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Historical Society needs new volunteers to help keep island history alive

“As a volunteer, you can learn more about the island you love, or teach us all the stories you know!” said Diff. “We’re looking for volunteers to help foster our island’s vast culture, while having fun and meeting new friends in the process. History spans so many different topics and we’re sure to find something that satisfies anyone’s interests.”

Bob Fletcher and his secret to longevity 

After the passing of his parents, Robert (Bob) Fletcher, 91, took over the family’s small piano and organ business in the 1970s – back when mall king Edward DeBartolo Sr. was bringing his indoor shopping centers to Florida. Bob opened Fletcher Music as a general music store in Florida’s first mall and quickly focused on selling organs to the retirees of St. Petersburg. That became his business model. If there was a mall, there was bound to be a Fletcher Music store – 42 of them, in fact – in Florida, Arizona, Nevada and the Carolinas.

The West Coast Chaos are jamming! Under 12 boys take second championship 

The West Coast Chaos sounds like something Hurricane Ian left in its wake, but it actually is a group of highly committed and skilled young soccer players from the Englewood area.  There are a number of teams under the “Chaos” umbrella, both boys and girls teams, but the team getting recognition at this point is […]

Art After Dark Part II featuring Susan Wood a smashing success

It’s not every day that a photographer with the body of work that Susan Wood has is featured in a slideshow on the side of a building on a tiny island like ours. It happened, though, on March 30, as the second in a series that celebrates the senses called “Art After Dark.” The J.McLaughlin store hosts the events, which are held for charity. Wood, a world famous photographer to the stars of movies, music, fashion, and politics, as well as a highly skilled photojournalist capturing down-to-earth happenings, was thrilled to be part of it. 

OBITUARY: Joseph Albertson

Joseph Lester Albertson Jr. died on March 25, 2023.  Born in New Rochelle, N.Y, on March 13, 1933, Joe attended Tabor Academy​ and​ graduated from Williams College Class of 1954. He served in the United States Army, 71st Infantry Division, in Anchorage, Alaska.  Joe attended New York Law School and served as Editor of the […]

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: STATIONS OF THE CROSS

The procession begins at Our Lady of Mercy church at noon, and takes about an hour. Each participant receives a booklet that contains the readings and prayers. Fr. Jerome Carosella, pastor of Our Lady of Mercy, said this booklet has been used since the ritual procession began on the island in 1986, a couple of years before he arrived on the island.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: DFS to deploy Hurricane Ian insurance villages to Southwest Florida

To the Editor: This week, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) announced that, as a follow up to last year’s deployment of initial payment centers and the insurance village in January, the Division of Consumer Services will be hosting Insurance Villages from Monday, April 17th to Wednesday, April 19th. The villages will serve as an […]

The word from the wickets

The second Annual Gasparilla Mallet Club Tournaments are in the history books, and they were resounding successes, according to Skip Russo, one of the tournament’s directors. At least 24 people took part in each of the two one-day tournaments, one for Golf Croquet on March 14, and one for 6-wicket Croquet on March 21. Some participants played in both tournaments.