Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Uncategorized.
FIVE YEARS AGO It’s been five years since we lost Mark Futch. TEN YEARS AGO The Barrier Island Parks Society was one step closer to owning the Range Light as the Department of Defense signed off. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO One week after Hurricane Ike, islanders were starting to take notice of some serious beach deficits. […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Featured News, Obituaries.
Annie Elizabeth Oakley Parsons, 84, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, September 12, 2023. Annie was born to Cary and Mildred Oakley on July 10, 1939, in Dora, Alabama. Due to her ever-loving and devoted parents, she enjoyed an amazing childhood growing up in the countryside in Gorgas, Alabama. She earned bachelor’s degrees in […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Featured News, Profiles.
There is a personality “type” the psychology professionals call “The Caregiver” or “The Consul.” People of this sort tend to be outgoing, loyal, organized, and tender-hearted. They gain energy from interacting with other people, according to the “Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Guide,” used by many folks who study such things.
These caregivers are typically described as “outgoing and gregarious.” They have a way of encouraging other people to be their best. In Boca Grande, one of the best examples of this type of person is Richard Malcolm. Richard has not only made his life reflect these characteristics, but makes a living at it, as well.
Richard – not Rich or Rick or Ricky – lives in Englewood, but has been a fixture on Gasparilla Island since the early 1990s. He started out working in the restaurant industry, working as a waiter, bartender, busboy … whatever was needed. His first gig was at Uncle Henry’s, where he recalls an incident that may have started him on the road to being a professional “helper.”
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
The case of the property at 161/181 Gilchrist Avenue went before the Lee County Hearing Examiner on Tuesday, Sept. 12, with a full house in the audience and two attorneys giving their sides of the story.
Donna Marie Collins, Esq. heard Attorney Megan Strayhorn, representing the property owners, gave her presentation first. She outlined the facts of the April meeting of the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board and explained that while the COA in front of the board was to approve the building of a home and several accessory buildings on the two-strap property, controversy about the Whispering Bench took precedent over the matter at hand.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Police & Fire.
With a projected expenditure amount of around $300,000, the Island EOC Emergency Communications and Interoperability Working Group gratefully accepted a $75,000 contribution from the Boca Grande Woman’s Club this week. Others who have contributed so far are the Boca Grande Disaster Relief Fund ($50,000) and $1,500 from Boca Grande Charities (for 10 Btech radios for BGFD volunteers).
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Uncategorized.
Despite at least a dozen local bank branch closures in as many years, local “brick-and-mortar” banks are still a part of local banking habits. And they may well be around for the foreseeable future.
“My card got stolen the other day.” said Doug Izzo, director of the Englewood Chamber of Commerce. His first move? Go into a bank branch to sort it out. While the bank ultimately had to resolve the issue online, there was at least a person there to intercede.
“That’s why I like the hometown banks,” said Izzo. “They actually pay attention.”
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News.
Last week, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted 4 to 1 to overturn longstanding height restrictions due to a storm “resilience” initiative and a need for the rebuilding of the South Seas Resort on Captiva.
“We were very, very disappointed with the 4-1 vote to move that forward,” said James Evans, CEO of the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, which advocates for the islands and manages 2,100 acres of coastal lands. They presented over 13,000 signatures against the changes, 6,000 of which where from across Lee County.
Evans said that it was incredible that density and building heights were increased in what is defined as a Coastal High Hazard area in the “guise of resiliency.”
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, Police & Fire.
Woman leaves child in car to swim with sharks off Bokeelia, Boca Grande Fire Department marine unit responds The Boca Grande Fire Department had to make their way all the way to Bokeelia on Monday, Sept. 11 after a call came in regarding a female who had left her young child in the car to […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community History, Featured News.
A parcel on Placida Road, with an empty 1920s cottage just south of the Hacienda condominiums and across from Cape Haze Resort, may have a new owner.
The property was originally listed on the commercial real estate website Loopnet as an 11-acre waterfront development site and offered at $2,750,000. It had been listed by Sunmark Realty Agent Sage Andress, and is now marked as “under contract.” Andress, reached by email, was not able to talk about the sale until “all deals are closed.”
The parcel, also advertised as 8019 and 8436 Placida Road, includes a historic bungalow that has had an extensive history discussion on the Placida/Cape Haze Memories Facebook page. 8019 Placida was advertised at 4.22 acres, and 8436 Placida was advertised at 3.12 acres.
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Featured News, Profiles.
Marc Vee discovered his love of music when he was not much more than 7 years old. His mix of classical, rock, jazz and a few other styles of guitar music can be heard at least weekly at the Key Lime Bistro in downtown Boca Grande.
Marc’s interest in music was originally piqued when his parents bought him a Sears Silvertone electric guitar when he was 7. The guitar case had a built-in amplifier and it was great for making lots of noise … probably more than his parents bargained for. Marc knew nothing at that point about playing, but that did not keep him from working at it.