CCA to offer another writing workshop on healing

By TIFFANY REPECKI trepecki@breezenewspapers com

Reservations are open for a second free workshop that will focus on therapeutic healing writing

The Captiva Civic Association will host “Voices of the Storm: Writing Your Story in the Aftermath of Hurricane Ian” on April 22 from 11 a m to 12:30 p m at the Captiva Civic Center Led by author, editor and island resident Ilie Ruby, participants will learn how to process their experiences through writing

Executive Director Emily Hess Ankerson explained that Ruby proposed the first workshop to help people process trauma through writing, particularly as it relates to what they have dealt with with Ian

“The first one was really great and people appreciated it,” she said “Ilie offered to do another one and we thought it would be a great idea to offer it on a weekend so people who have to work during the week might attend ”

Ankerson explained that Ruby has experience teaching others how to use writing to heal In the workshop, she will guide participants through the process by using examples and her background

“Ilie leads the group by introducing some ideas, reasons and rationale for processing trauma through writing, and then provides prompts to help people get started with their own written expression,” she said “There is an opportunity to share, but it is not a requirement ”

Participants should bring a pen or pencil and journal or notebook to use

Ruby is the author of two novels, “The Language of Trees” and “The Salt God’s Daughter ” Her essays have been published in the New York Times, CNN, AOL and Forward, among others Ruby's awards include the Edwin L Moses Fiction Prize, Kerr Foundation Scholarship and Phi Kappa Phi Award for Fiction. She is also a recipient of the Wesleyan Writer’s Conference Nonfiction Scholarship and Kemp Award for Outstanding Teaching and Scholarship

If you go

What “Voices of the Storm: Writing Your Story in the Aftermath of Hurricane Ian”

When April 22 from 11 a m to 12:30 p m

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

Ruby has taught at literary conferences nationwide and she offers writing workshops, as well as coaches people on the transformative process of writing to heal

While the workshop is free, reservations are required as space is limited

“All are welcome,” Ankerson said “The event is open to the public ”

To make a reservation, visit https://ccacaptiva org/

The community is encouraged to reserve their spot

“It helps people with their emotions, feelings, stress whatever might be affecting us after the hurricane,” she said “It is a way to address these impacts in a safe environment and even hear about other people's experiences too It is yet another way people can connect with others who shared this experience and are processing their trauma or emotions from it ”

For more information, visit the CCA website or contact 239-472-2111 or info@ccacaptiva org

The Captiva Civic Center is at 11550 Chapin Lane, Captiva

The Captiva Civic Association will host an encore writing workshop, “Voices of the Storm: Writing Your Story in the Aftermath of Hurricane Ian,” with author and coach Ilie Ruby on April 22 CAPTIVA CIVIC ASSOCIATION tion 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

Jensen suggested that the CCP send out the information again and ask the county to do the same

Vice President David Mintz noted that

See CCP, page 7

Fire commission Oks lease for ambulance, more

By TIFFANY REPECKI trepecki@breezenewspapers com

T h e C a p t i v a I s l a n d F i r e C o n t r o l District's commission approved a lease agreement for Lee County to house an ambulance at the fire station and replacement of the station's damaged roof during its meeting.

On April 11, the commissioners voted unanimously 3-0 on a resolution to enter into the agreement with the county for Lee County EMS staff and one ambulance to utilize the station for $3,000 per month

The Lee County Commission will consider the final agreement in May for approval

Prior to the vote, Fire Chief Jeff Pawul n o t e d t h a t h e g o t a m i n i m u m r e q u i r e d staff level in writing

Commissioner Jeff B r o w n e x p a n d e d o n t h a t b y e x p l a i n i n g county officials have agreed to staffing the ambulance at least 90 percent of time District administration and the commission have raised concerns about the island unit being “browned out,” or unstaffed, if and when the county's EMS is shorthanded.

He continued that if Pawul finds the unit is not being staffed at least 90 percent of time, he has the ability to alert county officials to the situation If staffing levels do not improve to the minimum of 90 percent of the time within 30 days, Pawul can terminate their lease agreement with 30 days notice

Also at the meeting, the commissioners voted 3-0 on a resolution for Saint Raphael Roofing to replace the station's roof that was damaged by Hurricane Ian. The quote for the project was about $241,000

Prior to the vote, Pawul explained it is t h e s a m e c o m p a n y t h a t o r i g i n a l l y installed the roof He added that it would be a complete replacement of the roof and the other quotes he received were higher

“I thought it would be more than this,” Commissioner Sherrill Sims said of the total