To the Editor:
As the mother of a veterinarian, the mother-in-law of a veterinarian, and the mother of a PTTS captain and angler, and the mother-in-law of a WPTTS angler, I realize the necessity of taking measures that will cause the least harm to all of nature's creatures.

The attack on the PTTS is uncalled for. Local residents should not only be grateful for the hundreds of thousands of revenue dollars the PTTS and WPTTS bring in to Boca Grande, but also the extreme measures the PTTS takes in the handling of the Tarpon during tournament venues.  

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - The Port Boca Grande Beach was covered with people on Sunday, June 17. They carried signs that said, “No weigh, no kill” and “Save the tarpon.”

They were there to demonstrate their strong belief that the Pass should become a “catch-and-release” fishery, and that certain fishing practices used by some anglers are detrimental to the fish.

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - It just makes sense that Capt. Waylon Mills and his team aboard Blaze took first place in the Turnin’ Tides All-Release Tarpon Tournament this past weekend. The namesake of the tournament was his first tarpon boat, after all.

It seemed to bring him luck, as he and teammates Stu and Jill Lewis and Joan and Capt. Dann brought three fish to the boat.

The Easter sunrise service that is held each year on the beach at the south end of the island led directly to the hiring of the new Head of School for The Island School, Jean Thompson.

“I was looking in the Beacon for the schedule, since I like to attend the service every year,” said Jean. “I saw the article about Rosa (Ramos) leaving and that they were going to begin the search for a replacement. I went to the next board meeting and introduced myself and gave them my resume, and I asked if it would be possible for me to spend a day at the school. That way we could see if it would be a good fit from both sides.”