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Be a friend of the pelican: Reel, remove, release

“A wonderful bird is the pelican; his bill can hold more than his belly can.”– Dixon Lanier Merritt The above excerpt from Merritt’s poem is true: A pelican’s pouch can hold up to three times more than its stomach. Brown pelicans are primarily fish-eaters and require up to four pounds of fish a day. They […]

You’re never too old try something new!

91-year-old retired United Airlines pilot and Navy Veteran John O’Connell paddleboarded for the first time in his life this past week in Boca Grande waters.He was accompanied by his granddaughter Laura Regnery, her husband Cole and her grandmother-in-law, island resident Judy Regnery.Let him be an inspiration to all! Photos submitted

OBITUARY: Ariel Spurgeon

Ariel Quinn Spurgeon passed away on December 21, 2021 at the age of 30. Daughter, sister, mother, friend and forever mermaid, she is now catching the biggest wave. Born to Mark and RuthAnn Spurgeon on June 26, 1991, Ariel was a bright spirit full of life, whose laughter and joy were beyond contagious. She was […]

OBITUARY: Jean Ferguson

Jean Dwinell Ferguson, proper to the very last, succumbed to pancreatic cancer on December 16, 2021, exactly two months after her 85th birthday. She rejoins George, her beloved husband of 61 years, who passed away in September. She is survived by her daughters, Lee and Jenny, their husbands, her four grandchildren and her brother James […]

PROFILE: Hazel Singletary Presley

When most of us stroll the streets of Boca Grande, we see Fugate’s, golf carts and Hudson’s Grocery. Hazel Singletary sees history.Hazel is a walking, talking Boca Grande history guide, and for good reason. Her family first stepped foot on the island in the 1920s. “You know where Newlin’s is now?” asked Hazel as she […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Scholarships Available through GCCF

To the Editor: The Gulf Coast Community Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2022-23 scholarship program.Applicants may visit GulfCoastCF.org/scholarships to review scholarship requirements and complete the online application. The deadline to apply is March 4 and scholarship awards will be announced in late spring.The Gulf Coast Community Foundation assists students of all ages in […]

EcoWatch: Sharing nostalgic island memories of the past

“To bring a departed one back to life is no great magic. Few are wholly gone;  blow on a departed man’s embers, and a live flame will start .”   – Robert Graves, poet                                                                                                        It is true that a person is not really departed while his name is still spoken. So let’s go back to my column […]

GICIA releases dates for tours of Mercabo Preserve

By Misty Nichols, GICIA The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association is excited about relaunching the Volunteer led tours of the Mercabo Cove Site in 2022. These site tours have been extremely popular in the past and have booked quickly. With the restoration of the Cove completed, the 2022 tours will be the first opportunity […]

Boca Grande Health Clinic CEO reflects on challenges and blessings of a year of change

By Mark Driscoll, CEO of the Boca Grande Health Clinic As 2021 draws to a close, it seems only appropriate to reflect on the challenging year we have all had! Marked most obviously by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, this year the Boca Grande Health Clinic has seen growth, unparalleled community outreach and a variety of […]