Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Education, News.
On Tuesday, Kelli Carpenter was out on Park Avenue, taking down the Boca Grande Preschool sign. They are in the midst of a temporary move to Grove City in March. Once there, they will be preparing for a return to the island, but elsewhere. The group is also prepping for its April 7 Annual Beach […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in News.
The Board of the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority (GIBA) met Wednesday, Feb. 5, for a quarterly report on bridge operations and upcoming remediation work. “We’ve made excellent progress in hurricane repairs,” said Executive Director Kathy Banson. January 2025 traffic was up two percent from last January 2024 and revenue was up two percent as well, […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Community, Entertainment, Events, News.
BY SUSAN HANAFEE Imagine having a great time eating strawberries and brats, bidding in the silent auction, and checking out the bargains and books at the annual Strawberry Festival in Boca Grande. Now imagine that all that fun benefits charities that serve local women and children in need. No need to imagine. It’s all true. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Featured News, News.
“Tom was not only one of my early heroes, but also one of my main influences.” – James Taylor Tom Rush is a gifted musician and performer, whose shows offer a musical celebration, a journey into the tradition and spectrum of what music has been, can be, and will become. His distinctive guitar style, wry […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community History, Featured News, News.
Dusty Hopkins knows how to tell a good story. It is one of the things that makes him a natural as the owner and publisher of the iconic Boca Grande newspaper, the “Boca Beacon.” Dusty was the guest speaker at this week’s History Bytes, sponsored by the Boca Grande Historical Society and hosted by the […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Commissioner Kevin Ruane addressed the long-debated structured parking plan for Boca Grande during the regular Lee County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18. “On April 22 the commission voted unanimously to authorize me to move forward evaluating the parking situation in Lee County on Gasparilla Island,” Ruane said. “Over two years since then I’ve had […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: Since this season began, we have been experiencing the increasing degradation of our Historic District and its residential beach street neighborhoods, which on some days, are completely overrun. Beach parking has been chaotic and is overflowing into adjacent areas causing visibility and safety issues. This is the direct result of the unprecedented, […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial, News.
Here we are, just four months after two massive hurricanes, and Lee County Commissioners have moved forward with some sort of unspecific parking restriction scheme in Boca Grande. They did it Tuesday by leaving a discussion off the formal agenda. A few selected residents went speak on the issue of parking, seemingly representing the feelings […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News, Society.
The beautiful, newly refurbished J.McLaughlin store is now open! They wish to thank you for the warm welcome received from the community and are excited to be back and very grateful for your enthusiasm and spirit. Stop by and visit Caroline Farrington (left) and Ellen Drawdy at 360 Park Ave., Boca Grande. […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Wade Staniar From the time he was quite young, Wade Staniar has had a special affection for trees. In fact, he would say he had a passion for them. That passion led to a career in forestry, land management, real estate sales and consulting that has brought satisfaction in many areas of his life. Trees […]