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PROFILE: John Mitchell

BY SUE IRWIN – Beautiful pieces of handcrafted art decorate the walls of John Mitchell’s home at the north end of the island. There are colorful images of the sea that he has painted with oils, and shell mirrors and lamps that light up the room. But John is much more than an artist. He […]

Be ye Irish or otherwise … Come to the dog show!

■ STAFF REPORT There once was a setter from Dublin, Whose name was Fido McFin. He hoarded his chews, As far as we knew, And left none for the rest of his kin. It’s the long-awaited Boca Grande Woman’s Club Dog Show! Tomorrow, March 16, festivities begin at 10 a.m. at the Boca Grande Community […]

Profile: Tom Wilcox

■ BY SUE ERWIN Tom Wilcox has been promoting growth and high performance in nonprofit organizations for 50 years, 42 of them as a CEO. Although he’s still doing some consulting for a few organizations, he spends much of his time sailing, playing tennis at Boca Bay Pass Club and swinging his clubs at Lemon Bay […]

Profile: Chuck Young

■ BY SUE ERWIN He’s a friendly guy from Minnesota, and he’s been enjoying a “Grande” life in Boca since he retired a few years ago. Chuck Young is originally from Saint Paul, Minnesota. His father was a travelling construction superintendent, so the family moved all around the nation many times, but they always ended up […]

Let the light shine!

■ STAFF REPORT History will be made this Saturday, Feb. 9 as the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse will shine its light across the island for the first time since the fall of 2016. Everyone is invited to help celebrate the event at a party held by the Barrier Island Parks Society. The event begins at 4 […]

Coffee with Jim L. from Mote Feb.13

■ STAFF REPORT Join Mote Marine scientist Dr. Jim Locascio for “Coffee with a Scientist” at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13 in Mote’s Boca Grande Outreach Office located at 480 East Railroad Ave. in Boca Grande. Dr. Locascio’s presentation, entitled “Response of Snook to the Red Tide Event,” will include preliminary results from research […]

In response to the ‘gun violence’ discussion …

To the Editor: In light of recent discussion of “gun violence,” here are some facts to frame the issue (most are FBI uniform crime statistics). Suicides account for about two-thirds of all U.S. firearm deaths. The U.S. homicide rate has fallen by more than half since its height between the mid-1970s and early 1990s, despite the addition […]

Submissions of love sought for ‘Love Lines’

■ STAFF REPORT As February approaches, we want to make you aware that you have another option to report your love on Valentine’s Day. Send your Valentine the ultimate expression of adoration by submitting a Love Line in the Boca Beacon. Send your salutation to mshortuse@bocabeacon.com. Our Valentine’s edition will be Friday, Feb. 15, so […]

It is time for the postmistress to go

To the Editor: There is a concerted effort underway to have the current postmistress, Melisa Bicker, replaced in her position. For too long now, many of us have been at the receiving end of her arbitrary and non-collaborative behavior. This behavior typically takes the form of returning our mail to the sender, because the address […]

Profile: Ed Vick

■ BY SUE ERWIN He served two tours of duty during the Vietnam War and received two Bronze Star medals, the Combat Action ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry – just to name a few honors. Today, Ed Vick spends winters in Boca Grande, and a great deal of his time […]