By Camille Kucaba
Staff Writer

Islanders Terry and Carlene Brennen last week closed on the sale of Brennen's Tarpon Tale Inn..... New owners Joe and Dawn Ramsey (right), originally from Lakeland, have returned to Florida to run the Tarpontale Inn located at 357 Periwinkle Way on the east end of the island.

Situated near the Sanibel Lighthouse in an historic area known as Old Town Sanibel, the property was part of William Allen's castor bean farm in the mid-1800s.

... Major renovations and remodeling transformed it into "a charming, small island-style inn nestled in a tropical garden of flowering hibiscus, bougainvillea and exotic palms just footsteps to Gulf and Bay shelling beaches." ...

Carlene Brennen said the inn was a favorite getaway for writers, authors, poets and playwrights. "Last year it ran at almost 95 percent occupancy." Terry Brennen noted.

"We also plan to add our own personal touches" over time, the couple said. Katrina Beckman will continue as manager. Even a "mascot," a cat named Edgar, stays with the property.

Joe Ramsey was a real estate consultant and his wife worked for the Environmental Protection Agency, both in Baltimore, MD, where they had attended school...

"We often talked about how the Inn would be our dream, maybe in retirement." Dawn Ramsey said. "But this whole thing just fell together."

While visiting Joe's parents, who own a beach home on Sanibel, the Ramseys learned that the inn was for sale. In less than six months, they had left their jobs, packed up their house and moved to the islands.

As their six-month-old son, Jacob Patrick ("J.P.") napped in a playpen in the corner of the office, both talked about how much they love their now-found vocation. "We can't quite believe it all yet. I'm so glad I don't have to wear a coat and tie anymore," Joe said.

"We love the fact that our inn is located in the 'Old Town' section near the Lighthouse and across from lots of wonderful shops," added Dawn. "And we're so glad to be able to work together and spend full time with our son."

Joe and J.P. sharing a cone at Pinocchio's an ice cream parlor located nearby in Old Town Sanibel