Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Boca Beacon Back Pages, Columns.
Boca Beacon backpages FIVE YEARS AGO Red tide was insane, so much so that we had “fish disposal” dumpster sites available to the public. GIBA talked about changing the name of the Boca Grande Causeway to Gasparilla Road. TEN YEARS AGO We lost Bud Amen. Mila’s swim team did a great job in a California […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Uncategorized.
Weather was the top story this week, as we went from sweltering hot with little rain to some decent storms and rainfall. There were even a few tense moments on Father’s Day morning when the phone alerts were going off everywhere, as a tornado warning was issued for our area. We got a lot of rain that morning, enough to fill the ditches along Gasparilla Road heading into town.
On Tuesday night the skies were illuminated at the south end of the Cape Haze Peninsula by a fire that originated near the old quarry in Rotonda Meadows (once called Rotonda Trace). It was just across a small canal from homes on the south end of the South Gulf Cove neighborhood. The cause of that fire was a lightning strike.
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 Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community.
Anyone who has ever been in a disaster situation has the wherewithal to know what to do when it is safe to check out their surroundings. Many people were in that boat on September 28, 2022, the day Hurricane Ian winds and rain forced their way through every nook, cranny and crack in the buildings of Southwest Florida and into our collective memories.
There were many memories made during that time – some good and some bad – but the ones that stand out in many people’s minds are of the people who helped so much.
This tale is about just two of those people who made such a difference in so many lives. They are real estate agents Kevin Hyde and his wife Nancy, who are known to many on the island.
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community History, News.
Submitted by the Boca Grande Historical Society Foremost on our list, we would like to thank all of our supporters at every level for helping us to continue our mission to the community this season. We are grateful for your grace and commitment as we all navigated the post-Ian landscape together. In order to continue […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
George John Benisek M.D., 91, passed away in his sleep under hospice care in Frankfort, Michigan on June 18, 2023. He is preceded in death by his wife Barbara (Ellacott), brothers John and Paul, and grandson Kyle Killworth. He leaves his son George Benisek Jr. and daughters Lisa Benisek, Kay Muller (Fred), and Anne Bralver […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Boca Beacon Back Pages, Columns, Community History.
Boca Beacon backpages FIVE YEARS AGO The Matriarch of Boca Grande took her last ride over the Causeway on June 20, 2018. Isabelle Joiner took her first steps on the dock at Whidden’s, as well as her last. TEN YEARS AGO The “Jill Marie” was howlin’ as Capt. Dave Chatham and his team took first […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
One of the biggest changes to take place in a very long time is about to occur on July 1, when the newly-signed golf cart law goes into effect. House Bill 949 was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis a few weeks ago, which makes the legal age to operate a golf cart 16, or 15 with a learner’s permit and an adult present. If you’re 18 and older, you have to have valid government-issued identification.
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 Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Are you ready for the last tarpon tournament of the season? The Red Gill Invitational is happening on Saturday, June 17, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The entry fee is $750, $100 of which will be donated to the Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum.
They won’t have a band or DJ this year, but they will have a barbecue dinner for the participants immediately following the tournament at Whidden’s Marina. Awards will be held at that time as well.
Call William Woodroffe at (813) 310-1609 for more information.