Spooked Again team takes first place in World's Richest, Blaze and Sitarah teams take second and third Friday, 24 May 2013 22:26 Capt. Steve Ahlers and his team aboard Spooked Again took home the first place winnings in the 2013 World's Richest Tarpon Tournament, held by the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce. Read the Full Story

World's Richest, Kids Classic, Art Festival and street party schedule of events Friday, 24 May 2013 13:06
Schedule of events for the World's Richest Tarpon Tournament, Gasparilla Island Kids Classic, Boca Grande Invitational Art Festival, and street party ... Read the Full Story

Happy Graduation to Abigail, Dafne, Luke and Jake, TIS 2013! Friday, 24 May 2013 10:19 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - Four tassels were turned on Thursday, May 23, as Luke Crosser, Dafne Garcia, Abigail Turner and Jake Van Atten graduated from fifth grade and from The Island School. Prior to their commencement ceremony the four, with the help of others, did a “dramatic statues” and chant performance. Afterward, the third, fourth and fifth graders all participated in a song called “Flip Flop,” written and produced by TIS music teacher Diana Donlon. Read the Full Story

FWC releases findings in Bull Bay accident Friday, 24 May 2013 10:17 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has completed its report on the two-boat accident in Bull Bay on April 12, and the FWC is holding both Jesse Smith and Capt. Steve Ahlers at fault. Smith, of Port Charlotte, was travelling southwest in a gray 18’ open motorboat. He turned to the south to enter a blind, narrow passage between two mangrove islands when he spotted Ahlers’ yellow boat heading in the opposite direction. Ahlers, of Boca Grande, was traveling northwest towards the same passage, with three passengers on board his 20-foot yellow boat. Read the Full Story

Boca Grande, Sweet Pea highlighted in June Vogue magazine shoot Friday, 24 May 2013 10:09 Boca Grande has been the location for an awful lot of photo shoots, so many we usually don’t report on them. But, a couple of months ago a very high-profile fashion magazine – Vogue, to be exact – turned up in town with an interesting model. Her name is Dree Hemingway, and she is the great-granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway. Read the Full Story

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Spooked Again team takes first place in World's Richest, Blaze and Sitarah teams take second and third
Capt. Steve Ahlers and his team aboard Spooked Again took home the first place winnings in the 2013 World's Richest...
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Kids Classic yields 15 releases, $30,000 for Moffitt ‘Familes First’

25 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

BY LIZA STROUT - Four children sat at the stern of the Boca Blue last Saturday afternoon, holding their breath with every radio transmission. Known as Team Gasparilla Outfitters, they were in the lead in the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic, and the excitement on the boat was palpable.

( 3 Votes )

Oh yes, the ladies caught some tarpon, too ... 21 in all

25 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

BY LIZA STROUT - The women of Hudson’s have been declared the champions of the 2012 Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament.

There was a symmetry to their day: the first call of “Fish On!” went up from their boat, Casuarina, two minutes into competition. Their last fish bit with only two minutes left in competition.

The team of Theresa Lasher, Emily Wise, Judy Kesterson and Barbara Jaeggi had already won the day with three tarpon released when a last minute tug at the line sent them back into battle. Capt. Charlie Coleman was at the helm to see them through one last fight.

( 2 Votes )

A beautiful lady, a gentle soul: good-bye, Mary Alice

25 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - Mary Alice King was an empath. She worked the register at Hudson’s Grocery for over 10 years, and she could single you out from across the store and just know that something was wrong. Although most of us only got to see her for a few minutes a day, if you were a regular at Hudson’s, a visit with her was like being in the eye of a hurricane. She would take your hand, grasp it warmly and say, “Now you take care of yourself.”

This beautiful lady who, to my knowledge, didn’t dislike one person in this world, left us suddenly Tuesday night. When I heard she was gone the news hit me like a ton of bricks to the gut. It was hard to walk into Hudson’s the next day, knowing she wouldn’t be there anymore.

( 6 Votes )

Donations for troops end May 31

25 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

If you love our troops and you love ice cream, have we got a deal for you.

Englewood Bank Branch Manager Alison Henderson has announced that if you bring in a donation for U.S. troop care packages before May 31, you can get a coupon for a free scoop of ice cream at the Loose Caboose, courtesy of Blanche and Jacques Boudreau.

The donation drive is through the Englewood Rotary.

( 1 Vote )

Phyllis and family say ‘thanks’

25 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

To the Editor:

I and my family (of Robert “Bob” Hendricks) would like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, the community of the island for all the caring words, love and hugs that each of you have shown us.
Special thanks to my co-workers at Hudson’s and to Howard and Emily Wise. You have made my days brighter!

Phyllis Hendricks
Port Charlotte/Boca Grande