Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
The United States is living in two worldviews these days. As the late Dilbert cartoonist Scott Adams would say, we are each living in two different movies. As a local newspaper, the issues we cover do not include national angles. We have enough of that at our dinner tables and in our conversations, and readers do […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
A special Book Club meeting featured member Whitty Ransome, who discussed her inspiring book “Why Girls’ Schools Matter.” The meeting was held Monday, Jan. 12 at Lemon Bay Golf Club. The book draws from Whitty’s personal experience growing in an era that put girls in second place, and tells how that experience informed her decision […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
On Jan. 8, local restaurateurs Keith and Laurie Farlow, owners of the Englewood restaurant Farlow’s on the Water, opened Chophouse285 on Dearborn Street. They bill themselves as the only restaurant in the region with a true dry-aging room for steaks. Chophouse285 features a classic, welcoming Old Florida interior highlighted by authentic Prohibition-era wood salvaged from […]
Written by Arlene Hall on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
At their Tuesday, Jan. 13, meeting the Charlotte County commissioners approved a list of suggestions regarding the Boca Grande parking ordinance they will present to the Lee County commissioners for consideration at a planned upcoming joint meeting. Potential dates in February and March were identified for the joint meeting but still need to be presented […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, News.
The Hermitage Artist Retreat on Manasota Key has announced new programs in February of 2026, including a return to their Manasota Key campus. On Friday, Feb. 13 at 5 p.m., audiences will have an opportunity to return to the Hermitage’s historic beachfront campus for “A Decade of Density/A Lifetime of Story – An Evening of […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
Above, workers on the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad, from the Historical Society archives. The railroad was originally along the beach. BGHS photo JAMES BLAHA, BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY The song “I’ve been working on the railroad all the live long day” is the introduction to an American folk tune with historical ties to minstrel […]
Written by Angela McPhillips on . Posted in Profiles.
Mahjong tiles, jumping with tarpon For Sarah Sheridan, Boca Grande has never been just a vacation destination. It has always felt like a second home, a place layered with childhood memories, family traditions and the kind of connection that stretches across generations. “I have so many childhood memories here,” Sheridan said. “It helped me be […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, Community.
Above, the new “Share the Road” bike pavement markings this week. Photo by Garland The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority held committee meetings Wednesday, Jan. 14 at the newly remediated administrative office on the Causeway. The audit committee met first, beginning at 1 p.m., immediately followed by finance and engineering. During remediation last fall, the GIBA […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Robert Marini of Boca Grande, Florida and South Weymouth, Massachusetts passed away on January 1, 2026 in Englewood, Florida. He was born September 29, 1931 in Quincy, Massachusetts to Millie (Cirillo) and Larry Marini. He was the youngest of three sons, including the late Daniel J and Francis L Marini. Married 38 years to his […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Editorial.
The dolphins were out and the mullet were jumping this weekend on the north end of the island. It was about as perfect weather as we could hope for in January before the cold front rolls in this weekend. This time of year, we can see a bit of a lull in visitors – the […]