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Community History

September 3, 2026

This date in the Boca Beacon: Annual Labor Day Picnic

FIVE YEARS AGO Lee County School Board mandated masks for all schools including The Island School. The mandate would be revisited in 30 days. TEN YEARS AGO The 7th Annual Michael O’Donnell…

Your Community History

Whidden’s Marina, 100 years

August 27, 2026

On a handshake Sam Whidden built his marina and a family, about a hundred years ago this year. So, the Boca Beacon is looking back over this icon of…

Childhood on the docks; Jumping off the shrimp boat

August 27, 2026

Above, playing the bait shrimp with Sammy Jay Steyer. BY NIC MOSTYN Editor’s Note: In 2012, Nicholas Mostyn wrote this essay for the Beacon…

Whidden’s Marina – 100 Years of Celebrating: Memories and anecdotes from our readers and friends

August 27, 2026

Above, Paul Martin sent in this photo of friends at ‘Sity Hall,’ with ‘Sears Roebuck air conditioning for your comfort.’ Some memories from read…

Birthday letter to Whidden’s. It’s Americana at its finest

August 27, 2026

One hundred years of Whidden’s. I’ve been lucky to be a small part of that time BY JAKE POEPL Where do I begin? Whidden’s is a true treasu…

A business incubator that gave this captain a start back in 1981

August 27, 2026

Whidden’s Marina has given more to our traditions and heritage than we can ever repay. It provided the home port for generations of guides and clien…

The extended family of Isabelle Whidden Joiner

August 27, 2026

We have been fortunate enough to know four generations of this true southern fisher family. A family full of heart, tradition, laughter, tears, resi…

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