v #Friendsathome
Friends of the Boca Grande Community Center joined the
online quarantine ranks to provide their membership with new
and interesting choices of what to watch, when they created a
new subsection of services called “Friends at Home.”
Friends at Home featured a variety of links to past lectures,
scientifi c interests, and visual arts to keep the public entertained from a distance. There was also
free access to their 2019-2020 season video collection.
The idea behind the website’s new hashtag, #friendsathome, was to promote intriguing new
discussion and to educate their viewers with events that included everything from a Cirque du
Soleil performance to the melodious tones from the Sarasota Opera. They provided access to an
entire hour-and-a-half show from the Miami Symphony, and full length plays from the National
Theatre.
With a direct link to the Coral Gables Art Cinema online “Drive-In,” viewers also had free
admission to three fi lms a day. Science lovers, could catch aquarium livestreaming from Mote
Marine, or seminars from the Archbold Biological Station. There were links to attend the Dali
Museum virtually, or to explore the country’s national parks.
While it was little consolation for the cancellation of the overseas trip that was scheduled for
this spring, the programming that Friends provided was well worth watching for a little bit of daily
culture.
v Preaching to empty pews
Boca Grande’s shops and restaurants weren’t the only ones to have
to close their doors. While restaurants were still able to serve takeout
and provide curbside service, how does one do that with the word of
God? The priority to keep the community safe left clergy to preach to
empty pews ... but some found alternative ways to reach the masses.
The Lighthouse United Methodist Church of Boca Grande, St. Andrews
Episcopal Church and Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church each took their Sunday service
to the online world. Locals have since been able follow scripture, share prayers and interact in
song through both live and pre-recorded sessions.
Mother Michelle Robertshaw of St. Andrews Episcopal Church took viewers to their happy
place by reminding them of the island’s beauty. Her services were taped in different locations on
Gasparilla Island, giving each service its own unique fl air and allowing residents here and around
the country to get a little glimpse of the island. Those who tuned-in from dreary locations where
the weather was gray, cold and cloudy were transported back here – to the golden sandy
beaches, blue-green water and lush green foliage – if only for an hour or so.
v Surprise!
A boat parade was
held on the Boca
Grande Bayou to
celebrate
Edie Gardner (left),
who turned 95
on April 15.