Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Fairly early in his life as an Episcopal priest, Father Chris Gray discovered the key to good ministry. It sounds simple but does not come naturally to everyone, even those who have chosen the priestly life. He does not mind sharing this secret. It’s two-fold: “Show up and love your people.” “I pretty much live […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Boca Beacon Back Pages, Community History.
Boca Beacon backpages FIVE YEARS AGO The Barrier Island Parks Society announced that John Rice would be their new president, and Krista Potthast-Haynes was the new vice president. TEN YEARS AGO Boca Grande residents with homes in the Northeast were the feature on the front page after Hurricane Sandy slammed their homes. Gov. Jeb Bush […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: Lee County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell announced today the addition of aerial photography to the Property Appraiser’s website (leepa.org) for access by taxpayers, appraisers, contractors and other interested parties. The aerial photography was taken in the days after Hurricane Ian’s landfall on September 28 and will help the Property Appraiser’s Office identify […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: Charlotte State Bank & Trust, Crews Bank & Trust and Englewood Bank & Trust, part of the Crews family of banks, are once again serving as collection points for donations to help brighten the holiday season for those in need. Donations will be distributed by three prominent charitable organizations. We’re delighted to […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
We were hoping this space would be dedicated to the Boca Grande polling location’s election 2022 results. Without fail that is what we have done the friday following an election, and it used to be because the poll workers would tape a little piece of paper to the door of the Woman’s Club Room that showed all of the results, broken down by each category.
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community History, News.
Boca Grande’s Historic Preservation Board made a point during its November 9 meeting that permits are still required for any changes, demolition or construction necessary as a result of Hurricane Ian. Rules have not been suspended because of the storm, although some accommodations are being made to allow repairs as quickly as possible. If the […]
Written by Dean Laux on . Posted in Community History, News, Opinion.
I am a veteran of the Korean War, and I have been alive and reasonably sentient during the six “hot” wars my country has engaged in since 1941. As a writer, I have interviewed a large number of veterans, from enlisted GIs to three-star generals, and from unwilling draftees to gung-ho flyboys who couldn’t wait […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News.
A celebration of thanks will take place in Boca Grande on the eve of the national Thanksgiving holiday. It will take place at the Lighthouse United Methodist Church, but all four Island churches will take part in the joint expression of gratitude to God and his people. Members of Lighthouse United Methodist inquired of their […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
The 27th annual G.I.F.T (Gasparilla Island Fly-fishing Tournament), presented by Gasparilla Outfitters to benefit the Boca Grande Historical Society, will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 22, so if you’re in for some fly-fishing action you should sign up now. Official rules for the tournament are: 1) All teams will consist of two anglers, Guides may […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Obituaries.
Natalie “Pat” O’Brien Conklin passed peacefully on October 9, 2022 in Sarasota, Florida, surrounded by family at the age of 96. She was born in 1926 in New York City. She graduated in 1944 from Westover School in Middlebury, CT, where an endowment scholarship was established in her name. She was predeceased in 2009 by […]