Sanibel Island Reporter/Islander

Week oF FeBRUARY 14, 2024

VOLUME 62, NUMBER 13

City council appoints Dillon to vacant seat

By TIFFANY REPECKI

trepecki@breezenewspapers.com

At its recent meeting, the Sanibel City Council filled the open seat on the dais held by former City Councilmember Dr. Scott Crater, who resigned from the position toward the end of December.

On Feb. 6, the council members considered nine applicants for the partial appointment, which will expire on June 4; a 10th Arlene Dillon applicant withdrew before the meeting. A special election will be held on May 21 and the winning candidate will serve out the remainder of Crater's term through March of 2025.

In two separate ballot votes, the council first narrowed down the candidate field to Laura DeBruce, Arlene Dillon and Alfredo Vargas, then voted in Dillon with three votes to the one for DeBruce.

See DILLoN, page 16

Sanibel team retains title of People’s Choice at challenge IslanderInsIde

By TIFFANY REPECKI

T

Choice Champion for the second consecutive year.

trepecki@breezenewspapers.com

he people have spoken again: An island fire district crew still serves up the best chili around.

The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District joined 11 other groups to battle it out at the 5th Annual Lee County Chili Challenge on Feb. 3 at Stu's Motorcycles in Fort Myers. This year's fivemember team brought home the trophy and honor of People's

See PeoPLe’S CHoICe, page 15 For the second year in a row, the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District won the trophy of People's Choice Champion at the 5th Annual Lee County Chili Challenge on Feb. 3 at Stu's Motorcycles in Fort Myers.

LEE COUNTY CHILI CHALLENGE

School district provides update on Hurricane Ian funding

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

“It does help us to be in the position to talk directly to FEMA leadership,” he said, The School District of Lee adding that it has been very County currently has received valuable to the district and he $11.44 million from FEMA is very thankful. for emergency work.

The current projection of Superintendent Dr. funding is $5.2 million for Christopher Bernier said last flood insurance coverage, $75 week that the district has been million for property insurance blessed, with the help of the federal delegation, to have Dr. Christopher coverage, FEMA Public Assistance Cost Share of received an avenue to have Bernier $116.8 million, state public FEMA on the phone with them during conversations regarding assistance cost share of $12 million, Lee County shelter claim reimbursement for recovery updates from Hurricane Ian. news@breezenewspapers.com

$1.2 million and legislature — capital appropriation of $17.5 million.

The district's estimated out of pocket expense is $48.4 million, which includes tax revenue losses and estimated cost of Hector A. Cafferata Elementary School transitioning to a K-8 school.

Bernier said with public institutions, FEMA requires the school to be put back in place as it originally was. He said the addition of sixth, seventh and eighth grade is aligned with their capital plan.

“We want to be transparent that buildSee IAN FUNDING, page 16

alsOInsIdetOday Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll.........................................4 Captiva Current..........................6-7 Business......................................8 Preserving Paradise.....................10 Island Living................................12 Sports.........................................14 Classifieds 27

Residential Customer ECRWSS

Ft MYeRS, FL Permit #5733

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Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024 ■ Page 2 captivasanibel.com Island Reporter

FDOT provides update School board members get update on state deregulation efforts on causeway project The Florida Department of Transportation reported that crews have moved traffic to the permanent lanes on the Sanibel Causeway. The causeway islands surrounding the temporary roadway are an active work zone and closed to public access, including from the water. ∫ Motorists should expect one lane of travel to continue from the toll plaza to Port Comfort Road to allow the contractor to begin to prepare the right-of-way on the south (beach) side of McGregor Boulevard for installing devices underground to reinforce the shoreline. ∫ Beginning today, Feb. 14, the outside travel lane and shoulder (south/beach side) will be fully closed to access from the toll plaza to Port Comfort.

The closure is expected to last for approximately three months while crews work to install devices underground to reinforce the shoreline. Significant traffic delays are not expected during the operation. ∫ Crews continue earthwork and debris removal along the causeway islands. Expect construction equipment periodically entering/leaving the travel

lanes when necessary. The contractor is limiting the interruption during peak hours. ∫ The westbound merge location is now west of the toll plaza. Motorists are urged to use caution and obey the 20 mph speed limit. Construction vehicles and equipment continue to enter/exit the staging area near the location.

Many oversized vehicles are crossing the causeway to assist with recovery efforts on the island. Please be patient as travel may be slower than usual.

Bicyclists are encouraged to utilize another mode of transportation to travel the causeway and pedestrians are not permitted on the causeway.

Motorists are reminded to obey the posted speed limit of 20 mph. Please use caution and watch for workers and construction vehicles entering and leaving the roadway.

For more information about the project, visit www.swflr oads.com/SanibelCauseway.

For questions, contact FDOT's Sanibel Causeway Community Liaison Jennifer Dorning at Jennifer.Dorning@ dot.state.fl.us or 239-3387723.

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

Four members of the Lee County School Board traveled to Tallahassee last month to take part in the 37th annual Day in the Legislature, where a great deal of discussion was had regarding deregulation.

Those who attended were Chair Sam Fisher and Board Members Debbie Jordan, Melisa Giovannelli and Armor Persons. They joined more than 125 school board members and education leaders around Florida for the Jan. 17-18 event, which was hosted by the Florida School Boards Association.

“In Tallahassee, we met with other school board members from throughout the state for an overview and expectation of the next few days. We had briefings on the bills coming forward, budget and deregulation updates. We went over the legislative platform for the FSBA as an association,” Jordan said.

The second kicked off with “Coffee and Conversations with Florida Legislators,” which was an exclusive session where insights on key issues were shared by state Reps. Robin Bartleman and Ralph Massullo. The board also visited the Capitol, engaged with their respective legislative delegations and attended legislative committee meetings.

Fisher said he truly believes they accomplished a lot during the trip.

“We continued to have many productive conversations with legislators and provide them real world feedback that will help both Lee County schools and schools around the state. In the early stages of this session, the House has already included two of

our legislative appropriations in the first draft budget,” he said.

Fisher said although many issues were discussed, the most prominent one was the Senate and House bills on deregulation of education — Learn Local.

“These bills will cut the red tape and allow our public schools to truly compete with other school choice options which, in turn, will contribute to increased student achievement,” he said.

“Furthermore, we discussed our requested legislative appropriations and how they will also contribute to increased student achievement.”

Fisher said the Learn Local initiatives align with the goals in Lee County by promoting innovative student achievement pathways, simplifying assessments requirements; increased flexibility in setting salaries for instructional personnel, crucial for teacher retention; streamline educator requirements for retention and certifications; flexibility in facility costs for new construction, crucial to postHurricane Ian; and rapid growth and fairness in ensuring funds follow the student between various school choice options, affirming the district’s commitment to “choice” in education.

“I agree with Sen. Hutson that removing many of these 'onerous and outdated requirements in place for the general day-day to administration of our schools' will help us focus on serving and educating our students,” he said. “I look forward to continued work with the Legislature on deregulation to ensure our great state remains an education trailblazer.”

See SCHOOL BOARD, page 16

Voter registration deadline for primary nearing The deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation is Feb. 20 for the Presidential Preference

Primary on March 19. For more information, visit Lee County Elections at www.lee.vote.

Page 3 ■ Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024 captivasanibel.com

Island Reporter

Report your news to CAPTIvASAnIbEL.COm

SCCF provides Week 5 legislative update The environmental bill SCCF and partners are continuupdates from the fifth week of ing to pursue additional inforthe legislative session included: mation and are advocating for ∫ Estero Bay Aquatic transparency on this potentially Preserve Boundary bill passes statewide, precedent setting its second Senate Committee. bill. The House version, HB ∫ Safe Waterways Act 957 by Rep. Adam Botana, had advances in the Senate. not yet been heard in its first ∫ Senate Auxiliary committee but could be amendContainer (single-use plastics) ed on to a similar bill. bill is temporarily postponed Safe Water Ways Act — SB due to lack of committee time.

338 by Sen. Lori Berman We’ve reached the halfway passed unanimously through its point of this legislative session first committee stop in the with only four weeks remainSenate Health Policy Holly Schwartz ing. Many of the subcommitCommittee. Similar bills were tees will no longer meet, effecintroduced and strongly suptively ending the potential for a ported two years ago by bill to advance if it has not yet Southwest Florida water quality been heard in its first commitadvocacy groups working tee. However, a bill can be still closely with Berman at the added as an amendment to a similar bill, so time. any issue could return up until the very last day The bill is designed to dramatically of session. improve public notification of imminent danEstero Bay Aquatic Preserve Boundary — ger as it relates to swimming at beaches and SB 1210 by Sen. Jonathan Martin passed its “public bathing places” — the legal term used second of three assigned committees. Several for designated public swimming areas. It environmental advocacy groups, including the requires timely and visible notice of bacterioSanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, logical water quality impairments from have asked for additional clarification on the sources such as malfunctioning sewage treatbill which aims to reduce the boundary of the ment plants, septic tank leaks and animal Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve. waste.

One concern is that any reduction to the The bill also requires the Department of preserve increases the potential for develop- Health to specify a timeframe to notify the ment within the current boundary and reduces local municipality or county, the local office of the ecological function of this sensitive area. the Department of Environmental Protection Another concern is that any change in the (DEP), and the local affiliates of national telepreserve boundary should be rigorously vetted vision networks of areas affected. The bill with ample evidence provided for the bound- heads next to its second stop at the Senate ary change. As it stands, that evidence is not Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, provided in the bill or in the bill analysis. The Natural Resources and General Government.

captivasanibel.com

Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024 ■ Page 4

OPINIONS

Island Reporter

Guest Commentary

The House version, HB 165 by Reps. Lindsay Cross and Peggy Gossett-Siedman, also passed its first committee and heads to the House Appropriations Committee next.

Regulation of Auxiliary Containers — SB 1126 by Martin was scheduled to be heard in the Senate Community Affairs Committee — its second committee. The committee agenda was packed and included a few controversial bills relating to immigration, confederate monuments, and production and sale of cultivated meat. Discussion of those bills resulted in a five 1/2-hour meeting, which went significantly longer than its scheduled meeting time.

Unfortunately, many people who traveled to Tallahassee to testify against the bill were disappointed when it was one of two bills that were temporarily postponed to be heard the next time the Senate Community Affairs Committee meets.

The bill preempts local governments from regulating re-usable or single use plastics or packaging and requires any regulation to be done by the state. The state, however, must adopt DEP recommendations before regulating any “auxiliary containers,” which is woefully overdue as DEP recommendations were submitted as far back as 2010. The House version, HB 1641 by Rep. Brad Yeager, passed its first committee and heads to the House State Affairs Committee next.

Visit the 2024 SCCF Legislative Tracker at https://sccf.org/what-we-do/environmentalpolicy/.

Holly Schwartz is policy associate for the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.

Founded in 1967, the SCCF's mission is to protect and care for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems. For more information, visit www.sccf.org.

Letter to the Editor How much is the life of a hostage worth?

