var textForPages =["May/June 2024","","","Discover the Boca Grande Lifestyle\u000d\u000aRandy Wojcik Team\u000d\u000a941.204.0015\u000d\u000a4th Street & Park Avenue, Boca Grande\u000d\u000aEmail: Randy@bgre1.com\u000d\u000adiscoverbocagrande.com boca grande\u000d\u000areal estate Randy Wojcik\u000d\u000aDan Wojcik\u000d\u000a775-1 HARBORSHORE DRIVE\u000d\u000a3BD/2.5BA Boca Bay Harborside Condo\u000d\u000aOFFERED AT: $2,965,000\u000d\u000aNEW LISTING\u000d\u000a140 DAMFIWILL STREET\u000d\u000ay Waterfront In-Town Lot w/Dockage\u000d\u000aOFFERED AT: $4,500,000\u000d\u000aFOR SALE\u000d\u000a839 SOUTH HARBOR DRIVE\u000d\u000aBoca Bay/South Village Townhouse\u000d\u000aOFFERED AT: $2,695,000\u000d\u000aFOR SALE\u000d\u000aBOCA GRANDE CLUB UNIT 12B\u000d\u000a2BD+Loft/2BA Top Floor Condo\u000d\u000aOFFERED AT: $2,415,000\u000d\u000aUNDER CONTRACT\u000d\u000a1050 E. RAILROAD AVENUE\u000d\u000a Remodeled Historic District Single Family\u000d\u000aOFFERED AT: $4,295,000\u000d\u000aNEW LISTING\u000d\u000a729-1 SOUTH HARBOR DRIVE\u000d\u000aBoca Bay Harborside Condo\u000d\u000aOFFERED AT: $2,935,000\u000d\u000aFOR SALE","Welcome to 1000 East Railroad Avenue\u000d\u000aA breathtaking oasis nestled within the historic district of Boca Grande. Situated on a sprawling half\u0002acre lot, this exquisite 6,417 square foot, 5-bedroom, 6-bathroom residence offers a harmonious blend of \u000d\u000aluxurious living and timeless West Indies-inspired architecture.\u000d\u000aCompletely remodeled and reconstructed between 2010 and 2012, no expense was spared in creating \u000d\u000athis masterpiece of design and craftsmanship. There are custom finishes throughout including mahogany \u000d\u000aand cypress accents, and impact glass windows and doors. Outside, a heated pool, spa, and outdoor \u000d\u000akitchen await in this private tropical paradise, complete with a tranquil waterfall and lush landscaping.\u000d\u000aInside, enjoy modern conveniences like a whole-home Sonos sound system and automated lighting. The \u000d\u000achef\u2019s kitchen boasts river granite countertops and top-of-the-line appliances. The master suite offers a \u000d\u000alavish bathroom complete with dual vanities and large walk-in closets.\u000d\u000aPrivacy is ensured by a concrete block stucco wall and power-operated gates. With impeccable finishes \u000d\u000athroughout, this is truly a must-see property where indoor and outdoor living blend seamlessly together. \u000d\u000aSchedule your private viewing today.\u000d\u000aScan the QR Code to take a \u000d\u000aVirtual Tour of this magnificent residence!","941.276.1162 \u000d\u000aCarolStewart\u000d\u000a@michaelsaunders.com\u000d\u000aBOCAGRANDEBROKER.COM\u000d\u000aP.O. Box 208, 420 East Railroad Avenue | Boca Grande, Florida 33921\u000d\u000a180 DAMFICARE ST Offering a unique waterfront experience for yacht enthusiasts, this 2-bedroom plus loft home is nestled in a deepwater \u000d\u000alocation with 127\u2019 of water frontage, a covered boat slip, and stunning water views. $7,500,000\u000d\u000aEXTRAORDINARY BEACHFRONT ESTATE \u000d\u000aIMPECCABLE KEY WEST STYLE HOME\u000d\u000a4511 SHORE LN \u000d\u000aThis impressive beachfront estate, \u000d\u000asituated on over an acre, offers \u000d\u000amagnificent, panoramic views of the \u000d\u000aGulf of Mexico. The main living space is \u000d\u000awell designed, and light filled with high \u000d\u000aceilings and glass doors that open to \u000d\u000aa covered poolside patio. The kitchen \u000d\u000aand butler\u2019s pantry are equipped \u000d\u000awith custom cabinetry, high quality \u000d\u000aappliances, including Thermador, \u000d\u000aSub-Zero, and Bosch, complemented \u000d\u000aby soapstone counters and wood \u000d\u000ainlay ceilings. With 2 living areas, this \u000d\u000a3-story home provides ample living \u000d\u000aspace for family and friends. Outdoor \u000d\u000aamenities include the coral stone patio \u000d\u000aencompassing the heated, infinity-edge \u000d\u000apool with lap lane, spa and a fire pit, all \u000d\u000awith gulf views. $24,000,000\u000d\u000a THE\u000d\u000aCAROL STEWART \u000d\u000aTEAM","941.276.1162 \u000d\u000aCarolStewart\u000d\u000a@michaelsaunders.com\u000d\u000aBOCAGRANDEBROKER.COM\u000d\u000aP.O. Box 208, 420 East Railroad Avenue | Boca Grande, Florida 33921\u000d\u000a380 PALM AVE Impeccably remodeled 1930s cottage expanded to \u000d\u000aa full 3-bedroom, 3-bath home showcasing original pine and updated \u000d\u000acypress floors. The charming, newer kitchen overlooks a spacious living \u000d\u000aroom that opens to a private deck and tranquil backyard. $3,695,000\u000d\u000a160 1ST ST E Designed by historic preservation specialist Henry (Hank) Browne, this 4-bedroom, 4\u00bd-bath waterfront property with a dock is an \u000d\u000aarchitectural treasure that harmoniously blends with the surrounding historic district. $6,200,000\u000d\u000a744 BEACH VIEW DR This lovely Boca Bay townhome offers a \u000d\u000acharming garden view, creating a serene and picturesque setting. With \u000d\u000a3 bedrooms and 3 baths, this residence invites a sense of spaciousness \u000d\u000aand comfort, and the residents have access to a range of exceptional \u000d\u000aamenities. $2,550,000\u000d\u000aMichael Saunders & Company is a locally owned, independent and globally connected firm that has \u000d\u000aspecialized in luxury properties for over 45 years and commands a powerful share of the market. \u000d\u000aNowhere but here.\u000d\u000aCHARMING TOWNHOME, PICTURESQUE VIEWS\u000d\u000a THE\u000d\u000aCAROL STEWART \u000d\u000aTEAM\u000d\u000a5040 GROUPER HOLE CT Embrace coastal living on this pristine 1.5-\u000d\u000aacre vacant lot, poised along the tranquil shores of Gasparilla Sound. \u000d\u000aCleared and construction-ready, this property boasts an additional \u000d\u000a24,000+ square feet of submerged lands.Enjoy breathtaking water vistas \u000d\u000afrom your future residence, capturing the essence of bay front living. \u000d\u000aWith approximately 150 feet of bay frontage, this parcel comes with a \u000d\u000aprivate boardwalk and dock with 2 new lifts. $4,850,000\u000d\u000a9891 GASPARILLA PASS BLVD This luxury home is in the Gulf Shores \u000d\u000aNorth neighborhood and was custom-built with over 3,300 SF of living \u000d\u000aspace. Elevator added for convenience and outdoor spaces turned into \u000d\u000acharming private gardens and open-air sitting areas. Property enjoys \u000d\u000adedicated beach access. $3,800,000\u000d\u000aBAYFRONT BLISS: TRANQUIL OASIS COASTAL LUXURY, TROPICAL OASIS\u000d\u000aCHARMING HISTORIC COTTAGE\u000d\u000aARCHITECTURAL WATERFRONT GEM","Boca Grande\u2019s \u000d\u000a Finest Homes...\u000d\u000aNew Construction!\u000d\u000a10009 Gasparilla Pass Available 11-2024","... Created with \u000d\u000auncompromising detail\u000d\u000aNew Construction!\u000d\u000a3 Peekins Cove \u201cBayfront\u201d Available 11-2025","CONTENTS Table of\u000d\u000a12 Letter from the Editor\u000d\u000a18 Recipes\u000d\u000a22 Books\u000d\u000a26 Health\u000d\u000a62 History\u000d\u000a91 Poem\u000d\u000a92 Nesting\u000d\u000a96 Shopping\u000d\u000a99 Dusty\u2019s Corner\u000d\u000a100 Social Pages\u000d\u000a104 Calendar\u000d\u000a106 Final Thoughts\u000d\u000aDEPARTMENTS\u000d\u000aFEATURES\u000d\u000a32\u000d\u000a46\u000d\u000aAcres of Eden: A Visit to Creator\u2019s Farm and Garden.\u000d\u000aHeroes of Our Waters: Who\u2019s Minding the Harbor?\u000d\u000aBoca Grande Brands: What\u2019s in a Boca Grande \u000d\u000aTrademarked Proper Name.\u000d\u000aThe Conquistadors: A Royal Order in Punta Gorda \u000d\u000aCelebrates the Spanish Explorer Juan Ponce de Le\u00f3n\u000d\u000aThe Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic \u2018s\u000d\u000aGreatest Tennis Match\u000d\u000aTarpon Times & More: A Special Section Celebrating \u000d\u000aTarpon Season on Gasparilla Island\u000d\u000aON THE COVER\u000d\u000aCover photo by Dusty Hopkins \u000d\u000awith a Nikon D600 using a \u000d\u000aNikkor zoom lens 80-400 camera \u000d\u000asettings f22, shutter speed 500. \u000d\u000aPhoto taken near Cayo Costa at \u000d\u000aJohnson Shoals. \u000d\u000a38\u000d\u000a52\u000d\u000a58\u000d\u000a65\u000d\u000a10 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024","SteffanSieglaffTeam.com\u000d\u000aAngela.Steffan@SothebysRealty.com\u000d\u000aPeter.Sieglaff@SothebysRealty.com\u000d\u000aZeke.Sieglaff@SothebysRealty.com\u000d\u000a336 Park Ave.\u000d\u000aBoca Grande\u000d\u000aOffice 941.964.0115\u000d\u000aSteffan \u2022 Sieglaff\u000d\u000a REAL ESTATE TEAM\u000d\u000aSuccessfully selling Boca Grande ...\u000d\u000a1620 Jean Lafitte, Boca Grande Isles\u000d\u000aFOR SALE: $5,995,000\u000d\u000a150 Carrick Bend North Village/Boca Bay\u000d\u000aFOR SALE: $5,725,000\u000d\u000a819-1 Harborshore Drive/Boca Bay\u000d\u000aFOR SALE: $3,825,000\u000d\u000a1120 11th Street, Historic Village \u000d\u000aFOR SALE: $11,750,000\u000d\u000a549 Buttonwood Bay Drive, Boca Grande\u000d\u000aFOR SALE: $7,850,000\u000d\u000a307 Pilot Point Lane, North Bay/Boca Bay \u000d\u000aFOR SALE: $7,800,000\u000d\u000aBoca Grande Club/Deluxe Villa 32B\u000d\u000aFOR SALE: $2,650,000","GASPARILLA Island\u000d\u000aThe Magazine of Boca Grande Editor\u2019s Letter\u000d\u000aAn Island of Flowers\u000d\u000aNot too long ago, most knew that Florida, \u000d\u000aor \u201cLa Pascua Florida\u201d, was and is a Spanish \u000d\u000ainvention, an idea from Juan Ponce de Leon, \u000d\u000athe Spanish settler who came here on an \u000d\u000aEaster Sunday 1513 and found a land of \u000d\u000aflowers. (See feature story inside on the \u000d\u000aPunta Gorda Conquistadors). \u000d\u000aIt is said that Juan Ponce de Leon thought \u000d\u000aFlorida was an island. And with the many \u000d\u000acanals that bisect Florida, that is now actually \u000d\u000atrue. It is also said that he was searching \u000d\u000afor the Fountain of Youth, and while that is \u000d\u000amostly considered untrue, it is no fun not to \u000d\u000abelieve it, so let\u2019s go ahead and say that it \u000d\u000awas.\u000d\u000aIn previous generations, and in most states, fourth grade was the \u000d\u000ayear students learned the history of their state; that has been true in \u000d\u000aFlorida, too. Florida\u2019s current standards of learning still mandate that \u000d\u000aelementary students learn of the early settlers, and the state\u2019s roots as a \u000d\u000aSpanish colony in that grade. They also put another task on fourth grade \u000d\u000ateachers; that students begin to understand dates and times, and how \u000d\u000aevents, in a chronology, matter to history. As students put events on \u000d\u000atimelines, they can begin to understand cause and effect. \u000d\u000aMemorizing dates is important. One thing does not happen without \u000d\u000asomething happening before. \u000d\u000aFor us, here in Charlotte Harbor, 1521 is such a date. It was then that \u000d\u000aJuan Ponce de Leon came here for a second time. The Calusa, after \u000d\u000athousands of years, had learned a few things, and the maize-growing \u000d\u000anative Calusa greeted the Spanish in Spanish, just before they shot Juan \u000d\u000aPonce de Leon in the thigh with an arrow allegedly poisoned by sap \u000d\u000aof the swampy manchineel tree. Juan Ponce de Leon headed to Cuba, \u000d\u000awhere he died, later buried in Puerto Rico. \u000d\u000aIt is fashionable to decry the behavior of colonials, and praise the \u000d\u000ahumble, local native. But the reality is always far more complex, and \u000d\u000afascinating. All of us are human, and we bring to the story the baggage \u000d\u000aof our times, and our people.\u000d\u000aThe settlement\u2019s failure is a testament to not only how complex this \u000d\u000ahistory is, but how hard this climate must have been for a bunch of \u000d\u000aexplorers from Spain. The settlement here was a century before Plymouth \u000d\u000aand Jamestown. And the Spanish even came for a try to rule Florida from \u000d\u000a1750-1821, before turning this undeveloped state over to the U.S., which \u000d\u000aturned it into the extravaganza that it is today. \u000d\u000aIn 2015, King King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain came to Florida \u000d\u000afor a royal visit, 500 years after that first Spanish attempt. They came not \u000d\u000ato Punta Gorda, but to St. Augustine, home of the Castillo de San Marcos. \u000d\u000aOddly, the first time a Spanish king had come to visit the town, ever, was \u000d\u000ain 2001, when his father, King Juan Carlos visited.\u000d\u000aToday, Miami is the unofficial capital of the Latin Americas. A full \u000d\u000aquarter of the state speaks Spanish.\u000d\u000aWho won? Who lost? That\u2019s always a fair question. But the real reason \u000d\u000awe learn it is so we understand how we got to now. \u000d\u000aThe Spanish effort paid off in the end. Boca Grande, and so many \u000d\u000aother towns and cities around Charlotte Harbor, are home to Catholic \u000d\u000achurches, many that look right out of a small Spanish village, including \u000d\u000aBoca Grande\u2019s Our Lady of Mercy. \u000d\u000aThat\u2019s a nice gift for us, after a lot of difficult history.\u000d\u000aGarland Pollard, Editor\u000d\u000a12 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024\u000d\u000aPUBLISHER\u000d\u000aDusty Hopkins\u000d\u000adhopkins@bocabeacon.com\u000d\u000aEDITOR\u000d\u000aGarland Pollard\u000d\u000agpollard@bocabeacon.com\u000d\u000aART DIRECTOR/GRAPHIC DESIGNER\u000d\u000aMatthew Gutman\u000d\u000amgutman@bocabeacon.com\u000d\u000aSTAFF WRITERS\u000d\u000aAnna Ridilla \u000d\u000aSheila Evans\u000d\u000aGarland Pollard\u000d\u000aCONTRIBUTING WRITERS\u000d\u000aBoca Grande Health Clinic\u000d\u000aCOPY EDITORS\u000d\u000aLynn Erb\u000d\u000aCheryl Schum\u000d\u000aBonnie Jeffrey\u000d\u000aGarland Pollard\u000d\u000aADVERTISING / SALES ON-ISLAND\u000d\u000aCheryl Schum\u000d\u000achopkins@bocabeacon.com\u000d\u000aADVERTISING / SALES OFF-ISLAND\u000d\u000aCaroline Clabaugh\u000d\u000acarolinec@bocabeacon.com\u000d\u000aSUPPORT / OFFICE MANAGEMENT\u000d\u000aLynn Erb, Bonnie Jeffrey, Cheryl Schum \u000d\u000ainfo@bocabeacon.com\u000d\u000aOFFICE\u000d\u000a941.964.2995 or 800.749.2995\u000d\u000a431 Park Avenue, P.O. Box 313, \u000d\u000aBoca Grande, FL 33921\u000d\u000aCUSTOMER SERVICE / SUBSCRIPTIONS\u000d\u000aSubscribe online at BocaBeacon.com\u000d\u000aor call the office at 941.964.2995","CMSA | SCHOLZ | OSWALD | SHAFFER | 941.364.4600 | AR008879 | cliffordscholzarchitects.com","JEFF MOORE, REALTOR\u00ae\u000d\u000a Jeff: 941-855-0737\u000d\u000aJeffMoore@sothebysrealty.com\u000d\u000aDONNA MOORE, REALTOR\u00ae\u000d\u000amoorebocagrande.com\u000d\u000athisisbocagrande\u000d\u000amoorebocagrande\u000d\u000aAdorned by a majestic Ficus tree and \u000d\u000asurrounded by mature landscaping, this \u000d\u000a4 bedroom, 4 bath 2,301 sq. ft. waterfront \u000d\u000ahome is nestled on approximately 100\u2019 \u000d\u000alot in the community of Boca Grande \u000d\u000aIsles. Built in 1988, this unique home \u000d\u000aoffers serene water views of Sunset \u000d\u000aFlats and Gasparilla Sound. The tropical \u000d\u000alandscaped yard leads to the elevated \u000d\u000amain level offering an open floor plan \u000d\u000awith vistas of the pool and waterfront. \u000d\u000aLocated on a quiet street on the north \u000d\u000aend of Gasparilla Island with private \u000d\u000abeach access via easement is a stunning \u000d\u000acustom designed 4 bedroom, 5 bath \u000d\u000a4,041 sq. ft. home. Built in 2009 the home \u000d\u000afeatures heavy concrete construction \u000d\u000awith all the latest building materials. This \u000d\u000aproperty recently underwent a major \u000d\u000arenovation in 2022/2023 with high end \u000d\u000afinishes. There is a 7-car plus golf cart \u000d\u000agarage with under-house storage and a \u000d\u000ahalf basketball court. \u000d\u000a 1607 Treasure Lane | Boca Grande, FL\u000d\u000a 16121 Sunset Pines Circle | Boca Grande, FL\u000d\u000a1671 Jose Gaspar Drive | Boca Grande, FL\u000d\u000aOFFERED AT: $4,725,000\u000d\u000aOFFERED AT: $6,500,000\u000d\u000aOFFERED AT: $5,600,000\u000d\u000aExperience this 3 bedroom, \u000d\u000a3.5 bath 3,198 sq. ft. waterfront \u000d\u000alifestyle in this custom-built home \u000d\u000awhere stylishness meets timeless \u000d\u000aserenity. Enjoy sweeping bay views \u000d\u000aof Hole-In the-Wall Bay with 185\u2019 of \u000d\u000awater frontage. This meticulously \u000d\u000acrafted residence offers an \u000d\u000aunparalleled combination of \u000d\u000aluxurious comfort and unbeatable \u000d\u000alocation on the water.\u000d\u000aOFFERED AT: $7,200,000\u000d\u000aWelcome to your tranquil waterfront \u000d\u000aretreat in the prestigious gated \u000d\u000acommunity of Boca Grande Isles \u000d\u000aoverlooking Hole-In-The-Wall-Bay. \u000d\u000aThis custom-built home with 96\u2019 of \u000d\u000awater frontage on Charlotte Harbor \u000d\u000aoffers stunning bay views. With over \u000d\u000a3,400 square feet of living area, this \u000d\u000a4-bedroom 3.5 bath multi-level home \u000d\u000awith elevator is perfect for large families \u000d\u000aor entertaining guests. \u000d\u000a1678 Jose Gaspar Drive | Boca Grande, FL","The Moore Team \u000d\u000aOver 45 years experience living and selling Boca Grande. \u000d\u000aUnparalleled knowledge, integrity and service.\u000d\u000aThis 3 bedroom, 3 bath \u000d\u000a2,808sq. ft. home located \u000d\u000ain the gated community \u000d\u000aof Seawatch is this private \u000d\u000alakefront home nestled at the \u000d\u000aend of a cul-de-sac presenting \u000d\u000acomfort and style. Bonuses \u000d\u000ainclude a seawatch room with \u000d\u000aunparalleled water views and a \u000d\u000a2-car garage with a shed for the \u000d\u000agolfcart and covered storage. \u000d\u000aThe gated community of Seawatch \u000d\u000ais framed by majestic Ficus trees that \u000d\u000aintroduce a charming waterfront \u000d\u000aspacious Villa graced by Lake \u000d\u000aGasparilla. Newly renovated 3 \u000d\u000abedroom, 3.5 bath 2,885 sq. ft. home \u000d\u000awith luxury wide plank hardwood \u000d\u000afloors, impact windows and doors \u000d\u000athroughout, composite decking, and \u000d\u000afresh interior paint. Enjoy the screened \u000d\u000alanai with excellent lake views. \u000d\u000aGreeted by mature landscaping and a \u000d\u000atwo-car garage, this 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath \u000d\u000a3,008 sq. ft. two-story residence is ideally \u000d\u000apositioned to overlook the State Preserve, \u000d\u000acapturing views of the lake and the \u000d\u000aGasparilla Island Lighthouse. This property \u000d\u000ais within the gated community of Boca Bay \u000d\u000aNorth Village. Amenities include the Boca \u000d\u000aBay Pass Club, offering Gulf front dining \u000d\u000aand a recreation center with a heated pool, \u000d\u000aseven Har Tru tennis courts, fitness center \u000d\u000aand a tennis pro-shop.\u000d\u000aLocated in the private gated community \u000d\u000aof Boca Bay South Village is a \u201cHarborside\u201d \u000d\u000awaterfront 3 bedroom, 2.5 baths 1,655 sq. \u000d\u000aft. beautifully renovated end-unit condo with \u000d\u000aunobstructed bay views of Charlotte Harbor. \u000d\u000aThis residence features a one level open plan \u000d\u000awith 10\u2019 volume ceilings, white hardwood oak \u000d\u000aflooring throughout, a well-designed kitchen \u000d\u000aand a screened lanai. Boca Bay community \u000d\u000aoffers 4 swimming pools, fishing pier, gulf-side \u000d\u000adining, 7 tennis courts, and a well-equipped \u000d\u000afitness center.\u000d\u000a 733-1 South Harbor Drive | Boca Grande, FL\u000d\u000a 45 Seawatch Lake Drive | Boca Grande, FL\u000d\u000a33 Seawatch Drive | Boca Grande, FL\u000d\u000a148 Carrick Bend Lane | Boca Grande, FL\u000d\u000aOFFERED AT: $2,795,000\u000d\u000aOFFERED AT: $4,750,000\u000d\u000aOFFERED AT: $3,325,000\u000d\u000aOFFERED AT: $2,950,000","","","Catalina Bakas won the Boca Grande \u000d\u000aprize at the 2024 Lemon Bay Historical \u000d\u000aSociety\u2019s Pioneer Fest for this recipe. \u000d\u000aLayers of lemon cake, whipped lemon \u000d\u000afrosting, lemon curd and raspberry \u000d\u000apreserves made with fresh raspberries. \u000d\u000aLemon Cake:\u000d\u000a10 tablespoons butter\u000d\u000a1 1/2 cups white sugar\u000d\u000a3 eggs\u000d\u000a1 tablespoon lemon zest\u000d\u000a2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour\u000d\u000a1/2 teaspoon salt\u000d\u000a1/2 teaspoon baking soda\u000d\u000a1 teaspoon baking powder\u000d\u000a1 cup buttermilk\u000d\u000a3/4 teaspoon lemon extract\u000d\u000aMethod:\u000d\u000a1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease \u000d\u000aand flour a 13 x 9-inch pan.\u000d\u000a2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. \u000d\u000aAdd eggs one at a time, beating after \u000d\u000aeach. Blend in peel.\u000d\u000a3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt, \u000d\u000asoda, and baking powder. Add the flour \u000d\u000amixture alternately with buttermilk and \u000d\u000asugar mixture. Add lemon extract.\u000d\u000a4. Bake at 325 degrees for 20-25 \u000d\u000aminutes. Cool on a rack. Cut the cake \u000d\u000ainto 1-inch squares.\u000d\u000aWhipped Lemon Filling\u000d\u000aLemon Curd Ingredients:\u000d\u000a4 lemons\u000d\u000a1 1/2 cups sugar\u000d\u000a1/4 pound unsalted butter, room \u000d\u000atemperature\u000d\u000a4 extra-large eggs\u000d\u000a1/2 cup juice from 3-4 lemons\u000d\u000a1/8 teaspoon kosher salt\u000d\u000aInstructions:\u000d\u000a1. Remove zest of the 4 lemons. Put the \u000d\u000azest and sugar in a food processor, fitted \u000d\u000awith the steel blade. Pulse finely.\u000d\u000a2. Cream the butter and lemon sugar \u000d\u000amixture in a mixer. Add the eggs one at a \u000d\u000atime, then add lemon juice and salt.\u000d\u000a3. Pour the mixture into a 2 qt saucepan \u000d\u000aand cook over low heat until thickened, \u000d\u000astirring constantly, about 10-15 \u000d\u000aminutes. Remove from heat, strain for \u000d\u000aa silky smooth texture, and cool in the \u000d\u000arefrigerator.\u000d\u000aLemon Cream Cheese Frosting\u000d\u000a(Ingredients room temp)\u000d\u000a16 oz. full-brick style cream cheese, \u000d\u000a1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter\u000d\u000a2 tablespoons lemon juice\u000d\u000a1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest \u000d\u000a(depending on preference)\u000d\u000a1 teaspoon vanilla extract\u000d\u000a1/8 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste\u000d\u000a6 cups powdered sugar\u000d\u000aInstructions:\u000d\u000a1. Combine ingredients using a stand \u000d\u000amixer until smooth and creamy.\u000d\u000aMethod:\u000d\u000a1. Beat 1 1/2 cups of heavy whipping \u000d\u000acream until stiff peaks; set aside.\u000d\u000a2. Combine cream cheese frosting, \u000d\u000afolding in gently.\u000d\u000a3. Fold in 1/4-1/2 cups of lemon curd until \u000d\u000afully combined.\u000d\u000a4. Chill the whipped lemon filling in \u000d\u000arefrigerator for at least 30 minutes \u000d\u000abefore piping the cream\u000d\u000aRecipes\u000d\u000a18 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024\u000d\u000aLemon &\u000d\u000aRaspberry Trifle\u000d\u000aPhoto by Caroline Clabaugh","Elevated (Tom) Collins The Rabbit Hole at Cape Haze Tavern\u000d\u000aMixologist Dylan O\u2019Sullivan\u000d\u000aThe Rabbit Hole at Cape Haze Tavern\u000d\u000aPhoto by Caroline Clabaugh\u000d\u000aIngredients:\u000d\u000a2 ounces Titos vodka\u000d\u000a2 ounces homemade sour mix\u000d\u000a1/2 ounce Butterfly Pea Extract \u000d\u000a1/4 ounce Fee Brothers Fee Foam\u000d\u000aclub soda \u000d\u000aMethod:\u000d\u000aMix ingredients in shaker and \u000d\u000ashake well. Pour over ice. Top \u000d\u000awith club soda.","Maryjo Pigott, Broker Associate\u000d\u000a941.961.0630 \u000d\u000amaryjo@sothebysrealty.com\u000d\u000aSince 2009\u000d\u000aPlease email me at maryjo@sothebysrealty.com to sign up for The Boca Grande Market\u000d\u000aUpdate Newsletter, to stay in the Island real estate and happenings loop!\u000d\u000a763 Beach View Drive\u000d\u000aOffered at $3,590,000\u000d\u000a16110 Sunset Pines Circle\u000d\u000aOffered at $4,350,000\u000d\u000a371 Lee Avenue\u000d\u000a5000 Gasparilla Road , #17\u000d\u000aOffered at $1,695,000\u000d\u000aSOLD IN 2024!\u000d\u000aOffered at $2,950,000","P.O. Box 812 \u2022\u2002360 Park Avenue \u000d\u000aBoca Grande, FL 33921 941.961.0630 \u000d\u000aThis 1 bedroom 1 bath condo has just \u000d\u000abeen renovated! Enjoy beautiful sunrise \u000d\u000aviews over the Harbor! Impact windows \u000d\u000aand sliders. All the amenities of the Boca \u000d\u000aGrande Club complete this wonderful condo! \u000d\u000aTop notch dining at the newly renovated \u000d\u000aclubhouse and pool side tiki bar, a state of \u000d\u000athe art fitness center, Har Tru courts with a \u000d\u000apro, 3 heated pools, and beach service.