Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO The Harry Chapin Food Bank had a mobile food pantry to help federal employees during the federal government shutdown. The focus was on helping employees who were air traffic controllers. TEN YEARS AGO It was announced that the half-mile path from the south end of the south bridge to the north end […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial, Opinion, Sports & Outdoors.
For anyone up early Wednesday morning, there was a particularly effective full moon coming through the clouds, different from a clear-sky full moon. With the clouds intermittently covering and uncovering the moon, it had the feel of God playing a bit of a tease. Throughout, it was hopeful. The sky was yellow, not gray, and […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community, Profiles.
Rick and Kris Ganong have a philosophy: work hard, play hard and give back to the community. It is how they live their lives, and they found a whole community of like-minded people when they started coming to Boca Grande. They have made Boca Grande their winter home for years now, first coming to the […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Last week’s colder weather proved to be challenging for wildlife. Islanders have been forced to step up to help get these animals to safety. Locals worked together to rescue an injured tern on the Center Bridge on Thursday, Jan. 18. The bird was placed in a crate before being removed to the Wildlife Center of […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Story updated 1-26. See editor’s note at bottom. Two Island School students, including a first grader, had their padlocked bikes impounded by Lee County over Christmas vacation, in spite of the fact that they lawfully were in the school rack, and the rack did not have any signage restricting overnight storage. After impoundment, the county […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
At the January 16 annual meeting of the Gasparilla Island Water Association, the utility elected three new directors. They are Ashley Scott, Jack Hollis and Dennis Johnston. They were to replace the expiring terms of Susan Spurgeon, Tom Courtney and outgoing President R. W. “Bill” Caldwell III. The following officers were elected including Jerry Edgerton […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News.
Members of the Engineering Committee of the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority met Tues., Jan. 23 to go over, literally, the nuts and bolts of the bridge. Engineering Committee Chairman George Milne called the work of the committee “essential responsibilities. The work not only ensures access to Boca Grande but maximizes the “lives of the bridges […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
At its annual meeting on Sunday, Jan. 21, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church rededicated their Memorial Garden. The original memorial garden dates from 1994, when the church created a Memorial Garden Committee. When the church was renovated and expanded in 2009, the garden was left undone. The new garden renovation includes a new wall of remembrance, […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community, Profiles.
Pat Witschonke laughs easily, and enjoys life. She knows what she likes and what she doesn’t. Because of her humor and style, she has been able to surround herself with the things she likes. Principal among those things she likes is not actually a “thing,” but a person – her husband Ross. The two met […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Uncategorized.
Byline: Staff Report There are new piles of rocks along the Boca Grande Causeway and near the toll house. The new rocks, according to Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority Executive Director Kathy Banson-Verrico, will be used along the shoreline near the swing bridge and in other select areas on the Causeway. The rocks were delivered by […]