Web Poll Previous Web Poll Question How much post-storm recovery work does your home/business require? ∫ None, fully recovered, 27% ∫ Much/some still needed, 47% ∫ All, nothing recovered, 26%

Current Web Poll Question Did you attend the SanCap Resilience's community event on Feb. 1 at bIG ARTS? ∫ Yes, in person. ∫ Yes, via livestream. ∫ No. Share your opinion at captivasanibel.com

To the editor: Having just returned from a two-week volunteer stint in Israel, I am trying to organize thoughts and feelings after the United States Congress rejected a $17.6 billion aid package to Israel last week. Did the representatives of the American people forget that the Biden administration recently reached a deal with Iran to release five American hostages?

The exchange involved the release of five Iranians held in U.S. jails and at least $6 billion of Iranian assets frozen in South Korea.

Of course there is the argument that the Iranian assets are frozen, countered by the fungibility debate that money is easily transferred from one account to another in Iran.

Guns and butter are interchangeable.

That $6 billion and additional oil money gained from lifted sanctions most likely partially funded Hamas and the massacre of Oct. 7 in Israel. One thousand two hundred-plus were brutally and heinously murdered, and 240 hostages — no one knows for certain — were taken into Gaza. At the same moment that Congress was rejecting the aid package to our ally, Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that nearly a quarter of the hostages still held by Hamas were dead, leaving maybe 100 still in captivity. (Over a hundred had been released in previous cease fire deals.) The families have been notified. I met some of the families while in Israel. I am haunted by them.

Hamas has been dithering about more hostage releases in return for a cease fire.

They are running out of bargaining chips. I

just did the math: $6 billion divided by five is $1.2 billion for each American hostage in the Iran deal; $17.6 billion divided by 130 remaining hostages is $135.4 million and change for each Israeli hostage if that were the only part of the deal that was denied. The failed legislation would have supported Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, advanced weapons procurement, and weapons production. Supporting the IDF and the return of the hostages is really what the Israelis I met care about. Hostage numbers change from moment to moment, no one knows the exact number remaining. It might be as little as 100.

Also consider that Israel is our first line of defense against terrorism in the Mideast; terrorism funded by Iran and the money we See LETTER, page 16

We want your opinion The views expressed on the Opinions Pages are just that — opinions. These pages are intended to convey a range of viewpoints; opinions printed on these pages do not necessarily reflect the views of The Island Reporter. Opposing views are welcome. All letters must be signed and must contain a phone number for verification purposes. Letters considered for publication must relate to subjects of public interest. Letters to the Editor may be e-mailed to Tiffany Repecki at trepecki@breezenewspapers.com; posted to the virtual newsroom at captivasanibel.com; or mailed to 2340 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957. Letters are due no later than noon Thursday. The Island Reporter reserves the right to edit or reject any submission.

Page 5 ■ Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024 captivasanibel.com

Island Reporter

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 14, 2024

CIHS adds repeat program to season schedule

By TIFFANY REPECKI

trepecki@breezenewspapers.com

Due to the popularity of a program held last month, the Captiva Island Historical Society is taking reservations for an encore event that has been added to its season schedule.

A second “Historic Landmarks Guided Walking Tour” will take place on Feb. 15 at 11 a.m.

The Captiva Island Historical Society will host an encore of its “Historic Landmarks Guided Walking Tour” program on Feb. 15.

CAPTIVA ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

“Due to its overwhelming success, a repeat of our guided walking tour will happen,” the CIHS shared.

Participants will tour the following notable island landmarks: ∫ Historic Captiva Cemetery ∫ Captiva Chapel by the Sea ∫ Captiva Memorial Library ∫ History Gallery ∫ Captiva Civic Association ∫ Jensen's Twin Palm Marina &

Cottages ∫ The Island Store ∫ City Dock/Randall House ∫ Island House ∫ Williams/Riggs House ∫ Gulf View Inn/The Mucky Duck “Listen and learn as docent Jewel Jensen shares the rich, colorful history of first settler William Binder and the hisSee CIHS, page 7

CIHS screens documentary on lighthouse

LEE COUNTY

Captiva library, county system providing programs Part of the Lee County Library System, the Captiva Memorial Library is offering the following free programming:

Adult programs ∫ Today, Feb. 14, to Feb. 16: Make an Origami Heart Bookmark (daily during operating hours) Celebrate your love of reading in the month of love. Make an easy origami bookmark. The origami heart looks just like a conversation heart and fits on the corner of a book page. ∫ Feb. 15: ACMA Songwriters on the Island from 2 to3:45 p.m.

Come hear great original music and the stories behind the

songs in an intimate Songwriters Showcase from the Americana Community Music Association. The featured performers will be Bill Metts and Bruce Gallant. Registration is required before Feb. 15 at 1:30 p.m.

Teen programs ∫ Today, Feb. 14, to Feb. 16: Make an Origami Heart Bookmark (daily during operating hours) Celebrate your love of reading in the month of love. Make an easy origami bookmark. The origami heart looks just like a conversation heart and fits on the corner of a book page.

See LIBRARY PROGRAMS, page 7

In support of the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, the Captiva Island Historical Society held a screening of “Secrets and Stories of the Sanibel Lighthouse” on Jan. 24 at the Captiva Civic Center on Captiva.

More than 100 people attended the viewing for the film, which was created by documentarian Ken Sneeden and produced by the museum. The CIHS donated the proceeds from event to the museum for use toward its ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian. Following refreshments on the porch, CIHS Vice President Mike Boris welcomed the crowd. CIHS Director Blair Wyatt, a former member of the museum's board, then introduced museum Board President Celina Monte-Sano, who spoke about the work remaining to restore the museum buildings.

Sneeden began and ended the documentary by introducing the concept of a lighthouse as a symbol of both isolation and connection. The film portrayed both, as it documented the rich and varied history of the Sanibel Lighthouse, from its completion in 1884 to its current blinking beacon.

It is now owned by the city of Sanibel, but operated by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The documentary highlighted the families who operated the lighthouse and its role in: ∫ Contributing to the world-wide best practices for mosquito control. ∫ The development of increasingly sophisticated lighthouse lenses. ∫ The use of “Square Skeletal” iron works for lighthouses, which could be transported from their origins in Trenton, New Jersey. ∫ Post-Pearl Harbor vigilance to spot German submarines. ∫ The prevention of shipwrecks in the shallow waters, the shifting sands, and seasonal hurricanes of Southwest Florida.

Throughout its history, the lighthouse was the focus of its isolated keepers, while they provided help and companionship to the early homesteaders and subsequent residents of Sanibel and Captiva.

The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company is the presenting sponsor for the CIHS season programs.

∫ Nick Petrie ∫ Joe Posnanski ∫ Matthew Quirk ∫ Viola Shipman ∫ Charles Todd ∫ Lisa Unger Teen authors ∫ Elise Bryant ∫ Lamar Giles ∫ Adalyn Grace ∫ Lynn Painter ∫ Natalia Sylvester

∫ Today, Feb. 14, to Feb. 16: Love Bug Bookmark (daily during operating hours) Valentine's Day is coming up and what says “Happy Valentine's Day” more than a love bug? The Love Bug Bookmark can

CIHS From page 6

be handed out as a gift, a Valentine or simply used to celebrate the holiday.

toric landmarks of Captiva's village,” the CIHS reported.

The program is free, but reservations are required.

Participants will meet at the Captiva Civic Center.

The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company is the presenting sponsor for the CIHS season.

To RSVP, visit http://www.captivaislandhistoricalsociety.org/.

For more information, contact mail@captivaislandhistoricalsociety.org or 239-472-2323.

The Captiva Civic Center is at 11550 Chapin Lane, Captiva.

The library is open on Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.

For more information about a program

or to register, call 239-533-4890.

Download books, stream video and other online content at

Library programs From page 6 Children’s programs

CAPTIVA ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

If you go What “Historic Landmarks Guided Walking Tour” When Feb. 15 at 11 a.m.

Where Captiva Civic Center, 11550 Chapin Lane, Captiva Details Free to the public, but RSVPs required

www.leelibrary.net.

The Captiva Memorial Library is at 11560 Chapin Lane, Captiva.

CECI students take part in planting event On Jan. 23, Coastal Watch hosted a mangrove potting event at the Children's Education Center of the Islands on Sanibel. A group of 16 students ages 2-4 — the youngest participants to date in Coastal Watch's Adopt-a-Mangrove program — planted the seedings in decorated pots. Under the guidance of their teacher, the youth will assume the role of caretakers for the plants throughout the spring season. Coastal Watch reported that the event aimed to educate the children about the importance of mangrove forests and the ecosystems they provide for manatees, birds and other species in Southwest Florida.

COASTAL WATCH

Captiva Current

Kid authors ∫ Michael Buckley ∫ Adrianna Cuevas ∫ Karina Yan Glaser ∫ Karen Kilpatrick ∫ Laura Martin ∫ Joe McGee ∫ Jamie Michalak ∫ Dan Yaccarino The festival features author presentations and book signings for all ages, writing awards, digital resource demonstrations, crafts and more. In fulfilling the festival's mission to promote reading, literacy and library services, every child and teen in attendance will receive a free book.

For more information about the festival, visit Readfest.org.

The Southwest Florida Reading Festival is free and community-supported through donations, sponsorships and grants. To support the event, visit www.ReadFest.org or contact 239-5334832.

breezenewspapers.com

The Lee County Library System, of which the Captiva Memorial Library is a part of, recently announced the lineup of authors for the 25th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival.

“I am thrilled the library system's signature event has reached this amazing milestone of 25 years promoting reading, literacy and library services in Lee County,” library system Director Mindi Simon said. “Having attended every event, I am so impressed by the range of authors we’ve brought to the community and the dedication of library staff and volunteers who create this world-class event each year.”

Scheduled are suspense authors Jeffery Deaver, Lisa Unger and Ben Coes, along with historical fiction writers Sarah Penner and Charles Todd. Award-winning writer, artist and animated series creator Dan Yaccarino tops the list of youth authors, which also includes Sunshine State Young Readers Award winners Karina Yan Glaser, Karen Kilpatrick, Laura Martin and Joe McGee. Featured teen authors will include Florida Teens Read award-winning writer Lamar Giles and fantasy novelist Adalyn Grace.

The mix of authors will meet fans and showcase their books on March 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free event will be held on the campus of the Fort Myers Regional Library, 2450 First St., Fort Myers.

The full list of participants is as follows: Adult authors ∫ Mary Kay Andrews ∫ Cara Black ∫ Jane K. Cleland ∫ Ben Coes ∫ Jeffery Deaver ∫ Lee Matthew Goldberg ∫ Heather Graham ∫ Irene Hannon ∫ Katherine Howe ∫ Sarah Penner

Page 7 ■ Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Authors named for annual reading festival

Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024 ■ Page 8 captivasanibel.com Island Reporter

BUSINESS Business Notes Pfeifer Realty to host Open House Parade The Pfeifer Realty Group will host a Sanibel Island Open House Parade on Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., showcasing 11 properties that its agents currently have listed on the east end.

The addresses include: 969 Whelk Drive; 811 Birdie View Point; 1157 Bird Lane; 1806 Ibis Lane; 707 Anchor Drive; 1011 S. Yachtsman Drive; 1321 Sand Castle Road; 848 Angel Wing Drive; 1241 Junonia St.; 1158 Golden Olive Court; and 1581 San Carlos Bay Drive.

