This date in the Boca Beacon: lobster season

FIVE YEARS AGO

The Boca Grande Resort changed its name to the Boca Grande Hotel. 

TEN YEARS AGO

National Geographic Travel released its top ten list for places to visit in Southwest Florida and Cayo Costa State Park came in third. Gasparilla Island Lighthouse came in eighth.

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO

Volunteer snorkelers were asked to come and help look for scallops within selected areas around Gasparilla Island.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

Iguanas had their protective status removed when Lee County commissioners voted to amend a 23-year-old wildlife sanctuary ordinance. This allowed islanders and private contractors to legally trap or use other means to get rid of them.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO 

“Shrimp boats in” was code for “time to head to Whidden’s Marina.” Miss Ronnie, piloted by Capt. Mike Bigler was docked with the freshest shrimp on the Gulf Coast.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

The Boca Grande Community House was getting a new roof, replacing 6,300 sq. ft. of natural clay barrel tile with a more hurricane-resistant system.

THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

The Boca Grande Post Office received a brand-new computer system to track all financial transactions and make mailing more efficient.

FORTY YEARS AGO

The Summer Olympics results were in. Competitions included slip-n-slide, punt-pass-kick, relay races, ping pong, basketball, tennis and swimming events.

FORTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

With tarpon season over, lobster season began with fishermen such as Fred Scott setting traps in the area for lobster.