Author: Sheila Evans

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: RON BOLTON

August 26, 2022
Sheila Evans
Profiles

Poets, artists, philosophers, explorers and environmentalists have all recognized the importance of water to our lives. Ronald Bolton, director of the Gasparilla Island Water Authority (GIWA), is the...

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Ray Ledon

August 19, 2022
Sheila Evans
Profiles

Dr. Ray Ledon has a story to tell. In fact, he has a whole lifetime of stories, and many are contained in a book he has written. The book was published in 2018 by Advantage Media Group, Charleston,...

Tricky stairs and new 18th Street house mulled over by Historic Preservation Board

Boca Grande’s historic preservation was short and sweet this month. Only two projects were on the agenda of the Historic Preservation Board’s August 10th meeting. They were both approved with almost...

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: R.N. Lindsay Dalton

August 11, 2022
Sheila Evans
Profiles

There is a new face at the Boca Grande Health Clinic. Say “hello” to the new registered nurse, Lindsay Dalton. Nurse Lindsay has been a part of the clinic staff for about a month and is excited to...

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Teacher Susan McKenzie eager to start her first year at TIS

August 5, 2022
Sheila Evans
Education, Profiles

There is a special place in Susan McKenzie’s heart for second-graders. She loves teaching all elementary grades, but second-graders have a “special wonderment” about them. “There is an excitement to...

Andy Roman: Still helping in Ukraine in many ways

July 29, 2022
Sheila Evans
News

I n May, when the war in Ukraine was new, the Beacon discovered a tie between the war and Boca Grande. Andy Roman and his mother, Dr. Ann Roman, who are former residents here, have been instrumental...

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A new TIS teacher for the ‘littlest’ students has arrived in a big way

July 29, 2022
Sheila Evans
Profiles

When you walk into Gretchen Hughes’ kindergarten room at The Island School, you will know you are in a magical place. There is nothing ordinary about this entrance into formal education. Gretchen wants...

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ken Burnette

July 8, 2022
Sheila Evans
Profiles

Ken Burnette wants to die in Boca Grande – but not for a good long time. He and his wife, Barbara, have fallen in love with Boca Grande and want to live in this town, on this island, until they...

In the Spotlight: Just Martyn, please No formal titles for new Methodist minister

July 1, 2022
Sheila Evans
Profiles

July 1 marks a starting point in the liturgical year for those in the United Methodist tradition. Not coincidentally, it is also common for new Methodist pastors to begin their service on the first...

SPOTLIGHT: Ken Fortney – 97 and still working at The Inn golf shop

June 24, 2022
Sheila Evans
Profiles

Responsibility is something Ken Fortney learned from a young age … and has never shirked from. He will be 97 next month and he is still working. Ken is that wise golfer you see in The Gasparilla...