Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast (CFGC) is delighted to announce the return of their virtual Summer Photo Contest. Entering its fourth year, this annual event invites photographers of all ages and experience levels to share their original work showcasing the natural beauty of the Sunshine State. As in years past, the exhibition will […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor, News.
I am writing to ask for your support in OPPOSING the plans the Boca Grande Clinic has submitted to Lee County to build a 13,299 square foot medical building at the cost of $35 million on the site of the current Clinic Annex on the SE corner of 3rd and Park. (You can access the plans through the Lee County link found at the bottom of this email – the relevant pages are 19 thru 37).
These plans will be discussed at the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board Meeting on May 10th at 10 a.m. in the Women’s Club Room at the Community Center. Please join me at the meeting to speak out against this plan!!
Additionally, it is vital that voices be heard – so please write a letter of opposition/concern and send to the attention of Janet Miller (JMiller@leegov.com) no later than Monday, May 8 so she may include in the record. Additionally, a copy of the letter should be sent to the attention of the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board: contact@bghpb.org.
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor, News.
After years of reading articles in the Beacon attacking Gulf-front property owners as selfish millionaires who don’t care about the community, the Beacon publishes an article telling us it’s “everyone’s” fault that the whispering bench was destroyed. Not the fault of a dreaded Gulf-front property owner who hired a bulldozer, and not the fault of the consultants and representatives who helped. No, it was everyone’s fault according to the Beacon.
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: The Boca Grande Historical Society (BGHS) understands the frustration of watching the landmarks we identify as home being lost to time. While history benchmarks itself on safeguarding the stories, items and buildings of the past, it is also built upon by the changes and growth of communities. As a part of this […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Patricia Bowler Leggat, longtime Cohasset, Mass. resident, died peacefully on April 20, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She was 93 years old. Patricia was born to Dr. John Pollard Bowler and Madelaine Gile Bowler on August 19, 1929, Patsy grew up in Hanover, NH. Her father was a surgeon at the Mary Hitchcock Hospital, […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
If Marty McFadden refers to someone as “kind of an odd duck,” you know he really enjoys being around them. He always has his ear tuned to hearing the previously untold story and the inside details that bring the real color and flavor to an area, especially if the area is Boca Grande, which he treasures.
Marty recently retired as president of the Boca Grande Historical Society, serving in that role for seven years. The Historical Society is a mecca for “odd ducks” who love history, enjoy a good retelling of an event, and don’t mind sharing little known details. Marty feels at home among them and privileged to be part of the history inner circle.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community History, News.
The Whispering Bench is gone. Early Saturday morning heavy equipment operators came and began to gouge it out of the earth, while Boca Grande residents gathered around and did their best to protest it. Some tried to block the way of the equipment. Others tried to climb on the equipment. There were epithets thrown, as well as more than one projectile.
Someone in the crowd was heard to say, “They just started a war.”
It’s not as much about the bench as it is about the mentality of those who are moving here. Many of these are people who don’t know or care about the island’s rich history and, more to the point, they don’t know about how things have been done around here for almost 150 years.
But it didn’t matter in the end; the job was done.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
Island beachgoer finds something a bit unusual Here’s something that doesn’t happen every day. It was on Tuesday last week that Artist Lisa McQueen was kicked back at her favorite beach spot, watching the dolphins play and the waves roll in. The Port Charlotte resident comes here frequently, sometimes to relax, sometimes to sell her […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in News.
At its April annual meeting, the Woman’s Club announced that 21 area organizations would receive funding through the BGWC Community Grants Program, for a total of $308,417. Grants were awarded this year to the following organizations: Barrier Island Parks Society (BIPS); Boca Grande Art Center; Boca Grande Historical Society; Boca Grande Preschool; Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association; Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association (GICIA); Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum; Lee County Parks and Recreation; Mote Marine Laboratory; Royal Palm Players; and The Island School. Grants will also be given to L.A. Ainger Middle School Band; Lemon Bay High School (LBHS) Band Boosters; LBHS Chorus; LBHS NJROTC; LBHS Project Graduation; LBHS Theater Guild; and Lemon Bay booster organizations for the school’s football, girls basketball and softball teams.
In addition to awarding community grants, the Club has awarded $236,856 in scholarships for postsecondary education (university, college, trade or vocational) this season. BGWC has committed to providing scholarships to 26 new scholars for the upcoming season. Scholarship recipients must qualify academically, display financial need via FAFSA, and have a verified island connection per the scholarship guidelines. The Scholarship and Community Grant Programs are funded through the Club’s annual fundraiser and proceeds from Boca Bargains.
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in News.
Where have your “Hearts” gone?
They have landed on Ann Fletcher’s Christmas tree!
In December of 2022, a member of our RPP family, Priscilla Masselink, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. A trip for treatment at Dana Farber in Boston meant she missed seeing Ann Fletcher’s Xmas tree filled with ornaments that Priscilla enjoyed seeing during the holidays.
That is when the idea of a “Hearts full of love” tree was born.