Fort Myers Beach Observer/The Beach Bulletin

VOLUME 38, NUMBER 16

Council hires Hyatt as new manager

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 C o u n c i l m a d e t h e i r n e x t m a n a g e r o f f i c i a l , w h e n t h e y a p p r o v e d t h e h i r i n g o f f o r m e r T o w n o f S u r f s i d e M a n a g e r

A n d r e w H y a t t t o t a k e o v e r f r o m i n t e r i m m a n a g e r s C h r i s H o l l e y a n d K e i t h W i l k i n s

H y a t t , 6 3 , w i l l b e g i n M a y

1 a t a n a n n u a l s a l a r y o f

$ 1 9 7 , 0 0 0 H o l l e y a n d

W i l k i n s a r e e x p e c t e d t o s t a y

o n u n t i l m i d - M a y t o a s s i s t

w i t h t h e t r a n s i t i o n H y a t t ’ s e x p e r i e n c e h a nd l i n g t h e 2 0 2 1 c o l l a p s e o f t h e

C h a m p l a i n T o w e r s S o u t h c o nd o m i n i u m t o w e r b u i l d i n g i n

w h i c h 9 8 p e o p l e d i e d , w a s c i t e d a s a r e a s o n b y c o u n c i l m e m b e r s f o r h i r i n g H y a t t H i s e x p e r i e n c e d e a l i n g w i t h s t a t e a g e n c i e s , t h e F l o r i d a D i v i s i o n o f

E m e r g e n c y M a n a g e m e n t , g o v e r n o r ’ s o f f i c e a n d u p t o t h e W h i t e H o u s e , s h o u l d h e l p t h e T o w n o f F o r t M y e r s B e a c h i n i t s r e c o v e r y , H y a t t s a i d T h e c o u n c i l s e l e c t e d H y a t t e a r l i e r

Moss Mar ina owner using name of Beach lan dmark for hotel redevelopment

B y N AT H A N M AY B E R G n m a y b e r g @ b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s c o m

Wh e n H u r r i c a n e I a n k n o c k e d d o w n f o u r o f t h e s i x b u i l d i n g s a t M o s s M a r i n a o n F o r t M y e r s B e a c h , o w n e r B e n F r e e l a n d n o t o n l y h a d t o s p e e d i n t o a c t i o n t o r e p a i r a n d r e b u i l d a f a c i l i t y t h a t h o u s e d b o a t s h i s f a m i l y o w n s a n d k e e p s i n s t o r a g e f o r c l i e n t s , b u t a l s o a p r o p e r t y w h i c h h a s b e e n t h e h o m e o f t h e U S C o a s t G u a r d ’ s F o r t M y e r s B e a c h u n i t s i n c e 2 0 2 1 T h e l o s s o f t h o s e f o u r b u i l d i n g s , w h i c h h a v e s i n c e b e e n d e m o l i s h e d , a l s o h a s t e n e d p l a n s t h e f a m i l y h a s b e e n c o n s i de r i n g f o r r e d e v e l o p i n g t h e p r o p e r t y B y t h e e n d o f t h i s w e e k , F r e e l a n d e x p e c t s t o h a v e s e v e ra l s e t s o f p l a n s h e w i l l s h a r e w i t h t h e p u b l i c t o g a t h e r i n p u t

f o r a t r a n s f o r m a t i o n o f t h e H a r b o r C o u r t p r o p e r t y f r o m a t r a d i t i o n a l m a r i n a t o a m a r i n a b a y f r o n t w i t h a h o t e l , r e s t a ur a n t , c a f é a n d s h o p s a s p a r t o f a n e w e n t e r t a i n m e n t d i s t r i c t “ W e w a n t t o a d d u s e s b e y o n d j u s t t h e m a r i n a , ” F r e e l a n d s a i d “ W e w a n t t o m a k e i t e n t e r t a i n i n g a n d i n v i t i n g ”

T h e m a r i n a w o u l d h a v e a b a y w a l k c o n n e c t i n g i t w

t h i s m o n t h p e n d i n g n e g o t i a t i o n s a f t e r i n t e r v i e w i n g f o u r c a n d i d a t e s o u t o f a p o o l o f 8 0 a p p l i c a n t s T h e p o o l o f c a nd i d a t e s w a s w h i t t l e d d o w n b y H o l l e y a n d W i l k i n s H y a t t ’ s p r e v i o u s j o b s i n c l u d e d w o r ki n g a s T e x a s d i r e c t o r f o r K 9 f o r W a r r i o r s , c i t y m a n a g e r o f N e p t u n e B e a c h , c i t y m a n a g e r o f E a s t R i d g e i n

DeSantis signs six-week abortion ban

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers

com

Gov. Ron DeSantis quickly signed a ban on abortion that limits the procedure to within six weeks of a pregnancy, after the State House passed a measure known as the Heartbeat Protection Act

Thursday evening DeSantis signed the bill at 11 p m after returning from an out-ofstate GOP event.

R e p u b l i c a n s utilized their supermajority in the House to pass the law by a vote of 70-40 Seven Republicans voted against the bill while all Democrats voted against the new law The State Senate passed the abortion law a week earlier by a vote of 26-13 largely along party lines

Governor Ron DeSantis

The vote occurred one year after the state legislature voted to ban abortion after 15 weeks, a measure which is currently facing a legal challenge in State Supreme Court

“We are proud to support life and family in the state of Florida,” DeSantis stated Thursday evening at a signing ceremony “I applaud the legislature for passing the Heartbeat Protection Act that expands prolife protections and provides additional resources for young mothers and families ”

Protests preceded the approval of the law and followed its passage Nikki Fried, chair of the Democratic Party and former state Commissioner of Agriculture, called the measure “draconian ”

“Last night, behind closed doors, Ron DeSantis signed into law a ban on abortions before Floridians even knew that he was back in the state of Florida,” Fried said at a demonstration in Tallahassee “And signing

See DeSANTIS, page 11

Andrew Hyatt See NEW MANAGER, page 9

Moss Marina, a boat storage and sales facility overlooking the bay on Fort Myers Beach, could be transformed into a hotel, restaurant and entertainment complex under plans being engineered by its owners

FILE PHOTO

See MOSS MARINA, page 14

Sea turtle rescued near Hickory Island released after rehabilitation

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

With sea turtle nesting season beginning in Southwest Florida this week, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium had some good news to share about an endangered green sea turtle who was rescued from Lee County in February

Kerry McNally, PhD, rehabilitation manager for the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, said the sea turtle named “Big Bend” was found floating and collected on to a boat about two miles west of Hickory Island in February after a report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Marsha Strickhouser, Clearwater Marine Aquarium spokesperson, said Big Bend was released back into the wild at the Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin this past week after almost two months of rehabilitation

Big Bend, a sub-adult green sea turtle, was found floating offshore Lee County in Fort Myers on Feb 23 “At 43 pounds, he was underweight, buoyant and had fibropapilloma tumors Fibropapilloma can affect any part of the sea turtle and in severe cases, can impact their ability to swim and find food,” Strickhouser stated

Sea turtles requiring rehabilitation in Lee county are usually sent to partners at Mote Marine Lab & Aquarium, but due to limited space, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission asked Clearwater Marine Aquarium to assist with rehabilitation, Strickhouser said

