Papillon owner ready for the next great adventure



Caroline Thonon came to the U.S. from Belgium for an education. When she chose to leave the United States at age 23 to return to Europe to care for her ailing father, she vowed to return. Fifteen years later, she made good on that promise, moving to Punta Gorda with her family, for its abundant sunshine and to be in […]

POLICE BRIEFS



PG Police Department gets accreditation   The Punta Gorda Police Department has received a unanimous vote by the 13-member Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation Inc. awarding the agency its fifth consecutive law enforcement accreditation certificate. Initially accredited in 1998, the agency has undergone assessments and commission reviews in 2001, 2004, 2007 and now, 2010. “We are once again very […]

COMMUNITY BRIEFS



Coalition has suicide prevention seminar   Every week, more than 100 of our nation’s youth die as a result of suicide. To provide educators, law enforcement, youth leaders and anyone who works closely with young people with the tools and resources to recognize the warning signs and identify at-risk behavior, the Lee County Injury Coalition will present a free suicide […]

Local crabbers get a break by not taking one



Crabbing is a family tradition for crabber Rodney Hendrickson. “My dad was in the business,” Mr. Hendrickson said. His brothers, nephew and grandfather were also in the business. Mr. Hendrickson depends on catching blue crabs every day, but for 10 days every July, crabbing stops. Florida Wildlife Commission officer Ron Howard explained that the 10-day ban is generally necessary to […]

County leaders seek slice of BP Tourism Marketing Allocation



Despite the primary oil plume being more than 300 miles from Charlotte County and no oil reported on area beaches or waterways, the disaster is negatively impacting local businesses with cancelled reservations and reduction in future accommodation bookings. On July 1, Charlotte County Commission Chairman Bob Starr sent a letter to Florida Gov. Charlie Crist requesting $500,000 from the BP […]

Sneak peek

New Play Preview Party will give audiences a look at Theatre Conspiracy finalists

Every year, Bill Taylor receives hundreds of plays in the mail — submissions from playwrights hoping to win Theatre Conspiracy’s New Play Contest. Every year, Mr. Taylor, who is the founder and artistic director of the company, and a select group of readers peruse each play and Mr. Taylor declares the winner. This year, he’s letting patrons and supporters see […]

A night at the beach: Gallery Walk is July 15



Rain or no rain, Gallery Walk in Punta Gorda has a beach theme this month. On Thursday, July 15, business owners of the Downtown Merchants Association welcome summer with a game of Beach Blanket Bingo. Downtown merchants stay open until at least till 8 p.m. on Gallery Walk nights, and if the weather’s stormy, offer shelter from the raindrops drops. […]

This week on WGCU TV



. THURSDAY, JULY 15 8 P.M. Your Voice: Addicted! Join us for an in-depth exploration and analysis of a prevalent problem in our region that remains “hidden” in plain sight. A panel of experts in the field of drug and alcohol addiction will discuss the disease and the community’s efforts to lead people into recovery. Also seated will be individuals […]

Sugar chests, pie safes once kept sweets under lock and key

KOVELS: ANTIQUES & COLLECTING

Go to an antique show and you might see a pie safe, jelly cupboard or sugar chest. But most beginning collectors would call each a “cupboard” or “chest” with no idea how the furniture was originally used. A pie safe, also called a kitchen safe, is easy to identify. It is a rectangular cupboard, usually with two doors that have […]

‘Broke, USA: From Pawnshops to Poverty, Inc. — How the Working Poor Became Big Business’

BEACH READING

By Gary Rivlin (Harper Business, $26.99) It’s no secret that many hardworking Americans are deep in debt, and some are just a paycheck or two from being homeless and on the street. Many dig themselves into a financial hole without even realizing it. Case in point, Tommy Myers, a 73-yearold retiree from Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Myers and his wife, Marcia, […]