Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in News.
Submitted by the Gasparilla Island Water Association Gasparilla Island Water Association, Inc. (GIWA) is pleased to present to you this year’s Drinking Water Quality Report. This report is designed to inform you about the quality of water and related services we deliver to you every day. As always, we are committed to ensuring the quality […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
This year marks the 8th year that the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor and Convention Bureau would induct a member of the community’s hospitality industry into the Hall of Fame.
Charlotte County Commissioner Chris Constance presented the award, stating that “the honor is a special one, given only to those with an extensive body of work that has had a positive and lasting impact on Charlotte County’s tourism Industry. Dana has not only created that impact, he has made it “soar.”
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
David Leon Hayes, 74, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2023 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loving children and wife. David was born on July 28, 1948 to Harold and Marilyn Hayes in Tiffin, Ohio. His collegiate scholastic endeavors took a pause when duty called to defend his country in Vietnam, much like […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Kevin Mills is almost an institution in Boca Grande and Gasparilla Island. Nearly everybody knows him.They recognize him by the brown uniform he wears and the big brown truck he drives, but mostly they recognize him by his smile and his infectious friendliness. Kevin is our UPS delivery driver. “Our” is appropriate because this is […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial.
This week is one I have been dreading and looking forward to all at the same time. The youngest of my five children will be graduating from The Island School and moving on to bigger things. This was the first year since 2006 that I haven’t had to fill out a registration form for the […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: After a record attendance of nearly two thousand people during last year’s 15th annual Buchan Fly-In, the Scholarship Committee decided to move ahead and award three well-deserved aviation scholarships. In spite of the inability to hold the Fly-In this year since the airport was under storm restoration by Sarasota County, the 74-year-old […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Columns.
FIVE YEARS AGO There were many tears and laughs at The Island School graduation, as nine students tossed their caps in the air. TEN YEARS AGO Capt. Stevie Ahlers took first in the World’s Richest, where 63 tarpon were released. The Reference Room in the Boca Grande Community Center closed after opening in 1987 […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in News.
For several years now, groups that use the Community Center facilities, especially high-use groups, have been talking about making improvements: The Historical Society needs more space; Royal Palm Players needs a better back stage; Friends would like more comfortable seating and high-tech equipment in the auditorium; Boca Bargains needs more space; the duplicate bridge group needs space; The Island School needs a little more space and a dedicated room for lunch and after-school programs; all groups could benefit from a dedicated meeting room. This list goes on and on.
What would be needed is to restore and renovate all that is wonderful (that includes leaving the exterior of our buildings as they are), and modernizing the guts of the entire facility, addressing issues such as ADA compliance, HVAC shortcomings, technology challenges and opportunities, and general needs for more and better space. After all, some 34 island organizations use the Community Center at one time or another during a season.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
When Jordan Rivera saw the line at the bathroom in the local bar called Bandito’s early Sunday morning, he did what a lot of guys would do in the same circumstance – he went outside to find a place to take care of his needs. Guys are usually lucky to be able to do that, […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
While the adults are getting ready to “Howl” at Sunday night’s Howl at the Moon Tarpon Tournament, young fisherfolk from throughout the area are getting ready to have their own tarpon tournament next weekend. The Howl will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 28. Awards will be given out at Whidden’s […]