After a course of antibiotics and a healthy diet, Big Bend started to gain weight and the buoyancy resolved Big Bend was cleared for release by CMA’s veterinarian and FWC

Big Bend is the 13th sea turtle CMA has rehabilitated and released this year, including 10 Kemp’s ridley turtles that were released at Flagler Beach on the east coast of

Florida last month

Sea turtle nesting season is in effect on Fort Myers Beach this week, meaning outdoor lights need to be turned off after 9 p m unless they are shielded amber

lights, and all window blinds need to be closed to block light from reaching the beach where sea turtles nest Blinds can be opened after 7 a.m. The sea turtle nesting season runs through Oct 31

FILE PHOTO

Fentanyl poisoning: It could be coming to a middle school near you

P u b l i s h e r

R a y m o n d M E c ke n r o d e re cke n ro d e @ b re e z e n ew s p a p e rs c o m

E x e c u t ive E d i t o r Va l a r i e H a r r i n g v h a r r i n g @ b re e z e n ew s p a p e rs c o m E d i t o r N a t h a n M a y b e rg n m a y b e rg @ b re e z e n ew s p a p e rs c o m

A d ve r t i s i n g D i re c t o r L a u r i e R a g l e l rag l e @ b re e z e n ew s p a p e rs c o m

Advertising Sales

Lyn McElhaney lmcelhaney@breezenewspapers com

O b i t u a r i e s D e b b i e C a r l e t t i o b i t s @ b re e z e n ew s p a p e rs c o m P ro d u c t i o n m a n a g e r R o b B r a i t l i n g r b ra i t l i n g @ b re e z e n ew s p a p e rs c o m

S u b s c r i p t i o n s 1 y

Web Poll

Previous Web Poll Results

How concer ned are you that the state and federal gover nment will not be supplying enough aid to the Town of For t Myers Beach to help it rebuild and emer ge soundly financially from Hurricane Ian?

Very concerned, 75%

Slightly concerned, 8%

Not concerned, 17%

Unsure, 0%

Current Web Poll Question

How do you feel about the new abortion ban after six weeks signed by Gov Ron DeSantis?

Against

No opinion

Share your opinion at fortmyersbeachtalk.com

The last six months have been brutal for the CarrolltonFarmers Branch Independent

S c h o o l D i s t r i c t i n T e x a s

Nearly a dozen students have overdosed on fentanyl between September and March Three of them died If you’re thinking, Texas has a problem, the

t r u t h i s f a r m o r e s o b e r i n g . America has a problem, and it’s killing our children and at younger and younger ages

Make no mistake: Fentanyl

i s i n y o u r b a c k y a r d A n d shockingly, it’s not just in your high schools It’s now in the hands of your sixth, seventh, and eighth graders The parent of a 14-year-old in the Carrollton community who survived a fent a n y l o v e r d o s e t h i s y e a r s a i d , “ I n e v e r thought in a middle school there would be drugs like this ” Unfortunately, there are Denial won’t save our children Only aggressive action will

First, we must warn them about the dangers of this deadly drug (in a way that they can hear) Second, we must do everything in our power to shore up their mental health so they won’t turn to substance misuse to begin with We must talk frankly to children about the dangers of fentanyl and other drugs starting very young Middle school is too late Tell it to them straight: Misuse substances and you may die Explain that people who make drugs add fentanyl to the mix to keep buyers coming back And since this opioid is so lethal and it’s so hard to get the formula right it’s easy to cause overdose If you happen to get the wrong pill (the one with a crumb too much fentanyl), you die Yes, it’s a tough conversation to have with an elementary school child But if you wait

Council's approval of provides proper ty owners exclusive rights to Beach

To the editor:

On Septe 28 2022, hurricane Ian roared onto our island It took our innocence, our homes, and our friends Our newly elected and current town council, and staff stepped up and took charge in the face of this challenge Many decisions were made (and continue to be made) that were unprecedented on our island We remain in uncharted territory Permits are scarce, staff is absent, tempers are frayed Our island life as we knew it is forever changed Two taxpayers have dominated our island culture for many years They

until they’re older, they may already have friends who are misusing substances, seemingly with no consequences They may have tried drugs themselves or even be (already) struggling with addiction And it’s impossible to “scare” a person who is addicted into stopping

Plus, we can’t tackle the s u b s t a n c e m i s u s e e p i d e m i c w i t h o u t a l s o a d d r e s s i n g t h e mental health epidemic The two are intertwined Anxiety and depression rates are higher than ever Suicide ideation is s k y r o c k e t i n g S t u d e n t s a r e buckling under an avalanche of challenges that undermine their wellbeing Academic p r e s s u r e s S o c i a l m e d i a a d d i c t i o n P o o r health habits (And don’t forget the impact of COVID-19 and its aftermath, which exacerbated the problems )

Parents are well aware of these issues We lose sleep over them And when something does go wrong with a child, too often we discover the resources in place to help are overwhelmed, or broken, or so disjointed we can’t navigate them

It’s a huge problem that calls for a systemic solution We must all make changes: c o m m u n i t i e s , s c h o o l s , f a m i l i e s , a n d , o f course, young people themselves But in the meantime, parents play a huge and immediate role There’s a lot we can do to support our children’s mental health and set them up to become resilient adults The key is helping them find what they crave most: joy

Our culture steals joy from young people (from all of us, really) There is too much wrong (stress, isolation, peer pressure) and too little right (strong relationships, good health habits, faith) We can improve the

have fought for years to build a 298-foot structure adjacent to the Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area This is a protected area (an environmentally critical area) on the south end of our island They have not succeeded in obtaining our town council’s approval; until now Two of our newly elected town council members (John King and Karen Woodson) have made it their mission to support this structure They contend that these taxpayers have the right to access the beach These council members contend that this structure is the exclusive right of these taxpayers Despite the rejection of two other town councils, this structure was approved In the midst of the continued tragedy of Ian,

We want your opinion

odds for our children by engaging them young in conversations on what brings them joy and what steals it from them Rather than telling them what we think they should do, we can ask open-ended questions and truly listen

We can shore up our children’s mental health by giving them a wellbeing “toolbox ” This means instilling habits like getting enough sleep and exercise, limiting social media, and finding something bigger than themselves to believe in When taking care of their bodies, minds, and spirits becomes second nature, they’ll have the resources to create and nurture a lifetime of joy

There is a reason I’m passionate about this subject In 2012, my son Hudson nearly died from an accidental drug overdose in college Thankfully, he made a full recovery But then, in 2013, I found the body of my precious firstborn son, William, after a fatal (and accidental) overdose. I wouldn’t wish the horror of these experiences on any other parent I have dedicated the rest of my life to helping prevent them

Stopping the fentanyl crisis won’t be quick or easy The challenges we face as parents, educators, and community members are truly daunting However, I believe they are not insurmountable What I know is that denial and despair won’t help our children Taking these crucial actions will Our children deserve a chance to thrive We deserve the joy of watching it happen.