Maps that list each participating home and where they are located will be available at each house. The map can also be found at https://www.mysanibelrealestate.com/resources/events-and-fun-facts.

For more information or questions, call the office at 239-472-0004.

SCBWA to hold monthly luncheon The Sanibel Captiva Business Women's Association will hold its monthly luncheon on Feb. 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, at 2500 Island Inn Road, Sanibel.

The guest speaker will be former Chico's Chief Executive Officer Diane Ellis. She will speak on the topic of leading authentically.

Dolly Farrell Tickets were sold out as of last week, but a waitlist is available. To be added to the list, contact the SCBWA at SanCapBWA@sancapbwa.org.

For more information, contact Taylor Osborne at taylor@irisprintdesigns.com.

For SCBWA updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/SanCapBWA or on Eventbrite.

Chamber to host business luncheon The SanCap Chamber will hold its next business luncheon meeting on Feb. 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa, at 17260 Harbour Point Drive, Fort Myers.

The guest speaker will be Lee County Port Authority Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Benjamin R. Siegel, Ben Siegel along with Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Steven Hennigan. They will discuss the status of the ongoing Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) Terminal Expansion Project, the secondlargest public works project in Lee County history.

Stevens Construction is sponsoring the luncheon.

Open to members and the public, the cost is $35 to attend.

Registration is required by Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. at sanibel-captiva.org or by contacting Aaron Walton at aaron@sanibel-captiva.org or 239-472-8759.

Payment is due at the time of registration.

See BUSINESS NOTES, page 16

Report your news to CaPTIvaSaNIBEL.COm

Beach Daisy Boutique reopens with ribbon-cutting Retail shopping returns bit by bit on the islands, and the SanCap Chamber of Commerce celebrated that trend with a ribbon-cutting on Feb. 1 at the Beach Daisy Boutique in the Periwinkle Place Shops on Sanibel.

“Sanibel's reputation as a shopping mecca will be restored as we welcome stores like Beach Daisy back to the retail landscape,” chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said. “To make the business community whole again, we need all the pieces of the business puzzle to fit back together again, and we are happy to welcome the boutique back into the fold.”

Keelie and Brian Bloom have operated the boutique for nearly 10 years at the plaza, along with a store named My Friend’s Place. They specialized in women’s and men’s clothing, plus home goods. They have reopened part of their space SANCAP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE with a similar inventory model and hope to fully open the entire location Confetti flies on Feb. 1 at the SanCap Chamber of Commerce's ribbon-cutting for the Beach Daisy Boutique on Sanibel. by the fall. The My Friend’s Place “We would like to continue to support nonprofits on the store will change to Coast Clothing, primarily men’s wear.

The Blooms have supported local charities on the island island as well as other local communities,” Keelie Bloom and created an event called the Models and Mutts fashion said.

The Beach Daisy Boutique is at 2075 Periwinkle Way, show, where they raised several thousand dollars for the Gulf Sanibel.

Coast Humane Society.

CFI's leadership class off to enthusiastic start The 2024 Leadership SanibelCaptiva Program kicked off on Jan. 18 with the first session, where special guests Porter and Chauncey Goss offered information about the islands.

It is the second class of its kind sponsored by the Charitable Foundation of the Islands.

This year's 13 participants are people who have already demonstrated leadership qualities. The program provides an immersive course in the way government, healthcare, nonprofits, environmental issues and other aspects of island life work and See CFI, page 16

CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF THE ISLANDS

The Class of 2024 for the Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Program.

VIP Realty Group announces top producers for month VIP Realty Group announced its top producers for the month of January.

Rose Dakos had the top sales.

A long-time Sanibel resident, she is a lifetime member of the VIP President’s Club and a Star Power member. Dakos has been a consistent top producer in real estate on the islands for over 20 years.

Susan Dunn had the top listings. A third generation Florida “cracker” whose family owns Gatorama, she has been selling on the islands for 21 years. Dunn is a savvy professional broker who brings a fresh outlook, youthful spirit and small-town charm to real estate.

Teresa Baker was the top producer.

She holds a degree from the University of Tennessee in merchandising and

Rose Dakos

Susan Dunn

moved to Sanibel in 1986. Baker has her real estate/Broker's license, Graduate Realtor Institute designation and Sanibel Captiva Island Specialist designation.

Teresa Baker

For more information, call 239472-5187 or go to SanCapIslandRE.com.

VIP Realty Group is at 1560 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

Page 9 ■ Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024 captivasanibel.com

Island Reporter

Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024 ■ Page 10 captivasanibel.com Island Reporter

PRESERVING PARADISE

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

First cell of EAA Reservoir treatment area completed The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that Florida passed a major milestone in Everglades restoration on Jan. 25 with the opening of the Cell 1 of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir Stormwater Treatment Area (STA). The reservoir is a major component of the decades-long, multibillion dollar Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.

The STA is a 6,500-acre wetland that will help clean water stored in the under-construction reservoir before sending it south to the Everglades and Florida Bay. When complete, the reservoir will receive water from Lake Okeechobee, reducing harmful discharges to the coasts, and supply more clean water to the ecosystems and communities that need it most.

SCCF Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis

and Policy & Advocacy Associate Allie Pecenka attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Palm Beach County unveiling the first part of the STA. The event included remarks from government officials, including Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Department of Interior Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Shannon Estenoz.

“The EAA Reservoir is the crown jewel of Everglades restoration, ensuring that we are sending water south and reducing harmful discharges into our waterways,” DeSantis said. “The opening of this stormwater treatment cell is a key milestone in the EAA Reservoir project and will help ensure the health of the Everglades for generations to come.”

All speakers highlighted the importance of partnerships between state, federal and private partners to

‘Teddy Roosevelt’ coming to refuge

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

Weeds ‘n’ Seeds plant walk planned The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation will host a Weeds 'n' Seeds plant walk on Feb. 19 at 9:30 a.m. at the Hidden Cypress Preserve, at 24900 Liberty Youth Ranch Way, Bonita Springs. It will last about two hours; be prepared for mud/water. No reservations or fees are required. Participants can

drive themselves or meet for free carpooling at 8 a.m. at Tutti Pazzi Italian Restaurant, at 1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Afterward, participants are invited to take part in an optional lunch at a local eatery. For more information, visit https://sccf.org/.

Shell museum to host guided walk The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium will host a guided Snail Search and Biodiversity Walk on Feb. 19 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Jaycee Park, at 4215 S.W. 20th Place, Cape Coral. Participants will search for land snails, document their sightings for the benefit of science, and explore the flora and fauna. The walk is free, but advance registration is required. Parking is free. For more information or to register, contact Jorden Falker at jfalker@shellmuseum.org.

Joe Wiegand will return to the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel with his popular reprisal of President Teddy Roosevelt to kick off President’s Day weekend on Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. in The Roost. The free 30-plusminute program is open to the public. In true “Teddy” character, Wiegand will deliver a “bully” performance focusing on the history of the president’s connection with conservation, Sanibel and Captiva, and the refuge. Bench seating will be available, but attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs. Wiegand will spend a few days as a guest of the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge, doing outreach and special programs to raise conservation awareness.

REFUGE/DDWS

accomplish the undertaking of the reservoir. Estenoz expressed pride, gratitude and satisfaction for being able to celebrate the ribbon-cutting, a milestone made possible through hard work, “stick-to-it-ness” and large-scale community engagement.

After the ribbon-cutting, the South Florida Water Management District turned on the pumps to begin filling the STA cell.

“Everglades restoration hinges on controlling the quality and flow of water,” DePaolis said. “This project will allow us to severely reduce the potential risk of damaging discharges to the Caloosahatchee estuary by storing and treating massive amounts of polluted water from Lake Okeechobee before sending it south to the Everglades.”

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Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024 ■ Page 12 captivasanibel.com Island Reporter

Island lIvIng

Report your news to cAPTIvASAnIBEL.cOM

SPD releases Sanibel library offers range of programs and topics weekly blotter As Sanibel continues to recover from Hurricane Ian, the Sanibel Police Department is committed to keeping the community safe and secure. To support that effort, a weekly police blotter will be issued on Tuesday that will include real time information about law enforcement response to criminal activity.

Other enforcement actions ∫ On Jan. 31, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for a tag light violation. The driver was subsequently issued a warning for the tag light violation, a citation for unknowingly driving with a suspended license and a notice to appear for failure to register a vehicle. The driver’s license and vehicle tag were both seized and the vehicle was towed from the scene. ∫ On Jan. 31, a traffic stop was initiated after a vehicle was observed driving on the wrong side of the road and running a stop sign. The driver was subsequently issued citations for careless driving, running a stop sign and not wearing a seatbelt and a notice to appear for never having a driver’s license issued. The vehicle also had a seize tag order and was towed from the scene. ∫ On Feb. 1, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for excessive speed. The driver was subsequently issued a citation for unlawful speed and a notice to appear for never having a driver’s license issued. ∫ On Feb. 1, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for excessive speed. The driver was subsequently issued a warning for speeding and a notice to appear for never having a driver’s license issued. ∫ On Feb. 2, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for excessive speed. The driver was subsequently issued a warning for speeding and a notice to appear for never having a driver’s license issued. ∫ On Feb. 2, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for excessive speed. The driver was subsequently issued a warning for speeding and a notice to appear for never having a driver’s license issued. ∫ On Feb. 5, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for running a stop sign. The driver was subsequently issues a citation for running the stop sign and a notice to appear for never having a driver’s license issued.

Enforcement operations statistics From Jan. 30 to Feb. 5: ∫ Alarm calls (business and residential): 3 ∫ 911 non-emergency calls: 11 ∫ Traffic crashes: 4 ∫ Radar details: 43 ∫ Traffic stops: 58 — Citations issued: 38 — Written warnings issued: 8 — Verbal warnings issued: 28 ∫ Residential area checks: 376 ∫ Business area checks: 157 ∫ Total area checks: 887 ∫ Reported burglaries: 1 ∫ Reported thefts: 1 ∫ Total CAD calls: 1,179 February 2024 to date: ∫ Alarm calls (business and residential): 1 ∫ Non-emergency calls: 7 ∫ Traffic crashes: 2 ∫ Radar details: 25 ∫ Traffic stops: 43 See BLOTTER, page 13

The Sanibel Public Library provides a variety of programming for adults and children.

With support from the Sanibel Public Library Foundation, the library has launched a series of virtual author talks to include bestselling authors and thought leaders. The next one will take place on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. with New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award Winner Jason Mott. He will discuss his recent novel, Hell of a Book.”

Mott is the author of two poetry collections and four novels. His first novel, “The Returned,” was adapted for TV and aired on ABC under the title “Resurrection.” His following novels have received various accoSANIBEL PUBLIC LIBRARY lades and acclaim. “Hell of a Book” won the Sir Walter Raleigh Award for The Sanibel Public Library will host a virtual author talk on Feb. Fiction Winner, was a Carnegie 20 with Jason Mott.

People can request tickets on the library's homepage at Medals For Excellence Longlist nominee and was the https://sanlib.org/, by calling the library at 239-472winner of the 2021 National Book Award for Fiction.

A question-and-answer session with the author will 2483 or coming into the library. A current library card will be required in order to request tickets. follow.

