Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ SUBMITTED BY THE GICIA The GICIA’s preliminary vision for the Preserve was to purchase the property to prevent impactful development at the gateway to Boca Grande. Once purchased, the idea was to transform the 30-acre site into a natural sanctuary for native wildlife, while also aiding in the protection of the marine life that […]
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■ BY SUE ERWIN An informal roundtable discussion with State Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto was held on Thursday, January 5 at the Boca Grande Community Center. Residents were invited to come and discuss a variety of issues with the Senator representing District 30. A variety of topics were discussed, including the completion of the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN The Lighthouse Church will host a musical concert to benefit the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29. A second show will be added at 6 p.m. if the first show sells out. Recording artist Lynda Jamison will be joined by Rev. Matthew Williams, Joy […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Jeff Simmons has spent 25 years working about every position at “The Temp” restaurant and bar on the island. He started out as a busboy in 1991 and is currently a partner/owner of the establishment. “I had a friend who was a chef at the restaurant, and he mentioned […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Obituaries.
Robert Edmund Boomer passed away peacefully on January 2, 2017 in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. He was born on June 17, 1926, the second of five children to Roy and Helen Clippert Boomer. A lifelong Detroiter, Mr. Boomer grew up in the historic Boston-Edison district. He graduated from Detroit Country Day School in 1944 […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Letters to the Editor, News.
■ BY THE GASPARILLA ISLAND WATER ASSOCIATION The Gasparilla Island Water Association’s annual membership meeting is planned for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017 at the Boca Grande Community Center. GIWA has been busy with current and future improvements to both water and wastewater treatment facilities. Currently under construction is an expansion […]
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■ STAFF REPORT As 2017 begins, islanders have the chance to witness the transformation of the long-neglected Rear Range Light into a beautiful island icon once again. Many residents and visitors witnessed the tent removal early Tuesday morning. “It’s a miracle what our team has accomplished since work commenced in October, and while […]
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■ BY SUE ERWIN The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority Finance/Audit Committee met on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017 to discuss and analyze a draft of the annual audit report for fiscal year 2016. Audit Committee Chairman Drew Tucker called the meeting to order. The committee consists of Tucker, Ginger Watkins, David Hayes, Gay Darsie […]
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■ BY SUE ERWIN If you’re interested in learning more about goliath grouper and how they rely on the health of our water, you’ll want to attend a seminar on the island next Wednesday, Jan. 11. Dr. Jim Locascio, program manager at Mote Marine Laboratory, will discuss “Acoustic Measurements of Goliath Grouper Abundance […]
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■ BY SUE ERWIN Boca Grande music fans are in for a treat on Friday, Jan. 13. Friends of Boca Grande will be hosting the 2017 Coconut Cabaret featuring Bob Milne, who will be performing ragtime tunes from a musical genre that peaked between 1895 and 1918. Milne has often been called a […]