Elusive Tiger Shad, Let's Go Fishin' take top spots at Ladies Day 2013 Friday, 17 May 2013 10:31 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - The bite may have been slow, but Capt. Chris Frohlich’s team got the first qualified release in the 2013 Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament at 5:40 p.m. on Saturday. Anglers included Alysha Aratari, Olivia Britto, Joellen Morris and Mia Benton. Read the Full Story

FWC break-away jig study refuted by originating scientist Friday, 17 May 2013 10:06 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - In the summer of 2004 Dr. Justin Grubich picked up the phone to take a call from a woman who said she was with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The woman, Kathy Guindon, talked with Justin for about 30 minutes foul-hooking tarpon, and he was asked to provide expert witness testimony on how tarpon feed. He didn’t give the conversation much thought. Read the Full Story

World’s Richest, tarpon festival, Kids Classic coming up this week Friday, 17 May 2013 10:00 This week will bring one of the most action-packed and entertaining times that Boca Grande has seen in quite awhile. It is the World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament on May 23 and 24, the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic on May 25, and Tarpon Festival Weekend downtown. Read the Full Story

GIBA signs $30 million loan agreement, no new toll increases coming in the near future Friday, 17 May 2013 09:57 BY LIZA STROUT - With a unanimous vote, the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority board of directors approved the terms of a long-sought State Infrastructure Bank loan. The loan, to fund the construction of the new swing bridge, will keep tolls at their current levels for the foreseeable future. Read the Full Story

A lighthouse legend passes Friday, 17 May 2013 09:53 BY LIZA STROUT - Dian McKeithan Miller, youngest daughter of the last keeper of the Port Boca Grande Light, passed away Wednesday morning, May 15. Read the Full Story

Look for changes within the Community Center this summer Friday, 17 May 2013 09:52 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - The summer has come, the snowbirds are leaving and it’s time for the Boca Grande Community Center to start making some changes. They have tented for termites (and found a few bodies after the fact, so it was a worthy cause). Now they’re going to be tearing down some walls and moving things around. Read the Full Story

Letter to the Editor: World-renowned scientist makes changes to his conclusions about break-away jigs Friday, 17 May 2013 09:37 The following letter was sent to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Chairman Ken Wright on May 8, 2013. This letter is reprinted here with Mr. Grubich’s consent. Read the Full Story

Profile: Capt. Chris Frohlich Friday, 17 May 2013 09:31 BY JACK SHORT - Tarpon fishing seems to fascinate some folks in a way no other subject can. Capt. Chris Frohlich is one of those people, and his connection to the sport is as strong as his opinions about it. Read the Full Story

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Elusive Tiger Shad, Let's Go Fishin' take top spots at Ladies Day 2013
BY MARCY SHORTUSE - The bite may have been slow, but Capt. Chris Frohlich’s team got the first qualified...
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Steffan to be one of four featured speakers at film forum

30 December 2011 Last Updated on 30 December 2011 Marcy Shortuse

BY LIZA STROUT - A huge part of a child’s life is their education, and whether that education is a good or bad one can make a huge impact in the rest of their lives.

Emily Steffan, a teacher from New Orleans, is the daughter of Dr. Michael and Angela Steffan of Boca Grande. She is one of the four panel members that will discuss this country’s educational system in the next segment of the Friends of Boca Grande Community Center Film Forum series of movie viewings and panel discussions based upon the movies.

( 3 Votes )

BGDBC for December 28

30 December 2011 Marcy Shortuse

There was no game on Monday, Dec. 26 to allow everyone time to recover from inundations and celebrations of the holiday.

Wednesday’s game was attended by 32 players who managed to escape from kitchens and company to enjoy an afternoon of bridge. Extra masterpoints were awarded during this club championship game.
Winners for Wednesday, Dec. 28:

( 1 Vote )

She said 'yes' ...

30 December 2011 Marcy Shortuse

First Class Petty Officer Elizabeth A. Reid, USCG, and Gunnery Sergeant Curt Lee Ratliff, USMC, met in 2008 while Elizabeth was stationed at Atlantic Beach, N.C. Sector North Carolina in Electronics Support Detachment at Ft. Macon. Curt was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Marine Air Control Squadron.

They both bought homes next door to each other. As neighbors, Liz thought it was easier to cook for two rather than one so they became fast friends, and she cooked for him almost every night. In 2011 they were both transferred to Virginia Beach. Elizabeth is currently stationed in Finance Center, Chesapeake, Va. and Curt is with the U.S. Marine Corps Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Fort Story Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group in Virginia Beach, Va.

The two came to visit Liz's mom and dad, Peg and Dan Reid (Peg works at Parsley-Baldwin Realty on the island and Dan works at Gasparilla Marina). On Friday, Dec. 23 all four of them went for a picnic on the beach, and went out to the point by the lighthouse. Curt put on a little music and they started to dance. The next thing Elizabeth knew, he got down on one knee and the rest is history. He gave her a beautiful Vera Wang ring.

No date is set yet, as they plan to enjoy their engagement for a while.

Elizabeth’s sister Katie is also getting married this February 3. According to mom Peg, “ ... it’s gonna be a busy year.”

( 0 Votes )

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Profile: PFC Walker Bush

30 December 2011 Last Updated on 30 December 2011 Marcy Shortuse

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - Walker Bush never questioned what he was going to do when he grew up. As a child growing up in Alexandria, Va. his whole life focused around sports. If it had anything to do with a ball, he played it.

But being a professional athlete is the stuff that pipe dreams are made of, and as Walker progressed through college he realized he might need a “Plan B” to back him up.

As he sat on his parents’ porch in Boca Grande, he looked just like the laid-back kid he had described himself as being his whole life.

( 2 Votes )

Obituary: Lawrence Williams Jr.

30 December 2011 Marcy Shortuse

Lawrence (Larry) Williams Jr., 85, died on December 21, 2011 due to complications associated with Alzheimer’s disease. He will be laid to rest at his birthplace of Lake Forest, Ill., joining his mother and father, Barbara Kirk Williams and Lawrence Williams.

He leaves behind his wife, Barbara Blossom Williams; their four children, Ann Williams Stocke, Jane Williams Korhonen, Kirk Williams McKie, and Lawrence (Will) Williams IV; and six grandchildren.