Elusive Tiger Shad, Let's Go Fishin' take top spots at Ladies Day 2013 Friday, 17 May 2013 10:31 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - The bite may have been slow, but Capt. Chris Frohlich’s team got the first qualified release in the 2013 Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament at 5:40 p.m. on Saturday. Anglers included Alysha Aratari, Olivia Britto, Joellen Morris and Mia Benton. Read the Full Story

FWC break-away jig study refuted by originating scientist Friday, 17 May 2013 10:06 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - In the summer of 2004 Dr. Justin Grubich picked up the phone to take a call from a woman who said she was with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The woman, Kathy Guindon, talked with Justin for about 30 minutes foul-hooking tarpon, and he was asked to provide expert witness testimony on how tarpon feed. He didn’t give the conversation much thought. Read the Full Story

World’s Richest, tarpon festival, Kids Classic coming up this week Friday, 17 May 2013 10:00 This week will bring one of the most action-packed and entertaining times that Boca Grande has seen in quite awhile. It is the World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament on May 23 and 24, the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic on May 25, and Tarpon Festival Weekend downtown. Read the Full Story

GIBA signs $30 million loan agreement, no new toll increases coming in the near future Friday, 17 May 2013 09:57 BY LIZA STROUT - With a unanimous vote, the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority board of directors approved the terms of a long-sought State Infrastructure Bank loan. The loan, to fund the construction of the new swing bridge, will keep tolls at their current levels for the foreseeable future. Read the Full Story

A lighthouse legend passes Friday, 17 May 2013 09:53 BY LIZA STROUT - Dian McKeithan Miller, youngest daughter of the last keeper of the Port Boca Grande Light, passed away Wednesday morning, May 15. Read the Full Story

Look for changes within the Community Center this summer Friday, 17 May 2013 09:52 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - The summer has come, the snowbirds are leaving and it’s time for the Boca Grande Community Center to start making some changes. They have tented for termites (and found a few bodies after the fact, so it was a worthy cause). Now they’re going to be tearing down some walls and moving things around. Read the Full Story

Letter to the Editor: World-renowned scientist makes changes to his conclusions about break-away jigs Friday, 17 May 2013 09:37 The following letter was sent to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Chairman Ken Wright on May 8, 2013. This letter is reprinted here with Mr. Grubich’s consent. Read the Full Story

Profile: Capt. Chris Frohlich Friday, 17 May 2013 09:31 BY JACK SHORT - Tarpon fishing seems to fascinate some folks in a way no other subject can. Capt. Chris Frohlich is one of those people, and his connection to the sport is as strong as his opinions about it. Read the Full Story

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Elusive Tiger Shad, Let's Go Fishin' take top spots at Ladies Day 2013
BY MARCY SHORTUSE - The bite may have been slow, but Capt. Chris Frohlich’s team...
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Letter to the Editor: Island native says sailboats part of Boca Grande’s charm

23 December 2011 Last Updated on 23 December 2011 Marcy Shortuse

To the Editor:

Thanks, Marcy, for trying to straighten out a conundrum, which you set forth in your down on the bayou column in the December 16 issue of the Beacon. As a former Boca Grande harbor master and present Boca Grande Historical Society “historian” I may be able to shed some light on this very murky subject.

According to Charles Dana Gibson in his book “Boca Grande; a series of Essays,” the bayou was dredged about 100 years ago by the Boca Grande Land Co. I can testify that this waterway has been used by the public for the purpose of navigation, and anchoring, since that time. Any testimony that I would give would be based on the Johnson family oral history going back to before 1911.

( 0 Votes )

Bottomland on the bayou: A rather sticky situation

16 December 2011 Marcy Shortuse

It’s easy to forget property lines when you’re spending time on a boat, and one of the joys of having one is that you can simply “be” where you are at the moment. What happens, though, if you drop anchor and are told that it’s private property?

An ongoing dispute as to whether or not the bottom lands of the Boca Grande Bayou across from the Pink Elephant are private or public use has come to light again. The waterway is popular with boaters, and many come to drop anchor, spend a night or two in a sheltered place and have close proximity to the island.

( 1 Vote )

Abuse charges never filed on Wyoming representative

16 December 2011 Marcy Shortuse

The Wyoming representative who was arrested on charges of abusing a disabled adult at the Gasparilla Inn Beach Club on November 23 will not be convicted of the crime.

In fact, charges were never even filed by the State Attorney’s office.

( 0 Votes )

Church services announced

16 December 2011 Marcy Shortuse

Island churches have announced services for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

( 0 Votes )

The Island School entertains

16 December 2011 Marcy Shortuse

It was a winter recital to remember at The Island School on Friday, Dec. 9. Music teacher Diana Donlon had the kids show their parents how they warmed up their voices, their minds and their bodies with a little yoga (top left). The little ones also did the “Round and Round” dance (top right).

Charlotte Chatham, one of the school’s youngest students, showed she had some of the biggest talent (top left). Theresa Caccavale’s kindergarten class sang “Up on the Housetop” (top right).