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Jay Joiner Memorial Belt Buckle format to change after many years

■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE – The captain who wins the prestigious Jay Joiner Memorial Belt Buckle this year will have a much bigger claim to fame, as the format for competition has now changed. According to Cappy Joiner, the president of the Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association and the late Jay Joiner’s uncle, the winning captain […]

Reduction in water usage required by GIWA

■ SUBMITTED BY GIWA DIRECTOR BONNIE PRINGLE – Gasparilla Island Water Association, Inc.’s current ten-year water withdrawal permit from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) includes a condition requiring GIWA to reduce our daily average water usage to 150 gallons per person per day by the end of 2019. When the permit was issued, GIWA’s […]

Obituary Dean L. Beckstead

Laurier Donald Dean Beckstead, 74, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at his home on Palm Island surrounded by loved ones. He was born on July 18, 1943. A full obituary will run at a later date. Services will be held at Englewood United Methodist Church on Tuesday, […]

‘Rosie the Riveter’ inspires a new generation of women: Artist Brendan Coudal recaptures the iconic image of WWII poster for 2018 Ladies Day

BY NICOLE COUDAL – In 2017, Brendan Coudal was considering which artwork to submit for the ‘call to artists’ for the 2018 Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament.  If selected, it would be his 8th time as the featured artist for the big event, and he was up to the task! Brendan’s retro-style images of pretty gals, […]

PROFILE: Carolyn Gumula

BY SUE ERWIN – If you’ve spent time at the Boca Bay Pass Club over the past 25 years or so, you’d surely recognize the kind face of Carolyn Gumula. Carolyn has worked in the tennis shop at the Club since November, 1992. She started out as a seasonal employee and the next year became full-time. […]

GIBA talks new toll technology, bicycle signage

■ BY KATHY BANSON-VERRICO AND MARCY SHORTUSEThe GIBA Quarterly Board Meeting held on Wednesday, April 18 was quick and to the point, as there was little new business to be conducted and things at the bridge are running smoothly. The meeting began with a report from Executive Director Kathy Banson-Verrico regarding traffic and revenue figures […]

Regarding an absence that will be noted for years to come …

■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE This gracious, wonderful woman has passed away at the age of 92, just days after making the decision that she would no longer accept medical care outside her Texas home. I am so glad she was surrounded by familiar things, family and friends when she passed. Former First Lady Barbara Bush, […]

Pioneer fishing families of Cayo Costa to air in May

■ STAFF REPORT A documentary featuring some of our local history will be airing on WEDU in the near future, and it sounds like it will definitely be worth watching. “Mullet & Mangroves, the Pioneer Fishing Families of Cayo Costa Island” is a half-hour documentary about the way of life, past and present. It makes […]

Free country music concert on April 24

■ BY SUE ERWIN Country music fans won’t want to miss a free “Concert on the Green” event happening on Tuesday, April 24 at 4:30 p.m. All are invited to the free event on the lawn at the Boca Grande Community Center. “Straight Outta Nashville Live Guitar Pull” is being sponsored by the Friends of […]