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A history of island pranks and pranksters

The following is a story written by Karen Grace and the Boca Grande Historical Society. It details some of the more amusing highlights of small-town living back in the day, in Boca Grande. We thank them for their contribution.  SUBMITTED BY THE BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY– Bayard Sharp was known for his love of boats, […]

Part Deux of the ‘rona testing saga for two confused families

BY MARCY SHORTUSE- I wish I would report in this week and tell you that our questions have been answered about our situation with the COVID-19 testing, but I cannot. Between our house and our friends’ house that we spoke of last week, everyone is relatively well but one, but the struggle is real when it […]

PROFILE: Byron Maxwell

Sustaining state parks for four generations…BY OLIVIA CAMERON – Visitors from across the nation come to Boca Grande to dip their toes in the gulf, trek a park path and watch the sun dip under a blanket of blue. Our go-to activities are made possible by the upkeep of the local parks.  With years of […]

Looking for their guardian angel, Punta Gorda family seeks man named Freddie who saved their lives after jets tipped

BY MARCY SHORTUSE- A Punta Gorda family is counting their blessings this week, and seeking their guardian angel after a nearly-disastrous incident at an island beach. Kayla Bowen and her family came to Boca Grande’s Range Light Beach to have a relaxing Labor Day.  She said her 8-year-old daughter, her 5-year-old stepson and her dad were […]

Bad weekend weather makes for many fire calls

STAFF REPORT- Labor Day weekend weather was temperamental, including some major storms, which led to several fire calls. On Saturday, Nov. 5 the Boca Grande Fire Department received a call of a watercraft in distress in local waters, as a storm came up quickly and they were taking on water. 

The horse doorbell: Another piece of island history

BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Just a week ago, master metalsmith Alex Klahm was back on Gasparilla Island with another restoration project, this time at a residence on First Street. Klahm is a trusted lighthouse restorer, known for his work on the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse restoration project and 34 other lighthouses across the country. He had just […]

Sugar flowers by Suzanne bring a beautiful touch to quarantine celebrations

BY OLIVIA CAMERON- The year 2020 was something to look forward to, whether that was because it meant a sudden twist into an unknown future or the long-awaited invention of the hoverboard. Instead, we’ve spent the year reluctant to dine out, piecing puzzles together on Saturday nights and reminiscing about the past. Yet, local resident […]