Inn the news: Leaked GOP ‘Joker’ report came from Boca Grande

The Republican National Committee was left scrambling for cover Thursday after a political web site published a “confidential” document outlining the GOP’s fundraising strategy designed around “fear” and “socialism.”

Bridge board meeting draws 18 firms

The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority met with 18 engineering firms on Wednesday to outline the details of their new bridge proposal, and to take the firms on a site evaluation.

Want to spend a week at a dude ranch? It’s just part of what’s on tap at the Strawberry Festival

MARCY SHORTUSE – It takes around 5,000 hours of work for the women of the Boca Grande United Methodist Church to put together the annual Strawberry Festival. In their eyes, though, it is all worthwhile because of the causes the event supports.

Woman’s Club history recalled at History Bytes

BY  MARCY SHORTUSE – In 1948 it was a small of group of 25 friends, all brought together in Boca Grande, that started the Boca Grande Woman’s Club. Their purpose? To have fun, socialize, and to keep Boca Grande clean, beautiful, and ever-improving.
Anne Honey, a former president of the club, presented its history to a [...]

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Inn the news: Leaked GOP ‘Joker’ report came from Boca Grande

Inn the news: Leaked GOP ‘Joker’ report came from Boca Grande

The Republican National Committee was left scrambling for cover Thursday after a political web site published a “confidential” document outlining the GOP’s fundraising strategy designed around “fear” and “socialism.”
… Continue Reading

Island real estate sales bouncing back

March 5, 2010 News 2 Comments

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - Real estate activity seems to be on an upswing in the first quarter of 2010, with several local Realtors already noticing a difference.

According to the Florida Multi Listing Service, in the first quarter of 2009 two home sales closed on the island. The second quarter produced 14 home sales and the third quarter had nine. Only seven homes were sold in the fourth quarter.
… Continue Reading

Bridge board meeting draws 18 firms

Bridge board meeting draws 18 firms

The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority met with 18 engineering firms on Wednesday to outline the details of their new bridge proposal, and to take the firms on a site evaluation.
… Continue Reading

Want to spend a week at a dude ranch? It’s just part of what’s on tap at the Strawberry Festival

Want to spend a week at a dude ranch? It’s just part of what’s on tap at the Strawberry Festival

MARCY SHORTUSE - It takes around 5,000 hours of work for the women of the Boca Grande United Methodist Church to put together the annual Strawberry Festival. In their eyes, though, it is all worthwhile because of the causes the event supports.

… Continue Reading

COMMENTARY: It’s time for the FWC to tell the truth about its flawed tarpon study

COMMENTARY: It’s time for the FWC to tell the truth about its flawed tarpon study

BY GARY DUTERY - During the 2002-2004 tarpon fishing seasons, researchers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission conducted a tarpon mortality study in Boca Grande Pass.

This study has been used and abused by the jig fishing community to create an invented validation of the drive-by carnage they and their motorized surfboards have left in their wake as another tarpon season approaches. … Continue Reading

Island School to hold ‘Bombay in Boca’ Tarpon Ball

March 5, 2010 News No Comments

STAFF REPORT – The grandeur of Bombay at it’s pinnacle will be celebrated at the second annual Tarpon Ball that will be held on Saturday, March 20 at 6:30 p.m. on the grounds of the Amory Chapel.
… Continue Reading

Woman’s Club history recalled at History Bytes

Woman’s Club history recalled at History Bytes

BY  MARCY SHORTUSE – In 1948 it was a small of group of 25 friends, all brought together in Boca Grande, that started the Boca Grande Woman’s Club. Their purpose? To have fun, socialize, and to keep Boca Grande clean, beautiful, and ever-improving.

Anne Honey, a former president of the club, presented its history to a small group of listeners huddled in the loggia of the Johann Fust Community Library on Wednesday, March 3. The cold did not dampen their spirits, though, and they listened to the years unravel as Anne provided details from the club’s log books that were known by few.
… Continue Reading

Haiti Friendship Village effort kicks off with $100,000

March 5, 2010 News No Comments

STAFF REPORT – The Boca Grande chapter of Food for the Poor/Hope for Haiti have reached a major milestone in their quest to build Boca Grande Friendship Village in Haiti, as they get ready to hold their first major island fundraiser on Tuesday, March 9. … Continue Reading

Boca Grande 5K run and fun walk

March 5, 2010 News No Comments

The streets of Boca Grande were crowded with runners on Sunday, Feb. 28 as the 9th Annual Boca Grande 5k Run & Fun Walk was held, and the Hammond family took some high honors home.
… Continue Reading

Men of honor speaking out against the jig

Men of honor speaking out against the jig

BY GB KNOWLES – There is a time when those who side with you mean something. In the ongoing battle against the break-away jig I’ve been called every name in the book by former friends and my name has been fouled by children who play with the Internet under the guise of adults.
… Continue Reading

Check out our new Beacon video page

March 3, 2010 News No Comments

There’s something new here at BocaBeacon.com. We’ve added a page containing a mix of videos that we’ve made and videos made by others. Three videos, including the WGCU video shown above, are perfect for those considering their first visit to the island. Click here. And while you are watching the video, don’t forget to become a member of WGCU!

Saving Lilly: A family fights for the life of their infant daughter

February 26, 2010 Featured Content, News 5 Comments
Saving Lilly: A family fights for the life of their infant daughter

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Lillian Bay Beatty sits in the back seat of her parents’ car like every other infant, with eyes wide open and wondering as her tiny glimpse of sky through the back window passes by.  Like many other mothers, Nikki Beatty sits and watches Lilly, sometimes fretting with her coverings or her straps, watching over her every move.

