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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Woman’s Club thanks all for a tremendous virtual auction response

On behalf of Boca Grande Woman’s Club, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our island community for its magnanimous support of our annual fundraiser. When it was determined that gathering in a tent for “A Grande Gatsby Affaire” was not in the best interest of our community, we proceeded with a virtual auction. Most of our generous ticket holders converted these purchases to donations. Many island businesses and residents donated unique items and experiences to the auction. Other altruistic Boca Grande residents provided sponsorships and donations.

The Island Golfer: Which is the better game, tennis or golf?

An age-old debate among fans of both sports is whether golf or tennis is the more enjoyable game.  Both have experienced strong, double-digit growth in recent years. There are those who love to play tennis and others who enjoy the game of golf. Then there are those who spend a lot of their free time playing both sports.
Islander Bill Bax is a mid-handicapper who plays golf at Coral Creek Club and tennis at the Boca Bay Pass Club. He did not start playing either sport regularly until he finished college, took a job and started entertaining clients. “I can play golf a lot better now than I ever did before, but I don’t put in the short-game practice required to be a low-handicapper,” Bax admitted. “I am more proficient at tennis because of my consistency and athleticism. I can make all the shots in golf, but never on the same day.”

More details disclosed about new Banyan Gasparilla Sound resort

This week it was announced that Banyan Gasparilla Sound, just outside of Boca Grande at the Fishery property, has opened up their sales through Gulf to Bay Sotheby’s International Realty’s Rich Taylor.
The announcement contains the most details released to date and includes information about the 99 condominiums, designed by SB Architects, that start at $1.3 million. The sizes will range from 1,400 to 2,100 square feet with two or three bedroom options and will be decorator ready.
The project also includes 83 fully furnished resort residences.

Two well-known artists together for the first time

Two artists who have made their mark in Boca Grande and nearby communities – John Mitchell Sr. and Carroll Swayze – are joining forces for the first time in a show that opens on Friday, Feb. 18, on Cole Key, better known as the Boca Grande North Club House at 6020 Boca Grande Causeway.
The opening reception will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18 and will continue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 20. All are welcome. There is no charge for entry to the show.

BGHPB approves St. Andrew’s garden, Journey’s End projects

“This is an issue where we can’t tell if this property is contributing or non-contributing,” said Hahn. “And as we looked at the history, although we originally placed it as a contributing property, it was listed as a non-contributing property. When it was nominated into the national register, and it was all under one person’s ownership, it was listed as part of a complex. The building is considered part of the historic district. We think that based on the evidence provided here, the building should be considered contributing.” 

Becoming a centenarian

By Dr. Raymond James, Boca Grande Health Clinic If you’re looking to have a long, productive life, there’s a lot to be learned from the lifestyle choices made by people in the world’s “Blue Zones” – places where people live the longest and are healthiest. These “secrets to longevity” were discussed in the January 25 […]

Hamming it up in Georgia

The beginning of 2022 started off with a road trip to Atlanta, Georgia to visit the Georgia Aquarium. Summer, Bailey (FSC alum ’21), Katie (FSC alum ’20) and I spent the
first night in Jacksonville, FL before driving the six hours to
our hotel in Marietta. Bright and early the next morning, we
arrived to the Georgia Aquarium. It was a peaceful, almost
haunting environment while we made a beeline for the underwater tunnel towards the 6.3+ million-gallon tank.

This week’s Bocascopes

Gemini: Valentine’s week sweeps in with romance and passion, thanks to a stunning gathering of love planets in your third house. These planets, together with vibes from “la luna” herald in a sexy and social Valentine’s Day for our Gemini twins.

Creative solutions for the ‘Great Resignation’

The pandemic continues to transform the labor force. During the first months of 2021, millions left their jobs, resulting in what some call “the Great Resignation.” 
As it is with many things, Gasparilla Island has not experienced the same worker shortage as the rest of the mainland, but it’s easy to see once you cross the causeway that “help wanted” signs are hanging in every restaurant and store, and many businesses are forced to close early due to a lack of employees. In fact, around the country businesses are struggling to find qualified employees, and many are starting to think outside the box.
While many retirees have gone back to work to take advantage of sign-on bonuses and additional income, there are also organizations like Easterseals who have highly-trained clients willing and ready to step into these available job opportunities.
And businesses are taking notice.

Boca Grande wildlife needs you!

Never has there been a time when wildlife rescue volunteers were needed more on Gasparilla Island. To say there is a dire lack of people willing to pick up and drive injured or ill wildlife to local rehabilitation centers is an understatement – in fact, there are virtually none. From 2005, Blanche, co-owner of The […]