Written by Evan Dunbar on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
As freedom’s ringing dissipated throughout Boca Grande following yesterday’s Fourth of July holiday, many people expressed their favorite traditions concerning America’s 248th. The Dennis family, pictured above, was visiting from Cochran, Ga., an agricultural town 45 minutes south of Macon. “We usually end up in Boca Grande around the Fourth of July,” said a member […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
Amid the parking discussion that is once again dominating Boca Grande, many in the commercial district are concerned about how they might be affected by proposed parking limits. Last Tuesday, June 4, Commissioner and Vice Chairman Kevin Ruane brought a “Commissioners’ Item” to the regularly scheduled meeting, detailing his plan to work toward a parking […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Featured News, News.
As crowds thronged through Boca Grande on New Year’s Day, there was a festive tone, as the weather had broken and hit somewhere around 72, depending on where you were. While optimism for the New Year was present, not everyone actually made resolutions. In a heavily unscientific poll along Park Avenue, about half of the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News.
The year 2023 was a year where things got back to normal, mostly, from Hurricane Ian. While there were still many houses and condos that were still incomplete, Gasparilla Island came back to some sense of normalcy. But it was not a total normal. Every storm brought angst. The question before every storm, whether Hurricane Idalia or […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News.
It was just over a year ago that 16-year-old Penelope Griggs Doerge, called “Penny” by her family and friends, died at home in Glen Cove, N.Y. of a common but exceedingly difficult genetic disorder, neurofibromatosis. The disorder causes tumors to grow on nerve pathways anywhere in the body. There is no cure. In the year […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Obituaries.
Lynda Kaye Shute, 57, of Rotonda West, FL, passed away on December 7, 2023. She was born on September 25, 1966. Lynda is survived by her husband, Scott Shute, her daughter Brandi Gall, her sons Brent Gall and Erick Hanson. After moving to Boca Grande in 1997 with her husband Scott, Lynda worked various jobs, […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
Mostly forgotten 1970s teen idol Leif Garrett is reputed to have told Justin Beiber not to believe his own publicity, as every “chicken hawk wants a piece of you.”
That might be an apt warning for the nation’s newest media travel darling destination, Boca Grande, which seems to have an endless supply of effusive travel writers highlighting the island in the last few months.
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: Boca Grande celebrated the 2023 Boca Grande Woman’s Club Bike Path Parade and Spring Fair last Saturday. “Superheroes Everywhere” was possible due to the 100 or so dedicated Woman’s Club and community volunteers who participated both during the events and leading up to the big day. The morning started with the annual […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
There aren’t many years that start out with so much hope for a “back-to-normal” life, only to have a big old sledgehammer come at the end of the third quarter, but 2022 provided that. Hurricane Ian picked up our island and shook it like a snow globe, and while we didn’t have the same devastation […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO The Pink Pony got that really cool machine that presses pennies into different designs. TEN YEARS AGO Ed Seale passed away, a true Southern gentleman who helped shape Gasparilla Island with his real estate company. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO A company that was looking into purchasing the old Mercabo facility wanted to put […]