THIS WEEK IN THE BOCA BEACON

Boca Beacon backpages

FIVE YEARS AGO

Peter and Elsa Soderberg donated $1 million to the new Suncoast Humane Society building project, and the Barrier Island Parks Society announced a new three-year plan including restoration efforts and public informational events.

TEN YEARS AGO

J.T.’s chili and Roger’s team were the winners at the Whidden’s Back Bay event, which included a tournament and chili cook-off to benefit the Maritime Museum.

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO

Bayne Stevenson and Mark Spurgeon left the Boca Grande Community Planning Panel, and the “iguana tax” advisory board was still in a quandry over negative public feedback over hiring the USDA.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

Mila Wyman took first place in the Lee County Library Bookmark Contest. The shrimp boat called Gasparilla VI, owned by Cindy and Harry Van Petten, went up in flames at The Fishery.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

With a firm contract with Gaspar, Inc. in hand for the purchase of the Boca Grande Causeway, GIBA turned its attention to fundraising to buy the bridge. The Royal Palm Players presented its season opener, “Newsies.”

THIRTY YEARS AGO

The front page basically consisted of a photo of President George H.W. Bush, Capt. Rocky Russ, Capt. Phil O’Bannon and Bayard Sharp. They were goin’ fishin’.

THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Lee County was set to drop 48 boxcars in 72 feet of water 15 miles due west of the Boca Grande Pass channel to make a new reef system.