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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 …

Out-of-date data and a disconnected state affects our fisheries’ management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 fis…

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 …

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 blessi…

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 loc…

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…

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 gre…

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 s…

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 celebra…

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…