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Whidden’s Marina, 100 years

On a handshake Sam Whidden built his marina and a family, about a hundred years ago this year. So, the Boca Beacon is looking back over this icon of Gasparilla Island, Whidden’s Marina. All stories linked below. Aerial photo by Dusty. All photos fro…

Emergency group meets to prevent disaster

A group of about 30 island community leaders and members met on Tuesday morning, Aug. 25, at the Boca Grande Fire Department to discuss emergency operations and preparedness in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster. Among those in attenda…

Kettle Harbor fire heated up again, crews returned

Above, the house during the fire. Ashley Turner, Charlotte County The cause of a massive Saturday afternoon house fire at Kettle Harbor Drive on Palm Island is undetermined. The house fire was on the Intracoastal Waterway side of the island and was…

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Where Time Stands Still: A Century of Family, Fishing & Memories

BY BETSY JOINER Whidden’s Marina is the longest-running family-owned business on Gasparilla Island. Its story began with founder Sam Whidden in the early 1920s, his home and the marina building c…

Grandmother and grandson team up to write school mystery

What began as a writing project between a grandmother and her transgender grandson has become a published young adult mystery. “Leo, Detective,” written by award-winning former journalist and myster…

Where Boca Grande’s past remains, right here in the present

World War I veteran created a legacy on Gasparilla Island Above, the Red Gill Fish House, c 1935 BY KAREN GRACE, BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY Wini Smart begins her book, “Whidden’s and Ol…

Causeway traffic down 8 percent

Above, work on toll lane 3, or the self scan lane, this week. GIBA photo The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority Quarterly Board meeting was held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at the Authority’s o…

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Whidden’s Marina, 100 years

On a handshake Sam Whidden built his marina and a family, about a hundred years ago this year. So, the Boca Beacon is…

Childhood on the docks; Jumping off the shrimp boat

Above, playing the bait shrimp with Sammy Jay Steyer. BY NIC MOSTYN Editor’s Note: In 2012, Nicholas Mostyn wro…

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Boca Grande Webcam

See the blue-green water of the Gulf of Mexico at Gasparilla Island State Park for yourself. You’ll be right next to the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum built in 1890.

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2026 August Englewood Chamber Night

Boca Grande Pre-K Moving Up and Graduation 2026

First Day of School 2026

Wreaths Across America and Southwest Florida Honor Flight Fundraiser

2026 July Englewood Chamber Night

Fourth of July 2026

2026 Lemon Bay Better Shots Summer

America at 250, Gaparilla Island Style

2026 Boca Grande Preschool Pizza with Pop

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