Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
By Marcy Shortuse This week the tales of a little girl who loved to play, another girl who loves to play tricks and a third girl distraught with grief over a lost love. Welcome to Part II of “Ghosts and Legends of Boca Grande,” a slightly darker side of the island that we call home. […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community History, News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE It isn’t hard to surmise that a place as old as Gasparilla Island has a few tales to tell – and not all of them are paradise-perfect. While we are now known as an elite island getaway location, just a few decades ago there was a more diverse population. From times […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
Lightning was determined to be the source of a fire that occurred in a home in Grande Quay on Thursday, Sept. 4 at approximately noon. Reports indicate lightning hit the roof of the building, where plywood and insulation were ignited. Workers were in the home at the time of the strike but there were no […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE Gasparilla Island has the proclivity to bring out the best in many people, residents and visitors alike. There is an endless list of people who were born and raised here who have gone on to do great things, but three students in particular this year have truly proven if […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE Sad news came by the way of Thonotosassa this week, as we found out that a popular angler in our waters was gunned down by his own brother. Scott Tomlinson, 51, was shot and killed by his brother, Todd Tomlinson, of Plant City, according to Hillsborough County law enforcement. They believe it […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
The 10th annual Gil Memorial Classic, benefitting the Barrier Island Parks Society, is coming up in September and entries have been sent out. Raffle night will be on Thursday, Sept. 24 in Tampa and fishing will take place on October 1, 2 and 3. Raffle prizes are still being sought. Entries for the tournament must […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
We had another amazing Independence Day, and wanted to share some of our photos from the fireworks and the golf cart parade. If you’d like to see them, go to our website, bocabeacon.com, click on the “media” tab, then “photos.”Or, just click here: Boca Grande Independence Day
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE AND JACK SHORT We’ve been famous before for having one of the most expensive zip codes, and for having some of the best beaches. We’ve got celebrity status for many reasons here on Gasparilla Island, and now we’ve got a new reason to be chatted up on the Today Show and in […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
This year, the 4th of July festivities will begin bright and early at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, as all participants in the 3rd annual 4th of July golf cart and bicycle parade will congregate in the parking lot next to PJ’s Seagrille. Decorate as you will, just keep it festive and 4th of […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
BY JACK SHORT Bill Caldwell remembers him as a straight-laced, hard-working fisherman, not as a smuggler and international fugitive. The Tampa Bay Times recently broke a story about a man who died in a traffic accident in Australia, and was revealed to be Ray Stansel, wanted for smuggling marijuana into Florida during the 70s. Stansel […]