Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
STAFF REPORT – The staff of Gasparilla Island Magazine (primarily consisting of the same staff who brings you the Boca Beacon) have been nominated for eight awards in the Florida Magazine Association annual contest. In the Service department, “Best Feature – Best Writing” category, the staff was nominated for their story, “Honoring those who served.” […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY SUSAN HANAFEE – A walk on the beach didn’t have the same meaning that it used to for some island residents and visitors this past season, as developers and homeowners took steps to keep the public away from their waterfront properties. The addition of “private beach” signs, plus cameras and the posting of a […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
For more photos of the 2021 #17 Classic, go to bocabeacon.smugmug.com BY MARCY SHORTUSE – The #17 Classic, held on May 13 and 14, yielded 14 releases for the full field of boats that fished Boca Grande Pass in search of a win. By the end of day one there were five releases, with the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
STAFF REPORT – If you feel like committing a crime, you might want to go somewhere other than Hudson’s Grocery … those folks are sharp. On Tuesday, May 18, Lee County Sheriff’s deputies from the island responded to the store, located on Park Avenue, in reference to an unknown suspect attempting to pay with a […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Health & Wellness.
SUBMITTED BY THE BOCA GRANDE HEALTH CLINIC – Last week the Center for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance that says “fully vaccinated” Americans do not need to follow precautions at all (not masks nor distancing) except for as required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – A dolphin chasing his dinner made for great entertainment for one South Venice couple who got up close to the action … almost too close. Corey and Karen Brehm of South Venice were out in the waters around the railroad trestle two weekends ago when Corey saw the encounter begin. He […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: On return north from our annual time in Florida, I have a shell in my beach shoe. Spending many days each year at Gasparilla Island State Park with family and friends, this beautiful area is the usual highlight of our stay. Now looking northeast from Port Boca Grande Lighthouse we see a […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Entertainment, News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Back in the day when Gasparilla Island was more about community and less about being an exclusive second-home or vacation destination, there was a guy named Mike Weddle and his buddies who made up this little group called the Boca Bande. They may not have made worldwide headlines, but when the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
STAFF REPORT – With June 1 on the horizon, signifying the beginning of hurricane season, one errand you should prioritize is making sure your hurricane hang tags, issued by the Boca Grande Fire Department, are handy and ready to use. The community of Boca Grande has implemented one of the most progressive and user-friendly disaster […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY T MICHELE WALKER – Boca Grande is famous for tarpon fishing, golf carting and spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico, but it also boasts more tennis clubs and pros per capita than any island in the continental United States. Actually, that might be an exaggeration, but it’s probably not too far off from […]