David Magee is the best-selling author and the creator and director of operations of the William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing at the University of Mississippi He also hosts The Mayo Lab Podcast with David Magee, a one-of-its-kind program for parents aimed at helping students and families find lasting wellbeing

the scarcity of town resources, the inability of islanders to obtain town permits to rebuild their homes; our town council gave permission to these two individuals to build a large structure on our island While many islanders struggle to rebuild, these two taxpayers have been granted exclusive approval to enhance their property values This matter is far from over Let your voice be heard This bridge approval is wrong for our island We have an opportunity to extend harmony and respect to all islanders Let us act now

Gayle Crabtree-Pergoli Fort Myers Beach

The views expressed on the Opinions pages are just that opinions These pages are intended to convey a range of viewpoints; opinions printed on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. Opposing views are welcome. Letters to the Editor or guest columns may be mailed to: Fort Myers Beach Observer, 19260 San Carlos Blvd , Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931; faxed to 239-765-0846; emailed to news@breezenewspapers com; or posted to our Virtual Newsroom at www breezenewspapers com Letters are due no later than noon Monday All letters and guest columns must be signed and must contain a phone number for verification purposes You also can comment on any letter or editorial opinion online at: fortmyersbeachtalk com

David Magee Guest Commentary

Director of Parks, Culture and Recreation resigns

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

A l i s o n G i e s e n , l o n g t i m e F o r t M y e r s B e a c h d i r e c t o r o f P a r k s , C u l t u r e a n d R e c r e a t i o n , h a s t a k e n a n e w j o b w i t h t h e L e e C o u n t y T o u r i s t D e v e l o p m e n t C o u n c i l

Giesen, who worked for the town since 2014, submitted her two-weeks notice in March in order to take anothe r j o b , a c c o r d i n g t o T o w n o f F o r t M y e r s B e a c h

Communications Director Jennifer Dexter

H e r j o b i n c l u d e d o v e r s e e i n g t h e B a y O a k s Recreational Campus and the Mound House. Jeff Hauge, former manager of Bay Oaks, has been named the interim director to replace her at a salary of $73,216

During her tenure with the town, Giesen helped direct a historic restoration of the Mound House with donations from the state and the late Dan and Ann Hughes In 2019, the Mound House was listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places

“Alison was instrumental in getting the Mound House running and achieving it’s historical designation,” Town of Fort Myers Beach Councilman Bill Veach said “Her competence allowed the town to consolidate the town’s recreational assets under one manager. She will be missed, but I wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors ”

Giesen’s departure is the fourth department head to

From page 4

Boardwalk applicants should not have been allowed third hearing

To the editor:

I fully support the lawsuit the Florida Audubon Society has brought against the Town of Fort Myers Beach for all of the reasons stated in the lawsuit

In addition, shorebird populations have

leave the town since November, following the resignation of former utilities director Christy Cory in January, the resignation of the town’s payroll director and community development director in November

Town of Fort Myers Beach interim Manager Keith Wilkins said Giesen “has done an incredible job establishing the Mound House museum and grounds for the Town. Mound House is such a significant contribution to the history and culture of not just Fort Myers Beach but the State of Florida, too She created a quality asset far beyond what you find in much larger cities We are

Letters

declined in North America by 50% since the 1970s Why? Coastal habitat loss, fragmentation, alteration, degradation, and water quality affecting shorebird health and food availability These are all human-caused detriments Rood and Kroemer’s 298-foot structure (It is not a dune walkover!) will further push these threatened shorebird species even closer to extinction in our lifetime. For three FMB Town Council members to be in a position to allow such a sig-

happy for her new role at the TDC and look forward to working with her there ”

Town of Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers said Giesen “will be an excellent addition to the TDC We thank her for her hard work, determination, and expertise over the years ”

Personnel addition

Onzick served for 10 years as the executive director of Finance for Kane County in Illinois and previously was controller for Aurora University

Onzick has an MBA in Accounting from Aurora University and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Wheaton College

“We are pleased to welcome Joe to the Finance Director position that has been open since prior to Hurricane Ian,” said Town of Fort Myers Beach interim Town Manager Keith Wilkins “His experience, education and skills are impressive, and will guide us through the coming months and years as we continue to recover and rebuild ”

nificant and detrimental structure to be built along a State designated Critical Wildlife Area, specifically where there is known nesting of threatened shorebird species, is beyond belief The process whereby Rood and Kroemer were able to go back a third time for a Council vote with their special exception application is incredibly flawed and needs to be changed

Florida Audubon Society’s lawsuit has been filed to prevent this injustice and any-

one who cares about the fate of birds and there are millions of us should speak out against this latest vote by a mere three people to approve a special exception that will degrade, fragment, and alter one of the few remaining beach nesting bird habitats in Florida and used by hundreds of migrating shorebirds throughout the year

Penny Jarrett Fort Myers Beach

Alison Giesen Joe Onzick

Lee County Recovery Task Force to hold town hall at DiamondHead May 4

STAFF REPORT

The Lee County Recovery Task Force will host a town hall meeting at the DiamondHead Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach May 4 to give the public an opportunity to learn more about the work of the task force and allow for input on “what is needed to repair and rebuild more resilient to future hazards we may face,” the task force announced

The meeting will run from 6 to 8 p m at the DiamondHead Beach Resort’s ballroom at 2000 Estero Blvd

The upcoming town hall is part of a series of 16 town hall meetings announced by the county’s task force to run from April 19 through May 11

One of the goals of ResilientLee, the public-facing aspect of the Lee County Recovery Task Force, is comm u n i t y e n g a g e m e n t i n t h e r e c o v e r y p r o c e s s f r o m Hurricane Ian In addition to the Fort Myers Beach meeting, there will be 14 in-person town hall meetings, one virtual town hall offered in English, one virtual town hall offered in Spanish, and five additional in-person town halls with Spanish-language options.

The schedule, location details and more information can be found at www resilientlee com

The Lee County Recovery Task Force is led by Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane, and was created as an advisory committee to the Lee Board of County Commissioners in response to Hurricane Ian The task force consists of 13 leaders from across the county, including mayors of municipal jurisdictions within Lee County, as well as representatives from the school district, fire, law enforcement and other public agencies

No timetable for Publix reopening

Publix Supermarket, which has been shuttered on Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach since Hurricane Ian, does not yet have a timetable for reopening. Lindsey Willis,

relations

er for Publix Super Markets, Inc. said "we do not have an update I can provide on the opening date just yet." Willis said more information may be available at the end of the month.

Curbside debris removal service extended

STAFF REPORT

Right-of-way removal service for hurricane-related debris has been extended, CrowderGulf’s Regional Manager Barton Holmes told the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council Monday Holmes said he believes Florida’s Division of Emergency Management has extended the pickup on side streets for up to 60 days

“This means that property owners who live on the Town’s side streets can continue to place heavy stormrelated debris curbside in the right of way for free pick up until notice is given otherwise Contractors with FDEM will continue to collect this debris,” Town of Fort Myers Beach spokesperson Jennifer Dexter stated.