Additionally, the library has the following programs To register for the author talk, visit scheduled. https://libraryc.org/sanlib/upcoming.

Today, Feb. 14, “Frankincense and Other Aromatic For help setting up or logging into webinars, contact Tree Resins Throughout History” will take place from 10 islandlibrary@sanlib.org or 239-472-2483.

Partnering with the foundation, the library is hosting to 11 a.m. Staffer Matt Gindling will provide an olfactothe 2024 Author Series. Each of the intimate events are ry experience that delves into the historical uses of botanfollowed by a champagne reception and book signing. ically derived resins within the cultures and religions of The next speaker will be Nathaniel Philbrick on March the world. See and smell some of the plant resins of the 14. A lottery for the event tickets will run from today, Old World. Some of the aspects that will be discussed will include their appearance in myths, uses in religious Feb. 14, to Feb. 21.

Names of those requesting tickets will be placed in the rituals and utilitarian applications.

“Women Warriors — Martial Arts for Women” will lottery and selected at random, with those selected notibe held on Feb. 15 from 10 to 11 a.m. Staffer and marfied by email. Requests made before or after that time will not be honored. The tickets are distributed at no tial arts instructor Eden Sherman will present an introcharge to library cardholders. It is one card per person duction to the Korean martial art of Taekwondo. It will be and two tickets per card.

See LIBRARY, page 15

The Sanibel School The Sanibel School, at 3840 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, reported the following:

Students of the Month announced The Students of the Month for January are: Cecilio Gonzalez in kindergarten; Lainey Baker in first grade; Katrina Quallich in second grade; Cash Kamperman in third

grade; Wesley Harris in fourth grade; Mia Baldwin in fifth grade; Keeva Clark in sixth grade; Ava Andrews in seventh grade; and Genevieve Haas in eighth grade.

Spelling Bee participant, essay winner Seventh-grader John Harris will participate in the School District of

Lee County's Spelling Bee on March 7 at Three Oaks Middle School in Fort Myers. He was selected by an informal Spelling Bee in Global Perspectives.

In addition, John will be recognized as the winner of the Voice of the Constitution Essay Contest on Feb. 21 at the Lee County School Board meeting.

For more information, call 239472-1617 or visit sbl.leeschools.net.

American Legion American Legion Post 123 reported that Happy Hour will be held on Thursday, Friday and Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. The Tiki Hut will be open on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and on

Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. It serves burgers, hotdogs and other specials. There are TVs available for sports. The Post is open to the public. Membership applications are also

available. For more information, call 239-579-0130 or visit American Legion Post 123 Sanibel Florida on Facebook. Post 123 is at 4929 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.

Sanibel Public Meetings The following public meetings/hearings are scheduled: ∫ Today, Feb. 14: Sanibel Fire

and Rescue District meeting at 9 a.m. at Station 171, at 2351 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel. For more information

or the agenda, visit www.sanibelfire.com.

— Citations issued: 18 — Written warnings issued: 7 — Verbal warnings issued: 20 ∫ Residential area checks: 268 ∫ Business area checks: 107 ∫ Total area checks: 611 ∫ Reported burglaries: 1 ∫ Reported thefts: 1 ∫ Total CAD calls: 802

Important reminders

Reporting suspicious activity Anonymous tips regarding crimes or suspicious activity can be submitted via Tip411: ∫ Text the keyword SANIBEL then your tip to 847411. ∫ Web tips can be submitted at https://www.tip411.com/tips/new?alert _group_id=22450. ∫ Use the free “Sanibel PD” app for your Android or iOS device.

The SPD's non-emergency line is 239-472-3111.

Find the SPD on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SanibelPoli ce.

captivasanibel.com

Any residents or contractors who may be missing any scaffolding or prehung doors are asked to contact SPD Detective John Eicher at 239-4723111.

When leaving Sanibel, motorists are encouraged to travel east on Periwinkle Way. In order to minimize the number of vehicles driving through residential neighborhoods and increase traffic flow, priority is being given to vehicles eastbound on Periwinkle. Motorists using Bailey Road southbound, Lindgren northbound and Periwinkle westbound may experience additional delays as traffic flows are adjusted for efficiency.

The 2024 Annual Beach Parking Permits are available at the Sanibel Recreation Center and are valid from the date of purchase through Nov. 30.

The 2023 permits have expired and are no longer valid.

The city of Sanibel's 2021 and 2022 Hurricane Re-entry Passes are still valid. If you have one, you do not need to re-apply for a new pass.

Information on the Sanibel Boat Ramp: ∫ The boat ramp is open to permit holders on weekdays, weekends and holidays. ∫ The boat ramp is open to the public (non-permit holders) on weekdays that are not holidays for a $40 daily fee. ∫ Commercial use of the boat ramp is prohibited. ∫ Fines for violations at the boat ramp are $250.

Roadside parking on Sanibel is not allowed except in the case of special events requiring a permit. It is enforced and can result in a $150 fine.

Solicitation is not allowed on Sanibel. Please share any photos of solicitation hang tags to police@mysanibel.com or use Tip411.

Page 13 ■ Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Blotter From page 12

Island Reporter

Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024 ■ Page 14 captivasanibel.com Island Reporter

SPORTS

Report your news to capTivasaniBEl.coM

DDWS reports on refuge programming and more

CITY OF SANIBEL

Recreation center provides update on activities, events The Sanibel Recreation Center reported on the following upcoming programming.

Throughout February, Wild Card Wednesday will be offered on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Access an array of card and board games.

Free for members; non-members must purchase a pass.

A Fun Day will take place on Feb. 16 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It will offer a variety of heartthemed crafts, games and swim time. Enrollment is open for kindergartners through eighth-graders.

Each child will need to bring a bagged lunch, water bottle, swimsuit, goggles, towel and sunscreen.

Cost is $30 for members and $40 for non-members.

Presented by the Sanibel Recreation Department, Backyard Games will be held on Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sanibel Community Park, at 2231 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Attendees can enjoy a variety of games for free, including volleyball, football, soccer, shuffleboard and cornhole. All ages are welcome. The activities will be weather permitting. Also, Kona Ice will be available for purchase.

A Fun Day will take place on Feb. 19 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It will offer a variety of heartthemed crafts, games and swim time. Enrollment is open for kindergartners through eighth-graders.

Each child will need to bring a bagged lunch, water bottle, swimsuit, goggles, towel and sunscreen.

Cost is $30 for members and $40 for non-members.

A Lee Health Blood Drive will be held on Feb. 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donors must: weigh at least 115 pounds; be at least 17 years old, or 16 years old with parental consent; be in general good health with no cold, flu, sore throat and such; and bring a photo ID with date of birth if a new donor.

The center is open on Mondays through Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A variety of memberships, passes and punch cards are available.

For more information, visit https://www.mysanibel.com/government/recreation2.

The Sanibel Recreation Center is at 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge provided the following updates for the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel: ∫ The Winter Lecture Series is running from now through March 21. ∫ The refuge is offering Free Winter Programs from now through March 30. ∫ Clyde and Niki Butcher will make a special presentation about their art on April 4. ∫ The refuge will host a unique Solar Eclipse Viewing on April 8. ∫ The “Ding” Darling Day Conservation Carnival will be held on April 20 at Lakes Park in Fort Myers. ∫ The 12th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament will take place on May 10. ∫ Photographer-artist Niki Butcher's “Daydreaming” exhibition kickoff has been postponed until the late fall.

Shell museum to hold adult education class The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium will hold a “Bivalves Identification” class on Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon at its facility, at 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel. A combination of lecture and hands-on learning, participants will become familiar with principles of natural history and biology of bivalves.

There will be an emphasis on soft parts and shell features that impact their classification and are used in identification. It will include an overview of Southwest Florida species and how to identify them. Participants may bring a few shells for observation and identification. Cost is $40 for museum members and $50 for non-members. For more information or to register, visit ShellMuseum .org/classes.

REFUGE/DDWS

Meet at The Roost on Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. for the Early Morning Birding advanced caravan tour.

REFUGE/DDWS

Flamingo sighting at refuge complex During a J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge bird rookery survey last week — the first of the 2024 season — biologists spotted a group of American flamingos on Skimmer Island in the Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge, part of the Sanibel complex. Although many mistake roseate spoonbills for American flamingos, they are rare at the refuge but have become more common since Hurricane Idalia in 2023. American flamingos have curved bills, whereas roseate spoonbills get their name from their flat, spatulate bills.

Sunset birding cruise planned Captiva Cruises and the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation will offer an educational sunset birding cruise on Feb. 16 from 4:45 to 6:45 p.m., departing from McCarthy's Marina, at 11401 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva. While cruising the Pine Island Sound, participants will hear about the ecology of the back bay estuary, learn about the SCCF's shorebird monitoring program, watch birds coming in to roost, identify birds along the way and receive updates on the islands' bird populations. Tickets are $45 per person and $35 for ages 2-12. The proceeds will help to support the SCCF’s program. For more information or reservations, call Captiva Cruises at 239-472-5300 or visit https://sccf.org/calendar/.

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

p.m. Gafgen will speak about her time as a lavender farmer in New Jersey.

She will talk about the history of lavender, its properties and how to grow it, plus demonstrate how to use the buds and oil in a variety of products.

“Strengthen & Stretch” be held on Feb. 17 from 9:30 to 10 a.m. for ages 4-10. The class will combine energetic movements, playful stretches and calming breathwork. Participants should wear comfortable clothing.

Registration is required by contacting Gafgen at sgafgen@sanlib.org.

On Feb. 17, “Strengthen & Stretch” for tweens and teens will be take place from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.

Experience a mix of bodyweight exercises and mindful breathing techniques Registration is required by contacting Gafgen at sgafgen@sanlib.org.

A Saturday Crafterday will be held on Feb. 17 from 11 a.m. to noon. Professional artist and coloring book creator Melissa Gindling will

lead a Cat Paper Craft session.

On Feb. 19, R.E.A.D to Rizzo will take place from 3 to 4 p.m.

Rizzo is a trained Reading Education Assistance (R.E.A.D.) Dog. The program encourages conversation and develops reading and communication skills. Registration for a time slot is required by contacting staffer Megan Willis at mwillis@sanlib.org.

For the most up-to-date information, visit the calendar at https://sanlib.org/.

Library cards are available to residents of Sanibel and Lee County at no charge. Visitor library cards are available for a $10 annual fee.

The Sanibel Public Library is open Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, call 239472-2483 or visit https://sanlib.org/.

The Sanibel Public Library is at 770 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.

San Cap Orchid Society to hold meeting The Sanibel Captiva Orchid Society will meet on Feb. 19 at 12:30 p.m. at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

The guest speaker will be Jim Roberts, owner of Florida Suncoast Orchids in Myakka City. He will discuss rebuilding one's orchid collection post-hurricane. Roberts has been growing orchids for over 25 years in climates from Minnesota to Southwest Florida, where he moved in 2001. His orchid nursery includes over 10,000 square feet of growing space.

An orchid sale and a plant raffle will be held. In addition, those with an “ill or hurricane damaged orchid” in need of diagnosis can bring the plants to the meeting for the show-and-tell portion.

For more information, visit www.sancaporchid .org.

People’s Choice From page 1

The People's Choice Champion trophy that the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District retained claim to.

