Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Community History, Obituaries.
Merritt “Babe” Neel Darna, a member of one of Boca Grande’s legacy families, died December 24, 2024. Babe was born on May 16, 1938 to Alfonso and Edith Darna on the remote barrier island of Cayo Costa, Florida, just across the Pass from Gasparilla Island. He holds the distinction of being the last recorded birth […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
It’s terrible when food is your enemy. Laura Witt is working to take the “bite” out of food that is meant to make us happy. Laura is a baker who makes exclusively gluten-free deliciousness. Laura is the daughter of Marilyn and the late Howard Witt, longtime residents of Chicago and Boca Grande. Laura has decided […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
BY MILTON BELLMilton Bell is a Boca Grande native, born October 26, 1950, who grew up on the property of the phosphate loading facility at Port Boca Grande. He is one of six children born to Angelo and Myrtle Padilla Bell, who moved to Boca Grande in 1926. Angelo Bell was born in Punta Gorda […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
On Election Day in November, two seats on the Lee County Board of Commissioners were up for election: District 3, which includes much of South Lee, and District 5, which covers the Northwest portion of the county. David Mulicka was elected to the District 3 commissioner seat, succeeding Ray Sandelli, who retired earlier this year. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Features on presidents in Boca Grande, a hurricane roundup, and a weddings page The January/February edition of the Boca Beacon’s Gasparilla Island Magazine is out now with new feature stories, recipes, shopping and social pages. Featured stories include a history of Florida’s National Airlines, a collection of photos from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, a look […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News, Real Estate.
A half dozen Mystic Powerboat catamarans were at Boca Grande Marina last weekend for a lunchtime owners run. “It’s been a great market for us,” said John Cosker, owner and founder of Mystic. Cosker said that he has been doing daily runs around the islands around including Cabbage Key and Boca Grande, for around five […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.
The island Disaster Fund is now at $3,596,000 to aid island non-profits and businesses. “It keeps coming in,” said co-organizer Larry Hannah, who is one of a group of volunteers who are helping to sort and select the donations that have helped with recovery from hurricanes Helene and Milton. Officially they are ending the fund […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, News.
BY FRIENDS OF BOCA GRANDE Join the Friends on Friday, January 10, at 4:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s for a lecture by Yale Professor Paul Freedman on his book, “Ten Restaurants That Changed America.” This lecture explores not the ten best restaurants, but rather ten influential establishments that, through their history and impact on themes […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY MISTY NICHOLSEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association (GICIA) is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the cherished GICIA Bike Path. Originally opened on February 23, 1985, the path was created from the former Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railway right of way, thanks to the generosity of the Bayard and Hugh Sharp families […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
This Friday’s paper is the first of the new year. Despite still recovering from the dual hurricanes this fall, Boca Grande was crowded with visitors this week, here to ring in 2025 in paradise. Families packed onto bikes and golf carts to shop at local businesses, eat ice cream at The Pink Pony and enjoy […]