Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
The Friends of the Boca Grande Community Center is a hub for entertaining, educational and thought-provoking programs that set a tone and reflect the interests of the people of the island. One of the behind-the-scenes people who help make this happen is Josh Cross, the organization’s technology specialist. Josh likes being behind the scenes, not […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
A state-wide Great Outdoors Initiative by Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which aims to add amenities like golf and pickleball to several Florida State Parks, does not affect our nearby state parks. At a press conference Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis pulled back from the proposals, which he called “half-baked and not ready for primetime,” and […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Editorial.
In the last year we have had multiple situations where individuals stepped out, said something, called a neighbor, called an official and made something change. Very often with our readers, there is a sort of WASPy pride, where they do not want attention for themselves, and wish for only good things to happen in the […]
Written by VAN HUBBARD on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
We all need to get away and unwind; special time with family is even better. I was able to spend a week with my two younger brothers in beautiful Key West recently. I’m not big on the bars and tourist traps, but their blue waters are beautiful. Tropical Storm Debby slowed our fishing down with […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Society.
BY MATTHEW HACKL There are few times in life you find the opportunity to upgrade from uncle to “the cool uncle.” My venture arrived in the form of a Gasparilla Island shopping spree. James, 11, William, nine, and Marguerite, four, (affectionately known by all as “Sister”) completed their daily cycle of watching a movie, going […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Editorial.
In 1612, the English writer Henry Peacham wrote about the dolphin in the book “Minerva Britanna.” The book, quite forgotten, is filled with anagrams and codes, all set in an environment of Elizabethan mysteries and fairy magic. Think airport soduku book of the Shakespeare era, with illustrations and poetry. One poem is about the friendly […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
When marine emergencies require a multi-agency approach, Lee County’s Marine Emergency Response Team, or MERT, provides vital communication among agencies. On June 22, there were multiple marine emergencies at once, including an overturned boat and a propeller strike (See “Propeller strike highlights dangerous boating weekend” in the June 28 edition of the Beacon). In a […]
Written by VAN HUBBARD on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
I’ve always been concerned about preserving our fisheries, their heritage, our traditions and the ways of the watermen that live from them. My grandparents, especially Guy Lewis, instilled the importance of taking care of what takes care of you. Take the long-term approach caring for our way of life, enjoyments and waters. Preserve things that […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Editorial.
Currently, the Boca Beacon is digesting hundreds of pages of correspondence between Lee County and Boca Grande as part of a public records request. On June 4, we filed and paid for a record of any recent email or text correspondence that contain the keywords “Boca Grande” or “Gasparilla Island” between all county commissioners, county […]
Written by VAN HUBBARD on . Posted in Columns, Community History, Featured News, Sports & Outdoors.
Somewhere in the intense mid- ‘80s, I took videographer Gary Sullivan tarpon fishing. It was 1985 when I met Gary, aka Sully, when he came along on a trip. He was in the production business and, awed by our exciting, amazing tarpon fishing, said we should make a TV show. This opened a new chapter […]