Skip to main content
Search Results for “not”

PROFILE: Sharon Yonker

Written by T Michele Walker on . Posted in Profiles.

Born and raised in Connecticut, later moving to Berwyn, Pennsylvania with her husband Dan, Sharon learned how to play tennis at the local YMCA, where she taught aerobics classes.
“I started playing tennis when I was 27. I worked at the local YMCA, so I got free babysitting for my children. They came with me because they were zero and two years old at the time. I also got free classes, so I got to take tennis. I had never picked up a racket, but I thought it would be kind of fun. I fell in love with the game.”
Sharon met her husband, Dan, at Denison University in Ohio. After graduation, they traveled through Europe.
“When we came back, we said whoever gets a job first, the other will move to that area. Dan found a job in Berwyn, so I moved here, and we’ve been there ever since.
“My son Charlie works for a catering company in Orlando, and he loves it,” she said. “My daughter Laine works in Manhattan, but due to the pandemic, she decided to stop paying rent because she could never go to her job. Now she’s a nomad, spending a few weeks in Boston and here in Boca Grande. She says that it’s been the best thing ever for her. She was paying so much money in rent, and now she can live anywhere.”

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Keeping Southwest Florida ‘bag free’

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

This is a little something we can each do that will have a great impact on recycling and our environment. Trashing bags is a win for the environment and for residents and visitors who enjoy Southwest Florida. The “Keep SWFL Recycling Plastic Bag Free” initiative also aims to improve recycling efficiency by reducing the time recycling workers have to spend removing plastic bags from jammed machinery.
Waste goes up significantly on holidays and Super Bowl Sunday holds the win as the highest day for waste. By launching this campaign on Super Bowl Sunday, the biggest day for trash, we hope to get people to engage in habits where they will dispose of plastic bags properly.

ECOWATCH: Activist leads fight against climate in crisis

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

Recent headlines gave the long-awaited news that The Mosaic Company, the phosphate giant that has been mining the mineral for years, has been denied a permit by the Charlotte County Commission to continue that activity. The Commission approved a change in zoning bylaws that prohibits phosphate mining and all other activities including phosphate manufacturing in the area. Mosaic is sure to refile for permits to continue to keep their massive enterprise alive. However, many organizations and activists who have opposed phosphate mining for years are ready to again fight to keep phosphate mining out of the area, due to its disastrous effect on the ecosystem. This is a victory, and hopefully the ban will last.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Woman’s Club thanks all for a tremendous virtual auction response

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

On behalf of Boca Grande Woman’s Club, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our island community for its magnanimous support of our annual fundraiser. When it was determined that gathering in a tent for “A Grande Gatsby Affaire” was not in the best interest of our community, we proceeded with a virtual auction. Most of our generous ticket holders converted these purchases to donations. Many island businesses and residents donated unique items and experiences to the auction. Other altruistic Boca Grande residents provided sponsorships and donations.

The Island Golfer: Which is the better game, tennis or golf?

Written by Scott Cotherman on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.

An age-old debate among fans of both sports is whether golf or tennis is the more enjoyable game.  Both have experienced strong, double-digit growth in recent years. There are those who love to play tennis and others who enjoy the game of golf. Then there are those who spend a lot of their free time playing both sports.
Islander Bill Bax is a mid-handicapper who plays golf at Coral Creek Club and tennis at the Boca Bay Pass Club. He did not start playing either sport regularly until he finished college, took a job and started entertaining clients. “I can play golf a lot better now than I ever did before, but I don’t put in the short-game practice required to be a low-handicapper,” Bax admitted. “I am more proficient at tennis because of my consistency and athleticism. I can make all the shots in golf, but never on the same day.”

More details disclosed about new Banyan Gasparilla Sound resort

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.

This week it was announced that Banyan Gasparilla Sound, just outside of Boca Grande at the Fishery property, has opened up their sales through Gulf to Bay Sotheby’s International Realty’s Rich Taylor.
The announcement contains the most details released to date and includes information about the 99 condominiums, designed by SB Architects, that start at $1.3 million. The sizes will range from 1,400 to 2,100 square feet with two or three bedroom options and will be decorator ready.
The project also includes 83 fully furnished resort residences.

BGHPB approves St. Andrew’s garden, Journey’s End projects

Written by T Michele Walker on . Posted in News.

“This is an issue where we can’t tell if this property is contributing or non-contributing,” said Hahn. “And as we looked at the history, although we originally placed it as a contributing property, it was listed as a non-contributing property. When it was nominated into the national register, and it was all under one person’s ownership, it was listed as part of a complex. The building is considered part of the historic district. We think that based on the evidence provided here, the building should be considered contributing.” 

Becoming a centenarian

Written by Boca Grande Health Clinic on . Posted in Health & Wellness.

By Dr. Raymond James, Boca Grande Health Clinic If you’re looking to have a long, productive life, there’s a lot to be learned from the lifestyle choices made by people in the world’s “Blue Zones” – places where people live the longest and are healthiest. These “secrets to longevity” were discussed in the January 25 […]

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.