Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Editorial.
Many of you are aware that Sam Samsonov, a toll tender with the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority for 30 years, is no longer at the booth. There has been a flood of responses on social media regarding his leaving, and we wanted to acknowledge him. Sam, you were a Gasparilla Island fixture. Many people saw […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
We had another amazing Independence Day, and wanted to share some of our photos from the fireworks and the golf cart parade. If you’d like to see them, go to our website, bocabeacon.com, click on the “media” tab, then “photos.”Or, just click here: Boca Grande Independence Day
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Obituaries.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE We lost another one of our island mothers on Sunday, July 5, as Louise Bowe slipped away from congestive heart failure. Other than for a few years her entire life was spent on the island, and while she was a quiet, understated woman her impact on Gasparilla Island was profound. Mary Louise […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE AND JACK SHORT We’ve been famous before for having one of the most expensive zip codes, and for having some of the best beaches. We’ve got celebrity status for many reasons here on Gasparilla Island, and now we’ve got a new reason to be chatted up on the Today Show and in […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
BY MIKE VASHER When was the last time you had the opportunity to be invited onboard a fishing vessel to get to meet and speak with one of the world’s most well-known artists, scientists, explorers, and conservationists, Dr. Guy Harvey? With a little perseverance, Capt. Sandy Melvin, owner of Gasparilla Outfitters and a director of […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
Remember back in the day when you used to be able to go to our website and watch the world go by in downtown Boca Grande? Those days are here again, my friends, because the Boca Beacon webcam is back in business. Right now we’re still aiming it right down Park Avenue facing Hudson’s Grocery, […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
BY JACK SHORT A dispute between Charlotte County and nonprofits Sierra Club and Friends of Cape Haze that originated prior to 2011 may be resolved at the next board of county commissioners’ meeting. After discussions with FOCH and others, Charlotte County staff and the county attorney’s office is proposing the rescission of five ordinances that […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE You’ll want to remember the name Gabriella Vetter. She’s only a teenager now, but give her a few years and she might be playing in the Masters’ Golf Tournament. You actually wouldn’t believe this story if you heard it out on the course or sitting at the clubhouse, but we can guarantee […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
Catrina Maria Crawford, granddaughter of Linda and Bob Edic from Boca Grande and daughter of Darlene Edic Crawford, recently graduated from Dreyfoos School of the Arts High School in West Palm Beach and will be attending Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fla. Catrina was honored to be a national YoungArts Finalist (top 20 new […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: If you visit Florida’s beaches, your feedback can help Mote Marine Lab scientists enhance their real-time Beach Conditions Reporting System (BCRS). Florida residents and visitors are invited to take a short survey about what kinds of beach information they want. To see Mote’s BCRS, visit mote.org/beaches. Mote’s BCRS provides twice-daily or daily […]