Opinion
History: Some favorite personal memories of Boca Grande
November 28, 2024
BY JAMES J. BLAHA, DIRECTOR, BOCA GRANDE HISTORY CENTER
After many years of bringing my family to Florida for vacations, my wife and I decided to plan for our retirement, which included moving to…
Out-of-date data and a disconnected state affects our fisheries’ management
November 28, 2024
Wasting grouper stocks with discards
In my lifetime of fishing, I could never have considered the challenges we face today because of mismanagement. I completely agree we need to manage our fish…
Salvaging something out of the destruction of two hurricanes
November 28, 2024
We are all dealing with individual, life-changing events, not one but two devastating hurricanes flooding us so close together. Debby doesn’t even count anymore. Many of us are still in emotional sh…
The staff of the Beacon is thankful for so much this week
November 28, 2024
Many families have the tradition at Thanksgiving of going around the table and asking each person what they are thankful for. This can be particularly humorous with small children, as their blessing…
The Island Golfer: Local golf clubs grand tradition of giving back
November 21, 2024
BY SCOTT COTHERMAN
Tune in to any televised professional golf competition, and you will see an interview with the tournament’s sponsor citing the significant impact of fundraising for local…
EcoWatch: Thanksgiving Day 2024 – filled with hope and resolve
November 21, 2024
“May the Stars Carry Your Sadness Away May the Flowers Fill Your Heart With Beauty May Hope Forever Wipe Away Your Tears, And Above All, May Silence Make You Strong.”
Chief Dan George, Chief of t…
SW Florida Fishing: More than some fish…
November 21, 2024
BY CAPT. JOE LACLAIR
Over the last couple weeks we have been cleaning up from Hurricane Milton, elected a new president and catching fish. Fly fishing for snook, tarpon and redfish has been great…
Letters: Support sought for Island School after return to classroom
November 21, 2024
BY CHRISTINE OLIVER
Our beautiful Gasparilla Island, including Boca Grande and The Island School, has faced immense challenges in the wake of these back-to-back storms. While the facility and sta…
Go deeper this Thanksgiving week
November 21, 2024
Strong fish stocks – reds, snook and trout
We might need to search a little deeper this year for reasons to celebrate Thanksgiving.
If we are reading this, there is already a lot to celebrate…
It’s a very good time to be here. But mind your step.
November 21, 2024
This week, the Engineering Committee of the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority met to talk about the cost of the damage to the bridge during Helene and Milton. We will have extensive details about t…