Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
A peaceful lone sculler plied the Bayou last Friday on the opening day for the Boca Grande Farmers Market. Families watched from the Bayou Bridge. It evoked a Thomas Eakins painting. In the 19th century Eakins depicted rowers on Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River, often with a bridge in the background. On that brisk chilly Friday across […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Features on presidents in Boca Grande, a hurricane roundup, and a weddings page The January/February edition of the Boca Beacon’s Gasparilla Island Magazine is out now with new feature stories, recipes, shopping and social pages. Featured stories include a history of Florida’s National Airlines, a collection of photos from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, a look […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News, Real Estate.
A half dozen Mystic Powerboat catamarans were at Boca Grande Marina last weekend for a lunchtime owners run. “It’s been a great market for us,” said John Cosker, owner and founder of Mystic. Cosker said that he has been doing daily runs around the islands around including Cabbage Key and Boca Grande, for around five […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.
The island Disaster Fund is now at $3,596,000 to aid island non-profits and businesses. “It keeps coming in,” said co-organizer Larry Hannah, who is one of a group of volunteers who are helping to sort and select the donations that have helped with recovery from hurricanes Helene and Milton. Officially they are ending the fund […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The coastal catamaran American Glory arrived in Boca Grande Pass on its Florida Gulf Coast and Keys Cruise on New Year’s Day. They run through March. She has capacity for 100 guests, and is part of American Cruise Lines, which has American flagged ships exploring the U.S. The vessel was built in 2023. Photos by […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY MISTY NICHOLSEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association (GICIA) is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the cherished GICIA Bike Path. Originally opened on February 23, 1985, the path was created from the former Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railway right of way, thanks to the generosity of the Bayard and Hugh Sharp families […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Letters to the Editor, Sports & Outdoors.
To the Editor: On behalf of our permit holder, Denise Juergens, I am writing this letter from the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association (BGSTA) to acknowledge and thank the generous individuals, businesses and organizations who have supported the BGSTA during the 2024 sea turtle nesting season. Each of them provided a significant resource for us, […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Education, Events.
Virginia & Augusta C. with Tate & Margo S. spent a day in the village selling lemonade to benefit The Island School playground, one of their favorite places. Thank you to the Island customers for their generosity. The children raised a total of $457 which will be donated to The Island School to help rebuild […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History.
Brief news from this date in the archives of the Boca Beacon: FIVE YEARS AGO A bicyclist took a fall on the Boca Grande Causeway. Lee Flight flew the transport to Lee Memorial. Mercabo Preserve (pictured above) was moving forward, and March 1 was announced for groundbreaking. TEN YEARS AGO The Boca Grande Garden Club […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Here, views of the Christmas lights of Boca Grande. Photos by Boca Beacon and Gasparilla Island Magazine photographer Matthew Gutman. Sites include on Gasparilla Road; Baily Street; Gilchrist Avenue; Barnichol Hardware, The Pink Pony; Boca Grande Marina; The Gasparilla Inn; Boca Grande Fire Department; The Temp and Gasparilla Outfitters/ Special Effects.