EDITOR’S LETTER Happy fall to all of our readers, even if it doesn’t feel like it. While the Florida humidity pours over us likes waves of molten velvet, we persevere, and we relish our cold fronts that come in the forms of tropical thunderstorms. The end of the extreme heat is in sight, though, in the form of weather that may be cool enough – we can only hope – when we can wear a jacket. All things outdoors are better in the fall and winter here, including biking, boating and, in many cases, beaching as well. This edition of our magazine contains a little bit about all three of those topics. We have a new boardwalk (or will have soon) at the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Beach, which should offer a really great view of Boca Grande Pass and make access to the beach easier for people with walking difficulties. We have a nearby business that is offering a great new type of personalized watercraft called a private-power catamaran, and we have a good, in-depth story about the Pioneer Bike Trail. The bike trail story is particularly exciting, considering the new bike path from Rotonda Boulevard West will connect Gasparilla Island to the entire Cape Haze Peninsula and beyond. Those who know me, though, will understand which one of our stories is my favorite. I’m a fool for Halloween, and for ghost stories, and we’ve compiled several from around the island that are pretty notorious. From the Headless Lady to a young ghost named Molly on Banyan Street, this story is pretty packed with salacious stories from beyond ... and that’s what I love. Keep in mind, please, that it is not OK to trespass in the name of an attempted ghost sighting. The next time I speak with you all, we will be very near to Christmas and entering ‘social season’ here on the island. Our laidback summer days are almost done when you look at it from that perspective, so head to the beach or the boat and soak up some of those intense rays. Take a walk in the evening to smell the perfume 10 GASPARILLA ISLAND September/October 2017 emanating from those island flowers that love the sultry weather and appreciate the stillness of a sub-tropical Florida fall. Take care of yourselves, and each other, until we meet again. Marcy Shortuse Editor-in-Chief
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