The Boca Beacon

01/04/2026

Registration is in place for the upcoming Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic. Here, a few highlights from 2022 photos.

https://bocabeacon.com/getting-prepped-for-gasparilla-island-tennis-classic/

01/03/2026

The legacy continues, now carried by Joie Chitwood III. His path followed the same early lines – growing up in the family’s traveling auto stunt show – before branching into a career that would place him at the helm of some of the most iconic sporting venues in the world. Even as the settings changed, one place remained familiar.

https://bocabeacon.com/?p=45963

01/01/2026

Our first edition of 2026 is out for The Boca Beacon. Inside, includes a story on the chill weather, a profile of Joie Chitwood III, and an update on yet one more Banyan that had to come down on Banyan Street.

12/31/2025

We hope some of you will be making resolutions tomorrow morning for 2026. Back in 1988, our writer Shelly Gutz asked islanders what they were resolving to do for our Ballyhoo section. You might have to zoom in bit to see what some of the folks wanted to accomplish.

12/26/2025

Visit at Boca Grande Fire Department by the girl who was bitten last summer.

On June 11, 2025, Leah Lendel, age 9, was bitten by a shark in the 2200 block of Shore Lane. This Tuesday, Lendel came back to visit the Boca Grande Fire De ...

12/26/2025

It will be a cooler week ahead.

Be patient, says our opinion columnist Capt. Captain Van Hubbard.

Hard to believe it’s another New Year already, but ’26 is here. We enjoyed a cooler early fall this year. Our recent winters have been milder, and cold weat ...

12/26/2025

Welcome to the last edition of 2025 for The Boca Beacon. Inside, a review of the year, including recovery from storms, and details from each month.

12/24/2025

Happy Christmas Eve in Boca Grande.

Who's ready for some Christmas carols on Gasparilla Island? Pictured in this Jug Band from December of 1983 are Grandma Nellie on piano, Mary Banard on bass, Pansy Cost on flute, Janell Johnson on mariachi, Leah Addison on tambourine, also in photo Billie Jean Smith, Greenie Ho**er and Viola. Apologies on spelling of names as they are on script on the back of the photo.

Any additions or ideas on people or the back story here are welcomed.

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas from Boca Grande. A few fun images from our archives and histories from Christmas past.

12/21/2025

Lights at Night: Boca Grande Christmas 2025

12/20/2025

Last Friday, the Boca Grande Historical Society said a big goodbye to Kim Kyle. Photos and links below.

https://bocabeacon.com/saying-goodbye-to-kim-kyle-at-the-boca-grande-historical-society/

12/20/2025

Last spring, Charlotte County planned landscaping for Gasparilla Road . Some photos and details.

https://bocabeacon.com/landscaping-installed-along-gasparilla-road/