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Memorial Day weekend marine life reminder

■ SUBMITTED BY MOTE MARINE LABORATORY & AQUARIUM The sun is out, the weather is warm, and it is the perfect time of year for boating in Southwest Florida’s coastal waters. Mote Marine Laboratory reminds boaters and beachgoers to keep local waters and shores safe for marine animals. Please practice Coast Guard-approved safe boating guidelines, […]

Our sweet Miss Dee: 1941-2017

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – If Louise du Pont Crowninshield could be called “the fairy godmother of Boca Grande,” Dee Wheeler could most certainly be called “the mom of Boca Grande.” There is not enough room in this entire newspaper to write Dee’s story, but we have to try. Dee passed away on Friday, May 12, leaving […]

Catching quicksilver in the 2017 Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – The seas were rockin’ and rollin’ for the 2017 Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament (and there may have been a little inadvertent chumming going on), but there were still 28 releases during the three-hour fishing time. The tournament is presented every year by the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce and a group […]

The Colonel came to catch some tarpon

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Capt. Mark Futch has taken a lot of people out fishing lately … a whole lot … but one client earlier this week was a little more special to him than most. He was lucky enough to accompany the one and only Col. Joseph Kittinger II on a couple of trips […]

OBITUARY: Jacqueline Towell

Jacqueline Lesley Towell passed away on May 13, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Florida. A British citizen, Jackie was born in Wuhu, China on June 12, 1933 to Lesley and Olive Honnor. In early 1941 the family fled to Australia from China during the Sino-Japanese war. In November 1941 her father was posted to Manila in […]

OBITUARY: Delorese “Dee” Wheeler

Delorese ‘Dee’ Green Wheeler, 75, of Boca Grande, Florida, passed away peacefully Friday, May 12, 2017. Dee was born August 30, 1941 in Sarasota, the daughter of Lewis and Martha Shirling. She graduated from Venice High School and received an AA degree from St. Petersburg Community College. Married in 1964, she was a loving, devoted […]

PROFILE: Kristie Gundzik

BY SUE ERWIN – If you’ve inquired about renting a place at the Boca Grande Club over the past few years, you’ve likely met Kristie Gundzik, assistant property manager at the club. Kristie was born in Rockledge, the oldest city in Brevard County. Both of her parents, Wayne and Denise, are retired federal government employees. Wayne […]

Lighthouse to receive state funding

■ BY SUE ERWIN Last month Florida Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto (R-Fort Myers) proposed an amendment (995154) to add the Port of Boca Lighthouse repairs to the historic restoration category. The amendment was adopted at a senate session on Wednesday, April 12. The official budget was printed earlier this week, and it reflected that $89,435 would […]

Lots of island memories from the Bell family

■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE Lowell Bell sat on a park bench, staring down Park Avenue one morning, amazed at what he was seeing. While the 82-year-old had visited Boca Grande a few years ago, it was only a short visit, and he hadn’t had a chance to soak the island in. Once he did, he […]