberry balloon sculptures, mural painting, carnival games, a cupcake challenge and balloon volleyball. Donated toys and games will be for sale in a separate area near the children’s activities and will include doll houses, stuffed animals, books, puzzles, bikes, Wii, baby equipment, sand toys, among others.
Written by T Michele Walker on . Posted in News.
That’s how the Kate Leigh Mother-Daughter Resort Wear line was born.
“This line is inspired by our love for this island and our passion for raising funds for breast cancer. I have always believed that you should follow your heart and dream big. Kate and I have reached for the stars and took a leap of faith to follow our dream of creating our very own mother-daughter resort wear line. Our collection is made with love and manufactured in our very own U.S.A.”
Kate Leigh is a brand that celebrates women and girls, but especially mothers and daughters.
“Working on the development of this brand and custom prints allows the legacy of my late mother, whose nickname with close friends and family was ‘Penny,’ to shine through and make all of us feel magical.”
Written by T Michele Walker on . Posted in Profiles.
Born and raised in Connecticut, later moving to Berwyn, Pennsylvania with her husband Dan, Sharon learned how to play tennis at the local YMCA, where she taught aerobics classes.
“I started playing tennis when I was 27. I worked at the local YMCA, so I got free babysitting for my children. They came with me because they were zero and two years old at the time. I also got free classes, so I got to take tennis. I had never picked up a racket, but I thought it would be kind of fun. I fell in love with the game.”
Sharon met her husband, Dan, at Denison University in Ohio. After graduation, they traveled through Europe.
“When we came back, we said whoever gets a job first, the other will move to that area. Dan found a job in Berwyn, so I moved here, and we’ve been there ever since.
“My son Charlie works for a catering company in Orlando, and he loves it,” she said. “My daughter Laine works in Manhattan, but due to the pandemic, she decided to stop paying rent because she could never go to her job. Now she’s a nomad, spending a few weeks in Boston and here in Boca Grande. She says that it’s been the best thing ever for her. She was paying so much money in rent, and now she can live anywhere.”
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
This is a little something we can each do that will have a great impact on recycling and our environment. Trashing bags is a win for the environment and for residents and visitors who enjoy Southwest Florida. The “Keep SWFL Recycling Plastic Bag Free” initiative also aims to improve recycling efficiency by reducing the time recycling workers have to spend removing plastic bags from jammed machinery.
Waste goes up significantly on holidays and Super Bowl Sunday holds the win as the highest day for waste. By launching this campaign on Super Bowl Sunday, the biggest day for trash, we hope to get people to engage in habits where they will dispose of plastic bags properly.
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Opinion.
Recent headlines gave the long-awaited news that The Mosaic Company, the phosphate giant that has been mining the mineral for years, has been denied a permit by the Charlotte County Commission to continue that activity. The Commission approved a change in zoning bylaws that prohibits phosphate mining and all other activities including phosphate manufacturing in the area. Mosaic is sure to refile for permits to continue to keep their massive enterprise alive. However, many organizations and activists who have opposed phosphate mining for years are ready to again fight to keep phosphate mining out of the area, due to its disastrous effect on the ecosystem. This is a victory, and hopefully the ban will last.
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
On behalf of Boca Grande Woman’s Club, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our island community for its magnanimous support of our annual fundraiser. When it was determined that gathering in a tent for “A Grande Gatsby Affaire” was not in the best interest of our community, we proceeded with a virtual auction. Most of our generous ticket holders converted these purchases to donations. Many island businesses and residents donated unique items and experiences to the auction. Other altruistic Boca Grande residents provided sponsorships and donations.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
This week it was announced that Banyan Gasparilla Sound, just outside of Boca Grande at the Fishery property, has opened up their sales through Gulf to Bay Sotheby’s International Realty’s Rich Taylor.
The announcement contains the most details released to date and includes information about the 99 condominiums, designed by SB Architects, that start at $1.3 million. The sizes will range from 1,400 to 2,100 square feet with two or three bedroom options and will be decorator ready.
The project also includes 83 fully furnished resort residences.
Written by Susan Hanafee on . Posted in News.
Two artists who have made their mark in Boca Grande and nearby communities – John Mitchell Sr. and Carroll Swayze – are joining forces for the first time in a show that opens on Friday, Feb. 18, on Cole Key, better known as the Boca Grande North Club House at 6020 Boca Grande Causeway.
The opening reception will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18 and will continue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 20. All are welcome. There is no charge for entry to the show.
Written by T Michele Walker on . Posted in News.
“This is an issue where we can’t tell if this property is contributing or non-contributing,” said Hahn. “And as we looked at the history, although we originally placed it as a contributing property, it was listed as a non-contributing property. When it was nominated into the national register, and it was all under one person’s ownership, it was listed as part of a complex. The building is considered part of the historic district. We think that based on the evidence provided here, the building should be considered contributing.”