Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News, Profiles.
Before her reign as Miss America was to come to an end, a stop in Boca Grande was essential for Grace Stanke. With the help of Diane Cook – Grace’s great-aunt, a Boca Grande resident and a member of the Boca Grande Woman’s Club – that highlight of her year was fulfilled this week. Grace […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial, Opinion.
The dedication of the new island Christmas tree gave the island a moment of cultural clarity last Sunday night. It was a perfect evening – the cookies, the weather, the breeze, the sunset. The crowd that gathered was at minimum 500, using the Jacobs Method: Add up the people in a section and then count […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News, Obituaries.
It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Jacob Patrick Halunen of Englewood, Florida on Thursday, November 23, 2023. Jacob was 19 years old. Born on October 22, 2004, to Michael Paul Halunen Sr. and Yvonne Diane (Barnthouse) Halunen. Jacob was a senior who would have been part of the graduating class of […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Profiles, Uncategorized.
Every issue, the Boca Beacon highlights one of our own in our Page 3 In The Spotlight. We look to the community to see who is making news, whether they be a volunteer for one of our non-profits like BIPS, or the retired important people who have come here after long careers elsewhere and reinvented […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
When a group of Cape Haze residents met last month with Charlotte County officials about a proposed sewer project in their neighborhood, they had a new set of data: water quality tests taken by a group of high school volunteers. The group, led by biologist and resident Robert J. Robbins, took the surveys by boat […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History, News.
Almost ten years ago, James Blaha joined the Board of Directors of the Boca Grande Historical Society, and he and Rose Marie Blaha began to volunteer at the History Center. Their combined backgrounds include teaching, chairing humanities departments, museum administration, library resource centers and consulting. Jim notes that he spent several summers on archeology projects […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
Island School bomb threat: The Island School had a bomb threat on the afternoon of Tues., Nov. 28. An email from Christine Oliver, head of the school, reported that a call was received on the school’s public line. School Resource Officer David Wharton and Capt. Jeff Corkhill of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office “responded to […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
A resident heading back home to Boca Grande had his most recent work of art, a Betsy Ross flag made of shark’s teeth, stolen while he stopped somewhere between Tampa and home. “The flag was the best one I have ever made,” said Frank Koffend, a historian, fisherman, park volunteer, author and a lifetime collector […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Health & Wellness, News.
The Boca Grande Health Clinic earned another three-year accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. The Clinic underwent and passed AAAHC’s rigorous two-day inspection in late October, meeting nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality healthcare as determined by an independent, external process of evaluation. “I am pleased that our quality has […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
The downtown streets of Boca Grande were completely filled Saturday evening for the annual Christmas Walk. While some retailers were closed for the evening festivities, most were open, offering drinks and snacks for the families waiting for Santa’s fire truck visit. “There were definitely more people this year,” said Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce […]