Tag: NoPaywall

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: On the hunt for Gasparilla’s Easter Egg Traditions

April 2, 2026
Garland Pollard
Profiles

This Saturday, the Boca Grande Egg Hunt will be held at 10 a.m. at the Community Center, continuing a long island tradition. Peddling Patty, who was a fixture at so many island events and came...

Van Hubbard: Mackerel, both Spanish and king, best in icy coolers

March leads us into our spring season. We did enjoy some spring-like weather last month, but each one should be weaker now. Spring has officially arrived, and I’m excited about all the fishing...

Charles Edward ‘Ched’ McConnell, 1948-2026

March 26, 2026
Staff Report
Obituaries

Charles Edward McConnell (Ched) of Boca Grande, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the age of 77. Ched was born on September 1, 1948, in Suffern, New York, to Warren and Jeanette...

4-Digit Arrives!

The new 4-Digit Phone Books are out now! Pick up yours in the Boca Beacon parking lot, 431 Park Ave., Friday, March 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. and Monday, March 31-Wednesday, April 1, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m....

Paul ‘Chico’ Euwer 1935-2026

March 26, 2026
Staff Report
Obituaries

The Beacon received word of the recent death of Paul ‘Chico’ Euwer of Boca Grande on Monday, March 23. A memorial service will be held next fall.

OPINION: Protecting children in this new, algorithmic world

March 26, 2026
Brent McConnell
Columns, Opinion

BY BRENT McCONNELL Don’t forget the sunscreen. Fasten your seatbelt. Don’t talk to strangers. These protective nudges of parenthood are the steady, watchful rhythm we use to keep danger at...

The Sunday Next Before Easter

March 26, 2026
Garland Pollard
Editorial

The “noise” of our everyday lives is relentless, and it is particularly problematic in recent years. Restaurants not only have multiple TVs, but our houses, and indeed our persons, are so...

State Parks planning process

March 20, 2026
Staff Report
News

The state of Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Park Planning on Friday, March 6 released new management plans for Gasparilla Island State Park, Cayo Costa,...

Turtle Association needs help with funding, mule parking

BY THE BGSTA The Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association is sending out this SOS, in desperate need of local residents’ help in two areas: a place to keep our UTV during nesting season and financial...

John William ‘Tater’ Spinks, 1947-2026

March 19, 2026
Staff Report
Obituaries

On New Year’s Day, 1947, Lillian and Roy Spinks welcomed their 5th child, a boy named John William, nicknamed by his older siblings as “Tater,” and that name stuck with him his whole life. Born...