SANIBEL FIRE AND RESCUE DISTRICT

From left, the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District's team this year was made up of engineer-paramedic Bryan Clement, team leader and engineer-paramedic Arian Moore and firefighter-paramedic Mike Tejeda, along with Deputy Fire Chief John DiMaria and probational firefighter Ronnie Petito.

From left, Sanibel Fire and Rescue District engineerparamedic Bryan Clement and firefighter-paramedic Mike Tejeda work on their winning chili at the 5th Annual Lee County Chili Challenge. bread topped with a chipotle cream Battalion Raiders, PFC Paul E. Ison to Towers/FDNY. cheese.

Marine Corps League Det. 90, Polish As in past years, the proceeds from this “That kind of balanced out the heat of Legion of American Veterans, Retired year's competition will benefit the Tunnel the chili,” Moore said.

Fire Chiefs, South Trail Fire Cadets, to Towers Foundation, Injured Warriors As usual, the team arrived at the site South Trail Fire District Benevolent Fund of Florida and Collier-Lee Honor before the sun was even up and secured its Association, South Trail Fire Protection Flight. normal spot. and Rescue Service District, and Tunnel “At 7 o'clock, we started chopping and cooking. All the meat and everything is cooked the day of,” he said, noting that they probably made five or six gallons of chili, which included 10 pounds of meat.

The one gallon left that was brought back to the fire station did not make it through one shift.

As for next year's competition, the team is already planning.

“We already have our changes in mind,” Moore said. “We take the whole year to work it out.”

Jerry's Foods sponsored the team.

“They provided everything that we needed food-wise, which is awesome,” he said.

Moore also thanked those who supported and voted for them.

“We had a lot of people throw us the People's Choice, whether it was islanders or not,” he said.

The other participating teams were the Disabled American Veterans, Lee County The Fort Myers Fire Department earned Judges' Champion at the 5th Annual EMS, Oasis High School JROTC Shark Lee County Chili Challenge on Feb. 3 at Stu's Motorcycles in Fort Myers.

Island Reporter

“We're happy to have it for another year,” team leader and engineer-paramedic Arian Moore said, adding that the judges even said they won by a “wide margin” when announcing the winners.

The Fort Myers Fire Department reclaimed the title of Judges' Champion — the team's third time overall earning the recognition. Last year, it went to Lee County Emergency Medical Services.

The first year of the competition, the Sanibel team won the judges' title.

“Both (trophies) would be great, but we like the People's Choice. The big one is the big one, but it's judged by very few people,” Moore said, explaining that three judges made up this year's panel.

“The People's Choice was judged by 350 people,” he added.

For this year's chili, Moore and Deputy Fire Chief John DiMaria, engineer-paramedic Bryan Clement, firefighter-paramedic Mike Tejeda and probational firefighter Ronnie Petito stuck with what works.

“It's kind of our proprietary recipe, but we tweaked it some. We added a little more spice to it,” he said, adding that the accoutrement was a sweet jalapeno corn-

captivasanibel.com

interactive and participants will be led through a series of stretching, exercises and drills. Participants are asked to wear clothing that allows for movement and athletic shoes.

On Feb. 16, “Ancestry Library Edition and Stories From the Digital Archive” will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Staffer and tech expert Andrew Dyen-Shapiro will introduce different features of Ancestry Library Edition. A presentation about the library's digital archive, narrated by Sanibel historian Betty Anhol, will follow.

Family Storytime for ages 5 and under and their caregiver will be held on Feb. 16 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. with staffer Shannon Gafgen. Sing, read, question and move around during the stories, followed by early literacy centers of play to flex minds, motor skills and creativity. The program will include an art/craft center.

On Feb. 16, “Introduction to Lavender” will take place from 2 to 3

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Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024 ■ Page 16 captivasanibel.com

F.I.S.H. approves application for long-term recovery F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva reported that it recently approved one of its first applicants for its Long-Term Recovery program, which it launched to continue to assist survivors of Hurricane Ian. In January, it canvassed the community with the help of F.I.S.H. and Florida Gulf Coast University volunteers to assess the recovery needs of those living or working on Sanibel and Captiva. When F.I.S.H. announced the program, the applicants were the first in line to apply for possible assistance.

homes only. F.I.S.H. is available to assist if certain conditions are met. If it cannot help, it can refer applicants to other organizations or programs.

To apply, an application must be completed. It is available at https://www.fishofsancap.org/ or can be picked up from F.I.S.H., at 2422 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Certain documentation and an initial intake session with Lopez will be required. For questions, contact 239-472-4775 or nitza@fishofsancap.org.

For more information about F.I.S.H., visit https://www.fishofsancap.org/.

Dillon From page 1 After being sworn in, Dillion took up the seat on the dais.

“I want to thank the council for entrusting (me with) the next four months — and let everyone that's listening and also in the room know that I will do this to the best my ability,” she said. “My door is open. I welcome your suggestions, your complaints, and I'll do the best I can to represent you.”

The other candidates who applied for the partial appointment were Michael Barnhart, Albert Hann, Melissa Lehman, Timothy Moore, Josh Plumb and Chuck Sterrett.

Also at the meeting, the council approved the following in separate 5-0 votes: ∫ An ordinance amending the Land Development Code related to vegetation standards by adding a definition for coconut

palms and redefining them as a noncompeting exotic species. ∫ An ordinance amending the LDC to update conditional use permit standards for docks, boat davits, boat lifts and mooring piling in the Bay Beach Zone and to marine accessory structures standards. ∫ An ordinance amending the LDC related to fees and vegetation standards. ∫ An ordinance amending the LDC to update special event applications and the conditions for the granting of permits.

Also during the meeting, the council held the first reading for an ordinance that would amend the LDC related to mixeduse development to provide incentives to create housing opportunities for Sanibel workforce and streamline permit process-

es for such development. The second reading is set for March 5.

In other news ∫ At the request of the Captiva Community Panel, the council voted 5-0 for administrative staff to engage in discussions with the CCP on fact finding regarding annexation and what is possible. ∫ In a presentation, Planning Department Deputy Director Craig Chandler and FEMA Community Assistance staff provided an overview of the technical assistance provided to the city to develop a long-term community recovery plan. ∫ In a presentation, Utilities Deputy Director Jason Goodrich and consulting firm

Tetra Tech provided an analysis of related improvements necessary to accept additional wastewater flow from Captiva. ∫ In a presentation, Lee County Human and Veteran Services Deputy Director Jeannie Sutton provided an overview of the Individual Housing Programs through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. ∫ Natural Resources Director Holly Milbrandt gave an update on the beach nourishment project. ∫ The council discussed two draft ordinances regarding milestone inspections for aging condominiums and Below Market Rate Housing (BMRH) increased density.

Both were advanced to first readings.

Ian funding From page 1 ing a K-8 that we will get a lot of money to rebuild but won’t get it all,” he said, adding that there is an out-of-pocket expense to add middle school grades to the school. “We want to note that you are getting a K-8 when only lost an elementary school.”

Island Reporter

“It's been a long road for this couple,” F.I.S.H. Disaster Case Manager Nitza Lopez said of the island residents. “Through a review of their application, conversations and inspections, we determined financial assistance was needed for this case.”

The program is available to those who live — homeowners and tenants — or work full-time on the islands. The amount of financial assistance is limited and may only cover partial payments toward the cost of repairs, up to a maximum of $15,000 for primary

Bernier said the former Hector A. Cafferata has not been taken down yet because they are waiting for full approval from FEMA. “If we take it down without their final approval, we run the risk of them saying we would like to look at one more

thing,” he said.

Imperium Consulting Group Director Joseph Mascali said although the district did have campuses impacted by flooding, the majority of the damage was wind and rain driven damage.

The NFIP flood insurance coverage

was for Fort Myers Beach Elementary School, The Sanibel School, Lexington Middle School and Diplomat Middle School. Total payments so far include 81 checks for $5.2 million.

Read the full article for free online by visiting www.captivasanibel.com.

support the School District of Lee County has received from “our governor, Senate, House, and especially from our strong local legislative delegation.”

“Working hand in with our local legislators last year and this year has contributed to legislative success that this district hasn’t seen in many years.

These successes lead to continued student achievement,” he said.

The board’s 2024 legislative priorities include deregulation, increased student achievement, safety, teacher certification and retention, post-Hurricane Ian recovery and school facilities utilization.

School board From page 2 The board was able to meet individuals from the House and Senate, as well as the Governor’s Legislative Affairs staff and both the House and Senate Policy Budget staffers.

“I believe that we must stay engaged and let them know what our district, children and team need to be a world-

class school system. It is all of our responsibility to pay attention to what is happening in the state for they represent all of us,” Jordan said. “It is important that we keep the dialogue going and let them know the needs of the district and state.”

Fisher said he truly appreciates the

Business Notes From page 8

Doc Ford's donates to children's hospitals Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille raised $11,101 for area children's hospitals in 2023 from its Hospital Drink program.

For every “Hospital Drink” sold off

its menu, the restaurant donates $1.

Money from the sales at the Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach restaurants goes to the Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers. Proceeds raised at the Jungle Terrace and St. Pete Pier restaurants benefit the John

Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg.

The program originated in Southwest Florida in 2006 as a fundraiser for the Golisano Children’s Hospital. Since introducing the initiative, over $123,000 has been donated to the hospitals.

CFI From page 8 tie together. It aims to give them added leadership skills and a deeper dive into the islands' DNA. The thinking is that as current leaders of nonprofits retire, there will be knowledgeable passionate volunteers ready to step in and keep the momentum going.

“The remarkable contributions the members of our founding class made in the aftermath of (Hurricane) Ian showed us the effectiveness of the program and the need to continue,” CFI Executive Director Dolly Farrell said.

“It’s important to continue building the corps of leaders who will guide the restoration and continued conservation of these islands.”

As a highlight of this year's opening session, former Central Intelligence Agency Director and first Sanibel Mayor Porter Goss provided historical perspective with help from his son, Chauncey, founding and managing

partner of Goss Practical Solutions. Goss disagrees when people say the job of mayor must have been harder for him than today's mayor.

“You have got challenges ahead of you that are unbelievable, challenges we could never have dreamed of,” he said. “You have fewer tools to use in some ways and some of those tools are under attack.”

Goss cited a few of those as: ∫ How to manage the massive number of repairs and the amount of restoration still required following Ian without destroying the islands’ unique feel. ∫ What to do about access with the lone causeway at one end of Sanibel, requiring Captiva residents to make a long drive on a crowded two-lane road to their homes. ∫ What if there is a movement to build a second bridge, this one connecting Captiva to the mainland.

Letter From page 4 keep giving the terrorist proxies. While packing food and supplies for the IDF at an army base in the Negev Desert, I met troops coming and going from Gaza.

They also haunt me. The hostages are on their minds constantly, and provide motivation to fight. Israel is a tiny country. It is almost impossible to find anyone who was not touched by the Oct. 7 massacre. The day before I came back to the United States, I sat Shiva — a time for emotional healing — with one of the hero’s family members. The deceased soldier’s father told me how much America’s support is valued. I feel like we let him down.

If you are interested, the Congressional roll call on HR 7217 can be viewed at https://clerk.house.gov /Votes/202438.

