To the editor:

On behalf of the Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum, we would like to thank those whose efforts made the Whidden’s Fall 2012 Memorial Back Bay Tournament and the Pirate Coast Chili Cook-off such a wonderful success.

Sisters Restaurant sponsored our Captains’ Party. Italiano Insurance and The Boca Beacon provided the tournament T-shirts, paper goods were donated by Betsy Joiner, and the goody buckets by the Barnichol.

To the Editor,

Every once inawhile we like to keep the community abreast of our activities at the Boca Grande Child Care Center. We have had several letters from parents lately, and would like to share a few of them with you.

“We have been so happy for our son to be a part of The Boca Grande Child Care Center for the past three years. It has been such an important role in his development, both socially and academically. It has also been important to his overall happiness. We feel confident when he is at school that he is not only being exposed to a great learning environment but that he is in safe, loving hands.”  – Daniyelle and Robert Duke 

To the Editor,
We would like to thank everyone who participated in providing supplies and funding for sending Christmas boxes to our troops in Afghanistan. We shipped the packages last week and they should arrive in time for Christmas.  

BY MARCY SHORTUSE -

The other day a couple, Ken and Pat Birt, stopped by the Boca Beacon office with a copy of their new book about Useppa Island. When they asked if we would be interested in possibly running a story or promoting it, I was immediately drawn to the book.

Many island residents have spent time on Useppa, considering a boat trip there is only about 20 minutes. Pat Birt has been involved with the development of Useppa for more than a decade. She started as the administrative assistant to the developer of the island, and has now co-authored this book with her husband, Ken.