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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Not happy': Fans react amid sad news around Tony Squires and Candice Warner
Fans are expressing their sadness after it was revealed on Saturday that long-running sports program 'The Back Page' has been axed after 29 years. Tony Squires, who has hosted the show on Fox Sports for the last 12 years, confirmed the sad news but admitted he wasn't surprised. The sport talk-show has been running since 1997, but will wrap up for good after three more episodes. 'Ironically, I wrote a story in 2021 saying television shows don't usually last 25 years,' Squires told . 'They're like animals on the Savannah - very few of them die of old age. 'There's always something young and exciting with big nasty teeth, coming to get them. Well, The Back Page is now 29 years old, I've been hosting it for almost 13 years ... and we've been got. To be honest, it wasn't a shock.' The late, great Mike Gibson was the show's first host back in 1997, and held the role up until 2012. Peter FitzSimons, Billy Birmingham, Tracey Holmes and Jeff Wells were the panellists when it first began, and in recent times it regularly featured journalist Robert Craddock, ironwoman Candice Warner, NRL legend Greg Alexander and AFL great Brad Johnson. Warner, the wife of Aussie cricket great David, became a weekly panellist in 2022 and used the show as a launching pad for her burgeoning media career. Former AFL player-turned-radio host Ryan Fitzgerald was also a regular panellist, as were Socceroos legends Robbie Slater and Mark Bosnich. 'It's been a privilege to host a show once run by the legendary Mike Gibson,' said Squires, who's expected to stay on with Fox Sports in another role. 'But most of all it's been fun - like sitting at the pub with your mates pretending to know a shitload about sport. 'I'm going to miss it. Not because it was a job, but because it was my social life. I got to hang out with Kelli Underwood, Ryan Fitzgerald, Kerry O'Keeffe, Candice Warner, Brad Johnson, Ben Dixon and Robert Craddock - the most enthusiastic man on the planet. 'We've interviewed hundreds of sporting superstars over the years. From Rod Laver to Gout Gout – a 17-year-old kid who lit up the screen on his first live TV interview show just a few weeks ago.' Fox Sports boss Steve Crawley said the decision to cut 'The Back Page' is not a cost-cutting move, denying it has anything to do with Foxtel's new owners DAZN. 'At Fox Sports we have introduced a number of new shows in recent times and we have more in final planning,' he said. 'The Back Page has been entertaining audiences for nearly three decades; there are very few shows that can claim that. 'Entertainment programming is a tough business in that it's like life itself, how everything has a lifespan. Even the great shows like 'Hey Hey It's Saturday' and 'The Back Page'. In a big country with different codes of football and unique tastes, it's extremely rare for a sports show to survive, let alone for almost 30 years.' RELATED: Fresh blow for Panthers as four-time premiership winner retires Tennis world blasts 'classless' act after French Open women's final Crawley commended Squires and the team that made the show so successful. 'Host Tony Squires, panellists Crash (Craddock) and Fitzy, Candice Warner and Kelli Underwood and producer Matt Parslow have put in so much hard work,' he said. 'We'll celebrate Back Page over the final three weekly episodes.' Fans of the show took to social media on Saturday to express their sadness at hearing it's been axed. "Not happy at all about this decision," one person wrote. Another commented: "Great show. Looked forward to it every Tuesday. Can't believe it is ending." The Back Page Australia's longest-running television sports show is closing down after 29 years. Only 3 more episodes to go.I liked it best when Gibbo was host & Billy Birmingham, Peter 'Chippy' Frilingos, Mike Coleman & David Hookes used to chew the sporting fat. Crash ok too. — OBBY (@OBBY001) June 7, 2025
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Now You Know: BERT meeting Thursday; ‘Great Hall of Shells' reopens
