Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Some people come to Gasparilla Island for its renowned beaches, to reminisce on the Olde Florida feel or to sip on cocktails inspired by ocean puns. No matter where people are visiting the island from, we all frequent the same store in the heart of this small town. Nick Gassman works at […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Obituaries.
STAFF REPORT- George Luzier is a man who changed the face of Boca Grande Pass. Many who have fished or boated in Boca Grande waters have marveled at the old inboard tarpon boats with clean, majestic lines, and some of them were built by George Luzier. He also built boats in a coordinated effort with […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Health & Wellness.
BY LAUREN HANA- These are just a few thoughts about gatherings and COVID-19 (by popular demand). First, let’s start with a definition of a term we are all hearing thrown around a lot lately: Herd immunity. Herd immunity is the resistance to the spread of a contagious disease within a population that results if a […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Police & Fire.
STAFF REPORT- A chalk mural down the length of Banyan Street became a bone of contention on Sunday morning, Aug. 30. The mural, painted in water and chalk, said “Black lives matter” in multi-colored letters. According to Lee County Sheriff’s Office reports, the artist who created the mural (who is also a resident of Banyan Street), said […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Entertainment.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- On Tuesday, Sept. 1, Friends of Boca Grande Community Center joined the nationwide effort, “Red Alert,” to light the outdoor stage red and plead to Congress to make a change. As one of more than 60 performing arts venues of the Florida Professional Presenters Consortium, Friends of Boca Grande has kept the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community History, Sports & Outdoors.
Part I of this series ran in the August 21 edition of the Boca Beacon. You can find it online at bocabeacon.com, or on our Facebook page with the same name. SUBMITTED BY THE BGHS- Boca Grande’s early fishing guides prepared the way for their sons, grandsons and even later descendants both by teaching them […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Obituaries.
Janice M. Carleton (Watts) 84, loving wife of James R. Carleton Sr. passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, at Knox Center for Long-Term Care in Rockland, Maine.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
Fishing on the fly… BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Chas Madden has fond memories of spending a portion of his childhood on the island. Even before he can remember, Chas was brought from his home in Orlando to Boca Grande to fish and spend time out at sea. His parents, Charlie and Carolyn, appreciated the simplicity of […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- What’s with all the iguanas? It’s a phrase you’ve likely heard recently, or maybe even uttered yourself. It’s true, our island iguana population is prolific, and in the hottest months of the year they are most commonly seen around town. Iguana trapper George Cera has been monitoring the iguana population in Boca […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
STAFF REPORT- On Monday, September 7th, celebrate both Labor Day and International Manatee Day by remembering to boat safely and watch out for manatees on the waterways.