Tag: NoPaywall

1949: Boca Grande’s first newspaper, the Boca Grande Journal

BY JAMES J. BLAHA, DIRECTOR, BOCA GRANDE HISTORY CENTER The year was 1949, when NATO was established, West Germany was created, the People’s Republic of China was formally proclaimed and the...

Artificial Intelligence and the year ahead at Friends

Editor’s Note: The Friends of Boca Grande just released their 2024-25 Happenings booklet, in mail soon. On the cover is a talk with Heidi McKee on Artificial Intelligence. As an experiment, the...

Solar roofs and renovations to historic cottage slated

At top, plans for one of the two solar projects in front of the Historic Preservation Board. The panels are on the rear of the house so they are not visible from Gilchrist Avenue. The board...

AI buzz makes 400 percent jump in old land-line phone stock

September 6, 2024
Anna Ridilla
Breaking News, News

Lumen Technologies, the parent company of old CenturyLink, Gasparilla Island’s landline telephone company, has had a major stock run-up this summer, due to speculator interest in demand for...

Plans in work for 2025 Visitor’s Guide; copies available

The Boca Beacon’s Visitor’s Guide is the only promotional magazine for travelers to Gasparilla Island, and an essential for advertisers, as it is the key to one of Florida’s wealthiest zip code,...

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Curator of the native Boca Grande landscape, Rick Joyce

F or years, the ecological wellbeing of Boca Grande’s plant life has been one of Rick Joyce’s favorite endeavors. Boca Grande, and all of Gasparilla Island, owes much of its beauty and charm to...

Full steam ahead: Placida Bunkhouse restoration recommended

Restoration plans and estimated costs for the Placida Bunkhouse were released from the consultant at the beginning of this week. Included are drawings of what the restoration will look like as...

Boca Bay hosts Fire Department, Fish & Wildlife for water safety training this week

Labor Day weekend is upon us, and the Boca Grande Fire Department is preparing for any water-related emergencies that may accompany the festivities. Monday, Aug. 26 through Wednesday Aug....

Island merchants hold summer sales in last days of August

August 29, 2024
Anna Ridilla
Featured News, News

While some restaurants and businesses are closed this time of year, many are still open and are rolling out sales during this Labor Day weekend and beyond. “There’s a lot to offer at great...

State Park ideas withdrawn; input still needed on future plan

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...