Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News.
People have started noticing a change in the air. It is not only the cold fronts that have started bringing lower temperatures and lower humidity, but the air is full of birds. Recovery from Hurricane Ian is starting to happen among wildlife, as it is doing to many of the human species. Dr. Robin Bast, […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY CAPT. SANDY MELVIN Our first major cold front of the season blasted through this week and spoiled the offshore gulf fishing with some strong winds. Things will pick back up as soon as winds settle down. Fortunately, the winds and cold weather don’t stop the backcountry fishing where we can get into the protected islands […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Col. James Clark Dieffenderfer (“Jimmie Dee”), a long-time visitor to Boca Grande and the father of local resident Ann Fletcher, took his final flight on 16 September 2022. A decorated World War II hero and a man of extraordinary character, he leaves behind a loving and extended family, along with countless friends. He died peacefully […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Cemeteries all over the country honored deceased veterans on Saturday, Dec. 17, by placing holiday wreaths on their graves and holding memorials, usually naming aloud each person being honored. The memorial celebrations were part of a national effort known as Wreaths Across America Day. “Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Editorial, News.
By Hector Flores, Charlotte County The Christmas and New Year’s holidays are a time of celebration and reflection. I wish you and your loved ones health, happiness and a deserving respite from the hard work we’ve all been doing to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Ian. I am so proud of the efforts […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: The Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum and Whidden’s Marina would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday season. A special thank you to Sandy Melvin and Boca Grande Charities for their generous donation from the recent G.I.F.T. Tournament for assistance in cleaning up hurricane debris as we are working […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Editorial.
T’was the night before Christmas and all around No noses were frozen, no snow fluttered down. No children in flannels were tucked into bed, They all wore their shorty pajamas instead! To find wreaths of holly was not very hard, For holly trees grow in everyone’s yard. In front of the houses were daddies and […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO The Pink Pony got that really cool machine that presses pennies into different designs. TEN YEARS AGO Ed Seale passed away, a true Southern gentleman who helped shape Gasparilla Island with his real estate company. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO A company that was looking into purchasing the old Mercabo facility wanted to put […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Opinion.
This has been a strange year. So was the year before it … and the year before it … and so on. It’s been a non-stop parade of “unprecedented” situations we’ve been experiencing, all the while trying to continue on with what we recall our “normal” lives to have been. That memory is slipping further […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
In some cases, insurance premiums are up 400 percent on island homes for fiscal year 2022-23 Everyone has been aware of the unavoidable insurance premium increase that would come after Hurricane Ian, but one Gasparilla Island couple was so flummoxed by their recent renewal premium, they see this as a game changer for many residents […]