\u000d\u000a5852 Gasparilla Road #M11\u000d\u000aOffered at $865,000\u000d\u000aI pride myself on repeat business and referrals\u2026. \u000d\u000aPlease call me today for RESULTS and \u000d\u000aEXCEPTIONAL SERVICE 941.961.0630\u000d\u000aLIVEBOCAGRANDE.COM\u000d\u000a Rarely available Deluxe Club Villa at the \u000d\u000aBoca Grande Club a gated community in \u000d\u000aBoca Grande. Spacious, light and bright, \u000d\u000a2 bedroom 2 bath, 1st floor condo on the \u000d\u000abeach. Corian countertops, impact sliders \u000d\u000aand windows, and a new roof complete this \u000d\u000aeasy to own condo on the \u201cbest stretch of \u000d\u000abeach on the island\u201d! \u000d\u000a5000 Gasparilla Road #43-A\u000d\u000aOffered at $2,149,000\u000d\u000aNEW PRICE\u000d\u000aBUYER OPPORTUNITY!","22 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024\u000d\u000aBooks\u000d\u000aBy Anna Ridilla\u000d\u000aDid you know that the ancient Greeks \u000d\u000awould brush their teeth with crushed \u000d\u000aoyster shells? The calcium carbonate \u000d\u000awas used as a cleaning abrasive and this \u000d\u000acompound is still used in popular toothpaste \u000d\u000abrands today.\u000d\u000aArtist and writer, Jessie King Regunberg, \u000d\u000adiscovered this fact and many more, \u000d\u000acompiling them all into her elevated, \u000d\u000aillustrated field guide, \u201cSearching for \u000d\u000aSeashells: An Artist\u2019s Guide to Treasures on \u000d\u000athe Beach.\u201d\u000d\u000aRegunberg was halfway through getting a \u000d\u000aPh.D. in American history at the University of \u000d\u000aPennsylvania when she had her first, and then \u000d\u000asecond child. \u201cThat kind of academic, esoteric \u000d\u000asubject became less inspiring to me, and I was \u000d\u000anot feeling it so much,\u201d she said. \u201cI ended up \u000d\u000aleaving and I turned my basement into an art \u000d\u000astudio and returned to what I used to love to \u000d\u000ado in my adolescence \u2013 painting and drawing \u000d\u000aand creative writing.\u201d\u000d\u000aNow, Regunberg is a writer and an artist, \u000d\u000amostly working on commission. Her preferred \u000d\u000amedium is gouache, which is a water-based \u000d\u000apaint that is a more pigmented version of \u000d\u000atypical watercolors. She has shown her art \u000d\u000ain a local studio and has sold some work \u000d\u000ain a college bookstore in Washington D.C. \u000d\u000ain the past. Up until she started working \u000d\u000aon \u201cSearching for Seashells\u201d she was more \u000d\u000aknown for miniature paintings of treasure \u000d\u000acollections \u2013 some shells, but overall, a very \u000d\u000adiverse group of subjects.\u000d\u000aRegunberg was contacted by her editor \u000d\u000aat Workman, which is an imprint of Hachette \u000d\u000aBook Group, after posting a collection of \u000d\u000ashells she had painted on her Instagram \u000d\u000aaccount. The collection had been picked up \u000d\u000aby a periodical that did a write-up on her, and \u000d\u000aher editor thought a shell book might be a \u000d\u000agood fit. \u000d\u000a\u201cIt\u2019s funny, I wouldn\u2019t have considered \u000d\u000amyself a shell fanatic [before starting the \u000d\u000abook],\u201d Regunberg said. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t like my \u000d\u000aidentity, but as I was working on the book, I \u000d\u000ahad all these memories and since I was little, \u000d\u000amy brother and I would put on our snorkeling \u000d\u000amasks and look for seashells.\u201d\u000d\u000aShe decided to create a book that \u000d\u000awas a guide to beautiful seashells while \u000d\u000aincorporating more encyclopedic information \u000d\u000aand \u201cother quirkier information.\u201d She didn\u2019t \u000d\u000acompletely leave her academic background \u000d\u000ain the rearview, as it informed much of her \u000d\u000a\u201cSearching for Seashells: An Artist\u2019s Guide to \u000d\u000aTreasures on the Beach.\u201d\u000d\u000aThe perfect gift for shell-lovers in your life","process while developing her book. \u201cThe \u000d\u000ainteresting world of seashells was sort of new \u000d\u000ato me, and some of the first questions I was \u000d\u000aasking myself was like \u2018how does the mollusk \u000d\u000afit into history?\u2019\u201d she said. \u201cSo, I sort of took the \u000d\u000abook in a direction that I think was different \u000d\u000athan my editor had initially planned it to go.\u201d\u000d\u000aIn terms of which shells would be included \u000d\u000ain the book, Regunberg had some difficult \u000d\u000achoices to make from the 100,000-some \u000d\u000aknown species. \u201cThat was sort of hard to \u000d\u000adecide,\u201d she said. \u201cI thought about going \u000d\u000aby geography, but then there are so many \u000d\u000acrossovers so that was really kind of a non\u0002starter.\u201d\u000d\u000aShe eventually decided to make her \u000d\u000aselections based on the aesthetic of each \u000d\u000ashell. \u201cAs an artist, I was really fascinated and \u000d\u000adrawn to the very colorful shells, or shells with \u000d\u000ainteresting textures. I tried to bring out those \u000d\u000acolors and really exaggerate the colors for the \u000d\u000abook to make sure to differentiate one from \u000d\u000aanother.\u201d \u000d\u000aThough there are five main classes of \u000d\u000amollusks, \u201cSearching for Seashells\u201d focuses \u000d\u000amainly on the two largest groups, Gastropoda \u000d\u000aand Bivalvia.\u000d\u000a\u201cI painted shells day-in and day-out for \u000d\u000aseveral months,\u201d she said.\u000d\u000a\u201cSearching for Seashells\u201d is of course perfect \u000d\u000afor shell lovers, but people who are into \u000d\u000afashion, art, history or architecture will also find \u000d\u000asomething of interest within its pages. \u201cThat\u2019s \u000d\u000awhat I think is so cool about how this book \u000d\u000aturned out,\u201d Regunberg said.\u000d\u000aBeyond an illustrated index of shells, readers \u000d\u000acan expect to learn about different periods \u000d\u000aof art history, moments in popular culture \u000d\u000aand fashion movements \u2013 all through the lens \u000d\u000aof seashells. Not to mention all the shellfish\u0002based dishes that appear on menus across the \u000d\u000aglobe.\u000d\u000aShe does have her own shell collection \u000d\u000afrom various places she has visited. They\u2019re \u000d\u000anot separated out or organized like a lot of \u000d\u000acollectors prefer; however, she did include \u000d\u000aa guide to storing seashells in her book. \u000d\u000aAmong these tips, Regunberg advises to keep \u000d\u000ashells out of direct air and sunlight and avoid \u000d\u000atouching them too much as oils from skin can \u000d\u000aaffect preservation. \u000d\u000aRegunberg also added poems throughout \u000d\u000athe book that have to do with either seashells \u000d\u000aor beaches. \u201cI feel like the book could be read \u000d\u000asitting down cover-to-cover, or it could be just \u000d\u000apicked up and flipped open if you\u2019re in the \u000d\u000amood for some beach poetry,\u201d she said.\u000d\u000a\u201cIt was just a wonderful surprise to learn \u000d\u000ahow important and essential a mollusk is to \u000d\u000aalmost everything,\u201d Regunberg said. \u201cSince \u000d\u000athe beginning of humanity, the shell has been \u000d\u000athere and has been used for various things, \u000d\u000aboth ornamentally and utilitarianly, so I hope \u000d\u000a[readers] have a pleasant sense of surprise as \u000d\u000athey flip through the book.\u201d\u000d\u000a\u201cSearching for Seashells: An Artist\u2019s Guide \u000d\u000ato Treasures on the Beach\u201d by Jessie King \u000d\u000aRegunberg is out April 23, 2024; Workman \u000d\u000aPublishing; $15.00; Hardcover.","","lemon bay\u000d\u000aCall us for details 941.697.4190 | 9600 Eagle Preserve Drive, Englewood FL | www.lemonbaygolf.com\u000d\u000aFor many, golf is a game. At Lemon Bay, golf is the driver of lasting relationships and an outlet for the \u000d\u000acommunity to rally around. We exist to create a little piece of paradise for our membership. Providing an \u000d\u000auplifting and approachable atmosphere season after season. This club is more than a piece of land, it is an \u000d\u000aunmatched preserve for the game of golf, wildlife, and human connection. Welcome to Lemon Bay!\u000d\u000a\u00b7 Nestled in the picturesque beauty of Englewood, Florida\u000d\u000a\u00b7 Impeccably maintained 18-hole championship golf course\u000d\u000a\u00b7 Enjoy breathtaking views of lush greenery and serene water features\u000d\u000a\u00b7 Professional instruction available for golfers of all skill levels\u000d\u000a\u00b7 Experience unparalleled camaraderie among fellow golf enthusiasts","Dermatology\u000d\u000aPeeling back the Unseen\u000d\u000aImportance of Your Largest Organ\u000d\u000aSkin deep facts about\u000d\u000aBy the Boca Grande Health Clinic\u000d\u000a26 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024\u000d\u000aI\u000d\u000at accounts for 10 to 15 percent of your body \u000d\u000aweight, regulates body temperature, protects \u000d\u000ayour body from germs and helps you feel \u000d\u000asensations like hot and cold. It\u2019s your skin, the \u000d\u000alargest organ in your body, and ignoring it can \u000d\u000alead to short- and long-term consequences.\u000d\u000aSeeing a dermatologist may not be on your \u000d\u000aradar, but it probably should be \u2014 especially \u000d\u000aif you\u2019ve traveled from cold, less sunny states \u000d\u000ato enjoy some Boca Grande sunshine. As we \u000d\u000astart the summer, here\u2019s what you need to know \u000d\u000aabout your skin: When, why and how to consult \u000d\u000aa dermatologist.\u000d\u000aConsider Seeing a Dermatologist\u000d\u000aOur skin is a silent communicator, often \u000d\u000aindicating underlying health issues that \u000d\u000arequire attention. Recognizing when a visit to a \u000d\u000adermatologist is essential for timely intervention \u000d\u000aand effective treatment. \u000d\u000a\u2022 Persistent Skin Issues: Chronic conditions \u000d\u000asuch as acne, eczema or psoriasis that do \u000d\u000anot respond to over-the-counter remedies \u000d\u000awarrant professional assessment by a \u000d\u000adermatologist.\u000d\u000a\u2022 Suspicious Moles or Lesions: Any changes \u000d\u000ain the size, shape or color of moles should \u000d\u000abe promptly examined by a dermatologist \u000d\u000ato rule out skin cancer or other serious \u000d\u000aconditions.\u000d\u000a\u2022 Hair and Nail Abnormalities: Conditions \u000d\u000aaffecting hair and nails, including alopecia \u000d\u000aand fungal infections, may signal underlying \u000d\u000ahealth concerns that require specialized \u000d\u000acare.\u000d\u000a\u2022 Cosmetic Concerns: Whether it\u2019s wrinkles, \u000d\u000apigmentation issues or unwanted hair, \u000d\u000aseeking the expertise of a dermatologist \u000d\u000acan help you explore safe and effective \u000d\u000acosmetic treatment options tailored to your \u000d\u000aneeds.\u000d\u000aDid you know that stress can affect your \u000d\u000askin? It\u2019s probably no surprise that stress can \u000d\u000aexacerbate skin issues such as eczema, psoriasis \u000d\u000aand acne and can trigger itching and hives. \u000d\u000aScientists at Harvard Medical School remind us \u000d\u000athat \u201cbecause the skin is constantly exposed \u000d\u000ato the outside world, it is more susceptible to \u000d\u000aenvironmental stressors than any other organ.\u201d\u000d\u000aThe Role of Primary Care Doctors\u000d\u000aPrimary care physicians play a crucial role \u000d\u000aas the initial point of contact in the healthcare \u000d\u000ajourney. Understanding their role in assessing \u000d\u000askin conditions and facilitating referrals to \u000d\u000adermatologists is important, especially when \u000d\u000aseeing a dermatologist quickly is essential. \u000d\u000a\u2022 Initial Evaluation: Primary care doctors \u000d\u000aconduct thorough assessments of skin \u000d\u000aconditions, providing initial treatment \u000d\u000aand monitoring responses. They can \u000d\u000aidentify cases that require dermatological \u000d\u000aexpertise. Regular skin checks should be \u000d\u000apart of your annual physical. \u000d\u000aA silent \u000d\u000acommunicator, \u000d\u000aoften indicating \u000d\u000aunderlying \u000d\u000ahealth issues\u000d\u000aHealth","\u2022 Referral Coordination and Collaboration: \u000d\u000aPrimary care physicians can facilitate \u000d\u000aa referral to a dermatologist, ensuring \u000d\u000ayou receive timely access to specialized \u000d\u000acare. This involves providing relevant \u000d\u000amedical information and coordinating \u000d\u000acommunication between healthcare \u000d\u000aproviders. Primary care doctors remain \u000d\u000ainvolved in the patient\u2019s care even after the \u000d\u000areferral, collaborating with dermatologists \u000d\u000ato ensure comprehensive management \u000d\u000aand addressing any additional health \u000d\u000aconcerns.\u000d\u000aThe Boca Grande Health Clinic will work with \u000d\u000ayou to get you to the right dermatologist for \u000d\u000ayour needs and access. There are many local \u000d\u000aand regional dermatology sources that the \u000d\u000aclinic or your primary care physician can help \u000d\u000arefer you to.\u000d\u000aHow Often You Should Visit \u000d\u000aRegular dermatological visits are essential for \u000d\u000amaintaining skin health and detecting potential \u000d\u000aissues early. Here are some general guidelines \u000d\u000ato keep in mind.\u000d\u000a\u2022 Annual Skin Checks: Schedule \u000d\u000acomprehensive skin examinations with \u000d\u000aa dermatologist at least once a year, \u000d\u000aespecially if you have a history of skin \u000d\u000acancer, extensive sun exposure or \u000d\u000anumerous moles. Your primary care \u000d\u000aphysician can be a good starting point for \u000d\u000askin checks, which should be part of your \u000d\u000aannual physical.\u000d\u000a\u2022 Regular Follow-ups: For chronic skin \u000d\u000aconditions or ongoing treatments, follow\u0002up appointments may be necessary to \u000d\u000amonitor progress and adjust treatment \u000d\u000aplans as needed.\u000d\u000a\u2022 As Needed: In addition to routine \u000d\u000avisits, consult a dermatologist whenever \u000d\u000ayou notice changes in your skin that \u000d\u000aare concerning or persistent. Early \u000d\u000aintervention can often prevent more \u000d\u000aserious complications.\u000d\u000aBelieve it or not, your skin starts to show signs \u000d\u000aof aging in your mid-20s, so that\u2019s a good time \u000d\u000ato begin a routine of seeing a dermatologist. \u000d\u000aAnd as we age, our skin becomes thinner \u000d\u000aand loses water (and elasticity) more easily. \u000d\u000aMedications and medical conditions can also \u000d\u000achange our skin condition. The most common \u000d\u000askin diseases in older people are eczema, skin \u000d\u000ainfections and severely dry and itchy skin.\u000d\u000aSpending time in the sun can feel so \u000d\u000awonderful, but it can also mean more UVA \u000d\u000aand UVB radiation exposure, leading to \u000d\u000apremature aging and increasing the risk of \u000d\u000adeveloping skin cancers. In addition to seeing \u000d\u000aa dermatologist, protect yourself by staying out \u000d\u000aof the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when \u000d\u000aUVB rays are at their highest intensity.\u000d\u000aWhen it comes to sunscreen, the higher the \u000d\u000aSPF, the better. Apply it liberally at least 20 \u000d\u000aminutes before sun exposure and every two \u000d\u000ahours (or more frequently if you\u2019re perspiring \u000d\u000aor in and out of the water). Be sure to apply it \u000d\u000ato your ears, scalp, lips, neck, tops of feet and \u000d\u000abacks of hands. There are great and stylish sun\u0002protecting clothing options as well. And don\u2019t \u000d\u000aforget the hat.\u000d\u000aAs people live longer and skin cancer and \u000d\u000aother conditions continue to rise, the demand \u000d\u000afor more dermatologists is steadily increasing. \u000d\u000aGetting an appointment can sometimes be \u000d\u000achallenging, so it\u2019s a good idea to be proactive \u000d\u000aand add a visit to the dermatologist to your \u000d\u000aannual health plan.\u000d\u000aSpending time \u000d\u000ain the sun can \u000d\u000afeel so wonderful, \u000d\u000abut it can also \u000d\u000amean more \u000d\u000aexposure","1611 Gaspar Drive South\u000d\u000aBoca Grande Isles\u000d\u000a4BR / 4BA / 2HB / 6,128 SqFt\u000d\u000aLOCATED ON 100\u2019 OF DEEP WATER \u000d\u000aon the Boca Grande Bayou, this Boca \u000d\u000aGrande Isles home provides direct \u000d\u000aboating access to Charlotte Harbor \u000d\u000aand the Gulf of Mexico (no bridges) \u000d\u000aand is situated on over half an acre of \u000d\u000aland with a 3-car garage and features \u000d\u000aan elevator and NEW roof, hot water \u000d\u000aheaters, and HVAC systems.\u000d\u000a$9,450,000\u000d\u000aCOASTAL CONNECTIONS\u000d\u000a260 Seabreeze Court\u000d\u000aSeabreeze\u000d\u000a4BR / 4BA / 2,379 SqFt\u000d\u000aSOUTH FACING LOT WITH GORGEOUS \u000d\u000aLIGHT! This beautifully appointed 2016 \u000d\u000ahome just south of town is located on \u000d\u000aan 80\u2019 x 135\u2019 lot creating an incredibly \u000d\u000agenerous and private outdoor pool \u000d\u000aoasis with sunshine all day long! The \u000d\u000akitchen features luxury appliances, \u000d\u000amarble and quartz countertops, and \u000d\u000athe home is enhanced with gorgeous \u000d\u000awhite oak floors throughout.\u000d\u000a$6,395,000\u000d\u000a4658 Arlington Drive\u000d\u000aCape Haze Windward\u000d\u000a3BR / 2BA / 1HB / 2,725 SqFt\u000d\u000aThis recently renovated retreat nestled \u000d\u000aon over 1/2 acre in the quiet community \u000d\u000aof Cape Haze Windward in Placida, is \u000d\u000abeautifully positioned on Amberjack \u000d\u000aCreek with boat access to Coral Creek \u000d\u000aand Gasparilla Sound. With an open \u000d\u000afloor plan and soaring ceilings, this \u000d\u000aspacious pool home with spa boasts \u000d\u000anatural light, fresh white interior paint, \u000d\u000aand gorgeous new Saltillo tile floors \u000d\u000athroughout.\u000d\u000a$ 995,000","21 Seawatch Drive\u000d\u000aSeawatch Boca Grande\u000d\u000a3 BR / 3 BA / 3,196 SqFt\u000d\u000aLOCATED ON THE BEST BEACH IN \u000d\u000aBOCA GRANDE! If you\u2019re seeking the \u000d\u000aSHORE LIFE in a gated community with \u000d\u000athe best shelling in Boca Grande with \u000d\u000alower fees, this community is 3 miles \u000d\u000aaway from the nearest public access. \u000d\u000aThis beach house with Gulf views has \u000d\u000abeen renovated to expand the kitchen \u000d\u000aand raise the ceilings in the Florida \u000d\u000aroom. \u000d\u000a$4,895,000\u000d\u000a521 Buttonwood Bay Drive\u000d\u000aSouth Bay / Boca Bay\u000d\u000a3BR / 3BA / 3,006 SqFt\u000d\u000aBEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED HOME \u000d\u000aWITH STUNNING HARBOR VIEWS! \u000d\u000aThis elegant home in the private, gated \u000d\u000acommunity of South Bay, Boca Bay, \u000d\u000acomes with world class amenities! Short \u000d\u000aterm boat dockage, four swimming \u000d\u000apools (lap pool just a few doors down!), \u000d\u000aGulf front members\u2019 only club house \u000d\u000aand restaurant, tennis courts/pro-shop, \u000d\u000aprivate fishing pier, and fitness center.\u000d\u000a$6,850,000\u000d\u000aLUXURY LIFESTYLES\u000d\u000aJamie Curry\u000d\u000aREALTORR\u000d\u000aDirect: (941) 716-1018\u000d\u000aJamie.Curry@SothebysRealty.com\u000d\u000aDowntown: 336 Park Avenue, Boca Grande, FL 33921\u000d\u000aBoca Grande Club: 5000 Gasparilla Rd, Boca Grande, FL 33921\u000d\u000aJamieCurry.com\u000d\u000aNothing compares to Boca Grande","ITALIANO\u000d\u000aTHOROUGH \u000d\u000aBRED\u000d\u000aPROTECTING FLORIDA HOMES & BUSINESSES FOR OVER 60 YEARS PROTECTING FLORIDA HOMES & BUSINESSES FOR OVER 60 YEARS","","A growing testament to one \u000d\u000afamily\u2019s vision for building a \u000d\u000ateachable garden paradise in \u000d\u000aVenice. \u000d\u000aBy Garland Pollard\u000d\u000aPhotos by Matthew Gutman\u000d\u000aINSPIRED\u000d\u000aBY THE\u000d\u000aCREATOR\u000d\u000a32 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024\u000d\u000aAt right, the garden now has an area for groups, \u000d\u000aas well as weddings. Above, the garden is not \u000d\u000aabout the individual plants themselves, but about \u000d\u000athe ecosystem, including the pollinators. ","Anyone who has contemplated the story of \u000d\u000aGenesis and wondered what the world might \u000d\u000alook like if Adam and Eve had made better \u000d\u000achoices will have some understanding of the work \u000d\u000aof Patti Toney, proprietor of the Creator\u2019s Farm and \u000d\u000aGarden.\u000d\u000aPart farm and part botanical garden, Creator\u2019s \u000d\u000aFarm is located west of Venice off of River Road, in a \u000d\u000awooded area of canopy live oaks. It opened only in \u000d\u000a2023 but after years of planning and a long search to \u000d\u000afind the perfect piece of property.\u000d\u000a\u201cYou know God has a better plan than you do,\u201d \u000d\u000asaid Patti Toney, who founded the garden with her \u000d\u000ahusband Grant.\u000d\u000aWhen the Toneys made the decision to start the \u000d\u000agarden, they searched for a number of properties \u000d\u000aand went through a few before finding the current \u000d\u000alocation, which is just off Interstate 75 and convenient \u000d\u000ato Sarasota, Venice and Punta Gorda. The site, \u000d\u000awhile smaller than some of the original properties \u000d\u000aconsidered, also had more woods, which allowed it to \u000d\u000ahave more of a structure than an empty, larger field.\u000d\u000a\u201cIt had all the trees, so it has become, I think, what \u000d\u000aGod wants it to be,\u201d Toney said.\u000d\u000aThat helped them get the project off the ground \u000d\u000afaster. Today, local volunteers have been recruited, \u000d\u000aand they are attracting church and school groups, as \u000d\u000awell as individuals who are interested in the plants of \u000d\u000athe Bible.\u000d\u000aThe gardens, as they are designed, take you \u000d\u000athrough the Bible and include many of the plants \u000d\u000afound in the Bible, including an aquaponics tank with \u000d\u000aSt. Peter\u2019s Fish, or the tilapia, which is found in the Sea \u000d\u000aof Galilee.\u000d\u000aIn the garden, you start at Creation, then go to The \u000d\u000aWord. Subsequent garden areas include Advent, \u000d\u000aJesus, Salvation, the Church, New Creation, Blessings, \u000d\u000aLight vs. Dark and End Times. Throughout the garden \u000d\u000aare both edible and medicinal plants. The idea is that \u000d\u000aas the garden grows in and evolves, it will become \u000d\u000asomething different each time a visitor comes.\u000d\u000a\u201cThere is always more to see in the gardens,\u201d Toney \u000d\u000asaid.\u000d\u000aThe project has parallels throughout the Old \u000d\u000aTestament, not only in the Garden of Eden, but with \u000d\u000aNoah, who collected the living things of the world at a \u000d\u000atime when the world had gone awry.\u000d\u000aPatti Toney is unafraid of the theological questions \u000d\u000aabout the garden. She says that it is always hard to \u000d\u000aknow if something is a true calling, but it is a slow \u000d\u000adecision, made carefully. \u201cI like to say, \u2018I don\u2019t really \u000d\u000aknow... is this decision from God, or not from God?\u2019 \u201c \u000d\u000aToney said. \u201cWe can\u2019t really say until we look back.\u201d\u000d\u000aWhat is part of the impetus for the start of Creator\u2019s \u000d\u000aGarden is that they, as a family, were just living their \u000d\u000alives.\u000d\u000aLike so many people, the Toneys felt that burden to \u000d\u000afigure a new way to live their lives, in accordance with \u000d\u000atheir values. The difference is that they actually did \u000d\u000asomething about it, what they call a wish to \u201cleave a \u000d\u000alegacy.\u201d","46 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024\u000d\u000aToney, above, in one of the garden \u000d\u000apaths. The route through the \u000d\u000agrounds takes visitors through the \u000d\u000aBible chronologically.\u000d\u000a34 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024","\u2018THE GARDEN IS \u000d\u000aTHE COMPLETE \u000d\u000aANTITHESIS \u000d\u000aOF MODERN \u000d\u000aLANDSCAPES\u2019 \u000d\u000aSince their launch, they have had open houses and \u000d\u000aare now to the stage where they can offer wedding \u000d\u000areceptions.\u000d\u000a\u201cWe are learning as we go,\u201d Toney said.