Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Opinion, Sports & Outdoors.
Plan an appropriate tool to find balance while managing growth BY THE GICIA The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association has been working to preserve island life since 1971. Since 2020, the growth of neighboring communities has been significant, and planned future development will apply additional pressure to Boca Grande. These growing development trends will […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
Some on this island are readers and devotees of Wendell Berry, the Kentucky writer whose thinking undergirds many of today’s ideas of agriculture and sustainability. One of his ideas that has been applied outside of farming is solving an issue for pattern. The idea of “solving for pattern” requires one to step back, look at […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
BY CAPT. WILL WATERHOUSE It feels like summer here in Boca Grande and the tarpon have been biting! Lots of tarpon have been caught around Little Gasparilla Island, Gasparilla Island, Cayo Costa and Captiva Island! Book your trip to get out and chase the silver king if you haven’t already! In the back bay, snook […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO The Boca Grande Kids Classic was canceled due to the pandemic. All donations were still distributed. TEN YEARS AGO Mote Marine brought their new 46’ boat named Thunder to a reception at The Innlet. The boat was to be used in the Charlotte Harbor and the Boca Grande area to research tarpon […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles, Sports & Outdoors.
From Korea to a Boca Grande garden An interesting life is rarely a carefree life. It is in overcoming obstacles that much of the fulfilling and exciting twists and turns of life take place. Sok Nam Park, a resident of Boca Bay, has lived that kind of life, and believes the happiness she has come […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE With a considerable population increase in Florida in the last five years, more and more Florida beach towns are being forced to consider what their options are as far as parking for their “destination” locations, specifically beaches and the more tourist-driven areas. It’s difficult to compare the situation in Boca Grande – […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
Currently, the Boca Beacon is waiting on a public records request from Lee County to get a better understanding of what is happening with a proposed parking ordinance. This week, we were made aware that a Boca Grande resident, opposed to the possible restrictions, had also asked for and received over 600 pages of emails […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Excitement is brewing as anglers and artists prepare for the 2025 “World’s Richest” Tarpon Tournament and the Annual Boca Grande Tarpon Festival May 13 to 16 in downtown Boca Grande. The Tarpon Festival marks the beginning of tarpon season and celebrates the return of the fish to Boca Grande Pass. The island is preparing for […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Capt. Phil O’Bannon appeared this week on the Mill House podcast. The sporting show podcast is led by Andy Mill, an athlete, broadcaster and author. Mill, an Olympic skier, is the author of “A Passion for Tarpon.” “Phil O’Bannon is a sixth-generation Boca Grande fisherman whose life has been defined by the water,” the description […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
Fundraising continues for a new house for a sheriff’s deputy house on Gasparilla Island. This week, over $55,000 came in, with a total of approximately $190,000 raised so far. Last week, $76,000 was raised. “We are making good progress,” said Larry Hannah, one of the members of the Boca Grande Disaster Fund who is working […]