Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Events.
The Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum, a cherished local landmark and the oldest structure on Gasparilla Island, is thrilled to announce its reopening to the public on Monday, Feb. 5. This marks a significant milestone as the museum has been closed since September 2022 due to the destructive impact of Hurricane Ian. Perched majestically […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
The Island School has earned an A for the sixth time in a row in the annual Florida Department of Education ranking. These scores are purely informational and meant to serve as a baseline for each school; however, high scores may qualify schools for extra recognition such as the DOE’s Schools of Excellence list which […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
A new marine ecology education series will feature independent researchers on marine biology issues critical to Cape Haze and Charlotte Harbor. The Lemon Bay Coastal Seminar Series, set for an inaugural four monthly talks, will provide high-level access to marine biology researchers that have knowledge critical to the ecological health of Cape Haze and Charlotte […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Events, News.
The Rt. Rev. Douglass Scharf, the Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, will visit St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Sunday, January 21, 2024. Bishop Scharf was elected bishop coadjutor of the Diocese of Southwest Florida on April 2, 2022. Prior to his 2022 election, Bishop Scharf was the Reactor of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial, Featured News, Opinion, Sports & Outdoors.
This week, Lee County voted to turn one of the two tennis courts on Wheeler Road into four pickleball courts. The case should not be viewed as simply that pickleball is winning over tennis (which it is) only that pickleball is an easier game, and it is increasingly popular, getting couch sitters into the fresh […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Columns, Editorial, Opinion.
By JIM COCHRUN,GUEST EDITORIAL I grew up in Naples in the early ’50s. In those years, Naples was a small, tranquil and pristine Old Florida community of 1,500 residents. The bulk of the population was comprised of native Floridian families who held high respect and appreciation for nature and the environment. They were good stewards […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, Education, Featured News, News.
The Boca Grande Woman’s Club has discovered a way to develop new talent on and for the island, help young people achieve personal success, encourage investment in the community and feel rewarded while doing all these things. The secret of their success was the 1971 creation of the club’s scholarship program. Since then, massaging, expanding […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
In the last month, the Boca Beacon has received a number of complaints about missing packages and returned mail at the Boca Grande Post Office. The issues were so bad that someone took the time to post a notice on the bulletin board at the bike path just over 10 days ago. It read, in […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
One of the nation’s biggest advocates for beaches is Dr. John Fletemeyer, a former research professor at Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research. A new resident of Useppa Island, Fletemeyer is known worldwide for his expertise in both rip currents and beach ecology. He is the co-founder of the International Rip Current Symposium program […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Columns, Community History, Opinion.
By JOHN VALICKAS, Guest Columnist Part of the uniqueness and the cultural identity that Boca Grande enjoys comes from its rich historical roots. Although many of the island’s historical structures have been destroyed to make way for new homes and businesses, many others have been saved through the foresight and leadership of residents and elected officials […]