Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Community History, Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: I very much enjoyed the article by Karen Grace on Brian Ahern, and with it brought back many memories to mind. Attached is the cover of a sweetly inscribed book given to Eleanor by her husband, which I have had in my possession since her passing. Mark and I spent a great […]
Written by VAN HUBBARD on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
We all need to get away and unwind; special time with family is even better. I was able to spend a week with my two younger brothers in beautiful Key West recently. I’m not big on the bars and tourist traps, but their blue waters are beautiful. Tropical Storm Debby slowed our fishing down with […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Health & Wellness, Profiles.
It’s not magic, but it is a good omen: when people come to the Boca Grande Health Clinic and encounter nurse Dyan Wilson, they often feel better immediately. Dyan is serious about medicine, but usually puts people at ease quickly with her happy personality and easy laughter. Dyan is a registered nurse, working primarily with […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
Boca Grande Fire Department Chief C.W. Blosser, along with BGFD and Auxcomm staff, won second place at the Florida Press Association’s 2024 Weekly Newspaper Contest for a service project under the Community Service category. Staff of the Beacon traveled to Orlando on Thursday, July 26 for the Florida Press Awards where the Boca Beacon won […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Community History, Featured News, Society.
BY KAREN GRACE Famous stars have been coming to Gasparilla Island for years, from Lana Turner to Robert Redford, Harrison Ford and Michael Keaton. The most famous was Katherine Hepburn, a relative of the late Arthur Houghton. She wintered in Boca Grande for many years. There are some less-known stars as well, one of which […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Real Estate, Sports & Outdoors.
The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to purchase 10 acres east of Stringfellow Road in St. James City, Pine Island, for $50,000. The land will be added to the Pine Island Flatwoods Preserve – Bayside, an existing Conservation 20/20 property. The Conservation Land Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee recommended approval of this purchase […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Charlotte County has closed the Boca Grande Fishing Pier due to storm damage from Hurricane Debby. While there is also a sailboat lodged off of the end of the pier, where the old railroad trestles used to reside, the boat does not appear to have hurt the pier itself. “There is erosion damage from the […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, Sports & Outdoors.
Gold medalist Cole Hocker captured in viral video On Tuesday, Aug. 6, Team USA’s Cole Hocker won a gold medal in the men’s 1,500-meter race at the Paris Olympics and broke an Olympic record. In the wake of the win, an inspirational video from 2022 of Hocker training in Boca Grande has been circulating on […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial, Sports & Outdoors.
Floridians are about out-memed with hurricanes. This time around, perhaps the only original new take was the visual of a hurricane track of Florida, with the Little Debbie snack girl, superimposed across it. Debby, our hurricane, was with a Y, not an I.E. And she did not come from Chattanooga, Tenn. where the real Little […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Education, Profiles.
With a passion for teaching, a deep love of children, a creative spark and 14 years of experience, Kristen Maitland-Shank is “super excited” to be the newest teacher at The Island School for third grade. “I have a strong passion for teaching,” Kristen said. “I can’t picture myself doing anything else. If I would ever […]