Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
Joseph Leo Adrian, 78, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota and Boca Grande, Florida passed away from complications due to ataxia on June 23, 2023. He is preceded in death by his loving parents, Herbert and Bernnes (née Peterson), brothers John, Herbert M. Jr., and Anthony. Joe was known for his sharp wit, observant nature, quiet […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial.
Retirees and investors may still be flocking to Florida to find that “perfect life” or great investment opportunity, but unless more insurance regulation bills are written and passed, or more insurance assistance programs are offered for workers, those who live here will find few people left in the stores, shops, hospitals, law enforcement agencies and fire departments.
It has been well known by many “locals” in this area why there are few hometown kids who continue to live or start businesses here when they finish high school or return from college. It’s because this is one of those places where, unless their family has a business they can jump into or has enough of the right contacts to help them along in finding a job. Small towns like Port Charlotte, Englewood and Placida are not places where it is easy to get a solid initial foothold on your own. The good-paying jobs just aren’t here, particularly when you’re faced with big-city costs of living at the same time.
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 Staff Report on . Posted in Community.
Boca Grande’s annual Fourth of July parade will take place on, you guessed it, July 4, with the lineup beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot between Englewood Bank and the Old Theatre Building on Park Avenue. The parade will begin at 9 a.m. sharp, so make sure your decorations are on your golf […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community.
Artist Carroll Swayze’s work has been showcased in some of the most exclusive settings around the country – maybe around the world – and her marine life works have a color palette and style that can be recognized in an instant. For those of you who can’t fit another piece on your walls, though, you have a new way to appreciate it … by wearing it.
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 Sheila Evans on . Posted in News.
Rick Andersen is a local master carpenter and author of two children’s books. His creativity is being put to the test now, though, as he tries to build a path to the future. Rick was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer recently. Treatment is tough and expensive. He and wife Stacey are hoping the people of […]