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Operation Second Chance offers wounded veterans new adventures

■ BY SUE ERWIN For the past two years, Kathy and Dave Irwin have been organizing and hosting events for disabled veterans through Operation Second Chance. Kathy and Dave live in Silver King condominiums on the island. They learned about the nonprofit organization when they attended a fundraiser a few years ago, and they were so […]

Veterans Day remembrances: Two local veterans tell their stories of war

■ STAFF REPORT United States Coast Guard Capt. Robert A. “Bob” Melvin III, (deceased), father of islanders Sandy and Bob Melvin, served his country honorably in the U.S Army and the U.S. Coast Guard. He risked his life time and again over his career to help others during his service. Below is the official account […]

According to County, our right to promenade is not easily defendable

■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE If you’re a regular Boca Grande beachgoer, you may have noticed a new addition to our already crowded Promenade. A Stonehenge-type obstacle (shown at right) has now been placed right in the walkway at 3rd Street heading north from the beach, obviously meant to keep us from our right to use […]

Update to GIWA Harbor Drive line rehabilitation plan

■ SUBMITTED BY GIWA The Gasparilla Island Water Association had planned to begin replacing aging clay gravity sewer lines on Gasparilla Street this week, but an area of greater concern was discovered on Harbor Drive by a sewer video inspection crew last week; therefore, the Gasparilla Street project has been temporarily postponed. As is customary […]

Born in the Lighthouse – that’s why she’s so bright

■ BY SUE ERWIN Evelyn Carter McKinney took her first breath of air in the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse. She was born in 1934 in a bedroom of the circa 1890 Lighthouse that doubles as a museum of regional history. Her father, Light Keeper Osmund McKinney, served as the keeper of the establishment from 1931 to […]

GICIA volunteers to lead tours of Mercabo Preserve

■ SUBMITTED BY THE GICIA The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association (GICIA) is excited to have  successfully launched a volunteer tour leader program in February 2019. This program was initiated in an effort to allow GICIA members and supporters the opportunity to tour the site while learning about the purchase history, the initial upland […]

Profile: Boo Thayer Gemes

■ BY SUE ERWIN After 27 years of working in the fashion industry on 7th Avenue in New York City, Boo Thayer Gemes perceived a void in the market for stylish and affordable separates, so she created a collection of clothing that appeals to women of all ages. “I design clothes for real people, clothes that […]

Obituary: Leonard Mathew Saari

Leonard Mathew Saari of Riverside, CT, and Boca Grande, FL, died as a result of a sudden stroke on October 19. 2019, at Greenwich Hospital.  He was born in Los Angeles, CA, on January 19, 1938, to Mathew A. Saari, originally from Raahe, Finland, and Esther E. Saari, originally from Tampere, Finland. Raised in Baltimore, […]

OBITUARY: Janet Thibodeau

Janet M. Thibodeau, 83, wife of Gerald Thibodeau, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019, a the Sussman House in Rockport. Born in Camden, July 17, 1936, she attended Camden Schools. On July 3, 1954 she married Gerald Thibodeau. Together they raised six children and were married 65 years. Janet was a great cook and […]

Red tide update

In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to very low concentrations in and/or offshore of Pinellas County, background to high concentrations in Sarasota County, low to high concentrations in Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in and/or offshore of Lee County, and background to high concentrations in and/or offshore […]