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Sports & Outdoors

The Island Golfer: The clubs keeping caddie culture alive

March 19, 2026
There is something uniquely satisfying about the ritual of it. You arrive at the first tee, the bag is already waiting, a caddie standing quietly alongside it. Before a word is spoken about yardages…

EcoWatch: Ripley’s Believe It or Not! – Raise Concerns of the Day

March 19, 2026
The Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed. Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948. Indian lawyer, anticolonial nationalist, and leader of the independence movement…

State reopens Don Pedro Island for beach access

March 19, 2026
The island section of Don Pedro Island State park reopened officially March 6, 2026. However, the dock and facilities are unavailable, so there is only access by private craft or kayak. The islan…

New plan for Gasparilla Island State Park includes new seawall and entrance road

March 18, 2026
Draft plans released for comment for all local Florida State Parks The state of Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Park Planning on Friday, March 6 released new managem…

Van Hubbard: It’s springtime, back country lighting up bright as the sun

March 12, 2026
We endured a cold winter this year, but it’s warming up very fast. The white pelicans have headed north; water temps are already into the 70s inside. The Gulf is right at 70 degrees. The southeast w…

A Better Shot at Lemon Bay

March 12, 2026
Lemon Bay Golf Club’s “A Better Shot At life” program will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Carolann Raub, chair of the celebration, is standing by the Living Wall, a tribute to donors…

Florida DEP plans public meetings on area state parks

March 12, 2026
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public meeting Tuesday, April 7, from 2 to 6 p.m. to gather input on the updated management plan for Gasparilla Island State Park. No f…

Nature calls, but Sea Grape bathroom isn’t answering yet

March 12, 2026
Construction is still underway on the restroom facilities at the Sea Grape parking area of Gasparilla Island State Park and on track to be completed in 2026. Sea Grape is a public beach area loca…

Island Club Tennis Mixer

March 12, 2026
The Boca Grande Club and Boca Bay Pass club held a Tennis Mixer. Over 60 participants played at both clubs on Saturday afternoon. Some of the group shown here at Boca Grande Club after the games.  …

Letters: Fishing Guides clarify docks concerns and boat access

March 12, 2026
To the Editor: There was a miscommunication between Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association President Chris Taylor and the Boca Beacon in last week’s article that needs to be addressed. For cla…