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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…

PROFILE: Peter Powell

September 10, 2021
Buzz Aldrin said, “Timing has always been a key element in my life. I have been blessed to have been in the right place at the right time.” Some people have been blessed with the gift of good t…

Memories of September 11, 2001: 20 years has proved that our lives will never be the same…

September 10, 2021
On the evening of September 11, 2001, there were many types of reactions taking place in homes across the country, and around the world. Whether you were in New York City, in the middle of Iowa or…

Power lines down, a fight that really wasn’t, boating issues and a bug in the ear

September 10, 2021
On Thursday, Sept. 2 firefighters responded to the area of 14th Street and Gasparilla Road at approximately 3 p.m. for downed power lines. When they arrived, they found that a truck had become ent…

PROFILE: Sarah McDonald

September 3, 2021
Sitting in the middle of Sarah McDonald’s coffee table is a fascinating turtle sculpture, carved to look as if it was emerging from the water. One cheerio was also sitting on the table, placed car…

As faculty, directors decide to allow ‘opt-out’ masking to continue, first case of COVID reported at TIS

September 3, 2021
Two new updates developed over the Labor Day weekend for Island School students, parents and faculty, after a somewhat controversial week preceding. Not only did the faculty and board of directors…