CCP outlines rules for revegetating post-storm

The Captiva Community Panel reported that it is aware of the damage, hardship and heartache Hurricane Ian has inflicted upon the island's homes and community

The storm also wreaked havoc with the island's vegetation with both water and wind taking a severe toll on the landscape

As property owners look to replace lost vegetation, there are rules to keep in mind for those living on Captiva Drive The CCP reported that it has met with the Lee

CCA fundraiser to support programs and hurricane recovery

By TIFFANY REPECKI trepecki@breezenewspapers com

An upcoming event will raise funds for programming and storm recovery for an island nonprofit

The Captiva Civic Association and CCA Foundation will host “Raising Glasses & Raising Funds” on March 21 from 5 to 8 p m at the Captiva Civic Center on Captiva It will feat u r e a p a d d l e r a i s e f u n d i n g effort with auctioneer Tommy Williams, along with live entertainment, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres

“The CCA has a long tradit i o n o f h o l d i n g a n a n n u a l fundraising event,” Executive Director Emily Hess Ankerson said “We can't hold our regular ABC Gala, but we're hoping this will be a fun social event ”

She explained that the nonprofit relies on support from individual and corporate contributions and sponsorships to maintain its facilities and support the programs that it brings to the community

“And we have expenses related to Hurricane Ian like many on the islands,” Ankerson said

The CCA is facing unexpected financial obligations this year as its building, the civic center, also houses the Captiva Memorial Library and Captiva Island Historical Society It also owns and manages the historic cottage that is used by the Lee County Sheriff's Office for the resident deputy program.

She explained that he building, grounds, and house used by the deputy and his family all sustained significant damage and the costs for the repairs go beyond the insurance coverage and annual budget

Feeling it was inappropriate to solicit items for an auction when so many others on the islands were also impacted, the CCA will hold a paddle raise funding effort during the event to cover its needs

Attendees can raise their paddle to support replacing five AC units and a generator, as well as to help finance roof repairs, siding for the cottage, parking lot repair and reconstruction, landscaping and more.

“A lot of kind of external stuff that we need to take care of that adds up,” Ankerson said

County Department of Transportation and wants to ensure owners are aware of the landscaping requirements and can replant in compliance with the county's Land D

It reported that all landscaping along Captiva Drive cannot encroach onto the paved shoulder or roadway Vegetation and plantings must be kept at least 2 feet away from the edge of the pavement not the road striping, but the pavement. No branches below the height of 8 feet can hang over the pavement

The existing LCD provision keeps a clear area for pedestrians and cyclists to use the paved shoulder, without being forced to walk or ride in the traffic lanes due to encroaching vegetation The CCP r e p o r t e d t h a t i t i s s o u n d p o l i c y f o r motorists and the users of the shoulder

She noted that all donations made to the CCA Foundation are tax deductible

Live music will be provided by the Roy Gerson Trio, which is a jazz trio A jazz pianist, Gerson has performed in venues around the country and he has had his music featured in films such as “Eyes Wide Shut,” “The Cotton Club,” “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” and “The Mirror Has Two Faces.”

“It'll be a nice treat to have such a talented professional musician perform here,” she said

Chef Jarred Harris, of the Captiva Island Yacht Club, will provide the heavy hors d’oeuvres Some of the passed dishes will include Maryland-style crab cakes, eggplant beignets, African-spiced lamb brochette, and Thai-spiced meatballs, along with artisan cocktail cookies, chocolate truffles and more

“We wanted to have a range of selections,” Ankerson said There will be complimentary cocktails

“We'll have a bar set up with bartenders,” she said Island cocktail attire is suggested.

“People should feel free to dress up a little,” Ankerson said “But it's not formal, it's not black tie ”

The presenting sponsor is Stephanie Bissett, with Premier Sotheby's International Realty Tickets cost $75 per person

The Captiva Island Historical Society screened an event encore a video replay of “Sentimental Journey” on Feb 13 at the Captiva Civic Center on Captiva Based on the island during the years of World War II, the original live performance was presented on Dec 7, 2021, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor

T h e C I H S r e p o r t e d t h a t a r c h i v i s t Queenie Viglione composed the script from its online archives, as well as from the book “Tales from the Rain Barrel,” written by the late Ken Sushil. Sushil's father had been groundskeeper for Mr Chadwick in the 1940s and the Sushil family lived on the property now known as the South Seas Island Resort

Seventeen members of Sushil's family reunited at the event, arriving from the far corners of the country, to view the showing Harley Sushil commented on his fondness for his recently departed grandfather, as well as his appreciation for the CIHS for hosting his family for the performance.

Speaking on behalf of his family, he reminisced about being on a boat as a young boy with his grandfather as Sushil regaled him with stories of his early years on Captiva and talking about writing a book In 2017, he published “Tales from

See CCP, page 7 See