Skip to main content
Search Results for “look”

Creative solutions for the ‘Great Resignation’

Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.

The pandemic continues to transform the labor force. During the first months of 2021, millions left their jobs, resulting in what some call “the Great Resignation.” 
As it is with many things, Gasparilla Island has not experienced the same worker shortage as the rest of the mainland, but it’s easy to see once you cross the causeway that “help wanted” signs are hanging in every restaurant and store, and many businesses are forced to close early due to a lack of employees. In fact, around the country businesses are struggling to find qualified employees, and many are starting to think outside the box.
While many retirees have gone back to work to take advantage of sign-on bonuses and additional income, there are also organizations like Easterseals who have highly-trained clients willing and ready to step into these available job opportunities.
And businesses are taking notice.

Boca Grande wildlife needs you!

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.

Never has there been a time when wildlife rescue volunteers were needed more on Gasparilla Island. To say there is a dire lack of people willing to pick up and drive injured or ill wildlife to local rehabilitation centers is an understatement – in fact, there are virtually none. From 2005, Blanche, co-owner of The […]

History Bytes: The Davis brothers remember some of their best years

Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community History.

Doug and Frank Davis spoke for themselves, their sister Robin Davis Melvin and Doug’s wife Gail Coleman Davis at the Feb. 9 History Bytes presentation. During the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, the Davis family lived in Arcadia and in Belle Glade but their summers and holidays were spent in a house on Gilchrist, across from St. Andrew’s Church, that was haunted. The ghost they called George appeared regularly. A bedroom door would open, a bright light would be seen – Doug says it looked like someone had turned on the hall light – then a figure would appear. Once they found footprints on the hall floor in some spilled body powder Robin or her mother Judy used before going to bed. And their dog, Coco, growled at sounds of footsteps coming up the stairs but there was no one there. While startling at first, George was not threatening and they learned to live with him.

PROFILE: Kim Newlin

Written by T Michele Walker on . Posted in Profiles.

When we first met Kim Newlin back in 2005, she was a wife, a mother of two young children, and a new business owner of Newlin’s Mainely Gourmet. Today, she and Frank are happy and “Newlin’s,” as the islanders fondly call her business, is going strong, and her children are in college.
“When we opened, my daughter was at The Island School. I remember looking at Tallulah walking across the street to school, and I thought, ‘Okay, I’m a little bored.’ I was only going to do this business for two years.”

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Boca Grande – a charming place made even more charming by its honest, kind people

Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.

To the Editor:
Two weeks ago, our family had a wonderful vacation in Boca Grande. It was our third visit to the island and we had rented a hundred plus-year-old cottage on Tarpon Ave. We love what a step back in time this charming town portrays. No chain stores, no high rises, no litter, no graffiti, a fabulous bike path and walking path, very little vehicular traffic, beautiful beaches, and a warm, friendly, welcoming attitude that is hard to find. Everyone is so outdoorsy and active. It is obvious the residents take great pride in their property and are grateful to live in such a special place.

ECOWATCH: Valentine love tributes to a tree

Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Opinion.

Almost every year Ecowatch has written love quotes from poets who have exclaimed the power and joy of love between man and women, animals sharing love and other venues of love. However, there is another pathway to love that is too often overlooked and that is the love of trees and what they wish to share with all of us.            

DOG LIFE: Misconceptions about dog training

Written by Harry Kalajian, MDT on . Posted in Columns.

You’re fed up with your dog for not listening to you, so you look for a trainer who can educate Fido to be the perfect dog. Well, there’s more to it than just hiring a professional trainer to help you. Dog training is not hard as long as you follow instructions from the trainer and practice. But don’t think that one or two classes with your trainer will make Fido a perfect dog. The trainer is not a magician.

ECOWATCH: The puppet masters are pulling strings again 

Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Opinion.

I had every intention of listing some good and bad events in the ecosystem that needed to be shared. However, I shall digress for just a short time. Long-time readers of this column are familiar with the many quotes I have used through the years. I usually pick a writer who has something to say and will nudge people to think.
One such person I have used often was Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States. He was responsible for setting aside land for our national parks that people still enjoy and use today. He was the ultimate conservationist, and he said, “The conservation of natural resources is the fundamental problem. Unless we solve that problem, it will avail us little to solve others.” His most famous quote gave us a little peek into his character: “Speak softly and carry a big stick — and you will go far.” He went on to say, “I’m a part of everything I have read. I am an American, free born and free bred, where I acknowledge no man as my superior except for his own worth, or as my inferior, except for his own demerit.”

PROFILE: Dr. Bret Kueber

Written by T Michele Walker on . Posted in Health & Wellness, Profiles.

Dr. Bret Kueber always knew that he wanted to semi-retire in Florida; he just didn’t think it would happen this soon. It seems as though while he was waiting for his daughter Katie to finish high school, Boca Grande was suddenly thrust in his path.
“We found this place and, wow! It’s perfect.” he said. “I didn’t want anything too touristy and I was looking for something more low-key, more old Florida style. I love to boat, my son David loves to fish and Katie likes being out on the boat. I love being on the water. That’s my happy place.”

ECOWATCH: Are we giving our pets more than love?

Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Opinion.

How about COVID-19? We share quite a bit with our furry companions: homes, food, time spent cuddling, playing and walking — and some pets are even allowed to sleep in our beds.
While this closeness is always desirable, one of the main reasons for having these loving creatures, there could be a price to pay for this privilege if their owners have COVID-19.