Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: This is our second season on the Island. We knew there was something incredibly special about this place but these last few months have shown us the true charm of Boca Grande. We are absolutely overwhelmed by the incredible dedication of the entire Boca Grande community during this uncertain time. It is […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: Indeed the lunatics are out now, whether the moon is full or not. Like all lunatics who rant and rave, they choose topics they know little about. Usually this is a harmless affliction; in the midst of a health pandemic this is exceedingly dangerous, and unfortunately, often fatal. The very first pronouncement […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Obituaries.
Marguerite Agnes East passed away on April 27, 2020, at the age of 105, in Fort Myers, Florida. Marguerite was born on November 7, 1914 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She was the third of nine children born to George Oliver Ellard and Agnes Painton Ellard. Marguerite was full of energy and always looking for an […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Profiles.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Local realtor Melissa Csank has found the perfect blend between homes and history while listing local houses and serving on the board of the Boca Grande Historical Society. However, Melissa was not always a real estate agent with an interest in historic homes. Melissa grew up surrounded by the rolling “Sound of […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Profiles.
For her, happiness is a well-planned event… BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Florida girl Courtney Clark is familiar with Boca Grande’s beaches. After spending most of her childhood in Southwest Florida, she’s devoted her time to local event planning. Courtney was born in the town of Center Moriches, in Long Island, N.Y. and lived there until the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Obituaries.
Jack Richard Wittkamp, 91, of Boca Grande and Allendale, N.J., passed away peacefully on May 18, 2020 in Boca Grande, with family members by his side. Jack leaves behind his daughter, Donna Henry (Mark) of The Woodlands, Texas; son Mitch Smith (LuAnn) of Middlesex, N.J.; son Richard Von Wittkamp of Bothell, Wash.; and five grandchildren […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE- Last week Lee County announced they would be allocating millions of dollars in financial relief to people and businesses who are struggling to recover from the COVID-19 quarantine and subsequent shutdown. The county received $57 million from the federal government as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
SUBMITTED BY THE BARRIER ISLAND PARKS SOCIETY– For more than 30 years Barrier Island Parks Society, BIPS, has been on a mission to inspire the exploration and preservation of our natural and historic treasures in the local communities of Charlotte, Lee and Sarasota Counties. Many know BIPS as the 501c3 non-profit responsible for preserving, maintaining […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
STAFF REPORT- The “living dock” project continues in Boca Grande, and Mote Marine Laboratory has been working over the past few months to make sure this project is kept alive and thriving in Boca Grande canals. Mote has installed several living dock structures on docks, and they are studying how well these “artificial reefs” attract […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
STAFF REPORT- The staff of the Boca Beacon and Gasparilla Island Magazine are up for 19 awards at a virtual presentation by the Florida Presentation and Florida Magazine Association that will be held on Friday, July 31. The Florida Press Association has nominated the Boca Beacon for 12 awards this year. Susan Erwin is in the […]