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Punta Gorda is a compact little town on Charlotte Harbor, but community spirit, more than geography, make it a great place to live.
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Going OTB (over the bridge) to shop and dine is something many Punta Gorda residents dont like to do because they like the comfort zone their new home town offers.
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TEAM Punta Gorda has hundreds of volunteers including, from left, Don and Suzanne McCormick, Heleen Schouten, Peggy Jensen, Donna Worthley and Shelly Harris, who were adding plantings to Herald Court Center Park.
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Becoming active in the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, which depends heavily on its large cadre of volunteers, is a great way for residents to meet people. PGICA holds an annual volunteer luncheon to thank them.
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Don't let this photo fool you. While it looks quiet in downtown Punta Gorda in this image, the opposite is true during Gallery Walk. Stop by the downtown center during the next event, set to last from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 21, and see for yourself.
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The most common palm around, the queen, produces thousands of orange fruit every year that will give your yard wino breath. Better choices are available.
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Karen Freeman and Peggy Nederveld chug past the History Park on the Shreve Street connector path, a key link in the citys bicycle network. Cycling is becoming a popular recreational activity in Punta Gorda.
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Charlotte Harbor offers world-class boating, but do your research first. It is annoyingly shallow.
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A large crowd enjoys last years Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce Wine &Jazz Fest in Laishley Park in Punta Gorda. Despite its small size, Punta Gorda is full of cultural and artistic events like the Jazz Fest.
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Wearing her holiday sweater and a matching red scarf, Elaine Smith was in the holiday spirit during the motorcycle ride for Toys for Tots.
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Items to be donated to the Toys for Tots program were strapped on the back of the motorcycles during the annual ride.
By GORDON BOWER
Punta Gordy
Editor’s note: This guide contains the biased opinions of its author, who has lived here long enough to know the ropes but not too long to forget all the mistakes he made during the first few years.
