Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
As our season comes to a close and summer begins, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of myself and our BIPS Board to thank all our friends and visitors who utilized our four parks, lighthouses and gift shops and participated in our numerous programs and activities.
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
In order to not forget the many sacrifices of Boca Grande and Florida residents, the History Center has completed a multivolume collection of many articles pertaining to Florida, Boca Grande and World Wars I and II. The History Center has also compiled a list of over 260 names with relevant data on those who served in the military during WWII and had lived at a specific time in Boca Grande.
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Editorial, Opinion.
The water bodies of Sarasota Bay are designated as an Outstanding Florida Waters (OFW’s). This designation is intended to provide additional protection to special waters recognized for their ecological significance, by providing the highest degree of protection under the State of Florida’s permitting policies. An OFW designation requires that water quality must not be degraded below the level that existed at the time of the OFW designation. However, significant degradation of Sarasota Bay has occurred since its original designation, as documented through water quality data, red tide blooms, areas of seagrass die-off and manatee mortalities.
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News.
At its spring quarterly meeting Thursday, May 5 the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority had some interesting news about the traffic flow in recent days, particularly about two days this past March. GIBA Executive Director Kathy Banson-Verrico gave a report on the traffic passing through the toll booths during the first six months of the fiscal year. She reported that traffic numbers were up. Cash tolls were about 13 percent above the same time last fiscal year. Customer service tolls, or bridge passes, were up by about 10 percent, and overall traffic was up eight percent. She said this represented about 47,000 more vehicles than the number from the same period last year.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
The Manasota Mermaids didn’t even get their fins wet in the 2022 Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament, as the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce had to make a tough call and cancel the event on account of bad weather. The call was made just before the tournament began, and 70 percent refunds were given. The captain’s […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
By Tim Spain Having spent years on the water, local chef Tim Spain has a tale that bears telling, to let our readers know that even with years of experience, one bad move on the water can end badly. On April 4, 2022, I was on a boat that had just been renovated, and we […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Now is the time to be diligent in picking up all furniture, toys, tents … pretty much everything from the beach. Turtles – both adults and hatchlings – can get stuck on or in these items and cannot turn around. If left out of the water too long, they will die. That includes trash, so please pick up after yourself if you are spending the day on the beach.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Jean “Je-Je” Harding Pierce of Boca Grande, Fla. and Woods Hole, Mass., passed away peacefully on Friday, May 6, 2022 in Boca Grande, at the age of 94. Born February 29, 1928 in Canada to Fred and Lillian Harding, Je-Je was a “leap year” baby. She was a graduate of Colby-Sawyer College in New London, […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Profiles.
Unless you were there, you probably never will know. Bob knows, though, and the short amount of time he spent there was life-changing. He has been able to capture more of what the “Studio” feeling was really about than most, quite possibly because he is more of an observer than a “doer.” His unassuming presence and quiet demeanor belie the party animal that hides beneath the surface, it seems.
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Obituaries.
The memorial service for Jo Anne Speers was held this past weekend, and was well attended by those who remembered her life here on the island. After Rev. Brian Brightly officiated a service at the Lighthouse United Methodist Church, folks gathered in fellowship Hall and told stories about how they remembered Jo Anne. […]