\u000d\u000aWhen she started, she knew little about gardening \u000d\u000aon such a large scale and had to quickly learn. To \u000d\u000ahelp put together the design, she hired Tim Watkins, \u000d\u000aof the firm Ecovision Design, to tackle the overall \u000d\u000adesign and structure. Watkins had been a 15-year \u000d\u000afarm manager at ECHO Farms in Fort Myers. ECHO is \u000d\u000aa charity that helps poorer countries with agriculture \u000d\u000abut also has a mission in promoting sustainable \u000d\u000aagriculture anywhere. It has a large number of local \u000d\u000avisitors who come to purchase plants from their \u000d\u000anursery.\u000d\u000a\u201cI love ECHO and their mission and vision,\u201d Toney \u000d\u000asaid.\u000d\u000aThe help from Watkins was not just about plants but \u000d\u000ahow to put them all together to make the place more \u000d\u000athan its parts. \u201cI had zero know-how and information,\u201d \u000d\u000aToney said. \u201cI had never made a path in gardens \u000d\u000abefore.\u201d\u000d\u000aThe person who comes to visit can learn, not \u000d\u000aonly about particular plants to include in their own \u000d\u000agardens, but what not to do. The garden is the \u000d\u000acomplete antithesis of modern \u201clandscapes\u201d which \u000d\u000acan only exist with pesticides, heavy watering and \u000d\u000apaid landscape helpers.\u000d\u000aToney had a visitor come by who lived nearby in \u000d\u000aGran Paradiso, a new Venice development known for \u000d\u000aits immaculate streets and perfect landscaping. She \u000d\u000atold Toney, upon visiting Creator\u2019s Farm, that she felt \u000d\u000alike she was in the movie The Truman Show. \u201cKeep \u000d\u000asome of the weeds for the butterflies,\u201d Toney said, \u000d\u000a\u201cdon\u2019t be so uptight.\u201d\u000d\u000aTo visit: Creator\u2019s Garden is at 3025 Frederick Dr., \u000d\u000aVenice, FL 34292 or creatorsfarmandgarden.com or \u000d\u000a(941) 275-2650.","","","Heroes \u000d\u000aof our Waters\u000d\u000aBy Sheila Evans\u000d\u000aPhotos by Matthew Gutman and Caroline Clabaugh\u000d\u000a38 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024","Southwest Florida\u2019s interest in protecting its \u000d\u000awater resources appears to be boundless. \u000d\u000aHere, water quality is everybody\u2019s business. \u000d\u000aFrom growing oysters to help clean the water \u000d\u000ain canals, rivers and the Gulf, to becoming \u000d\u000awater sampling citizen-scientists, to lobbying \u000d\u000apoliticians at every level of government, the \u000d\u000apeople of Southwest Florida are committed to \u000d\u000aensuring a healthy future for its water resources.\u000d\u000aAs a result, world-class scientific research is \u000d\u000agoing on at many levels and from a plethora \u000d\u000aof agencies and organizations. The programs \u000d\u000athat Southwest Floridians are developing are \u000d\u000abeing advanced by scientists, people making \u000d\u000atheir living on the water (such as fishers, boat \u000d\u000acaptains, etc.), property owners, government \u000d\u000aagencies and the general citizenry. \u000d\u000aMuch of the research is being followed, \u000d\u000areplicated and purchased by organizations in \u000d\u000aother parts of the country, \u000d\u000aand even farther afield. \u000d\u000aSouthwest Florida is \u000d\u000arecognized as a leader in \u000d\u000awater resource research. \u000d\u000aMote Marine Laboratory, \u000d\u000afor instance, has developed \u000d\u000atechniques to create \u000d\u000aeffective algaecides that \u000d\u000acan diminish the negative \u000d\u000aimpacts of harmful \u000d\u000aalgae blooms. It has also \u000d\u000adeveloped mechanical tools \u000d\u000ato deliver the algaecides in \u000d\u000asafe and effective ways, and \u000d\u000athen to track the success of \u000d\u000athe work. \u000d\u000aCombining education and research, The \u000d\u000aWater School at Florida Gulf Coast University \u000d\u000ain Lee County, approaches its water research \u000d\u000aprojects with a \u201cBig Tent\u201d approach, bringing \u000d\u000amany people together to address the various \u000d\u000aissues involved, according to Dr. Greg Tolley, \u000d\u000acreator and head of the specialized school. \u000d\u000a\u201cThis is not a problem a single entity can solve \u000d\u000aalone,\u201d Tolley said.\u000d\u000aThat sentiment is echoed by every agency \u000d\u000aand organization looking to protect our waters.\u000d\u000aCalusa Waterkeeper Codty Pierce expressed \u000d\u000ait a little differently. \u201cEnvironmental-based \u000d\u000aorganizations have to be like \u2018a Swiss army \u000d\u000aknife\u2019 because we are not only dealing with the \u000d\u000acommunity side of issues, we also deal with the \u000d\u000aenvironmental side,\u201d Pierce said.\u000d\u000aThe Waterkeepers is another group \u000d\u000adedicated to water resource protection. \u000d\u000aIt covers a specific watershed, which \u000d\u000aincludes all of Lake Okeechobee, the entire \u000d\u000aCaloosahatcheee River, Nichodemus Slough \u000d\u000aand all of the near-shore estuary waters from \u000d\u000aBoca Grande, south to Bonita Beach Road. \u000d\u000aThe organization is \u201chyper-focused on \u000d\u000aactual science, water testing, advocacy and \u000d\u000apolicy regarding the human impacts of our \u000d\u000awater resources, with respect to the cultural \u000d\u000aimportance of this area, as well as our natural \u000d\u000abounty,\u201d Pierce said. It uses many volunteer \u000d\u000acitizen-scientists to help do the work of testing \u000d\u000aand advocacy. \u000d\u000aFor the Coastal & Heartland National Estuary \u000d\u000aPartnership, headquartered in Port Charlotte, \u000d\u000athe focus is on protecting the water quality and \u000d\u000awildlife in and around Charlotte Harbor. is \u000d\u000auniting Central and Southwest the quality of the \u000d\u000awater in Charlotte Harbor and its surroundings. \u000d\u000aIt is a partnership comprised of local, state and \u000d\u000afederal governmental entities, \u000d\u000aas well as non-governmental \u000d\u000aorganizations across a \u000d\u000a10-county regional area, \u000d\u000astretching from Winter Haven \u000d\u000ato Bonita Springs to Lake \u000d\u000aOkeechobee. \u000d\u000aThey do research, restoration \u000d\u000aand public education initiatives \u000d\u000aaround preserving the \u000d\u000aexceptional natural resources in \u000d\u000aour region. \u000d\u000aThe list of organizations \u000d\u000aworking on water resource \u000d\u000aissues just in the Charlotte \u000d\u000aand Lee counties region of \u000d\u000aSouthwest Florida is long and varied. To give \u000d\u000aan overview of them, without going into depth \u000d\u000aabout their work, approaches, successes and \u000d\u000achallenges does not do them real justice. It can, \u000d\u000ahowever provide a place to start in explaining \u000d\u000athe tremendous commitment the people of \u000d\u000aSouthwest Florida have to protecting these vital \u000d\u000aresources. \u000d\u000aA piece of good news is that most of these \u000d\u000aorganizations talk to each other \u2014 a lot. They \u000d\u000ado so on an informal, as well as a formal \u000d\u000abasis, sharing insights, reporting on findings, \u000d\u000aavoiding duplication and so forth. Such \u000d\u000acollaboration goes on even after hours and on \u000d\u000aweekends since so many of these folks are in \u000d\u000athe work because of their commitment to the \u000d\u000aenvironment and the area. They are our water \u000d\u000aheros.\u000d\u000aWhile this overview is not exhaustive, the \u000d\u000afollowing pages include a quick summary of \u000d\u000awhat 10 of the organizations do.\u000d\u000a\u201cThis is not \u000d\u000aa problem a \u000d\u000asingle entity \u000d\u000acan solve \u000d\u000aalone.\u201d","Calusa Waterkeepers \u000d\u000aThe Waterkeepers are a nationwide organization, \u000d\u000awith 15 chapters in Florida, alone. They are based on \u000d\u000awatersheds, and work to safeguard the region\u2019s water \u000d\u000aresources, promote environmental awareness and \u000d\u000aadvocate for policies that protect and enhance water \u000d\u000aquality. It\u2019s mission is to preserve the natural beauty and \u000d\u000aecological balance of Southwest Florida\u2019s waterways by \u000d\u000afocusing on the impacts of human involvement with the \u000d\u000aresources. The local chapter covers all the watersheds \u000d\u000aand estuaries within the territory from the Caloosahatchee \u000d\u000aRiver to Lake Ochechobee, and from Boca Grande to \u000d\u000aBonita Springs. It is implementing a groundbreaking \u000d\u000aaerosolized cyanotoxins testing program, and is operating \u000d\u000aa \u201cverticle oyster garden\u201d project, in which it solicits oyster \u000d\u000ashells from restaurants and recycles them to grow new \u000d\u000aand larger oysters, providing food for humans and others, \u000d\u000aand providing nature\u2019s water cleaning system. They grow \u000d\u000aon docks, sea walls and other structures and are tended \u000d\u000aby citizen-volunteers. \u000d\u000acalusawaterkeeper.org\u000d\u000aCaptains for Clean Water \u000d\u000aCaptains For Clean Water is on a mission to restore and \u000d\u000aprotect aquatic ecosystems for the use and enjoyment \u000d\u000aof all. Captains For Clean Water is a grassroots 501(c)3 \u000d\u000anonprofit organization that fights to restore and protect \u000d\u000athe water resources. It was started in 2016 by some fishing \u000d\u000aguides concerned about what they considered Florida\u2019s \u000d\u000apoor water management practices that were devastating \u000d\u000athe estuaries they relied on. They believed the solution \u000d\u000ahad been delayed for decades, due to lack of political \u000d\u000awill and public awareness. So, they set out to change that \u000d\u000athrough supporting science-based solutions and fostering \u000d\u000aawareness and education. They successfully empowered \u000d\u000apeople to speak up for their local water quality and \u000d\u000aheld elected officials accountable. They have united \u000d\u000amany in the outdoor industry, environmental groups, \u000d\u000athe business community and concerned citizens around \u000d\u000athese important issues. As a result, they believe progress \u000d\u000ais happening at a record pace, but there still is a long way \u000d\u000ato go. They hold that citizens must fight to protect their \u000d\u000aresources for future generations\u000d\u000acaptainsforcleanwater.org\u000d\u000aCoastal & Heartland National \u000d\u000aEstuary Partnership \u000d\u000aThe Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership \u000d\u000ais comprised of local, state and federal governmental \u000d\u000aentities, as well as non-governmental organizations, \u000d\u000aacross a 10-county regional area, stretching from Winter \u000d\u000aHaven to Bonita Springs to Lake Okeechobee. They \u000d\u000aundertake a variety of research, restoration and public \u000d\u000aeducation initiatives around preserving the exceptional \u000d\u000anatural resources in the region. The focus is on four key \u000d\u000aactions in the collective strategic plan: improving water \u000d\u000aquality, restoring more natural hydrology, protecting fish, \u000d\u000awildlife, and their habitats and educating and engaging \u000d\u000athe public.\u000d\u000achnep.org\u000d\u000a40 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024","Florida Department of \u000d\u000aEnvironmental Protection \u000d\u000aThe Florida Department of Environmental \u000d\u000aProtection is the state\u2019s lead agency for \u000d\u000aenvironmental management and stewardship, \u000d\u000aprotecting its air, water and land. It has, and \u000d\u000acontinues to acquire land to set aside for \u000d\u000aenvironmental purposes, does permitting to \u000d\u000asafeguard the natural resources and works to \u000d\u000arestore the natural environment in areas such as \u000d\u000athe Everglades, coastal areas and submerged \u000d\u000alands. It oversees more than 12 million acres of \u000d\u000apublic lands and 4 million acres of coastal uplands \u000d\u000aand submerged lands. Programs protect and \u000d\u000aimprove water quality and aquatic resources. \u000d\u000aDEP works with communities, local governments \u000d\u000aand other agencies regarding protection and \u000d\u000amonitoring of the quality of Florida\u2019s drinking \u000d\u000awater, groundwater, rivers, lakes, estuaries and \u000d\u000awetlands. It also oversees the reclamation of \u000d\u000amined lands and the preservation of the state\u2019s \u000d\u000abeach and dune systems. \u000d\u000afloridadep.gov\u000d\u000aFlorida Gulf Coast University \u000d\u000aWater School \u000d\u000aThe comprehensive nature of The Water School \u000d\u000aat FGCU allows it to focus on key areas critical \u000d\u000ato South Florida\u2019s water-driven world: climate \u000d\u000achange, natural resources, ecosystem health \u000d\u000aand well-being, restoration and remediation. \u000d\u000aWith 400 acres of protected habitat, FGCU is \u000d\u000aan environmental lab with sustainability at the \u000d\u000acore of its mission. Its award-winning initiatives \u000d\u000ain education, energy production, research and \u000d\u000asustainable practices make it one of the nation\u2019s \u000d\u000agreenest campuses \u2014 the perfect place to develop \u000d\u000aa university-level school devoted to water resource \u000d\u000aresearch and program development.\u000d\u000afgcu.edu","42 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024\u000d\u000aLemon Bay Conservancy \u000d\u000aLemon Bay\u2019s long-range vision is: To forever \u000d\u000aprotect and preserve the natural features of Lemon \u000d\u000aBay, Charlotte Harbor, their surrounding waters \u000d\u000aand uplands and vital fish and wildlife habitat, \u000d\u000athrough property preservation, environmental \u000d\u000aeducation and advocacy for sustainable land \u000d\u000aand water conservation policies and practices. To \u000d\u000asupport that long-range vision, the organization \u000d\u000afocuses its mission in three areas: saving land, \u000d\u000aenvironmental education and advocacy for \u000d\u000asustainable environmental policies. \u000d\u000alemonbayconservancy.org\u000d\u000aMote Marine Laboratory \u000d\u000aMote Marine Laboratory is an independent, \u000d\u000anonprofit marine research institution comprising \u000d\u000aworld-class marine scientists committed to the \u000d\u000abelief that the conservation and sustainable use of \u000d\u000aour oceans begins with research and education. \u000d\u000aOriginally established in Placida, just off Gasparilla \u000d\u000aIsland, it is now headquartered in Sarasota and \u000d\u000aincludes more than 20 diverse marine research \u000d\u000aprograms. Originally focused on sharks, its \u000d\u000aresearch has expanded to include studies of \u000d\u000ahuman cancer using marine models, the effects \u000d\u000aof human-made and natural toxic substances on \u000d\u000ahumans and on the environment, developing \u000d\u000asustainable and successful fish restocking \u000d\u000atechniques and food production technologies, the \u000d\u000ahealth of wild fisheries and the development of \u000d\u000aocean technology to help us better understand the \u000d\u000ahealth of the environment. Its research programs \u000d\u000aalso focus on understanding the population \u000d\u000adynamics of manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, \u000d\u000asharks and coral reefs and on conservation and \u000d\u000arestoration efforts related to these species and \u000d\u000aecosystems.\u000d\u000amote.org\u000d\u000aSanibel-Captiva\u000d\u000aConservation Foundation \u000d\u000aFounded in 1967, the Sanibel-Captiva \u000d\u000aConservation Foundation\u2019s mission is to \u000d\u000aprotect and care for Southwest Florida\u2019s coastal \u000d\u000aecosystems through its focus on water quality \u000d\u000aresearch, policy and advocacy, sea turtles and \u000d\u000ashorebirds, native landscaping, habitat and wildlife \u000d\u000amanagement and environmental education. \u000d\u000aIt is the largest private landowner on Sanibel \u000d\u000aIsland, managing more than 1,800 acres on \u000d\u000aSanibel, plus more than 300 additional acres on \u000d\u000asurrounding islands, South Fort Myers and Cape \u000d\u000aCoral. Its diverse program areas have grown \u000d\u000ato include a marine laboratory, the Sanibel Sea \u000d\u000aSchool and Coastal Watch. Community support \u000d\u000athrough membership dues and tax-deductible \u000d\u000acontributions, in addition to grants and staff\u0002generated revenue, makes this work possible. The \u000d\u000afoundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. \u000d\u000aIts marine laboratory conducts research on \u000d\u000asubjects like seagrass, mangroves, harmful algal \u000d\u000ablooms and shellfish. The lab also oversees a \u000d\u000anext-generation water quality sensor network \u000d\u000athroughout the Caloosahatchee River. \u000d\u000asccf.org\u000d\u000aSouth Florida Water \u000d\u000aManagement District\u000d\u000aThe South Florida Water Management District \u000d\u000ais the oldest and largest of the state\u2019s five water \u000d\u000amanagement districts, managing water resources \u000d\u000ain a 16-county region that stretches from Orlando \u000d\u000ato the Florida Keys, serving a population of 9 \u000d\u000amillion people. Nicknamed Swiftmud, for SFWMD, \u000d\u000athey are a special taxing district, and was formed \u000d\u000aoriginally as a flood control agency. Since the early \u000d\u000a1970s, it has also been given responsibilty for \u000d\u000awater quality in the surface waters and the aquifer \u000d\u000athroughout South Florida, including the Kissimmee \u000d\u000aRiver and the Everglades. It has a large science \u000d\u000astaff, and manages water levels, as well as water \u000d\u000aquality in Lake Ocheechobee, the second-largest \u000d\u000anatural freshwater lake contained entirely within \u000d\u000athe contiguous 48 states, after Lake Michigan. The \u000d\u000aagency has a large team of scientists, engineers, \u000d\u000aproject managers, financial analysts, administrative \u000d\u000astaff and many others devoted to water resource \u000d\u000aprotection. \u000d\u000asfwmd.gov\u000d\u000aU.S. Army Corps of Engineers \u000d\u000aThe U. S. Army Corps of Engineers builds and \u000d\u000amaintains large-scale water projects, such as the \u000d\u000adike surrounding Lake Okeechobee and the \u000d\u000aenvironmental reflooding of the waters that flow \u000d\u000ain and out of the lake. Initially, from the 1920s \u000d\u000aand onward, flood control was the major goal of \u000d\u000aits work in the state, but since the 1970s, water \u000d\u000aquality has become a major focus for this agency. \u000d\u000aAmong the tools it brings to this effort is the Water \u000d\u000aResources Remote Sensing/GIS Technology \u000d\u000aCenter. The Center\u2019s mission is to provide \u000d\u000aremote sensing and GIS technology to assist in \u000d\u000adata management and analysis. Nearly every \u000d\u000aenvironmental agency benefits from the array of \u000d\u000ainformation that can be accessed through this high \u000d\u000atech, integrated, geospacial data system.\u000d\u000ausace.army.mil","Lemon Bay Conservancy, \u000d\u000acleaning the bay\u000d\u000a\u2018One Dock at a Time\u2019\u000d\u000aPractical Applications for protecting our waters\u000d\u000aThe umpteen organizations that serve the ideal of improved water have a myriad of \u000d\u000aprojects, large and small, that protect our waters, including Lemon Bay Conservancy\u2019s \u000d\u000avertical oyster gardens.\u000d\u000aVertical oyster gardens are strings of recycled oyster shells that the Lemon Bay Conservancy \u000d\u000acollects from local Englewood restaurants.\u00a0When suspended in tidal waters, these gardens \u000d\u000aprovide the ideal habitat for young larval oysters to attach to the shells and grow into adult \u000d\u000aoysters capable of filtering up to 50 gallons of water per day.\u000d\u000aStudies have shown that not only do they contribute to water filtration and promote cleaner \u000d\u000awater for healthy seagrass, but they also provide habitat for other marine animals and fish.\u00a0\u000d\u000aLemon Bay Conservancy is offering free oyster gardens to anyone who owns a dock on a \u000d\u000atidal body of water. Oysters only grow in saltwater, so freshwater docks do not work as garden.\u000d\u000aVisit lemonbayconservancy.org/lemon-baywatch/oyster-gardening/","Daily Rates: $5 per foot per night \u000d\u000a(With a 25\u2019 minimum, per month plus tax) \u000d\u000aMonthly Rates: $29 per foot per month \u000d\u000a(Based on size of slip - Electric is metered) \u000d\u000aOpen Accepting Reservations\u000d\u000aEmail: Builders@Schark1.com","","What\u2019s in a \u000d\u000a\u2018Boca\u2019 Grande\u000d\u000aBrand Name\u000d\u000aFrom furniture lines to a \u000d\u000adefunct boating company, \u000d\u000athe name Boca Grande \u000d\u000asells the brand\u000d\u000aBy Garland Pollard\u000d\u000aFacing page right, the Thibaut wallpaper Boca, which takes a faux Chippendale \u000d\u000aapproach to the Boca Grande look. Thibaut is among the world\u2019s oldest \u000d\u000awallpaper companies, and specializes in classic looks compatible with Florida \u000d\u000adesigns. This page, the Boca Grande fabric pattern by Carole Fabrics of \u000d\u000aAugusta, Georgia. It takes an arts and crafts era look, resembling Liberty of \u000d\u000aLondon. Inset facing page, The Gasparilla Inn pirate logo, which is trademarked \u000d\u000aby the hotel.\u000d\u000a46 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024","When the Bradenton outdoor furniture \u000d\u000acompany, David Frank Luxury Swing \u000d\u000aCompany, created a line of outdoor patio \u000d\u000aloungers, they picked the product name Boca \u000d\u000aGrande to go along with other product names like \u000d\u000aLaguna and Capistrano, famous beach locations \u000d\u000ain California.\u000d\u000aThe reason was not about positioning but pure \u000d\u000alove for a place.\u000d\u000a\u201cI love Boca Grande and have many customers \u000d\u000athere,\u201d Frank said. \u201cSo I named my chairs after the \u000d\u000aisland.\u201d\u000d\u000aThat the name Boca Grande has become a \u000d\u000amarketing word should not be surprising. Resort \u000d\u000aand beach areas have always been used as \u000d\u000aproduct and brand names. Florida has a long \u000d\u000atradition of this practice. Of the known cities \u000d\u000aand destinations of Florida, many cities become \u000d\u000afamous product brands, from the Chevrolet \u000d\u000aBiscayne and Chrysler Sebring to the Palm Beach \u000d\u000aline of menswear and the Hav-a-Tampa brand of \u000d\u000acigar.\u000d\u000aPlace names in Florida take on particular \u000d\u000apersonas; the connotations for a product \u000d\u000aassociated with Daytona, for instance, are different \u000d\u000athan Key West or Pensacola.\u000d\u000aBut perhaps because of its size and anonymity, \u000d\u000aBoca Grande has not gotten the attention in \u000d\u000amarketing as a product name. For decades, you \u000d\u000acould not tell anyone you were going to Boca \u000d\u000aGrande without a large number thinking of \u000d\u000aanother Boca, Boca Raton.\u000d\u000aThe sitcom Seinfeld spoke of Boca Raton as \u000d\u000a\u201cBoca\u201d without ever worrying about confusing \u000d\u000apeople. The word \u201cBoca\u201d even became \u000d\u000aa joke, as Jerry Seinfeld\u2019s parents Morty \u000d\u000aand Helen live at \u201cDel Boca Vista,\u201d \u000d\u000awhere Kramer runs for president of the \u000d\u000aHOA. There are about 150 trademarks \u000d\u000aassociated with Boca Raton, including \u000d\u000acosmetics and bathroom accessories. \u000d\u000aThis is likely due to the fame of the \u000d\u000aBoca Raton Resort & Club, which holds \u000d\u000atrademarks on all manner of products \u000d\u000afrom its proprietary suntan lotion to its \u000d\u000agolf attire.\u000d\u000aWhen Walt Disney World needed a name \u000d\u000afor the restaurant at Disney\u2019s Grand Floridian \u000d\u000aResort & Spa back in 1988, they picked the name \u000d\u000aGasparilla Island Grill, not Boca Grande. The white \u000d\u000acolumns and front might have looked the same, \u000d\u000abut the word Gasparilla Island evoked Disney\u2019s \u000d\u000adesigners more than an unknown Boca Grande.\u000d\u000aWhile there are no U.S. trademarks using \u000d\u000athe word \u201cGasparilla Island,\u201d \u201cThe Gasparilla \u000d\u000aInn\u201d holds five different trademarks, including \u000d\u000aa registration for their pirate logo, which was \u000d\u000arenewed in August of 2023, after being registered \u000d\u000afirst in 2013. Also, first appearing as a trademark \u000d\u000ais the shell logo used by The Gasparilla Inn, which \u000d\u000athe federal government cites as first use around \u000d\u000a2008.