Skip to main content
Search Results for “was

GIBA reports show a record March, with 125,000 vehicles crossing the bridge

SUBMITTED BY GIBA – The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority Quarterly Board meeting was held on Wednesday, April 21 in the offices of the Authority, with part of the discussion featuring the fact that March of this year saw the highest amount of traffic in GIBA’s history. When the board was provided the traffic and revenue […]

Life is a game, but bridge is serious (Part II)

BY TONYA BRAMLAGE – Bridge part II explores the rumors, intrigue, and little known nuances of game play here in Boca Grande. In the 1940s, bridge was played in 44 percent of American homes according to the Association of American Playing Card manufacturers. In 1970, ACBL membership stood at 170,000. Today, that figure remains around […]

Whatever happened to Bead for Life?

BY BOOTS TOLSDORF – As I have not been seen standing by the post office on a weekly basis selling my Ugandan women’s handmade jewelry made of recycled paper, many friends and acquaintances have asked me often, “Whatever happened to Bead for Life?” COVID happened to Bead for Life.  And in this case, the timing […]

OBITUARY: Gerald Boardman Church

Gerald Boardman Church, age 85, died on April 9, 2021, in Boca Grande. Gerry graduated from Dexter School in Brookline, MA and St. Mark’s School in Southborough, MA before attending Harvard College where he was as an active member of the A.D. Club. A talented athlete, he excelled in football and ice hockey. After Harvard, […]

PROFILE: Kyle Rich

BY T MICHELE WALKER – Birthdays are a time of celebrating another year on this third rock from the sun, splurging on some birthday cake, and looking forward to new beginnings. For Kyle Rich, his birthday was the day an ad was posted in the Boca Beacon that would change the course of his life. […]

OBITUARY: Lloyd A. ‘Bud’ Wampach

Lloyd A. “Bud” Wampach, age 92, died Friday, April 9, 2021. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Boca Grande, FL on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 10 a.m. Burial will be scheduled at a later date in Eden Valley, MN. Bud was born in St. Cloud, MN on August […]

Boca Grande NHR proposal future uncertain

BY SUSAN HANAFEE The proposal to put a portion of Boca Grande’s residential district onto the National Register of Historic places has been removed from the May 6 agenda of Florida’s National Register Review Board, the Boca Beacon has learned. The item had been up for discussion by state officials based on an indication there […]

GICIA bike path – speeding? There is an App for that

BY MISTY NICHOLS, GICIA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR   In 1985 the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association (GICIA) completed construction of the 5 miles of paved bike path that run from First Street north. In the 36 years since the dedication many things have changed. Boca Grande has increased its resident and visitor populations, the GICIA […]

BGHPB has positive input on local construction projects

BY SUSAN HANAFEE   A metal roof, an 8-foot wall, a small addition and a new pool and cabana for a home on East Railroad Avenue all received unanimous approval from the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board in what was a fairly routine meeting on Wednesday. The board also welcomed Earl Hahn, the new principal […]