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Island shows up for Captains for Clean Water event

Captains for Clean Water held a meeting at the Boca Bay Beach Club Monday afternoon, March 31 with 90 Boca Grande attendees. The event was hosted by Chandler Converse, Jim (Hooter) Hoyt, Peter Hellman, Chris Keller, Scott Hudspeth and Rich Weber. Capt. Daniel Andrews, co-founder of Captains, shared a bit about the organization and took […]

Volley from grass of Wimbledon to Florida

Hank Irvine There’s tennis royalty living just off the Gasparilla Causeway in Cape Haze. He would laugh at that description of himself, but then he laughs easily. Hank Irvine has been playing tennis his whole life and has qualified for Wimbledon three times, once getting to the semifinals in mixed doubles play, earning him a […]

Deborah ‘Deb’ Hazzard Nash 1941-2025

With grace, wisdom, and an unshakable spirit, Deborah “Deb” Hazzard Nash, age 91, died peacefully on March 17, 2025. Deb was the beloved daughter of Vance Alexander Hazzard and Louise Seidel Hazzard. She grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and attended Friends Central School before heading to Mount Holyoke College. It was there that […]

Sellout of Florida racetracks for slots would ruin horse racing

Above, Ocala Stud, in a photo by Louise Rienagel BY DAVID O’FARRELL Through nearly 70 years and three generations, my family’s Ocala Stud Farm has poured heart, soul and heavy reinvestment into Florida’s racing industry. My grandfather put Florida-bred horses on the national stage and proved you could raise Derby winners and champions outside Kentucky. […]

EcoWatch: Spring is the time to help conserve wildlife

“The wildlife habitat cannot speak so we must and we will.” Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States. Conserved natural resources and extended federal protection to land and water. Many Florida animals are beginning to welcome the warmer weather. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) has issued a report in preparation for increased […]

Video: Boca Grande businesses, churches and residents address new parking resolution

On Tuesday, Lee County moved forward with a new ordinance that would restrict public parking in Boca Grande. It took up 164 minutes of discussion time, almost three hours. The ordinance would limit parking to 2 hours in downtown, increase parking violation fees up to $150 and $300 and increase parking sign locations. It would […]

Young Life events active here on island, Englewood

Young Life’s mission is to introduce teens to Jesus and help them grow in their faith. They do this by going where teens are and building mentoring relationships throughout middle and high school. Young Life staff and volunteers want to walk alongside teens through these difficult years and provide a space for them to just […]

ROYAL PALM APPRECIATION

Thank you for a successful season  BY PETER POWELL, PRESIDENT ROYAL PALM PLAYERS On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Royal Palm Players I would like to express our deepest appreciation to the staff, actors, directors, producers, technicians and ushers, as well as the many other volunteers who made every performance possible. I […]

Our Lady still needs renovations; progress on historic church

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church is making progress in restoring their chapel following the hurricanes that devastated Boca Grande last fall. Fr. Anthony Hewitt, Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy, is pleased with the progress they have made, given the large amount of damage that was sustained by the church. “We had five feet […]

Damaged Amory Chapel must be reviewed by board

During the 2024 fall hurricanes, the island’s historic Amory Memorial Chapel was severely damaged. Repairs have not started, though the building was remediated by the state. At the March Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board Meeting, the Beacon asked after the status of the chapel. While it is not in the Boca Grande Historic District, and […]