Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News.
In the time following a disaster, food can serve as a symbol of love and appreciation. That symbolism can be seen all over Boca Grande lately. Free or “donation only” food and drink have been showing up this week to sustain the many residents and helpers working to bring back a feeling of normalcy to […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community, News.
The four churches in Boca Grande did not escape the wrath of Ian. Nevertheless, two of the four were able to hold services the weekend after the storm. These were Lighthouse United Methodist and Our Lady of Mercy Catholic churches. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church will open in about two weeks, as the drying out process […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community.
Coming back to a church that was relatively intact after Hurricane Ian has left Father Jerome Carosella a happy man. “The church, thank God, is fine, except for the roof,” said Fr. Jerome Carosella philosphically. “It is a happy outcome.” That roof exception is a pretty big one, according to most people’s standards, and would […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community, News.
BY DUSTY HOPKINS What in the world do you do with a 56 foot tall sailboat mast that has snapped off and is now stuck in the muck on the bottom of the bayou, but the other end is still attached to the boat with half inch stainless steel cables … five of them? Except […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
Boca Grande Charities, Inc. – a charitable foundation founded by Capt. Sandy Melvin (and now includes Ron Walker and Pat Waterhouse) – helped save the day regarding fuel, not only on Gasparilla Island but on Little Gasparilla Island as well. Melvin worked with Mike Krause of Okeechobee Fishing Headquarters, who by happenstance during a conversation […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Boca Beacon Back Pages.
FIVE YEARS AGO The Boca Grande Island was in a heated debate regarding a proposed assisted living house along East Railroad Avenue. TEN YEARS AGO The Mote Marine Laboratory deployed their marine robot “Waldo” to our local waters. Waldo was taking water samples and detecting red tide levels to give scientists accurate readings. FIFTEEN YEARS […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
BY CAPT. SANDY MELVIN Typically September and October are our rainy months around the Island. The rainwater enters the Peace and Myakka River water basins and comes down into Charlotte Harbor before making its way out the passes into the Gulf. That rainwater turns our local waters dark brown from the natural tanic acids found […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Profiles.
Hurricane Ian was the ninth named storm, fourth hurricane and second major hurricane of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. Those facts seem so matter of fact when you look out your window and see exactly what a monstrous, devastating storm Ian turned out to be. The storm’s slow crawl across the state, bringing damage from […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Obituaries.
We lost another island light. Bonnie McGee lived on the island for many years and was known as a woman who was a most soft-hearted joker and the life of the party. If there was a way to get you in trouble, she would find it. Her charm, sense of humor and beauty always got […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
UPDATED 2330 SEPT. 26 … The Boca Grande Causeway does NOT close to CAR traffic. It closes to BOAT traffic when winds reach sustained 40 mph. That means if you are in a boat and the winds are 40 mph or higher, you aren’t coming under the Boca Grande Causeway swing bridge.
Officials will sometimes close the bridge to general traffic after a storm has passed and officials have declared it unsafe to come on the island.