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Legendary coach speaks to Boca Grande Men’s Club

The Boca Grande Men’s Club had a special treat on Thursday, April 2, when Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney came to speak. Swinney has been coaching for Clemson since 2008, taking over for Tommy Bowden. Swinney spoke to the crowd at the Gasparilla Inn Beach Club about the Clemson program and how he places the […]

Boca Grande travels to Cuba: Witnessing true faith in a foreign land

BY JACK SHORT The following is the final part in an ongoing series of recollections of a recent Cuba trip made by the Boca Grande United Methodist Church and our reporter, Jack Short. The culmination of the Methodist missionaries’ trip to Cuba in February was a three-day celebration and series of services held at the […]

A man who wore every hat in Boca Grande: Darrell Polk

BY MARCY SHORTUSE Another piece of Boca Grande’s heart was lost this week, as Darrell Polk passed away at the age of 84. He now joins his wife, Margaret, who passed away in June of last year. There was hardly an important job on Gasparilla Island that Darrell either didn’t have at one point or […]

Boca Grande app is here, brought to you by the Boca Beacon

The first complete phone application for Gasparilla Island has finally found its way onto the market. Aptly called “Boca Grande,” it gives information pertaining to all things Boca Grande. Shopping, dining, hotels, transportation and more are listed there. It is now available as a Google application and ready for download. All Android users can download […]

Boca Norte steps up activity in Cape Haze, buys Grande Tours

BY JACK SHORT Boca Norte, LLC, owners of the former Mercabo facility have, in the last few months, purchased land in the same region over which Charlotte County is engaged in a lawsuit with conservation groups. The corporation, registered in Venice, Fl., purchased the 1.16 acre lot at 12575 Placida Rd. and easement that used […]

Boca Grande travels to Cuba: Trial by fire

BY JACK SHORT The following is an ongoing recollection of a recent mission trip to Cuba made by the Boca Grande United Methodist Church. This is part two. The six missionaries on the trip led by Dan Christopherson and including Pastor Brian Brightly had a few different goals, one of which was to deliver the […]

James family celebrates med school graduate

Dr. Ashley James, daughter of Kathy James and Boca Grande Health Clinic’s Medical Director Dr. Raymond James, graduated from medical school on May 9. After four years of undergraduate education at the University of Florida and four years of Medical School at Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine in Dothan, AL, she looks forward to residency […]

Lemon Bay Scholarships

Boca Grande Woman’s Club Lemon Bay Scholarships, l to r Martha Durkin, Sharon Cross, Brayton Strother, Oriana Rodriquez, Taynalecia Hall, Eva Fitch-Gressley and Sophia Dickerson.                                                     Photo Submitted

2025 Graduates of The Island School

Each year, the fifth graders at The Island School write of their favorite moments at the school, and their future plans, just before graduation. Below, our graduates: Amelia Besant I have been at The Island School for six years, and I started in kindergarten. I am a true born Floridian. One thing I really loved […]

Woman’s Club Scholarships awarded

Boca Grande Woman’s Club Scholarships back row, l to r Sharon Cross, JoAnn Welch, Martha Durkin, Harlee Tudor, Reilly Feustel, Katlyn Cocks, Charles (Jaxon) Brown-Cape; front row, Judi Richardson, Sue Ewing, Shantal De Los Santos, Ambar Herde, Page Presnell, Maya Lamberto. Not shown, Craig Alarcon. Photo Submitted