Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Community History.
The second History Bytes program for 2024 featured Boca Grande native Carolyn Parkinson Nabers sharing about her mother’s life on the island. Mary Ellen Vickers Parkinson was “a true Southern lady,” she said. Carolyn spoke to a full crowd in the Johann Fust Library Loggia on Wednesday morning next to a table filled with historic […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News.
Last weekend, the Miss Elissa catamaran made her first voyage to Boca Grande from Punta Gorda. The new voyage here is about 90 minutes, which is about an hour faster than before. “It’s more stable and it can make better time,” said Elissa Allen, marketing director for King Fisher fleet and namesake for Miss Elissa. […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Editor’s Note: This electronic story was updated after deadline to include comments and an an update from Lee County. A wheelchair-accessible access point at 5th Street, damaged during recent hurricanes, remains closed. The access point is the only beach ramp immediate to downtown, and the only wheelchair accessible beach access point immediately next to handicapped […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority elected a new chairman at its Tuesday, Feb. 13 meeting. The former vice chairman, Drew Tucker, was elected chairman. George Milne was elected vice chair. “I have enjoyed it but I do believe in term limits,” said outgoing Chairman Ginger Watkins. During the meeting, Watkins took a look back at […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Featured News, Sports & Outdoors.
The Boca Grande Community Center auditorium was packed Wednesday as Dr. Jennifer Toyoda, researcher with the Mote Marine Laboratory, shared the latest information on the monitoring, measuring and mitigating of red tide. Progress is being made, but research is generating as many questions as answers, Toyoda reported. This is leading to discoveries of techniques and […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Events, Sports & Outdoors.
BY THE BOCA GRANDE GARDEN CLUB On February 7, the Boca Grande Garden Club welcomed noted garden designer and author Page Dickey to speak on her latest book, Uprooted, A Gardener Reflects on Beginning Again, which is part memoir and part garden design. The book is not just for gardeners, but for anyone who has […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Events, News.
The Community House was filled with art-minded people last Saturday night for the Boca Grande Art Center’s Fishing in Paradise fish art show. Below, some photos by the Boca Beacon’s Matt Gutman for the event on Saturday, Feb. 3.
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Anne Beatty is amazed that she is still being called to do the things she is good at, and things she loves doing. She knows not everyone who reaches 81 can do that. The credit, she believes, goes to a number of things and people, but the real credit, she gives to God. Anne, herself, […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
In two generations, many places have gone from children being “seen and not heard” to no children at all. Florida (or let’s blame Arizona) is inventor of the world of “55 plus,” where dogs are legally and emotionally more important than children. Saying that out loud is not to set people against each other, only […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Tired of fighting. That’s the word from one of the main homeowner claimants to an upcoming bankruptcy case for The Gasparilla Mobile Estates, which is located just to the west of Gasparilla Marina in Placida. “Some folks have lost everything,” said Peter Bezemer, a Canadian who has been a resident of the park for over […]