Lee County was responsible for debris pick up on Estero Boulevard and that service ended on March 1, Dexter stated

The Florida Division of Emergency Management is no longer accepting applications from private and commercial property owners to remove eligible debris, vehicles, vessels, and other title property For information about an application submitted prior to the March 29 deadline, call 850-961-2002, Monday through Friday, 8 a m to 8 p m and Saturday and Sunday 9 a m to 5 p m

Waterways debris removal contractors vetted by the Florida Division of Emergency Management have been cleaning Hurricane Ian debris from public waterways for several months No deadline has yet been set for this work to end

Household trash pickup is operating on a regular schedule For questions about pickups, contact Waste Management at 239-334-1224

media

manag-

FILE PHOTO

DiamondHead Beach Resort, pictured days after Hurricane Ian struck on Fort Myers Beach.

NATHAN MAYBERG

7 n W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , A p r i l 1 9 , 2 0 2 3 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

Beach Living

Earth Day cleanup to be held Saturday

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

Keep Lee County Beautiful, in collaboration with the Mound House, will conduct an Earth Day cleanup this Saturday around the historic Shell Mound Park on Fort Myers Beach where the Mound House is located

Tisha Bayne, communications and special events coordinator for Keep Lee County Beautiful, said the Fort Myers Beach event is one of two cleanups planned for Earth Day on Saturday, April 22 The other events will be a citywide cleanup of Cape Coral and a tree planting at Lakes Park

The Fort Myers Beach cleanup will run from 9 to 11 a.m on Saturday.

“In the past, the Mound House held clean-ups on the beach, but this year they wanted to clean-up the historic Shell Mound Park where the Mound House is located The volunteers will be cleaning up the streets and sidewalks between Estero Blvd, Matanzas Pass, Red Coconut RV Park, and Beach Baptist Church,” Bayne said

Volunteers who are 18 or older are welcome to join Keep Lee County Beautiful in cleaning along the streets of the Shell Mound Park Boulevard The organization will be picking up litter and debris along the streets and public rights-of-way though not from private properties.

Check-in will be at the Mound House at 451 Connecticut St Parking for the event is at 216 Connecticut St Carpooling is encouraged as there is a limit of 40 spaces

Pre-registration is required through the organizat i o n ’ s w e b s i t e a t :

https://www signupgenius com/go/805094aaaaa2ca4f

49-shell#/

Requirements for participating in the clean-up include closed-toe shoes and safety vests (which will be provided by Keep Lee County Beautiful)

reusable water bottles, sunblock, bug spray and thick gloves Cleanup supplies and water refill stations will be provided

For any additional questions, email Sarah@klcb org or call 239-334-3488

Kiwanis Club seeks scholarship applicants

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

This year, the Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis Club is expanding its scholarship offerings With the loss of residents to Hurricane Ian and a population of students that has decreased in recent years, Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis Club Secretary Paula McCarthy said the organization wanted to expand the pool

The Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis Club is accepting scholarship applications from any student planning to attend college who lives on Fort Myers Beach, or who has a parent, grandparent or guardian who lives or works on Fort Myers Beach

“We expanded the criteria last year because it’s getting more difficult for young families to live on the island,” McCarthy said

“Last year we gave out 16 scholarships, both new and renewals, for $2000 each This year we hope to be able to give $1000 for the first semester,” McCarthy said

To apply for a scholarship, visit the Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis Club's website at fortmyersbeachkiwanis org

The deadline to apply is May 15 For any questions, contact McCarthy at pmcfmb2003@yahoo com

Beach Kids Foundation seeking scholarship applications

As the recovery from Hurricane Ian continues, the Fort Myers Beach Kids Foundation wants everyone to know that they are coming into 2023 stronger than ever, with some great things planned for our island kids when they need it the most

The board announced this week that they are now accepting applications for their annual scholarship program, which offers $1,000 to any graduating high school senior living in the 33931 area code who is enrolling or is a college student already enrolled in a college or trade school, or whose parent or g r a n d p a r e n t h a s w o r k e d o n F o r t Myers Beach for at least two years

“Obviously with the hurricane, this year it will be for students who

met that criterion before Ian,” said Beach Kids Foundation Vice Chair Deborah Groll “Every year we do scholarships which includes college an d g r ad s ch o o l, als o v o catio n al schools This is one of our favorite programs and we have helped so many students year after year We love to see their progress, and many keep in touch with us after graduation ” S c h o l a r s h i p a p p l i c a t i o n s a r e available on the Foundation website a t w w w b e a c h k i d s f o u n d a t i o n n e t C o m p l e t e d a p p l i c a t i o n s c a n b e emailed to summerinoh@aol com or to btmyers2152@eagle.fgcu.edu.

The deadline to get them is June 30 The Beach Kids Foundation gave out 16 checks for $1,000 last year,

which are made payable to the college institution after verification of enrollment Once the Board reviews all the applications, a decision will be made in July.

Be sure and stay tuned to the Fort Myers Beach Observer and social media as more fun is in store for this summer

The foundation is planning a couple of fundraisers a corn hole tournament in June and a beach cleanup event in July They are also planning a backpack drive to send i s l a n d k i d s b a c k t o s c h o o l w i t h e v e r y t h i n g t h e y n e e d , i n c l u d i n g clothes, and Island parents will be invited to pick up the fully stocked backpacks at an event sometime in August

Fort Myers Beach Lions accepting scholarship applications

“Cash

PHOTO PROVIDED

Students from Florida Gulf Coast University, pictured at Santini Plaza, recently assisted Keep Lee County Beautiful in a cleanup of Fort Myers Beach. Keep Lee County Beautiful will be partnering with the Mound House for another cleanup on Fort Myers Beach for Earth Day, this Saturday.

Lee County Band to present ‘April in Paradise’

The Lee County Community Band will present April in Paradise at Cape Coral High School this Sunday, April 23

The concert begins at 3 p m and will feature performances of “Dixieland Front and Center!,” lively marches, patriotic favorites, Broadway hits, and more Other selections include Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, a march by John Philip Sousa; Highlights from Jersey Boys; In the Miller Mood; Frenesi, featuring vocalist Jan Fenn; Love Is…, featuring vocalist Norman Jones; and Come Fly with Me, featuring vocalist Fred Lamb

New manager

T e n n e s s e e , c i t y m a n a g e r o f F a i r v i e w i n T e n n e s s e e , c i t y m a n a g e r o f E t o w a h i n T e n n e s s e e , s a l e s c o n s u l t a n t f o r G o b e r E n t e r p r i s e s i n J a c k s o n v i l l e a n d s e n i o r a d m i n i s t r a t i v e a s s i s t a n t f o r h u m a n r e s o u r c e s f o r t h e c i t y o f J a c k s o n v i l l e p a r k s a n d r e c r e a t i o n d e p a r t m e n t

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Hyatt grew up in eastern Tennessee and has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

He plans on living in Fort Myers Beach and is currently looking at purchasing a home here “I think that’s important to live in your town It’s easier to get a feel of the community that way,” he said

“The people have been welcoming,”

From page 1

In addition to concluding the Lee County Band’s 137th concert season, the April 23 program will serve as a bittersweet moment for the 50-member ensemble, as it bids farewell to emcee and vocalist Norman Jones, who has served in this role for 43 years; and to longtime Director Richard Bradstreet and his wife, Sara, band librarian Richard and Sara joined the Lee County Band in 1979; he accepted the baton as Director in 2003 and is retiring after the April 23 concert Southwest Florida’s original concert band, the Lee County Band has been regaling regional audiences