\u000d\u000a\u201cThe Gasparilla Inn & Club\u201d is itself a trademark, \u000d\u000aand while they applied for formal status in 2013, \u000d\u000athey listed on their application that their first use \u000d\u000awas as early as 1913.\u000d\u000aAs the popularity of Boca Grande has grown, \u000d\u000aproducts and places named for it have appeared \u000d\u000aon the market. Just off the island, and under \u000d\u000aconstruction, is the Cabana Bay RV Resort by \u000d\u000aBoca Grande. In the planning stages is the Boca \u000d\u000aGrande Peninsula Resort & Marina, at the site of \u000d\u000athe old fishery in Placida.\u000d\u000aWhile every manner of place \u000d\u000aname is used on products and \u000d\u000aservices, a place name, to be a \u000d\u000auseful product brand, must not only \u000d\u000abe evocative but be well known \u000d\u000aenough to indicate something about \u000d\u000athe product.\u000d\u000aThe U.S. Patent and Trademark \u000d\u000aoffice today has five actual product \u000d\u000atrademarks using Boca Grande, \u000d\u000aincluding a clothing line by the \u000d\u000acompany Bimini Bay and its parent \u000d\u000aFolsom Company. Folsom holds a trademark \u000d\u000aon \u201cBoca Grande\u201d in the category men\u2019s and \u000d\u000awomen\u2019s shirts, shorts, pants, jackets and \u000d\u000aswimwear.\u000d\u000aIn the category of furniture, Panama Jack \u000d\u000aCompany has a U.S. trademark on the word \u000d\u000a\u201cBoca Grande\u201d in the category of armchairs and \u000d\u000afurniture.\u000d\u000aThere are also trademarks on various apparel \u000d\u000arelated to Boca Grande and using the Boca \u000d\u000aGrande name from on the island, including the \u000d\u000a\u201cWorld\u2019s Greatest Tarpon Fishing Boca Grande\u201d \u000d\u000alogo by Gasparilla Outfitters.","Also formally trademarked is \u201cBoca \u000d\u000aGrande Club\u201d owned by the Boca Grande \u000d\u000aHomeowners Association.\u000d\u000aIn the past, there have been trademarks on a \u000d\u000aBoca Grande brand of wine by Sonoma Estate \u000d\u000aVintners, as well as others trademarking a Boca \u000d\u000aGrande Beer brand and a Boca Grande Salsa, \u000d\u000abut those trademarks are no longer registered.\u000d\u000aBut of course, you do not \u000d\u000ahave to have a trademark \u000d\u000ato use the term Boca \u000d\u000aGrande. Boca Grande now \u000d\u000aappears on a wide variety \u000d\u000aof items as a product \u000d\u000adescriptor, and many local \u000d\u000aservice businesses use \u000d\u000aBoca Grande as part of \u000d\u000atheir trade names.\u000d\u000aThe South Carolina \u000d\u000abrand Heybo Outdoors \u000d\u000aoffered shirts with a \u201cBoca \u000d\u000aGrande\u201d brand, slightly like \u000d\u000atheir Edisto Banks line.\u000d\u000aOne of the greatest \u000d\u000abut forgotten brands \u000d\u000aassociated with Boca \u000d\u000aGrande is the Boca Grande \u000d\u000aBoats company. With a factory in Clearwater, \u000d\u000aBoca Grande Boats was started by noted boat \u000d\u000adesigner and entrepreneur Charles E. Morgan, \u000d\u000afounder of the Morgan Yacht Corporation. \u000d\u000aMorgan started the firm in 1972, after selling \u000d\u000athe firm he founded to Beatrice Foods. He \u000d\u000abegan selling the Boca Grande Pass Master 26 \u000d\u000ain 1973, for an initial price of $4,995. A follow \u000d\u000aup Silver King model was planned, as well.\u000d\u000aThe boat followed in the tradition of many \u000d\u000alocally crafted fishing boats built for Boca \u000d\u000aGrande, and tarpon fishing in general. The \u000d\u000aTop, the locally built Boca \u000d\u000aBug, one of the original \u000d\u000aBoca Grande style fishing \u000d\u000aboats that preceded the \u000d\u000aBoca Grande line of boats, \u000d\u000aand the Boca Grande \u000d\u000aPassmaster. Center, the \u000d\u000apromotional specs for \u000d\u000athe Boca Grande Pass \u000d\u000aMaster, as provided by \u000d\u000athe Clearwater company \u000d\u000ain 1973. Bottom, the Epic \u000d\u000aBoca Grande fly rod. It \u000d\u000aretails for $447.\u000d\u000a48 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024","most notable of those wooden boats was Boca Bug; \u000d\u000athe V hull gave the vessel stability in the pass.\u000d\u000aThe boats had wide beams, and the design, \u000d\u000aaccording to legend, came from the tradition of \u000d\u000apicking up crates of booze at night. \u000d\u000aThe Pass Master was quite a luxury item, and the \u000d\u000abrand made a mention in Boca Grande author Jane \u000d\u000aFletcher Geniesse\u2019s 1976 debut novel, The Riches \u000d\u000aof Life, where a well-to-do New Yorker becomes a \u000d\u000astolen antiquities trader. \u000d\u000aThe Pass Master is referenced as an aspirational \u000d\u000aluxury good by one of \u000d\u000aGeniesse\u2019s characters, saying, \u000d\u000a\u201cBoca Grande Pass Master\u00a026 \u000d\u000awith 200 horses, I could go \u000d\u000athrough anything. A boat like \u000d\u000athat has wings. I could get out \u000d\u000ato some decent fishing - out \u000d\u000aabout thirty miles offshore \u000d\u000a\u2014 and back again without \u000d\u000ataking the whole day at it.\u201d\u000d\u000aThe boat designer Morgan \u000d\u000adied in 2023, but not before \u000d\u000aover 100 Boca Grande yachts, both sailboats \u000d\u000aand power boats, were made in St. Petersburg. \u000d\u000aMorgan even designed many of the vessels at Walt \u000d\u000aDisney World, including the Jungle Cruise boats, \u000d\u000asubmarines and steam launches. \u000d\u000aOf Morgan\u2019s Boca Grande boat line, hundreds \u000d\u000awere made, and the ones that have survived \u000d\u000ahave stood the test of time. Morgan shared the \u000d\u000aPass Master design with Bruce Bidwell; Boating \u000d\u000amagazine said of the Pass Master, \u201cWe were \u000d\u000aimpressed. The Pass Master 26 is studded with \u000d\u000adetails that will \u000d\u000agladden the heart of \u000d\u000aany serious boatman\u2014\u000d\u000afisherman or not.\u201d\u000d\u000aThe molds were \u000d\u000areportedly purchased \u000d\u000aby Gause Built Marine \u000d\u000aof Tarpon Springs; \u000d\u000athe designs are very \u000d\u000amuch similar, though \u000d\u000athe name no longer \u000d\u000aremains. There was \u000d\u000aalso a Doral Boca \u000d\u000aGrande model of small motor cruiser, made in \u000d\u000aCanada and sold worldwide.\u000d\u000aAs one of the owners of an original Boca Grande \u000d\u000aPass Master put it in a boating newsletter, \u201cIt is a very \u000d\u000awell-built boat, and it is a constant head-turner as no \u000d\u000aone can tell what the hell it is, but that\u2019s somewhat of \u000d\u000athe best part.\u201d\u000d\u000aWhich could very well be said of Boca Grande \u000d\u000aitself.\u000d\u000aTop, Panama Jack\u0002branded Boca Grande \u000d\u000afurniture. It has a teak/\u000d\u000anautical feel and spartan \u000d\u000alines. Center, the Boca \u000d\u000aGrande chair from the \u000d\u000aBradenton firm of David \u000d\u000aFrank. Bottom, Boca \u000d\u000aGrande Saaka sunglasses. ","","Ageless Contemporary Clothing & accessories\u000d\u000aOpen 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday\u000d\u000aLemon Bay Plaza\u000d\u000a941.473.2555 \u2022 www.auraboutiquefl.com\u000d\u000a 1825 Englewood Rd \u2022 Englewood, Fl 34223\u000d\u000aFollow us on & auraboutique_englewood","Royal Order\u000d\u000a of Ponce de \u000d\u000a Leon Conquistadors\u000d\u000aBy Sheila Evans Photos of 2024 gathering from\u000d\u000aRoyal Order of Conquistadors\u000d\u000a52 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024","There\u2019s an unusual group of men in the \u000d\u000aPort Charlotte area who have a special \u000d\u000arelationship with the history of Charlotte \u000d\u000aHarbor. They are semi-serious re-enactors of \u000d\u000athe Conquistadors of the 1500s, with a special \u000d\u000aaffinity for Juan Ponce de Leon.\u000d\u000aThey are called the Royal Order of Ponce de \u000d\u000aLeon Conquistors, and they have the puffy\u0002sleeved shirts and the fluted metal helmets to \u000d\u000afit the group\u2019s name. They make themselves \u000d\u000aavailable to speak to school groups, participate \u000d\u000ain parades and attend events that pay homage \u000d\u000ato the history of Charlotte Harbor.\u000d\u000aThe history is promoted through classroom \u000d\u000alectures, essay contests and donation of books \u000d\u000aat area schools. In addition, college scholarships \u000d\u000aare awarded to deserving seniors at each of the \u000d\u000athree Charlotte County High Schools, financed \u000d\u000aby fund raising events and bead sales. \u000d\u000aThey also are a bunch of guys who like to get \u000d\u000atogether and party.\u000d\u000aThis version of the Conquistadors has been \u000d\u000aaround Charlotte County since 1979, helping to \u000d\u000aperpetuate the Spanish and Portugese heritage \u000d\u000aof the area. They are business and professional \u000d\u000amen who are also interested in keeping alive \u000d\u000athe place Charlotte Harbor holds in the history \u000d\u000aof the country\u2019s development. \u000d\u000aLindsay Harrington, a well-known Realtor \u000d\u000ain Punta Gorda, a former mayor of the city \u000d\u000aand a former member of the State House of \u000d\u000aRepresentatives, is a long-time member of the \u000d\u000agroup, as well as its historian. \u000d\u000a\u201cI have always had a lot of interest in history,\u201d \u000d\u000aHarrington said. \u201cI grew up in an area that was \u000d\u000afull of history \u2014 Thomas Jefferson and others \u000d\u000a\u2014 and it has always been important to me.\u201d He \u000d\u000afelt the club could be a fun way to promote the \u000d\u000acity, celebrate the area\u2019s history and not have to \u000d\u000abe too serious about it. He has been a member \u000d\u000asince 1981, practically a charter member. \u000d\u000aHarrington noted that people of the state owe \u000d\u000aPonce de Leon quite a bit. \u000d\u000a\u201cA lot of us are \u2018Anglos,\u2019 \u201d he said. \u201cAnd our \u000d\u000aSpanish heritage gets lost. But for more than \u000d\u000a200 years, it was the Spanish who governed \u000d\u000athis part of the world.\u201d He thinks that deserves \u000d\u000arecognition.\u000d\u000aIt was Ponce who named the state \u201cLa \u000d\u000aFlorida,\u201d since he first came upon what he \u000d\u000athought was a new island, but turned out to \u000d\u000abe the peninsula at the southern end of North \u000d\u000aAmerica. It was just before Easter, which was \u000d\u000athen celebrated as the \u201cFestival of Flowers.\u201d The \u000d\u000aname also reflected the array of colorful flora he \u000d\u000asaw in this undeveloped territory. \u000d\u000aIt is believed that Ponce may have begun his \u000d\u000aexplorations as part of the second Christopher \u000d\u000aColumbus expedition in 1493. In 1502 he was \u000d\u000ain the Caribbean as a captain, serving under the \u000d\u000aSpanish governor of Hispaniola, which is the \u000d\u000aisland that now houses Haiti and the Dominican \u000d\u000aRepublic. As a reward for suppressing an \u000d\u000aIndian mutiny, Ponce was made the provincial \u000d\u000agovernor of the eastern part of Hispaniola. \u000d\u000aHearing that there was gold on the island \u000d\u000aof Puerto Rico, Ponce explored and settled \u000d\u000athat island in 1508\u201309, and was soon named \u000d\u000agovernor of that island. \u000d\u000aThen, by 1511 Ponce returned to his \u000d\u000aexplorations and equipped three ships at his \u000d\u000aown expense, gathering some 200 men to \u000d\u000amake his own fortune, as well as boost the \u000d\u000afortune of the kingdom. It is said he set out from \u000d\u000aPuerto Rico on March 4, 1513, to explore lands \u000d\u000ato the north of the Caribbean. ","By April he had seen the area we now know \u000d\u000aas St. Augustine, and headed down the coast, \u000d\u000athrough the Keys and then up the west coast \u000d\u000aof the peninsula, ending his search in Charlotte \u000d\u000aHarbor. Then he returned to Puerto Rico, and \u000d\u000athen back to Spain, where he secured the title \u000d\u000aof military governor of Bimini and Florida, with \u000d\u000apermission to colonize those regions. That was \u000d\u000ain 1514. \u000d\u000aIn 1521 Ponce sailed again for Florida. This \u000d\u000atime there were two ships, and another 200 \u000d\u000amen, along with horses, cattle, farm implements \u000d\u000aand seed. This time they settled in Charlotte \u000d\u000aHarbor. The native Calusa Indians, however, \u000d\u000awere not happy about their presence. Before \u000d\u000along they attacked the new settlement. In fact, \u000d\u000aPonce, himself, was wounded by a Calusa \u000d\u000apoisoned arrow in one of \u000d\u000athe attacks.\u000d\u000aThe Spaniards pulled up \u000d\u000astakes and went to Cuba \u000d\u000ato recover. Ponce never \u000d\u000amade it, though, and died \u000d\u000ain Cuba from the poison \u000d\u000aarrow wound. \u000d\u000aPonce and his \u000d\u000aConquistadors were not \u000d\u000aserious fighters. They were \u000d\u000aexplorers, administrators \u000d\u000aand artisans, more than \u000d\u000afighters, and did not do \u000d\u000awell against the Calusa \u000d\u000aIndians they came up \u000d\u000aagainst in Charlotte \u000d\u000aHarbor. Still, he was \u000d\u000athe first European to \u000d\u000aestablish a settlement in \u000d\u000athe territory that is now \u000d\u000athe USA, and led the first \u000d\u000aEuropean expedition to \u000d\u000aFlorida. \u000d\u000aSt. Augustine and the Charlotte Harbor area \u000d\u000amay disagree on which settlement was first, but \u000d\u000athere is no doubt that Charlotte Harbor played a \u000d\u000amajor role in the development of the state, and \u000d\u000aCharlotte Harbor is, in fact, the first documented \u000d\u000aestablishment of a European colony in the \u000d\u000aAmericas, even if it only lasted about two \u000d\u000amonths. \u000d\u000aThere is definitely a Spanish heritage that \u000d\u000ashould be acknowledged and remembered. \u000d\u000aYet, before the order there was little sense \u000d\u000aof that history in Charlotte County, and no \u000d\u000aoutward commemoration of Ponce de Leon\u2019s \u000d\u000acontributions. \u000d\u000aEven for the Royal Order, history was not its \u000d\u000afirst reason to establish the club. It started as \u000d\u000aa social club and a means to promote Punta \u000d\u000aGorda and the rest of Charlotte County. Some of \u000d\u000aits early members, however, also were interested \u000d\u000ain the history of the area, and broadened its \u000d\u000ascope of activities. \u000d\u000aThe modern Conquistadors constructed a \u000d\u000a\u201cship,\u201d or something that looks very much like \u000d\u000aa ship. It is an impressive replica of what their \u000d\u000aRenaissance counterparts would have used \u000d\u000aback in the day. It is constructed over the body \u000d\u000aof a bus, and is used for special events, such \u000d\u000aas the celebration of Ponce de Leon\u2019s landing \u000d\u000aon the shores of the Charlotte Harbor (typically \u000d\u000aheld in April each year), and for the Punta Gorda \u000d\u000aChristmas parade, as well as the big Gasparilla \u000d\u000aFestival held annually in Tampa. \u000d\u000aIt is named the \u201cPalencia,\u201d after the area in \u000d\u000aSpain where Ponce grew up. It also has a mini \u000d\u000aversion, built over a golf cart.\u000d\u000aDuring the last several years, members of \u000d\u000athe order have spread the history of Ponce de \u000d\u000aLeon and his accomplishments throughout \u000d\u000athe area. They have also \u000d\u000ajoined with other area \u000d\u000aorganizations in sponsoring \u000d\u000asailboat races, golf and \u000d\u000ashuffleboard tournaments, \u000d\u000aand treasure hunts, all for the \u000d\u000aenjoyment of the people of \u000d\u000aCharlotte County. They have \u000d\u000aestablished a number of \u000d\u000aConquistador statues in the \u000d\u000aPunta Gorda area, noteably \u000d\u000ain Gilchrist Park and at Ponce \u000d\u000ade Leon Park.\u000d\u000aEarly on, the \u000d\u000aConquistadors established \u000d\u000athe tradition of reenacting \u000d\u000aPonce de Leon\u2019s landing \u000d\u000aon the shores of Charlotte \u000d\u000aHarbor. This event is faithfully \u000d\u000acarried out annually with \u000d\u000athe Chamber of Commerce \u000d\u000aand other groups. It includes \u000d\u000aa flotilla of escort vessels, \u000d\u000amusic, entertainment, \u000d\u000apageantry and cannon fire. Some years the \u000d\u000amayor of Palencia, Spain, and the Consul \u000d\u000aGeneral of Spain have brought messages from \u000d\u000aPonce\u2019s native land. \u000d\u000aThe group has also established \u201cSister City\u201d \u000d\u000arelations with Palencia, Spain and San Juan, \u000d\u000aPuerto Rico, where Ponce served as governor. \u000d\u000aIn addition, the club has sponsored trips to \u000d\u000aboth locales, meeting with local dignitaries. \u000d\u000aCloser to home, they celebrate various holidays \u000d\u000atogether, and use almost any excuse to enjoy \u000d\u000athe fellowship of one another, along with their \u000d\u000afamilies and friends. \u000d\u000aAbout the Conquistadors\u000d\u000aMembership in the nonprofit organization is \u000d\u000aopen to \u201cgood men sympathetic to the aims \u000d\u000aand purposes of the organization.\u201d If you are \u000d\u000ainterested in becoming a Conquistador, contact \u000d\u000athe group at info@conquistadors-florida.com. \u000d\u000a54 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024","J\u000d\u000auan Ponce de Le\u00f3n is immortalized all over \u000d\u000athe Spanish Americas. The most famous \u000d\u000amonument is in \u000d\u000aSan Juan, where he \u000d\u000astands in the Plaza de \u000d\u000aSan Jose. Because \u000d\u000aof Florida\u2019s Spanish \u000d\u000aroots, many locations \u000d\u000aclaim the explorer. \u000d\u000aThere is even a spring \u000d\u000adedicated to him in \u000d\u000aNew Mexico, such \u000d\u000ais the expanse of \u000d\u000ainterest in his search \u000d\u000afor the Fountain of \u000d\u000aYouth.\u000d\u000aAcross Florida, \u000d\u000athere are many sites \u000d\u000aassociated with the \u000d\u000aexplorer. Ponce de \u000d\u000aLeon Springs State \u000d\u000apark is in Ponce de \u000d\u000aLeon, Florida. Locally, \u000d\u000athese spots honor \u000d\u000aJuan Ponce de Le\u00f3n:\u000d\u000aCharlotte Harbor Preserve State Park: This \u000d\u000apark encompasses the area around Charlotte \u000d\u000aHarbor, where Ponce de Le\u00f3n is believed to \u000d\u000ahave explored during his voyages to Florida. \u000d\u000aThere is a Ponce de Le\u00f3n trail on the Burnt \u000d\u000aStore side of the park, south of Punta Gorda. \u000d\u000aPonce de Le\u00f3n Park:\u000d\u000aLocated in Punta Gorda, \u000d\u000athis park includes \u000d\u000awaterfront walks, a \u000d\u000abeach, and a cross \u000d\u000amonument with a statue \u000d\u000aof him. 3400 Ponce \u000d\u000ade Leon Pkwy, Punta \u000d\u000aGorda\u000d\u000aPonce de Le\u00f3n \u000d\u000aStatue: In Punta \u000d\u000aGorda downtown \u000d\u000aon the Harborwalk, \u000d\u000athere is a statue of him \u000d\u000aoverlooking the harbor. \u000d\u000aHarborwalk, Punta \u000d\u000aGorda\u000d\u000aPonce de Le\u00f3n Park, \u000d\u000aVenice: Yet another \u000d\u000astatue of the explorer. \u000d\u000a276 Pedro St, Venice\u000d\u000aWarm Mineral \u000d\u000aSprings: The park is \u000d\u000athe site, in legend, \u000d\u000aof Ponce de Leon\u2019s \u000d\u000aFountain of Youth, \u000d\u000aimmortalized in so \u000d\u000amany tourist guides \u000d\u000aand history books. \u000d\u000aThe springs claimed \u000d\u000athe explorer in \u000d\u000a1959, when Florida \u000d\u000acelebrated its \u000d\u000aquadricentennial, \u000d\u000awhich ran from Dec. 14, 1959 to March \u000d\u000a15, 1960. At that time, they constructed \u000d\u000aa cyclorama narrated by the late Lowell \u000d\u000aThomas.\u000d\u000aVisit sites related to the Spanish explorer","","7621 SAWYER CIRCLE, SOUTH GULF COVE\u000d\u000aMulch (Bag & Bulk)\u000d\u000aFill Dirt \u2022 Topsoil\u000d\u000aRiver Rock\u000d\u000aEuro Cobble Pavers\u000d\u000aCrushed & Whole Shell \u000d\u000aPaver Sand\u000d\u000aD.O.T. / Beach Sand\u000d\u000aMexican Beach Pebbles\u000d\u000aDriveway Stones\u000d\u000aLava \u2022 Crimson\u000d\u000aSplash Block \u2022 Boulders\u000d\u000aImported Stones\u000d\u000aStepping Stones\u000d\u000aFlagstones & Slate\u000d\u000aLawn Ornaments\u000d\u000aRailroad Ties \u2022 Edging\u000d\u000aMarble \u2022 Granite\u000d\u000aTumbled Glass\u000d\u000aWeedmat\u000d\u000aRip Rap & Shell Marl\u000d\u000aLike Us on Facebook for Special\u000d\u000aOffers & Product Updates\u000d\u000aMENTION THIS AD FOR\u000d\u000a$10 OFF\u000d\u000aDELIVERY","58 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024\u000d\u000a2024\u000d\u000aGasparilla Island \u000d\u000aTennis Classic\u000d\u000aNicole Wigelsworth\u000d\u000aThe Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic, \u000d\u000asponsored by Boca Beacon\u2019s \u000d\u000apublishers Dusty and Cheryl Hopkins, \u000d\u000aconcluded in February. Each year area \u000d\u000atennis enthusiasts look forward to the \u000d\u000atournament. Tennis players and spectators \u000d\u000aalike experienced an eventful series of play \u000d\u000aat the Boca Grande Club, The Gasparilla \u000d\u000aInn Tennis Club and Boca Bay Pass Club.\u000d\u000aTournaments included men\u2019s and ladies\u2019 \u000d\u000asingles, open mixed doubles, 70 plus \u000d\u000amixed doubles, ladies and men\u2019s doubles, \u000d\u000aand 70-plus ladies and men\u2019s doubles. \u000d\u000aTournament coordinator Dusty Hopkins \u000d\u000aexpressed his gratitude to the directors and \u000d\u000astaff at the clubs for all of their work and \u000d\u000aorganizational efforts that go in to these \u000d\u000atournaments each year.\u000d\u000aPhotos by Dusty Hopkins","Michelle Wolfe\u000d\u000aRoger Chapin\u000d\u000aWe were just two of the enthusiastic crowd who \u000d\u000acame to The Pass Club Saturday to watch Jane \u000d\u000aShanley and Stephanie Firman compete against \u000d\u000aLenore Lobel and Anne Beatty (shown above) for the ever\u0002coveted Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic.\u000d\u000aIt was 1 p.m. on Saturday. The day was unusually warm \u000d\u000aand the sun was right on top of these four determined and \u000d\u000afiercely competitive women, all in their mid \u201870s and \u201880s, \u000d\u000awhen they began what would become the longest finals \u000d\u000amatch in the tournament\u2019s history. It started gently enough \u000d\u000awith good long rallies, trading point for point. These well\u0002seasoned, wise and cagey players knew immediately that \u000d\u000alobs were in order early, as the sun was most definitely a \u000d\u000afactor and should be used in their favor whenever possible. \u000d\u000aThey battled in competition for 3 1/2 hours, fighting \u000d\u000athrough heat and fatigue and potential injuries, never \u000d\u000agiving in or giving up. After Jane and Stephanie took the \u000d\u000alast two games, these four exhausted warriors remained \u000d\u000astanding on those tired legs as they hugged each other \u000d\u000aand turned to the crowd with well-deserved smiles of pride. \u000d\u000aThey accepted their trophies as we, the crowd, remained \u000d\u000astanding and applauding-some of us weeping-for the \u000d\u000asheer beauty of what we had just witnessed.\u000d\u000aWe are all still talking about it. And I suspect we always \u000d\u000awill. \u000d\u000aBravo Jane and Stephanie and Anne and Lenore. \u000d\u000aThe Greatest Island Tennis Match\u000d\u000aThis tournament season produced one of the best tennis \u000d\u000amatches in recent island history, with four women in the 70 \u000d\u000aplus tennis finals. Julie DiNapoli was there to record it for the \u000d\u000aBoca Beacon. Here is an excerpt. \u000d\u000aNic Wigelsworth Shannon Coe","\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001e\u001d\u001c\u001b\u001a\u001d\u001f\u0019\u0019\u0018\u001b\u001a\u0017\u0016\u0016\u001e\u0015\u0019\u0014\u000d\u000a\u001f\u001e\u001d\u001c\u001b\u001e\u001a\u0019\u001c\u0018\u0017\u0016\u0015\u0014\u0013\u0018\u0012\u0019\u0016\u0011\u001c\u001a\u001b\u0010\u000f\u001d\u0016\u000e\u0016\u000d\u0010\u0010\u000c\u001d\u000b\u0016\u000d\u000a\u000a\u000c\u0018\u0014\u001e\u0017\u001e\u001d\u001d\u0016\u0009\u0008\u0010\u000f\u001e\u000c\u0016\u0007\u001a\u0012\u0017\u0010\u001d\u0006\u000c\u001e\u001d\u000b\u0016\u000d\u000a\u0005\u0018\u001a\u001c\u0019\u0004\u0016\u0003\u001c\u000c\u000c\u0010\u000c\u001d\u000b\u0016\u0002\u0006\u001d\u0019\u0010\u0014\u0016\u0001\u0018\u0017\u001e\u0016\u0001\u0010\u0013\u001d\u000b\u0016\u000d\u000a\u0009\u0019\u0010\u000c\u0014\u0016\u0009\u0008\u0006\u0019\u0019\u001e\u000c\u001d\u0016\u000e\u0016\u0014\u0006\u0012\u0008\u0016\u0014\u0010\u000c\u001e\u0081\u000d\u000aFOR A FREE ESTIMATE CALL (941) 475-1101 \u000d\u000a\u001f\u001e\u001d\u001c\u001b\u001a\u0019\u0018\u0017\u001c\u0019\u0018\u0016\u000d\u000a\u001e\u001d\u001c\u001b\u001c\u001a\u001d\u001c\u0019\u001f\u000d\u000a\u0018\u0017\u0016\u001d\u0018\u001c\u0015\u0014\u000d\u000awww.seeportoptometry.com\u000d\u000aFeaturing customized perscription eyewear for everyday use and sunglassess too!