Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News.
Even missing three weeks of school, the Lemon Bay High School Theatre Troupe is ready to entertain the public and welcome Christmas with its performances of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.”Tickets are on sale now for performances at the Lemon Bay Performing Arts Center, 2201 Placida Rd., Englewood. Performances are December 15 at 7:30 p.m., December […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Obituaries, Uncategorized.
Barbara ‘Barbie’ Haynes Witham, 77, passed away, Sunday, December 4, 2022 at the Sussman House.A complete obituary will be published at a later date, and a celebration of life will be announced in the Summer of 2023.Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at bchfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
When The Gasparilla Inn & Club opens on December 15, a new team of chefs will be on the scene. They have been in Boca Grande a couple of months, surviving Hurricane Ian and beginning their work to raise the Inn’s food and beverage offerings even higher.Chief among this team is Executive Chef Nick Marchesano. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Robert John Geniesse died peacefully at age 93 on November 17 at home on Fishers Island, N.Y. with his family by his side. Born September 16, 1929 in Appleton, Wis., Bob grew up in Winnetka, Ill. with his mother Rhoda, a successful executive at the Chicago department store Chas A. Stevens. She and his father, […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Boca Beacon Back Pages, Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO High tea was served at The Island School by volunteers Donna Lutton, Margo Freeman and Susan Bowers, with some help from kindergarten teacher/party planner Megan O’Conner. TEN YEARS AGO An internet feud was taking place between the live-baiters and the jiggers, as a gutted tarpon was found in Boca Grande Pass and […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: I just picked up a copy of Gasparilla Island magazine with the cover photo of Banyan Street. I very often proudly profess that Mark and I were the first couple to be married on that street in 1975 by the Methodist minister at that time, Rev. Saunders. People were even in the […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has retained Atkins Global to conduct a study in Florida to better understand the impacts of long-term stored vessels. Feedback from residents, business owners, visitors and others who use and enjoy Florida’s waters is a crucial part of the research. A virtual meeting […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
Illegal dumping is a very real problem everywhere right now, even on Gasparilla Island, and our local law enforcement officers have been actively and aggressively pursuing those who try to get away with it. According to Capt. Jeff Corkhill, in the last few weeks they have been actively patrolling and looking for people who are […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial.
What started out as the slow process of returning to “normal” (were we ever normal?) after Hurricane Ian, has been speeding up over the last few weeks. When they started the construction and demolition debris pickups this past weekend, you could really start to see a difference. Most of the shops are open. The restaurants […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in News.
The Barrier Island Parks Society (BIPS) is delighted to extend an invitation to friends and families to share the magic of the season at the annual Lighting of the Lighthouse! Please join us at Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum between 5:30 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. Gates to the Port Boca Grande […]