Talk it over with your representatives.

Georgianne Nienaber Sanibel He said these are issues with which today’s leaders must grapple and they should.

“The desire to keep the dream alive is very, very strong,” Goss said. “It’s still Sanibel. It’s still Captiva.

And it’s still worth the fight.”

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 14, 2024

Chance for islands to support a mix of causes Page 18

aLSOinSidetOday aLSOinSidetOday aLSOinSidetOday aLSOinSidetOday Shell Shocked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Island Worship . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Island Beat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 In the Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Recipe of the Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Santiva Islanders Calendar . . . . . . . . 22 CROW Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 BIG ARTS Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 The Community House Calendar . . . . 22

Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024 ■ Page 18 captivasanibel.com Sanibel-Captiva Islander

Life is short?

What are you kidding me?

Who says life is short? If you live to be ninety you’ll have seen the dawn of a new day some 32,850 times. Yes, we would live 32,850 days.

Now how would you like to listen to the clang of the same alarm clock for about 20,000 of those days?

It’s hard to imagine the magnitude of the number 32,850 if you take the attitude that life is short. I take the attitude that life is long, not short. If I realized when I was twenty that I’d still have up to 20,000 more Art Stevens days — that’s 20,000 not 2,000 or even 5,000 — but 20,000, I would have slowed myself down a bit. I would have done more things then that I enjoy now, like nap a lot.

And if you divide the number of days you’d live until the age of ninety by 24 hours a day it would boggle your mind even further. You’d live 788,400 hours. In minutes? It would be 47,304,000 minutes.

Who said we don’t have a minute to waste.

During the course of 47,304,000 minutes I’d say that some of those minutes could easily and guiltlessly be wasted. And that would also dispel the theory that there’s never enough time to do everything.

During 47,304,000 minutes you could eat 5,000 tons of Wheaties and drink more than 20,000 pints of beer.

Time moves slowly for some, quickly for others.

I would imagine if you’re serving sixty days in jail — or 1,440 hours — time might indeed pass very slowly. After all, how many times could you reread the Superman comic book you’ve been rationed?

And time can move very quickly if you’re having fun. If you’re sky diving from 20,000 feet up not only is your body hurtling through space at a breakneck pace but it would only seem like a minute from top to bottom.

Contrary to science fiction it hasn’t been proven yet that we can fool around with time. We have not yet found a way to time travel either backwards or forwards. We can’t predict the future. We even have difficulty learning from the past. Time is relentless though. A ninety-year old man may live 32,850 days but that’s chicken feed compared to the universe.

The planet earth is estimated to be billions of years old. What’s ninety years out of that total? And for all we know earth may be around another billion years — assuming we can survive a few more tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, forest fires, mudslides, avalanches, melting ice bergs, global warming — and several more late night talk show hosts.

So is life really short? Compared to what — algae? Grass? Ivory Soap? Everyone agrees that people will live considerably longer as time goes on.

So will those 32,850 days that now make up ninety years evolve into 64,000 days? Only time will tell but time rarely tells us anything. Our generation is living considerably longer than our great grandfathers did. And that’s because our great grandmothers gave as good as they got.

But whatever happens after we find our eternal rest, there will still be 24 hours or 1,440 minutes to every day. Use it or lose it.

Shell Shocked

Art Stevens is a long-time columnist for the Sanibel-Captiva Islander. His tongue-in-cheek humor is always offered with a smile.

Upcoming island fundraisers to focus on variety of interests

By TIFFANY REPECKI

trepecki@breezenewspapers.com

Over the coming week, the community has the opportunity to support a mix of local causes — the Sanibel historical museum, college scholarships and island organizations, and misplaced and abandoned animals from Hurricane Ian. Kingfisher Real Estate & Vacation Rentals will present the Matchmaker Adoption Event on Feb. 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Community House on Sanibel. Next up, the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club will host SanCap Soul on Feb. 17 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at TCH. Lastly, the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village will hold its Gala Celebration on Feb. 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. at TCH.

Matchmaker Adoption Event At the first annual Matchmaker Adoption Event, there will be animals available for adoption, along with a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and door prizes. Bailey's General Store and Island Store wine steward Calli Johnson will serve up wines, while Chef Melissa Donahue, of Sweet Melissa's Cafe, will have hors d'oeuvres on hand.

The fundraiser will benefit area rescues like Cat Tails and More, Haven on Earth Animal League, Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida and Max's Ark. One hundred percent of the funds raised will be donated to the affiliates to aid animals that were misplaced and abandoned from the storm.

Tickets are $50 in advance or $65 at the door; those under age 18 are free.

For tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/matchmaker-adoption-event-tickets-781521209977.

For more information, contact Kingfisher at 239-4724411 or 239-472-2100.

If you go What Matchmaker Adoption Event When Feb. 16 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Where The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Details Tickets are $50 in advance or $65 at the door; those under age 18 are free

If you go What SanCap Soul When Feb. 17 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Where The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Details Tickets are $50 per person

SanCap Soul A celebration of the soul of Sanibel and Captiva, SanCap Soul will feature a cocktail hour with heavy hors d'oeuvres, soul music tunes, a presentation of the club's impact and progress it has made since the hurricane, and a live auction and “lots of love’’ led by Rotarian and local auctioneer Tommy Williams.

“We feel the name tells our story and that the evening will prove that Rotarians really care about the soul of islands,” he said.

The auction items will include a $5,000 gift certificate to Congress Jewelers, original artwork by Sanibel artist Rachel Pierce, boating excursions, a dinner for 12 at Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market and a behind-thescenes tour for 10 with cocktails included at the BaileyMatthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium.

The fundraiser will serve in lieu of the the club's Annual Arts & Crafts Festival this year.

“The festival is our primary fundraiser. It typically generates more than $100,000, which is distributed to various nonprofits,” Rotarian and event chair Scot Congress, who also spearheads the annual festival, said.

“Sadly, the lack of visitors on the island made this year's event impractical. Our nonprofit recipients' need is the greatest ever — SanCap Soul is our effort to fill the gap.”

All of the proceeds will go directly toward the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Trust Fund. The funds will be awarded to organizations and nonprofits locally, regionally and internationally through grants.

Locally, the club funds several college scholarships and it helps to support organizations like BIG ARTS, F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, the historical museum, the shell museum and TCH, plus Habitat for Humanity and the Harry Chapin Food Bank.

Tickets are $50 per person.

For tickets, visit www.sanibelrotary.org.

For more information, contact Maria Espinoza at 239314-4712.

Gala Celebration Marking the 40th anniversary of the historical museum, the Gala Celebration will kick off with a Hurricane Cocktail Hour at 5 p.m., which will feature a specialty Bubbly Bee Hurricane. Catering by Leslie Adams will serve up heavy hors d’oeuvres, which will be available all evening with drinks.

Cyclone Showtime will take place at 7 p.m. It will

If you go What Gala Celebration When Feb. 20 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Where The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Details Tickets are $150 each

entail the premiere of “Wreckage, Resilience & Recovery: The History of Hurricanes on Sanibel & Captiva,” the new documentary by award-winning producer and local documentarian Ken Sneeden. The film, which was in the works before Ian made landfall in September of 2022, focuses on the history of hurricanes on the islands.

Tying in with the documentary, three local meteorologists will be in attendance as special guests and will share their storm memories. Robert Van Winkle served as chief meteorologist for 14 years at NBC2, covering Hurricanes Charley, Wilma and Irma before retiring in 2018. Rob Duns joined NBC2 in 2014, forecasting through Irma and Ian. Zach Maloch returned this year to WINK News after a previous stint at WINK from 2016-19.

Gladiolus and rubies — symbolic of a 40th anniversary — will take center stage to add a touch of history to the fundraiser. The museum noted that Fort Myers, once the gladiolus capital of the world, had gladiolus farms in the Iona district, contributing significantly to the area's agricultural heritage.

Tickets are $150 each.

Island festive attire is encouraged.

For tickets, visit www.SanibelMuseum.org.

For more information, contact Executive Director Mark Harmon at mark@sanibelmuseum.org or 239-4724648.

The Community House is at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

Sanibel native speaks on Spanish Seminoles

REFUGE/DDWS

Shell Find Cabrit murex found on Captiva Sue Rosckes, of Glencoe, Minnesota, found a Cabrit murex on Feb. 1 at about 1 p.m. near the Alison Hagerup Beach Park on Captiva. After shelling all week with her sister and another girlfriend, who themselves found great shells, she finally found her own rare and beautiful one. To report a shell find, contact 239-4721587 or trepecki@bre ezenewspapers.com.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Sanibel-Captiva Islander

A descendant of the Spanish Seminoles, who once populated Sanibel, and an eighth-generation island native, David Rahahęętih Webb spoke about his book, “The Spanish Seminole: The Untold History of the Spanish Indians as Told by a Descendant,” to a full house on Jan. 22 during a J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge presentation. The book presents a detailed account of the Spanish Indians of Sanibel and beyond — their history, culture and legacy — using newly uncovered documents, primary sources and oral histories. The presentation included images, artifacts and Webb's own artwork, which has earned him the honor of artist-in-residence at the Everglades National Park for October.

on Feb. 5, also encourages exercise and being outdoors.

Not to mention good sportsmanship on the part of the adult players, who lost this year to the students with a 64 final score.

To donate to support the upkeep and programming for the WoW efforts, visit https://interland3.donorperfect.net /weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E54182&id=12.

captivasanibel.com

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge reported that the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge's Wildlife on Wheels visited Hancock Creek Elementary in the Tice community in Fort Myers from Jan. 19 through Feb. 1.

The WoW then moved on to Orange River Elementary, also in Tice, where it will remain through Feb. 15.

The refuge has a special relationship with the Tice community, recognized as a “food desert” for its standards of nutrition and food availability. The DDWS reported that one initiative, in partnership with the University of Florida Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), has been its Soccer for Success program, which teaches youths nutrition lessons in a context with which they are familiar — soccer.

In its third year, the program culminates each school year with a soccer match pitting students against refuge REFUGE/DDWS and IFAS staff. This year's competition, which took place

Page 19 ■ Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Refuge’s WoW teaching in Tice

Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024 ■ Page 20 captivasanibel.com Sanibel-Captiva Islander

ISLAND HOME

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Sanibel Captiva

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F.I.S.H. to hold distribution event In partnership with the United Way's Gifts-in-Kind Program, F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva continues to distribute furniture and rebuilding supplies through its Hurricane Ian Point of Distribution (POD) program. The next event will take place on Feb. 16 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the WalkIn Center, at 2430 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. The program is available to Sanibel and Captiva residents and workers; recipients must show proof of residency or employment.

Bring a vehicle large enough for the items and some extra hands to lift them. For more information, contact Disaster Administrative Director Manuela Martinez at 239-4724775 or manuela@fishofsancap.org.

