Written by VAN HUBBARD on . Posted in Columns, Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
It’s a new year, but I’m stuck reminiscing about old observations. I’ve read several older books about fishing; it’s amazing that it took me 70 years to discover that I didn’t invent the wheel. What I’m talking about is, the more I read about past lifetime fisherfolk back in the ’40s through the ’60s, the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News.
Bishop Douglas Scharf of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida has appointed the Rev. Michelle L. Robertshaw as provost of the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, effective February 16. Her first service at the Cathedral will be Sunday, March 2. “I am eager to partner with Mother Robertshaw and St. Peter’s during this time of […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, Entertainment, News.
The Boca Grande Film Festival 2025 is set for Feb. 19-21 and the auditorium in the Community Center will be ready to use for the festival. “The auditorium will be our theater for the year,” said Debbie Frank, COO of Friends of Boca Grande. “It will be the same experience the community knows and loves.” […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community.
The Gasparilla Inn employees are participating in a trash to treasure initiative – bringing the island back together. The first meeting to collect and clean remaining debris was well attended and everyone enjoyed pizza after their hard work. Photos submitted
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Community, Letters to the Editor.
BY RICK STAGER You may have seen a shopping cart abandoned on the side of Gasparilla Road near the billionaire’s airport on New Year’s Day and wondered how it got there. Let me tell you the story. On New Year’s Eve, I was driving west on Gasparilla Road to the UPS store in that strip […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
JoAnn Carol Ridgeway Barwick, aged 94, a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on December 13, 2024 at Indian River Estates in Vero Beach. Born on July 10, 1930 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, JoAnn’s life was one of exceptional creativity, energy, inspiration and love. Born to the late Russell Ridgeway and […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Lighthouses were never of special interest to Dale Uncapher before he was introduced to the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse (locally known as the Range Light) in 2017. Today he is just short of obsessed with them. Dale is one of the docents and lighthouse keepers volunteering with the Barrier Island Parks Society, and specializes in tending […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Community History, Obituaries.
Merritt “Babe” Neel Darna, a member of one of Boca Grande’s legacy families, died December 24, 2024. Babe was born on May 16, 1938 to Alfonso and Edith Darna on the remote barrier island of Cayo Costa, Florida, just across the Pass from Gasparilla Island. He holds the distinction of being the last recorded birth […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
It’s terrible when food is your enemy. Laura Witt is working to take the “bite” out of food that is meant to make us happy. Laura is a baker who makes exclusively gluten-free deliciousness. Laura is the daughter of Marilyn and the late Howard Witt, longtime residents of Chicago and Boca Grande. Laura has decided […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
BY MILTON BELLMilton Bell is a Boca Grande native, born October 26, 1950, who grew up on the property of the phosphate loading facility at Port Boca Grande. He is one of six children born to Angelo and Myrtle Padilla Bell, who moved to Boca Grande in 1926. Angelo Bell was born in Punta Gorda […]