Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Regina S. Rockefeller Regina Rockefeller was 21 when she first came to Boca Grande. She was Regina Strazzulla, a young woman determined to make a difference in the world. She came to vacation with her boyfriend, Andy Rockefeller, and his family. Andy’s mother, Connie Wallace, and Regina formed a bond during that vacation that has […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Sports & Outdoors.
Gasparilla Island Water Association thanks Margate city utility crews BY JERRY EDGERTON PRESIDENT, GIWA BOARD We would like to express our deep appreciation and gratitude to the City of Margate and its Department of Environmental and Engineering Services for their invaluable assistance in helping Boca Grande recover from the impact of Hurricane Milton. The team […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: I read with increasing disappointment and real concern about the Lee County Commission’s continued failure to commit to any real transparency regarding the parking issue in Boca Grande. (Seems like it’s a pattern in government these days.) I’m going to say the quiet part out loud; whether intentional or not, this lack […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
Early Thursday morning, there were high winds across the island. They caused waves that washed away newly deposited sand. Those winds, which brought much-needed rain, rustled the yellow reflective sticks that are placed in the middle of the Gilchrist median between 5th and 4th streets. Were they an art installation? Of a sort! Everyone knows […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
James F. Carlin, of Boca Grande, FL, and Newport, RI, passed away on March 2, 2025, in Newport, Rhode Island. Adored and adoring husband of Brenda (Egan) Carlin for over 60 years. Born in Boston, MA, on April 30, 1940, to James F. and Mary T. (Looney) Carlin, Jim grew up in Peabody, MA, and […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
James “Jim” Carroll Barany, born December 8, 1935, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2025, in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, with his family surrounding him. He was predeceased by his parents, Julius and Mary, his in-laws, Joseph and Martha Reuter, and his brother, John Barany. Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 62 […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
The influenza pandemic of 1918 may well be the greatest scourge ever to affect humanity, exacting a death toll greater than all wars of the20th century combined. The virus that wreakedthis havoc apparently developed in birds and jumped to people. It was avian flu. David L. Katz, American physician The claim that bird flu is […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Crews recently carefully pruned the banyans on Banyan Street, led by Coastline Tree and Lee County’s consultant, Rick Joyce. The pruning was to remove dead branches, and ensure that no parts of trees were in the roadway. The banyans are already recovering from fall hurricanes and salt water. Photos by Garland
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community History, News.
Charlotte County is now looking to return the old Placida Bunkhouse back to Placida for restoration, in a site possibly north of the Causeway stoplight. Resident John Valickas has been working with county commissioners and staff on what to do with the building, which was moved near the South Gulf Cove Publix when a new […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Education, News.
The Boca Grande Preschool is continuing the process of moving into its temporary home at Grove City. The preschool expects to open as soon as possible at its Grove City location. The building is a former preschool that was also damaged by hurricanes but is now fully repaired. Once they are fully moved into the […]