\u000d\u000aDr. Hicks welcomes new patients - View available appointments and schedule online.\u000d\u000a941.876.4400","","Ezekiel Saw \u000d\u000athe Big Tree, \u000d\u000abut not Silver\u000d\u000aSprings\u000d\u000aAt 3,500 years, \u000d\u000atree was almost as old\u000d\u000aas the pyramids.\u000d\u000aBy Garland Pollard \u000d\u000aand the \u000d\u000aSenator Tree\u000d\u000aHistory\u000d\u000aHere, tourists admire the Senator Tree \u000d\u000ain this Florida Memory Project archival \u000d\u000aphoto from the Florida Department of \u000d\u000aCommerce Collection. \u000d\u000a62 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024","Of the literature of early 20th-century \u000d\u000aFlorida, the late Marjorie Kinnan \u000d\u000aRawlings and Zora Neale Hurston \u000d\u000astand out for their ability to evoke \u000d\u000adisappearing Florida. However, there \u000d\u000awere other authors that spoke for that Florida \u000d\u000alandscape and folklore, including children\u2019s author \u000d\u000aand illustrator Elvira Garner (1886-1956), the \u000d\u000aauthor of the book Ezekiel\u2019s Travels.\u000d\u000aGarner, a contemporary of both Rawlings and \u000d\u000aHurston, is largely forgotten today, as her books \u000d\u000awere written in black dialect and were removed \u000d\u000afrom library circulation after World War II. Her \u000d\u000acharacter Ezekiel and author Garner were both \u000d\u000afrom Sanford, a small town north of Orlando that \u000d\u000ais now best known as the home of Auto-Train. \u000d\u000aThe books, published in the 1930s, were geared \u000d\u000atowards first graders and illustrated inside and \u000d\u000aaround with hand-drawn text, somewhat like a \u000d\u000agraphic novel of today.\u000d\u000aAs its original 1930s Kirkus Review explains it:\u000d\u000a\u201cStories include \u2026.[Ezekiel\u2019s] search for the \u000d\u000afamous big tree which he \u000d\u000ahad planned to bring home \u000d\u000afor Christmas; his hunt \u000d\u000afor Spanish gold, and the \u000d\u000adazzling excitement of fair \u000d\u000aday at Orlando, all told with \u000d\u000aan endearing simplicity.\u201d\u000d\u000aTennessee-born Garner\u2019s \u000d\u000awork was not all about \u000d\u000aEzekiel, though the book did \u000d\u000abring her acclaim. Another \u000d\u000aGarner book featured a \u000d\u000a19th-century girl, Sarah Faith \u000d\u000aAnderson. In that book, \u000d\u000aSarah discovers historic St. \u000d\u000aAugustine and the Castillo \u000d\u000aSan Marcos and tells of \u000d\u000ameeting local Indians.\u000d\u000aCritic Tammy L. Miele \u000d\u000adefended Garner\u2019s \u000d\u000adepictions of race in a 2006 \u000d\u000aliterary thesis, saying that \u000d\u000aGarner showed typical family \u000d\u000asituations, including the \u000d\u000adifficulty of getting the family to an A.M.E. Church, \u000d\u000aand did not demean the characters through the \u000d\u000adialect. Miele says that the books of Ezekiel were \u000d\u000adifferent from exploitation, as many of the issues \u000d\u000ainvolved the family\u2019s poverty and segregation. In \u000d\u000aone part of his travels, for instance, little Ezekiel \u000d\u000ais unable to ride on the famous glass-bottomed \u000d\u000aboats of Silver Springs because he is black.\u000d\u000aThe main episode of Ezekiel\u2019s Travels highlights \u000d\u000aa visit to the Senator Tree in what is now \u000d\u000aLongwood, a suburb of Orlando. The Senator \u000d\u000aTree, just south of Sanford, was the fifth oldest \u000d\u000atree in the world and the largest tree east of the \u000d\u000aMississippi. It was named for state senator M.O. \u000d\u000aOverstreet, who gave it to Seminole County for \u000d\u000aa park. In 1929, President Calvin Coolidge saw \u000d\u000athe tree during an official visit, as it had become a \u000d\u000afamous tourist attraction.\u000d\u000aEzekiel learns about the tree from signs on his \u000d\u000atravels and hopes to get the tree to take it home \u000d\u000ato his parents at Christmas, saying, \u201cAh\u2019ll follow \u000d\u000ade signs an git me dat big tree fur mah Chris\u2019mus \u000d\u000atree.\u201d\u000d\u000aBut it is too big, so big that Ezekiel and his sister \u000d\u000aget tired of walking around it, and do not initially \u000d\u000anotice it.\u000d\u000aAbout 15 years ago, I wrote about the tree on a \u000d\u000aFlorida travel website, as I grew up with the book. \u000d\u000aWhile the story is no longer online, I saved many \u000d\u000aof the comments, as they helped me understand \u000d\u000awhat the books, and the tree, \u000d\u000ameant to others. What I took \u000d\u000afor granted was that the tree \u000d\u000awould still be there, when \u000d\u000aand if I could get around to \u000d\u000aseeing it.\u000d\u000aBut in January of 2012, a \u000d\u000adrug addict named Sarah \u000d\u000aBarnes, smoking meth inside \u000d\u000athe tree, felt cold. She started \u000d\u000aa fire inside the tree\u2019s ancient \u000d\u000ahollowed-out base. It caught \u000d\u000athe whole tree on fire and it \u000d\u000aburned to the ground. It was \u000d\u000aa fire so hot the local firemen \u000d\u000acould not stop it. Barnes is \u000d\u000areported to have said at the \u000d\u000atime, \u201cI can\u2019t believe I burned \u000d\u000adown a tree older than \u000d\u000aJesus.\u201d\u000d\u000aI had missed my chance to \u000d\u000avisit the great Senator Tree.\u000d\u000aBarnes served 30 months \u000d\u000aand then got out, and was \u000d\u000aarrested again in 2019.\u000d\u000aBut the fire was not the end of the story. A \u000d\u000adecade before, a tree aficionado and science \u000d\u000ateacher named Layman Hardy had found a sprig \u000d\u000aof the tree and had taken it to nurseryman Marvin \u000d\u000aBuchanan, who cloned it. While most of the clones \u000d\u000ahad died, a few had survived. Seminole County \u000d\u000afound out about it, and they relocated a survivor to \u000d\u000athe site.\u000d\u000aIf you are heading up Interstate 4 north of \u000d\u000aOrlando, the tree site is still worth a visit. There \u000d\u000aare picnic tables, the old fence, and some history \u000d\u000aplaques. And there is still, nearby, a cousin to the \u000d\u000aSenator, named Lady Liberty.\u000d\u000aThat cypress stands 89 feet tall, and is about \u000d\u000a2,000 years old, putting the tree\u2019s birth-date \u000d\u000aabout the same time that Christ was born. Hardly \u000d\u000aunimpressive.\u000d\u000aHere, the cover \u000d\u000aof Ezekiel\u2019s \u000d\u000aTravels. Below, \u000d\u000aGarner\u2019s \u000d\u000aillustration of the \u000d\u000atree. Bottom is a \u000d\u000asmall illustration \u000d\u000aof Ezekiel in his \u000d\u000awagon.","","Tarpon Times &MORE\u000d\u000aBoca Grande 2024\u000d\u000aA Boca Beacon fishing season publication\u000d\u000aINSIDE THE 2024\u000d\u000aTARPON TIMES\u000d\u000aConserving Area Fisheries, p. 67\u000d\u000aAbout the Sport, p. 68\u000d\u000a2024 Tarpon Tournament Season, p. 71\u000d\u000aBoca Grande, a Great Fishing Destination, p. 72\u000d\u000aAbout Boca Grande Pass, p. 74\u000d\u000aFamous Captains of Boca Grande, p. 76\u000d\u000aHistory of Tarpon Tournaments, p. 82\u000d\u000aRecipes from Chef Tim Spain, p. 88\u000d\u000aPhotos from the Boca Beacon Archives 2024 Tarpon Times 65","AD","Conserving Our Area's \u000d\u000aFisheries\u000d\u000aMillion dollar grant hopes to not only \u000d\u000apreserve local tarpon, but provide \u000d\u000ablueprint for other economically \u000d\u000aimportant marine species.\u000d\u000aBy Garland Pollard\u000d\u000a2024 Tarpon Times 67\u000d\u000aEveryone agrees on preserving tarpon. What \u000d\u000ais more of a challenge is how to do it, when \u000d\u000athere are dozens of government agencies, \u000d\u000amultiple interest groups and a growing population \u000d\u000athat is filling up every inch of undeveloped land \u000d\u000aaround Charlotte Harbor.\u000d\u000aLast fall marked the beginning of a \u000d\u000agroundbreaking five-year project poised to figure \u000d\u000athis out. A $1.2 million grant led by the National \u000d\u000aOceanic and Atmospheric Administration will \u000d\u000acatalog and observe \u201cessential nursery habitats\u201d of \u000d\u000asnook and tarpon across all of Charlotte Harbor. \u000d\u000aOf greatest interest will be habitats vulnerable \u000d\u000ato urban development, and without current \u000d\u000aprotection. \u000d\u000aIn the last decade, local marine biologists have \u000d\u000alearned more about tarpon, and found rich but \u000d\u000ahidden areas across the region where tarpon \u000d\u000aspawn and feed, such as the creeks behind \u000d\u000aLemon Bay Golf Club. This success has shown \u000d\u000aa vulnerability, however, as Charlotte, Lee and \u000d\u000aSarasota Counties, all feeding into Charlotte \u000d\u000aHarbor, are amongst the fastest developing places \u000d\u000ain the United States.\u000d\u000aThis new grant will use GIS mapping technology \u000d\u000ato help identify these places and protect them. \u000d\u000aWhen these areas are identified ahead of \u000d\u000atime, it makes it easier to accommodate new \u000d\u000adevelopment around them. In the situation of \u000d\u000aLemon Bay, the habitats then become a matter of \u000d\u000alocal pride, and not a barrier to development.\u000d\u000aLast fall, the Boca Beacon interviewed Nicole \u000d\u000aIadevaia of the Coastal and Heartland Economic \u000d\u000aDevelopment Partnership to talk about how \u000d\u000athis might work. \u201cThere will be public policy \u000d\u000arecommendations coming out of this,\u201d she said, \u000d\u000aemphasizing the potential integration of this \u000d\u000ainvaluable data into urban use plans. \u000d\u000aThis initiative hopes to go beyond the \u000d\u000asurvival of a few species of fish. Instead, it lays \u000d\u000athe groundwork for a systematic approach to \u000d\u000aformally evaluate many economically significant \u000d\u000aecosystems and other species. The envisioned \u000d\u000aprocess, once perfected, could help other \u000d\u000ajurisdictions and species facing ecological \u000d\u000achallenges. Central to this plan is the development \u000d\u000aof a \u201cVulnerability Index,\u201d designed to aid land \u000d\u000ause planning departments in prioritizing and \u000d\u000aoptimizing conservation efforts.\u000d\u000aThe result is hoped to be a decision-making tool \u000d\u000athat not only guides the protection of habitat but \u000d\u000astrategically identifies locations for restoration. \u000d\u000a \u201cThere is an economic side to protecting \u000d\u000ahabitat,\u201d said Iadevia. \u201cIt\u2019s economically valuable \u000d\u000abut also ecologically important.\u201d T T","E\u000d\u000avery year hundreds of thousands of \u000d\u000atarpon follow the Gulfstream to Boca \u000d\u000aGrande Pass, where they breed and \u000d\u000afeed on the pass crabs that flow into \u000d\u000aCharlotte Harbor. Tarpon stacked \u000d\u000a40 feet deep is not an uncommon site on a \u000d\u000afishfinder in the Pass.\u000d\u000aThe tarpon \u2013 along with snook, redfish and \u000d\u000aseatrout \u2013 are the most commonly sought-after \u000d\u000afish in Southwest Florida. These four fish form \u000d\u000athe backbone of many of the area\u2019s fishing \u000d\u000atournaments, and catching all four in one day is \u000d\u000aconsidered an inshore grand slam.\u000d\u000aOf the four, the most difficult to hang on to is \u000d\u000athe magnificent silver king \u2013 the tarpon.\u000d\u000aEvery spring and beginning in late March with \u000d\u000athe warming of the Gulf waters, the first schools \u000d\u000aof tarpon arrive from the south, some from as \u000d\u000afar away as the west coast of Africa. Anglers who \u000d\u000ahave just recovered from last year\u2019s brawls spool \u000d\u000aon fresh line, sharpen their circle hooks and oil \u000d\u000atheir reels in anticipation of fresh battles.\u000d\u000aThe tarpon does not fight like any other fish. \u000d\u000aOnce firmly hooked, it literally explodes with \u000d\u000aenergy. Tales have been told of green fish (a \u000d\u000aterm used by anglers to describe a fish that\u2019s \u000d\u000afreshly hooked) jumping into boats, breaking \u000d\u000aankles and legs, then jumping back out. Even a \u000d\u000afight less than 10 minutes will leave the average \u000d\u000aperson with \u201cjelly arms\u201d by the end.\u000d\u000aTarpon love to go airborne, and it is unusual \u000d\u000anot to have a fish jump a few times or more \u000d\u000abefore it tires. Some fish are never caught as \u000d\u000athe angler on the other end of the line gives up \u000d\u000abefore the tarpon does.\u000d\u000aIf you don\u2019t think fishing is a contact sport, \u000d\u000ayou\u2019ve never fished a tarpon. Fights can last up \u000d\u000ato an hour, testing the mettle of the angler and \u000d\u000afish. Hooking, then safely releasing a tarpon is \u000d\u000aan adventure you will never forget.\u000d\u000aThe key these days is to catch and release \u000d\u000ayour tarpon in a small window of time. This \u000d\u000aensures the fish is still able to swim away quickly \u000d\u000aafter the fight, as the sharks will come for them \u000d\u000awhen they know they are hooked and helpless. \u000d\u000aAnglers use heavy tackle, with a minimum of an \u000d\u000a80-pound monofilament leader, 5/0 to 7/0 circle \u000d\u000ahooks and a variety of baits to hook the tarpon. \u000d\u000aPinfish or greenbacks tossed in front of a school \u000d\u000awith a stout spinning outfit is a favorite, while \u000d\u000abottom fishing with cut mullet or catfish tails is \u000d\u000aanother.\u000d\u000aThere are dozens of different techniques \u000d\u000ato get a silver king to bite, but it\u2019s when you \u000d\u000afinally touch the leader and release the fish that \u000d\u000ateaches you just how difficult catching one of \u000d\u000athese creatures can be.\u000d\u000aBy late June the tarpon run starts to dissipate. \u000d\u000aBy this time the fish can be found spawning \u000d\u000ain water 300 feet deep. The larvae then return \u000d\u000aTHE TRUE \u2018SPORT\u2019\u000d\u000aOF TARPON FISHING\u000d\u000a68 Tarpon Times 2024","to the estuaries on the incoming tides and \u000d\u000ahide in the safety of the gnarled roots of the \u000d\u000ared mangroves, waiting a year or more before \u000d\u000aventuring into deeper water. Two- to three-foot \u000d\u000atarpon can be found along the canal openings, \u000d\u000aestuaries and many small inlets throughout \u000d\u000aSouthwest Florida.\u000d\u000aThe tarpon feeds on a wide variety of marine \u000d\u000alife. In Boca Grande Pass it feasts on tiny pass \u000d\u000acrabs, each weighing less than an ounce, often \u000d\u000aconsuming hundreds of crabs a day. Along \u000d\u000athe beaches, the tarpon will crash into balled \u000d\u000aschools of glass minnows, charging through \u000d\u000athem with its mouth wide open, taking in 20 \u000d\u000aor 30 minnows at a time and repeating this \u000d\u000aprocess for hours. Other favorite prey are \u000d\u000astriped mullet, catfish, stone and blue crabs, \u000d\u000amenhaden, greenbacks, squirrelfish, threadfin \u000d\u000aherring and shrimp.\u000d\u000aA host of predators take young tarpon \u2013 \u000d\u000apelicans, herons, osprey, larger tarpon and \u000d\u000asharks. Only bigger sharks are capable of \u000d\u000atackling a mature tarpon, weighing 50 pounds \u000d\u000aor more. An equal measure of tall tales have \u000d\u000abeen told (about one every year) of Ol\u2019 Hitler, \u000d\u000aa monstrous hammerhead, and a 10-foot-plus \u000d\u000abull shark biting a hooked fish while tarpon \u000d\u000afishing in the Pass. Yes, they\u2019re out there ... and \u000d\u000athey\u2019re BIG. T T","GASPARILLA OUTFITTERS\u000d\u000aDowntown Boca Grande\u000d\u000a431 Park Ave. \u2022 Mon. - Sat., 9 - 5, Sun. Noon - 4\u000d\u000a941-964-0907 \u2022 GasparillaOutfitters.com\u000d\u000aCapt. Sandy Melvin\u000d\u000aSport Fishing Charters Tarpon \u2022 Snook \u2022 Redfish \u2022 Offshore \u2022 Local Professional Guides \u000d\u000aOriginal Boca Grande Art, Tee-shirts & More \u000d\u000aColumbia \u2022 Original Buff Sunwear \u2022 Coolibar \u000d\u000aKIDS STUFF \u2022 Bitcoin Accepted \u2022 Hook & Tackle \u000d\u000aCharter Info: 941-964-0907","Boca Grande has a full season of tarpon \u000d\u000atournaments, all offering different traditions \u000d\u000aand prizes. \u201cThe tournaments are a great \u000d\u000atradition,\u201d said Betsy Joiner, president of the \u000d\u000aGasparilla Island Maritime Museum. \u000d\u000a\u201cIt\u2019s exciting as the weather gets warmer and \u000d\u000atarpon start coming out. Everyone gets tarpon \u000d\u000afever.\u201d\u000d\u000aThe season begins on May 11 with the Ladies \u000d\u000aDay Tarpon Tournament, hosted by the Boca \u000d\u000aGrande Chamber of Commerce. \u000d\u000aChamber of Commerce: (941) 964-0568\u000d\u000aWhidden's Marina: (941) 964-2878\u000d\u000aWilliam Woodroffe: (813) 310-1609\u000d\u000aJUNE 15\u000d\u000aLadies Night Out hosted by \u000d\u000athe Gasparilla Island Maritime \u000d\u000aMuseum. A portion of each entry \u000d\u000adonated to the Museum\u000d\u000aJUNE 8\u000d\u000aGasparilla Island Kids Classic hosted \u000d\u000aby the Boca Grande Chamber of \u000d\u000aCommerce\u000d\u000aMAY 11\u000d\u000aLadies\u2019 Day Tarpon Tournament \u000d\u000ahosted by the Boca Grande \u000d\u000aChamber of Commerce\u000d\u000aTarpon Tournament Schedule 2024\u000d\u000aMAY 22-23\u000d\u000aWorld\u2019s Richest hosted by the Boca \u000d\u000aGrande Chamber of Commerce\u000d\u000aMAY 22-23\u000d\u000aWorld\u2019s Richest hosted by the Boca \u000d\u000aGrande Chamber of Commerce\u000d\u000aMAY 26\u000d\u000aRed Gill Tarpon hosted by William \u000d\u000aWoodroffe. A portion of each entry \u000d\u000adonated to the Gasparilla Island \u000d\u000aMaritime Museum\u000d\u000aJUNE 1\u000d\u000aHowl at the Moon hosted by the \u000d\u000aGasparilla Island Maritime Museum. \u000d\u000aA portion of each entry donated to \u000d\u000athe Museum\u000d\u000a2024 Tarpon Times 71","Boca Grande is truly \u000d\u000aan angler\u2019s paradise, \u000d\u000aand fortunately, we \u000d\u000ahave some of the best \u000d\u000acharter guides in the \u000d\u000aworld at your disposal to assure \u000d\u000aa great experience. For the \u000d\u000aultimate fishing vacation, this is \u000d\u000athe place to be.\u000d\u000aEven though we have \u000d\u000adefinitely earned the title \u000d\u000aof \u201cTarpon Fishing Capital \u000d\u000aof the World,\u201d not everyone \u000d\u000awho comes to Gasparilla \u000d\u000aIsland comes for the tarpon \u000d\u000afishing. We are also blessed \u000d\u000awith world class light tackle \u000d\u000afishing for snook, redfish and \u000d\u000aspeckled trout in the shallow \u000d\u000abackcountry areas, and the \u000d\u000aexcellent offshore fishing \u000d\u000afor goliath grouper, permit, \u000d\u000asnapper, king mackerel and \u000d\u000amany species of sharks, \u000d\u000aincluding great hammerheads. \u000d\u000aIn fact, the world record \u000d\u000ahammerhead was caught near \u000d\u000aBoca Grande Pass in 2006. It \u000d\u000ameasured approximately 14 \u000d\u000afeet long and weighed in at \u000d\u000a1,280 pounds!\u000d\u000aAs you plan your stay on the \u000d\u000aisland, consider that we have \u000d\u000afour main choices of fishing \u000d\u000aavailable \u2013 tarpon fishing, light \u000d\u000atackle backcountry fishing, fly \u000d\u000afishing and offshore fishing.\u000d\u000aTarpon fishing (discussed \u000d\u000amore at length in the following \u000d\u000apages) usually takes place in \u000d\u000aBoca Grande Pass and along \u000d\u000athe Gulf beaches, but can also \u000d\u000abe done in the backwater, \u000d\u000acreeks, rivers and even canals. \u000d\u000aThe traditional tarpon boat is \u000d\u000aan inboard vessel with room \u000d\u000afor approximately six people, \u000d\u000aor a bay boat with a tower. \u000d\u000aIn skinnier water, flats boats \u000d\u000aare often used. Tarpon are \u000d\u000aconsidered strictly a catch \u000d\u000aand release sport fish, as they \u000d\u000aare not eaten and one must \u000d\u000apossess a special tag to possess \u000d\u000aone. Tarpon fishing season is \u000d\u000agenerally considered to be \u000d\u000abetween March and July, but \u000d\u000athey can be caught year-round \u000d\u000ain our area.\u000d\u000aBackcountry fishing takes \u000d\u000aplace around the shallow \u000d\u000agrass flats, bays, tributaries \u000d\u000aand mangrove islands off the \u000d\u000a\u201cbig\u201d water. It is here you will \u000d\u000afind snook, redfish and many \u000d\u000aother fish that are quite fun \u000d\u000ato catch. Smaller boats with \u000d\u000ashallow drafts are used in these \u000d\u000aareas, and you\u2019ll do well to \u000d\u000ahave a good knowledge of the \u000d\u000alocal waters so you don\u2019t run \u000d\u000aaground. With miles and miles \u000d\u000aof waterways in Southwest \u000d\u000aFlorida, it\u2019s always a thrill to lose \u000d\u000ayourself in the backcountry, as it \u000d\u000atruly is as close to \u201cOld Florida\u201d \u000d\u000aon the water as you can get.\u000d\u000aExpectations for your day on \u000d\u000athe water are best summed up \u000d\u000aby Capt. Sandy Melvin, a long \u000d\u000atime Boca Grande tarpon and \u000d\u000abackcountry guide: \u201cLeaving \u000d\u000athe Pink Elephant guide docks \u000d\u000afrom the heart of Boca Grande, \u000d\u000aanglers can board a shallow \u000d\u000adraft skiff or bay boat and \u000d\u000atake a 15-minute run to find \u000d\u000asomething that is sometimes \u000d\u000adifficult to imagine in much of \u000d\u000aFlorida, solitude and beautiful \u000d\u000aunspoiled habitat for these \u000d\u000agreat sport fish,\u201d he said. \u201cOh, \u000d\u000aand there\u2019s dolphins, manatees \u000d\u000aand a large and diverse \u000d\u000avariety of bird life among the \u000d\u000amangrove islands and turtle \u000d\u000agrass flats, too! \u000d\u000a\u201cWhat\u2019s really cool about \u000d\u000athe backcountry fishing is that \u000d\u000aanglers can choose the level \u000d\u000aof fishing challenge they are \u000d\u000awilling to take on. If you have \u000d\u000alittle or no fishing experience, \u000d\u000aor maybe just want to get the \u000d\u000ayoung kids involved in fishing, \u000d\u000ayou might choose a traditional \u000d\u000alive bait trip.\u201d Melvin said these \u000d\u000atrips are the most popular and \u000d\u000aa great way to consistently \u000d\u000acatch big ones of all species. \u000d\u000aDuring spring, summer and \u000d\u000afall, your guide will generally \u000d\u000aget up before your trip at \u000d\u000adaylight to go out and cast net \u000d\u000alive pilchards or \u201cwhitebait\u201d \u000d\u000aminnows to be cast on spinning \u000d\u000atackle. Often they will chum \u000d\u000athe target fish with freebies to \u000d\u000aexcite a school before casting \u000d\u000athe bait to the fish. It\u2019s a very \u000d\u000aBoca\u000d\u000aGrande A great fishing \u000d\u000adestination\u000d\u000a72 Tarpon Times 2024","consistent way to catch most \u000d\u000aspecies. During the winter \u000d\u000amonths, live shrimp become the \u000d\u000abait of choice and are especially \u000d\u000adeadly on redfish, trout and \u000d\u000asheepshead.\u000d\u000aIf you want to stay a little more \u000d\u000aactive, and test yourself a little \u000d\u000amore, you might want to decide \u000d\u000ato use only artificial baits where \u000d\u000ait will be up to you to convince \u000d\u000athe fish that the piece of plastic \u000d\u000aon the end of your line is alive \u000d\u000aand ready to be consumed. \u000d\u000a\u201cThere is great satisfaction in \u000d\u000aworking a lure properly, then \u000d\u000awatching a big snook or trout \u000d\u000asmash your top water lure,\u201d \u000d\u000aMelvin said. \u201cThe thump of \u000d\u000aa redfish eating a jig you\u2019ve \u000d\u000ahopped along an oyster bar, or \u000d\u000aa big ladyfish taking to the air is \u000d\u000aalso wonderful thing.\u201d\u000d\u000aFishing the Boca Grande \u000d\u000abackcountry is a special \u000d\u000aexperience and very \u000d\u000aconvenient. Just a short boat \u000d\u000aride from the island is a world \u000d\u000aaway. You will see and fish an \u000d\u000auntouched part of Florida many \u000d\u000adon\u2019t get the opportunity to see.