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Repairs at Port Boca Grande Lighthouse will take some time, according to BIPS

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.

There’s a lot of work to be done at the south end of the island, specifically at the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse, the Amory Chapel and even on Cayo Costa. As many of our readers are probably well aware, trying to set things right after a storm of the magnitude of Hurricane Ian is a game of “Hurry-Up-and-Wait,” which can be tedious and frustrating. It is no different for our historic landmarks at the south end that we love so well.
According to Sharon McKenzie, the executive director of the Barrier Island Parks Society (BIPS), the laundry list of repairs that need to be done is long. Knowing it is important to keep residents of the island abreast of what’s going on, she gave us a peek into what they are going through right now. They cannot lobby, only inform when it comes to these matters.

‘Octopus tree’ to be discussed by Historic Preservation Board

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community History, News.

The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board has just one item on the agenda this month for their meeting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14 in the Community Center auditorium, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be brief. The saga of the property at 161/181 Gilchrist Avenue, owned by the Adam family of Texas, continues with a discussion about the validity of attempting to name a tree there as historic.

At the Board’s last meeting, one of their members, Becky Paterson, expressed concern for the banyan tree on the east side of the property by the sidewalk known to some as “The Octopus Tree.” It was named as such back in the 1920s and ’30s by the island children who used to climb it.

Bonisolli named as new supervisor at Boca Grande Community Center

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.

Tim Bonisolli has been named the new supervisor of the Boca Grande Community Center. Tim started his career with Lee County as a senior equipment operator on Boca Grande in 2006 and most recently was a Lee County park ranger on the island. Tim has been working in Boca Grande since 1990, when he started as a maintenance crew member for The Gasparilla Inn. Stop by to welcome him.

Lee County Commissioners approve donation from Disaster Relief Fund to county for tennis and pickleball courts at Wheeler Road

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.

At their monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 6 Lee County Commissioners approved the donation agreement between Lee County and the Boca Grande United Methodist Church, Inc., dba Boca Grande Disaster Fund, in the amount of $150,000 for improvements at the Wheeler Road Community Park. It was determined that the budget for FY 22/23 would be amended accordingly.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Paul and Renata Rozmus

Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.

If you happen to be in Boca Grande in the daytime on a Monday or Wednesday, you may be intrigued by the playful or plaintive sound of a lone flute wafting on the air currents. It is not your imagination. It is Paul Rozmus, entertaining guests at the Key Lime Bistro at the south end of the Railroad Depot building.
Paul and his wife Renata are both classically trained musicians who play at the Bistro several days and nights for the enjoyment of Bistro patrons and anyone else in the vicinity. Although their training is classical, their repertoire for the Bistro is fun and eclectic. It includes smooth jazz, rock, soca, contemporary and up-tempo jazz, R and B – and a rendition of “Happy Birthday,” if the occasion fits.

THIS DATE IN THE BOCA BEACON

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Boca Beacon Back Pages, Columns.

Boca Beacon backpages FIVE YEARS AGO “Faithful II” took first place in the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic, and Kris Boyden was just about done with deadly objects falling from the sky around her shop downtown. Workers on the tower were leaving things up there, which would inevitably fall.   TEN YEARS AGO The Tarpon Queen […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: If you’re out boating, use caution around Caloosahatchee River, blue-green algal toxins found

Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.

To the Editor: The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Caloosahatchee River – Fort Myers Shores. Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions: Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters […]

ECOWATCH

Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns.

This year the United Nations hosted a celebration of the annual World Oceans Day on June 8, using that little as its theme for the special day.
In 1992, the concept for what was then called a World Ocean Day was proposed to the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro to celebrate our world’s shared oceans and our personal connection to the sea, as well as to raise awareness about the crucial role the oceans play in our life and the important ways people can help protect them.

Just a few days left to buy hurricane supplies tax free

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) encouraged Floridians to purchase disaster preparedness items during Florida’s two 14-day Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays beginning May 27 through June 9 and August 26 through September 8. Floridians are expected to save an estimated $144 million on the purchase of tax-free items – more than five times […]

‘Hey, Moma!’ wins Howl, 59 tarpon released

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.

The Pass was rocking on Sunday night, May 28 as the boats that fished the Howl at the Moon Tarpon Tournament had hook-up after hook-up after hook-up. In all, 59 tarpon were released.
Capt. Wayne Joiner on “Hey, Moma!” and his team – including anglers Dixie Hollins, Alex Shouppe, Mike Moorefield and Trey Starling –caught seven of those 59. Capt. Charlie Coleman’s team on “Had ‘em” took second place with six tarpon released.