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St. Andrew’s announces first ‘Faith and …’ speaker for next week

STAFF REPORT – On Thursday, Feb. 4 at 4:30 p.m. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church will present a unique series of installments program called,  “Faith and …” that will begin with historian Steven E. Woodworth. Woodworth’s first presentation in the series will be called, “Faith and … brotherly conflict.” This free, online speaker series examines the […]

OBITUARY: Dickie Coleman

Raymond Ashley Coleman (also known as “Dickie” and “Pop Pop”), 79 years of age, passed peacefully on Sunday, January 24, 2021. He will be greatly missed by his wife Leslie, his children Matthew (Kristie), Charlie and Ashley; and his grandbabies Hudson, Lucas, Jacob, Ethan, Anabelle and Devyn, as well as many longtime friends. Dick was […]

PROFILE: Mark Driscoll

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – When Mark Driscoll was a little boy, all he wanted to do was be a fighter pilot. Generations of Driscolls had been in law enforcement and the military, or worked for other government agencies. Mark kept that dream alive right up until the time he completed his physical for the Air […]

GUEST EDITORIAL: LBC announces opening of Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve

SUBMITTED BY THE LEMON BAY CONSERVANCY – As we celebrate our 50th Anniversary, Lemon Bay Conservancy (LBC) is delighted to announce the opening of our newly restored Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The preserve is located on the old Wildflower Golf Course property at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Boulevard, adjacent to Placida Road. The 80-acre property was […]

Local Publix stores just beginning to receive COVID-19 vaccines, but first wave already booked as of this week

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Publix stores in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina have announced they are providing COVID-19 vaccines to those who are healthcare personnel with direct patient contact, residents and staff of long-term healthcare facilities and adults aged 65 years and older. Vaccines are provided by appointment only, and the first batch has been […]

New NHR nomination shows few changes, still raises questions

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – The newest rendition of the nomination of the Boca Grande residential historic district has come into circulation, and it appears the changes are minor when comparing it with the old one. The biggest bone of contention with the last nomination was the inclusion of Gilchrist Avenue. Not only did the Boca […]

‘That ain’t how it happened!’ A talk with David Futch

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – If you shake a tree in Boca Grande, a Futch will fall out: That is how David Futch described his family and their long history on Gasparilla Island. Futch was the featured speaker at a Boca Grande Historical Society event about the old days of Boca Grande, held on Tuesday, Jan. […]

GIWA annual meeting includes two fiscal year audits, construction update and election of officers

BY BONNIE PRINGLE – The Gasparilla Island Water Association, Inc. annual membership meeting was held at the Boca Grande Community Center on Tuesday, Jan. 19, with 12 members present in person and 562 by proxy. In his president’s report, Leslie Diaz stated that the rehabilitation of our water reclamation facility is progressing as planned. Construction […]