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Books: Great restaurants, extinction, Egypt and happiness 

2025 Book series with Roger Lewis’ picks BY FRIENDS OF BOCA GRANDE Each year, the Friends of Boca Grande have a book series with titles picked by Roger Lewis. Below are titles for the season, in a Q&A format. BEACON: Thanks for sitting down with us to talk about the third year of “Roger’s Picks.” […]

Scholarship reminder

The Scholarship Committee of the Boca Grande Woman’s Club will be accepting scholarship applications starting November 1, 2024, for the 2025-26 school year. Applicants for the program must meet the following criteria: 1. Have applied for admission to a school of higher education, such as a university, college, trade, or vocational school. 2. Demonstrate a […]

Iguanas get cold-blooded break, chill til Feb.

Lee County’s iguana-removal vendor for Boca Grande will be taking a winter hiatus which began Friday, Nov. 15 and will last until Feb. 15. Brian Ambrose is the technician for Blue Iguana Pest Control Inc., which is the primary vendor for population-control services for black spiny-tailed iguanas on the Lee County side of Gasparilla Island.  […]

Fisheries disaster funds

As part of the Rebuilding Florida Fisheries Program, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is encouraging eligible sectors to apply for disaster relief funding. The deadline for application submission is Nov. 30, 2024. This program is designed to support businesses and individuals in the following sectors which have been impacted by the 2024 hurricane […]

G.I.F.T. returns to benefit the island for the 29th time

The 29th annual Gasparilla Island Fly Fishing Tournament is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 26 and will benefit the Boca Grande Historic Society’s ongoing efforts to document and preserve the unique island heritage. If you would like to participate, contact Gasparilla Outfitters, (941) 964-0907 or Capt. Will Waterhouse at (914) 907-6628 for more details.

Fust Library Foundation updates on storm repairs

BY BOBBIE MARQUISEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ever since Hurricane Milton brought a four-foot wave from the Gulf of Mexico into our beautiful buildings and gardens, Johann Fust Library Foundation has faced the daunting task of cleaning up, drying out and repairing building systems. We know that we are not alone in facing this formidable task. Homes and […]

Generous givers send Island Disaster Fund over $3 million goal

A fund to help island businesses is now over its initial $3 million goal, and has given out over $1.5 million to help jump start business re-openings across Gasparilla Island. “The people don’t have the seed dollars to go out and make the down payment,” said co-organizer Larry Hannah of Lighthouse United Methodist Church. “It’s […]

Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 8

The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, sponsored by the Boca Grande Woman’s Club, will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8. Unfortunately, the tree across from Hudson’s did not survive Hurricanes Helene and Milton, so the ceremony will take place around the tree across from the front door of The Gasparilla Inn. Island clergy […]

State Park now open at Range Light, main lot at Belcher still closed

Florida State Parks reopened three parking areas for Gasparilla Island State Park last weekend, and the “Beaches Closed” electronic signage at the Boca Grande Causeway toll was removed.  The three areas that are open are the Range Light area, the Sea Grape and Sea Wall parking areas which are located between the Range Light and […]