Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Community, Letters to the Editor.
BY RICK STAGER You may have seen a shopping cart abandoned on the side of Gasparilla Road near the billionaire’s airport on New Year’s Day and wondered how it got there. Let me tell you the story. On New Year’s Eve, I was driving west on Gasparilla Road to the UPS store in that strip […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
It’s terrible when food is your enemy. Laura Witt is working to take the “bite” out of food that is meant to make us happy. Laura is a baker who makes exclusively gluten-free deliciousness. Laura is the daughter of Marilyn and the late Howard Witt, longtime residents of Chicago and Boca Grande. Laura has decided […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Features on presidents in Boca Grande, a hurricane roundup, and a weddings page The January/February edition of the Boca Beacon’s Gasparilla Island Magazine is out now with new feature stories, recipes, shopping and social pages. Featured stories include a history of Florida’s National Airlines, a collection of photos from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, a look […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.
The island Disaster Fund is now at $3,596,000 to aid island non-profits and businesses. “It keeps coming in,” said co-organizer Larry Hannah, who is one of a group of volunteers who are helping to sort and select the donations that have helped with recovery from hurricanes Helene and Milton. Officially they are ending the fund […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The coastal catamaran American Glory arrived in Boca Grande Pass on its Florida Gulf Coast and Keys Cruise on New Year’s Day. They run through March. She has capacity for 100 guests, and is part of American Cruise Lines, which has American flagged ships exploring the U.S. The vessel was built in 2023. Photos by […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Letters to the Editor, Sports & Outdoors.
To the Editor: On behalf of our permit holder, Denise Juergens, I am writing this letter from the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association (BGSTA) to acknowledge and thank the generous individuals, businesses and organizations who have supported the BGSTA during the 2024 sea turtle nesting season. Each of them provided a significant resource for us, […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, News.
The late illustrator Charley Harper created famous images of nature, for not only magazines, but biology textbooks. Curator and collector Terry Wright will explore the early days of his career on Jan. 17 at the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens at 5800 Riverside Dr., Punta Gorda. Harper worked for magazines like Ford Times with […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns.
BY KATHY Y. FUTCH One February, a few years back, islander-author Thomas McGuane enthralled an auditorium full of readers and writers in the Boca Grande Community Center. Those present then were rewarded with writing wisdom from his many years of teaching and being published, with added tips from authors he valued. I still value that […]
Written by VAN HUBBARD on . Posted in Columns.
We celebrate the birth of Christ, Christmas and welcome a New Year. 2024 was tough on most of us and I’m looking forward to 2025. While times have been challenging, we live in a very special place. Recent events have us climbing uphill, but we can still enjoy our piece of paradise and go fishing. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Uncategorized.
At Lighthouse United Methodist Church, Christmas Eve came with a nativity and families dressed for dinner. Children read during the lighting of the Advent wreath. There was also a Christmas story about Papa Panov, by Tolstoy. Dress up included doves and other friendly beasts. Glow sticks replaced candles, and could be taken home. Below, some […]