Fort Myers Beach Observer/The Beach Bulletin

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By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

F o r t M y e r s B e a c h L o c a l P l a n n i n g Agency Chair Anita Cereceda called on the town council to address permits for commercial mobile trailers, which she compared to a “rolling snowball” that “will roll over us ”

The town has allowed commercial business trailers since Hurricane Ian for those with existing businesses that were

damaged by Hurricane Ian and needed a way to still open a businesses while they rebuild their structures

Since then, mobile businesses have opened in locations where they didn’t previously exist which Cereceda is concerned has grown out of hand The town code prohibits mobile vendors, Cereceda said “What is the end game? Where are we going with this?”

“Businesses that were not on the island

before the storm are being able to rent from owners of property and put up a new b u s i n e s s T h a t w a s n o t t h e i n t e n t , ” Cereceda said “If you are going to continue to allow individual businesses to come to the island, where does that stop? What are the provisions you are going to make? What are the requirements?”

Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers said the original thought was to give businesses the “right of first refusal” for busi-

By NATHAN MAYBERG

Tnesses to have trailers at their properties while rebuilding and if they weren’t able to operate their own trailers, to allow them to bring in outside trailers Allers said the original plan was to allow trailers for six months up to 18 months Allers said the state law changed that to up to 36 months

“I don’t know how that works for commercial,” Allers said

Fort Myers Beach Attorney Becky

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

Florida legislation that has led to battles statewide over what books are acceptable in the classroom, claimed a Lee County high school teacher who had been recognized multiple times by the School District of Lee County as one of its best teachers

Mike Andoscia, a North Fort Myers High School teacher who had earned commendations as a Golden Apple Teacher of Distinction in the district, resigned from his job in January after he said he refused to cover up more than 600 of the books in the library of his classroom while they were undergoing district review, a new state requirement

At the time of his resignation, Andoscia was also under an administrative investigation for what he believes was the way he addressed another controversial state law governing the use of preferred pronouns for students in the classroom

In January, on the day after Martin Luther King Day, Andoscia arrived at his classroom in the morning to find that all of the books in his classroom had been removed They had been taken to the filing room and he was told by the school’s principal to take them home

“At first it was confusion I don’t think outrage is specific enough,” Andoscia said about his feelings when he saw his books were gone from the classroom “I was just outraged ” He took a video of the room and posted it on YouTube

He met with North Fort Myers High

Mike Andoscia

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P ro d u c t

State restrictions on local fertilizer bans opposed

county and municipal elected officials, represent a nonpartisan coalition concerned about the potential preemption of local urban fertilizer ordinances

“I thought it was important to make our voice heard on all the various facets of keeping our water clean,” Atterholt said “I would encourage folks to reach out to their state legislators and share their concerns about this key water quality issue The runoff of nitrogen and phosphorus from these fertilizers has a direct impact on red tide and blue-green algae ”

Locally, the letter was also signed by Cape Coral Councilmember Jessica Cosden, Cape Coral Councilmember Robert Welsh a n d F o r t M y e r s C o u n c i l m e m b e r T e r e s a Watkins Brown.

The letter, sent to Gov DeSantis, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and House Speaker Paul Renner, urges them to “reject any bill or measure that would restrict or remove the ability of a local government to regulate urban fertilizer application ”

Last year, Florida legislators and DeSantis stopped all new strong urban fertilizer ordinances with a year-long moratorium

The body of the letter:

February 29, 2024

Governor Ron DeSantis

Senate President of the Florida Senate, Kathleen Passidomo

S p e a k e r o f t h e F l o r i d a H o u s e o f Representatives, Paul Renner

Florida Senators

Florida House Representatives

u p

p o r t f o r S t r o n g L o c a l

G o v e r n o r D e S a n t i s , S e n a t e P r e s i d e n t P a s s i d o m o , H o u s e S p e a k e r

Renner, and Florida State Legislators:

e

Sand project likely finished before shore birds nest

To the editor:

I thought I would take a few minutes to address in a letter to the editor some inconsist e n c i e s p r o v i d e d t o T h e O b s e r v e r f r o m MERTF in the recent article concerning the sand haul project

Even though the shorebird and seabird nesting season starts Feb 15, the shorebird and seabird nesting typically starts after the breeding period in March and the nesting begins thereafter So that being said, the sand haul project on Big Carlos Point should be fin-

As leaders charged with protecting our constituents, keeping Florida’s waterways clean is a top priority Water quality is of utmost importance to our health, our environment, and our economy From the beaches to the bays, Florida’s tourism industry and local businesses require clean water

Multiple forms of pollution, including agricultural runoff, sewage, and industrial waste harm our environment and economy In all cases, preventing pollution is the most cost-effective solution Urban fertilizer ordinances are a tool that local governments have to reduce the amount of fertilizer (nitrogen and phosphorus) pollution escaping from urban lawns and landscapes Limiting when and where fertilizer can be applied can c o m b a t e x c e s s i v e n u t r i e n t r u n o f f i n t o streams, rivers and bays The addition of nitrogen and phosphorus into water bodies fuels harmful and nuisance algal blooms, like red tide and blue-green algae, leading to human health impacts, degraded water quality, and negative impacts to local businesses If we lose our ability to reduce urban fertilizer pollution, progress towards attaining cleaner waters will suffer as will the local economies dependent upon clean water

We strongly urge the Florida Legislature to reject any bill or measure that would restrict or remove the ability of a local government to regulate urban fertilizer application.

Respectfully,

Jen Ahearn-Koch

Vice Mayor, At-Large Sarasota, Sarasota County

Mary Alford, PE County Commissioner, District 1

ished well before the nesting starts The urgency of the project starting as soon as possible by the Town and the State takes that timeline into consideration

There is no natural tidal inlet from the Gulf to the lagoon through the area of the sand haul project on San Carlos Point as stated by MERTF Chairman Steve Johnson The lagoon has not been connected to the Gulf since 2014 and is not presently connected to the Gulf by any waterway since Hurricane Ian Only when there is storm surge does the Gulf flow over into the lagoon The occasional surge into the lagoon does not make the lagoon tidally con-

Alachua County

Jim Atterholt

Vice Mayor

Fort Myers Beach, Lee County

Joseph Ayoub

Mayor

Safety Harbor, Pinellas County

B J Bishop

Town Commissioner-At-Large

Longboat Key, Sarasota County

Emily Bonilla

County Commissioner, District 5

Orange County

Thomas Bradford

Village Council Member, Seat 1

Tequesta, Palm Beach County

Woody Brown

Mayor

Largo, Pinellas County

Rebecca Bruner

Mayor

Stuart, Martin County

Ray Christman

City Council Member

Naples, Collier County

Edward Ciampi

County Commissioner, District 5

Martin County

Harry Cohen

County Commissioner, District 1

Hillsborough County

Christopher Collins

City Commissioner, Group 3

Stuart, Martin County

Christopher Constance

County Commissioner, District 2

Charlotte County

Jessica Cosden

City Councilmember, District 7

Cape Coral, Lee County

Ed Dodd

Mayor

nected to the Gulf Also, MERTF refers to lagoons as plural, there is only one lagoon post Ian

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has never stated the lagoon or previous lagoons were connected to the Gulf of Mexico or that they are tidal, just the contrary The DEP agreed with the expert testimony during a State hearing that the lagoon is not tidal or navigable The Judge at the State hearing agreed and ruled the lagoon is not connected to the Gulf and therefore is non tidal and non-navigable Regarding MERTF com-

20 See

See

LETTERS, page

What is Colon Cancer?

The American Cancer S o c i e t y e s t i m a t e s t h a t about 106,590 new cases o f c o l o n c a n c e r i n t h e United States will present themselves this year, with about 46,220 new cases of rectal cancer

I f y o u e x c l u d e s k i n c a n c e r s , c o l o n c a n c e r i s t h e t h i r d m o s t c o m m o n c a n c e r d i a g n o s e d i n t h e United States. It is more common in older adults; h o w e v e r , p h y s i c i a n s a r e seeing more young people with the diagnosis

In recognition of March a s C o l o n C a n c e r

Dr. Leandro Moraes

Guest Commentary

A w a r e n e s s m o n t h , t h e r e a r e t h i n g s e v e r y o n e should know to prevent this potentially d e a d l y d i s e a s e S c r e e n i n g s f o r c o l o n cancer can be done to detect it early, w h i c h h a s t h e b e s t s u r v i v a l r a t e . Knowing what symptoms and risk factors to look out for keeps patients vigilant about their own health

What is Colon Cancer?

The colon is the large intestine or large bowel and the rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus Colon cancer causes the cells in the colon or rectum to grow out of cont r o l M o s t c o l o n c a n c e r s s t a r t a s a growth called polyps on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Some of them can change into cancer over time, but not all of them will become cancer and the likelihood of them turning into the disease depends on the type of polyp This can be determined during a screening

There are a variety of reliable ways to detect colon cancer This is why it’s important to find out if you have a family history of colon cancer to discuss it with your physician and get regular colorectal cancer screenings starting at age 4 5 , a s r e c o m m e n d e d b y T h e U S Preventive Services Task Force If you have a family history of the disease, y o u r p h y s i c i a n m a y r e c o m m e n d y o u begin screenings before you turn 45 Colon Cancer Screenings

Finding colon cancer early means a better chance at recovery Colon cancer screening tests can find precancerous polyps that can be removed before they turn into cancer

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults who are 45 to 75 years old be screened If you have a family history or experience any s y m p t o m s a n d r i s k f a c t o r s o u t l i n e d below, discuss with your primary care physician whether you should be tested before you’re 45 years old If no polyps are found, patients typically don’t need another screening for another 10 years

The Task Force recommends several t y p e s o f s c r e e n i n g s , i n c l u d i n g s t o o l t e s t s , f l e x i b l e s i g m o i d o s c o p y , a colonoscopy, or CT colonography (virt u a l c o l o n o s c o p y ) Y o u r d o c t o r c a n determine which one is right for you You can schedule your own screening by v i s i t i n g w w w l e e h e a l t h o r g t o l e a r n more

Colon Cancer Symptoms

Many people with colon cancer do not show symptoms right away They begin to appear overtime, depending on how big the cancer is and where it’s located inside the large intestine, which is part of the digestive system, or gas-

trointestinal system.

