THIS DATE IN THE BOCA BEACON

FIVE YEARS AGO

Boca Grande Causeway history was made after a massive Spring Break party a one-day car crossing record was set – 4,989 to be exact.

TEN YEARS AGO

Andy Ireland presided over his last GICIA meeting as president. He handed the key to Bayne Stevenson. Angela Steffan and Jack Damioli were named to the board at the same time.

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO

Islanders ripped the parallel parking plan the Boca Grande Community Planning Panel put forth. Lee County Parks & Rec “dropped the ball” when they put up “beach access” and “no parking” signs in the same spots along roads from 5th Street to 19th.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

Golf carts in the water were in the headlines (it’s that time of year) and a new game featuring Boca Grande was created by Skip Andelin.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

U.S. Rep. Porter Goss testified before the House Energy and Water Appropriations Committee to ask for additional funds to properly dredge Boca Grande Pass. The project was already scheduled, but the Army Corps of Engineers said the $2 million they were given wasn’t enough.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

We lost Lorn. Shine on, Island Son.

THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Beacon writer David Futch interviewed island winter resident Katharine Hepburn. She loved to play tennis and relax here, saying there was something terribly attractive about the lifestyle here. Oh, and no pictures were allowed.