Hyatt said “They are ready to get back to the way things were ”

As for his first impressions of Fort Myers Beach, Hyatt said it’s “not as bad as I expected A lot of heavy lifting has been done getting brush and debris out of the way ”

H y a t t l e f t t h e T o w n o f S u r f s i d e i n D e c e m b e r a f t e r w o r k i n g t h e r e t w o y e a r s

One of the toughest parts of the deadly tragedy in Surfside for Hyatt was “there is no preparation ” Unlike a hurricane where there is time to warn people of an impending disaster, the Surfside collapse was sudden though engineering reports delivered to the condo association before the collapse had warned of structural problems

since 1885, and enjoys a large, loyal, and enthusiastic audience Plan to arrive early and enjoy this final concert of the season Admission is free; donations are welcomed

The band will resume rehearsals in October, and its first performance of the 2023-24 season will be in midNovember

Cape Coral High School is at 2300 Santa Barbara Boulevard, one block north of Veterans Parkway

For more information, call Frances Pace, President, at 239-691-3115; or visit www leecountyband org

The collapse was followed by more than a month of rescue efforts to find survivors, with international rescue teams working on the scene The state worked to bring down the building to aid in the rescue, Hyatt said The town worked with the American Red Cross to find shelter, food and clothing for survivors

Hyatt said many of the condo owners lived elsewhere and were not in the tower at the time since it was in the summer

The collapse triggered state legislation that created a state-wide inspection program for condo buildings taller than three stories which will require a certification process when reaching 30 years of age, or 25 years if the building is located within three miles of the coast, and every 10 years afterward

H y a t t s a i d i t w i l l b e u p t o F o r t M y e r s B e a c h c o n d o a s s o c i a t i o n s t o m a k e s u r e t h e i r b u i l d i n g s a r e i n g o o d o r d e r H o m e s d e s t r o y e d b y H u r r i c a n e I a n w i l l b e r e p l a c e d b y b u i l d i n g s b u i l t u p t o n e w e r c o d e s , w h i c h h e s a i d w i l l h e l p t h e t o w n

He hopes he can help Fort Myers Beach to be “alive and breathing again Get it back where it was and make it even better ”

Hyatt expects a lot of new construct i o n a n d i n v e s t m e n t s o n F o r t M y e r s Beach, which he expects will remain a destination for those seeking relief from the harsh winters up north

“Fort Myers Beach will survive There will be more and more people coming They really love the coast,” he said

Abortion bill brings protest at Old Lee County Courthouse

By DEVIN CRUMPACKER news@breezenewspapers com

Demonstrators gathered on the steps of the Old Lee County Courthouse on Fort Myers last week to voice their displeasure with a new impending law which will limit abortions in Florida to within six weeks of a pregnancy The measure passed the state legislature last week and was signed into law by Gov Ron DeSantis late Thursday evening

“Government does not have the authority or the right to make those decisions for somebody who can make their own choices,” said Howard Sapp from a megaphone to the crowd “It makes no sense ”

Sapp, a former air traffic controller and Democrat, is challenging Fort Myers Rep Jenna Persons-Mulicka (R78) for her state House seat Persons-Mulicka, who represents a large section of Lee County, introduced the Heartbeat Protection Act in the state House last week

The Heartbeat Protection Act follows on the heels of Florida’s current 15-week abortion ban law, which was enacted just last year The law and others like it have been springing up around the country in response to last year’s U S Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade, which had guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion in America for decades

“Jenna thinks I’m morally incapable of making my own healthcare decisions,” said another speaker, Jesi Cason, to the crowd “Jenna thinks that because she went to a private Christian college and majored in government that she can make my healthcare decisions ”

Cason, a prominent local photographer and activist, described to the crowd how the Republican party has seen an exponential growth in political power in Florida over the past decade or so, with the party now holding the governor’s office, as well as a supermajority in both the House and the Senate. She went on to give a grim prediction for Florida abortion rights advocates

“They’re not going to stop,” said Cason “You think they’re going to stop with a six-week ban? They’re not going to stop They’re not going to stop until we have no rights ”

DEVON CRUMPACKER

and opponents of the new law deals with when a human heart starts beating Rep Persons-Mulicka has said publicly on multiple occasions that a heartbeat can be seen at six weeks This position is the basis for enacting a potential six-week abortion ban law Many medical professionals prefer the term “cardiac activity” to “heartbeat” at six-weeks of development, when the heart isn’t fullyformed and its pulses are sporadic

“We cannot be afraid to talk to our friends, our families, our neighbors Even if they don’t want to listen,” Cason continued “We are the majority of this country Sixty-four percent of Americans believe that abortions should be legal in all or most cases.”

Cason was referring to a recently released survey from the nonpartisan research organization Public Religion Research Institute that found that 64 percent of respondents believed abortion should be legal in at least most cases, while only 34 percent said it should be illegal in most or all cases

“We’re going to be seen as much as we can,” added Sapp before the close of remarks “And we’re going to let people know that this is what we stand for, right here ”

In comments to legislators before the state House passed the new law last week, Persons-Mulicka said "we have the opportunity to lead the national debate about the importance of protecting life and giving every child the opportunity to be born and find his or her purpose. For the past 50 years, we have had a culture grow in this nation a culture of abortion for any reason at any time A culture that was created by seven men on the Roe v Wade court who got it wrong, who gave women a false choice This culture has led to the loss of millions and millions of American lives ”

Persons-Mulicka said “this culture refused to discuss that abortions can have serious repercussions on the women who undergo the procedure ”

“At six weeks time, a heartbeat is detectable and there is no greater evidence of life than a hearbeat ”

Jesi Cason, one of the protest’s speakers, addresses a crowd opposed to legislation that would outlaw most abortions past the 6-week mark in Florida. HB7 was passed by the House on Thursday amid protests at the Capitol. The Senate approved the limit on April 3. The legislation will now go to Gov Ron DeSantis See

One of the points of contention between proponents

Chants of “Not your body, not your choice” could be heard from blocks away as the demonstration drew to a close.

According to a summary analysis of the bill, if approved by the House and ultimately signed by the governor, the legislation would prohibit physicians from “knowingly performing or inducing termination of pregnancy” after six weeks with limited exceptions and would affect the dispensation of abortion-inducing drugs in two ways It would limit physicians to dispensing such medications only in person and would prohibit telehealth providers from using telehealth to provide such treatment Current law does not regulate how physicians dispense these abortion-inducing drugs, or the use of telehealth to provide abortions.