S y m p t o m s o f c o l o n cancer can include:

∫ A change in bowel habits, including more frequent diarrhea or constipation

∫ Blood in the stool ∫ Rectal bleeding

∫ Ongoing discomfort in your stomach, such as cramps, gas or pain

∫ A f e e l i n g t h a t t h e b o w e l d o e s n ' t e m p t y a l l the way during a bowel movement

∫ Losing weight without trying

Ri s k Fac to rs A s s o c i ate d w i th Co l o n

Cancer

If you experience any of the symptoms outlined above and are in a risk category for colon cancer, please make an appointment with your physician as soon as possible If colon cancer is detected at an early stage before it’s spread, there is a five-year survival rate at about 90%, a c c o r d i n g t o t h e A m e r i c a n C a n c e r Society

Risk factors for colon cancer:

∫ A family history of colon cancer or polyps

∫ African Americans are about 20% more likely to get colon cancer, according to the American Cancer Society

∫ Some DNA changes that increase the risk of colon cancer run in families

Lee Health offers genetic testing For more information, please contact your physician or visit www leehealth org

∫ Inflammatory bowel diseases can increase colon cancer

∫ A l o w - f i b e r , h i g h - f a t d i e t (However, research in this area has had mixed results )

∫ Not exercising regularly

∫ Diabetes

∫ Smoking

∫ Drinking too much alcohol

∫ R a d i a t i o n t h e r a p y f o r c a n c e r directed at the abdomen

Lifestyle Changes to Help Lower the Risk of Colon Cancer

Making healthy lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of colon cancer

∫ Eating a balanced diet with a varie t y o f f r u i t s , v e g e t a b l e s a n d w h o l e grains with needed vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants will ensure the body gets the nutrients it needs, and it can potentially help reduce the risk of colon cancer and other diseases

∫ Drinking alcohol in moderation or completely abstaining will help lower the risk The standard is one drink a day for women and two for men

∫ Taking steps to quit smoking will also keep your body healthy

∫ Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day is another way to keep your body sharp

While the number of people under age 50 getting colon cancer has been increasing, it is still most prevalent in adults older than 50 years old

If you have an increased risk of colon cancer, are experiencing any potential symptoms, or would like more information, please make an appointment with y o u r p h y s i c i a n b y v i s i t i n g w w w l e ehealth org

Dr Leandro Moraes is a physician with the Lee Health Cancer Institute.

Diamond in the sand

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

For DiamondHead Beach Resort General Manager Neil Hopgood, waiting wasn't an option

Not for the sand he needed to replenish the beach behind his Fort Myers Beach resort and the dunes that had been washed away nearly one year and a half ago by Hurricane Ian

The resort recently embarked on a project, which has received approval from the Department of Environmental Protection, to acquire 30,000 cubic yards of sand to restore its beach to conditions before Hurricane Ian The resort is undertaking the work with funds out of its own pockets rather than wait for the town's beach renourishment project The project will also entail the planting of dunes and other vegetation to protect the sand from eroding

“We will have sea grapes, sea oats, all the plants that will bind the sand and stop any erosion,” Hopgood said

The sand being used is the same the town used for its emergency berm that was funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and which goes across the beach Hopgood said the berm helped protect the resort from two-to-four feet of storm surge during Hurricane Idalia "It's a testament to the FEMA berm," Hopgood said

The DiamondHead Beach Resort was built to withstand one of the worst hurricanes in American history

Seagate names director of development

Marc Taglieri

Seagate Development Group has appointed Marc Taglieri as director of business development, a new role added to the company’s expanding team As d i r e c t o r o f b u s i n e s s d e v e l o p m e n t , T a g l i e r i will focus on new luxury h o m e s , h o m e r e n o v at i o n s a n d c o m m e r c i a l d e v e l o p m e n t o n F o r t M y e r s B e a c h , S a n i b e l and Captiva “ M a r c ’ s e x t e n s i v e experience in real estate and new home construct i o n i s a n a s s e t f o r Seagate as we expand our presence along Fort M y e r s B e a c h a n d o n S a n i b e l a n d C a p t i v a islands,” said James A. Nulf Jr., president of Seagate Development Group “As homeowners seek to renovate their properties or homebuyers are looking to build a new custom home, Marc can work directly with them to help bring their dreams to reality ”

Prior to joining Seagate, Taglieri worked for Pfeifer Realty Group, one of Southwest Florida’s most respected brokerages and spent nearly a decade with Pulte Homes In 2021, he was honored as Salesperson of the Year by the Southwest Florida Building Industry Association and in 2022, he was named Pulte Homes Sales Consultant of the Year Taglieri also has 15 years of experience in educational administration leadership, as well as a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in teaching and educational leadership from the University of Virginia

Seagate Development Group purchased the Red Coconut RV Resort on Fort Myers Beach last year

NATHAN MAYBERG

The DiamondHead Beach Resort is placing 30,000 cubic yards of sand on its property and planting dunes and vegetation to protect the sand from erosion as part of a project approved by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection The resort is paying for the sand out of its own pockets

The resort was among the earliest businesses on the island to reopen after Hurricane Ian and served as a defacto town hall for the island for months serving as the site for town council meetings, public presentations as well as community meetings

The hotel initially opened to FEMA workers in December after power was restored by Thanksgiving after Hurricane Ian The hotel opened to the general public last April

“We had air conditioning when nobody did and meeting space to help the town council, LPA, fire district and library,” Hopgood said

While Ian wiped out the dunes and vegetation behind his resort and caused extensive damage to the hotel’s ground floor bar Cabanas and its pool, the pool has since been repaired and all 121 rooms have reopened Cabanas is on track to open in either mid-to-late April or May with a new stage area and kitchen.

The DiamondHead Beach Resort has earned a good

reputation amongst those who care about the environment on Fort Myers Beach The resort spent $1 million to install turtle-friendly windows and new sliding glass doors at a 28 tint which will prevent indoor lighting from interfering with nesting and hatching threatened sea turtles. The 28% tint is beyond the town’s 45% tint requirements for new windows The resort also installed turtle-friendly lighting in its parking lots

o r T h e

DiamondHead Beach Resort as tourists have returned The hotel was recently sold out for the week that Spring Training games began “They could have gone anywhere else, but they are staying on Fort Myers Beach to support the rebuild of the community,” Hopgood said Hopgood said visitors are not just tourists but those with friends and family in the area, or who have work here

“I'm really encouraged with how quickly we have gotten to this point,” Hopgood said. “Hopefully, we will be the leaders for the rebuild for the rest of the island ”

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Beach Living

Community Foundation accepting applications for scholarships

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

The Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation has begun accepting applications for its scholarship program

Anyone who lives on the beach or whose parent or guardian lives or works on Fort Myers Beach may apply, according to criteria listed on the organization’s website at fmbcommunityfoundation com

The scholarships are for students attending college, or who are enrolling in certificate courses, trade schools, pre-requisite classes or a general equivalency diploma

The scholarships are available to any student who lives or works in the Fort Myers Beach 33931 zip code, or who has a parent who lives or works in the 33931 zip code

Additionally, the Fort Myers Beach Community F o u n d a t i o n i s e x t e n d i n g s c h o l a r s h i p a p p l i c a t i o n offers to students who previously lived in the Fort Myers Beach area code but now live in a nearby community

Recipients can be either part-time or full-time students Preference will be given to those in financial need

The Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation also offers a $500 scholarship through Florida Southwestern State College for students from the Fort Myers Beach 33931 zip code

T o d o w n l o a d t h e s c h o l a r s h i p f o r m , v i s i t h t t p s : / / f m b c o m m u n i t y f o u n d a t i o n . c o m / s c h o l a r s h i pand-educational-support-program/

The deadline to apply is April 1

Beach Kiwanis scholarships available

Applications for the Beach Kiwanis Scholarship are now available on the Beach Kiwanis website: fortmyersbeachkiwanis org

Any graduating senior or college student who lives in the 33931 area code, has a parent, guardian or grandparent who lives or works in the 33931 area code or has a parent, guardian or grandparent who is a member of FMB Kiwanis may apply

The deadline to apply is April 5 If you have any quest i o n s , p l e a s e c o n t a c t P a u l a M c C a r t h y a t pmcfmb2003@yahoo com or 239-691-5381

Friends of the Mound House to hold fundraiser

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

The Friends of the Mound House will hold a fundraiser March 22 to support the historic Fort Myers Beach property The fundraiser, titled “Artful Intersection 4 0” will be held at the Mound House, the first gala held by the nonprofit organization since before Hurricane Ian

The fundraiser will begin at 5:30 p m on the Mound House grounds at 451 Connecticut St

“Last year we were conscious of how reeling and traumatized islanders and beyond were by Ian,” Friends of the Mound House President Ellen Vaughan said

The March 22 fundraising gala will feature a “lovely strolling supper,” also known as “hearty hors d’oeuvres,” Vaughan said That will be followed by a live auction The event title, Artful Intersection 4 0, “is a nod to the

beautiful precious jewel of the island that is the Mound House,” Vaughan said

Up for auction will be works of art and “experiences with our Fort Myers Beach Town Councilors,” Vaughan said