'Help us put Collier and Lee County on the Right Track!' That was the, pardon the pun, Banner headline on a recent invitation from Friends of BERT (Bonita Estero Rail Trail). The group is having a meeting Thursday, June 5, about the project. Mayors Mike Gibson and Joanne Ribble are expected to take part. The completion of the Bonita Estero Rail Trail will do far more than offer a safe and accessible place for residents to walk, run, and bike — it will transform how our communities connect, thrive, and grow,' read the invitation. 'As a key link in Southwest Florida's expanding trail network, BERT will deliver powerful economic returns, improve public safety, promote healthier lifestyles, and preserve vital natural habitats. This isn't just a trail — it's an investment in our future, our environment, and our quality of life.' The meeting is at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, at FineMark Bank, 10010 Coconut Rd., Bonita Springs RSVP or learn more at The Urban Land Institute Florida Summit is set to bring together industry leaders, real estate professionals, developers and urban planners for an 'impactful two-day conference' on June 9 and 10, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs. Hosted by the five ULI Florida District Councils, the summit will feature speakers, including: Lindsay Brugger, vice president, Urban Resilience at Urban Land Institute, focusing on sustainable urban development strategies. David Bumpous, vice president of operations at Arthrex, offering insights into operations and growth in the real estate sector. Misha Ezratti, president of GL Homes, sharing expertise on residential development and industry trends. Nikki Greenberg, head of technology strategy at QIC, providing perspectives on the intersection of real estate and emerging technologies. Gary Tasman, CEO and principal broker at Cushman & Wakefield, providing an inside look into Skyplex. Mark Wilson, president of London Bay Homes, offering insights into luxury residential development and market dynamics. To register visit The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium recently announced the opening of phase one of its new 'Great Hall of Shells.' The hall has been the museum's permanent exhibit space for shells since it first opened in 1995. Following damage from Hurricane Ian in 2022, the museum embarked on a full re-design and re-installation of its exhibits. Exhibits reopened May 24 and feature extraordinary shells 'from all over the world that are highlights selected from the Museum's collection of nearly 600,000 shells.' Themes include global biodiversity, shapes and colors; and time and evolution, special focuses on groups including cones, cowries, volutes, murexes, scallops, and carrier shells. 'Our goal is to convey to visitors the stunning beauty and diversity of shells, and important roles that the mollusks that make them play in biodiversity, natural history, and our environment,' said Dr. José H. Leal, the museum's science director and curator who organized the new exhibits. 'We are thrilled with the result and can't wait for visitors to enjoy these exhibits.'' Phase two exhibits are under construction and will open later this summer. They include exhibits of Southwest Florida shells. The museum is open from 10a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. For more information, visit With its annual Spring Roundup, Sunshine Ace Hardware was able to raise $27,361 for Children's Miracle Network. Throughout April, customers across Southwest Florida stores could round up their transactions or choose an amount to contribute at the register. 'Southwest Floridians, by nature, are extremely generous, and our customers always step forward to support a cause as important as pediatric health care,' said Michael Wynn, president of Sunshine Ace Hardware. 'Donations to Children's Miracle Network stay within the community, so every donation during the Spring Round Up will support local children whose families might not otherwise be able to afford the cost of medical treatments and services.' Donations made at Sunshine Ace Hardware stores in Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties supported Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. Donations at Sunshine Ace Hardware in Pinellas County and Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware stores in Manatee County support Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg. Donations support critical life-saving treatments, health care services, research, pediatric medical equipment and child life services. Since declaring Children's Miracle Network as its primary charitable partner in 2019, Sunshine Ace Hardware and Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware have raised $482,182 through a series of fundraising campaigns. The Leadership Collier Foundation, part of the Greater Naples Chamber, recently announced an award recognizing 'exceptional community leadership.' It will now be called the John Passidomo Distinguished Alumni Award. Leadership Collier announced the change during its graduation celebration on May 21. 'John Passidomo's leadership, quiet strength and unwavering commitment to Collier County left an indelible mark on all of us,' said Scott Salley, a co-founder of Leadership Collier. 'In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, we are proud to announce that this award will be renamed as John Passidomo Distinguished Alumni Award. It is a fitting tribute to a man whose life embodied the very best of what leadership stands for.' Passidomo died in April 2024. Passidomo was also named the 2025 recipient of the award. Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, his wife and a Leadership Collier alumna, accepted the honor. 'Our community is immeasurably better thanks to the dedication of John and Kathleen Passidomo,' said Kristina Park, president and CEO of the Greater Naples Chamber. 'They didn't just meet the Leadership Collier Foundation's mission to be engaged, be informed and be the difference; they lived it. It is with immense pride that we continue to celebrate John's enduring legacy of leadership through the John Passidomo Distinguished Alumni Award.' Leadership Collier also recognized Matt Heinle, general counsel at NCH Healthcare System and a member of the 2025 Leadership Collier Class, with the James V. Mudd Award; given yearly, it acknowledges 'an outstanding leader whose contributions mirror those of former County Manager Jim Mudd's devotion to enhance leadership and stewardship.' For more information about the Greater Naples Chamber, visit 'Set against the backdrop of Pine Island Sound's pristine waters and old Florida charm,' the Tarpon Fly Fishing Invitational returns this June to Tarpon Lodge. The invitational brings together 'passionate anglers, conservation-minded brands and community leaders' to support Calusa Waterkeeper's mission to protect Southwest Florida's year's event will be held in remembrance of Capt. Codty Pierce, the former Calusa Waterkeeper 'whose passion for the region's waters and tireless advocacy helped shape the future of the organization.' Now in its fourth year, the Tarpon Fly Fishing Invitational is slated for June 8-10. It's a two-day, catch-and-release tournament. Proceeds benefit Calusa Waterkeeper, a nonprofit organization 'dedicated to defending and restoring the Caloosahatchee River, Matlacha Pass, Estero Bay, and the broader watershed that supports the region's wildlife, water quality, and way of life.' For more information, visit Big Waters Land Trust recently announced the permanent conservation of five lots totaling 1.34 acres in Cape Coral. The city received a grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, in partnership with the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida, to acquire these lots, to ensure the permanent protection of the land. Big Waters Land Trust holds the conservation easement while the city will own and manage the properties in partnership with the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife. A conservation easement is a voluntary and permanent deed restriction that limits land use forever. Cape Coral boasts the largest population of burrowing owls in the state, estimated at 1,000 nesting pairs. This summer, the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, is 'transforming into a hub for art lovers of all ages' with its 'Art for All' initiative, according to Raquel Hererra program coordinator, Friends of Rookery Bay. 'Art for All' is offering immersive workshops and two art exhibitions. Visitors will be able to explore creativity, nature and culture through a variety of programs. The workshops are for both beginners and budding artists (Those under age16 must be accompanied by an adult) and include: 'Drawing from Music' – Led by award-winning visual artist Anthe Capitan-Valais, this multimedia workshop encourages participants ages 10 and up to create expressive artwork inspired by diverse musical genres. Materials are included. 'Watercolors and Wildlife' – Families with children ages 8 and up can explore watercolor techniques under the guidance and step-by-step assistance of local artist Jan Deswik. Each session features a different natural theme from shells and birds to Southwest Florida's scenic waterways and results in a finished, matted piece of art. Digital Photography Class – Renowned photographer Sonny Saunders continues his summer photography series, where participants learn the fundamentals of digital camera use, including shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and composition to capture powerful images. The Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center's art gallery will host two rotating exhibits celebrating Southwest Florida's landscapes, wildlife and cultural heritage. Currently and through Aug. 1: 'Wildlife and Wild Places' is on display. It features original photographs and sculptures created by students from Florida Gulf Coast University. Aug. 4 through fall: 'Through the Lens of Nature: A Celebration of Flora, Fauna and Culture' is presented by the local artist group Collective 5. The mixed media exhibit features the work of Giampaolo Curreri, Lin Nesdale, Jody Futteman, Peggy Keigley and Lisett Lloren. Workshops and exhibits take place at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Road, Naples. For more information or to register, visit The center is open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Now You Know: BERT meeting Thursday; 'Great Hall of Shells' reopens
