Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Community History, Obituaries.
Merritt “Babe” Neel Darna, a member of one of Boca Grande’s legacy families, died December 24, 2024. Babe was born on May 16, 1938 to Alfonso and Edith Darna on the remote barrier island of Cayo Costa, Florida, just across the Pass from Gasparilla Island. He holds the distinction of being the last recorded birth […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
It’s terrible when food is your enemy. Laura Witt is working to take the “bite” out of food that is meant to make us happy. Laura is a baker who makes exclusively gluten-free deliciousness. Laura is the daughter of Marilyn and the late Howard Witt, longtime residents of Chicago and Boca Grande. Laura has decided […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
BY MILTON BELLMilton Bell is a Boca Grande native, born October 26, 1950, who grew up on the property of the phosphate loading facility at Port Boca Grande. He is one of six children born to Angelo and Myrtle Padilla Bell, who moved to Boca Grande in 1926. Angelo Bell was born in Punta Gorda […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.
The island Disaster Fund is now at $3,596,000 to aid island non-profits and businesses. “It keeps coming in,” said co-organizer Larry Hannah, who is one of a group of volunteers who are helping to sort and select the donations that have helped with recovery from hurricanes Helene and Milton. Officially they are ending the fund […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Education, News.
The Scholarship Committee of the Boca Grande Woman’s Club is accepting scholarship applications. Applicants for the program must meet the following criteria: 1. Have applied for admission to a school of higher education. 2. Demonstrate a high school grade point average of B or better. 3. Reside in Boca Grande, or be the child or […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
This Friday’s paper is the first of the new year. Despite still recovering from the dual hurricanes this fall, Boca Grande was crowded with visitors this week, here to ring in 2025 in paradise. Families packed onto bikes and golf carts to shop at local businesses, eat ice cream at The Pink Pony and enjoy […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Uncategorized.
Some news from on island from Ballyhoo, always on page 5. Send your news of openings and events to info@bocabeacon. In restaurants, Scarpa’s Coastal is back. Pictured above, Todd Hampton and Jessica Carfagno are ready to serve you at the bar. Also on island this weekend: Hughes Gallery on island: Hughes Gallery is back on […]
Written by VAN HUBBARD on . Posted in Columns.
We celebrate the birth of Christ, Christmas and welcome a New Year. 2024 was tough on most of us and I’m looking forward to 2025. While times have been challenging, we live in a very special place. Recent events have us climbing uphill, but we can still enjoy our piece of paradise and go fishing. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
With a natural zest for life and all of its blessings, Maxine Morrison Hunter’s love of family and her never ending thirst for knowledge, guided her throughout her life. The communities of Lake Forest, IL and Boca Grande, FL lost a warm and welcoming friend on November 30, 2024. Maxine was 94 and was fortunate […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Breaking News, Featured News, News, Profiles.
Who? What? Where? When? Why? These five questions help guide the decisions Crossan Seybolt makes every day. The decision may be a large one, like whether to move from New York City to Boca Grande, or a small one, like where to drop his fishing lure, but they all go through the process. Crossan is […]