FIVE YEARS AGO
Lee County School Board mandated masks for all schools including The Island School. The mandate would be revisited in 30 days.
TEN YEARS AGO
The 7th Annual Michael O’Donnell…
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…
Above, playing the bait shrimp with Sammy Jay Steyer.
BY NIC MOSTYN
Editor’s Note: In 2012, Nicholas Mostyn wrote this essay for the Beacon, which won a Gasparilla Island Kids Classic essay c…
Above, Paul Martin sent in this photo of friends at ‘Sity Hall,’ with ‘Sears Roebuck air conditioning for your comfort.’
Some memories from readers and friends of the Beacon:
A Place Where Me…
One hundred years of Whidden’s. I’ve been lucky to be a small part of that time
BY JAKE POEPL
Where do I begin?
Whidden’s is a true treasure. It’s where I first stepped on a boat in Boca G…
Whidden’s Marina has given more to our traditions and heritage than we can ever repay. It provided the home port for generations of guides and clients. It’s the center of our local fishing community…
We have been fortunate enough to know four generations of this true southern fisher family. A family full of heart, tradition, laughter, tears, resilience and deep island roots. The memories and hug…
BY JEFF GAINES III
When Hurricane Andrew was moving west towards South Florida, everyone knew it was going to turn north at some point but when? Isabelle Joiner, her extended family and most of t…
Old Red Gill lives on as a museum
BY BETSY JOINER
The Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum this year celebrates 25 years inside the Red Gill Fish House at Whidden’s.
The Red Gill Fish House wa…
Above, has Barbara looking as Chico checks Isabelle’s hair.
BY KAREN GRACE
Sam Whidden is remembered as a man who when he found an injured animal, especially a bird, he would nurse it and doc…