If approved, the bill would expand the services offered by the Florida Pregnancy Support Services Program to eligible clients "to include parenting services, nonmed-

a bill that would ban abortions before many women know that they are even pregnant ”

Fried, who ran in the Democratic Party primary for governor last year, said the 15week abortion ban signed by DeSantis last year “has already put women’s lives at risk and forced patients to leave the state to seek the care that they need Under the new ban victims of rape and incest will have to provide official documentation proving that a crime was actually committed against them before they can seek the care that they need I'm going to repeat that Victims of rape and incest will have to provide documentation "

The bill also bans the use of abortion pills by mail and requires abortion medication to be dispensed by a doctor in person The law would also prohibit telehealth providers from using telehealth to provide such treatment Current law does not regulate how physicians dispense these abortion-inducing drugs, or the use of telehealth to provide abortions

The vote contains an exception for rape, human trafficking or incest within 15 weeks of a pregnancy Those seeking an exception would need to show evidence, including court documents to prove rape or incest occurred

An exception also would occur for any time to save a woman’s life, with the concurrence of two physicians

The bill was presented in the House Thursday by Rep Jenna Persons-Mulicka (R-78), whose district covers a large part of Lee County in and around Fort Myers

Lee County’s legislative delegation in the House all voted for the abortion law including Persons-Mulicka, Rep. Adam Botana (R-80), Tiffany Esposito (R-77), Rep Mike Giallombardo (R-79), Spencer Roach (R-

76) A week earlier, the State Senate also voted to approve the law with Sen Ben Albritton (R-27), Sen Jonathan Martin (R33) and Sen Kathleen Passidomo (R-28)

Attempts to reach Botana and Martin, who represent Fort Myers Beach, were unsuccessful

Persons-Mulicka said the bill would reverse 50 years of a “culture of abortion ”

There were more than 82,000 abortions in Florida last year, according to the Florida Agency of Health Care Administration

“Today, we have the opportunity to lead,” Persons-Mulicka said “We have the opportunity to lead the national debate about the importance of protecting life and giving every child the opportunity to be born and find his or her purpose. For the past 50 years, we have had a culture grow in this nation - a culture of abortion for any reason

at any time A culture that was created by seven men on the Roe v Wade court who got it wrong, who gave women a false choice This culture has led to the loss of millions and millions of American lives ”

Persons-Mulicka said “this culture refused to discuss that abortions can have serious repercussions on the women who undergo the procedure ”

“At six weeks time, a heartbeat is detectable and there is no greater evidence of life than a heartbeat ”

Opponents have countered that most women do not know they are pregnant until after four weeks, leaving little time to get an abortion from doctors who are unable to provide abortions in most cases until at least four weeks. With waiting times, opponents fear many women seeking to get abortions within the six-week window will be shut

out

State Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book (D-35) opposed the bill, saying the bill would all but ban abortion since abortion care is not even available until five weeks into a pregnancy “While the majority of Floridians are pro-choice, this body has chosen to force an extremist agenda to essentially ban all abortion in our state Despite hearing from doctors who affirm what we already know to be true that no matter how hard you may wish or pray it away, abortion is truly health care Despite the fact that most abortions after 15 weeks occur because women mothers have found out about devastating health and genetic challenges facing their very wanted pregnancies

“Despite of the fact that doctors pleading with us explaining that in order to rule out an ectopic pregnancy, they cannot even perform abortion care until 5 weeks, when a gestational sac can be seen on an ultrasound – meaning women and girls have just a oneweek window to get 2 appointments, take 2 days off work, perhaps to obtain childcare, to get transportation, and to secure the funds needed –when 73% of Florida counties don’t even have abortion clinics "

Book and State Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried both protested the passage of the law by sitting in front of City Hall in Tallahassee last week and were arrested

Florida State Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R-28), whose district includes a portion of Lee County, said "The Heartbeat Protection Act builds on Florida’s strong track record of protecting the most vulnerable, especially the unborn, and strengthens state efforts to promote adoption, and sup-

PHOTO PROVIDED

Governor Ron DeSantis signs six-week abortion ban.

Protest

From page 10

ical material assistance, counseling, mentoring, education materials, and classes on pregnancy, parenting, adoption, life skills and employment readiness."

The legislation also calls for a recurring appropriation of $30 million

Florida State Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R28), whose district includes part of Lee County, said “The Heartbeat Protection Act builds on Florida’s strong track record of protecting the most vulnerable, especially the unborn, and strengthens state efforts to promote adoption, and support families, with significant resources to benefit infants, young children, and parents, which we hope will encourage more Floridians in difficult and unplanned situations to choose life for their babies,” said Sen President

DeSantis

Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples) “Our bill also includes strong and clear exceptions for rape, incest, and human trafficking, in addition to those already available for the life of the mother We also clarify the existing exception for the horrible situation when parents are facing the heartbreaking diagnosis of a fatal fetal abnormality ”

The Heartbeat Protection Act prohibits abortions after six weeks gestation Gestation was defined in HB 5 (2022) as being calculated from the first day of the woman’s last menstrual period The bill maintains current law exceptions to the six week prohibition for the life and health of the mother and clarifies that the exception for fatal fetal abnormalities is available until the third trimester, rather than until viability

From page 11

port families, with significant resources to benefit infants, young children, and parents, which we hope will encourage more Floridians in difficult and unplanned situations to choose life for their babies,” said Sen President Kathleen Passidomo (RNaples) “Our bill also includes strong and clear exceptions for rape, incest, and human trafficking, in addition to those already available for the life of the mother We also clarify the existing exception for the horrible situation when parents are facing the heartbreaking diagnosis of a fatal fetal abnormality ”

The bill maintains current law exceptions to the six-week prohibition for the life and health of the mother and clarifies that the exception for fatal fetal abnormalities is available until the third trimester, rather than until viability

The law was approved after more than five hours of debate in which Democrats raised a number of concerns about the

impact of the bill, which they stated would disproportionately affect those in poor communities All amendments brought forward were rejected by the Republican-led legislature

Democrats questioned how the state would enforce the provision banning abortion medicine delivered through the mail Persons-Mulicka said that would be enforced by “the executive branch ”

Democrat legislators also asked how the bill’s limit on the use of state funds for outof-state abortions would be enforced

Persons-Mulicka said that provision would be directed at entities, not individuals, though the bill does not specify a difference

Rep Susan Valdes (D-64), who represents part of Hillsborough County, spoke about the “hypocrisy” of the legislature with a death penalty bill in front of the state legislature on the same day.

“Abortion is safe in today’s world Abortion is health care,” Rep Valdes said

The bill would allow an exception for victims of rape, incest, and human trafficking, up to 15 weeks gestation To ensure violent perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes against women and girls, and to help prevent repeated sexual assault, abuse, and violence against rape, incest, and human trafficking survivors, the bill contains reporting requirements, so criminals can be brought to justice

Book and State Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried both protested the passage of the law by sitting in front of City Hall in Tallahassee last week and were arrested

Fort Myers Beach Observer Editor Nathan Mayberg contributed to this story

Abortion can be done with medication “in the privacy of their own home,” Valdes said Valdes noted that the U S has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income, developed nations in the world “This bill will kill women,” she said Valdez said the abortion ban would place undo burdens on women in a society where many working women are unable to receive maternity leave pay to have a child

A statement sent out by the communications office of DeSantis to the media Thursday night referred to abortions as “infanticide ” The office stated that the proposed budget of DeSantis provides nearly $143 million to enhance services for pregnant and postpartum women and children

The debate was full of references to the Bible by both sides seeking to support their positions, providing personal details about emotional family experiences.

