Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community History, News.
There was a rivalry between The Gasparilla Inn and the Boca Grande Hotel for some time. They tended to attract much of the same clientele, but there were differences. It is said that Spadaro decided to invest in Boca Grande when he and his wife were excluded from the Inn’s dining room because of the way they were dressed, even though they had the financial wherewithal to pay for anything they wanted.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The Boca Economics Group is back at 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, armed with their crystal balls and plenty of educated insights into the current and future state of the world. “We’ll be addressing a wide spectrum of economic, social and geopolitical issues, all of which have the potential to impact our economy in […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
It took a minute, but the kayak launch at 19th Street is back in business! The launch, part of the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail (a 190-mile marked canoe and kayak trail that meanders through the coastal and inland waters of Lee County) had originally been altered with large river rock and railroad ties to […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
Indomitable is kind of an old fashioned word. You don’t hear it used much today. If you say someone has an indomitable spirit, you admire them because they never give up or admit they have been defeated. The word fits Ched McConnell, who never seems to let bad news defeat him. Ched has lived in […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Obituaries.
On February 17, 2023, Harry Childs’ daughter went into his room and opened the window to let a breeze in. A 1950s hymnal selection was playing in the background. A song called “Here I am, Lord” came on as she left the room and attended to other things. When she came back, Harry had apparently […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Health & Wellness, News.
Over the past week, the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in 107 samples from and offshore of Southwest Florida, and one from Florida’s East Coast. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were present in 59 samples from Southwest Florida: five in Manatee County, 18 in Sarasota County, nine in Charlotte County, 21 in and offshore […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Boca Beacon Back Pages.
Boca Beacon backpages FIVE YEARS AGO Work began on the new Gasparilla Island Water Association, The Island School held their annual Friendship Dance and the Pine Leaf Boys were shakin’ it at the Historical Society fundraiser. TEN YEARS AGO Florida Field was making cookies at the Child Care Center, Tom Gilligan was making the kids […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
“I drove up to her and put the truck in park, said ‘Excuse me, Ma’am,’ and then she fell,” he said. “She fell hard. I tried calling 911 I think three times and my phone kept sending the message that it couldn’t find a mobile network. I work just about six houses down from where this was, and at that house I can make phone calls.”
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The tentative opening is scheduled for early March. Lee County Parks & Recreation is overseeing the beach parks restoration, including facilities and amenities.
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News.
Emily and Jim talk about the blue holes of the Gulf Mote Marine Laboratory is sharing some of its most interesting research with Boca Grande audiences through a series of presentations called Coffee with a Scientist. This week there were two scientists having coffee and sharing their research on blue holes in the Gulf of […]