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OBITUARY: Maribeth Cunningham

Maribeth Ann Perry Cunningham passed away peacefully at her home in Boca Grande on May, 17, 2020. She was born at Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago, Ill. on November 19, 1934, to U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Samuel Perry and Nelle Blanche Brookman Perry. Beloved wife of the late Patrick J. Cunningham (passed Nov. 18, 2019); […]

PROFILE: Daniel O’Connell

BY OLIVIA CAMERON – Local resident Daniel O’Connell has enjoyed spending his retirement on the bustling beaches of Boca Grande. The former law representative now serves the Barrier Island Parks Society as their current president. Born in Newark, Daniel spent his childhood in the small community of Summit, New Jersey. He studied accounting and earned […]

More than $600,000 donated by Boca Grande Woman’s Club through Emergency Relief Fund

STAFF REPORT – Over the past several weeks, the Emergency Relief Fund Task Force has quietly been at work in Boca Grande. Established by the Boca Grande Woman’s Club in early April, the fund has provided financial assistance to 191 individuals and 28 local businesses. In addition, as a part of the effort, Hudson’s Grocery Store […]

The diary of a ‘Covidite’

Marilyn Hoeckel was the editor of the Boca Beacon from 1990 to 1998. She was the director and curator of the Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum from 1998 to 2003. She moved to Bucks County, PA in 2003, where she was born and raised. She is a volunteer for the Doylestown Historical Society and works part-time […]

‘Once upon a time’ came true for one island resident – Be careful, be conscious, be considerate … this virus isn’t over yet

BY LAUREN HANA, MD – Once upon a time there was a small town nestled on a strip of sand they call a barrier island. Her restaurants hummed with conversation and laughter and her downtown streets teemed with shoppers. Neighbors met regularly for cocktails at sunset and chided each other about who was the most […]

A food barrel update: Drop off now if you’re leaving town

STAFF REPORT – Islanders are beginning to head north and are asking about where to leave non-perishable food. Questions may be directed to Jane Caple at (941) 223-2367, Jim Cochrun at (239) 682-0091 or Nick Kaiser at 964-0141.  Also, Jim Bensen of Paradise Exclusive/Parsley-Baldwin will continue to accept non-perishable food at the office at 428 […]

Longing for a little normalcy? It’s the return of studio pilates, and more plans for charitable donations

BY OLIVIA CAMERON – Banyan Tree Pilates and Yoga have been performing a bit of a double whammy in the last few weeks with their virtual pilates and fitness classes. Owners Jan and Ron Waters have stated April’s class attendance of more than 500 people has meant a month of progress for charitable donations. With […]

Historic District zoning and a potential marine district Part IV: Items to be addressed by the Boca Grande Community Planning Association

STAFF REPORT – Two questions on the recently completed Boca Grande Community Planning Association survey touched on land, or water use regulation: Zoning in the historic district, and the creation of a new Marine District. The clear message from all the answers and comments in the survey was that island residents want to preserve the […]