Rep Anna Eskamani (D-42), said she worked at six years at Planned Parenthood

She volunteered in college and walked patients past abortion protesters Eskamani said the never thought she would be “part of a process to strip bodily autonomy ”

Eskamani said “this is a devastating vote ”

The bill also provides $30 million for the expansion of services offered by the Florida Pregnancy Support Services Program to eligible clients "to include parenting services, nonmedical material assistance, counseling, mentoring, education materials, and classes on pregnancy, parenting, adoption, life skills and employment readiness "

Democrats questioned whether the funds were being used to promote unwanted pregnancies

The 15-week ban signed by DeSantis last year is pending a challenge that contends the legislation violates the voter-approved privacy amendment contained in the state constitution Florida Supreme Court consideration is pending

Moss Marina

N e l l i e ’ s . T h e b a y w a l k w o u l d g i v e v i s it o r s a c h a n c e t o w a l k a l o n g t h e b a y a n d e n j o y t h e v i e w o f t h e w a t e r n e a r M a t a n z a s P a s s I t ’ s a c o n c e p t t h a t h a s h a d t h e s u p p o r t o f n e i g h b o r i n g b u s in e s s e s w h o h a v e b e e n t a l k i n g i t u p s i n c e b e f o r e B a y s i d e P a r k u n d e r w e n t a n o v e rh a u l l a s t y e a r H o l d i n g F r e e l a n d ’ s p l a n s t o g e t h e r a r e t h e A r c h e s , t h e l a n d m a r k e n t r a n c e t o F o r t M y e r s B e a c h t h a t w a s b u l l d o z e d i n 1 9 7 9 t o m a k e w a y f o r t h e M a t a n z a s P a s s B r i d g e . F r e e l a n d h a s f o n d m e m o r i e s a s a c h i l d c r o s s i n g i n t o F o r t M y e r s B e a c h o n t r i p s w i t h h i s f a m i l y u n d e r t h e A r c h e s a n d o v e r t h e d r a w b r i d g e b e f o r e h i s f a t h e r p u r c h a s e d M o s s M a r i n a i n 1 9 8 2 T h a t ’ s w h y t h e n e w d e v e l o p m e n t a t M o s s M a r i n a w i l l b e n a m e d A r c h e s B a y f r o n t F r e e l a n d s a i d h e w a n t s t o i n c o r p o r a t e t h e f a m e d A r c h e s h e a v i l y i n t o t h e r e d e v e l o p m e n t o f M o s s M a r i n a F r e e l a n d i s w o r k i n g o n t h e d e s i g n w i t h t h e f i r m D P Z C o D e s i g n o n p l a n s . “ W e r e a l l y w a n t t o i n c o r p o r a t e t h e o l d F o r t M y e r s B e a c h t o t h e n e x t v e rs i o n o f t h e B e a c h , ” F r e e l a n d s a i d “ W e w a n t t o b e a c a t a l y s t o n t h e B e a c h , p u tt i n g s o m e t h i n g r e a l l y p o s i t i v e ” F r e e l a n d s e e s a n o p p o r t u n i t y f o r a n e w h o t e l o n F o r t M y e r s B e a c h w i t h m a n y h o t e l r o o m s o n F o r t M y e r s B e a c h l o s t d u r i n g H u r r i c a n e I a n A n o t h e r h o t e l , t h e C a r o u s e l I n n , w a s r e c e n t l y s o l d “ T h e r e h a s b e e n a h u g e l o s s o f c a p a c i t y , ” h e s a i d . R e c e n t l y , M o s s M a r i n a b e g a n h o l di n g m u s i c a l e n t e r t a i n m e n t o n t h e p r o pe r t y d u r i n g s u n s e t s o n F r i d a y s a n d S a t u r d a y s “ W e ’ r e m a k i n g i t a p l a c e t o c r e a t e s o m e m e m o r i e s a n d h a v e a g o o d t i m e ” T h e o w n e r s F r e e l a n d ’ s f a m i l y h a s b e e n i n S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a s i n c e t h e 1 9 6 0 s o p e r a t i n g v a r i o u s b u s i n e s s e s . T h e f a m i l y o r i g i n a l l y h a i l s f r o m I n d i a n a a n d F r e e l a n d h i m s e l f c a l l s N a s h v i l l e h o m e t h e s e d a y s Y e t t h e f a m i l y s t i l l h a s r o o t s o f f i s l a n d a r o u n d L e e C o u n t y a n d C h a r l o t t e C o u n t y , F r e e l a n d s a i d B e n ’ s f a t h e r G e o r g e F r e e l a n d t u r n e d M o s s M a r i n a i n t o w h a t B e n s a y s i s t h e l a r g e s t C h r i s - C r a f t b o a t d e a l e r s h i p i n t h e w o r l d f o r a n n u a l s a l e s T h e m a r i n a w a s h o m e t o t h e B i g M C a s i n o b o a t s f o r m o r e t h a n 1 5 y e a r s B a c k i n 2 0 2 1 w h e n t h e U . S . C o a s t G u a r d w a s m a k i n g p l a n s t o b u i l d a n e w s t a t i o n o n F o r t M y e r s B e a c h , t h e y r e a c h e d a d e a l w i t h M o s s M a r i n a t o m o v e t h e i r u n i t t h e r e w h i l e t h e o l d s t at i o n i s r e p l a c e d b y t h e n e w b u i l d i n g

From page 1

T h e U S C o a s t G u a r d h a s b e e n o p e r a ti n g o u t o f M o s s M a r i n a f o r t h e l a s t y e a r a n d a h a l f “ W e ’ v e e n j o y e d h a v i n g t h e m t h e r e , ” F r e e l a n d s a i d “ Y o u c a n t e l l t h e v a l u e t h e y b r i n g ” T h e i r n e w s t a t i o n o n S a n C a r l o s D r i v e i s e x p e c t e d t o b e c o mp l e t e d b y t h e e n d o f t h e y e a r

H u r r i c a n e I a n

With all the damage Hurricane Ian brought to Fort Myers Beach and more than a dozen boats that were stored at Moss Marina, also at stake was a part of the nation’s defense

“The real first job was to get the Coast Guard going,” Freeleand said

“Despite the devastating losses to our property, buildings, equipment, inventory and employees’ livelihoods, the Moss Marina team and our family locked arms and went to work immediately rebuilding what was left Led by our general manager, Gary Foco and the team, we knew that getting the U S Coast Guard station up and running for mission critical operations was job number one,” Freeland stated “Not only did the Moss Marina team

come through, but the entire community- from first responders and public servants to vendors, neighbors and politicians -came together to get the job done ”

Freeland said the U S Coast Guard assisted in cleanup of the property

Almost of all of the boats on site during the hurricane were damaged Many were able to be repaired though some drifted out into the bay and were lost Two of the buildings survived, though with some cosmetic damage The pier and docks that were damaged have been put back together and reopened with 55 slips for boats to dock at

“We are fully in business but a modified version,” Freeland said In addition to providing dry storing for boats and wet slips, Moss Marina sells boats and rents them out They have a shop on site where they sell parts and fuel They have been busy working on repairing boats damaged by Hurricane Ian Due to the damage of their buildings, they have been doing a lot of their work out of trailers

“We’re doing well. For two to three months, it was super tough We were pretty

fortunate to put the pieces back together ”

P u b l i c i n p u t

Whether the bayfront is more hotel, more restaurant and just how big is something Freeland says he wants the public to decide After he completes several sets of plans at the end of this week, the design team will be posting three or four different plans on a website dedicated to the development at www archesbayfront com He expects to have a set of three or four different plans listed on the website by the end of the week for the public to look at

An open house for the entire Fort Myers Beach community is scheduled for May 15 from 6 to 8 p m at the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina

Freeland expects to submit an application to the town for permits in June.