The Mound House hosted a small-scale concert last year as part of the Island Hopper Songwriters Fest and a non-ticketed free event called “Party for Preservation ”

The Mound House property incurred damage from Hurricane Ian and reopened last year after a rehabilitation project

The role of the Friends of the Mound House is to provide financial support to the Mound House for programing and preservation “We are hopeful guests are in a generous moods as they bid on auction items,” Vaughan said

T o p u r c h a s e a t i c k e t , v i s i t https://moundhouse org/friends-of-the-mound-house/

Scholarships awarded at Fort Myers Beach Art Association student show

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

Entering the Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts, the energy of the works of art lining up the walls for the Fort Myers Beach Art Association student scholarship wall was as palpable as if they were in a Harry Potter movie

So was the enthusiasm of the school’s students who attended the show to see the beaming artworks from the gifted students who displayed them

By the end of the show, there were three winners announced by the judges but every artist involved was a winner The amount of talent on display was enough to field a spring training art team

The grand prize went to Emily Morris, whose collection of artworks will help pay for her studies at the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design

FILE PHOTO

Gayle Crabtree Pergoli (right) stands with the artwork she won by former Town of Fort Myers Beach Councilmember Joanne Shamp at the 2022 “Strolling Supper” fundraiser for the Friends of the Mound House At left is Mound House volunteer Cherie Smith, who helped auction off the item The foundation will hold its first annual gala since Hurricane Ian on March 22 to support the Mound House

The students who took part in the annual Fort Myers Beach Art Association Student Scholarship Show at the Cypress Lake Center for the Arts

PHOTO PROVIDED

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Scholarships awarded

Second place went to Cristina Becerra, who is still deciding on which school to attend Third place went to Ella Morley, who is planning to attend the University of South Florida

The Fort Myers Beach Art Association donated $3,000 for the scholarship awards

There was no doubt as to the quality of work

For Morris, her art expresses her sentimentalism and is sometimes influenced by music she enjoys “I really like reminiscing,” Morris said From the colorful acrylic paint in “memories of a circus” that includes a carousel record she enjoyed as a child, to the charcoal on paper acrylic paint of her cat Nico next to a self portrait titled “MEOW,” the personality of Morris is communicated through her work.

“My favorite thing is I like the technical work I did with the charcoal,” Morris said “I like how smoothly it goes,” she said “You have to be really intentional ”

As part of her art education, Morris used oil pastels for the first time Other art pieces include paper mache a as part of an assignment titled “inaccessible design” that depicted handicapped access to a home and a turtleneck sweater with tea bags as part of another assignment

From page 8

Morris is interested in illustration

Like the other winners, Becerra excels at self portraits Her featured art includes a self portrait in graphite and mixed media Becerra’s vivide and thoughtful sharp self portraits are surrounded by mixed media with images of a cell phone, a cat and giraffes walking in a distance amid a sunset with messages cut out from magazines that say “calm” and “be like other people ” A touch of glitter adds to the spirit of the art

“I like how the collaging turned out,” Becerra said “it was my first time doing it ”

In another work, Berra explores psychology and subjects like her passions and balancing “ego” and “super ego ” Her art wrestles with the concept of “changing myself to fit for somebody.”

For Morley, much of her showcased work at the show revolves around self reflections including self portraits

See SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED, page 12

First prize winner Emily Morris

NATHAN MAYBERG

Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts students Emily Morris, Cristina Becerra and Ella Morley were honored with scholarships from the Fort Myers Beach Student Art Association for their exceptional artwork at the association's student scholarship art show.

Second prize winner Cristina Becerra

Third prize winner Ella Morley

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Town receives $7.7 million state grant for lighting

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

T h e T o w n o f F o r t M y e r s B e a c h announced it has received a state grant of $7,766,387 for turtle-friendly lighting for Estero Boulevard and side streets

The lighting will help replace lights lost to Hurricane Ian as well as fulfill new lights the town has been seeking for years along Estero Boulevard.

The town had requested the funding last year from the state and it was one of the few funding requests post-Hurricane Ian that the office of Gov Ron DeSantis

and the state division of emergency management provided to the town in a funding a n n o u n c e m e n t o n t h e a n n i v e r s a r y o f Hurricane Ian this past September.

The state initially announced that the funds would be allocated to Lee County for the lights though the announcement by the town indicates it will receive the funds directly

Town of Fort Myers Beach Manager Andy Hyatt referred questions regarding when the lights may be acquired and installed to the town clerk's office

Scholarships awarded

which are astoundingly close to real life O n e o f h e r s e l f p o r t r a i t s t i t l e d “Reflections” is an oil painting that was created with the help of a foldout mirror and photo.

“It was one of my first times working with oil,” Morley said “I am very proud of it ”

Another impressive work titled “Boxed In” was created with the use of acrylic paint She started the self portrait as a sophomore and finished it in her senior year Morley said the art is a commentary on the pressures of life

One of those pressures is the demands of applying to colleges, which she depicts in her painting “Meee.” In the painting, Morley is hiding behind her favorite s t u f f e d a n i m a l w h i t e t i g e r M o r l e y describes the stuffed animal, whose nose

From page 10

fell off but was saved by her mother, as her “last piece of innocence ”

“As you grow up, you get more caged in,” Morley said Morley said she enjoys a t t e n d i n g C y p r e s s L a k e H i g h S c h o o l Center for the Arts “It is a lot of fun with interesting project ideas It’s really fun The teachers are always there to help you,” she said “I like the process ”

Morley said the scholarship award “feels very surreal I’m very grateful ”

Fort Myers Beach Art Association President Joan Zeoli said the association wasn’t able to do the annual scholarship show last year due to Hurricane Ian, w h i c h d e s t r o y e d t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n ’ s gallery and impacted many of the group’s members “I’m so happy we were able to do it (this year),” Zeoli said

Council appoints McClean to LPA seat

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

The Town of Fort Myers Beach Council voted John McClean on to the seat on the Local Planning Agency

Monday

T h e s e a t w a s v a c a t e d b y F o r t M y e r s B e a c h

Councilmember Scott Safford Safford vacated his seat on the LPA after he was appointed by the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council last month to fill the seat vacated by former Councilmember Bill Veach Veach resigned his seat on the council in December over objections to the new state ethics law which requires extensive information about personal finances

McClean received four votes to the LPA seat from the town council Monday One vote was made for Edward Schoonover Also applying to the seat were Sal Pedone

Limits

From page 1

Vose said the 36-month limit for trailers was only for residential

“We have gotten to the point that we have to come up with an end date,” Allers said “We have to give enough time, I think, but we have to let people know this is going to be the end of it ”

Cereceda said a town resident recently spoke to her about her concern about the trailers on her street Cereceda said the resident told her “I don't want to live on a street full of trailers.”

“I will play the devil’s advocate on this,” Allers said “It’s not like the town is allowing a food truck on a residential property If it was a commercial space, a business is going on a commercial space ”

There has been some concern with the t y p e o f m o b i l e b u s i n e s s e s t h a t h a v e

and Debra Szekely

The votes were taken by written ballot and while the vote tallies were read aloud they were not identified as to which councilmember voted for each candidate

The council has been taking these ballots since at least last year. Without a public records request, the public is left in the dark as to which council member made each vote The Fort Myers Beach Observer has requested that the ballots be made public at the council meeting A Sunshine Law request seeking the ballots of the council members had not been responded to as of press time

Tuesday

Schoonover had previously applied for the vacant seat on town council Last fall, he applied for a seat on the Fort Myers Beach Marine and Environmental Resources Task Force during a controversial voted by the council

shown up on the island

Cereceda said “the devil has enough advocates ”

Allers asked what the recommendation was from the LPA

“Is it to tell them all to shut down and get off the island? Is it to not let any more from this day forward?”

Cereceda said “You can not start a new business with a mobile vendor It’s prohibited in our code Mobile vendors are prohibited in our code.”

Cereceda said there was no basis to allow new mobile businesses in town

“Don’t let the big picture redevelopment be sidetracked by allowing more mobile businesses that were not here before the storm,” she said

Cereceda said the town is being gener-

to replace two of its members on that committee with two non-residents Schoonover currently sits on the town's Anchorage Advisory Committee

On Monday, the town council also voted to name Councilmember John King the liaison to the town's M a r i

(MERTF) The committee had been without a liaison since the resignation of Veach

McClain is an AT&T retiree, who has owned property in town since 2014

At Monday's meeting, the council also appointed Safford as the council's liaison to the Audit Committee King previously was the council's liaison to the Audit Committee

ous in allowing some property owners to allow different businesses that weren’t there previously

Cereceda said the LPA is concerned about the town issuing temporary permits and “our fear is how it is going to stunt redevelopment on the island ”

Cereceda said the town has to think about “what temporary uses are doing to the big picture ”

Town demolition plans for buildings

On Monday, town council also discussed its plans to place notices on homes deemed to be unsafe and demolish them Town Manager Andy Hyatt had originally proposed that letters would be sent out in February but after discussions with town

Kropacek said the town's building official will be putting notices on homes deemed to be unsafe structures Town staff is working on putting out a request for proposals from companies for 30 days that can take care of the demolition

“We will be able to rock and roll,”

K r o p a c e k s a i d A 4 5 - d a y n o t i c e i s required to property owners for an unsafe structure demolition, Kropacek said “We should be going by the end of April with tearing down, in the demo business Let's put it that way ”

Allers said he wants the request for proposals for demolition contracts to go out while the town's building official is conducting his reviews of structures and to include abandoned structures

n P a

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Grand Opening set for Valerie’s House

Valerie’s House, which helps provide support services to children who have lost a loved one, will celebrate the grand opening of its new Family is Forever home Thursday, March 14 in Fort Myers A ribbon-cutting will take place with tours of the new facility at 3551 Shoemaker Lane, now known as 3551 Valerie’s House Way, in Fort Myers

T h e r i b b o n - c u t t i n g c e r e m o n y w i l l begin at 4:30 p m , attended by Fort M y e r s M a y o r K e v i n A n d e r s o n , F o r t Myers City Council and Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce members along with members of other local chambers of commerce Tours will follow until 7 p m

An open house is set for the following day (Friday, March 15) from 9 a m to 6 p m f o r t h o s e u n a b l e t o a t t e n d t h e Thursday celebration who would like to tour the home The public and media are invited to join in the celebration

A total of $3 million has been raised toward the cost of the new home, which is built on land donated by the City of Fort Myers under a $1 per year lease.

