Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
The Beacon continues to receive calls about what is where, what will happen when, and when so-and-so will open. So much is, as they say, up in the air. Of note: • The Boca Grande Post Office is in Placida. • The Island School is in Rotonda. • First Baptist Church is at St. Andrew’s. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Education, News.
The Scholarship Committee of the Boca Grande Woman’s Club will be accepting scholarship applications starting November 1, 2024, for the 2025–2026 school year. Applicants for the program must meet the following criteria: 1. Have applied for admission to a school of higher education, such as a university, college or trade school. 2. Demonstrate a high […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Community, News.
BY BOBBIE MARQUIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” Before describing Hurricane Milton’s impact on the library, we must say that this is the second storm story to come out of the Johann Fust Library Foundation in the past month. Both are tales of regular people doing […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Entertainment, News.
Editor’s Note: The Royal Palm Players sent out this letter to patrons and theatergoers. Dear Patrons and Friends: We hope this email finds you safe and sound. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. We are sending love and support to the entire community during this challenging time. The Boca […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
Many of the private clubs on island have not yet set dates to reopen following Hurricane Milton; however, progress is being made every day. The Boca Grande Club got water back on Monday, Oct. 21, said Yvonne Anderson, president of the club. “I think we will open pretty soon when water becomes stable,” she said. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
Lee County, through our First District Commissioner Kevin Ruane, sent the Boca Beacon and the island an update on all that is going on with the restoration of Gasparilla Island, including streets, utilities and the Community Center. Below is an abridged version of some of the county’s task notes as of Tuesday, Oct. 22. Note […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
“Whenever there’s human devastation, there’s animal devastation. If people can’t get out, animals can’t get out!” Sierra Club, Environmental Organization The extreme effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton will not be fully known for quite some time. Officials are still searching for survivors and the deceased in many areas, and the figures are expected to […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Uncategorized.
Gasparilla Island Water Association has about 95 percent of the island’s water connections back in service. “We are getting to the nitty gritty,” said Ron Bolton, GIWA’s executive director, who said that less than 120 units are without water and/or sewer. In a Monday email to the board, he said that most of the lift […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
Marjorie Katz Fortgang died peacefully on October 5, 2024, surrounded by her family at her home on the island of Boca Grande, Florida. She was 91. Marjorie was born on July 28, 1933, in Longmeadow,Massachusetts, the first daughter of Abraham andIrene Katz. She and her younger sister, June, were best friends who enjoyed a long life full of fun and adventure, bravely supporting […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
The night of Monday, Oct. 14, a comet known as C/2023 A3, or Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, was photographed 45 minutes after sunset at the Boca Grande Lighthouse. See you again in 80,000 years. Photo by Matt