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Profiles


IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Attorney, author and Southern storyteller

April 25, 2024
Jo Hackl, building grit Jo and Bob Hackl love Boca Grande and appreciate the sense of “intellectual curiosity” and “generosity” they feel when on the island. They enjoy the movies at the Commun…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Haiti deserves a break

April 19, 2024
Ben and Louise Scott are not preachers; they are business people. Ben was a very successful owner of multiple franchises with McDonald’s Restaurants until his retirement in 2001. They know who has…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Renowned Paper boy celebrates 80

April 11, 2024
Editor’s Note: This profile has been in the works for a number of years; we realized that in all the years of Dusty and the Beacon, we had not spotlighted him, and thought his 80th would be the pe…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Chemist and founder of orphan drugs

April 4, 2024
There’s a fellow at Sea Oats who has the mind of a scientist and the heart of an artist. Dr. John McCall is an interesting mix, with a humble sense of humor that belies his multiple degrees and ac…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Energy trader values outdoors, Africa

March 28, 2024
There’s an interesting phenomenon among Boca Grande residents: they tend to perceive their lives as rather mundane or uneventful. However, engaging them in conversation often reveals fascinating s…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Dancer & grocer found Boca Grande

March 21, 2024
A ballerina and a hopeless romantic meet at an art exhibit by the famous French artist Rodin’s statue of “The Kiss.” Of course, they fall in love almost instantly. Things get in the way, but event…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Importance of an involved civic life

March 14, 2024
Surprises are a happy part of Debby Houck’s world. She loves doing things just a little out of the ordinary. Debby and her husband Rich recently surprised a new acquaintance by explaining that whe…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rebecca Cleveland, Third generation in local art

March 8, 2024
The COVID pandemic was a terrible thing, but it had some incredibly good and unexpected impacts in some people’s lives. Rebecca Cleveland is one of those lucky people. It was when she discovered s…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Called to a life of faith, in Boca Grande

February 29, 2024
There is something special about Garth Bailey. It only takes a few minutes talking to him to know what it is. He is unabashedly in love with the Lord. Garth is from Ocho Rios, Jamaica, but live…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A banker with most interest in his Faith

February 22, 2024
Money and ministry go hand-in-hand for Larry Hannah. His efforts have shown that, in the right hands, money can be the root of much good, rather than evil. Larry proved that beyond any doubt as he…