“We are incredibly grateful to all of the people and organizations who have made this possible,” said CEO Angela Melvin Churchill “Having this space will open the door to building more partnerships, e d u c a t i n g o u r c o m m u n i t y , a n d m o s t importantly, giving us the needed space to help thousands more families and children who are grieving ”

The home is a cozy, warm, old Florida style structure, with special rooms like a volcano room, which allows children to work out any anger or other emotions they

have because of their loss The 7,000square-foot facility will allow Valerie’s House to provide wrap-around services, such as individual grief counseling, parenting classes, and family retreats to supp o r t f a m i l i e s w h o n e e d i t “ F r o m t h e moment you walk through the doors we want families to feel at home," Churchill said "Along with a beautiful outdoor space for the children to play and large dining area for family meals, there also are rooms dedicated to every age group From little ones, to teens, to caregivers, each group has their own space designed for them to come together to support one another through healing activities and discussions,” she said

Valerie’s House has helped more than 5,000 children and their families since its founding in 2016 by Angela Melvin Churchill, whose mother, Valerie, was killed in a car accident in Fort Myers in 1987

One in seven children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the a g e o f 2 5 , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e 2 0 2 2 C h i l d h o o d B e r e a v e m e n t E s t i m a t i o n

Model

Valerie’s House currently offers peer support groups and other activities at locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, and Port Charlotte Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations

For more information about Valerie’s House or to make a donation or sponsor t h e e v e n t , v i s i t h t t p : / / w w w v a l e r i e s h o u s e o r g / f o r e v e rhome or call 239-204-5804.

Valerie’s House is celebrating the grand opening of its new Family Is Forever Home with a ribbon-cutting and tours on March 14 following by an open house March

15 The new home is located at 3551 Valerie’s House Way (formerly Shoemaker Lane).

Teacher From page 1

School Principal Debbie Diggs who asked him why he didn’t keep his books covered, Andoscia said

“I said ‘this is absurd, and it’s fascism,’” Andoscia said Two days later, he submitted his letter of resignation effective Jan 19

According to Andoscia, the book ban saga began after the end of the previous school year when he began to catalog all of the books in his classroom to comply with the state’s Curriculum Transparency Act

The law requires all books in the classroom to be made publicly available and allows for a complaint process to review the books Last year, the state passed an additional law governing books in the classroom, known as House Bill 1069, which requires the removal of books after they are challenged until a complaint is resolved

Since that time, Andoscia said fewer than 50 of the books in his classroom were reviewed and a handful were challenged including William Faulkner’s “As I Lay Dying ” The Faulkner novel, based on the trials and tribulations of a family in rural Mississippi, has frequently been named one of the greatest American novels of the 20th Century Faulkner is widely considered as one of the preeminent authors of the Deep South

Andoscia said he appealed the challenges, with one of the challenges being overruled but listed as pending in the system While he was awaiting the review, he was told to cover up his books. Other teachers took their books and put them in closets or took them home

Andoscia initially covered them with project paper after being told by the school

principal to have them covered before open house He wrote over the project paper the words “These books have not yet been vetted by the state and may contain dangerous knowledge ”

After open house, Andoscia, took off the project paper as he said he didn’t want to send a message to students that it was acceptable for the books to be covered “That’s not what I wanted my kids to learn That the state is going to watch what we read or the state should have anything to do with what we read. That’s not a free society,” he said

School District of Lee County spokesperson Rob Spicker said that Superintendent Dr Chris Bernier and the district would not be commenting on the allegations of Andoscia

“Since the teacher is no longer an employee of the School District it is inappropriate for us to comment,” Spicker said

As part of the new state law, the district is required to employ media specialists to review all of the district’s books. A Sunshine Law records request sent to the district for a copy of its contract for media specialists and how many media specialists were employed, had not been responded to as of press time

The district employs approximately 6,000 teachers creating quite the burden for reviewing books Andoscia said he doesn’t believe the district hired enough media specialists to review the books

It’s not quite clear how the books are reviewed, though, according to sources a database of how other districts have ruled on books is checked on Otherwise, the media specialists must review books individually which can be time consuming

Most of Andoscia’s books had not been reviewed

After a book is challenged, the School District of Lee County uses an ad-hoc committee of district administrators and staff to review the challenge The committee includes a director of curriculum, English Language Arts Coordinator, media specialist, curriculum advisory representative, equity and diversity representative and district advisory representative

The district keeps a list of books that have been challenged on its website at https://www leeschools net/calendars/publ i c m e e t i n g s / c h a l l e n g e t o i n s t r u c t i o nal media committee

According to the district’s database for challenged books, five books by the author Ellen Hopkins were removed due to their graphic material A sixth book, a novel by E Lockhart titled “Fly on the Wall: How One Girl Saw Everything,” was removed after objections sent in an email from a name that was redacted citing a review by the Florida Citizens Alliance.

Other books reviewed by the committee were allowed to continue being used in classrooms The anti-war novel “Slaughterhouse Five” was challenged but ruled to be allowable in classrooms but restricted to grades 9-12

Andoscia taught history, honors economics, sociology and philosophy classes

A North Fort Myers High teacher for the last eight years, he previously taught at Lehigh Acres where he first grew his classroom library after being encouraged by former principal Dr Jeffrey Spiro

“He had a focus on reading-rich classrooms as diverse as possible to appeal to student interests,” Andoscia said

When the Lehigh Acres high school library began being converted to a media center like other libraries throughout the state and the number of books were thinned out, Andoscia grabbed as many as he could for his classroom library Throughout the years, he has taken pride in the diverse set of books in his library They range from world history books to guides on reptiles and amphibians to field guides on fishing “I had these books in my class for a long time,” he said

“If you go to any school now and ask for a school library, you get pointed to a media center,” Andoscia said Instead of rows of books, the media centers are now occupied by computers and often used for tests, Andoscia said Andoscia said he used to have 20 to 30 students a year checking out books from his library In recent years that number dropped to about 10 In the last year, following the controversy over the state’s new laws to regulate books in the classroom, Andoscia said only one book was checked out: “Animal Farm” by George Orwell

“I can’t help but think this is watering down to (students),” Andoscia said “The kids may have been intimidated ”

Before teaching at Lee County, Andoscia had a background in working with students deemed at risk At North Fort Myers, he was the sponsor of the school’s Gay Straight Alliance Club

Around the same time that Andoscia wasn’t following directives to cover up his books that were being reviewed, Andoscia ran into a problem with another controversial state law involving Florida schools

See TEACHER, page 18

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Shrimp fest

From page 1

Lion’s Club took over the event after several years of being organized by shrimp boaters off Main Street

F o r t M y e r s B e a c h L i o n ’ s C l u b President Drew Yelle is expecting the festival to return in a big way with 40 floats lined up to take part in Saturday morning’s parade down Estero Boulevard following the popular 5k race The Shrimp Festival Queen’s Pageant will wrap up after the parade at Bayside Veteran’s Memorial Park with 10 local princesses Dozens of arts and crafts vendors are expected to set up off Old San Carlos Boulevard

In a break from the traditional shrimp boil due to space limitations at Lynn Hall Memorial Park, 16 Beach restaurants will be taking part in special shrimp menus that can be purchased through passports being offered by the Lion’s Club

A shrimp-eating contest on Sunday will help cap off the festivities

“We have had tremendous support from the town and local businesses to help our Lions Club,” Yelle said

The parade will begin at the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School and run to Times Square

A passport offered by the Lion’s Club describes all the events and each restaurant participating in the shrimp crawl The passports are available at Erickson and Jensen Seafood Company, the Fort Myers B e a c h C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e a n d Tunaskin Those who get stamps at six restaurants will qualify for the raffle, Yelle said

F o r t M y e r s B e a c h B u l l e t i n

These have been tough times for the local shrimp fleet since the last time there was a shrimp festival on Fort Myers Beach

Since Hurricane Ian, Fort Myers Beach l o s t l o n g t i m e s h r i m p s u p p l i e r s T r i c o Shrimp Co and only 10 of the 45 shrimp boats that were docked at the Main Street waterfront have returned to service

Tracey Gore and her husband Henry are among the small number of shrimp boaters able to have resumed their business

After Hurricane Ian, Ms Gore met with President Joe Biden and Gov Ron DeSantis to send the message of how much helped the shrimp fleet needed to get the boats back in the water after they washed ashore Gore said she stayed in touch with governor’s office “constantly

Teacher

From page 16

In one of his classes, Andoscia told students that while he couldn’t address any of them by their preferred pronouns any more due to a new state law, he would be willing to discuss alternatives That talk apparently led to an investigation by the school district that Andoscia said he found out about after former students told him they were being pulled out of class to answer questions about what he had said around the same time that books were removed from his classroom

Andoscia said he wouldn’t find out formally about the investigation until after he submitted a letter of resignation His principal, Diggs, asked him to reconsider, he said As part of the district’s investigation into his conduct, the matter will be referred to the state and Andoscia could potentially lose his teaching license in the state for five years

House Bill 1069 prevents schools from compelling teachers to address students by their pronouns and also limits how teach-

u n t i l t h e m i s s i o n w a s c o m p l e t e ”

Eventually, boats like her “Lexi Joe” made it back into the water after undergoing repairs in Alabama Still, others are struggling to repair their boats, Gore said Many did not have insurance

“While we are grateful for that help at the state level, we really need better fede r a l l e g i s l a t i o n t o p r o t e c t o u r s m a l l American commercial seafood industry,” Gore said Gore said the domestic shrimp industry “struggles with inferior farmraised foreign imports dumped into our country at cheaper prices and the high cost of diesel at the dock ”

Ms Gore said the “Lexi Joe” was making shorter trips these days due to the high cost of diesel and needed supplies compared to the price paid for their catch

Gore said she is also concerned about state legislation being pushed by local state legislators Sen Jonathan Martin and Rep Adam Botana which would reduce t h e s i z e o f t h e E s t e r o B a y A q u a t i c Preserve and allow for more development of the working waterfront.