\u000d\u000aWhen you\u2019re ready for the \u000d\u000agreatest challenge, grab your fly \u000d\u000arod and target big skinny water \u000d\u000asnook or \u201ctailing\u201d redfish. \u000d\u000aFly fishing guides generally \u000d\u000aprefer one to two anglers on \u000d\u000athe boat, while alternating the \u000d\u000afishing time. An 8-weight rod \u000d\u000awith a floating line is usually \u000d\u000aabout right.\u000d\u000aAccording to another \u000d\u000aknowledgeable Boca Grande \u000d\u000aguide, Capt. Joe LeClair, over \u000d\u000athe last 20 years we have \u000d\u000aseen many changes and \u000d\u000aimprovements in the world of \u000d\u000asaltwater fly fishing.\u000d\u000a\u201cI have witnessed the \u000d\u000aimprovements of the tackle \u000d\u000aand boats, and have been a \u000d\u000apart of the peak growth of \u000d\u000athe sport between 1999 and \u000d\u000a2009,\u201d he said. \u201cDuring this \u000d\u000atime we all learned new skills \u000d\u000aand acquired others from \u000d\u000afellow fishing guides around \u000d\u000aus and before us.\u201d\u000d\u000aThe premise behind fly fishing \u000d\u000ais to create a tiny lure of feather \u000d\u000aand hair that mimics the food \u000d\u000asource that is a favorite of many \u000d\u000afish \u2013small baitfish, shrimp or \u000d\u000acrabs\u2013 and to utilize your tackle \u000d\u000ato recreate the movement of \u000d\u000athe fly to imitate a meal. Each \u000d\u000aregion has different types of \u000d\u000aflies, so you usually can\u2019t just \u000d\u000ause the same lures everywhere \u000d\u000ayou go. Fly fishing rods and \u000d\u000areels are usually quite a bit \u000d\u000alonger than spinning rods, with \u000d\u000afly rods tending to be around \u000d\u000anine feet long and spinning \u000d\u000arods generally closer to seven \u000d\u000afeet. Fly rods are also noticeably \u000d\u000athinner and more flexible than \u000d\u000aspinning rods. All of these \u000d\u000adifferences have to do with the \u000d\u000amechanics of both the cast used \u000d\u000awith each type of rod and the \u000d\u000amethods used while fishing with \u000d\u000athem.\u000d\u000aThe biggest practical \u000d\u000adifference between the two is \u000d\u000athe mechanics of the cast: In \u000d\u000aspin fishing, the weight of the \u000d\u000alure or bait is used to create \u000d\u000amomentum to propel the cast; \u000d\u000ain fly fishing, the weight of the \u000d\u000afly line causes this momentum\u000d\u000aOffshore fishing can take \u000d\u000aplace miles off the coast, where \u000d\u000aa whole new world of fish is \u000d\u000awaiting to be explored. Larger \u000d\u000aboats are used for this type of \u000d\u000afishing, and quite often larger \u000d\u000atackle is as well. Sometimes \u000d\u000ait can take a few hours for a \u000d\u000acaptain to get his anglers out \u000d\u000ain the open water where his \u000d\u000afavorite fishing spots are, quite \u000d\u000aoften over a reef or shipwreck. \u000d\u000aObviously the chances of \u000d\u000acatching some very large fish \u000d\u000aare good, but you can also find \u000d\u000ayourself with some more rare \u000d\u000aand exotic medium-sized fish \u000d\u000aon the end of your line as well. \u000d\u000aIf it all sounds confusing, \u000d\u000ahire a local professional. \u000d\u000aSome options include Boca \u000d\u000aGrande Outfitters (941) 964-\u000d\u000a2445, Gasparilla Outfitters/\u000d\u000aSpecial Effects (941) 964-\u000d\u000a0907 or Whidden's Marina \u000d\u000a(941) 964-2878. ","P\u000d\u000aart of what makes Boca Grande\u2019s claim to tarpon is a \u000d\u000abit of geography, the \u201cLighthouse Hole,\u201d the deepest \u000d\u000aarea of Boca Grande Pass. At Lighthouse Hole, the \u000d\u000adepth of the hole and the speed of the water create a \u000d\u000aunique environment for the passage of tarpon.\u000d\u000aLighthouse Hole, otherwise known as \u201cthe hole,\u201d is \u000d\u000aapproximately 100 yards wide and 350 yards long. It runs east/\u000d\u000awest in the center of the Pass, just south of the historic lighthouse \u000d\u000aat the south end of Gasparilla Island. A smaller hole, referred to as \u000d\u000athe \u201cCoast Guard Hole,\u201d is closest to the beach. The Lighthouse \u000d\u000aHole is 50 to 75 feet deep on average, and the Coast Guard Hole\u2019s \u000d\u000amaximum depth is also about 70 feet. The remainder of the Pass \u000d\u000abottom surrounding the holes is about 40 feet. When fishing the \u000d\u000aPass, a good fish/depth finder is important.\u000d\u000aThe \u201cpan\u201d is the flat area to the west of the hole. The \u201chill\u201d is \u000d\u000athe area east of the old phosphate dock. Johnson Shoals are the \u000d\u000ashifting sand bars on the northwest end of Cayo Costa island on \u000d\u000athe south side of the Pass. When tarpon fishing, it\u2019s recommended \u000d\u000athat you mark your lines with green yarn at 42 feet above the \u000d\u000aswivel and red yarn at 60 feet above the swivel. When fishing \u000d\u000aoutside the hole, the \u201cgreen\u201d marker on the reel will keep you \u000d\u000agenerally safe from snagging the bottom. When in the hole, \u201cred\u201d \u000d\u000aon the reel or at the tip of the rod is suggested, depending upon \u000d\u000athe actual depth reading. You must pay constant attention to the \u000d\u000adepth finder and adjust your reel settings accordingly.\u000d\u000aOnce you hook a fish, make every effort to maneuver the fish \u000d\u000aoutside the fleet for the battle. Appropriate, strong tackle for the \u000d\u000asituation is a must. Do not anchor in the Pass. It\u2019s dangerous and \u000d\u000ait\u2019s illegal. Anchored boats have been \u201csucked\u201d under on hard \u000d\u000aoutgoing tides.\u000d\u000aAbout \u000d\u000aBoca\u000d\u000aGrande \u000d\u000aPass\u000d\u000aA graphic rendering of Boca Grande Pass \u000d\u000afrom a Florida state survey. The water's \u000d\u000adepth, and its speed, create an ideal bit of \u000d\u000ageography for tarpon fishing. \u000d\u000a74 Tarpon Times 2024\u000d\u000aT T","ONLY FRESH \u000d\u000aLOCAL \u000d\u000aSEAFOOD\u000d\u000aIncluding Grouper, Tuna, \u000d\u000aSnapper, Grilled, Baked \u000d\u000aor Sauteed, Great Steaks \u000d\u000aand Our Chef\u2019s \u000d\u000aSpecials of the Day\u000d\u000aRESERVATIONS \u000d\u000aRECOMMENDED\u000d\u000aTheTempBG.com\u000d\u000aMonday - Saturday Open for Dine-In \u000d\u000a& Take-Out \u000d\u000aLunch: \u000d\u000a11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. \u000d\u000aDinner: \u000d\u000a6 to 9:30 p.m.\u000d\u000a\u201cOld Florida\u201d Cuisine since 1947\u000d\u000aBoca Grande\u2019s \u000d\u000aOld Florida \u000d\u000aBar \u000d\u000aWine \u2022 Spirits \u000d\u000aCold Beer to Go\u000d\u000aOpen Mon. - Sat., 10 a.m. to Midnight\u000d\u000aCompetitive \u000d\u000a\u201cOff Island\u201d \u000d\u000aPrices \u000d\u000aFree On-Island \u000d\u000aDelivery \u000d\u000aCase Discounts\u000d\u000aMon. - Sat. \u2022 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. \u000d\u000aSunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.\u000d\u000aAfter hours go to Temp Bar \u000d\u000a350 Park Avenue - Downtown Boca Grande \u2022 941-964-2610 350 Park Avenue - Downtown Boca Grande \u2022 941-964-2610","I\u000d\u000at is fitting that we pay tribute to the island\u2019s \u000d\u000ahistoric guides, as a celebration of their \u000d\u000alives in the context of the fishing heritage \u000d\u000aof Boca Grande. We admire their unique \u000d\u000askills, impressive fortitude and commitment \u000d\u000ato fishing in a menace of increasing competition \u000d\u000aand an adversely impacted environment. They \u000d\u000amust master boating and navigation skills, possess \u000d\u000aspecialized knowledge of the weather, the \u000d\u000aenvironment, fish identification and their individual \u000d\u000apeculiarities, likes and dislikes; be able to read \u000d\u000athe water by the swim patterns on the surface, \u000d\u000aknow about the tackle, and seasonal behavior and \u000d\u000anatural habitats of the fish. \u000d\u000aMerritt \u201cBabe\u201d Darna, son of Alfonso Darna, \u000d\u000anoted that the captain you have usually knows \u000d\u000awhat to do and what bait to use. \u201cSometimes,\u201d \u000d\u000ahe said, \u201cyou get a fish and sometimes you don\u2019t. \u000d\u000aThat\u2019s why they call it fishing instead of catching.\u0022 \u000d\u000aYou really don\u2019t have to \u000d\u000alook for the tarpon out in \u000d\u000aBoca Grande Pass. When \u000d\u000athe water temperature \u000d\u000agets up to 75 degrees \u000d\u000aand over, normally they \u000d\u000acome from the south and \u000d\u000athey will get in the Pass. \u000d\u000a\u201cThere\u2019s deep water and \u000d\u000aplenty of bait coming \u000d\u000athrough there. Later on in the season, in June, they \u000d\u000astart going offshore and spawning. They spawn \u000d\u000away offshore. You can see them going offshore, \u000d\u000aand you can see them coming back. When \u000d\u000athe eggs are laid offshore (when they become \u000d\u000afingerlings) they come into the bay with the tide, \u000d\u000aand then they\u2019ll get around the mangroves, etc., \u000d\u000athat\u2019s the reason you find the smaller ones up the \u000d\u000acanals.\u000d\u000a\u201cThey were concerned a few years ago about \u000d\u000athe tarpon, not seeing the small tarpon in the \u000d\u000abays and all. But when you think about it, all the \u000d\u000amangroves have been cut down and replaced by \u000d\u000asea walls. That\u2019s about all there is to tarpon fishing. \u000d\u000aYou go out in the pass and you will see them \u000d\u000athere.\u201d\u000d\u000aEarly Morning Start\u000d\u000a\u201cWhen tarpon fishing would start,\u201d said Capt. \u000d\u000aFreddy Futch, \u201cwe\u2019d leave the dock sometimes \u000d\u000a4:30 or 5 a.m., depending on the tide. Fish \u000d\u000afor three to four hours and come in and have \u000d\u000abreakfast. Later, we\u2019d come in, have dinner, go to \u000d\u000abed and start the same routine again tomorrow. \u201cIf \u000d\u000awe were fishing any other fish, you know, kingfish, \u000d\u000amackerel, we\u2019d leave the dock 9 a.m., carry our \u000d\u000astove with us and frying pan, and bacon so we \u000d\u000acould fry the bacon and then fry the fish in the \u000d\u000abacon. We\u2019d make chowder on the beach. We\u2019d \u000d\u000ago fishing in the morning and catch mackerel and \u000d\u000akingfish, bluefish and maybe stop at the Pass and \u000d\u000afish on the bottom and get a grouper.\u000d\u000a\u201cWe\u2019d go over to the shoals on the south side of \u000d\u000athe pass (by Cayo Costa). In those days there were \u000d\u000atwo nice white sand shoals out there and we\u2019d \u000d\u000ago out there and put the bow of the boat on the \u000d\u000abeach and they would go ashore, swim and we\u2019d \u000d\u000acook. Cook their lunch for them. \u201cSometimes we\u2019d \u000d\u000aboil shrimp and fry shrimp, too. And then back \u000d\u000aat the dock around three o\u2019clock or four o\u2019clock. \u000d\u000aIt\u2019s changed now; there\u2019s so many people doing \u000d\u000ait. When I first started fishing if we went fishing \u000d\u000aearly in the morning in the pass, we\u2019d always let \u000d\u000aTarpon Captains\u000d\u000aof Boca Grande\u000d\u000aFamous\u000d\u000aBy Bob Edic\u000d\u000aEditor\u2019s Note: Many tarpon captains have come and \u000d\u000agone, but some stand out in our history as prolific \u000d\u000a\u2018poon hunters. Some of these men are living, some \u000d\u000aare gone. Here are a few vignettes excerpted by local \u000d\u000ahistorian Bob Edic, from formal oral history interviews \u000d\u000aconducted by the Boca Grande Historical Society.\u000d\u000a76 Tarpon Times 2024","Family owned & operated for over 40 years\u000d\u000aGet the full Tarpon fishing \u000d\u000aexperience on aGrady White!\u000d\u000aWhen You Want THE BEST!","somebody know the night before that we were \u000d\u000agoing fishing the next day because we probably \u000d\u000awould be the only boat out there, and if we broke \u000d\u000adown, we wanted somebody to know we were \u000d\u000aout there fishing and what time to expect us back. \u000d\u000aNow you got millions of boats in the pass.\u201d\u000d\u000aOne of the most famous guides was Phalo \u000d\u000aPadilla, whose family came from Cayo Costa. \u000d\u000aPhalo\u2019s nephew, the late Perry Padilla, described \u000d\u000ahim as a thoroughly likable, good-humored, \u000d\u000acaring man who took over the family when \u000d\u000aPerry\u2019s father died.\u000d\u000aPhalo was a guide at \u000d\u000aUseppa. He took clients \u000d\u000aout in a one-cylinder \u000d\u000amotorboat, and Perry \u000d\u000aremembers that some \u000d\u000aclients were movie \u000d\u000astars and there were \u000d\u000amany wealthy people \u000d\u000awho came to catch the \u000d\u000atarpon. Phalo introduced \u000d\u000aPerry to fishing, taught \u000d\u000ahim about boats and \u000d\u000ahelped him get parties \u000d\u000ato take out. Phalo also \u000d\u000adid commercial fishing \u000d\u000awhen not guiding, \u000d\u000abecause the tarpon \u000d\u000aare not around all year. \u000d\u000aThe fishermen went \u000d\u000aafter mullet when the \u000d\u000atarpon weren\u2019t around. Phalo told a story about \u000d\u000aa big fish he caught. He was with some clients; \u000d\u000athey had a line out the stern and discovered they \u000d\u000ahad something enormous on the line. They were \u000d\u000ahaving difficulty bringing it in. They wanted to cut it \u000d\u000aloose, but Phalo wouldn\u2019t allow it.\u000d\u000aThey finally got it in. It was a great big sawfish, \u000d\u000aprobably about 13-feet-long with teeth along \u000d\u000aboth sides of the bill, which was about a third of \u000d\u000athe length of the fish. They were around in great \u000d\u000anumbers at one time, but this one was probably \u000d\u000aone of the last to be caught.\u000d\u000aAlfonso Darna was born on Cayo Costa. He \u000d\u000awas always a commercial mullet fisherman and \u000d\u000awas one of the last to fish commercially in Boca \u000d\u000aGrande. He fished for bait during tarpon season. \u000d\u000aHis son, Capt. Babe Darna, remembered fishing \u000d\u000awith his father after he got out of high school, \u000d\u000auntil the time he entered the service in 1961. \u000d\u000aThey fished for mullet, for pompano and Spanish \u000d\u000amackerel, but it was primarily for mullet. Up to the \u000d\u000atime of his death, Darna Sr. could be seen sitting \u000d\u000ain the sun outside \u000d\u000ahis house on Tarpon \u000d\u000aStreet, mending nets \u000d\u000aas he chatted with his \u000d\u000afriend and neighbor, \u000d\u000aRaymond Lowe Sr.\u000d\u000aArthur \u201cBo\u201d Smith \u000d\u000adescribed how he got \u000d\u000ahis boat the \u201cTimbo.\u201d \u000d\u000aHe first started \u000d\u000aguiding when he was \u000d\u000a18 years old with a \u000d\u000a24-foot Daniels, which \u000d\u000ahe got after a day of \u000d\u000afishing with a man by \u000d\u000athe name of Tom Bird. \u000d\u000aIt had been a rough \u000d\u000aday in an open boat, \u000d\u000aand Mr. Bird wanted \u000d\u000aa drink of Early Times. \u000d\u000aHe was crawling up there to get it, and boy it was \u000d\u000aso rough! When they got to the dock, Mr. Bird \u000d\u000aasked him to come by his cottage, as he wanted to \u000d\u000atalk to him. Bo thought he was going to get fired \u000d\u000aor something. He was asked to stop by the Pink \u000d\u000aElephant and get a bottle of Early Times bourbon \u000d\u000aand bring it to the cottage at The Gasparilla Inn \u000d\u000a& Club. When he got to Mr. Bird\u2019s room, Mr. Bird \u000d\u000aasked how much money it would cost to get a \u000d\u000acabin boat. Bo said he had not ever really thought \u000d\u000a'Since the outboards \u000d\u000ahave become so \u000d\u000aefficient and they\u2019ve \u000d\u000abuilt all those high and \u000d\u000adry marinas around here, \u000d\u000athey don\u2019t have to trailer them. On weekends, \u000d\u000athose empty out, everybody goes to Boca \u000d\u000aGrande Pass and fishes.'\u000d\u000a78 Tarpon Times 2024","of it. Mr. Bird wrote him a check for $5,000 and told him to go \u000d\u000aput it down on a cabin boat, as he was tired of that open boat. \u000d\u000aThat\u2019s how he got that boat, which he bought for about $16,000. \u000d\u000aHe helped him buy it. When Bo was guiding you could still catch \u000d\u000awhatever you wanted for fish, be it grouper, trout or whatever. \u000d\u000aCapt. Billy Wheeler was remembered by the late Capt. Mark \u000d\u000aFutch, who served as his mate, as one of the finest guides that \u000d\u000aBoca Grande has ever produced, not only for his ability to catch \u000d\u000afish but because he was such a gentleman and understood what \u000d\u000ait was to entertain people.\u000d\u000a\u201cSince that time, in 1975, the fish habits have changed \u000d\u000aconsiderably due to the traffic in the Pass,\u201d Futch said. \u201cThere are \u000d\u000ajust as many fish because of a real conservation effort. People \u000d\u000aaren\u2019t killing the tarpon anymore. They\u2019re also getting bigger. \u000d\u000aThe tarpon tag legislation that was passed has really helped. \u000d\u000aThe fish have gained an average of about 30 pounds since the \u000d\u000alate 1970s, early \u201980s. We used to kill those fish and bring them \u000d\u000ato Tommy Parkinson, hang them up and they\u2019d take pictures. \u000d\u000aTommy was one agent and we had four taxidermists on the \u000d\u000aisland. He was handling 600 fish each and every season. And \u000d\u000anow, since the outboards have become so efficient and they\u2019ve \u000d\u000abuilt all those high and dry marinas around here, they don\u2019t have \u000d\u000ato trailer them. On weekends, those empty out, everybody goes \u000d\u000ato Boca Grande Pass and fishes. It\u2019s become difficult because of \u000d\u000athe traffic. A lot of it is to do with the fact that there is so much \u000d\u000anoise that what you\u2019re trying to do is get ahead.\u201d\u000d\u000aThe old Pelican Club\u000d\u000aSam Whidden was born in Grove City in 1900. When he was \u000d\u000a17, he lied about his age, joined the Army and went off to fight in \u000d\u000athe First World War, where he served in France. He came to Boca \u000d\u000aGrande in the early 1920s, with the knowledge most local boys \u000d\u000agrowing up on the southwest coast of Florida have about fishing \u000d\u000aand boating. It was perfectly timed; Boca Grande had become a \u000d\u000adestination for hundreds of well-to-do visitors for its world-class \u000d\u000atarpon fishing and lifestyle. Whidden started out captaining \u000d\u000afor various members of the Pelican Club, a fraternity of fishing \u000d\u000aenthusiasts from The Gasparilla Inn.\u000d\u000aTo make money in the off season, he opened a pool hall, \u000d\u000acommonly referred to by those who remember it as S.D.\u2019s \u000d\u000aPool Hall. He ran it until 1925, when he met Louise du Pont \u000d\u000aCrowninshield and her husband, Frank Crowninshield, who had \u000d\u000along been an avid tarpon fisherman. He loved quail hunting, and \u000d\u000aSam\u2019s knowledge of the region made him the perfect guide for \u000d\u000aoccasional hunting trips. He guided for them exclusively in 1925, \u000d\u000athe same year he closed his pool hall and took over the Red Gill \u000d\u000aFish House from Kingsmore Johnson and his good friend Sug \u000d\u000aFutch. From that point on he guided for the Crowninshields and \u000d\u000aran his fish house on the side. When Sam guided, he arrived \u000d\u000awearing a crisp white shirt and bow tie, and not only helped his \u000d\u000aclients catch tarpon but cooked lunch for them, took care of their \u000d\u000aboat and boat house. In the offseason he might even take care \u000d\u000aof their house. Friends remember him as quite lenient with those \u000d\u000awho could not pay their bills for whatever reason, but he wasn\u2019t a \u000d\u000afrivolous man.\u000d\u000a1960 began Whidden\u2019s golden years, during which he spent \u000d\u000ahis time running the Marine Ways, selling goods and services to \u000d\u000athe local boaters and fishermen, drinking beer with his friends \u000d\u000aout on the dock, feeding his ducks and watching his daughters \u000d\u000acome of age. He is remembered by many for the silly-looking \u000d\u000apaper hat he took to making and wearing as he grew older, \u000d\u000aclaiming they kept him cool in the summer and warm in the \u000d\u000aFrom top, Boca Grande Tarpon \u000d\u000acaptains Capt. Freddy Futch, Capt. \u000d\u000aAlfonso Darna, Capt. Bo Smith. \u000d\u000aFacing page, an archival photo of the \u000d\u000aBoca Grande Fishing Guides from \u000d\u000aBoca Beacon archives. ","your premier choice -\u000d\u000aResiden t i a l /Commerci a l \u000d\u000aDesign & Ins ta l l at ion\u000d\u000aLEMON BAY \u000d\u000aGlass\u000d\u000a& MIRROR\u000d\u000aMonday - Friday | 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Serving the Suncoast Since 1985 | Locally owned & operated\u000d\u000aWe call Englewood,\u000d\u000aFlorida home!\u000d\u000aENHANCE YOUR UNIQUE LIFESTYLE with LEMON BAY GLASS & MIRROR\u000d\u000aph: 941- 475-1281 | showroom: 2840 Avenue of the Americas, Englewood, FL 34224\u000d\u000awww.LemonBayGlass.com\u000d\u000ainfo@lemonbayglass.com\u000d\u000aGlass & Mirror\u000d\u000aServices Near Me\u000d\u000a\uf06c Custom shower enclosures\u000d\u000a\uf06c Frameless shower enclosures\u000d\u000a\uf06c Semi-frameless & Neo-angle\u000d\u000a\uf06c Glass panels; Tub enclosures\u000d\u000a\uf06c Sliding glass impact doors\u000d\u000a\uf06c Bi-folding doors; Front doors\u000d\u000a\uf06c Glass tabletops & counters\u000d\u000a\uf06c Cabinet glass / Glass shelves\u000d\u000a\uf06c Backsplashes / Backpainted\u000d\u000a\uf06c Framed mirrors\u000d\u000a\uf06c Etched glass & mirrors\u000d\u000a\uf06c Impact windows & doors\u000d\u000a\uf06c Energy-efficient windows\u000d\u000a\uf06c Maximum UV protection\u000d\u000a\uf06c Impact glass / Security glass\u000d\u000a\uf06c Acrylic & Lexan products\u000d\u000a\uf06c Commercial storefronts\u000d\u000a\uf06c Significant noise reduction\u000d\u000a\uf06c Low-e, Tinted, & Insulated\u000d\u000a\uf06c Professional installation\u000d\u000a\uf06c Custom designs & more!\u000d\u000aGlass & Mirror\u000d\u000aServices Near Me\u000d\u000a\uf06c Custom shower enclosures\u000d\u000a\uf06c Frameless shower enclosures\u000d\u000a\uf06c Semi-frameless & Neo-angle\u000d\u000a\uf06c Glass panels; Tub enclosures\u000d\u000a\uf06c Sliding glass impact doors\u000d\u000a\uf06c Bi-folding doors; Front doors\u000d\u000a\uf06c Glass tabletops & counters\u000d\u000a\uf06c Cabinet glass / Glass shelves\u000d\u000a\uf06c Backsplashes / Backpainted\u000d\u000a\uf06c Framed mirrors\u000d\u000a\uf06c Etched glass & mirrors\u000d\u000a\uf06c Impact windows & doors\u000d\u000a\uf06c Energy-efficient windows\u000d\u000a\uf06c Maximum UV protection\u000d\u000a\uf06c Impact glass / Security glass\u000d\u000a\uf06c Acrylic & Lexan products\u000d\u000a\uf06c Commercial storefronts\u000d\u000a\uf06c Significant noise reduction\u000d\u000a\uf06c Low-e, Tinted, & Insulated\u000d\u000a\uf06c Professional installation\u000d\u000a\uf06c Custom designs & more!\u000d\u000awinter. He died in October 1978 of a heart attack, on the \u000d\u000asame docks where he had worked for over 50 years.\u000d\u000aGuides made $15 a day\u000d\u000aTommy S. Parkinson was born in Charlotte Harbor in \u000d\u000a1914. His daughter, Carolyn Nabers, recalled he spent \u000d\u000ahis early years earning a living from the water with his \u000d\u000afather, Thomas A. Parkinson. He lived for days at a time \u000d\u000ain fish camps in Bulls Bay. His dad was also a fishing \u000d\u000aguide. In 1930 Tommy started guiding. He lived in the \u000d\u000a\u201cGuide House\u201d in Boca Grande (rooms, docks, and boat \u000d\u000aslips located on the bayou, across from where the Pink \u000d\u000aElephant is today). \u201cGuides made $15 a day,\u201d Tommy \u000d\u000asaid in a Boca Beacon interview in 1987. \u201cThe stories \u000d\u000athey told were worth the price of a charter. Going price \u000d\u000athese days is $400 and the stories aren\u2019t near as good.\u201d\u000d\u000aTommy loved people, especially kids, and loved to \u000d\u000atalk about old times and old-timers. Capt. Billy Wheeler \u000d\u000aonce said, \u201cIf you can\u2019t get along with Tommy Parkinson, \u000d\u000ayou can\u2019t get along with anybody.\u201d In 1939 he started \u000d\u000ato work at the Gasparilla Fishery, managing the Boca \u000d\u000aGrande Fishery and still did some occasional guiding, \u000d\u000abut his job didn\u2019t leave much extra time.\u000d\u000aOnce he was fishing with a gentleman back in the \u000d\u000a\u201930s who was staying at Useppa. Tommy took him \u000d\u000aback to The Inn to eat and the gentleman invited \u000d\u000aTommy to dine with him. The hotel manager told \u000d\u000athem the guides could eat in the kitchen; they were \u000d\u000anot allowed in the dining room. The gentleman \u000d\u000areplied they would both eat in the kitchen. They did \u000d\u000aevery day for the rest of the visit.