Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Obituaries.
William “Steve” Stephens Rinaldi Sr., 78, of Tampa and Boca Grande, died at home February 4, 2016 surrounded by family. Born Jan. 24, 1938, he is preceded in death by his brother, Clyde Lawrence “Larry” Rinaldi, Jr.; his daughter, Allison Rinaldi; his granddaughter, Sarah Rinaldi; and nephew Cort Rinaldi. He is survived by Gail, the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN The Boca Grande Historical Society held its 21st annual meeting at the Boca Grande Community Center on Thursday, April 21. President Patricia Agles called the meeting to order. She announced that Jim Blaha recently joined the board. Co-treasurer Bob Vanden Bosch gave an update on the organization’s fiscal year. […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE Island resident Candice Hooper has been making waves in the literary community lately, not only with an award-winning poem but a book that might change the way people think about the Civil War; a book that has taken her eight years to research and put together, and has taken her to […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ STAFF REPORT The afternoon was perfect as several of us from the Boca Beacon crew set out from Whidden’s Marina in the Jill Marie with Capt. Dave Chatham and his worthy first mate, Jill Chatham. Editor Marcy Shortuse, writer Sue Erwin, graphic designer Christine Cunningham, ad representatives Julianne Greenberg and Caroline Clabaugh and office […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority announced at its quarterly board meeting on Wednesday, April 20 that it would be implementing a trial exception period for overweight trucks, which brought about a debate one board member likened to “opening Pandora’s box.” Several local businesses were represented at the meeting, including […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Summer break is quickly approaching, and if you’re looking for something to keep your kids active on the island this summer, you’re covered. The Lee County Parks and Recreation Department, with financial support from the Boca Grande Woman’s Club, is hosting two summer camps at the Boca Grande Community […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Tabitha Jordan realized at a very young age that she wanted to spend her future spreading the spiritual word and teaching children to lead a life filled with faith. The young minister to youth and families began sharing her skills with the people of the Lighthouse Methodist Church in Boca Grande […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ STAFF REPORT Larry Hannah, chair of the Gasparilla Island Light fundraising effort, reported that donations have reached $725,000 in cash and pledges. That’s still well short of the project budget of $1.783 million but within reach of the minimum $1.2 million deemed necessary to begin significant phases of restoration during the summer […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ STAFF REPORT Construction status updates, vibration analysis reports and a special request were on the agenda for The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority Engineering Committee meeting held on Wednesday, April 13 in the Bridge Authority conference room. A request from Wagner Trucking to drive a metal track vehicle over the causeway was discussed as well, […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN A common word that often comes to mind when many people think about bacteria is “gross.” Mote Marine postdoctoral research fellow Dr. Andrea Tarnecki tried to break that bad reputation on Tuesday, April 12 at a ‘Science Café’ event held at the Johann Fust Community Library. The free educational […]