Erickson and Jensen remain a key component of that working waterfront, offering fuel to shrimp boaters and the c e n t r a l l o c a t i o n f o r w h e r e s h r i m p i s unloaded by local shrimp boat captains The Main Street business also offers fresh

ers can use pronouns in the classroom in murky language The law is the subject of a lawsuit brought by three Florida teachers and the Florida Poverty Law Center The teachers include an unidentified Lee County public school teacher

The law also extends the state’s prohibition on classroom instruction regarding sexual orientation and gender identity through the eighth grade Previously, such discussion was limited through the third grade

The law states that an employee of a public school “may not provide to a student his or her preferred personal title or pronouns if such preferred personal title or pronouns do not correspond to his or her sex ”

Previous to the new law, Andoscia said students who preferred to be called by a pronoun informed the district with permission from their parents and each teacher was made aware. Andoscia said teachers were made aware of the pronoun prefer-

shrimp for sale

For Fort Myers Beach resident Lee Melsek, the shrimp festival is a time to reminisce about when the festival first started in 1959 A group of shrimp dock owners and boaters asked his mother L o r r a i n e t o h e l p o r g a n i z e a p a r a d e , Melsek said “St George Shrimp Dock (later Trico) Manager Larry Shafer, a friend of my parents, asked my mother to put a parade together and they would handle the shrimp boil at the island’s county park,” Melsek said “ M y m o m i n v i t e d t h e A m e r i c a n Legion Color Guard and the island’s Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies and Cub Scouts to march in it also Some teachers at the Beach School and bicyclers also joined the parade There was a drum and bugle corp and only a small replica of a shrimp boat pulled on a trailer. It began on Main Street, marched over the swing bridge and straight down old San Carlos Boulevard to the county park where the dock owners served shrimp and slaw,” Melsek said. His mother drove the only c o n v e r t i b l e i n t h e p a r a d e , a 1 9 4 9 Plymouth, and carried some of the Boy Scouts

“The blessing of the shrimp fleet took place from the back of the Columbia Star shrimp boat at Columbia dock where

ences again this school year, but weren’t allowed to use them even with a permission slip from parents

Shortly before his resignation, Andoscia said his classroom was observed though he was never confronted over allegations of how he spoke to students regarding the law governing the use of pronouns in the classroom

At a press conference last month at a time when the so-called “book ban” laws were getting national attention, Gov Ron DeSantis sought to temper the flames surrounding the law at a time when published reports have documented the removal of hundreds of books from some classrooms

During the conference in Orlando, DeSantis and Education Commissioner Manny Diaz said they weren’t “banning” books but they only wanted to ensure that inappropriate books weren’t making their way into the classrooms of schools

DeSantis professed that the law wasn’t meant to be a book ban and that it wasn’t

Bayside Park and Nervous Nellie’s are today,” Melsek said. “The boats would pass the clergy on the stern of the Star and circle the bay It wasn’t until a few years later that they moved into the Gulf and the blessing came from the county pier ”

This year, the blessing of the shrimp fleet will begin Sunday at 10 a m with a S u n d a y s e r v i c e l e d b y S t . R a p h a e l ’ s E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h , a b l e s s i n g o f t h e shrimp fleet at 11 a m and a celebration of pink golf shrimp at noon

The shrimp-eating contest will take place at 2 p.m. at The Whale. Closing ceremonies and raffle drawings will take place at Bayside Veteran’s Memorial Park off Old San Carlos Blvd at 4 p m

“The enthusiasm for this year’s festival has been off the charts,” Yelle said “Folks are ecstatic to have festival back again this year. There’s a real feeling of accomplishment to bring back this community Touchstone event Our 66th year and better than ever!! People really like these passports, restaurants are excited for the special menus, live music Saturday and Sunday, parade goers are ready for a fun weekend!

For more information on the Fort M y e r s B e a c h S h r i m p F e s t i v a l , v i s i t https://fortmyersbeachshrimpfestival com/

intended to restrict the classics from schools DeSantis questioned whether some districts were overreacting to the law and wondered aloud whether those without students in the school should have an equal input on which books were allowed as parents of students in the school

“We have to empower parents, at the same time, to just have random people who don’t even have kids in the school system and just start objecting thing to just gum up the works, that is not something we should be incentivizing,” DeSantis said

“He knows what he is doing,” Andoscia said “There is a lot of fear and anxiety over this ”

A message seeking comment from DeSantis was not returned

“It’s scary to me, the idea that this was normalized,” Andoscia said “It’s terrifying to me ”

PHOTO PROVIDED BY TRACEY GORE Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival princesses took part in the fun run this past weekend on Fort Myers Beach. The princesses will compete in the Queen Pageant Saturday afternoon at Bayside Veteran's Memorial Park.

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Fertilizer

From page 4

Sebastian, Indian River County

Gina Driscoll

City Council Member, District 6

St Petersburg, Pinellas County

Chris Dzadovsky

County Commissioner, District 1

St Lucie County

Joan Farrell

City Council Member, Seat 1

Venice, Sarasota County

Rene Flowers

County Commissioner, District 7

Pinellas County

Brandi Gabbard

City Council Member, District 2

St Petersburg, Pinellas County

Dave Gattis

Mayor

Belleair Beach, Pinellas County

Eric Gerard

Vice Mayor

Largo, Pinellas County

Jeff Gow

City Commissioner

Dunedin, Pinellas County

Lisset Hanewicz

City Council Member, District 4

St Petersburg, Pinellas County

Sarah Heard

County Commissioner, District 4

Martin County

Nicole Heilman Wilson

From page 4

County Commissioner, District 1

Orange County

Gwendolyn Henderson

City Council Member, District 5

Tampa, Hillsborough County

Sam Henderson

Mayor

Gulfport, Pinellas County

Elizabeth Jolin

Village Council Member, Seat 3

Islamorada, Monroe County

Charlie Justice

County Commissioner

Pinellas County

Patricia Kemp

C o u n t y C o m m i s s i o n e r , D - 6 , Countywide

Hillsborough County

Joanne "Cookie" Kennedy

Mayor/Commissioner

Indian Rocks Beach, Pinellas County

Lorraine Koss

City Councilmember, District 4

Cocoa, Brevard County

George Kruse

County Commissioner, District 7

Manatee County

Lisa Martin

City Commissioner, Zone 2

New Smyrna Beach, Volusia County

Jeremy Matlow

City Commissioner, Seat 3

ments about choking off the lagoon, it’s impossible to choke off a lagoon that has not been tidally connected to the Gulf since 2014

I live adjacent to Big Carlos Point It is obvious that the entire area experienced severe scouring from Ian The State of Florida DEP has approved the sand haul project to restore Big Carlos Point to before Hurricane Ian condition and MERFT should be in support of projects that benefit the Town as well as the beach property owners

The sand haul project has been fully researched by consultants, applications were applied for and approved by the State Contracts have been requested and approved and the project is in progress now. It's already a past issue. In my opinion,

MERTF has its role reversed The Town asks MERTF for advice regarding certain issues and to report back to the Town It's not MERTF's role to dictate to the Town which projects approved by the FDEP the Town should oppose

Ed Rood

Fort Myers Beach

Invite to 'Who is Standing up for Reading in Lee County?' community meeting

To the editor:

We’ve all read the headlines, thousands of books removed from shelves, Florida leads the nation in book bans but how much do we really know about the restrictions on students' access to educational materials in our Lee County School District? How do these restrictions take place? Since students are restricted from accessing books and other educational materials can we call it what it is a book ban?

