Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
BY THE BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY The late Robert Fischer, author of “Boca Grande: Once A Railroad Town,” wrote that there are “Many beautiful places to live or vacation in southwest Florida … Once Boca Grande had all the charm and ambience of a James Michener novel set in the South Pacific … Once Boca […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles, Sports & Outdoors.
As one story goes, sometime in the 1980s, a man and his children grew weary of caring for their pet iguanas. They decided to visit the Range Light in Boca Grande and deposit the no-longer-loved pets in the sandy bushes there. Those iguanas have gotten their revenge – but on the wrong people. It has […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles, Sports & Outdoors.
Her byline in the Beacon should be enough of a clue that Arlene Hall is someone worth getting to know. She is the one who has been writing about the happenings with the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association. She is also the group’s secretary, and one of its most dedicated volunteer turtle patrollers. For those […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALLBGSTA SECRETARY At long last, the first green sea turtle crawl was documented on Gasparilla Island during the week ending June 22nd! It turned out to be a nest and it occurred on the far north end of the island. By this time last year, the BGSTA turtle patrollers had already documented ten […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
BY FIVE MEMBERS OF THE BOCA GRANDE PARKING ADVISORY PANEL In 2015, a Boca Grande Parking Advisory Panel of diverse residents was formed at the suggestion of the GICIA to provide local perspective to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners and staff in addressing our island parking issues. At that time, our District Commissioner […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Charlotte County Parks & Natural Resources reminds beach patrons that fireworks will cause sea turtle hatchlings to disorient, leading to injury and death. Activities disruptive to marine turtles are prohibited according to Section 3-5-302. The following are illegal on the beach from sunset to sunrise during nesting season. The building of campfires or bonfires, any […]
Written by VAN HUBBARD on . Posted in Columns, Featured News, Sports & Outdoors.
Many of us start fishing as kids, introduced by parents or grandparents. It seems to me the younger we are exposed to the outdoors the deeper it imprints. My first memories are about fishing. About five years old I caught a pickerel on a red and white Jointed Pike Minnow, casting under an overhanging bush. […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
Americans often take for granted the hard-won freedoms celebrated at the Fourth of July. We should not. Our duty not to forget starts with the Declaration of Independence signers. The signers had everything to lose if the effort was unsuccessful. One forgotten part of the Declaration is at the end, where they pledge their great […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Charlotte County Administrator Hector Flores will begin a one-year term as president of the Florida Association of County Managers on Thursday. Flores was elected by fellow members of the FACM board of directors at the organization’s annual business meeting in 2023. “It’s an honor to be able to lead such a distinguished group of public […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Although beachside fireworks shows are entertaining to people, the bursts of color and noise wreak havoc on coastal birds — especially for nesting species. After each fireworks explosion, birds panic and fly from their nests, scattering the chicks and exposing them to predators and heat until their parents return. For this reason, it is better […]