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Historical Society announces new director, officers

October 1, 2021
Submitted by the Boca Grande History Center The Boca Grande Historical Society is making changes to its staff and officers. As of October 1, the Society welcomes Crystal Diff as its new executi…

How did Cape Haze become … Cape Haze?

October 1, 2021
Island travelers come and go to Boca Grande daily and they all must cross over GIBA’s faithful swing bridge. But did you know that once you cross the bridge on your way off of Gasparilla Island yo…

PROFILE: Matt Gutman

September 24, 2021
Matt Gutman misses the fall northern weather, loves the Finger Lakes, and is suspicious of alligators. He’s also the newest member of the Boca Beacon family. “I think it’s fall that I miss the …

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Boca Grande Health Clinic patients so grateful for the personalized care received during a time of COVID

September 24, 2021
To the Editor: We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Boca Grande Clinic, its doctors, nurses and staff. What a comfort to be able to turn to them for solid advice…

PROFILE: Jim Brown

September 17, 2021
Jim Brown is our local Boca Grande Arrow Pest Control man, a Vietnam Veteran, proud husband and father, and a passionate breeder of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. You can also add to that list that he…

Island chef can whip up a souffle or a bodybuilding competition win

September 17, 2021
You can always count on a chef to whip it, whip it good (Devo). And when you’re a professional Boca Grande chef like Trish McIlroy, that “whipping” extends to bodybuilding. Trish McIlroy is the…

Expanded Partnership Provides Beach Accessible Wheelchair For Every Coastal Florida State Park, including Cayo Costa

September 17, 2021
More than 50 beach wheelchairs are now available at Florida state parks thanks to the continuing partnership between the Florida State Parks Foundation and the Surfing’s Evolution & Preservati…

Island native needs a little help from the community

September 17, 2021
The Atha family had a summer that none of them were expecting. What started as a little discomfort and indigestion for Loretta Atha, quickly escalated in an unexpected way. On July 8, Loretta w…

New testing methods for schools proposed by governor, appeals court rules in favor of mask mandate ban

September 17, 2021
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is making waves at the state’s schools once again with an announcement in the last few days, but this time it isn’t just about mask mandates. Just this week DeSantis prop…

The ‘do’s’ and ‘don’t’ of spearfishing around Gasparilla Island

September 10, 2021
Just before our most recent bout of red tide the Boca Beacon received reports of several individuals spearfishing at the end of Belcher Road and in other locations around the south end, and two of…