While some call book bans “a hoax” others point out that the laws passed by the Florida Legislature from 2021 - 24 take hundreds of thousands of books off the shelves in teachers’ classrooms while other laws restrict

Tallahassee, Leon County

Daniel McDow

City Council Member

West Melbourne, Brevard County

Michael Miller

Vice Mayor

Sanibel, Lee County

Charlie Miranda

City Council Member, District 6

Tampa, Hillsborough County

Sean M Parks

County Commissioner, District 3

Lake County

Tyler Payne

Mayor

Treasure Island, Pinellas County

Jacqueline “Jack” Porter

City Commissioner, Seat 1

Tallahassee, Leon County

Campbell Rich

Vice Mayor

Stuart, Martin County

Jamie Robinson

City Commissioner, Seat 4

Largo, Pinellas County

Dan Saracki

Mayor

Oldsmar, Pinellas County

Oscar Sardiñas Village Councilmember

Key Biscayne, Miami-Dade County

Ken Schneier

Letters

student access to educational materials in the library media centers of Lee Schools Then there are the book challenges mounted by some parents and community members These challenges can restrict all students from accessing a book just because one parent doesn’t think the book is right for their child

Learn what is happening on the ground. Join The Purple Group, non-partisan advocates for public schools, students, parents, educators, on Wednesday, March 6, Downtown Library, 6 p m , Room C for a community meeting, “Who is Standing up for Reading in Lee County?” Learn about what is going on and hear from classroom teachers about how these laws affect teaching and learning in Lee schools

Dr Suzanne D Cook for The Purple Group Fort Myers

When you know better, do better

To the editor:

Are you kidding me? Gov DeSantis now blames “activists” for “hijacking” the process of banning books He is now in support of a proposal that will limit book bans in schools He even argues that the idea that he enabled book bans is a “hoax” and “fraud” stating that books bans are “theater” and “performative ” Really Governor? You’re saying this now after 126,000 books were pulled from Lee County classrooms and libraries, 50,000 of which are still waiting to be vetted? I guess public opinion is, indeed, powerful Or maybe it was the successful PEN America lawsuit against the district of Escambia for banning 1,500 books, violating First Amendment rights

Think of the ramifications of your actions, Governor It’s too late for the hundreds of classrooms that are without teacher-purchased classroom libraries, and the hundreds of teachers who have resigned or taken early retirement due to fear of reprimand, termination and loss of certification Case in point is the North Fort Myers 30-year, award-winning veteran teacher who resigned because he could no longer work under such exclusive, restrictive conditions

Mayor Longboat Key, Sarasota County

Brian Scott

County Commissioner, District 2

Pinellas County

Doug Shields

County Commissioner District 1

Lake County

Mark Smith

County Commissioner, District 2

Sarasota County

Dean J. Trantalis

Mayor

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Debbie Trice

City Commissioner, At-Large

Sarasota, Sarasota County

Teresa Watkins Brown

City Councilmember, Ward 1

Fort Myers, Lee County

Todd Weaver

City Commissioner, Seat 4

Winter Park, Orange County

Robert Welsh

City Council Member, District 5

Cape Coral, Lee County

Casey Willits

City Commissioner, District 3

Gainesville, Alachua County

How many other teachers wish they could do the same, but are financially forced to remain, working in fear?

It’s too late, Governor, for the districts that have spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars to purchase thousands of “acceptable” books for each classroom after removing thousands of teacher collections It’s too late for the taxpayer money spent to pay hundreds of staff hours for book challenges Will you now use more taxpayer funds to reimburse districts for these wasted expenditures?

And spare me from hearing the word “indoctrination” one more time Teachers teach period They follow the approved Florida curriculum (the subject of a whole different issue!), create approved lesson plans, and TEACH In no way, shape or form do they indoctrinate students! Come on folks Children do not become LGTBQ by proximity or words It is biological, not choice So stop using a term that has absolutely no application, implication or sense

This is NOT 1930s Nazi Germany. Or is it? Book bans, prohibition of employee preferred pronouns, examination of what personal items can be displayed, restriction of what teachers can/cannot say to students, potential policing of staff due to their personal identities? Must some teachers refrain from displaying family pictures simply because their families do not conform to the “norms” as defined by hatred?

Our parents warned us to “think before you act ” We cannot allow government officials to panic and crumble under the demands of verbally abusive religious and political groups Once a decision is made, it is too late to take back words without leaving behind a path of injustice and ruin I implore legislators and school board members to do what’s right for our children In the words of Maya Angelou, “When You Know Better, Do Better ” Apparently, Gov DeSantis is doing just that

Jill Pellis, Lee County resident

Retired public school principal and member of The Purple Group of Lee County

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f o r t m y e r s b e a c h t a l k . c o m W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a r c h 6 , 2 0 2 4 n P a

By NATHAN MAYBERG

TCOVID pandemic The organizers promise this year’s annual fundraiser will be a fun and entertaining evening of high stakes, high style and high rolling at the “King’s Casino” in DiamondHead Beach Resort to benefit the Community Foundation

“

t DiamondHead for many years, until covid," Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation member Kelly Smith "We’re excited to be bringing it back with this new twist," Smith said.

Held in partnership with the King Family Foundation, the event will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres, live music,

and casino gaming Players are encouraged to wear their fun Vegas attire Registration begins at 6 p m with gaming tables open at 6:30 p.m. The event will have signature cocktails at the swanky cash bar

Tickets are $100 per person and includes “$2,000″ in gaming chips Tickets are only available online for the event To purchase tickets, visit https://fmbcommunityfoundation com/

Please contact Janeen Paulauskis, Barefoot Event Group, at 239-208-5574 for more information or sponsorship opportunities

Estero Island Historic Society to host presentation on history of the Koreshans

The Estero Island Historic Society will be hosting a presentation on the history of the Koreshans on Estero Island and present day Fort Myers Beach on Monday, March 11, at 1 p m at the Bonita Bill's Event Room

Bonita Bill's is off Fishermans Wharf on Fort Myers Beach

T h e p r e s e n t a t i o n w i l l b e l e d b y R o n W e s t c o t t , Koreshan State Park Lead Docent Admission is free Donations to the Estero Island Historic Society are welcomed

The discussion will focus on the Koreshan properties and industries on Estero Island in the early 1900s

Ron Westcott has been a volunteer at Koreshan State Park for over 10 years Ron is fascinated by Koreshan history, and even after all the research he has done, he continues to learn new things He loves meeting people from all over the world that visit the site and watching new volunteers gain knowledge about the park

Bayside Park Concert Series continues on Fort Myers Beach

Fort Myers Beach is continuing its run of the Bayside Park Concert Series at Bayside Park The concert Series is presented by the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Fort Myers Beach. Title Sponsors are Wahoo Willie's and Snug Harbor Restaurant and the series sponsor is Current Luxe Realty

Each week the Concert series will delight attendees with a different local band, giving the community a chance to sit back, relax and end their weekend with a beautiful sunset concert on the back bay March 3rd The Guilty Pleasure Band will be performing Check the Bayside Park Concert Series website at: Bayside Concert Series for additional performances as the series will continue into 2024 with more bands announced each week

Concerts will begin each Sunday at 4 p m and run until 7 p.m. Lawn chairs and well-behaved pets on a 6’ or less leash are encouraged, however there will be no outside food or beverage permitted Events are weather permitting and are free to the public

Attendees are encouraged to come early and support the recovering businesses on Fort Myers Beach by spending the night for a quick staycation, doing a bit of shopping, or enjoying lunch or dinner For information on who is open for business, visit FMB Who is OPEN for Business Plenty of parking is available in the area around the base of the Matanzas Pass Bridge

For more information, contact the Fort Myers Beach Chamber at 239-454-7500 or visit Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce

Beerfest coming to Fenway South March 9

J e t B l u e P a r k w i l l h a v e a b r a n d - n e w e v e n t o n Saturday, March 9, with the Fenway South Beer Fest

From 1 to 5 p m , 16 participating breweries will offer more than 50 different craft beers to sample The event will take place on Fenway South Drive with live music, cornhole, concessions and free ballpark tours. The Red Sox ticket office and team store will also be open during the event

Some of the participating breweries will include Fort M y e r s B r e w i n g , P a l m C i t y B r e w i n g , C i g a r C i t y Brewing, Keel Farms, The Beast, Tank Brewing and Dog Fish Head

While this event is taking place in the middle of Spring Training, the Red Sox will be squaring off against the Tampa Bay Rays at Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on March 9 and 10

“As we continue to look for new and innovative ways to offer community-friendly events at JetBlue Park, a

Ron Westcott, Koreshan State Park Lead Docent, will lead a presentation on the history of the Koreshans on Estero Island

March 11 at Bonita Bill's

PHOTO PROVIDED

beer fest seemed a great way to utilize Fenway South Drive,” said Brennen Whitley, director, Florida Events and Operations Boston Red Sox “We are fortunate to have so many successful craft breweries in Southwest Florida and we look forward to highlighting their efforts and show our support for them during Spring Training.”

Tickets are $35 which includes seven 4-ounce samplings Entry is free to attendees under 21 and those not sampling beer All beers will be available to purchase in full serving sizes

Event parking is $10 (cash only)

Fenway South Beer Fest is presented by Beasley Media Group

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www redsox com/fenwaysouthbeerfest and receive a complimentary ticket to the March 16 Spring Breakout game

Heights Foundation Wine Tasting with Clay Mauritson, Mauritson Wines set for March 14

The Heights Foundation will host a wine tasting with Clay Mauritson of Mauritson Wines on Thursday, March 14 from 5:30

Admission is $50 per person and includes a tasting and appetizers by Chef Gloria Jordan of Jordan’s Wine Bar and Cellar Guests will explore a selection of Mauritson’s small-lot h

opportunity to purchase Gina Birch of Sunny 106 3 will host the event

Clay Mauritson is the sixth generation in a family of grape growers Born and raised in the Dry Creek Valley, he was destined for the wine business In 1998, Mauritson produced his first bottling of Dry Creek Zinfandel under the Mauritson label and, in 2002, he began devoting his efforts full-time to the Mauritson Family Winery project His winemaking philosophy is simple: You n e e

exceptional wine This is where the advantage of having a family her-

obvious:

County family vineyards and strong relationships built over the years w i

Mauritson access to some of the best fruit that Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley and Rockpile have to offer D e v

wines, Mauritson is on his way to becoming one of California's foremost young winemakers

Seating is limited To reserve a s p o t , v i s i t w w w h e i g h t s f o u n d a t i o n o r g / w i n etastingor contact Meghan Madden at -239-482-7706 or email meghan@ heightsfoundation.org.

