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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 […]

New Chamber Back Bay Fishing Tournament

The Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce has introduced the first annual Gasparilla Grande Slam Back Bay Fishing Tournament, to be held on March 28. This inshore fishing event celebrates competitive angling, sportsmanship and coastal heritage targeting redfish, snook and speckled trout. On Saturday, March 28, lines will be in from 9 a.m. to 1 […]

Thanks to Island School Golf Challenge supporters

BY THE ISLAND SCHOOL FOUNDATION The Island School Foundation’s chairperson, Mary Johnston, summed up the day: “Conditions couldn’t have been much worse, but our community came out with their best!” The Island School, a tuition-free charter school for grades K-5, held their $1,000,000 Golf Challenge last week on a chilly, windy winter day at The […]

Wrapping up the 2026 Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic

The Boca Beacon’s 2026 Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic opened on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 and finished on Tuesday, Feb. 10. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible community for supporting this year’s Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic. It’s been truly inspiring to see players step out of their comfort zones, challenge themselves […]