The Boca Banner: Building a Better Community Together

Index...
Bob...................................pg 3
(Printed Edition)

Mote Marine...................pg 4
(Printed Edition)

Ron Hart..........................pg 6

Babcock Preservation...pg 7
(Printed Edition)

Boots Tolsdorf...............pg 8

Paradise...........................pg 9

Cuba Mission...............pg 12

Sleuths...........................pg 13
(Printed Edition)

Hunting.........................pg 18
(Printed Edition)

WWII photos...............pg 19

Mission Destination.....pg20

Boca Banner Website

The Boca Banner is on the internet. There are new links to weather and tide charts. Current news and photos. Links to Boca Grande's Real Estate leaders. Keep watching the site grow.

Its www.thebocabanner.com . The redesigned site is maintained by JD Web Design. of Port Charlotte Florida

Gulf Coast Preservation society
To preserve and protect the Gulf of Mexico by disseminating information and providing vital research necessary to finding solutions to environmental issues in order to maintain a healthy ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico.

Local Links

The Worlds Richest Tarpon Tournament

Gasparilla Island (Port Boca Grande) Lighthouse

Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association

Gasparilla Island State Park

The Boca Grande
Historical Society

Boca Grande Area
Chamber of Commerce

Local Official Resource

By Linda Fudala-Tucker

A grass-roofed hut over a dirt floor with a few chickens and a goat is what Ryan Boyette calls home in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan, Africa where the region is still recovering from 20 years of civil war and genocide.

For the past 2 1/2 years Ryan's worked there with a team through Samaritan's

Purse, a non-denominational organization headed by Franklin Graham, son of the Rev. Billy Graham. The organization works around the globe by aiding other Christian organizations in disaster relief in often dangerous areas. Samaritan's Purse team members do it all - from assisting in agricultural and sanitation projects to training pastors and teachers and evangelizing.

Boyette, 24, grew up in Boca Grande during the 12 years his father, Glenn Boyette served as the island's law officer. His mom, Fran still works on the island at the Sun Porch in the Railroad Plaza. She's not fond of the idea of her son being so far away, but has come to accept her son's calling and is proud of his commitment.

Continued On Page 5

New GIBA Building Open for Business and Great Views
By Linda Fudala-Tucker

On Monday GIBA employees were busy packing boxes and dismantling computers. On Tuesday the aroma of coffee and donuts greeted customers in the new administration building where Janeane Aicardi welcomed residents, some of whom came via the new elevator.

"After more than 7 1/2 years of living in a very unsafe, temporary trailer, Team GIBA is very proud of their new administration building," said Jim Cooper, executive director in a release. The contractor, Bradanna, Inc. of Naples with engineering firm Giffels-Webster, Inc., of Englewood, and Jonathan Parks architect of Sarasota were all lauded by Cooper