About the Heights Foundation and the Heights Center

The Heights Foundation works to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood Our mission is to support education and wellness, promote family and community development, and provide the benefits of enrichment and

the arts

The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, is a place for Education, Opportunity, and Enrichment Heights Early Learning serves more than 85 babies through 4 years old. The Heights Center serves 163 children in AfterSchool and 153 c h i l d r e n i n S u m m e r C a m p T h e Harlem Heights Community Charter School serves 200 children from kindergarten through fifth grade Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community Approximately 780 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments

Demographically, the population is approximately 70% Hispanic, 20% A f r i c a n - A m e r i c a n , a n d 8 % Caucasian The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average As a result, families cannot easily access family support services in downtown Fort Myers and benefit greatly from programs within the neighborhood

Beach Revival

Fort Myers Beach on a recent sunny and lightly breezy afternoon The Fort Myers Beach Farmer's Market at Times Square is open every Friday and Saturday morn-

Empanadas: Wendy Leal’s

ing from 9 a m to 1 p m and shifts to Moss Marina each Wednesday at the same time

The foot traffic at Times Square for the Fort Myers Beach Farmer's Market and the umbrella parade at Lynn Hall Memorial Park were welcome signs of revival on

PHOTOS

stand of empanadas was a popular one at the Fort Myers Beach Farmer's Market at Times Square

WHAT’S HAPPENING

19th Semi-Annual Spring Home & Garden Show to be held March 8 & 9

On March 8 and 9, the 19th Semi-Annual Spring Home & Garden Show will be held at the New Hope Event Center off Davis Boulevard in Naples

“Attendees will find a great opportunity to meet with contractors, remodelers and home specialists to help residents with all their home décor, supply and remodeling needs,” said Bill Anderson, president of Expo Management that produces the Home & Garden Shows “During this Naples show, attendees will find experts to address all their home improvement needs under one roof over two days ”

Now in its 19th year, the semi-annual Spring Home & Garden Show features more than 60 local and regional companies that display and present products and services to homeowners The event takes place from 10 a m to 4 p m on Friday and Saturday

Attendees can experience the newest in-home improvement products and services inside and out from furnishings, accessories, decorating and remodeling ideas to landscaping and more Hourly drawings and door prizes will also be given away

Expo Management Inc was established in Fort Myers in 1987

The company has successfully produced 624 events over the past 36 years In 2024, they will operate 24 events in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee

For more information about the Home & Garden Show, contact David Pardi, General Manager of Expo Management at 239-205-6139, email fldave@expomanagementinc.com or visit expomanagementinc.com.

Million Dollar Day for Scouting March 14

The general public is invited to enjoy breakfast, support scouting and hear keynote speaker Danny Kanell, a former FSU standout and NFL quarterback, at the Million Dollar Day for Scouting event Thursday, March 14.

The Million Dollar Day for Scouting is about celebrating the positive effects the Scouting Movement is having in local communities Over 500 business and civic leaders are expected to attend this prestigious event where the positive impacts of scouting’s values-laden programs will be emphasized

Kanell is a college football analyst and is currently the host of "Dusty and Danny in the Morning" on Sirius XM and he is a member of the Florida State University Hall of Fame His athletic expertise spans both the collegiate and professional level in multiple sports After playing quarterback at Florida State for four years, he was drafted into the NFL by the New York Giants in 1996 and played for the Atlanta Falcons and the Denver Broncos until 2004

The Million Dollar Day for Scouting events will be held simultaneously at several locations starting at 7:30 a m:

∫ Fort Myers -- Marian Hall at St Cecilia Catholic Church (5632 Sunset Drive)

∫ Bradenton -- Manatee Performing Arts Center

∫ Sarasota -- Marina Jacks

∫ Naples -- Royal Poinciana Golf Club

Each will have its own emcee and program Kanell's presentation for the groups will be via Zoom:

To register to attend the event, please visit https://donations scouting org/#/ council/088/event/491/register?origin=Traditionalor

Charity run returns to Cape Coral March 16

An annual charity race and fun run to benefit colorectal cancer patients in Southwest Florida is returning to Cape Coral

Partners in Care will host its 13th annual Scope for Hope 10K Run, 5K Run, 2-Mile Walk and Kid’s Fun Run at 8 a m on Saturday, March 16, at Jaycee Park, located at 4215 S E 20th Place

All money raised will benefit the locally based, nonprofit foundation and will be used for colorectal cancer education, screening and treatment in Southwest Florida Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the country

Registration is open now Entry fee is $30 for adults and $20 for youth 17 years of age and under. Children under 5 years of age are free Late registration within 10 days or less of the event will cost an additional $5, and participants must register in advance

All participants will receive a lanyard as a participation award, and the first three male and female finishers in the

10K and 5K timed runs in each age category will receive a lanyard pin All Kids’ Fun Run participants will receive a ribbon Strollers and pets are allowed only in the 2-mile walk

Partners in Care offers payment for a variety of expenses that aren’t covered by medical insurance, including gas or transportation services, respite care at home or in a healthcare setting, medical supplies or equipment, childcare, lodging or food during treatment, and more, as well as cancer screenings

The foundation has expanded from its Florida origins to 18 states, with more than 8,000 patients supported through its programs over the past 16 years and more than $1 million in financial assistance provided

Each spring since 2012, the foundation also hosts a charitable 5K run and 2-mile walk to benefit local head and neck cancer patients in California, Colorado, Florida, North and South Carolina, Washington state, West Virginia and (new this year) Texas, in partnership with other local nonprofits Free head and neck cancer screenings are offered at many of those events

For more information about the Cape Coral race, to sponsor or to register, visit Partners in Care

4th Annual Airing of the Quilts

Spring Fair to be held March 16

Join Saint Hilary’s Episcopal Church, Saturday, March 16, for the 4th Annual “Airing of the Quilts Spring Fair,” one of Lee County’s largest outdoor charitable quilt shows! Dozens of quilts will be hung between the oak trees in in the front yard of the church

To view the quilts in advance please visit www loveinablanket com

Located at the corner of McGregor & Colonial Boulevards, Saint Hilary’s is pleased to offer this free family event with the proceeds going towards the Local Outreach Ministry in their own community Along with the quilts, there will be Craft Vendors, Farmer’s Market Vendors, Concessions, A Ministry Fair, a Spring Hymn Sing and Church Open House.

Free Onsite Parking

Nice Guys Production and Seminole

Casino to present Fakefest April 20

Get ready to rock and roll as Nice Guys Production and Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee present Fakefest, an electrifying outdoor tribute concert event featuring some of the best tribute bands in the nation, on Saturday, April 20, from 2 to 10:30 p m Fakefest also will feature food trucks and craft vendors Admission and parking are free

Prepare for an unforgettable musical journey with a lineup that includes top-tier tribute bands, each paying homage to iconic rock legends:

∫ Kid Kentucky and the American Badass Band (Tribute to Kid Rock): Kid Kentucky and the American Badass Band embody the spirit and energy of Kid Rock's iconic performances With a charismatic frontman and a powerhouse ensemble, they deliver a high-octane show that captures the essence of Kid Rock's rebellious rock and roll style

∫ Hardwired (Tribute to Metallica): Hardwired is a tribute band dedicated to the legendary metal pioneers, Metallica With precision and passion, they recreate the thunderous sound and electrifying stage presence that Metallica is known for Brace yourself for a headbanging experience that will transport you back to the golden era of metal

∫ Lovesong (The Cure Tribute): Lovesong takes you on a nostalgic journey through the haunting and melodic sounds of The Cure With meticulous attention to detail, they recreate the post-punk and new wave vibes that define The Cure's unique musical landscape, ensuring an immersive experience for fans old and new

∫ Razors Edge (AC/DC Tribute): For those about to rock, Razors Edge delivers an authentic AC/DC experience that will leave you thunderstruck. With electrifying performances and the iconic riffs that define AC/DC's signature sound, Razors Edge pays tribute to one of the greatest rock bands in history

∫ The Linkin Park Tribute (Tribute to Linkin Park): The Linkin Park Tribute honors the genre-blending legacy of Linkin Park, seamlessly blending rock, hip-hop and elec-

Mound House Calendar

Stories Beneath Our Feet Exhibit Reopens

The Mound House announced that the "Stories Beneath Our Feet" exhibit has partially reopened After being completely submerged in saltwater by Hurricane Ian in September of last year, the town has completed the necessary repairs to the exhibit to reopen the area to visitors While there is still work to do to enhance the visitor experience with new museum components, the exhibit will be open at the same hours as the rest of the Mound House museum, Wednesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Included with price of admission

Eco-Kayak Tours

Wednesdays and Saturdays 9 a m to 11 a m

Explore the winding mangrove creeks and go places only a kayak can go on this guided eco-tour of Estero Bay This beginner friendly tour allows you to experience and learn more about the natural beauty of a mangrove estuary and the history of the area Mound House kayak tours are conducted in accordance with Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism guidelines All paddling and kayak safety equipment is provided Ages 12 and up Weather permitting Maximum of 12 paddlers per tour Shoes required; water strongly recommended Mound House members save at $20 per person, regular price $50 per pers o n M u s e u m a d m i s s i o n i n c l u d e d R e g i s t e r a t MoundHouse.org.

Shell Mound Tours

Wednesday – Saturday, 10 a m to 2 p m

Discover the archaeology and history of the site and learn what clues were uncovered about this 1,600-year-old shell mound. This hands-on tour will explore the environmental and cultural history of the s i t e a n d f e a t u r e r e p l i c a a r t i f a c t d e m o n s t r a t i o n s Mound House members save with free tours, and regular price is Museum Admission + $5 No reservation required.

