Boca Grande guides were running hot for the Raymond James Classic this year, which was hosted by the Gasparilla Inn & Club on May 3 and 4. Capt. Sandy Melvin and Capt. Mark Becton both took honors.
According to tournament officials, more than $97,000 was raised for cystic fibrosis research through the tournament this year.

The Grand Champion team included winning angler Ron Walker, his partner Michael Vaughn and their guide, Melvin. Walker caught the first slam, which includes a snook, redfish, tarpon and trout.
Angler Gary Head, on the boat with Becton, another local guide, also caught a slam and tallied the most points for the event.

At its final board of directors meeting of the 2012 season, the Barrier Island Parks Society presented a special gift to the Florida Park Service … a John Deere industrial-strength tractor.

The tractor is to be used exclusively to support a number of park services at three of the state parks that BIPS supports – Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Land Base and Stump Pass Beach.

Want to help the Lemon Bay Conservancy learn more about our area’s juvenile tarpon? Buy a T-shirt at the downtown Tarpon Festival next weekend.

Lemon Bay Conservancy is working closely with the Boca Grande Chamber and Capt. Sandy Melvin as a “conservation partner” for the big four-day set of tarpon tournaments and the festival from May 17-20. The Lemon Bay Conservancy will be selling children’s tarpon tournament T-shirts on Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20, at the street festival.

"A Doggone Good Catch!" is the winning title for the “pirate girl” painting created by renowned artist Brendan Coudal for the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce's 2012 Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament.

Virginia Witty of Punta Gorda submitted the witty winning entry, beating out more than 200 other submissions. Virginia (shown above with Chamber Director Lew Hastings) received print #1 from the 500 limited edition signed and numbered series, as well as a "treasure basket" from the Chamber of Commerce.