Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Boca Beacon Back Pages, Columns, Community History.
Boca Beacon backpages FIVE YEARS AGO The Royal Palm Players were casting rehearsals for their season opener “Duets.” TEN YEARS AGO The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority ad valorem tax referendum was voted down, 542 votes to 301. The money was to help fund the new bridge. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO State-mandated tax rollbacks took away the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
Gasparilla Island has been quite the hot topic within Lee County administration circles lately, including some cryptic conversation at a meeting held on November 1 regarding, among other things, debris removal. After Hurricane Ian, Lee County signed a contract with Charlotte County and their subcontractor, Ashford, to clean up Gasparilla Island. Charlotte County already handles […]
Written by Boca Grande Health Clinic on . Posted in Health & Wellness, News.
By Dr. Raymond James, DO, Boca Grande Health Clinic That is a good question after the storm of the century. And when might it be safe? City Water Everyone who was in Boca after the storm remembers how we all incorporated the new routine of the five-gallon bucket shuffle. We brought water from a brown […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Health & Wellness, News.
Many say that the climate of a community is best monitored by the mental health of the children who live there. Are they safe? Are they happy? Do they have plans for their future? Do they have faith? While it is true that going through a hurricane that stayed so strong for so long is […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
It is possible there will soon be another layer of protection for local manatees, as the Lee Board of County Commissioners voted this week to adopt a year-round manatee protection zone ordinance for Gasparilla Island – specifically the Boca Grande Bayou – as well as a quarter-mile area off Captiva Island and Safety Harbor, North […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Almost everyone has a memory of playing croquet as a child, probably in their grandmother’s yard. Hans Peterson thinks it is time to make some new memories, this time on the Boca Grande Community Center lawn. “Croquet’s a great game, and everyone can play,” Hans said. And if someone does not know how to play, […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Boca Beacon Back Pages, Community History.
Boca Beacon backpages FIVE YEARS AGO Final Hurricane Irma debris pickups were complete as anglers were busy tying flies and getting ready for the GIFT tournament. TEN YEARS AGO A manatee in Boca Bay was picked up and transported to Lowry Park Zoo due to exposure to red tide. Amber Mills married Mike McGuiness at […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: Let’s talk mosquitoes. I’d tell you my phone is ringing off the hook, but our office phones are still out more than they are working. With that said, I am getting a lot of emails and messages about mosquitoes, especially on the north/Charlotte County end of the island. I’ve made a few […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: September 28, 2022 will go down in infamy and will be remembered for some years to come. Ian was almost a 100-year storm, or close to it. The landfall over the island was slow and gruesome, traveling only a few miles an hour and with winds 2 miles per hour shy of […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: Someone asked me last week, “How are you doing?” The pat answer is “I’m fine.” I’m not really. I’m better than most. But there’s just something that’s not right, not me. I am functionally depressed. Not that I’m mad or angry at anyone or God. I’m not emotionally or psychologically damaged beyond […]