Caloosa Car vers Retur n

The Caloosa Carvers, a group of local woodcarvers who have made accurate replicas of Calusa wooden artifacts for use in Mound House exhibits and programs, have returned to carving these replicas on the grounds of Mound House This is a free program, and no reservations are required Simply stop by, chat, and learn more about wood carving between 9:00 a m and 11:30 a m on the first and third Saturday of each month now through April

The Mound House is located at 451 Connecticut St on Fort Myers Beach

tronic elements Prepare for an emotional and powerful performance that pays tribute to the late Chester Bennington and the groundbreaking sound of Linkin Park

∫ Still Alive (Pearl Jam Tribute): Still Alive captures the essence of Pearl Jam's raw and emotional performances. With a dedication to authenticity, they bring to life the timeless grunge sound that defined an era Get ready to be transported back to the '90s with Still Alive's homage to one of Seattle's most iconic bands

Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is at 506 South 1st St , Immokalee

Al-Anon, Al-Ateen meetings

Are you concerned with a friend or family member's drinking? Let us help

Call our 24-hour helpline at 941-564-5098 or visit www SouthFloridaAl-Anon org Meetings are held every day in Lee County

Al-Ateen meetings are also offered for ages 10-18

We

are helping a sweet little girl this week

By ISABELLE WELLS Co-founder of the Find a Home, Give a Home

pet rescue organization of Fort Myers Beach

Meet Jordan, a 1-year-old, who needs help. This is what the shelter wrote about her: Jordan is a sweet, 1 year old, intact female, 22lbs, who appeared at intake to be non-weightbearing on her back end X-rays show pelvis intact, femur- closed/ complete/ distal diaphysis/ irregularly marginated transverse fracture Rescue plea for

orthopedic fracture repair Jordan would benefit from orthopedic surgery repair that is beyond what PRC is able to provide for this patient Appropriate supportive care is being performed with pain medications to keep patient comfortable & provide crate rest for healing If you can help her, please let us know

This plea went to many rescues and since there were

no response we decided to take her and give her the chance to keep her leg The break is so bad she will need screws and plates This is an extensive procedure but in our eyes Jordan is worth it She is very sweet Wags her tail and is great with other dogs Just a good little one who deserves a better life. If you are interested in helping with the veterinarian expenses we will be so grateful As you know you are our support and without you we could not save so many pets If you would like to adopt Jordan please text or call Isabelle at 239-281-0739

She will be operated by Dr Rose, VSC Veterinary Surgery Center, Sarasota (University Park), phone number 941-893-1500

Over the years the practice has done many orthopedic operations for us

Little Coco found a home!

T h a t w a s f a s t We posted her on some of the sites for a d o p t i o n a n d g o t many inquiries She n o w h a s a l i t t l e brother and pet parents who will take c a r e o f h e r v e r y w e l l L o v e t h o s e happy ending

Hope to see you at the Shrimp Festival Parade

for a silent auction fundraiser in March

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Ben and Jerr y

Ben is a 4-month-old male tabby kitten, rescued from a bad situation He is fully vetted and ready for a forever home Super playful

Jerry is a 5 month old male tabby kitten also rescued from same same place as Ben He is fully vetted ready for a forever home, and is also very playful

SPORTS & RECREATION

Community Foundation, Town of Fort Myers Beach to hold pickleball tourney March 16 at Bay Oaks

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

The Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation was looking for an activity to bring the community together and found the growing popularity of pickleball a suitable choice inside the refurbished Bay Oaks Recreational Campus

A tournament will be held Saturday, March 16, in two separate divisions one for beginners and another for advanced players The first tournament will run from 9 a m to 11 a m while a second tourney in the afternoon will run from 12:30 p m to 2:30 p m

The cost to enter is $40

“The foundation was looking forward to some ideas to bring community back to the community,” said Joy Sullivan, of the Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation “We were looking for something to get the name out there for Bay Oaks and the Community Foundation ”

The games will be played “queen of the court” style, with teams switching teammates each game There will be two players on each team with a maximum of 32 players and eight games played altogether, Sullivan said

The games will last 15 minutes each or until the first team reaches 11 points (whichever comes first), according to the rules posted on the registration site There will be a five-minute break between games

Sullivan, who sits on the Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Advisory Board, said the tournament is being called the “Dinky Pickleball Tournament” after a pickleball move called a “dink ” A dink is a soft shot hit on a bounce over the bet intended to land just over the net in order to create an awkward return volley from the opponent

Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers with trophies and gift cards to Rude Shrimp Each entrant will receive a free sweat towel

A food truck will be on site for the day, with sandwich-

es and coffee, Sullivan said Alex King’s Current Coastal Realty is sponsoring the tournament

Tarpon Hunters Club to hold clinic

The Fort Myers Beach Tarpon Hunters Club, the oldest tarpon fishing club in the world, will be holding a clinic today, March 6 at 7 p m The informational meeting will be held off Fishermans Wharf on Fort Myers Beach and will include tips on how to catch tarpon

Local fishing guide Capt. Matt Mitchell and club members will provide instructional samples of tarpon fishing rigs, suggestions on choosing the right bait, locations where tarpon can be found and migratory patterns of tarpon

The clinic will include information about fishing in Lee County in the Gulf of Mexico, back bay and local rivers Tips on using con-

ventional tackle and light tackle fishing will be part of the program along with firsthand stories from club members

The Fort Myers Beach Tarpon Hunters Club holds hunts, monthly meetings, newsletters and provides fishing reports The club holds social events including an annual picnic, fish fry and awards banquet.

Wednesday's meeting will be held outside Bonita Bills Restaurant under the sky bridge Follow the "tarpon clinic" direction signs

For more information, visit FMBTHC com or email: FMBTarpon Hunters@gmail com Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month

Boys & Girls Clubs to host ‘Evening at the Ballpark’ March 14

Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County’s annual Evening at the Ballpark event will be held March 14 at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers and include a Baseball Legends Panel with some of the game’s greatest athletes

The event starts with appetizers, drinks, activities and games on the concourse, along with autographs from current players on the Boston Red Sox roster and photos with World Series trophies Then, guests move onto the warning track at JetBlue Park, where they can bid on dozens of auction items, including signed baseball memorabilia Following dinner on the outfield grass, the Baseball Legends Panel will feature an engaging dialogue with Major League Baseball greats who will offer insight into baseball a generation ago and unfiltered per-

spectives on today’s game.

In 2023, Evening at the Ballpark attracted nearly 150 supporters and featured a pair of legendary pitchers in Minnesota Twins great Bert Blyleven and Red Sox star Luis Tiant, along with autographs from three active Red Sox players: Kutter Crawford, Adam Duvall and Rob Refsnyder

“Last year, we sat under the Green Monster and listened to Bert and Luis telling captivating stories about their playing days,” said Denise Gergley, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County. “Evening at the Ballpark is a literal field day for baseball fans in Southwest Florida You don’t get many opportunities to enjoy dinner on the outfield grass and ask questions directly to players you idolized growing up ”

To enter the tournament, visit https://fmbcommunity-

fundraiser

Warriors win state ice hockey title

The Fort Myers Florida Warriors ice hockey 10 and under team are state champions

The team started off the Statewide Amateur Hockey of Florida (SAHOF) State Championship held in Wesley Chapel with a loss of 5-2 to the Jacksonville Junior Icemen on Friday, but rallied with wins of 9-0 over the Swamp Rabbits and 12-1 over the Florida Bulldogs placing them in the semifinal game for a rematch with the Jacksonville Junior Icemen The Warriors beat the Icemen 6-0 in the semifinal, placing them in the championship against the topranked Lakeland Junior Mocs

Despite having lost to the Junior Mocs in four regular season games, the Florida Warriors pulled ahead with a two-goal lead in the final two minutes of the championship and held on to win 6-4 Leading the team were MVPs Logan Lean, Lucas Robey, and goalie Griffin Irish The roster is complimented by Wyatt Rohde, Jay LaBrie, Jaxon Taylor, Nash Hanson, Aubrey Reiser, Faustino Landaboure,

Proceeds from Evening at the Ballpark support Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County’s impactful After-school Program and Summer Enrichment Program, which focus on five core areas: education and career, service and leadership, health and wellness, the arts, and sports and recreation Boys & Girls Clubs operates eight community, neighborhood and school programs in Lee County

Evening at the Ballpark will be held from

Jayce Mastey, Grady Elliott, Nolan Lawrence, Brock Fritzsche, and Rowan Cassidy

The Warriors are coached by Brad Fritzsche, assistant coach Dave Rohde, assistant coach Marc Lean and Team Manager Samantha Reiser

"It's amazing what a group of kids can do when they come together and work as a team. It was fun to watch them grow and progress throughout the season," said head coach Brad Fritzsche "Their grit and tenacity ultimately paid off and I couldn't be more proud of this team "

The Florida Warriors ended not only with the Florida State Championship title, but an impressive SAHOF record of 17 wins, 4 losses, and 2 ties

The Florida Warriors is an independent ice hockey club based out of the Fort Myers Skatium For more information about the Florida Warriors hockey program contact Joe Sanders, Director of Hockey, at 941-527-9873 or visit

www FloridaWarriorsHockey com

5:30 to 9:30 p m on Thursday, March 14 at JetBlue Park, 11500 Fenway South Drive in Fort Myers

Event tickets are $200 each, or $1,500 for a table with 10 seats, and include appetizers, drinks, games, dinner, raffle items, a silent auction, autographs and the Baseball Legends Panel Event sponsorships are still available For more information or to register, please visit bgclee org/events/join-usfor-an-evening-at-the-ballpark

a g e 3 1 n W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a r c h 6 , 2 0 2 4 f o r t m y e r s b e a c h t a l k . c o m F o r t M y e r s B e a c h O b s e r v e r

f o r t m y e r s b e a c h t a l k . c o m W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , M a r c h 6 , 2 0 2 4 n P a