The Boca Banner: Building a Better Community Together

Temper...gets most of us in trouble. Pride is what keeps us there.---Mark Twain

The Internet Edition- Vol. 1 Issue 52 January 6, 2006

Gene Marra Becomes Executive Chef - General Manager for South Beach

By Linda Fudala-Tucker

South Beach Bar & Grill was up and running in less than two months following Hurricane Charley thanks to manager, Dewey Henson, says Kim Honey, managing partner of Grand Time of Boca Grande, LLC which has owned the popular spot for over six years. The former "Laff 'O Lot" was bought by the partnership in order to maintain it as a favorite eatery and watering hole, said Honey. Gene Marra is the new executive chef and manager.

Gene Marra has become the executive chef and general manager for South Beach Bar & Grill.

Culinary Institute of America gradu ate Gene Marra will put his 30- plus years of culinary experience to work as the newly hired executive chef and general manager for South Beach Bar & Grill starting this week.

Kim Honey, managing partner of Grand Time of Boca Grande, LLC - owners of South Beach for six-and-a-half - years - told the Banner Tuesday that a deal to buy the popular establishment put together by Marra and a partner had

fallen through when the partner decided to pull out. Honey said that he and his partners were so impressed with Marra’s resume that they asked him to take over the operation. Current manager, Dewey Henson, said Honey, wanted to pursue other interests.

"Dewey did a tremendous job in getting South Beach up and running less than two months after Hurricane Charley, and we appreciate

all that he’s done," said Honey who added that Henson will remain at South Beach for as long as needed to ensure a smooth transition.

Marra said he is looking forward to the new position. "I'm really excited and thrilled for this opportunity. I

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Index...
Celebrate.........................pg 3

Iguana..............................pg 5

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

Publisher's Corner..........pg 7

BG Clinic..........................pg 8

Ceol Binn.......................pg 12

Anniversary..................pg 14

Turtle release................pg 18

Leu Gardens..................pg 20

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Methodist Women Meet To Define Mission for Troops

By Linda Fudala-Tucker

The small green crosses made out of mesh and yarn, may not look like much, but to a soldier facing a dangerous mission, it is a source of hope and comfort.

One of the requests made by Chaplain (Major) Douglas Etter at Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq, is for religious medals, said Helen Kaiser, president of United Methodist Women of Boca Grande who has begun organizing "Operation Support the Needs of Our Troops" here. A community organization meeting slated for today has been postponed until Jan. 13, 10 a.m. at the fire station. Members of the steering committee haven't been able to get back from the north, said Kaiser during a meeting Wednesday at the

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United Methodist Women - Blanche Johnson, Barbara Stirling, Marjorie Moore, Sue Eddy, Jeanne Saeger, Helen Kaiser, and Candy Rost, pause during a meeting Wednesday to go over some of the needs for the troops stationed at Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq. A community organizational meeting slated for today has been postponed until Jan. 13, 10 a.m. at the Fire Station.

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