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over to the mainland, but when we got back we had to have the speedboat bring us back to the island.” For movies in town there was the San Marco Theater, which was exposed to the elements … one such element being the mosquito population. Margaret recalls having to buy a “skeeter beater” from Murdock, who sold them at the door. With students being bused from Port Boca Grande, and Gasparilla, and the unique “school boat” bringing students from Cayo Costa, Punta Blanca,, Cabbage Key and other points on the bay, some 150 boys and girls attended. Many of the students still live on the island. “I taught Bumps Johnson, Duane Futch, the Joiners, the Darnas, Don and Terry Hargis, Rodney Kuhl, the Bylaska boys, the Colemans … “she recalled. “They were a lot of fun, even with some of the tricks they played.” Having an island school presented some unusual circumstances for the early teachers and their faculty.. For instance, the school had its own school boat to bring the children from the other barrier islands. The chore of picking up and delivering the children was assigned to Lewis Predmore, who taught science and coached various athletic teams. “I remember that in harsh weather he would get drenched to the bone picking up the kids and bringing them to school. He would often have to change his clothes before he could start teaching,” Margaret said.. Another difficulty the students and faculty of Boca Grande School faced was away games for football and basketball teams. They teams, coaches and faculty had to often travel to Alva, Arcadia, even to Everglades City. “When it came time to come home, the ferry had stopped running and we had to use the school boat,” Margaret said. “One night we were coming back from Everglades City and it was stormy and cold – in the 40s. We couldn’t get the whole team back to the island in one trip so we had to make two.” 70 GASPARILLA ISLAND July/August 2017 Back in the early days of school, classroom curriculum was only part of the picture. Physical education often involved going to the beach for swimming, fishing or boating. After school, the teachers often planned cookouts and other recreational activities with the students. The school owned a lightning class sailboat for the enjoyment and education of the children. One year a generous winter resident donated his own lightning class sailboat to the Sea Scouts, so the island children could race each other. Margaret remembers fondly the woman whom she and many islanders still call their “fairy godmother,” Louise du Pont Crowninshield. It was Mrs. Crowninshield who negotiated with Lee County a land trade for the property where the old school – now the Boca Grande Community Center – sits. “She was active in the community, especially the school,” Margaret said. “Every year she would send at least one boy and one girl off to college. I remember she would come into the classrooms with her French poodle and her chauffer, Henry. If she saw someone she didn’t recognize she always made a point of asking their name.” Mrs. Crowninshield had the first swimming pool on the island, and would often invite the children to come swimming at her place. After dating for about a year, Margaret and Delmar were married on September 1, 1940. In the next few years the United States was thrust into the war effort and Boca Grande began a new period in its history. “Boca Grande was a very busy place during the war,” said Margaret. “Bombs were loaded onto ships at Port Boca Grande. The Coast Guard and The Army both had a very large presence. Jimmy


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