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Royal Palm Players to present ‘The Best Man’ in November

■ BY SUE ERWIN The Royal Palm Players are kicking off the 2018/2019 production season on November 8 with “The Best Man,” by Gore Vidal. The scene, set at the convention to nominate the party’s candidate for the President of the United States, confirms why politics and politicians are so entertaining. “It’s written with a […]

Obituary: William ‘Bill’ Elliott

William “Bill” Elliott, 91, passed away on October 18, 2018. He was surrounded by family. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Roger, his son, Billy; his grandson, John B. Myers; and son-in-law Dr John Myers. Bill is survived by his wife of 70 years, Betty Jo; his daughters, Barbara Elliott, Bonny […]

Profile: Gabriel Maldonado

■ BY SUE ERWIN Gabriel Maldonado has been working in a kitchen since he was about six-years-old. His parents owned a small restaurant in Mexico City and he and his four older sisters all learned the business from a very young age. “We used to slaughter our own animals with our father, and I started cleaning […]

Reader enjoyed October articles

To the Editor: Your October edition of the Beacon is a very enjoyable read. Having been born and raised in South Boca Grande,”South Dock,” so many of your articles bring back many memories. Hurricane Michael reminds me that our dad, who worked for the railroad, would send us to Arcadia if a hurricane was threatening. […]

A quiet good-bye to the folks at The Fishery

■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE On Thursday morning, October 18, a light breeze pushed a melancholy feeling around the bruised and potholed road at The Fishery. Small groups of shoppers congregated around the Hatch Gallery shop and the old Albritton house at the end of Placida Point. It’s easy to try to accept change when you […]

As stone crab season begins many wonder … are those crabs safe to eat?

■ BY SUE ERWIN It’s officially stone crab season, and Dr. Phil Gravinese, a scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, said early testing has revealed catches close to shore have not been great. “Decomposing fish pull oxygen from the water, and that increases stress levels in the crabs,” Gravinese said. Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Public Information […]

Botched brownies lead to smoky Island House situation

All was well in the end on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at approximately 7:30 p.m. after the Boca Grande Fire Department responded to the call of a structure fire in the 400 block of Gulf Boulevard, at the Island House. Witnesses said the incident began when a batch of brownies lingered in the oven too long, […]

Profile: Jodi Overman

■ BY SUE ERWIN Many of the residents in Boca Grande could easily recognize Jodi Overman’s smiling face due the number of years she’s spent working on the island. Most recently, she accepted a position with the Friends of Boca Grande, the nonprofit organization that manages cultural and educational programs offered on the island. Jodi is […]

Obituary: Charles C. Whitaker II

Charles C. Whitaker II, best known as Sonny, passed away on October 10, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. Sonny was born in Tampa on June 12, 1920 to parents Karl E and Olivia Moody Whitaker. He attended H.B. Plant High School and the University of Florida. He was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. He […]

Great memories of a unique man

To the Editor: Hello, I  am Chris Grilo, U.S. Army. I am serving in Kabul, Afghanistan right now. I live and have family in Port Charlotte (Murdock area). I moved from Hicksville, New York (Long Island) in 1986 and finished high school at Port Charlotte High, Class of 1988 and joined the Army in late […]