The Lee Board of County Commissioners will meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, in the Old County Courthouse Commission Chambers at 2120 Main Street Fort Myers, FL 33901. The agenda is available to t…
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…
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…
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…
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…
A notable place is not just a physical building. It is a building connected to a community and a group of people.
Whidden’s Marina is a rare location, as most of the other institutions like it ac…
The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board will meet at 10 a.m. on Sept. 9 at the Auditorium of the Boca Grande Community Center, 131 1st St. W., Boca Grande, FL 33921.
The board will discuss th…
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…
