Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN What happens when you are 23 and just earned your college degree, but aren’t sure what to do with your life just yet? That was the situation Andrew Forsthoefel had to figure out after he graduated from college in Vermont in 2011. So he packed a backpack and spent the next […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Capt. Mark Futch has brushed shoulders with many famous people in his days. He’s been a fishing guide for Neil Armstrong and helped him land a 115-pound tarpon. He’s also filmed scenes from his seaplane with stars like Colin Farrell and Denzel Washington. “Running a saltwater seaplane is a very expensive operation,” Mark […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: The Johann Fust Library Foundation held their Fall Book Sale on November 13, 14 and 15. The event was attended by hundreds of island residents and visitors. The Library Foundation would like to thank Betsey Hall and Joanne Hall and all the dedicated volunteers who worked very to make this popular book […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
Lee County Parks and Recreation and the Boca Beacon hosted the 16th annual Turkey Hoop Shoot Contest last Saturday, Nov. 18, with 41 people competing for prizes. The tournament was open for children and adults. Ten first-place trophies, seven turkeys between 18 and 25 pounds, nine basketballs and three Publix Gift cards were won. Individual […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY SUE ERWIN – When Boca Grande residents Peter and Elsa Soderberg learned that Suncoast Humane Society needed a catalyst to help kick-start the campaign for a new campus, they took action. The Soderbergs scheduled a meeting with Executive Director Phil Snyder and offered a $1 million gift to get the project going. The organization needs […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
PROVIDED BY THE BARRIER ISLAND PARKS SOCIETY – Nearly 30 years ago, a group of concerned island residents set out to rescue the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse at the south end of the island from decades of neglect and the effects of an eroding beach. By working together, the historic lighthouse was restored and the legacy […]
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BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Saturday, Nov. 25 marks the grand opening of Boca Bargains for the 2017-2018 season. According to long-time volunteer JoAnn Welch, the shop, located on Park Avenue at Banyan Street, is “filled to the gills; we can hardly open the doors!” To showcase furniture donated over the summer, the opening will include […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARY BESS – At 90 years of age, island resident Tim Seibert was an engaging speaker at last weekend’s MOD Weekend in Sarasota, where he was the guest of honor. Full of fun and good stories, and generous in his appraisal of the good work of his colleagues, he was characteristically unassuming and occasionally telegraphed […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – It was another winning year for Capt. Sandy Melvin and his angler, Patrick Waterhouse, on Tuesday, Nov. 21 as the 24th Annual Gasparilla Island Fly Fishing Tournament was held. They took the top spot with a 19-inch trout. Second place went to Richie Meehan with Capt. Jamie Allen, and third place went […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
BY SUE ERWIN – Tim Spain learned how to become a chef after spending a year working at a restaurant in Bordeaux, France. Now the Zolfo Springs native is sharing his culinary talent in Boca Grande. Tim is the new executive chef at Fusion Restaurant at the north end of the island. He’s been working […]