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Historic Preservation Board extends ‘Octopus Tree’ dialog 

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.

While there was only one item on the agenda for the June meeting of the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board on Wednesday, June 14, it was one that could not be decided easily. It was all about the “Octopus Tree,” a banyan that has stood along the property line at 181 Gilchrist Avenue since the early 1900s. The ground where it stands was once part of the Crowninshield compound and the children who used to play there gave it its strange nickname.

The property that includes 181 and 161 Gilchrist Avenue is owned by a family that wants to demolish the large house, as well as the small cottage that the banyan tree stands right next to and has actually grown under and into. 

Therein lies the rub.

Shorebird colony at north end in peril due to humans and pet interaction

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.

A large least tern nesting area located on the beach in front of Sea Watch is a welcome sight to any bird lover, particularly those who realize who fragile they can be when nesting. According to residents who monitor the nesting area, as well as Charlotte County Coastal Environmental Specialist Susie Derheimer, it might not be successful for very long. 

‘Hurricane survival’ seminar scheduled for next week in Punta Gorda

Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News, Uncategorized.

Charlotte County Libraries and History will present “After The Storm – Hurricane Survival,” a panel discussion featuring experts who will share their advice to help you better survive a major weather disruption. The discussion is scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m., June 22, at the Punta Gorda Charlotte Public Library, 401 Shreve St., Punta Gorda. […]

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Tim Bonisolli

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Profiles.

I’ve been coming to Boca since I was a kid. I remember coming to the beach and coming to go fishing. I started working in Boca Grande in 1990, when I started as a maintenance worker for The Gasparilla Inn & Club. Not long after, I accepted a position as assistant mechanic. I worked at The Gasparilla Inn for 16 years. 

THIS WEEK IN THE BOCA BEACON

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Columns.

Boca Beacon backpages FIVE YEARS AGO “Miss Sarah” won the Ladies Howl, the red tide was really bad, and the night-blooming cereus was spectacular.  TEN YEARS AGO The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted 4-3 to pursue the ban on jigs, a type of bottom-weighted lure that has a tendency to snag a tarpon, […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Lemon Bay Conservancy receives grant for Hurricane Ian relief

Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.

To the Editor: Lemon Bay Conservancy is pleased to announce it has received a $6,800 grant from the Charlotte Community Foundation. These funds will support replacement of the maintenance shed at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve that was destroyed by Hurricane Ian.  As the center for philanthropy in Charlotte County, the Charlotte Community Foundation (CCF) envisions […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Increase in accidental 911 calls leads to public plea from CCSO

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 […]

Repairs at Port Boca Grande Lighthouse will take some time, according to BIPS

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.

There’s a lot of work to be done at the south end of the island, specifically at the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse, the Amory Chapel and even on Cayo Costa. As many of our readers are probably well aware, trying to set things right after a storm of the magnitude of Hurricane Ian is a game of “Hurry-Up-and-Wait,” which can be tedious and frustrating. It is no different for our historic landmarks at the south end that we love so well.
According to Sharon McKenzie, the executive director of the Barrier Island Parks Society (BIPS), the laundry list of repairs that need to be done is long. Knowing it is important to keep residents of the island abreast of what’s going on, she gave us a peek into what they are going through right now. They cannot lobby, only inform when it comes to these matters.

‘Octopus tree’ to be discussed by Historic Preservation Board

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community History, News.

The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board has just one item on the agenda this month for their meeting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14 in the Community Center auditorium, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be brief. The saga of the property at 161/181 Gilchrist Avenue, owned by the Adam family of Texas, continues with a discussion about the validity of attempting to name a tree there as historic.

At the Board’s last meeting, one of their members, Becky Paterson, expressed concern for the banyan tree on the east side of the property by the sidewalk known to some as “The Octopus Tree.” It was named as such back in the 1920s and ’30s by the island children who used to climb it.

Bonisolli named as new supervisor at Boca Grande Community Center

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.