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Making masks to help the community, islanders work together

BY OLIVIA CAMERON – With increasing Coronavirus cases in the U.S., officials are recommending mask wearing when in public or at work. Essential workers have boosted safety precautions and it is encouraged that those at home should do the same. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using a cloth face covering as opposed […]

PROFILE: Karen Snyder

BY OLIVIA CAMERON – Stage lights and scripts are familiar to Royal Palm Players’ actress Karen Snyder, who enjoys taking part in the entertainment aspect of Boca Grande. Before ever wintering on the island, Karen grew up in Rocky River, Ohio. “As a kid I was always performing little skits for the family,” said Karen. […]

OBITUARY: Frank Marra

Born in New York City at the height of the deadly Spanish Influenza on Sept. 24, 1918, Frank Edward Marra succumbed to complications of COVID-19 on April 5, 2020, in White Plains at the age of 101. The son of the late Arthur and Mary Marra, Frank resided for most of his long life in […]

Angels among us: Woman’s Club initiates much-needed relief fund

STAFF REPORT – The Boca Grande Woman’s Club announced today it will establish a $250,000 Emergency Relief Fund to provide immediate relief for the economic hardships incurred due to the shuttering of businesses and all economic and social activity in order to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.   “Funds will be available to […]

The loss of Nina Houghton resonates with many islanders

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Nina Rodale Houghton, a former Boca Grande resident who made a tremendous impact on our island, passed away on March 15, 2020. Nina was born on November 13, 1937, and raised in Allentown, Pa. She was the daughter of Anna Andrews and Jerome Irving Rodale, a publisher (Rodale Press), editor, author, playwright, […]

The official word regarding our island population and COVID-19

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – As the Florida Department of Health and private labs are able to provide more and more tests for Florida residents, numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases are exploding. As of 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, there were 7,773 cases confirmed, with one of the highest 24-hour jumps reported – 819 new cases […]

A message from the Clinic: A tale of two viruses

BY DALY WALKER, MD – I would like to commend those of you who have been practicing social distancing. The results of your sacrifice are not readily apparent, but I can assure you that by helping to suppress the spread of the  coronavirus, you are preventing yourself and others from getting sick and in doing so, […]

OBITUARY: Dustin Hogan

Dustin Ray Hogan, born May 12, 1984 in Sarasota, recently passed away in his home in Saint Louis, Mo. He was the son of Debra and Steve Hogan, and he married Christy Moessmer on April 7, 2013 in Avon Park. Dustin and Christy lived in Saint Louis for the last six years.  Dustin is survived […]

A time for learning some hard lessons

BY LAUREN HANA, MD – It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the incredible onslaught of information and misinformation that we all see daily in the headlines. Anxiety, panic and fear are now our new normal emotions. We can combat these with composure, preparedness and knowledge. Here are a few life lessons I’m learning or re-learning in […]