Ian has taken a terrible toll on the island and all the communities surrounding it, but together we are stronger, and it shows through the generous support BIPS has received from donors, members, granting agencies and our volunteers. Barrier Island Parks Society gives their deepest thanks to all the donors who gave to the Boca Grande Disaster Fund, as well as the Lee County Tourist Development Council, Florida Lighthouse Association, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, the Boca Grande Woman’s Club and its volunteers. It is your support to BIPS and your service to our community that helps give us strength.
Elizabeth’s event will be on Tuesday, March 21 at 4 p.m., in the loggia and courtyard of the Johann Fust Library. There is no charge for this program, but advance registration is required. To register, visit the Library Foundation’s website JFLFBG.org. For questions, please email info@JFLFBG.org or call (941) 964-0211.
The Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association is dedicated to making sure every part of the Gasparilla Island shoreline is in compliance. Enforcement officers in Lee and Charlotte counties have the same mission, as do the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers and State Park rangers.
“We came here on a visit with some friends,” she explained. “When we came to visit them they were going to sell their little condos, and I said, ‘Well, this place is pretty special.’ What I liked about it was that it was kind of like going back in time. We used to go to Naples where we had a beautiful spot on the beach, but that has just exploded. So, to us, this felt like the Naples we used to go in the 1980s. I just like a small little town. I’m not into big cities anymore. When our friends were selling, I thought, ‘The door’s knocking. Let’s open it and see what happens.’ And so, we decide we would purchase their condos.”
Jane McKneely Italiano passed away on the 15th of January, 2023 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. At Jane’s request, an intimate, family-oriented service was held at Palma Ceia United Methodist Church where she was an active member for over 65 years. Jane was a family-oriented, religious, and ambitious person who was very active […]
To the Editor: This February’s History Byte season, dedicated to our esteemed administrator, Kim Kyle, seemed to end to quickly. We are so happy to be celebrating Kim’s 20th year at Boca Grande History Center. A special thank you to all our wonderful speakers for sharing. Thank you to each and everyone who joined […]
To the Editor: The United Methodist Women of Boca Grande wish to extend their thanks to members of the community and visitors from surrounding areas who helped make the 2023 Strawberry Festival on Saturday, March 4 an incredible success. It was truly an amazing day. A spirit of camaraderie, fellowship and fun highlighted the event, […]
According to the agenda published by Lee County government two days ago, Lee County commissioners were supposed to gather for their regular monthly meeting to discuss many items, including the Gasparilla Island cell phone tower and surrounding site. The agenda describes the item as a decision to be made to allow the new tower’s construction, as it has to be approved by county commissioners because of the Gasparilla Island Conservation District Act. The GICDA specifically addresses any buildings or structures over 38 feet, which are not allowed on the island.
However, the Community Cell Tower Committee, which is the island’s group of community leaders and emergency officials overseeing the new cell tower project, said they have asked that the description of the agenda item be changed due to a few miscommunications, primarily due to the historic nature of the buildings around the site. The committee was surprised to see this item on the agenda, as they hadn’t even had time to get a good look at its contents.
Staff recommended that the Board approve the item to “maintain consistent, reliable telecommunication services for residents of Boca Grande,” which makes sense. It had also already been signed off on by Community Development Director Dave Loveland, Anne Henkel of Budget Services, Peter Winton of Budget Services, County Attorney Michael Jacob and Marc Mora from the County Manager’s office.
But there were still a few questions from island committee members that had not been answered at the time they last met with Vertical Bridge (the cell tower company) … questions that were supposed to have been answered prior to final submittal of a plan to the county.
Submitted by the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association March brings gorgeous weather and increased numbers of users on the GICIA Bike Path. Working to provide a safe and fun experience for all users, the GICIA has once again partnered with The Island School’s Fifth Graders in a project planned to heighten safety awareness in […]
Boca Grande community members are invited to join Lee County officials at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 28, for a ribbon cutting and sneak peek at Lee County Parks & Recreation’s soon-to-open dog park on Wheeler Road. The specific opening date for the Wheeler Road Community Dog Park is yet to be announced. But the ribbon […]
