Opinion
History: 800 years ahead for Banyan Street ‘cathedral’
August 7, 2025
BY KAREN GRACE, BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
In 1915, Peter Bradley of the American agricultural Chemical Company had 26 banyan trees planted on each side of what was then Second Street. The tr…
COLUMNS: MATTHEW HACKL
August 7, 2025
Boca Grande: Curve of the horizon, dignity of a heron
BY MATTHEW HACKL
I was born in May of 1999, but in some ways, I was born again each time I crossed the toll bridge returning to Boca Grand…
It used to be her town. But we must work this out.
August 7, 2025
The last real top 40 hit from James Taylor was a duet with J.D. Souther. The song “Her Town Too” did not reach that high on the Billboard list in 1981, but many will remember it as a lament about ho…
EcoWatch: Animal cruelty is all around us. If you see it, report it.
August 7, 2025
“The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Mahatma Gandhi, Prominent leader in the Indian independence movement, known for his philosophy of nonviolence.
Thi…
Sea Turtles: Disorented hatchlings can be prevented
July 31, 2025
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY
Last week, shortly after the start of one of our morning patrols, BGSTA volunteers received an urgent text message stating, “All, Denise has a major disorientation…
Letters: Renourishment costs?
July 31, 2025
To the Editor:
Guess what is not being shared with the public but the Lee County Board is discussing internally? Approving the Boca Grande parking proposal triggers an immediate and expensive FY2…
All-time shark week legend: Giant ‘Old Hitler’
July 31, 2025
As a young high school fisherman, I enjoyed fish legends. Big shark stories just enhanced the adventure and thrills. Everyone from Tampa Bay to Boca Grande Pass had huge hammerhead sharks Old Hitler…
The signs of progress. The costs are never ‘none.’
July 31, 2025
This Friday, The Beacon office will be closed for the Florida Press Association annual meeting. The paper won 18 awards, including one for the work of the hurricane fund and for the volunteers from…
Dog Life: When training your dog, you reap what you sow
July 31, 2025
Let’s make a few things clear about training your dog. All unwanted behavior is caused by the owner. Either it was never corrected or guided when your dog was young and you brought it home. If your…
EcoWatch: We need Eco warriors to speak up now
July 31, 2025
In a world where so much that is wild and free has been lost to us, we must leave these beautiful animals free to swim as they will and must. They do us no harm and wish us none and we should let th…