 Legends of the Beach
Roxie Smith and A.J. BassettIn our inimitable Gulfside community, loosely comprised of two little islands linked by Matanzas Pass and 'the Back Bay', some families have roots that first sprouted here decades ago. For two, often three, and perhaps even four generations, they have helped establish and shape the way we function as a community. The example they set for others, in terms of taking personal responsibility for the greater good especially with regard to the environment, the children who live and play here, the health and safety of all islanders, and the pursuit of happiness, is stellar. Fireworks, parades, great shrimp, a wonderful historic cottage, a well-supported neighborhood school, our own library, a thriving Little League, accommodations for our tourists, preserved environments for our flora and fauna, popular eateries... the list goes on - these things have been accomplished in no small way through monumental and very successful voluntary efforts sustained generation after generation. In last week's Sand Paper, you read about Fran Santini and Jean Matthew. This week, we chatted with Roxie Smith and AJ Bassett, whose families - like Fran's and Jean's - are part of the brick and mortar of our town, and who are still very active in community service and personal pursuits, in spite of some very daunting health issues that have cropped up from time to time in recent years.
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