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Hermitage wins transformative gift for Manasota Key campus

The Steans and Morrisons families have donated three adjacent properties on Manasota Key to the Hermitage Artist Retreat. The combined properties, once a home to the Vanderbilt family and now valued…

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I present to you Mr. Bo Jackson

January 22, 2026

The Boca Grande Men’s Club welcomed Heisman winner Bo Jackson on Thursday. Jackson, shown here with Dick Brown, was both an outfielder for the Kansas City Royals and a Los Angeles Raiders running ba…

Hermitage wins transformative gift for Manasota Key campus

January 22, 2026

The Steans and Morrisons families have donated three adjacent properties on Manasota Key to the Hermitage Artist Retreat. The combined properties, once a home to the Vanderbilt family and now valued…

Counties to update on Winchester, River Road

January 22, 2026

The January 26 meeting of the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization will include the Charlotte County-Punta Gorda MPO. One item on the agenda is a discussion of the work on River Road…

Preschool Hat Day

January 22, 2026

The Boca Grande Preschool celebrated National Hat Day last Thursday, Jan. 15. The students celebrated in style and appreciated the different headwear their friends showed off. Photo…

Spanish Point trip

January 15, 2026

BY BETSY JOINER The mid-December morning began with beautiful cool weather, not sure who was more excited, me, the teachers or The Island School students! The bus drivers were great, and I think…

Chowder Dinner at Beach Club next week

January 8, 2026

The Island School PTO will host its 10th Annual Chowder Dinner on Friday, Jan. 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Gasparilla Inn Beach Club. “This special event brings together our community, businesses…

38th Annual Englewood Invitational Winter Art Festival set for this weekend

January 22, 2026

The 38th Annual Englewood Invitational Winter Art Festival is set for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 24-25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Englewood Elks Lodge at 401 N. Indiana Avenue in E…

Events Roundup: Jan. 23-29

January 22, 2026

Friday, Jan. 23 • Farmer’s Market, Bayou • Boca Grande Art Center, Elegant Oyster Painting, 236 Banyan St. • Island Memories, Boca Grande Historical Society, Crowninshield Community H…

Programs are back at Hermitage Manasota Key campus

January 15, 2026

The Hermitage Artist Retreat on Manasota Key has announced new programs in February of 2026, including a return to their Manasota Key campus. Pictured here and at top, Claire Chase, who will be a…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Rev. Geoff Piper

Rural parish priest in Boca Grande For someone who has spent more than four decades in parish ministry, the Rev. Geoffrey Piper describes his life’s work with a simple phrase: “That’s my stock in trade,” he said, laughing. “Like some people collect butterflies, postage stamps, coins – I collect people.” It is a line that […]

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Health & Wellness

Health: Inhibitor drugs are powerful, but come with dangers

January 15, 2026

As medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro dominate headlines and social media feeds, it is easy to think of them as simple weight-loss shortcuts. But during a talk on Tuesday Jan. 13th at the Boca Gr…

New physicians at Boca Grande Health Clinic for urgent care

January 8, 2026

To best serve patients during the busy season, the Boca Grande Health Clinic is adding two physicians to provide seasonal coverage for same-day and urgent-care services. “When something unexpecte…

Dr. Larry Antonucci leaves as CEO of Lee Heath

December 29, 2025

Lee Health President and CEO Dr. Larry Antonucci has announced that he will not renew his employment contract when it concludes on September 30, 2026. Dr. Antonucci, who has served as CEO since 2…

Clinic work and a welcome back patients

December 4, 2025

BY MARK DRISCOLL As we welcome many of you back to the island, I would like to share a brief update on what’s been happening at the Boca Grande Health Clinic – from construction progress and new…

New Charlotte fire chief

January 22, 2026

Charlotte County has appointed Matthew McElroy as the new fire chief and public safety director for Charlotte County Public Safety. McElroy has served as acting fire chief since Oct. 31, 2025. Ch…

Fire meeting: Calls slightly down for 2025; new fire hydrants expected soon

January 22, 2026

The Boca Grande Fire Department responded to nearly 600 calls for assistance in 2025, reported Chief C.W. Blosser during the Board of Fire Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 21. At the mee…

Thefts from unlocked cars include TAG Heuer watch

January 22, 2026

The island has had a number of reports of recent thefts from unlocked cars, including watches and wallets. On Wednesday, Jan. 14, just after 11 a.m., Lee County Deputy David Scozzafava responded…

Car crash New Year’s Eve

January 2, 2026

A car accident at Gasparilla Road and 13th Street had no injuries, though Lee County EMS was called out as a precaution. Please drive carefully and slowly in the New Year. …

News Archives

Walter Jerome Frautschi, 1931-2026

Walter Jerome Frautschi passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 8, 2026, in Boca Grande, Florida, closing a long and remarkable life that began…

Service for architect Hank Browne set for Saturday in Charlottesville

Above, Browne, in a profile in 2004, and below, in a story in 2009 while on the Preservation Board, as he railed against ugly island signage at the…

Robert Marini, 1931-2026

Robert Marini of Boca Grande, Florida and South Weymouth, Massachusetts passed away on January 1, 2026 in Englewood, Florida. He was born September…

Memorial Service for Constance ‘Connie’ Gregg

There will be a Memorial Service for the late Constance Weiser “Connie” Gregg on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Im…

In Memoriam: Goodbyes for 2025 in Boca Grande Obituaries

The Boca Beacon remembers and honors those members of our community who died in 2025. We invite readers to go online at the end of this year to…