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Who are these groups of cyclists around Cape Haze?

Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Editorial, News, Sports & Outdoors.

As to the rides, they take place every day and can have as few as two or three riders in the heat of the summer, to 20 or 30 riders during the season, when many snowbirds migrate south. Riders come from far and wide. Carrie comes from Wyoming each winter, and Rob usually makes it from Jersey – no, not New Jersey but the island in the Channel off England. Others come from all over the U.S., but mainly from the northeastern and midwestern states. The rides are mainly in Rotonda, Gulf Cove, South Gulf Cove, the Meadows, or on any given holiday CHC ventures to Boca Grande. There is an occasional ride from Manasota Key to Casey Key, but mainly the rides stay in the Cape Haze peninsula. Several riders have raced in the past ,and many completed various long-distance trips.

Turtle tracks: Working as a team to achieve more

Written by Tonya Bramlage on . Posted in Columns.

Every single ounce of energy begins to wane as the volunteers sweat their way through the morning  marking nests and false crawls in the sweltering heat. Teamwork is what it’s all about: Together everyone achieves more. Not only do patrollers rely on one another to get all of the nests documented and marked, but they also rely greatly on the efforts of all the behind-the-scenes organizations for their tremendous, invaluable support. 

OBITUARY: Pattie Cleghorn

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.

Pattie Cleghorn (nee Hart), born November 15, 1941 in Toronto, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday morning, June 17, 2022 at the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital in Bracebridge Ontario after a long battle with lung disease.  She was predeceased by her parents, Eileen and Harry Hart, and is survived by her long- time […]

SPOTLIGHT: Ken Fortney – 97 and still working at The Inn golf shop

Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.

The Fortneys do other things for fun that many people might not expect. They have a modern camper and take trips to interesting places where they camp and enjoy meeting new people and trying new things. They found an internet site called Harvest Hosts, where members, who must be “self-contained RVers,” have unique overnight stays, such as camping on a golf course, in a pasture, at an alpaca ranch or a horse farm, all of which the Fortneys have done. The camping is free, but each host has something of interest to market, so campers usually buy produce or a sweater or whatever else the host has to offer. 

EDITORIAL: A first time fishing this writer will never forget

Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Editorial, News, Sports & Outdoors.

Then, bam! Lynn felt something hit her line. Tim instantly got my rod secured and me out of the way, and then put all his attention on Lynn. She had a tarpon on the line. “You got this,” he assured her. “Reel it in.” “Bow to the king,” “Just hold on, don’t do anything.” The orders were calm, but authoritative. Captain Mark was advising Tim from his higher vantage point and moving the boat as conditions warranted.

Outta Line takes Kids Classic!

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.

The race for that last fish released was a tricky one, as there were two other teams fighting tarpon as well as Searene when Capt. Sandy called the tournament at 4:50 p.m., right as a severe storm was closing in off the Gulf and another was threatening from the harbor side. Team Reel Shark released their tarpon at 5:01 p.m., but Searene was still out there fighting. It took a lot of going over observer clipboards to determine who that “last fish” winner was, but that’s why observers are so important.
There were 29 boats in the field for this year’s Kids Classic, with 38 anglers under the age of 10 and 70 kids older than 10. Out of the 108 total, 70 were boys and 39 were girls.

When fishing near rookeries, use caution and take care

Written by Tonya Bramlage on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.

Fishing action is heavy right now in island waters, as is juvenile bird season. Many of our local feathered brethren are taking care of their young in their nests in local rookeries. When you combine fishing and a heavy bird presence, it doesn’t always end up well.Even when precautionary steps are taken, birds can get […]

TURTLE TRACKS: Snazzy shells secretly placed

Written by Tonya Bramlage on . Posted in News.

The Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association is proud to announce the launch of a first-of-its-kind handpainted seashell campaign. BGSTA volunteer Stephanie Sondock and her sister, Stacey Wilkanoski, began painting by hand each colorful, one of a kind, shell in January of 2022.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Elaine Williams retires after delivering your newspapers for 26 years

Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News, Profiles.

Elaine Williams probably woke up around 1:30 a.m. this morning, but, unlike a week or so ago, today she could roll over and go back to sleep. Elaine is now retired. Her role as the iconic newspaper carrier serving Boca Grande for the last 26 years has ended, and her early-morning habit of making sure her customers get their daily newspapers – dry and on time – is someone else’s task.