DDWS hosts estate planning seminar

Monstera philodendron

Representatives from three local legal, tax accounting and financial advisory firms teamed up with the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge on Jan. 30 for a free Estate Planning 101 panel presentation. The speakers included: wills, trusts and estate planning attorney Janet Strickland; Trevor Swartz and Jack Thomas, managing directors and partners at HighTower Advisors/Thomas and Swartz Wealth Management; and Wiltshire, Whitley, Richardson, and English certified public accountant Brad Shipley.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Monstera philodendron works indoors, outdoors The Monstera philodendron (Monstera deliciosa) is one of the most popular and iconic of the philodendrons. The vining forest crawler originated in the tropics of Central America, and it is used to warm humid environments, making it a perfect plant for Florida’s tropical temperate climate. This climber will grow up to 70 feet long if left to ramble up a nearby palm or tree. As it clings to the trunk of a tall palm tree, the leaves provide beautiful texture and color making it a great companion to a plain sabal palm, for instance.

You may also keep your Monstera at a manageable size by planting it in a container indoors. With the design trends moving toward more indoor plants, the monstera is a real favorite because of the interesting variations in the leaf patterns. The color and appearance of a monstera depends on the level of sunlight it receives, even though it grows well in a range of sunlight exposures. In full sun, the Monstera will take on a lighter brighter green, developing some sun spots from consistent exposure. Shady conditions will create a more intense, dark green appearance. Regardless of color, the Monstera will still hold true to its nickname — “Swiss cheese” plant — as it is known for the distinct cuts and holes found in its large leaves.

Caring for your Monstera should not require too much stress. Regular pruning is needed to maintain the monstera as a groundcover to keep it from crawling up a structure or tree unintentionally. The plant does not prefer overly wet conditions, so regular watering and well-draining, sandy soil is best.

Monstera will only tend to produce a flower when left to flourish outdoors. Whether indoors or out, this philodendron is truly an interesting favorite.

In The Garden is a joint effort by all at the local garden center, at 3889 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel. For more information, contact 239-3955859 or visit www.facebook.com/rswalshinthegarden.

REFUGE/DDWS

Trust company to serve as sponsor The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company was a heart sponsor for Community Housing & Resources' Give Your Heart To CHR Gallery Gala on Feb. 3 at The Community House on Sanibel. It supported a heart sculpture painted by local artist Taryn Manning. The event proceeds benefitted CHR and affordable housing on the islands.

From left, The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company Sanibel Office President Jeff Muddell, gala Chairperson Shelley Greggs, company founder and Chairman S. Albert D. Hanser, and Megan Marquardt.

THE SANIBEL CAPTIVA TRUST COMPANY

COTI contributes to Protect Captiva fund On Jan. 17, the Committee of the Islands contributed $5,000 to the Captiva Civic Association's Protect Captiva Legal Fund. The funds will support its legal challenge against recent amendments to the Lee County Land Development Code related to the island regarding building height and density limitations.

From left, Captiva Civic Association Board Treasurer and Protect Captiva representative Lisa Riordan, Committee of the Islands President Larry Schopp, CCA Board President Pam Rosen and CCA Executive Director Emily Hess Ankerson.

COMMITTEE OF THE ISLANDS

By CHEF LORETTA PAGANINI Everyone appreciates fruit desserts, especially when they are homemade and hot out of the oven. Their wonderful aroma spreads through the whole house. Enjoy this easy-to-prepare recipe for a delicious apple gallette.

Serves eight. (Chef tip: Do not overwork the butter dough and keep it chill or it will become tough.)

Pastry: 1 cup ice water 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt Zest of one lemon 1/2 cup and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold

To prepare the apple filling, heat butter and sugars in a large saute pan until sugar is melted. Add apples and saute. Add lemon juice, zest, cinnamon and cloves. Add corn starch and mix in thoroughly. Cook in pan until the apples are caramelized (lightly browned) and mixture is thicker. Set aside to cool.

Preheat oven to 425°.

Combine flour, sugar, salt and lemon zest. Cut cold butter into mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in three to five tablespoons of ice water, one tablespoon at a time, until dough forms into a ball. Flatten the ball of dough into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for approximately 20 minutes until well chilled.

On a lightly floured surface, cut chilled dough into four equal parts. Roll each ball into a small disk about 1/4-inch thick.

Place apples filling onto gallettes, leaving approximately 1-inch along the edges.

Fold sides toward the middle. Brush edges with milk and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake for 20-30 minutes or until dough is golden brown. Serve with caramel sauce.

Loretta Paganini

Pour cold water, lemon juice and sugar in a tall sauce pan, stir and heat over medium heat. Cook until the sugar is a medium red brown. Remove from the heat and pour in hot cream immediately, being very careful. Stir in the butter and vanilla and stir until smooth.

Topping: 1 tablespoon milk 2 tablespoons sugar

CROW Calendar Foundation shorebird biologist Audrey Albrecht will present “Shorebirds” in-person and via Zoom. Cost is $10. To register, visit http://www.crowclinic.org/. ∫ Wednesday, Feb. 21 Program of the Week at 11 a.m.

The presentation will be the presenter's choice.

Admission is $12 for ages 13 and older, $7 for ages 4-12 and free for ages 3 and under.

In addition, CROW offers a Wildlife Walk Hospital Tour on Mondays through Fridays after the daily presentation.

Limited to 12 people; participants must be age 10 or older. The cost is $25 per person; advanced registration and payment is required. To register, contact 239-4723644 ext. 229 or reservations@crowclinic.org.

For more information, visit http://www.crowclinic.org/ or call 239472-3644.

BIG ARTS Calendar BIG ARTS, at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, will present the following:

Film Series “One Fine Morning” (2022) will be shown on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12.

Workshop Fluid Art with Tammy DeCaro will be held today, Feb. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $39 for donors and $48 for non-donors.

Workshop Zentangle White-on-Black Tiles with Donna Lee Cole will be held on Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $39 for donors and $48 for non-donors.

Performing Arts Alan Bibey and Grasstowne will perform on Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $59 for adults and $10 for students.

Workshop Painting Seascapes, Beaches, and Dunes in Oil with Douglas David will be held on Feb. 19-20 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $345 for donors and $423 for non-donors.

Lecture Series The FORUM will be held on Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m., with a livestream option available. Dr. Stephanie Edgerly will speak on “The End of News? How Media Audiences Are Changing.” Tickets are $55 for adults and students are free.

Registration is required for workshops by calling 239-395-0900.

For more information or tickets, visit www.bigarts.org.

Keep Sanibel beautiful...Please recycle!

Island Worship ∫ Bat Yam Temple of the Islands 2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel (Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ), https://www.batyam.org/, https://www.facebook.com/batyamsanibel/ Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer Sabbath service on Friday at 7 p.m. and via Zoom. For Zoom links, email batyamsanibel@gmail.com. ∫ Captiva Chapel by the Sea 11580 Chapin Lane, Captiva, 239-472-1646, https://www.captivachapel.com/, www.facebook.com/Captiva-Chapel-By-The-Sea Rev. Dr. Doug Dortch Ash Wednesday Service today, Feb. 14, at 4 p.m. In-person service on Sunday at 11 a.m. through April. Bible Study on Feb. 21 at 11 a.m. in the chapel yard.

Services will be videotaped and posted on the chapel's website and Facebook page.

Services from the past season can also be found online. ∫ Chavurat Shalom of Southwest Florida www.chavuratshalomofsouthwestflorida.org Classes and discussion on Thursday at 11 a.m. via Zoom. Torah Talk on the third Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. via Zoom. Friday Shabbat service at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Len Minsky Current Events discussion on Saturday at 11 a.m. via Zoom.

An informal “schmooze” session on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. For Zoom links, email ChavuratShalom@gmail.com. ∫ Sanibel Community Church 1740 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-2684, https://sanibelchurch.com/, https://www.facebook.com/sanibelchurch/ Pastor Jeramie Rinne Sunday service at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. in the SCC Sanctuary. Services will be recorded and posted on the SCC's YouTube channel on Monday. ∫ Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ 2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-0497, https://www.sanibelucc.org/, https://www.facebook.com/sanibelucc/ Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Mark Boyea Sunday service at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. ∫ Saint Isabel Catholic Church 3559 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, 239-472-2763, https://www.saintisabel.org/, https://www.facebook.com/stisabelcatholicchurch/ Father Edward Martin Friday Mass at 9 a.m. Saturday Vigil Mass at 4 p.m. Sunday Mass at 8:30 and 10 a.m. ∫ Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-2173, https://www.saintmichaelssanibel.org/, https://www.facebook.com/saintmichaelssanibel/ Rev. William “Bill” Van Oss Saturday service at 5 p.m. in the Sanctuary, with a social to follow. Sunday service at 8 and 10:30 a.m., with a coffee hour to follow each.

Report your news to THE ISLANDER:

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Sanibel-Captiva Islander

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife's Visitor Education Center, at 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, will present the following: ∫ Today, Feb. 14 Program of the Week at 11 a.m.

The presentation will be about CROW. ∫ Thursday, Feb. 15 Program of the Week at 11 a.m.

The presentation will be about “Sea Turtles.” ∫ Friday, Feb. 16 Program of the Week at 11 a.m.

The presentation will be about “Birds of Prey.” ∫ Monday, Feb. 19 Program of the Week at 11 a.m.

The presentation will be about “Wildlife Conservation.” ∫ Tuesday, Feb. 20 Program of the Week at 11 a.m.

The presentation will be about CROW. Speaker Series at 4 p.m.

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation

Caramel sauce: 1/2 cup cold water 1 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

captivasanibel.com

Apple filling: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar 4 apples, peeled and sliced thinly 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon zest 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1 tablespoon corn starch

Page 21 ■ Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Recipe of the Week: Apple Gallette with Caramel Sauce

Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024 ■ Page 22 captivasanibel.com

islandBEAT islander Sanibel Captiva

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Cielo, 1244 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

SCOTT MCDONALD 5 to 8:30 p.m.

SCOTT MCDONALD 5 to 8:30 p.m.

SCOTT MCDONALD 5 to 8:30 p.m.

SCOTT MCDONALD 5 to 8:30 p.m.

MudBugs Cajun Kitchen, 1473 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

SLIMTRONIC5000 5 to 8:30 p.m.

YARD DOG CHARLIE 5 to 8:30 p.m.

PRESTON HAMILTON 5 to 8:30 p.m.

BRIAN BEARDEN 5 to 8:30 p.m.

ROY SCHNEIDER 5 to 8:30 p.m.

J.D. INGALLS 5 to 8:30 p.m.

ANTHONY PICONE 5 to 8:30 p.m.

RC Otter's Island Eats, 11506 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva

ROYCE ALLGOOD noon to 4:30 p.m.

FRANK THOMSON 5:30 to 10 p.m.

SAMUEL FELKER noon to 4:30 p.m.

PAT MCCUNE 5:30 to 10 p.m.

ARON SEYFFERTH noon to 4:30 p.m.

FRANK THOMSON 5:30 to 10 p.m.

ROYCE ALLGOOD noon to 4:30 p.m.

FACE2FACE RENITA AND PAUL 5:30 to 10 p.m.

SAMUEL FELKER noon to 4:30 p.m.

GEO RODERICK 5:30 to 10 p.m.

ROYCE ALLGOOD noon to 4:30 p.m.

PAT MCCUNE 5:30 to 10 p.m.

ROYCE ALLGOOD noon to 4:30 p.m.

GEO RODERICK 5:30 to 10 p.m.

