Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community History.
BY CAPT. ROBERT JOHNSON Editor’s Note: The late Capt. Johnson wrote a history of The Boca Grande Quarantine Station during the COVID-19 outbreak for the Beacon. We are reprinting the May 2020 story. The Boca Grande Quarantine Station, located on the south end of the island, was built in 1892 on the beach next to […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
Livingston Byrns Sheppard II was born in the Appalachian mountains of Jenkins, Kentucky to his father Livingston Byrns Sheppard Sr and mother Mecca Vicars, both of Virginia, on April 19, 1928. Growing up in coal country he met his wife, Glenda Huskisson of Virginia. The two married young and Livingston attended the University of Virginia […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, Profiles.
Among the yearly regulars at the Boca Grande Club is Dr. Constantine Mavroudis, one of the nation’s top pediatric cardiac surgeons. Born an American citizen in his ancestral home of Thasos, he has just written a memoir of his journey from World War II-era Greece to his current position, as chief of pediatric cardiac surgery […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
Lee County Parks & Recreation, operator of the Boca Grande Community Center and operator of parks on Gasparilla Island, is asking the public to help improve its services and amenities offered by participating in a biennial needs assessment survey. The survey is available on the homepage of the Parks & Recreation website at leeparks.org and […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
The 2024 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament is set for Wednesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 23. This year, the Grande Tradition honorees at the Captain’s Party are Merritt ‘Babe’ Darna and the late Isabelle Joiner. Each day, the tournament runs from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. The awards are on Thursday, May 23 beginning with a […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
Last Wednesday evening, May 8, Boca Grande Outfitters hosted a fly tying social above the store. As someone who has never fly fished, let alone tied a fly, I was the obvious choice to go represent the Beacon. I am from Colorado, where fly fishing is very popular and there are plenty of places to […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
The newly rebuilt South Beach Bar & Grille has temporary power, and they hope to have the building turned over to them by mid-June, said co-owner Bart DeStefano. “We’re going to go as fast as we can once the contractors turn over the building to us,” DeStefano said. They are hoping to open the Boca […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community History, News.
The Boca Grande Quarantine House, the oldest house on Gasparilla Island, is on the market for the first time in its history. The house, built in 1892, has four bedrooms and four baths. It includes the old 19th century house, as well as a comfy but compatible separate addition, built by Safety Harbor Builders. “There […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The Charlotte County Commission has scheduled a workshop at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 21, 2024 in Room 119 of the Charlotte County Administration Center, 18500 Murdock Circle in Port Charlotte. Topics include Charlotte Harbor CRA, Public Works long-range projections – Transportation Trust Fund, an insurance update; and commissioner, administrator, and county attorney comments. The meeting […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Travel.
Allegiant this week began service from Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) to Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington D.C. The company is offering one-way fares on the new routes as low as $38. “Following great travel demand, we are thrilled to expand our service at PGD and offer affordable travel options to the community,” said Drew […]