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Fact Box

Merry Beth Ryan, a member of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association, can be reached at www.merrybethryanphotography.com, by e-mail at mbr1965@comcast.net or by phone (941) 544-5023.

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This is the time of the year when we all set aside some time with family and friends to remember what we are thankful for.

Every year at this time I cannot help but remember a childhood tradition in my home of putting a note inside the "thankful box."

It was a little box my family used to leave little notes inside it stating what we were thankful for. One of us in my family would sit and read the notes aloud.

We did not sign the notes or put our names on it. But as the notes were read we always seemed to know where they came from.

For those living on Boca Grande I am quite certain their "thankful box" would have to be a rather large one to hold all the things for which island residents are thankful.

Just as soon as one crosses over the first bridge onto Boca Grande they quickly realize why the island is such a special paradise. Each and every time I make the drive over to Boca Grande I understand why those who are fortunate enough to live on Boca cherish their unique tranquil island.

Longtime island resident Melissa Joiner Steyer spent a few moments with me and shared why she is thankful to have been raised on Boca Grande and how she is now raising her own family island style. Melissa's grandmother Issabelle Joiner owns and operates the historic Whiddens Marina.

Steyer says she is thankful for her "mother and my family." She has been a part of Boca Grande all of her life and is always quick to lend a helping hand at a variety of island events and for that I am sure the island is also thankful for Steyer.

Her two sons, Wyatt and Sammy, also shared what they were thankful for on the island. Wyatt said he was thankful that he was able to attend the island school, he was thankful for his family and friends and he was thankful he had a boat and could fish anytime right off his dock.

Her oldest son, Sammy, said he was thankful that the island was peaceful most of the time. He was also thankful to be able to live on the island and thankful that he can enjoy all the water sports he is able to take part in such as boogie boarding, fishing, surfing as well as skim boarding. Sammy also mentioned he, too, was thankful for his family.

There is so much to be thankful for on the island. Living in such a small town community allows you to form friendships of a lifetime. Everyone knows everyone . Island residents are thankful for how everyone works together in good times as well as in the bad times. For an example I saw firsthand how the island community came together after Hurricane Charley came through and damaged a lot of property on the island. Everyone was eager to lend a helping hand to their neighbors.

Boca Grande has a great fire department as well as a great police department on island. It has great shopping, terrific restaurants, beautiful churches, great art shops, great community events as well as a fantastic organization such as Royal Palm Players to entertain island residents as well as their guests throughout the year. The Gasparilla Inn is a wonderful destination and always has been if you're looking to escape the everyday stress life can sometimes bring us.

Boca Grande is a beautiful piece of paradise. Being able to wake up daily to the islands beautiful sights and sounds of the waves crashing and the birds singing is enough to fill the "thankful box " to the rim.

Many are thankful for the great fishing opportunities the island offers. Many are thankful for the lack of the everyday hussle and bussle the city life consists of. Island lifestyle is a much slower pace and for those that are fortunate to call Boca their home that slow paced lifestyle is exactly why they chose the island in the first place.

For those who have been fortunate to live on Boca Grande island they all share a special bond. The lack of big commercial buildings and the lack of Burger King-type fast food restaurants and Walmart-type department stores are things that island residents hope will never make their way to their special island.

One thing I will always be thankful for is the fact Boca Grande has shared some of its beauty and charm with me for more than 25 years. I will always be grateful for the memories I have been able to take with me from my time on the island over the years.

Merry Beth Ryan, a member of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association, can be reached at www.merrybethryanphotography.com, by e-mail at mbr1965@comcast.net or by phone (941) 544-5023.

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