Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Editorial.
In the last year we have had multiple situations where individuals stepped out, said something, called a neighbor, called an official and made something change. Very often with our readers, there is a sort of WASPy pride, where they do not want attention for themselves, and wish for only good things to happen in the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Travel, Uncategorized.
The Boca Beacon’s award-winning Visitor’s Guide is now in the planning stages. This is the time to reserve your spot for the 2025 edition. The Boca Beacon’s Visitor’s Guide is the only promotional magazine for travelers to Gasparilla Island, and an essential for advertisers, as it is the key to Florida’s wealthiest zip code, 33921. […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY Even though Debby disrupted most of the incubating nests on the island, many of those that survived her onslaught are going about their business as usual. As of Saturday, Aug. 17th, we have had nine of the remaining nests hatch since the storm, with 57 still incubating. There is still […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority Quarterly Board meeting was held on Thursday, Aug. 15, in the offices of the Authority. Board Chairman Drew Tucker presented outgoing Member Ginger Watkins with an artistic rendering of the bridge. Watkins was elected to the Board in 2010, served as Vice-Chairman in 2012, and then served as board chairman […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Community History, Education.
BY KIM KYLE From 1893 to 1908 there was a school located on 4th Street in a frame building. The building may have also been used as a church. The first school on Gasparilla at the north end of the island was in a bunk house that was no longer used by the railroad. Around […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Getting a ride to school on your father’s fishing boat sounds like part of a story from Boca Grande’s History Center. Indeed, those stories are favorites around the island. One of the fun and charming things about Boca Grande is that this story is still the way things are happening today. Candace Beye, stylist at […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Cyclists have the same rights and rules as cars on GIBA Last Thursday, Aug. 15 during the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority’s quarterly meeting, the board discussed bike safety along the causeway. A biker had contacted GIBA about the orange cones which are currently positioned over several grates along the shoulder of the causeway, mistaking their […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Gasparilla Island Water Association Inc. will be temporarily changing the disinfection process for its Placida and Boca Grande potable water supply. From Sept. 16, 2024, at 8 a.m. through October 25, 2024, GIWA will disinfect the water with free chlorine rather than combined chlorine/ammonia (chloramines). This conversion to chlorine (which is a stronger disinfectant) from […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial, Sports & Outdoors.
This time of year is prime for storms. The state desperately needs the summer rains to replenish aquifers, remoisturize forests and de-heat the ground. These storms are our Florida reality. But there is danger, of course. Even safely inside, lightning fries our transformers, melts our hard drives and makes mincemeat of expensive HVAC circuit boards, […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
The Barrier Island Parks Society (BIPS), in partnership with Keep Lee County Beautiful, has announced the 2024 International Coastal Beach Cleanup on Boca Grande, a vital part of the global initiative to protect oceans and coastlines. The beach cleanup will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21 starting at the […]