Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- As mentioned in last week’s issue of the Beacon, it is uncertain whether the original osprey nesting pole that once resided on Belcher Road parallel to Hill Tide Estates will be replaced. In 2016, the pole was ripped from its place as Seagate Development’s project underwent construction. Talk of replacing the osprey […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- The Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association’s Turtle Patrol members have worked each morning before the sun brightens the horizon to check turtle nests on the shoreline and bring hazardous habits to the attention of our residents and visitors. Each morning, the group walks a portion of the quiet beach to monitor the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- You asked, so Spark is delivering. Spark Boca Grande TV has been rehearsing over Zoom once again to bring out their second livestream play. This group of gifted islanders is eager to perform their read-through of “Last Love,” written by local playwright Vincent Scarsella. The play is a dramedy with an inside […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- After the passing of considerate local Lolo Weir in December of 2017, the Garden Club was inspired to replicate her passionate personality in a rainbow-painted bench. The bench was placed on the campus of The Island School and would be named the “Buddy Bench.” Lolo was known for her friendliness and colorful […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- From the scent of blooming jasmine to the taste of salt in the air, Gasparilla Island is home to many classic tropical tropes. However, some things may be beautiful from the outside but dangerous within. Take, for example, our multitude of coconut palms. Coconuts may be a staple to seaside towns like this […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: Charlotte County welcomes anglers and non-anglers participating in the statewide CCA Florida STAR competition, July 1- Oct. 4. Participants are competing for almost $500,000 in prizes, including boats, motors, scholarships, and more. STAR’s signature category, in which the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau is a sponsor, is the iHeart Radio […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: About 20 years ago a friend of ours brought his son over to our house. His son had recently had an operation that left him partly paralyzed from the waist down. While we were sitting on our porch looking at our boats I noticed that he had such a wistful look […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Obituaries.
Doris Russell, 61, a longtime resident of Rotonda, passed away on June 19, 2020. For the past 30 plus years, Doris has overseen the care of multiple properties and assisted several families at Boca Grande. She was a member of the Writers Guild of Englewood. She is survived by her parents, brother and two sons, […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
Born with the salt air in his lungs and fishing in his soul… BY OLIVIA CAMERON- The small seaside town of Boca Grande is built on a foundation of fishing families. Fishermen alike flock to the island for each tarpon season, share their livestock with the locals and cook their greatest catch. For Capt. Chuck […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE- One lone tarpon made it to the boat in the 5th annual Red Gill Invitational Tarpon Tournament held on Saturday, June 20, and one has to wonder if the team on the winning boat didn’t have a little help from a higher power. Capt. Chase McBride took his team of anglers that […]