Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Obituaries.
Blaine Eugene Davis, 83, son of Blaine A. and Arlene (Nadeau) Davis died July 21, 2019 at his family residence in Portland, Maine. Blaine was born in West Enfield, Maine and grew up in Lincoln, Maine. Most recently, Blaine and Sheila have resided in Boca Grande for 22 years. Blaine graduated from Maine Maritime Academy […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Todd Hampton may have spent much of his life in Winter Haven, Florida, but he’s been coming to Boca Grande for almost than 30 years. Todd is the friendly face behind the bar inside Scarpa’s Coastal Restaurant on the island. He started prepping for the soft opening in April, and the restaurant […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE A flurry of excitement has recently swept the globe regarding the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s lenience in allowing private citizens to kill iguanas on their own property. While it may seem like news to some, truth be told no one is really sure who made it seem like something […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ STAFF REPORT The Boca Beacon and Gasparilla Magazine staff traveled to the swanky Vinoy Rennaissance Hotel in St. Petersburg for the 2019 Florida Press Association/Magazine Association Awards, and came back with 11 awards in total. During the lunchtime presentation of the FPA awards, Boca Beacon Editor Marcy Shortuse took home three first- place trophies […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Obituaries.
Ralph Garcia III, 54, passed away July 11, 2019 after a brief and sudden illness. Born and raised in Tampa, Ralph was a graduate of HB Plant High School and the University of Tampa. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, The Merrymakers Club, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and HB Plant Museum Board […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Charlie Ruth and Matthew Jaeger spent the Fourth of July like many other people on the island did – boating and fishing the water surrounding Gasparilla Island. But they also had another important mission to complete later in the afternoon. As they were pulling up to the dock at the canal to […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Letters to the Editor, News, Opinion.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE The media recently blasted an announcement regarding iguanas on social media that made some pretty big waves. The headlines everywhere read that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) had called for residents to kill iguanas on their property, and that they had no problem with it. If you’re on […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE The right to roam the Promenade is being infringed once again, not only by overgrown bushes but by brand-new plantings right in the thoroughfare. This seems to have become an annual ritual when the rainy season returns and the foliage becomes more lush. Rainy season doesn’t, however, account for the boulders […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN The Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association would like to remind everyone that bright lighting could misdirect and disturb nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings, so beachgoers should avoid using flashlights or cellphones at night. Turning off lights or closing curtains and shades in buildings along the beach after dark will ensure nesting […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ STAFF REPORT In 1907 the Boca Grande Land Company was created to carry out a joint venture between Albert Gilchrist and the American Agricultural Chemical Company, and the land currently contained in the Historic District was conveyed to the Boca Grande Land Company. The Boca Grande Land Company, in turn, conveyed the railroad right-of-way, […]