New Gasparilla Island magazine out
The new September/October edition of the Gasparilla Island Magazine is out. Inside, are stories on Marion Alger in Boca Grande, shell collections and the growing Mah Jongg craze. At newsstands now.
Search Results for “grand”
Hurricane prep, special passes at Emergency Meet
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
The Boca Grande Fire Department hosted a meeting of the island’s Emergency Operations group Wednesday morning, Aug. 27 to plan for potential storm events. “We just want to be on the same page and work efficiently,” said Fire Chief C.W. Blosser. “The goal is to get information out faster and be more reliable.” One change […]
Reporting of curb lawns after parking rules
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News.
After an August 5 ordinance that will change parking rules on Gasparilla Island, the Beacon continues to get complaints that there are at least three new, unpermitted ‘curb lawns’ in Boca Grande. In response, the Beacon asked Lee County staff if there were any plans to address the non-permitted landscaping on the island on county […]
Letters: Thoughts on ‘party spot’ status and long-term solutions
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Community, Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: I want to share my perspective on the parking situation to maybe add a little more insight. As many of you know, I worked on island for several years as an eco tour guide and over the last few years noticed a huge change in the type of visitors as well as […]
This date in the Boca Beacon
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO GIBA announced that a contract had been awarded for the construction of the southern roadway sidewalk which would include paved shoulders, concrete sidewalk and curbing. TEN YEARS AGO Island firefighters rescued a woman from the water between Pine Island and Cayo Costa where the currents quickly carried her away from her boat. […]
Small merchants. Who is it that Just Feels Right?
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Editorial.
A kind and anonymous X.com user reached out to the Boca Beacon Twitter feed this week, suggesting a PGA-like shuttle for Boca Grande to help preserve the independent merchants on the island after parking restrictions. Ads could be sold, he said. He did not even live nearby. “I’m a small-business owner and the story reminded […]
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Attend the Resiliency Summit
Written by Angela McPhillips on . Posted in Events, Profiles, Sports & Outdoors.
Science, solutions, neighbors. Hurricane season in Southwest Florida is more than just a few names on a weather map. For residents across Charlotte and Lee counties, Boca Grande and the barrier islands, storms shape daily life — from flood-prone streets to conversations with neighbors about how to prepare for the next one. This September, the […]
Turtle patrollers find surprises in nests during inventories
Written by Arlene Hall on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY In last week’s article, we reviewed some of the data BGSTA turtle patrollers collect for FWC regarding nest inventory as well as some challenges we face while conducting inventories. This week, the focus is on data we collect involving the eggs and the hatchlings we may find in the nest. […]
Looking Back: Waterspouts over island 25 years ago
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Uncategorized.
FIVE YEARS AGO Charlotte County launched their County Records website allowing all county documents going back to 1921 be viewed by the public. TEN YEARS AGO The Boca Grande Community Center Summer Camp Program sent the kids to a surprise day trip to Sea World with funding provided by Boca Grande Woman’s Club. FIFTEEN YEARS […]
History: Happy 110 years Banyan Street
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Uncategorized.
By KAREN GRACE In 1915, Peter Bradley of the American agricultural Chemical Company had 26 banyan trees planted on each side of what was then Second Street. The trees may have been part of a 1914 master plan produced for the company by landscape architect Carl Rust Parker. Banyan trees were proposed “to help transition […]