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Gasparilla Island Water Association welcomes new utility director

After conducting an extensive executive search, we are excited to announce that Ron Bolton has joined us as our new Utility Director, effective January 3, 2022. Ron brings over 35 years of experience with Water Distribution, Sewer Collection and Stormwater Management programs.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Artist Carroll Swayze brings back the Englewood Invitational Outdoor Art Festival

The 34th Annual Englewood Invitational Outdoor Art Festival is slated for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 29-30 after a two-year hiatus … and it promises to be the “Best Little Art Show” in Englewood.
The pandemic was rough on everyone, especially artists whose jobs were literally the first to shut down in March of 2020. Every show in the country was canceled in the middle of our Florida season, which left independent artists high and dry for not only work and money, but with businesses shuttered it was difficult to get supplies to work during that time.

Historic Board makes boathouse, solar panel decisions and elects new chair

It was a busy Wednesday morning at the Boca Grande Community Center, as the Historic Preservation Board Meeting was called to order.
The first item on the agenda was the Special Certificate of Appropriateness (SCA) Case 7th Street Boathouse and Marina Alterations (SCA2021-00021).
“This is a non-contributing property that has been previously approved,” read Peter Blackwell, Lee County Planner and Zoning. “Replace the existing boathouse with a new design boathouse. That construction has not occurred yet, and what the applicant is asking for today is a revision to what was previously approved, I believe, in 2018. The main item that concerns staff or that’s relevant to staff review is the exterior elevations on the South elevation. Staff finds that none of these changes are really a change in the character of the building. It’s maritime industrial design either way, and they’re still keeping the metal siding.”

GIBA board discusses COVID policy, search for new investment advisor

The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority Board meeting was held on Thursday January 13, 2022, in the offices of the Authority.  The Chairman reported on the temporary Covid policies for all GIBA staff, emphasizing extra precautions at each workstation and stay at home requirements for all symptoms of illness. The Board confirmed the recent salary increase […]

Island women in history celebrated: ‘Herstory’

While doing some research for a project, Karen Grace came across a disturbing statistic. “In all the years of history, tens of thousands of years of history,” asked Karen. “How much do you think is about women?”  If you guessed 10 or five percent, you would be wrong. The answer is one-half of one percent.  […]

For the love of books: Boca Grande has its own free little lending library

All across America, mini libraries have been popping up in front of homes, schools, businesses. The “give one, take one” book exchanges are as ubiquitous as a Starbucks in Seattle.
It’s no surprise that the lovely trend has hit the streets of Boca Grande. If you’re walking past the Pink Pony or in the courtyard next to Tortuga’s, you will see an adorable replica of a cedar cabinet filled with books.