BY BONNIE PRINGLE - The Gasparilla Island Water Association, Inc. has called a special meeting of members for Thursday, April 5 at 5 p.m. in the Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium.

The official notice of the meeting, along with a proxy for those who cannot attend, was mailed out this week.

Hughes Gallery will be hosting a one-woman show for internationally celebrated portrait and representational artist, Gwenneth Barth White. Gwen’s list of portrait clients includes royal families, leaders of industry and commerce, banking, government and diplomacy, as well as children and family groups.

Gwen is the current Vice-President of the oldest pastel society in the world, in France; a distinction no other American has ever had in that society.

She will be exhibiting a group of oil and pastel paintings, many inspired by our local beauty, On Friday and Saturday, March 9 and 10, with her reception from 1 to 7 p.m. both days.

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - When island resident Cal Groton went to have a small red mark on his leg checked out, he had no idea how many life-changing decisions would come before him in the next few months.

It all started with that little red mark in February, 2011. Dr. Russell Samson, a doctor with Sarasota Vascular Specialists, saw Cal in his office and asked if he would attend a screening at the Community House. He signed up and paid for the ultrasound and other tests that go along with it, then got the shock of his life.

As if the great food and music weren’t enough, the 2012 Taste of Boca raised more than $31,000 for the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida. This brings the total amount of “Taste” donations over the last decade to more than $250,000.

Blanche Johnson, one of the coordinators of the event, said that an extraordinary thing happened this year to bring that total up a bit more.

“An anonymous person entered Hudson’s Grocery, saw the Harry Chapin brown food bags and asked about them,” she said. “That person gave the ladies at Hudson’s $500 cash for the food bank, but the gentleman refused to identify himself.”