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BIPS Green Gala a huge success

To the Editor:     We kicked up our heels and boot scooted till the cows came home! Barrier Island Parks Society (BIPS) extends a heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to making our 2017 Green Gala “Kickin It Island Style” a great success! We raised more than $68,000 dollars thanks to the generous support […]

The end of a golden era: You will be missed, DR

To say that about Mr. Rockefeller is an understatement. Figures from his recent obituaries run anywhere from $900 million to $2 billion that he donated to causes throughout his lifetime. Neil deGrasse Tyson did the math, and he tweeted that if Mr. Rockefeller donated $900 million, it was the equivalent to donating $24,000 for every day of his life … and he lived to be 101. I believe the truer donation figure was much more, so that’s a whole lot of money.
He took his grandfather’s words very seriously, but I believe he was a man of true heart either way. He had friends from all walks of life, and he varied his dinner companions as much as he could because he loved good conversation. He met with leaders from other countries that many would have shunned; he helped people that others would never have helped (there was that whole Iran hostage thing that happened – Google it if you don’t know what happened there); and he did all of this with no remorse. He did what he thought was right and kept moving forward.

A bike path from Rotonda to Boca Grande coming soon to Placida Road

You may have noticed construction signs on Gasparilla Road just off island, and some landscaping taking place on Placida Road north of the Boca Grande Causeway. That’s because bike path proposal that was originally created in 2014 will soon be implemented, connecting Placida road from Rotonda Boulevard West to the Boca Grande Causeway. Construction work […]

Hyman to perform in trio at Community Center

BY SUE ERWIN – Master pianist Dick Hyman, Ken Peplowski and Shelly Berg have joined forces to bring Boca Grande a one-of-a-kind experience that jazz fans won’t want to miss. Join the Friends of Boca Grande today, Friday, March 24 for this exciting “Jazz Masters” performance at the Boca Grande Community Center. Two shows are scheduled, […]

OBITUARY: Patricia Maxcy Wilson

Patricia Maxcy Wilson, 90, of Lake Wales, Florida, died unexpectedly on Sunday morning, March 19, 2017 at her home in Mountain Lake. She was fortunate to enjoy excellent health and maintain an active lifestyle until her last day, as anyone who knew her would attest. Patricia was born at home on December 18, 1926 in […]

Toby the chick magnet says: ‘Meet me at the dog show’

The name’s Toby. I’m a 12- year-old Portuguese water dog with beautiful black, curly hair. I’m from an old family, dating back at least to 700 A.D. Our line got its start in the mountainous region between China and Mongolia, where we herded cattle and camels – a long way from the fishing villages along […]

Florida’s fleet: A discussion about boat building in the Sunshine State

BY SUE ERWIN – Island residents attended a presentation featuring maritime archeologist Brendan Burke on Tuesday, March 14 in the Boca Grade Community Center Auditorium. Burke, a researcher of commercial fishing and shrimping, works for the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum. His presentation included stories and photos of people from the early 1900s catching shrimp and […]

OBITUARY: Dr. Curtis Frank Ahrens

Curtis Frank Ahrens M.D., 99, of Duluth, Iron River, and Boca Grande, passed away Monday, March 20, 2017. “Curt” or “Doc,” as he was known to many, was born in Minneapolis on February 17, 1918 to Walter and Amollia Ahrens. He came to Duluth to work at St. Luke’s Hospital and went on to become head […]