Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Featured News, Profiles, Sports & Outdoors.
F or years, the ecological wellbeing of Boca Grande’s plant life has been one of Rick Joyce’s favorite endeavors. Boca Grande, and all of Gasparilla Island, owes much of its beauty and charm to the talent, expertise and love Rick puts into his work. Rick is a certified arborist, professional horticulturalist and a man who […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY As of August 31, the BGSTA turtle patrollers have officially phased out of monitoring the entire length of each of our zones and will now only focus on the remaining incubating nests. This change in our monitoring protocol occurs when no new nests or false crawls have been documented for […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial, Sports & Outdoors.
There was a time not too long ago when many local state agricultural offices, particularly in suburban areas, were interested devoted to “truck and ornamentals.” That phrase might sound foreign to many, but the meaning made more sense in an earlier age, when local nurseries and homeowners participated in agriculture and ate food from “truck […]
Written by Boca Grande Health Clinic on . Posted in Columns, Health & Wellness.
BY THE BOCA GRANDE HEALTH CLINIC Loneliness is more common than you might think and touches many lives. According to U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, America is facing an “epidemic of loneliness and isolation,” affecting millions across the country. This widespread issue impacts people of all ages, particularly older adults. Recent research from Northwestern […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY With no new crawls this past week, it is almost certain that we have seen the end of the nesting phase of the 2024 season. After a certain number of consecutive days with no new crawls, the BGSTA turtle patrol volunteers will shift their entire focus to those remaining incubating […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Charlotte County officials are working to help with pedestrian safety at the north end of the island on Gasparilla Road. The discussion began with the possibility of creating a cross-walk across Gasparilla Road, at the intersection of Gulf Shores Drive. The Board of County Commissioners addressed the issue at their July 17 meeting, and noted […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Entertainment, News, Police & Fire, Sports & Outdoors.
No permit required, but fire, sheriff and Coast Guard present Possibly over 50,000 people are anticipated to attend the Boca H20 Music Festival, to be held on Saturday just off the north end of the island. The music festival runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is held in the water, with performers on […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
A state-wide Great Outdoors Initiative by Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which aims to add amenities like golf and pickleball to several Florida State Parks, does not affect our nearby state parks. At a press conference Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis pulled back from the proposals, which he called “half-baked and not ready for primetime,” and […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
Charles E. “Chuck” or “Charlie” Blanchard, age 80, passed away on August 17, 2024 at his home in Gardnerville, Nevada. He was surrounded by loved ones. After a long illness, he made the choice to go into Hospice care, and had time to reminisce, enjoying notes and calls from friends and loved ones. Charlie was […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
New signs reminding residents that golf carts are prohibited on certain stretches of Gasparilla Island were placed this week, at locations including the beginning of the Lee County line. Tim Engstrom, of the public information office said that there were about a dozen of them. There are no new regulations, only a reminder of existing […]