Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Joshua Paul Orlick, 39, took his last cast when he passed away suddenly March 13, 2022. A local chef at The Loose Caboose for many years, as well as at Zekes on Dearborn in Engle- wood, he was passionate about his craft. His dream of owning a food truck was closer than ever. He was […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor:Two Questions:1. Did you know?2. Does Boca care about their neighbors?At 6:37 a.m. on January 16, 2022 an EF1 (110 mph) tornado ripped through Gasparilla Marina and Estates. Most Boca residents, including myself, assumed it occurred some distance away. Yet it happened less than a mile outside the entrance to Boca Grande. At […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Entertainment, News.
Check out the complete photo coverage of the 2022 Gasparilla Island Bike Parade & Spring Fair!
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News.
Charlotte County commissioners attended a meeting on Tuesday, March 22 that included the decision to unanimously give the go-ahead to purchasing two parcels of environmentally sensitive land in Placida that will expand boater access to the Placida Boat Ramp.
The two parcels are on Placida Road, across from the county boat ramp near the Boca Grande Causeway. Two additional parcels, which are adjacent to the ones considered at the March 22 meeting, are also under consideration for purchase by the county. They are owned by Brad Kelley, a man with local ties who is considered to be one of the top 10 landowners in the United States.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Lee County Communications Director Betsy Clayton confirmed this week that the Wheeler Road dog park construction is set to begin in June and will take five months to complete.
The park will include an area for big dogs and another for little dogs. It will also have a shade pavilion, pet and human water fountains, seating and many other amenities.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History.
This public exhibit showcased three major hurricanes – unnamed hurricane of 1926, Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, Hurricane Charley in 2004 which caused major damage to the island.
It also featured the explosion of the Arthur Albright, a phosphate carrier that blew up at the Port of Boca Grande in 1965 (due to a faulty valve resulting in over pressurization of the fuel tank). Eight men were hospitalized with extensive injuries.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The first-ever “dog party” at the work-in-progress dog park at the end of Wheeler Road was a big hit, according to party coordinator and dog mom Anne Ikenberry. It took place on Friday, March 25 and was met with howling approval.
“We had over 30 dogs present and some 50-plus poochie parents, family members and even just plain dog lovers present,” Ikenberry said.
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in News.
Last week Gary Carlson and his brothers held a celebration of life for Jane Carlson, a long-time resident of Boca Grande. While he was cleaning out her home, he came across three versions of a story she had written in longhand. It was evidently very important to her, in that she kept them with her […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
The Boca Grande Health Clinic is celebrating its 75th anniversary. For this occasion the Boca Grande Clinic Foundation will host a gala street party on Thursday, April 7, to revel in this momentous occasion and to thank the entire island community for their support.
Festivities will include food trucks, celebratory beverages and entertainment by the “Swinging Bridge” bluegrass band.
The Clinic has come a long way since the mid-1900s, when an out-of-town doctor treated patients once a week in a small room above the Railroad Depot. The journey to 75 years wasn’t always easy. It required courage, passion and perseverance – and the steadfast support of the island community.
The party will be held on 3rd Street between the Clinic and the Annex from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 7.
Written by T Michele Walker on . Posted in Profiles.
To put the timeline into perspective, by the time Betsy’s father built their home in 1940, their family had been on the island for 32 years.
“When the train moved to Boca Grande, my grandfather, Jerome, Sr., was offered a job and eventually opened up his own business, Fugate’s Drug Store,” she said.
Fugate’s opened in 1916, in the same building where it operates today. A few years earlier, Jerome married Betsy’s grandmother in 1911 and in 1912, Betsy’s father was born on Banyan Street.
“My grandfather Jerome passed away in 1955, when I was pretty young, but he was a big fisherman. He was involved with the very beginning days with the tarpon fishing,” Betsy said. When he passed away, Betsy’s uncle took over the family business.