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Coastal Living ‘discovers’ a secret island called Gasparilla. Who knew?

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.

The magazine Coastal Living has “discovered” a new secret island, Gasparilla.

The new fall edition of the magazine put Gasparilla on its front cover with the caption “Florida’s Secret Island. The Old-School Charm of Gasparilla.” Boca Grande, however, did not make the actual cover photo; that honor was reserved for the Reethi Rah resort in the Maldives. 

Writer Tracey Minkin cited the “affinity for blue-blood Northeasterners” as an island that grew with a “sporting forward generation” that discovered “wily, hard-fighting tarpon.” Dressing is described as where “Salt Life criss-crosses with dressing for dinner.”

Feds help island with north end iguanas

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.

If you’ve been seeing a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) truck out on the Boca Grande Causeway lately, it’s because it’s prime season for iguana hunting.

While the Lee County portion of the island uses trapper George Cera, who has been on the job for about 16 years, the Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU) takes care of the iguana issue in the Charlotte County part of the island. They hired the USDA about 10 years ago.

July real estate stats slightly lag behind state, but cash deals dominate

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community.

As cash deals continue, the Lee and Charlotte County regions slightly lag the rest of the state in July real estate statistics, according to information released this week from the Florida Board of Realtors and local boards.
Statewide, existing single-family houses sales were down 6.4 percent year-over-year, to 22,198, while existing condo-townhouse sales were down 9.4 percent, to 8,463.
For Lee County and the Cape Coral Fort Myers area, closed sales were down 5.3 percent to 1,106, comparing July to July. Closed sales in the county so far for all of 2023 were down 14.6 percent, to 8,431. The median sales price in that metro area was $434,980, down just 1.1 percent for the year so far.

Rotary Club youth campground renovated after Ian

Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community.

There is a hidden gem in Sarasota County that is shining a bit brighter this week. This gem is the Rotary Club of Englewood’s Youth Foundation Campground, on S. Moon Drive in Venice. The campground was damaged significantly by Hurricane Ian and was been unusable for nearly a year.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Firefighter Daniel Martinez

Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.

Daniel Martinez has found himself a home at the Boca Grande Fire Department. He’s only been here since June, but he envisions himself retiring from this department one day. Since he is 24, that means he will be here a long time. 
“I’ve lived in the area pretty much my whole life,” Daniel said. “I was born in Hollywood (Florida) and moved over here when I was about five, to Rotonda West. Basically, every time I wanted to do something fun, I would come to Boca Grande. I’ve lived so close to the island, I was out here a lot as a kid. My prom was out here. I used to do the Turkey Hoop Shoot whenever I could. I ran the 5K out here sometimes. So the island’s always been a part of my life.”
He has discovered a new depth to the community since joining the fire department, though.

Kids fishing tourney slated for September

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.

The next Lee County Parks & Recreation Boca Grande Youth Fishing Tournament is scheduled for September 16, 9 to 11 a.m. at the Boca Grande North Fishing Pier, on the road just south of Kappy’s Market. All kids 13 and under are welcome to this catch-and-release-only tournament. Bait will be provided – no lures allowed. […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival welcomes new partners and returning favorites

Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.

To the Editor: Sarasota Opera’s annual Food & Wine Festival returns on September 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. and will take place at Sarasota Opera House. Local restaurants will gather to serve tasty bites, wine and other treats as a benefit for Sarasota Youth Opera. This year’s festival will feature many returning classics, such […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Gulf Coast Community Foundation awards $30,000 to Conservation Foundation

Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Editorial.

To the Editor:  The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast recently received two $15,000 grants from Gulf Coast Community Foundation. These grants were made possible through the Katherine Naismith Witten Fund at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Both grants support Conservation Foundation’s land management and restoration programs on their protected lands, with a specific focus on […]