Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: The damage caused by Helene and Milton in our area was unprecedented. While many communities received immediate attention and governmental support, Little Gasparilla Island has been overlooked, treated like an afterthought. Everyone here has been affected, with countless homes completely destroyed. Some of the most cherished people in my life lost everything […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
This week, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved significant investments to protect Florida’s natural resources and agricultural lands. Through the Florida Forever Program, $111 million will secure 24,113 acres of critical lands, including seven key acquisitions that will connect vital conservation areas. Additionally, $206 million was approved to preserve over 62,000 acres of […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Editorial.
Last Friday, the Good Gulf pink pump returned to Park Avenue, in front of Hudson’s Grocery. Monday, Hudson’s reopened. Thank you to the staff of Hudson’s, the Wise family, BGI Painting and so many others who worked so hard to make it happen. The amount of commerce in that small square retail footage footprint should […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
This year marked the first Christmas lighting of the Range Light. The effort was led primarily by Gasparilla Island State Park volunteers, including Mike and Tammy Kipp of Port Charlotte. The Kipps, along with other volunteers, overcame the challenge of lighting the Range Light while also contending with the usual household Christmas light issues, such […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Events, Featured News.
This year, the lighting of the community Christmas Tree was held in front of The Gasparilla Inn. The ceremony, which included readings and appearances by all four of our island clergy, included lighting of the tree by Jeanie and Bayne Stevenson, who traditionally host the ceremony at the railroad station. Cookies and programs provided by […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
Island leaders met Tuesday morning, Dec. 10, to debrief the emergency response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Among those in attendance were moderator and AUXCOMM Project Coordinator Bo Hamrick, Boca Grande Fire Department Chief C.W. Blosser, and Lt. Mike Sawicki with Lee County Sheriff’s Office. “We were satisfied with the response,” Sawicki said of the […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
“When you give someone your time you are giving them a portionof your life that you’ll never get back. Your time is your life.That is why the greatest giftyou can give is your time.” Rick Warren, American Baptist Evangelical Christian Pastor and Author Now is the time that the frenzy of gift-buying will reach its […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
BY KAREN GRACE, BOCA GRANDE HISTORY CENTER For many years, Christmas Eve at the Louise du Pont Crowninshield Community House brought Santa and gifts. The Community House was opened in 1936. Mrs. Crowninshield “began hosting an annual Christmas pageant there for the children, whereupon Santa Claus would arrive with a sack full of toys,” according […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
Donations taken through end of month for relief The Boca Grande Island Disaster Fund, with over $3.4 million in collected donations, has dispersed or reserved 97 percent of those donations for island non-profits and businesses. “We are not ready to disperse all,” said Larry Hannah, one of the organizers of the fund, which is being […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Breaking News, Education, News.
The storms of 2024’s hurricane season brought devastating damages to Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church. “Repair and restoration estimates are still being determined,” said Father Anthony Hewitt, Pastor of the church, in a report he gave his congregation in late November. The process of restoration is overseen by the Diocese of Venice, which provides […]