Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: Hurricanes are never welcome, a reality to contend with, nonetheless. A price we pay to live in paradise. Last Thursday I made the journey from central Florida to check on extended family and see if I could help. While I’m not native to the island, I have lived in the Orlando area […]
Written by Cheryl Schum on . Posted in Boca Beacon Back Pages.
Here are a few organizations where donations are being accepted and local assistance is being offered. Please continue to check back, as the list may change: Boca Grande Disaster Fund: This fund is led by Lighthouse Methodist Church of Boca Grande (see page 10), and its purpose is to assist businesses, nonprofits and churches in […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: I have struggled with writing this letter to everyone for lots of reasons. Many of you have become my friends over the 16 years that I have been an owner of the Loose Caboose. You are the ones I want to reflect on and thank the most. There are funny stories […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Boca Beacon Back Pages, Columns, News.
Boca Beacon backpages Aries: It’s been what feels like a long time since you were able to drive down a road without thinking about the deadfall in Stephen King’s “Pet Cemetery,” which gives you the strongest urge to dig up a random ex-living being of any species and carry them across it to see what […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
HURRICANE IAN ASSISTANCE FROM THE BOCA GRANDE WOMAN’S CLUB IS AVAILABLE BY FILLING OUT AN APPLICATION FOUND AT BOCAGRANDEWOMANSCLUB.ORG, BY PICKING UP AN APPLICATION AT THE BOCA GRANDE FIRE DEPARTMENT OR AT THE BOCA BEACON OFFICE. Need to apply for FEMA? Here’s the best way to handle it from an expert’s point of view … […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News.
In the time following a disaster, food can serve as a symbol of love and appreciation. That symbolism can be seen all over Boca Grande lately. Free or “donation only” food and drink have been showing up this week to sustain the many residents and helpers working to bring back a feeling of normalcy to […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
On October 10, while residents of Gasparilla Mobile Estates were busy picking up pieces of their lives from the neighborhood, the road and beyond, they received a letter they will never forget. It came from the owner of the property, letting them know their leases were terminated. Gasparilla Mobile Estates is going to cease to […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE AND RON BOLTON One of the basic necessities of life, one that we often overlook until it is not available, is running water. Hurricane Ian brought that fact to light in a hurry, as we had no water on the island for almost two weeks in some places. The water was under […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community, News.
The four churches in Boca Grande did not escape the wrath of Ian. Nevertheless, two of the four were able to hold services the weekend after the storm. These were Lighthouse United Methodist and Our Lady of Mercy Catholic churches. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church will open in about two weeks, as the drying out process […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community.
Coming back to a church that was relatively intact after Hurricane Ian has left Father Jerome Carosella a happy man. “The church, thank God, is fine, except for the roof,” said Fr. Jerome Carosella philosphically. “It is a happy outcome.” That roof exception is a pretty big one, according to most people’s standards, and would […]