Traders, 1551 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

PETER REDPATH 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

DANNY MORGAN AND JOHN MCLANE DUO 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

DANNY MORGAN 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

PETER REDPATH 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

JOHN MCLANE 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

DANNY MORGAN 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen, 1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

CHRIS WORKMAN 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

JENNY VE 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

MEAGAN ROSE AND AARON 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

BUCKEYE KEN 5:30 p.m.

KARAOKE 8:30 to 10 p.m.

SCUCC to hold homecoming, installation The Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ will host a homecoming and an installation on Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. at 2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. During the morning worship celebration, the Rev. Dr. Mark Boyea will formally be installed as senior minister and there will be a dedication for the return to the renovated Sanctuary. A reception will take place after the service. RSVPs are requested at 239-472-0497.

Sanibel-Captiva Islander

The Community House Calendar The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, will present the following:

Painting with Friends Painting with Friends will be held today, Feb. 14, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Bring you own supplies.

Cost is a $10 donation at the door.

For more information, contact Jane Hudson at janehudsonpainter@ yahoo.com.

Complimentary Presentation Robin Cook, of Suncoast Equity Management, will host “Your Island Home, Finances & Future” on Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon. A panel of local experts in real estate, insurance and lending will share their outlook and answer questions related to market value (now and future), insurance costs/options, lending opportunities and interest rate trends. The panelists will include: John Gee, of John Gee & Company Realtors; Chris Heidrick, of Heidrick & Co. Insurance; and David Wright, of Sanibel Captiva Community Bank. RSVPs are required by contacting 239-2468124 or rcook@suncoastequity .com.

Shellcrafters The Shellcrafters will meet on Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the lobby. A shell crafting class will take place at 10 a.m.; it is free and supplies range from $5-10. Items will be available for sale. All sales benefit the operations of TCH.

Painting with Friends Painting with Friends will be held on Feb. 21 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Bring you own supplies. Cost is a $10 donation at the door. For more information, contact Jane Hudson at janehudsonpainter@ yahoo.com.

Shell Critter Kits are available for purchase in a variety of different options. Cost is $5 per kit with all of the supplies included, except for glue. Order them in-person at TCH or call 239-472-2155.

TCH is accepting art vendors for the 87th Sanibel Historical Annual Shell Festival on March 7-9.

Reservations are available for 8foot tables for $150 and include all three days.

TCH office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, visit www.sanibelcommunityhouse.net or contact 239-472-2155 or office@sanibelcommunityhouse.net.

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SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY SCOTT MCDONALD 5 to 8:30 p.m.

MICHAEL DAVID 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

BUCKEYE KEN 6 to 9 p.m.

Santiva Islanders Calendar The Santiva Islanders will present the following:

Cardio and Strength Mahnaz Bassir will host Cardio and Strength today, Feb. 14, from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Parish Hall at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. It will involve light to moderate aerobics, strength and balance exercises, and stretching. Bring water and a towel; no mat is required. Light weights may be brought. Cost is $5 per class and $60 per month for members or $10 per class and $120 per month for nonmembers.

Leisure Lunch A Leisure Lunch will be held on Feb. 15 from noon to 1 p.m. at Cielo, at 1244 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Attendees will order and pay individually. For more information or to reserve a spot, contact Deborah Butler at deborahpbutler@comcast.net.

Social Bridge Social Bridge will be held on Feb. 15 from noon to 2:30 p.m. in the library at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Cost is $5. For more information, contact Bryant Korn at bryantekorn@gmail.com.

Social Mahjong Social Mahjong will be held on Feb. 15 from noon to 2:30 p.m. in the music room at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

Cost is $5. For more information, contact Beth Funderburg at bfundy4648@gmail.com.

Coffee & Conversation Coffee & Conversation will be held on Feb. 16 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the library at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

Volunteers will be available to answer questions, register new members, sign up for activities and more.

Cardio and Strength Mahnaz Bassir will host Cardio and Strength on Feb. 16 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Parish Hall at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. It will involve light to moderate aerobics, strength and balance exercises, and

stretching. Bring water and a towel; no mat is required. Light weights may be brought. Cost is $5 per class and $60 per month for members or $10 per class and $120 per month for nonmembers.

Coffee & Conversation Coffee & Conversation will be held on Feb. 19 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the library at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

Volunteers will be available to answer questions, register new members, sign up for activities and more.

Cardio and Strength Mahnaz Bassir will host Cardio and Strength on Feb. 19 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Parish Hall at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. It will involve light to moderate aerobics, strength and balance exercises, and stretching. Bring water and a towel; no mat is required. Light weights may be brought. Cost is $5 per class and $60 per month for members or $10 per class and $120 per month for nonmembers.

Happy Hour at MudBugs Happy Hour at MudBugs will be held on Feb. 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. at MudBugs Cajun Kitchen, at 1473 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

Enjoy happy hour drink and appetizer specials.

Participants will order and pay individually.

Cardio and Strength Mahnaz Bassir will host Cardio and Strength on Feb. 21 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Parish Hall at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. It will involve light to moderate aerobics, strength and balance exercises, and stretching. Bring water and a towel; no mat is required. Light weights may be brought. Cost is $5 per class and $60 per month for members or $10 per class and $120 per month for nonmembers.

The Santiva Islanders serve all adult islanders and visitors, regardless of age. The cost is $25 for an annual membership. The Island Seniors raise funding to help defray the cost of the program activities.

For more information, visit https://santivaislanders.org/ or contact santivaislanders@ gmail.com.

Sanibel artist Lacy McClary and local musician Slimtronic5k will host a Live & In Color showcase on Feb. 15 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, at 2301 First St., Fort Myers.

It will benefit the Pace Center for Girls, Lee and Pace Center for Girls, Collier at Immokalee.

Featuring a blend of live arts and entertainment, McClary will paint and complete a large abstract design comprised of 12 smaller 48-inch by 60-inch canvases.

The demonstration will be accompanied by performances — opening acts by Carling Witt and Sun State Blues and headliner Slimtronic5k. Slimtronic5k will be accompanied by a band of local artists, including Sheena Brook, Matt Anastasi, Alan Linder, Caleb Neff and Rick Setser.

At the end of the show, four of the 12 canvases — valued at over $8,000 each — will be awarded via a prize drawing, and the remaining eight paintings will be donated to Pace.

Tickets are $55 per person or $100 per couple; admission includes one entry per person for the drawing. Additional drawing entries may be purchased at one for $20 or six for $100.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Lacy McClary Presented by Dorcey Law Firm, additional event sponsors include Garramone Plastic Surgery, The Treasure Chest, Worthington Realty, MudBugs Cajun

Slimtronic5k Kitchen and Crowther Roofing.

For more information or tickets, https://www.sbdac.com/Live-In-Color/.

visit

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Shell Find

Page 23 ■ Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Fundraiser to benefit local Pace Center programs

Sanibel-Captiva Islander

Junonia found on Sanibel SANIBEL-CAPTIVA ROTARY CLUB

From left, Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club member and Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium Executive Director Sam Ankerson with Rotarians Linda Arnold, John Danner and William Harkey.

Rotary delivers wheelchairs to shell museum The Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club recently provided two wheelchairs to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium on Sanibel. The museum had lost its wheelchairs for visitors during Hurricane Ian, and volunteer and Rotarian Linda Arnold approached the club about

possibly procuring new ones. With the assistance of the Wheelchair Foundation and Rotary's District 6960 Wheelchair Committee Chairman Jim Fabry, they were delivered by Rotarians John Danner and William Harkey.

Saint Michael and All Angels to host gathering Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church will host its next Messy Church on Feb. 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. This month's theme will be “Celebrating Small Things.” Held on the second Sunday, it is a free event for families. Attendees can take part in themed activity stations and crafts, plus activities, games and a community meal. For more information, visit https://www.saintmichaels-sanibel.org/.

Terry Piotrowicz, of Missouri, found his second junonia this year on Feb. 7 at about 7:30 a.m. while walking on the beach east of the Sundial Beach Resort and Spa on Sanibel. He found the first

shell on Jan. 30. To report a shell find, contact 239-472-1587 or trepecki@breezenewspapers.com.

PHOTO PROVIDED

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Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024 ■ Page 24

Program in advance of music festival In advance of the Sanibel Music Festival, a free presentation will be held on Feb. 21 from 11 a.m. to noon in Fellowship Hall at the Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ, at 2050 Way, Sanibel.

Periwinkle Musicologists Erik Entwistle and

Zonta to present Jukebox Bingo

BANK OF THE ISLANDS

From left, Bank of the Islands' Richard Shera, Children’s Education Center of the Islands Executive Director Michelle Keltner, head teller Heather Harrison, CECI Board Treasurer Matt Gaudreau and bank Vice President David Lowden.

Bank of the Islands supports CECI Sanibel-Captiva Islander

Tom Cimarusti will provide littleknown and esoteric information about composers and eras tied to the works that will be performed during the festival. For more information, visit www.sanibelmusicfestival.org.

Bank of the Islands announced that it has made a long-term commitment to education at the Children’s Education Center of the Islands

on Sanibel. The bank's $5,000 gift will be recognized with the naming of a bench on the CECI campus.

In partnership with The Community House, the Zonta Club of SanibelCaptiva will host Jukebox Bingo on Feb. 21 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the facility, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. It is a twist on the game using music from the '60s and '70s as the basis for completing the familiar cards. There will be gift card prizes, plus a cash bar and snack table by donation. Tickets are $20 at door; seats will be limited. All proceeds will fund programs that improve the lives of women and girls locally and internationally. For more information, visit www.zontasancap.org or follow Zonta Sanibel-Captiva on Facebook.

Page 25 ■ Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024 captivasanibel.com

Sanibel-Captiva Islander

Week of Wednesday, February 14, 2024 ■ Page 26 captivasanibel.com Sanibel-Captiva Islander

CLINIC FOR THE REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE

WILD About CROW raises over $1M

BANK OF THE ISLANDS

From left, Richard Shera of Bank of the Islands, Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club members Tom Sharbaugh, Jeff Blackman and Shannen Hayes, bankers Vanessa Flynt and Heather Harrison, member Dave Bunch and bank Vice President and Kiwanian David Lowden.

Bank of the Islands to serve as sponsor Bank of the Islands is a Gold Sponsor for the Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club's annual Kiwanis Spaghetti Dinner. It is also an auction contributor and selling the

event tickets in its lobby. The dinner will take place on Feb. 24 from 4 to 10 p.m. at The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. The proceeds fund recre-

ational and educational activities for island youth, plus a scholarship program. For more information, visit www.sanibelkiwanis.org.

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife raised more than $1 million at its annual fundraiser, “WILD About CROW,” on Jan. 26 at the Burroughs Home and Gardens in Fort Myers. The funds will go toward the $2 million project to rebuild its Sea Turtle Complex on Sanibel that was destroyed by Hurricane Ian. Sanibel residents Bill and Laurie Harkey donated $750,000 to the fundraising efforts to jumpstart the evening. More than an additional $250,000 was raised. Attendees donned their animal print attire, and the theme and decor were focused on turtles. Hosted

by ABC7 anchor Jen Stacy, bidding on silent and live auction items contributed to the funds raised.

Attendees received a limited edition Tunaskin shirt with Sanibel artist Myra Robert's original art of a sea turtle, special to CROW.

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