Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
Last Thursday, Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce released a new visitor survey called “Off Island Visitors.” It comes in the wake of a new ordinance that would restrict parking on the island to two hours for shoppers and restaurant patrons while eliminating beach parking for day-trippers except for Gasparilla Island State Parks. “It was […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, Sports & Outdoors.
Sally J ends Tournament Season BY BETSY FUGATE JOINER It only took a minute to catch the excitement of friends and families coming together at Scarpa’s Coastal Friday night, Ladies Night Out! A full evening of fun, tables full of exciting raffle prizes, plus a delicious abundance of canapés served and donated by Scarpa’s Coastal. […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Community, Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: My name is Tina Dodge. My family and I have been vacationing in Boca Grande since I was a young child. Some of my greatest memories are in Boca Grande. My parents started out just renting the old Anchor Inn when the ball field was near and we would light fireworks there, […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
Just in time for our nation’s 250th Birthday, Walt Disney World will close its Tom Sawyer Island and its companion Liberty Square Riverboat on July 6. The boat, waterway and island will disappear in favor of a Cars-themed attraction. The shuttering and destruction of a Florida theme park ride is not normally of note in […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO Fifty-four percent of Lee County had participated in the census. For the first time the census was available on-line. TEN YEARS AGO The Native Now Foundation was selling Indian tacos as a fundraiser for the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation next to Hudson’s. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO Megan Clementi, the current Miss Florida, came […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
Margaret Elaine Ringer (formerly Walker, née Tvaroch), 77, of Lake Wales, FL, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025, surrounded by family. A former resident of Boca Grande, Margaret was known for her warmth and kindness through her work at Miller’s Marina, The Loose Caboose, and Hudson’s Grocery. Alongside her sister Theresa, she was a […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
Helen, but everyone called her Nana, mother of Bette Bowen, is once again dancing with her husband. Mom was born and raised in Wisconsin, where she and Bob raised their nine children on a farm. It was an honor that I’ll miss to have her stay on and off with my family here in Boca, […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Uncategorized.
A new draft ordinance would remove public beach access parking from all of Boca Grande, except for the Gasparilla Island State Parks, and institute a two-hour limit for business customers. The ordinance draft was moved forward on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 by Lee County. It will be voted on August 5, 2025. Highlights: Other notes: […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The Lee Board of County Commissioners funded the repair of two pedestrian projects damaged by Hurricane Ian. The contracts include: Bonita Beach: The project will repair and replace portions of the sidewalk along Hickory Boulevard on Bonita Beach that was caused by substantial damage during Hurricane Ian. Work includes concrete and asphalt removal and replacement. […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Volunteers at the toll booth BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY Don’t you just love it when the timing of something works out perfectly? Being in the right place exactly at the right time gives us grins and goosebumps sometimes, even for seemingly simple events. Here are a few turtle-patrol-related examples I noted from the past […]