Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Opinion.
BY EMERSON WICKWIRE Today, while reading yet another installment in the Beacon’s never-ending stream of church-related letters about their Gilchrist parking access, I paused to wonder: Why, in our fabulously warm and wonderfully welcoming little barrier island community, has this issue been so loudly ongoing for so many years? And why has it recently become […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Opinion.
BY ALICE GORMAN One of the results of living and caring about a small community for many years is the awareness that certain complicated and difficult issues seem to never be permanently resolved. As a visitor to Boca Grande when my parents settled here in 1971 and a winter resident myself for the past 25 […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
It is time we had some good news here on Gasparilla Island. This summer, the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority (GIBA) will embark on two major infrastructure projects – referred to as “hardening” efforts. The first will focus on fortifying their headquarters, and the second will enhance resilience on the islands of the Causeway itself. The […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: I am writing in opposition to proposed changes in Boca Grande parking and to briefly mention our experience. We vacationed yearly in Boca Grande since 1992 renting for a week or so. Once I retired we wanted to stay longer and now have a place in Rotonda and are here four months […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
Melissa A. Landon, 57, passed away on April 9, 2025. A native of Australia and a long time artist of Boca Grande, Mel had a deep love of the ocean. Her one of a kind artwork can be seen in murals around Boca Grande and in many homes throughout the state of Florida. To know […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Entertainment, Profiles.
Bailey Seybolt Author Bailey Seybolt was in Boca Grande with her kids just this past February on vacation; now she is in New York for the release of her debut novel with Simon and Schuster, “Coram House.” “Coram House,” which came out in hardback on April 15, follows a crime writer investigating mysterious deaths at […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
“I think that I shall never seeA poem as lovely as a tree.A tree whose hungry mouth is prest Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts her leafy arms to pray;A tree that may in Summer wearA nest of robins in her hair;Upon whose bosom snow […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
BY CAPT. JOE LECLAIR I have spent many years fishing the Boca Grande backcountry in the springtime and unfortunately it usually includes wind, lots of wind. This spring is no different and it has become my new job to find places to hide from it and catch some fish. The difficulty that comes with flyfishing […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Gasparilla Island State Park reopened its Dune parking area near the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse on Wednesday, April 23. Previously, the Range Light, Sea Grape and Sea Wall beach access areas had been open. The park is in the process of beach renourishment; much of the park remains blocked off. Port Boca Grande Lighthouse at […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Events.
Tony DeSare performed his Sinatra & Beyond show on Monday for this season’s finale in the All that Jazz series. Photo by Cheryl