Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
Dear Boca Bay and Boca Grande friends, I want to say THANK YOU for all of the support that you have shown me as I have discovered my cancer diagnosis and started to undergo treatment. I have always felt so lucky to be a small part of the island community, but I had no idea […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in News.
The current providers of cellular services have begun the promised activities of sustaining service for Boca Grande.
Verizon has filed an initial permit in both Lee and Charlotte Counties for small cellular sites on the north end. Verizon is still attempting to locate another COW (Cell tower On Wheels) to supplement the service-deficient areas.
AT&T has responded by relocating their tower to the bike path and increasing its height. Users have reported improved connectivity and services. Also, diesel generators are being replaced with local electric services. AT&T is still trying to locate additional COWs for the service deficient areas on the island.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, Obituaries.
Elsie Bracken: 1933 – 2023 The one man who could tame Elsie Bracken, has done so. God took her on April 15, 2023, and probably had no idea what he was getting himself into. One perfect description was given by a friend of hers: “A jalapeno frosted in fondant.” If the word “feisty” belittles her, […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, Obituaries.
Elsie Selden Bracken, 90, died April 15, 2023, peacefully at home in Boca Grande, FL. She was born in North Carolina. She lived in Sarasota and later moved to Boca Grande, in 1978. She was famous for her prowess fishing for tarpon catching record numbers with pictures of fish that were bigger than she […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
One of the biggest bones of contention, however, was not either of those things, but rather something that sits on the property of the big house. The Whispering Bench, created by Louise du Pont Crowninshield in the early 1900s, sits next to The Promenade and has been recognized by some as one of the last vestiges of the original Crowninshield property that once stood there, aside from the home next door that was Frank Crowninshield’s art studio and the pool and pool house at the corner of 1st Street and Gilchrist.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News.
There’s a lot of speculation about a structural “folly” along The Promenade, located behind 161 Gilchrist Ave., called “The Whispering Bench,” or “Whispering Circle.” It was part of the large Crowninshield compound that was once located along Gilchrist Avenue, which included the Frank Crowninshield art studio – located next door to the south – as well as Las Olas, horse stables and the swimming pool and pool house at 1st and Gilchrist. Most of the homes located on Gilchrist were once owned by the du Pont/Crowninshield families, in fact. They were all built around the same time as well, in the 1920s and ’30s.
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News.
More than 100 angry people showed up for the North Port City Commission meeting earlier this week to object to what they see as the city’s attempt to railroad through the development of the Warm Mineral Springs property by private investors. Many believe something “smells funny,” and it is not the minerals in the Springs.
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News.
On March 25 some 92 players took to the course for the 2023 tournament fundraiser that helps bring these values to life for the young golfers. The tournament met its financial goal, raising more than $70,000 for the A Better Shot Foundation, which supports the work of the program. Mary Anne Hooker is president of the Foundation, and leads a very active and involved board.
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
Families in Périgny, Haiti, have new hope as Boca Grande Hope For Haitians has successfully raised funds to build 37 homes, inching closer to its goal of 40 homes. A community center, a key component of the development, is 70 percent completed and is on track to be finished this month. Under the leadership of […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Susan Haggarty could be considered the top friend of Boca Grande. She loves the place, the people and the vibe. Her status as #1 Friend, however, is also due to her position as chair of the board of the Friends of Boca Grande Community Center, known commonly as simply “Friends of Boca Grande.” She sees […]