Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Profiles.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Local realtor Melissa Csank has found the perfect blend between homes and history while listing local houses and serving on the board of the Boca Grande Historical Society. However, Melissa was not always a real estate agent with an interest in historic homes. Melissa grew up surrounded by the rolling “Sound of […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Profiles.
For her, happiness is a well-planned event… BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Florida girl Courtney Clark is familiar with Boca Grande’s beaches. After spending most of her childhood in Southwest Florida, she’s devoted her time to local event planning. Courtney was born in the town of Center Moriches, in Long Island, N.Y. and lived there until the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Obituaries.
Jack Richard Wittkamp, 91, of Boca Grande and Allendale, N.J., passed away peacefully on May 18, 2020 in Boca Grande, with family members by his side. Jack leaves behind his daughter, Donna Henry (Mark) of The Woodlands, Texas; son Mitch Smith (LuAnn) of Middlesex, N.J.; son Richard Von Wittkamp of Bothell, Wash.; and five grandchildren […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE- Last week Lee County announced they would be allocating millions of dollars in financial relief to people and businesses who are struggling to recover from the COVID-19 quarantine and subsequent shutdown. The county received $57 million from the federal government as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
SUBMITTED BY THE BARRIER ISLAND PARKS SOCIETY– For more than 30 years Barrier Island Parks Society, BIPS, has been on a mission to inspire the exploration and preservation of our natural and historic treasures in the local communities of Charlotte, Lee and Sarasota Counties. Many know BIPS as the 501c3 non-profit responsible for preserving, maintaining […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
STAFF REPORT- The “living dock” project continues in Boca Grande, and Mote Marine Laboratory has been working over the past few months to make sure this project is kept alive and thriving in Boca Grande canals. Mote has installed several living dock structures on docks, and they are studying how well these “artificial reefs” attract […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
STAFF REPORT- The staff of the Boca Beacon and Gasparilla Island Magazine are up for 19 awards at a virtual presentation by the Florida Presentation and Florida Magazine Association that will be held on Friday, July 31. The Florida Press Association has nominated the Boca Beacon for 12 awards this year. Susan Erwin is in the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- It’s that time of year again, when local residents cross their fingers and toes in hopes that tropical winds don’t break the pool screen or knock down the palm trees – or worse. Like many traditions, everyone will gather around windows and sliding glass doors to honor the annual durability check of hurricane […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: We can’t seem to get over the lunacy. The panic. The illogical decisions. While the coronavirus was most active, everyone was told we don’t have to wear masks, even though the N95 mask blocks 95 percent of particles, perhaps including the virus, because there was a shortage for healthcare workers, […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: What is happening to Boca Grande? For the 30 years plus that I have been here, the character of the island had been unique, all encompassing, friendly, and mellow. Until now. Something sinister is creeping onto the island, and it’s not just the iguanas. People who don’t know you, seldom say hello […]