Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Lighthouses were never of special interest to Dale Uncapher before he was introduced to the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse (locally known as the Range Light) in 2017. Today he is just short of obsessed with them. Dale is one of the docents and lighthouse keepers volunteering with the Barrier Island Parks Society, and specializes in tending […]
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 Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
BY CAPT. WILL WATERHOUSE Not only have the holidays brought great weather, they have also brought great fishing! The back country fishing has been outstanding this past week! Large speckled trout are being caught on live bait and artificial lures. If you are looking for action the speckled trout are your best bet. Look for […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
The fog has been on and off for the last week. Here, a view off of the Boca Grande Causeway. There was fog on New Year’s Eve, as well as other days. There is a chance of fog Saturday, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon. Photo by Matthew
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 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 Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Education, News.
The Scholarship Committee of the Boca Grande Woman’s Club is accepting scholarship applications. Applicants for the program must meet the following criteria: 1. Have applied for admission to a school of higher education. 2. Demonstrate a high school grade point average of B or better. 3. Reside in Boca Grande, or be the child or […]