How you can help: An account has been opened at Englewood Bank for island residents who wish to contribute to the effort to help save the life of Lilly Bay. The address is PO Box 1963, Boca Grande, FL 33921. A web site for Lilly has also been created. Click here.

… Continue Reading

Tea Party demonstrates against GOP in Boca Grande

February 26, 2010 News 2 Comments

Live video of the Tea Party protest.

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – More than 50 Tea Party members from area chapters waved signs and marched in front of the Gasparilla Inn & Club on Friday, Feb. 19, to make sure that the Republic National Committee members holding their winter retreat inside were aware of their presence.
… Continue Reading

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Saving Lillian Bay Beatty

Lillian Bay Beatty, the infant daughter of Nikki (Pettigrew) Beatty and Brad Beatty, the island's UPS  driver, was born with a life-threatening condition.

With the help of the Boca Grande community, we can give young Lilly a fighting chance. The residents of Boca Grande are rallying to her aid, but the cost of her care is staggering. An infant's life, the life of a child born to a couple with roots that run deep in our island community, hangs in the balance. Won't you help?

Please join your friends and neighbors who are doing what they can to help bring Lillian Bay through this crisis. An account has been established for Lilly at Englewood Bank. The address is PO Box 1963, Boca Grande, FL 33921. Read Lilly's story here and visit her web site here.

Beacon Video


The Boca Grande United Methodist Women held their annual Strawberry Festival on Saturday, March 6.
The Crowninshield Community House Spaghetti Dinners are an island tradition. The Sunday, Feb. 28 dinner included a birthday celebration. The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association - Italiano Insurance Services island cleanup was held Saturday, Feb. 27.

Boca Grande Fishing Report

Warmer weather has arrived, and this should herald some great spring fishing in the waters around Boca Grande. Check out Capt. Sandy Melvin's fishing report.

Visitors Guide

Download the Boca Beacon's 2010 Visitors Guide to Boca Grande. Click here. (.pdf)

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Our Endangered Fishery

COMMENTARY: It’s time for the FWC to tell the truth about its flawed tarpon study

March 5, 2010

COMMENTARY: It’s time for the FWC to tell the truth about its flawed tarpon study

BY GARY DUTERY – During the 2002-2004 tarpon fishing seasons, researchers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission conducted a tarpon mortality study in Boca Grande Pass.
This study has been used and abused by the jig fishing community to create an invented validation of the drive-by carnage they and their motorized surfboards have left [...]

Men of honor speaking out against the jig

March 5, 2010

Men of honor speaking out against the jig

BY GB KNOWLES – There is a time when those who side with you mean something. In the ongoing battle against the break-away jig I’ve been called every name in the book by former friends and my name has been fouled by children who play with the Internet under the guise of adults.

Jig anglers threaten Pass fishing traditions

February 26, 2010

Jig anglers threaten Pass fishing traditions

BY GB KNOWLES – As the break-away jig debate continues to rage in saloons, chat rooms and courtrooms, I’ve had a chance to reflect on just what is at stake.  In many ways it has little to do with the snagging gear that the “break-away” employs. Nor is simply about reckless boatmanship.

Tarpon need protection in wake of record cold winter

February 19, 2010

Tarpon need protection in wake of record cold winter

By GB KNOWLES – With freezes and harvest closures and continuing failure by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation to help their own cause as well as anglers, there is another element of trouble brewing on the horizon.

Guides want tarpon possession outlawed

February 12, 2010

Guides want tarpon possession outlawed

STAFF REPORT – In 1989, the Boca Grande Fishing Guides spearheaded the effort to create regulations requiring anglers to purchase a $50 “kill tag” to legally possess a tarpon. Now the guides are taking the next step, calling on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to outlaw possession and make all tarpon fishing catch [...]

Commentary: Keep tarpon tags, but raise the price

February 12, 2010

Commentary: Keep tarpon tags, but raise the price

BY GB KNOWLES – Last week there was a meeting of the Tarpon  Bonefish Trust conservation group in Boca Grande. This conclave of conservationists has some terrific potential. But there are cautions that should be observed.

Guide admits tarpon tag laws skirted in PTTS tourney; fish fed to sharks

February 8, 2010

Guide admits tarpon tag laws skirted in PTTS tourney; fish fed to sharks

The following was posted by Capt. Scott Hughes on the Florida Sportsman Southwest Florida forum. The comment came in response to a debate over an article published on BocaBeacon.com written by David Futch. The article appears in the January issue of  Pirate Coast Magazine and is reprinted with permission. There are two posts here. And [...]

FWC: Saving our fish or saving themselves?

February 5, 2010

FWC: Saving our fish or saving themselves?

BY GB KNOWLES – They many not know it yet but Florida’s fishery managers and staff may be on the verge of an economic crisis. Part of it is government ineptitude and arrogance. The economy is a trouble spot. Now a devastating freeze has put fishery managers in a position they haven’t seen since the [...]

The great tarpon debate: Jiggers are killing our fish, and our fishery

January 29, 2010

The great tarpon debate: Jiggers are killing our fish, and our fishery

The following article by David Futch appears in the January edition of Pirate Coast Magazine. It is reproduced here  with permission.
Nathaniel Reed refuses to mince words when it comes to snagging tarpon with a jig that kills them or leaves them so exhausted they become an easy meal. According to Reed, a nearly-dead tarpon having [...]

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Click to enlarge. Weather reports are from the Lee County Mosquito Control heliport on East Railroad Avenue. This is actual island weather, updated about every 10 minutes.

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