Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
The magic number was three for the 2023 Red Gill Invitational Tarpon Tournament, as three tarpon were released and three anglers took the top prize in the tournament. Capt. Sandy Melvin, Bob Melvin and Jeri Smith won first place on the “Boca Blue,” Melvin’s first win of the season. The team is shown in the photo above, with Capt. Sandy wearing the “King of the Dock” chapeau.
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community, Community History.
Fr. Jerome Carosella has been the pastor of Boca Grande’s Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church for more than half of the time he has been a priest. He was ordained 60 years ago and has been pastor on the island for 35.
He is Boca Grande’s pastor, no matter what church one might call home. He has been a fixture on the island for longer than most residents. And now he is retiring, which also means he will no longer be living at the rectory on West Railroad Avenue.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community.
Artist Carroll Swayze’s work has been showcased in some of the most exclusive settings around the country – maybe around the world – and her marine life works have a color palette and style that can be recognized in an instant. For those of you who can’t fit another piece on your walls, though, you have a new way to appreciate it … by wearing it.
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News.
Rick Andersen is a local master carpenter and author of two children’s books. His creativity is being put to the test now, though, as he tries to build a path to the future. Rick was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer recently. Treatment is tough and expensive. He and wife Stacey are hoping the people of […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
The anglers who fished the “Ladies Night Out: Howl at the Moon” tournament on Saturday, June 10 barely had any time to howl, as 53 tarpon kept almost all 23 boats busy for three hours.
The first fish was released by Capt. Wayne Joiner’s team aboard “Hey, Moma!” and the last fish was released by Capt. Jessie Craddock’s team on “Outcast” at 10:03 p.m.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Columns, Entertainment.
Boca Beacon backpages
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: Charlotte County Emergency Communications Centers are requesting assistance from the public in relation to their cellular devices and 911 accidental calls. Charlotte County has seen a 33% increase in 911 calls compared to the same time in 2022. Much of this increase is believed to be related to a cellular phone operating […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: As we go about our daily lives, watching our country self-destruct and slouching toward oblivion, there have been concerning developments far away that receive little attention. I listen to what people who have lived in China and our military personnel are saying about the brewing conflict with China. It is not only […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
As they headed home on the waters of Boca Grande Pass last Saturday night, Hugh Potter and his friends Braden Dolphin, Grady Abbott and Brandt Cataldo were pretty sure they had won the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic with their five releases. There’s always that bit of trepidation that stops one from completely believing it’s true until you’re standing on stage receiving the awards. Not to mention, Grady caught that fifth fish just minutes before the tournament ended, when radio traffic in the Pass was pretty crazy.
Eventually, of course, they were on that stage. Out of 21 boats and 78 anglers, they were the four who made it to the big time … maybe with a little help from Capt. Travis Joiner on their boat, “Family Tradition.”
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Tim Bonisolli has been named the new supervisor of the Boca Grande Community Center. Tim started his career with Lee County as a senior equipment operator on Boca Grande in 2006 and most recently was a Lee County park ranger on the island. Tim has been working in Boca Grande since 1990, when he started as a maintenance crew member for The Gasparilla Inn. Stop by to welcome him.