\u000d\u000aAbove, the late Capt. Lewis 'Buster' Herzog. Always \u000d\u000abarefoot, Buster had a tournament-weighed tarpon \u000d\u000aof 166 pounds to his credit, but on more than one \u000d\u000aoccasion found anglers in his guiding parties fighting \u000d\u000afish of 180 pounds. T T","","HISTORY\u000d\u000aThrough the 19th and 20th centuries, \u000d\u000athe west coast of Florida has \u000d\u000abeen host to many great tarpon \u000d\u000atournaments and tarpon traditions. \u000d\u000aWhile Boca Grande was and is the \u000d\u000amost famous location, early tarpon \u000d\u000aevents became associated with towns like Punta \u000d\u000aRassa, near Sanibel, which lays claim to the first \u000d\u000arecorded tarpon caught on a rod and reel. \u000d\u000aBut this part of Florida was not the only area that \u000d\u000acaptured the mania of catching tarpon. Across the \u000d\u000aGulf of Mexico, and in resort cities like Galveston, \u000d\u000aTexas, and Grand Isle, Louisiana, both lay claim to \u000d\u000alongstanding tarpon tournaments.\u000d\u000aThe Izaak Walton Club on Useppa Island \u000d\u000awas organized in 1902 to encourage the use \u000d\u000aof rod and reel in game fishing, and good \u000d\u000asportsmanship. Membership in the club was open \u000d\u000ato amateur fishermen only, who fished in the \u000d\u000awaters of Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound, \u000d\u000aaccording to club rules.\u000d\u000aAlthough the tournaments were discontinued \u000d\u000aafter the Collier Inn closed, the tradition of the \u000d\u000atournaments was revived when Garfield Beckstead \u000d\u000abought the island, restored the inn and re\u0002developed the property.\u000d\u000aBut it was Boca Grande that won fame for the \u000d\u000atarpon. The first reason was transportation; Boca \u000d\u000aGrande was at the end of the Seaboard railroad \u000d\u000aline and was easy to get to. The second bit of favor \u000d\u000awas geography; Boca Grande Pass, with its deep \u000d\u000afast water, was a sluice gate for the annual running \u000d\u000aof the fish. \u000d\u000aThe 1920s and 1930s yielded some of the \u000d\u000afirst tournaments, fished by what was known \u000d\u000aas the \u201cBoca Grande Tarpon Club.\u201d They were \u000d\u000acoordinated by Joe Spadaro, the builder and \u000d\u000aproprietor of the Boca Grande Hotel. While \u000d\u000athat hotel disappeared in 1975, that legacy of \u000d\u000atournaments remained.\u000d\u000aEvery year the club held a two-month \u000d\u000atournament called the \u201cBoca Grande Tarpon \u000d\u000aTournament,\u201d which ran from May 1 through July \u000d\u000a1. Whoever caught the biggest tarpon during that \u000d\u000aperiod won the trophy. Thousands of fish were \u000d\u000acaught and killed each season.\u000d\u000aIn 1977 Jack Harper, who purchased Millers \u000d\u000aMarina, decided to sponsor a tarpon tournament. \u000d\u000aThat first year there was only one tournament and \u000d\u000anine boats. Word spread about the tournament, \u000d\u000athough, and Harper was asked to sponsor more. \u000d\u000aTwenty years later Harper was putting on eight \u000d\u000aMillers Marina \u201cTarpon Tide\u201d Tournaments. Each \u000d\u000atournament averaged 40 boats competing for \u000d\u000apurses that averaged, including the Calcutta, \u000d\u000aabout $20,000.\u000d\u000aof Boca Grande tarpon tournaments\u000d\u000a82 Tarpon Times 2024","In 1996 Millers decided to make a change in \u000d\u000atheir tournaments. They started dividing them \u000d\u000ainto live bait only, as well as live bait and/or \u000d\u000aartificial bait tournaments. This was in response \u000d\u000ato controversy between live bait fishermen and \u000d\u000aartificial bait fishermen who didn\u2019t like fishing \u000d\u000atogether in the same tournaments.\u000d\u000aIn the early 1980s a new tarpon tournament \u000d\u000acame into being in Boca Grande. It was an \u000d\u000ainvitational tournament sponsored and run by the \u000d\u000aBoca Grande Club. In 1991 the Boca Grande Club \u000d\u000adecided to discontinue their sponsorship of the \u000d\u000atournament, and the Boca Grande Area Chamber \u000d\u000aof Commerce took it over. They gave it the name it \u000d\u000ahas today, the World\u2019s Richest Tarpon Tournament. \u000d\u000aAt its height, the purse was almost $200,000, and \u000d\u000aanglers from all over the world came to compete.\u000d\u000aFrom 2005 until 2012, the 30th anniversary \u000d\u000aof the tournament, the Boca Grande Fishing \u000d\u000aGuides Association held the tournament and \u000d\u000acalled it The Boca Grande Fishing Guides \u000d\u000aAssociation Invitational Tarpon Tournament. \u000d\u000aIn 2012 the Boca Grande Area Chamber of \u000d\u000aCommerce took it over once again, and we \u000d\u000awent back to the World\u2019s Richest.\u000d\u000aOver time the tournament has become \u000d\u000asynonymous with \u201cno weigh, no-kill,\u201d signifying \u000d\u000athe guides\u2019 understanding that the Pass may \u000d\u000anot continue to yield the same numbers of \u000d\u000amagnificent tarpon if those methods aren\u2019t \u000d\u000aemployed.\u000d\u000aIn 1996, local angler Dixie Hollins started \u000d\u000aanother popular series of tarpon tournaments, \u000d\u000athe Hollinswood Tarpon Tournament. Because he \u000d\u000alearned to fish using traditional methods and live \u000d\u000abait, he felt very strongly it was the friendliest way \u000d\u000ato fish... at least for the tarpon. His tournaments \u000d\u000acontinued until 2003.\u000d\u000aA tournament photo from the archives of the Boca Grande \u000d\u000aHistorical Society in the 1970s.\u000d\u000aFacing page, tarpon fishing before the era of power boats. While fishing, the tarpon could often pull the canoe. \u000d\u000aAbove, an archival photo of guide boats at Miller's. ","","The Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament was created \u000d\u000afrom a casual event. It was tradition that on Mother\u2019s \u000d\u000aDay the guides would take their mother, wife or \u000d\u000agirlfriend fishing. A competition arose from Pass \u000d\u000aradio talk \u2013 challenges from boat to boat \u2013 it was just \u000d\u000agood fun. From that started the \u201cMothers and Others\u201d \u000d\u000atournament. It didn\u2019t matter what boat you were on; \u000d\u000athe mothers were a team. The \u201cothers\u201d were a team \u000d\u000aconsisting of any age lady angler that was not a mother. \u000d\u000aWhichever team caught more fish, won. They would all \u000d\u000ameet somewhere after fishing for a celebration.\u000d\u000aMarnie Banks, founder of the Boca Beacon, wanted \u000d\u000ato fire up women\u2019s fishing tournaments. She and Janet \u000d\u000aGillespie decided to take Mothers and Others to island \u000d\u000aorganizations to see if they could get sponsorship. \u000d\u000aPlans got underway, but sadly Marnie was killed in an \u000d\u000aauto accident. Janet was even more determined to \u000d\u000amake this event happen in her honor, and so was the \u000d\u000aisland community. Darlene (Shevitski) Rivera came to \u000d\u000aJanet\u2019s rescue and volunteered many hours helping \u000d\u000awith all the organizational details. Local businesses \u000d\u000astepped in and everything was donated that first year. \u000d\u000aLocal guides who were not fishing officiated. There \u000d\u000awere around 23 boats the first year; records show that \u000d\u000aTimmy Smith\u2019s team won. Lynn Duffy, DVM, caught the \u000d\u000awinning fish.\u000d\u000aThe Ladies Day event became better organized in the \u000d\u000asecond year, and they chose to keep it on Mother\u2019s Day \u000d\u000aweekend because guides typically saved this day for \u000d\u000afamily anyway \u2013 they didn\u2019t lose out on a paid charter.\u000d\u000aAs the popularity and complexities of running the \u000d\u000atournament grew, it was obvious that an organization \u000d\u000aneeded to sponsor the event. In 1991, the Boca \u000d\u000aGrande Area Chamber of Commerce successfully took \u000d\u000astewardship.\u000d\u000aThe Billy-Bo Memorial Tarpon Tournaments took \u000d\u000aplace in the Pass for five years but ended in 2010. Held \u000d\u000ain memory of Capt. Billy Wheeler and Capt. Bo Smith, \u000d\u000athey highlighted live bait, traditional fishing methods \u000d\u000aand, according to tournament coordinator Peggy \u000d\u000aDenby, they \u201cgave back to traditional tarpon captains \u000d\u000aand anglers who have fished the world-famous Boca \u000d\u000aGrande Pass.\u201d\u000d\u000aThe first Howl at the Moon Tarpon Tournament, \u000d\u000asponsored by Gasparilla Outfitters, was in 2005, \u000d\u000aintended to showcase the quality of the night fishing in \u000d\u000aBoca Grande. That first year from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. boats \u000d\u000ahit the Pass to see who could catch the most tarpon. \u000d\u000aThese tournaments have since been shortened to three \u000d\u000ahours each. Since then, other Howl events have been \u000d\u000aadded. The first Ladies Howl at the Moon Tournament \u000d\u000awas held in 2009.\u000d\u000aThe BoMo kids tournament tradition began with \u000d\u000aCapt. Freddy Futch\u2019s daughter. It all started, he said, \u000d\u000awhen his teenaged daughter approached him and \u000d\u000asaid it wasn\u2019t fair that other children didn\u2019t get to fish for \u000d\u000aHere, the late Elsie Bracken, the tiny tarpon \u000d\u000atamer. She caught and released hundreds \u000d\u000aof tarpon during her life, and was known for \u000d\u000aher intelligence, code of ethics and vision in \u000d\u000apreserving local fisheries.\u000d\u000a2024 Tarpon Times 85","tarpon. She decided to start her own tournament \u000d\u000aand got donations from local businesses as prizes. \u000d\u000aEventually island resident Bud Brown intervened \u000d\u000aand said that he would underwrite the tournaments \u000d\u000aif they could be named after his uncle, Robert \u000d\u000aMoore, who loved to fish. This tournament was \u000d\u000aheld for all of the island children who didn\u2019t get a \u000d\u000achance to go out and catch a tarpon, and as a bit of \u000d\u000aa reward for their patience in withstanding another \u000d\u000atarpon season with such busy fishing parents.\u000d\u000aIn 2010 islanders Capt. Sandy Melvin, Bill Klettke \u000d\u000aand Michael Vaughn decided that it would be nice \u000d\u000ato have an even larger kids tournament held in the \u000d\u000apeak of the tarpon season. They founded Boca \u000d\u000aGrande Charities, Inc. a Florida 501(c)3 to handle \u000d\u000aall the donations and sponsorships and decided \u000d\u000ato call the tournament The Gasparilla Island Kids \u000d\u000aClassic Tarpon Tournament. Since the focus would \u000d\u000abe on the 100-pound-plus tarpon that Boca Grande \u000d\u000ais famous for, they dubbed it the \u201cWorld\u2019s Greatest \u000d\u000aKids Fishing Tournament.\u201d\u000d\u000aToday, the kids fish for great prizes such as Apple \u000d\u000aiPads or GoPro video cameras. The majority of the \u000d\u000atarpon caught in the last few tournaments have \u000d\u000aweighed around 100 pounds, with an average \u000d\u000arelease time of seven minutes per fish. Releasing \u000d\u000athe tarpon that fast ensures the probability of a \u000d\u000ahealthy release and shows the kids\u2019 commitment \u000d\u000ato their survival after the battle. In 2023, this kids \u000d\u000atournament was handed off to the Boca Grande \u000d\u000aArea Chamber of Commerce to run, which now \u000d\u000abrings the Chamber tournament count up to three. \u000d\u000aIn 2017 the first annual Red Gill Invitational \u000d\u000aTarpon Tournament started by finishing as the \u000d\u000alast tournament of the season. William Woodroffe \u000d\u000astarted this tournament for the traditional fishermen \u000d\u000awho like to fish on a Sunday afternoon. That\u2019s it. No \u000d\u000amore, no less, a nice, simple tournament that has \u000d\u000abecome a great tradition. Above, hand-tinted souvenir postscards from Boca \u000d\u000aGrande. Below, a group at docks, and an undated \u000d\u000a'Isabelle' with a tarpon larger than she is.\u000d\u000a86 Tarpon Times 2024\u000d\u000aT T","Good Luck \u000d\u000aAnglers!","Simple recipes for seasonal fish\u000d\u000aMangrove Snapper\u000d\u000aServes 4\u000d\u000a\u2022 4 (6-ounce) fillets of fresh mangrove snapper\u000d\u000a\u2022 1/2 cup diced fresh mango\u000d\u000a\u2022 1/2 cup diced fresh tomato\u000d\u000a\u2022 1/4 cup diced red onion\u000d\u000a\u2022 1/8 cup diced fresh jalape\u00f1o\u000d\u000a\u2022 Zest of one lime and juice\u000d\u000a\u2022 Pinch of salt\u000d\u000aDo all your knife work ahead of time, make salsa, put it in something \u000d\u000athat you can refrigerate, and let it get really cold. Now prepare your \u000d\u000afish, lay them out, and allow them to come up to temperature from \u000d\u000athe refrigerator. Pat them with a paper towel to make sure they are \u000d\u000adry on both sides. Use medium-high heat in a good saut\u00e9 pan. Sear \u000d\u000athe fish, then flip it and allow it to finish. Top it with your mango salsa \u000d\u000aand grab a good glass of crisp, white wine to enjoy.\u000d\u000aRedfish Magic\u000d\u000aServes 4\u000d\u000a\u2022 4 (6-ounce) fillets of redfish\u000d\u000a\u2022 1/2 cup of Chef Paul Blackened Redfish Seasoning\u000d\u000a\u2022 1 cup of melted whole butter\u000d\u000aMelt the butter and dip the redfish in the butter before dredging it \u000d\u000athrough the seasoning. Use medium-high heat in a cast iron pan. \u000d\u000aFinish your redfish and serve it with your favorite sides. Grits and \u000d\u000ahush puppies are recommended.\u000d\u000aBoca Grande Fish Fry\u000d\u000aServes 4\u000d\u000a\u2022 Four handfuls of the freshest fish you can get your hands on\u000d\u000a\u2022 The cheapest yellow mustard available\u000d\u000a\u2022 Regular old breadcrumbs\u000d\u000a\u2022 Hot grease\u000d\u000a\u2022 Salt and pepper\u000d\u000a\u2022 A couple of beer flats to put your cooked fish in\u000d\u000aIf you\u2019re having a Boca Grande fish fry, you\u2019ve probably already \u000d\u000afilleted your fish, and it\u2019s in a holding pattern while somebody \u000d\u000abegins to cook. Once the fish fry begins, it\u2019s on; there\u2019s no stopping, \u000d\u000aand every piece of fish is going to get fried. Once the frying is done, \u000d\u000asomebody\u2019s already made cheesy grits, and then everybody sits \u000d\u000adown and has supper.\u000d\u000aChef Tim Spain, a native of Zolfo Springs, is a local writer, chef and \u000d\u000acolumnist, and a ninth generation Floridian. He is a private chef and \u000d\u000awrites a cooking and recipe column called From Field to Table.\u000d\u000aFresh catchrecipes\u000d\u000a88 Tarpon Times 2024","Let\u2019s talk local. Our Realtors are local insiders. \u000d\u000aWe\u2019d love to share our knowledge with you.\u000d\u000aLicensed Real Estate Broker\u000d\u000aThere aren\u2019t a lot \u000d\u000aof places like here.\u000d\u000aMICHAELSAUNDERS.COM | 941.964.2000\u000d\u000a\u201cLet us take the hassle out of flying\u201d\u000d\u000a\u2022 Up to 8 passengers \u000d\u000a\u2022 Pets are welcome \u000d\u000a\u2022 Domestic or international \u000d\u000a\u2022 Concierge-level attention \u000d\u000a\u2022 Non-stop luxury \u000d\u000a\u2022 Closest airport to your home\u000d\u000aTravel stress-free this summer!\u000d\u000a(941) 639-7855\u000d\u000a(800) 247-8735\u000d\u000aAir Trek is one of the nation\u2019s \u000d\u000aoldest private executive \u000d\u000acharter services having been \u000d\u000afamily owned & operated \u000d\u000asince 1978. \u000d\u000aAir Charter: \u000d\u000awww.airtrek.aero\u000d\u000aWorld Wide Air Ambulance: www.medjets.com\u000d\u000a\u001f\u001f\u001f\u001e\u001d\u001c\u001b\u001a\u001d\u001f\u0019\u0019\u0018\u001b\u001a\u0017\u0016\u0016\u001e\u0015\u0019\u0014\u000d\u000a\u001f\u001e\u001d\u001c\u001b\u001e\u001a\u0019\u001c\u0018\u0017\u0016\u0015\u0014\u0013\u0018\u0012\u0019\u0016\u0011\u001c\u001a\u001b\u0010\u000f\u001d\u0016\u000e\u0016\u000d\u0010\u0010\u000c\u001d\u000b\u0016\u000d\u000a\u000a\u000c\u0018\u0014\u001e\u0017\u001e\u001d\u001d\u0016\u0009\u0008\u0010\u000f\u001e\u000c\u0016\u0007\u001a\u0012\u0017\u0010\u001d\u0006\u000c\u001e\u001d\u000b\u0016\u000d\u000a\u0005\u0018\u001a\u001c\u0019\u0004\u0016\u0003\u001c\u000c\u000c\u0010\u000c\u001d\u000b\u0016\u0002\u0006\u001d\u0019\u0010\u0014\u0016\u0001\u0018\u0017\u001e\u0016\u0001\u0010\u0013\u001d\u000b\u0016\u000d\u000a\u0009\u0019\u0010\u000c\u0014\u0016\u0009\u0008\u0006\u0019\u0019\u001e\u000c\u001d\u0016\u000e\u0016\u0014\u0006\u0012\u0008\u0016\u0014\u0010\u000c\u001e\u0081\u000d\u000aFOR A FREE ESTIMATE CALL (941) 475-1101 \u000d\u000a\u001f\u001e\u001d\u001c\u001b\u001a\u0019\u0018\u0017\u001c\u0019\u0018\u0016\u000d\u000a\u001e\u001d\u001c\u001b\u001c\u001a\u001d\u001c\u0019\u001f\u000d\u000a\u0018\u0017\u0016\u001d\u0018\u001c\u0015\u0014","COME FOR A WEEK...STAY FOR A lifetime\u000d\u000aBOCA GRANDE\u000d\u000aPARSLEY-BALDWIN REALTY & VACATION RENTALS\u000d\u000a PARSLEY-BALDWIN\u000d\u000aREALTY & VACATION RENTALS\u000d\u000apbgrande.com | 941.964.2700 | 428 W 4th St, Boca Grande, FL\u000d\u000aGROCERY DELIVERIES\u000d\u000aFLORAL DELIVERIES\u000d\u000aPRIVATE CHEF\u000d\u000aGOLF CART RENTALS\u000d\u000aDINNER RESERVATIONS \u000d\u000aAirport, car services, fishing \u000d\u000acharters, bicycles, kayaks, \u000d\u000a& more!\u000d\u000aMISC |\u000d\u000aBOCA GRANDE\u2019S\u000d\u000aPREMIER HOST\u000d\u000aOur Team Awaits Your Arrival\u000d\u000aTHE SERVICE YOU DESERVE\u000d\u000a941.964.2700 ","Photo by Matthew Gutman\u000d\u000aRETIRING TO THE SUN\u000d\u000a (Our Friend Bill)\u000d\u000aBest friendships are not loud.\u000d\u000aThey are quiet.\u000d\u000aThey\u2019re just silently there.\u000d\u000aThey\u2019ve no need for constant\u000d\u000aReaffirmed affirmation.\u000d\u000aSo, what is this bond, \u000d\u000aThis relationship link?\u000d\u000aWhere does it come from?\u000d\u000aCan it stay throughout stress?\u000d\u000aCan it last past duress?\u000d\u000aI do not know now\u000d\u000aAnd doubt that I will.\u000d\u000aBut I recognize friendship\u000d\u000aAnd we had one with Bill.\u000d\u000aBill was our driver\u000d\u000aBetween airport and house\u000d\u000aA long time ago \u000d\u000aWhen we came to B.G.\u000d\u000aA detective from Cleveland\u000d\u000aHe\u2019d retired to the sun.\u000d\u000aBut Bill got bored\u000d\u000aAt home sitting,\u000d\u000aReading, and thinking,\u000d\u000aTesting his resting\u000d\u000aAnd needing to talk, \u000d\u000aTo relate.\u000d\u000aSo, Bill started in\u000d\u000aAnd he drove for the Inn,\u000d\u000aMeeting people,\u000d\u000aSharing tales,\u000d\u000aMaking Friends.\u000d\u000aGiving Friendship.\u000d\u000aFriendship snuck up on you\u000d\u000aWhen you rode in Bill\u2019s car.\u000d\u000a\u201cPick us up before sunrise.\u201d\u000d\u000a\u201cBring us home with the moon.\u201d\u000d\u000aBill got to know us\u000d\u000aAt good times, at glad times,\u000d\u000aDuring bad times and sad times.\u000d\u000aAnd we got to know Bill.\u000d\u000aNot often, but sometimes\u000d\u000aWe\u2019d arrive out of sorts.\u000d\u000aFlying down from the North\u000d\u000aYou\u2019d be pushed to the brink\u000d\u000aOf badness, of madness, \u000d\u000aA test of your mettle.\u000d\u000aNever Bill!\u000d\u000aBill\u2019s smile never faltered.\u000d\u000aBill\u2019s humor never fled.\u000d\u000aHe\u2019d lift up your spirits\u000d\u000aWarmly welcome you back.\u000d\u000aWhat a gem of friend.\u000d\u000aWhat a driver!\u000d\u000aBill\u2019s banter was light,\u000d\u000aHis solitude deep.\u000d\u000aThe silence of friendship,\u000d\u000aDiscourse shorn of words.\u000d\u000aJust a nod of the head.\u000d\u000aA scrunch of the brow\u000d\u000aA roll of the eyes.\u000d\u000aThe eyes tell it all.\u000d\u000aPanes to the soul.\u000d\u000aCalmly, Bill.\u000d\u000aBill was subtly central\u000d\u000aTo our lives as we shifted\u000d\u000a\u2018tween North and South.\u000d\u000aThrough Bill we absorbed \u000d\u000aThe reciprocity of friendship, \u000d\u000aThat human connection\u000d\u000aWhich enriches both sides.\u000d\u000aWe\u2019re retired now.\u000d\u000aWe remained in the sun\u000d\u000aAnd Bill\u2019s passed on\u000d\u000aSuch a long time ago.\u000d\u000aOur remembrance is strong\u000d\u000aOf that warming connection\u000d\u000aWhere Bill showed us\u000d\u000aAs we learned from Bill\u000d\u000aTo focus on how we relate to each \u000d\u000aother.\u000d\u000aThe reciprocity of friendship\u000d\u000aEvolves when we try.\u000d\u000aThat silencing\u000d\u000aMagical quiet\u000d\u000aSustaining us still.\u000d\u000aThat was Bill.\u000d\u000aBy Emerson Wickwire","Nesting\u000d\u000a92 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024\u000d\u000aA. Bombay Sunset\u000d\u000aDresser, $675\u000d\u000aHand painted mirror, $85\u000d\u000aBL Designs\u000d\u000a475 W. Dearborn St.\u000d\u000aEnglewood \u000d\u000a(727) 459-4677\u000d\u000aB. Original art\u000d\u000aby Rebecca Cleveland\u000d\u000a8\u201d x 10\u201d acrylic on canvas \u000d\u000aboard, $500 each\u000d\u000aSmart Studio\u000d\u000a231 Park Ave.\u000d\u000aBoca Grande\u000d\u000a(908) 892-4719\u000d\u000aC. Summer Retreat\u000d\u000aQueen bed, complete, $2,289\u000d\u000aKenian Charleston Bench, \u000d\u000a$1,299\u000d\u000aPillows, $69\u000d\u000aRattan Wicker & Cane\u000d\u000a751 US Highway 41 Bypass \u000d\u000aSouth Venice\u000d\u000a (941) 484-3313\u000d\u000aD. Wicker Rocker\u000d\u000aComfortable and stylish\u000d\u000aCushion, $224\u000d\u000aRocker, $1,117\u000d\u000aBoca Blooms\u000d\u000a411 Palm Ave.\u000d\u000aBoca Grande\u000d\u000a(941) 964-1111\u000d\u000aE. Doormats\u000d\u000aFlorida gators and fish,\u000d\u000a$45.99\u000d\u000aThe Barnichol\u000d\u000a380 E. Railroad Ave.\u000d\u000aBoca Grande \u000d\u000a(941) 964-2570\u000d\u000aA.\u000d\u000aB.\u000d\u000aC.\u000d\u000aD.\u000d\u000aE.\u000d\u000ag","A. Turtle Wall Hanging\u000d\u000aHandmade, driftwood,\u000d\u000a$349.99\u000d\u000aSea Star Cove\u000d\u000a353 B W. Dearborn St.\u000d\u000aEnglewood \u000d\u000a(941) 460-6290\u000d\u000aB. Decorative plates\u000d\u000aTartaruga Oblong \u000d\u000aServing plate, $165\u000d\u000aRound Shallow plate, $152\u000d\u000aProps for the Home\u000d\u000a2961 Placida Rd.\u000d\u000aEnglewood \u000d\u000a(941) 697-3881\u000d\u000aC. A Piece of Olde Florida\u000d\u000aFire & Pine Papier \u000d\u000aBlanc Florida, $115\u000d\u000aOlde Florida Gallery\u000d\u000a463 W. Dearborn St.\u000d\u000aEnglewood \u000d\u000a(941) 460-1561\u000d\u000aD. Boardwalk\u000d\u000aEntry table,\u000d\u000a $359\u000d\u000aPosh Pelican\u000d\u000a4275 S. Access Rd.\u000d\u000aEnglewood \u000d\u000a(941) 474-0707\u000d\u000aE. Seabrooke Lamp\u000d\u000aSpeckled blue, $768\u000d\u000aProps for the Home\u000d\u000a2961 Placida Rd. Ste. 9\u000d\u000aEnglewood \u000d\u000a(941) 697-3881\u000d\u000aF. Sleeper Sofa\u000d\u000aBy Plaza, $1,469\u000d\u000aPosh Pelican\u000d\u000a4275 S. Access Rd.\u000d\u000aEnglewood \u000d\u000a(941) 474-0707\u000d\u000aA.\u000d\u000aB.\u000d\u000aC.\u000d\u000aD.\u000d\u000aE.\u000d\u000aF.","94 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024\u000d\u000aA. Metal Fish Wall Hanging\u000d\u000aA pair of angles,\u000d\u000a$309 each\u000d\u000aRattan Wicker & Cane\u000d\u000a751 US Highway 41 Bypass \u000d\u000aSouth Venice \u000d\u000a(941) 484-3313\u000d\u000aB. Wall Koi Fish,\u000d\u000a$122\u000d\u000aBoca Blooms\u000d\u000a411 Palm Ave.\u000d\u000aBoca Grande\u000d\u000a(941) 964-1111\u000d\u000aC. Nash Swivel Glider,\u000d\u000a$2,195\u000d\u000aSouthern Design Living\u000d\u000a2980 Placida Rd.\u000d\u000aEnglewood \u000d\u000a(941) 473-9803\u000d\u000aD. Quilted Loggerhead\u000d\u000aWall Hanging\u000d\u000aLocally made, $850\u000d\u000aByrd Haus Market\u000d\u000a13425 Muriel Ave.\u000d\u000aPort Charlotte \u000d\u000a(614) 648-1767\u000d\u000aE\u000d\u000a. Onyx Centerpiece\u000d\u000aPolished from Mexico, $985\u000d\u000aRattan Wicker & Cane\u000d\u000a751 US Highway 41 Bypass \u000d\u000aSouth Venice \u000d\u000a(941) 484-3313\u000d\u000aF. Sea Turtle Barrell End\u000d\u000a23\u201d wall art,\u000d\u000a$119.96\u000d\u000aSouthern Design Living\u000d\u000a2980 Placida Rd.\u000d\u000aEnglewood \u000d\u000a(941) 473-9803\u000d\u000aG. Sea Shell\u000d\u000aAccent Cabinet\u000d\u000a37.5\u201d x 14.5\u201d x 31,\u201d\u000d\u000a$329\u000d\u000aTiffany Furniture\u000d\u000a3031 Placida Rd.\u000d\u000aEnglewood\u000d\u000a(941) 999-4120\u000d\u000aA.\u000d\u000aB.\u000d\u000aC.\u000d\u000aD.\u000d\u000aE.\u000d\u000aG.\u000d\u000aF.","Smart Studio\u000d\u000aFine Art, Prints\u000d\u000a& Custom Framing\u000d\u000a321 Park Avenue, Boca Grande\u000d\u000awww.Smart-Studio.com\u000d\u000aNew Location! New Generation!\u000d\u000aSummer Hours:\u000d\u000aMonday-Friday 10-4\u000d\u000aSouthernDesignLiving.com\u000d\u000aFollow us on @SouthernDesignLiving 2980 Placida Rd., Englewood, FL 34224 \u000d\u000aMon. - Fri., 10 - 5 \u2022 Sat. & Sun. 10 - 4 941.473.9803","Shopping\u000d\u000a96 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024\u000d\u000aA. Lilly Pulitzer\u000d\u000aReversible pickleball paddles,\u000d\u000a$118\u000d\u000aThe Palm on Park\u000d\u000a444 Fourth St.\u000d\u000aBoca Grande \u000d\u000a(941) 964-4448\u000d\u000aB. Tipsy Turtle\u000d\u000aWine bottle holder,\u000d\u000a$48\u000d\u000aPosh Pelican\u000d\u000a4275 S. Access Rd.\u000d\u000aEnglewood \u000d\u000a(941) 474-0707 \u000d\u000aC. Ilse Jacobsen Hornbak\u000d\u000aComfortable women\u2019s shoes,\u000d\u000a$94\u000d\u000aAriel Ltd\u000d\u000a444 Fourth St.\u000d\u000aBoca Grande \u000d\u000a(941) 946-0480\u000d\u000aD. Tortoise Shell & Gold\u000d\u000aGold necklaces, $97\u000d\u000aTortoise shell, $50\u000d\u000aMatching earrings, $50\u000d\u000aBoo Gemes\u000d\u000a480 E. Railroad Ave. Ste. 7\u000d\u000aBoca Grande\u000d\u000a(941) 364-8340\u000d\u000aE. Sunsets Beauty Products\u000d\u000aAfter Sun Repair lotion, $28\u000d\u000aVJ Perfect Ph Yoni \u000d\u000aSoap Bar, $10\u000d\u000aMango Coconut \u000d\u000aWhipped soap, $18\u000d\u000aSunsets of Boca Grande\u000d\u000a443 4th St. W.\u000d\u000aBoca Grande\u000d\u000a(941) 855-9834 F. Vance Kittra \u000d\u000aDecorative candles,\u000d\u000aSM $8.95 LG $15.95\u000d\u000aSouthern Design Living\u000d\u000a2980 Placida Rd.\u000d\u000aEnglewood \u000d\u000a(941) 473-9803\u000d\u000aA.\u000d\u000aB.\u000d\u000aC.\u000d\u000aD.\u000d\u000aE.\u000d\u000aF.","A. Marilyn Monroe \u000d\u000aArt poster, $85\u000d\u000aBeatles denim jacket, $139\u000d\u000aBL Designs\u000d\u000a475 W. Dearborn St.\u000d\u000aEnglewood\u000d\u000a(727) 459-4677\u000d\u000aB. Dress for the \u000d\u000aKentucky Derby\u000d\u000aRun for the Roses Dress, $220\u000d\u000aHandmade Panama purse, $48\u000d\u000aIvy\u2019s On Dearborn\u000d\u000a446 W. Dearborn St.\u000d\u000aEnglewood \u000d\u000a(941) 474-7435\u000d\u000aC. Man\u2019s Flowered \u000d\u000aHawaiian shirt,\u000d\u000a$26.80\u000d\u000aThe Green Artist\u000d\u000a457 W. Dearborn St.\u000d\u000aEnglewood \u000d\u000a(941) 473-7860\u000d\u000aD. Viking Ladies Sandals,\u000d\u000a$64.95\u000d\u000aGulf Soles\u000d\u000a445 W. Dearborn St.\u000d\u000aEnglewood \u000d\u000a(941) 220-7605\u000d\u000aE. Olukai Men's Shoes\u000d\u000aFor island life, \u000d\u000a$200\u000d\u000aBoca Grande Outfitters\u000d\u000a375 Park Ave.\u000d\u000aBoca Grande\u000d\u000a(941) 964-2445\u000d\u000aF. Peter Millar\u000d\u000aPilot twill shorts, \u000d\u000a$115\u000d\u000aBoca Grande Outfitters\u000d\u000a375 Park Ave.\u000d\u000aBoca Grande\u000d\u000a(941) 964-2445\u000d\u000aA.\u000d\u000aB.\u000d\u000aC.\u000d\u000aD.\u000d\u000aE. F.","98 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024\u000d\u000aA. Pizza shaped\u000d\u000aDog toy, $14\u000d\u000aWillow Grace Mercantile\u000d\u000a485 W. Dearborn St.\u000d\u000aEnglewood \u000d\u000a(941) 920-3387\u000d\u000aB. Adopt Your Own Sea \u000d\u000aTurtle Hatchling, \u000d\u000a$10 each\u000d\u000aOlde Florida Gallery\u000d\u000a 463 W. Dearborn St. \u000d\u000aEnglewood\u000d\u000a(941) 460-1561\u000d\u000aC. Glass Travel Infuser\u000d\u000aMug, 16 oz, $30\u000d\u000aCamp Cocktail in a Jar, $25\u000d\u000aBella Vida\u000d\u000a480 E. Railroad Ave.\u000d\u000aBoca Grande \u000d\u000a(941) 855-9534\u000d\u000aD. The Saltwater Table\u000d\u000aCookbook, $45\u000d\u000aProps for the Home\u000d\u000a2961 Placida Rd. Ste. 9\u000d\u000aEnglewood \u000d\u000a(941) 697-3881\u000d\u000aE. Salt & Pepper\u000d\u000aPewter Turtles,\u000d\u000a$80 for set\u000d\u000aSmart Studio\u000d\u000a370 Park Ave.\u000d\u000aBoca Grande\u000d\u000a(941) 964-0519\u000d\u000aF. Turtle Mugs\u000d\u000aBlue Turtle Mug, $17.99\u000d\u000aTurtley Awesome, $12.99\u000d\u000aFugates\u000d\u000a428 4th St. W.\u000d\u000aBoca Grande\u000d\u000a (941) 946-2323\u000d\u000aG. Place Setting\u000d\u000aBy MUUBS\u000d\u000aNapkin holder, $8.95\u000d\u000aNapkin, $14.95\u000d\u000a8\u201d plate, $49.95\u000d\u000a11\u201d plate, $54.95\u000d\u000aShell charger plate, $18.95\u000d\u000aSouthern Design Living\u000d\u000a2980 Placida Rd.\u000d\u000aEnglewood \u000d\u000a(941) 473-9803\u000d\u000aA.\u000d\u000aB.\u000d\u000aC.\u000d\u000aD.\u000d\u000aE.\u000d\u000aF.\u000d\u000aG.","Smart Binoculars for Beyond Seeing\u000d\u000aTire Inflation from Inside the Jeep\u000d\u000aPublisher Dusty Hopkins is always\u000d\u000ainvestigating new ideas in technology.\u000d\u000aHere are a couple of his favorites. \u000d\u000abfgoodrichtires.com \u000d\u000a$89\u000d\u000aswarovskioptik.com\u000d\u000a$4,799\u000d\u000aEvery now and then something comes around that \u000d\u000achanges everything. Introducing: BFGoodrich ActivAir, \u000d\u000aa brand-new, fully integrated tire inflation system that \u000d\u000aallows you to air up or air down without ever leaving \u000d\u000ayour seat. Select your targeted PSI, on the fly, all with \u000d\u000athe push of a button. Currently, ActivAir can be installed \u000d\u000aon Jeep Wranglers and Jeep Galdiators.\u000d\u000aPrecise Pressure at the Push of a Button:\u000d\u000aConquer road, rock, sand, mud and more without \u000d\u000aever leaving your seat.\u000d\u000aBreakthrough Engineering for Next-Gen Drivers:\u000d\u000aPatented Premium Technology developed by top \u000d\u000abuilders that allows you to feel safe to adventure as \u000d\u000afar as your adrenaline takes you.\u000d\u000aDurable Design for the Toughest Terrain:\u000d\u000aPressure-tested in some of the most extreme \u000d\u000aenvironments (such as Dakar and the Ultra4 racing \u000d\u000acircuit), so there\u2019s no terrain you won\u2019t be ready to \u000d\u000atackle.\u000d\u000aThe AX Visio is the perfect symbiosis of digital \u000d\u000aintelligence and high-performance sport optics. \u000d\u000aThe high-precision binoculars with SWAROVISION \u000d\u000atechnology deliver razor-sharp images with excellent \u000d\u000acolor fidelity. \u000d\u000aThanks to the integrated identification support, the \u000d\u000aAX Visio helps you to find out the name of the bird or \u000d\u000aother animal species you are observing.\u000d\u000aWould you like to show your observation to the \u000d\u000aperson next to you? Simply mark the animal or object \u000d\u000ayou have observed with the \u201cShare discoveries\u201d \u000d\u000afunction activated, pass the AX Visio on and it will \u000d\u000ashow them where your discovery is by means of red \u000d\u000aarrow markings on the display.\u000d\u000aThe handy compass function with integrated tilt \u000d\u000aangle helps you to orient yourself.\u000d\u000aTake photos or videos of your discoveries with the \u000d\u000aAX Visio. You can then manage and share your files in \u000d\u000athe SWAROVSKI OPTIK Outdoor app.\u000d\u000aWith this app, you can easily connect your AX \u000d\u000aVisio to your smartphone. Manage and share your \u000d\u000aimages and videos, get more information about your \u000d\u000adiscoveries and manage settings and updates for \u000d\u000ayour AX Visio. \u000d\u000aThanks to the proven SWAROVISION technology, \u000d\u000athe AX Visio also impresses as analog binoculars with \u000d\u000aunsurpassed image sharpness and maximum color \u000d\u000afidelity.\u000d\u000a2024 \u2022 May/June \u2022 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE 99 \u000d\u000aAX Visio\u000d\u000aBFGoodrich ActivAir","Social Pages\u000d\u000a1) Terry Seitz\u000d\u000a2) Maggie Bush\u000d\u000a3) James Martin\u000d\u000a4) Nancy Ryan & Julia Pierce\u000d\u000a5) Sam Campbell\u000d\u000a6) Hal McCombs & Elaine Skypala\u000d\u000a7) Alice Court\u000d\u000aPhotos by Dusty Hopkins and Matthew Gutman\u000d\u000a1) Rebecca & Gail Cleveland \u000d\u000a2) Nancy Bass, Nina Coin & Linda Wolcott\u000d\u000a3) Carol Hall, Laurie McGuane \u000d\u000a & Kate Horgan \u000d\u000a4) Sean & Tonya Doherty\u000d\u000a5) Susan Sineath, Joy Strotho \u000d\u000a & Jeanie Duncan\u000d\u000a6) Nagge Sollers, Madonna & John Merritt\u000d\u000a7) Cameron Kelley & Sandra Breck\u000d\u000a8) Kathleen & Bob Carroll\u000d\u000a9) Charlie & Carolyn Madden\u000d\u000a10) Babs Vanyo, Jo Brookhart, Ann Aikens,\u000d\u000a Louise Head & Pamela Miles \u000d\u000aBoca Grande Art Center\u000d\u000aFishing in Paradise\u000d\u000a100 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024\u000d\u000a7 7 8 9 10\u000d\u000a7\u000d\u000a1\u000d\u000a1\u000d\u000a2\u000d\u000a2\u000d\u000a5\u000d\u000a5\u000d\u000a6\u000d\u000a6\u000d\u000a4\u000d\u000a4\u000d\u000a3\u000d\u000a3\u000d\u000aRoyal Palm Players\u000d\u000aSuite Surrender","1) Kathy & Marshall Christman \u000d\u000a2) Debbie Frank & Marta Howell\u000d\u000a3) Jeanie & Bayne Stevenson and Minni Meyer\u000d\u000a4) Jim & Martha Slager\u000d\u000a5) Susan Higbee & Kay Coyne\u000d\u000a6) Tim & Merete Monahan and Terry Seitz\u000d\u000a7) Gary Cross, Mimi Carvalho, \u000d\u000a Sarah & David Scazzofava\u000d\u000a8) Gina & Marty McFadden\u000d\u000a9) Patty & Steve Brink\u000d\u000a10) Don Lupo & Ed Walerko \u000d\u000a11) Josh Cross & Kyle Rich\u000d\u000a12) Linda & Steve Ranney\u000d\u000a13) Effie Joiner, Sara Millo and Lauren Ringeisen\u000d\u000a14) Jo Ann Nordlie & Diane Cook\u000d\u000a15) John Scheinfeld & Karen Vock\u000d\u000a16) Dwight Wood, Ted Lilly & Jim Nordlie \u000d\u000a1 2\u000d\u000a3\u000d\u000aBoca Grande\u000d\u000aFilm Festival\u000d\u000a3\u000d\u000a4 5 6\u000d\u000a8\u000d\u000a7\u000d\u000a9 11\u000d\u000a13 14 15 16\u000d\u000a10 12","Preschool Beach Ball\u000d\u000aScenes from Boca Grande Woman\u2019s Club Bike Parade & Spring Fair\u000d\u000a102 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024\u000d\u000a1 2\u000d\u000a3 4\u000d\u000a5 6 7 8\u000d\u000a1) Cheryl & Elizabeth Schum\u000d\u000a2) Genie Lyman, Mary Welch & Sue Fuller\u000d\u000a3) Roland & Lisa Emanuel, Courtney McGovern, \u000d\u000aMaryJo & Terry Pigott\u000d\u000a4) Candice Ward and Katie Caldwell\u000d\u000a5) Pat & Debbie Gallagher\u000d\u000a6) Daphne & Jamie McManus\u000d\u000a7) Dick & Meg Taylor\u000d\u000a8) Lou Fusz, Kellene Carpenter & Angela Steffan","","104 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024\u000d\u000aMay 1-12\u000d\u000aSicilians In The Basement\u000d\u000aLemon Bay Playhouse\u000d\u000a(941) 475-6756\u000d\u000aMay 2-5\u000d\u000aPinky\u2019s Players\u000d\u000aVeniceTheatre.org\u000d\u000aMay 4 \u000d\u000aCruisin\u2019 On Dearborn, 2 to 8 p.m.\u000d\u000aW. Dearborn St., Englewood\u000d\u000aMay 5\u000d\u000aDoogie\u2019s Annual Cinco De Mayo \u000d\u000aGolf Scramble, Rotonda West\u000d\u000arunsignup.com\u000d\u000aMay 7-19\u000d\u000aBank Job\u000d\u000aVeniceTheatre.org\u000d\u000aMay 10\u000d\u000aWaves: Movements that Move Us\u000d\u000aHermitage Fellows Rebecca \u000d\u000aCrenshaw & Bess Wohl,\u000d\u000a6:30 to 7:30 p.m.\u000d\u000aHermitageArtistRetreat.org\u000d\u000aMay 11\u000d\u000aPersonal Watercraft Course\u000d\u000aSouth Gulf Cove HOA Building,\u000d\u000a14859 Ingraham Blvd., 8 a.m.\u000d\u000aLQuirk.uscgaux@gmail.com\u000d\u000aMay 12\u000d\u000aHAPPY MOTHER\u2019S DAY\u000d\u000aMay 12\u000d\u000aThe Brothers Doobie\u000d\u000aVeniceTheatre.org\u000d\u000aMay 16-26\u000d\u000aMorning After Grace\u000d\u000aCharlottePlayers.org\u000d\u000aMay 18\u000d\u000aYouth Fishing Tournament\u000d\u000aBoca Grande Fishing Pier, 9-11 a.m.\u000d\u000adbalsizer@leegov.com.\u000d\u000aMay 18\u000d\u000aSeagrass Wading Trip\u000d\u000aCedar Point Environmental Park,\u000d\u000aEnglewood, 9 to 11 a.m.\u000d\u000aChecFlorida.org\u000d\u000aMay 18 \u000d\u000aA Day of Celtic Music, 12 to 9 p.m.\u000d\u000aFisherman\u2019s Village, Punta Gorda\u000d\u000aMay 19\u000d\u000aHerman\u2019s Hermits\u000d\u000aVeniceTheatre.org\u000d\u000aMay 25-26\u000d\u000aIndoor Arts & Craft Show\u000d\u000aCharlotte Harbor Events & Conf. \u000d\u000aCenter (941) 833-5444\u000d\u000aMay 27\u000d\u000aMEMORIAL DAY\u000d\u000aJune 1 2 to 8 p.m.\u000d\u000aCruisin\u2019 On Dearborn , 2 to 8 p.m.\u000d\u000aW. Dearborn St., Englewood\u000d\u000aJune 5-23\u000d\u000aDoubt: A Parable\u000d\u000aLemon Bay Playhouse\u000d\u000a(941) 475-6756\u000d\u000aJune 15 12 to 9 p.m.\u000d\u000aBlues Fest, noon to 9 p.m.\u000d\u000aFisherman\u2019s Village, Punta Gorda\u000d\u000aJune 16\u000d\u000aHAPPY FATHER\u2019S DAY\u000d\u000aCalendar\u000d\u000aMay - June\u000d\u000aBOCA GRANDE\u000d\u000aTARPON\u000d\u000aTOURNAMENTS\u000d\u000aFor 2024 tarpon tournament \u000d\u000adates and information,\u000d\u000asee Tarpon Times page 71","Air Trek, Inc. ..................................................................................................... 44, 89\u000d\u000aApulia .................................................................................................................... 50\u000d\u000aAshley Lippincott Photography.............................................................................. 56\u000d\u000aAURA boutique ...................................................................................................... 51\u000d\u000aBoca Grande Chamber of Commerce .................................................................... 70\u000d\u000aBoca Grande Marina ............................................................................................. 81\u000d\u000aByrd Haus Market.................................................................................................. 51\u000d\u000aCaddy Carts........................................................................................................ 3, 66\u000d\u000aCape Haze Tavern/The Rabbit Hole........................................................................ 50\u000d\u000aCharlotte County Seawalls..................................................................................... 81\u000d\u000aClifford M. Scholz Architects .................................................................................. 13\u000d\u000aCoral Creek Club............................................................................................... 16, 17\u000d\u000aCourtyard Hair Etc.................................................................................................. 87\u000d\u000aCurry, Jamie, Realtor\u00ae, Gulf to Bay/Sotheby\u2019s International Realty................. 28, 29\u000d\u000aEnglewood Art & Frame ....................................................................................... 103\u000d\u000aEnglewood CRA-Dearborn Street .......................................................................... 61\u000d\u000aEnglewood Glass & Mirror .............................................................................. 60, 89\u000d\u000aExecutive Dog Training .......................................................................................... 36\u000d\u000aFarlow\u2019s on the Water ........................................................................................... 41\u000d\u000aFarr Law Firm ......................................................................................................... 24\u000d\u000aFirst Light Home Care ......................................................................................... 103\u000d\u000aFriends of Boca Grande ......................................................................................... 56\u000d\u000aGasparilla Outfitters............................................................................................... 70\u000d\u000aGinger Lily, Inc. ..................................................................................................... 95\u000d\u000aGulf To Bay/Sotheby\u2019s International Realty.............................................................. 2\u000d\u000aHudson\u2019s Grocery................................................................................................... 84\u000d\u000aIngman Marine/Grady White ........................................................................... 31, 77\u000d\u000aInnovative Marine Structures................................................................................ 45\u000d\u000aItaliano Insurance Services, Inc. ....................................................................... 30, 69\u000d\u000aIvy\u2019s on Dearborn.................................................................................................... 61\u000d\u000aJones, Olivia, Broker-Associate, Parsley-Baldwin................................................. 107\u000d\u000aLemon Bay Glass & Mirror ..................................................................................... 80\u000d\u000aLemon Bay Golf Club.............................................................................................. 25\u000d\u000aMarine Max........................................................................................................... 84\u000d\u000aMichael J. Looney, Inc. Electrical............................................................................ 87\u000d\u000aMichael Saunders & Company.............................................................................. 89\u000d\u000aMike Douglass Plumbing ..................................................................................... 45\u000d\u000aMiller\u2019s Dockside & Eagle Grille....................................................................... 36, 81\u000d\u000aMoore, Donna & Moore, Jeff, Realtors\u00ae\u000d\u000a Gulf to Bay/Sotheby\u2019s International Realty ................................................... 14, 15\u000d\u000aMurdock Stones Etc. ............................................................................................. 57\u000d\u000aNico B\u2019s................................................................................................................... 51\u000d\u000aOuterbridge Construction, Inc. ........................................................................... 8, 9\u000d\u000aParadise Island Contracting, Inc. ........................................................................... 57\u000d\u000aPark Avenue Wine & Spirits.................................................................................... 75\u000d\u000aParsley-Baldwin Realty ................................................................................. 90, 108\u000d\u000aPeterson, Hans & Peterson, Rebecca, Realtors\u00ae\u000d\u000a Michael Saunders & Company ............................................................................ 37\u000d\u000aPhotographic Images by Heidemarie Burke ......................................................... 50\u000d\u000aPigott, MaryJo, Broker-Associate, \u000d\u000a Gulf to Bay/Sotheby\u2019s International Realty.................................................... 20, 21\u000d\u000aPlacida Window Treatments ................................................................................. 103\u000d\u000aProps for the Home ............................................................................................... 57\u000d\u000aRandy Wojcik Team, Realtors\u00ae.............................................................................. 4,5\u000d\u000aRattan Wicker and Cane, Inc. ................................................................................. 36\u000d\u000aSassy Tarts.............................................................................................................. 51\u000d\u000aScarpa\u2019s Coastal ..................................................................................................... 70\u000d\u000aSchmehl & Harkness, Inc. ..................................................................................... 44\u000d\u000aSeeport Optometry................................................................................................ 60\u000d\u000aSisters Restaurant.................................................................................................. 87\u000d\u000aSmart Studio ......................................................................................................... 95\u000d\u000aSouth Beach Bar & Grille ....................................................................................... 87\u000d\u000aSouthern Design Living ........................................................................................ 95\u000d\u000aSteffan \u2022 Sieglaff Real Estate Team, Gulf To Bay/Sotheby\u2019s International Realty.... 11\u000d\u000aStewart, Carol, Broker-Associate, Michael Saunders & Company......................... 6, 7\u000d\u000aSuncoast Humane Society.................................................................................. 103\u000d\u000aTaz Flooring & Design............................................................................................ 57\u000d\u000aTemp Bar & Temptation Restaurant, The................................................................ 75\u000d\u000aThoroughbred Golf Carts....................................................................................... 30\u000d\u000aUncle Henry\u2019s Marina ...................................................................................... 44,84\u000d\u000aGasparilla Island Magazine would like \u000d\u000ato thank our premier retail partners for \u000d\u000atheir continued support. \u000d\u000aLooking for your favorite advertisers?\u000d\u000aContact Us!\u000d\u000aWE\u2019RE HERE FOR YOU ...\u000d\u000aSubscriptions\u000d\u000aIf you need assistance with delivery of your current subscriptions \u000d\u000aor would like to subscribe or order a gift subscription to any or all \u000d\u000aof our products feel free to call 941.964.2995 or 800.749.2995. \u000d\u000aTo order subscriptions online, visit BocaBeacon.com.\u000d\u000aChange of Address\u000d\u000aContact the Boca Beacon office at 941.964.2995 if you are \u000d\u000arelocating and wish to change your address. Or, if you prefer, \u000d\u000avisit the BocaBeacon.com contact page and leave us a message, \u000d\u000aincluding your previous address and your new address along \u000d\u000awith the date you will be moving.\u000d\u000aOur Website\u000d\u000aVisit BocaBeacon.com for information on all products and \u000d\u000aservices provided by the Boca Beacon or Gasparilla Magazine.\u000d\u000aYour Opinions\u000d\u000aThe Boca Beacon family welcomes your comments and letters \u000d\u000aregarding our publications. Please feel free to drop us a line at \u000d\u000aBocaBeacon.com or by mail to: Boca Beacon,\u000d\u000aRetail Index\u000d\u000a P.O. Box 313, Boca Grande, FL 33921\u000d\u000aAvailable at Your \u000d\u000aLocal PUBLIX Retailer","\u201cLife is not a problem to \u000d\u000abe solved, but a reality to \u000d\u000abe experienced.\u201d \u000d\u000a ~ Soren Kierkegaard\u000d\u000aPhoto by Dusty Hopkins 106 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE \u2022 May/June \u2022 2024","Olivia Jones\u000d\u000aPBR-18001 Logo 2C_FIN.eps\u000d\u000aPBR-18001 Logo Color_FIN.jpg\u000d\u000aPBR-18001 Logo K_FIN.eps\u000d\u000aPBR-18001 Logo 4C_FIN.eps\u000d\u000aPBR-18001 Logo Color_FIN.png\u000d\u000aPBR-18001 Logo K_FIN.jpg\u000d\u000aREALTOR\u00ae\u000d\u000afacebook.com/oliviajonesrealestate oliviamauceri\u000d\u000a941-456-1281 www.OliviaJonesRealty.com"," PARSLEY-BALDWIN\u000d\u000aREALTY & VACATION RENTALS\u000d\u000a428 West 4th Street\u000d\u000aPO Box 605\u000d\u000aBoca Grande, FL 33921\u000d\u000a941.964.2700\u000d\u000a800-741-3074\u000d\u000aOVER 38 years OF TRADITION IN BOCA GRANDE\u000d\u000aVACATION RENTALS | PROPERTY MANAGEMENT | HOME WATCH\u000d\u000aFEATURED REAL ESTATE\u000d\u000aArchitect, T.A. Krebs llc 01/27/22\u000d\u000a3 Peekins Cove Dr. Boca Grande, FL\u000d\u000a3 Peekins\u000d\u000aOlivia Jones | 941-456-1281\u000d\u000a10009 Gasparilla Pass\u000d\u000aOlivia Jones | 941-456-1281\u000d\u000a1947 Wisconsin Ave \u000d\u000aJim & Sue Reske | 941-276-4219\u000d\u000a4676 Arlington Dr \u000d\u000aTina Sexton | 941-270-2154\u000d\u000a2021 20th St W\u000d\u000aKevin & Nancy Hyde | 941-628-4730\u000d\u000a206 W. Pine Valley Ln\u000d\u000aOlivia Jones | 941-456-1281\u000d\u000aBoca Grande North #65\u000d\u000aJim & Sue Reske | 941-276-4219\u000d\u000a2784 Mill Creek Rd\u000d\u000aJim & Sue Reske | 941-276-4219\u000d\u000aPlacida Harbour Club #1402 \u000d\u000aJim & Sue Reske | 941-276-4219\u000d\u000aSea Oats #B337\u000d\u000aKevin & Nancy Hyde | 941-628-4730\u000d\u000a841 Belcher Rd\u000d\u000aTina Sexton | 941-270-2154\u000d\u000aBoca Grande Club #73\u000d\u000aDave Hayden | 941-815-1847\u000d\u000aPlacida Harbour Club #203 \u000d\u000aJim & Sue Reske | 941-276-4219\u000d\u000aOlivia Jones\u000d\u000aREALTOR\u00ae\u000d\u000a941-456-1281\u000d\u000a8625 Placida Rd \u000d\u000aKevin & Nancy Hyde | 941-628-4730\u000d\u000aBoca Vista Harbor #405 \u000d\u000aMarybeth Burdette | 941-964-0577\u000d\u000aChristi Legere, Reservation Manager \u000d\u000aCasey Alderman, Rental Manager\u000d\u000aJim Benson, Owner/Broker\u000d\u000aMichelle Finley, Owner/Broker"]