“We are committed to garnering input from residents We aim to embrace the charm of this community and the history of the island in a manner that is consistent with the character of the place and its people,” Freeland stated

“We want to do this the right way ”

NATHAN MAYBERG

As part of their new development, Moss Marina’s owners plan to build a walkway along the bay stretching from their property (pictured in the background) to Snug Harbor Waterfront next door down to Bayside Park and Nervous Nellie's on Fort Myers Beach It is a concept that the business and its neighbors have been supportive of

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Southwest Florida Symphony, the only professional orchestra in Lee County and fourth oldest orchestra in the state, is excited to partner with Grand Piano Series of Naples to feature pianist Ying Li for the final Masterworks concert of the season on Saturday, April 22, at 7:30 p m at Barbara B Mann

Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers Li will perform as Maestro Radu Paponiu leads the orchestra in famed classical pieces by Jennifer Higdon, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Modest Mussorgsky

As part of the symphony’s signature series, patrons will also have the opportunity to attend an exclusive pre-

80’s Ladies Night set for May 18

Award-winning pia ni st Ying Li joins the Southw est Flori da Symphony for the f inal Mas terwork s conce rt of the s eas on a t Ba rbara B. M ann Performi ng Arts Ha ll

concert lecture prior to the show led by Li and Paponiu, including a Q&A session, to enhance the concert experience and provide insights into the pieces being performed The lecture begins at 6:30 p m

Earlier in the week, on April 20 at 7:30 p m , our partners at Grand Piano Series' will feature Ying Li in Moorings Presbyterian Church in Naples, FL, for a solo piano recital Two hundred years of evolution of piano repertory is on full display in this program, featuring Haydn, Liszt, and Grainger all composers who were star virtuosos of their era In addition, Stravinsky's instant classic “The Firebird” is sure to amaze with piano fire-

works This performance will feature a special pre-concert talk with Mike Lee beginning at 6:30 p m For tickets, visit grandpianoseries org or call 469-333-3231

Praised as “graceful” and “lyrical” by Cleveland Classical, young Chinese pianist Li is the first-prize winner of the 2021 Young Concert Artists Susan Wadsworth International Auditions, as well as recipient of The Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival Prize and the See CONCERT, page 17

Award-winning pianist Ying Li

What’s Happening - page 18

Pet Pals - page 19

WHERE TO GO WHAT TO DO WHO TO SEE insidetoday

Sports & Recreation - page 20

PHOTO PROVIDED

80’s Ladies Night set for May 18 at Palmetto-Pine Country Club

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

Want to turn back the clock for a evening of fun, frills and fashion?

Breeze Newspapers will present 80’s Ladies Night on May 18 from 6-9 p m at Palmetto-Pine Country Club where all things retro are front and center

Attendees will be treated to an entertaining night of shopping, danc ing, singing, hors d’oeuvres and drink

“Who doesn’t love to remember a t e our lives that has great memories, and do it with friends?” said Breeze Newspapers Advertising Director Laurie Ragle “The music will be great, the food will be great and the line-up of vendors will make the shopping great ”

Attendees are encouraged to bring a pal for e “girl time” and enjoy an ’80shemed costume contest, karaoke, and door prizes

A t t e n d e e s o f t h e 8 0 ’ s L a d i e s event will start off by receiving a swag bag of goodies from local businesses There will be lots of small bite foods as well as a cash bar. Each attendee gets a drink ticket with heir entry

One lucky attendee will go home with -day, two-night travel package, and a $100 gift card to a local business for the lady with the best ’80s attire

“Remember ’80s hair?” Ragle said “The higher the hair, the closer to god ”

Vendors at the event will include: Color Street Nails,

Games, tours to be part of refuge’s Conservation Carnival

The J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge will celebrate its 34th annual “Ding” Darling Day jointly with Earth Day on April 22 at Lakes Park in Fort Myers The refuge and “Ding”

Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge have planned a full day of Conservation Carnival and nature activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More than 20 local conservation non-profits will participate to engage attendees with information and carnival games Gamers can earn a free mini ice cream cone, plus other gifts and prizes The refuge will host a dunk tank, where attendees can try their luck at sinking surprise “celebrity dunkees ” All of the activities are free, but Lakes Park charges a $1 per hour or $5 per day parking fee.

“The games will all have an educational component, plus the day brings a number of tours and nature art activities,” Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland, who chairs the event's committee, said “We will have our Wildlife on Wheels (WoW) mobile nature experience open all day for touring, plus there will be Earth Day crafts and lots of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, such as a slow-birding walk, archery, and rock climbing ”

During the J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge's 34th annual “Ding” Darling Day on April 22 at Lakes Park in Fort Myers, attendees

Shell Art. Plus, play games to win a coupon for a free mini ice cream cone

∫ 10:30 a m : Ranger-led Slow Birding; maximum of 20 participants Coined by Bridget Butler, “slow birding” is a fresh, slowed-down approach to traditional birding that welcomes deeper observation, listening, and connection to the birds and their environment

Mary Kay, Your CBD Store, Pure Romance, Jenmar Skincare, Hotworx and Azul Cosmetic Surgery and Medical Spa More vendors are being added daily

“If you have a business that caters to women, you can be a vendor but tables are running out so call soon,” Ragle said

Tickets are available at Brownpapertickets com by searching for “80’s Ladies ”

Tickets are $30 in advance until April 28; $35 from April 29 until May 17; and $40 at door on the day of the event

The Breeze also is welcoming a few more vendors to set up at the event Call Ragle at 239-574-3403 or send an email to lragle@breezenewspapers.com for details.

Palmetto-Pine Country Club is at 1940 Southwest 9th Court in Cape Coral

Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad cj

Tickets still available for fundraiser featuring comedian and actor

Kevin Nealon

Artist-in-Residence Jacqui Roch will paint plein-air throughout the day and lead a Sketch & Stroll journaling activity. Attendees can shop for nature-themed items at the Refuge Nature Store table, where all purchases will support conservation The Dawg Pound food truck will have items for purchase

Subject to change, the schedule of free activities will include:

∫ 10 a m : Check in and receive information at the Welcome Table in Main Pavilion

∫ 10 a m to 2 p m: Nature-themed carnival games, WoW mobile nature experience, live music, food truck, face painting, rock climbing, dunk tank, Hover-Ball Archery, live painting by Roch, Wildlife Olympics, and

∫ 11 a m : Ranger-led Kids Nature Walk; maximum of 20 participants

∫ 11:30 a m : Ranger-led Slow Birding; maximum of 20 participants

∫ 12:30 p m : Sketch & Stroll Nature journaling with Roch; maximum of 20 participants.

The U S Fish & Wildlife Service and DDWS co-sponsor “Ding” Darling Day with support from the local community and businesses For information on sponsorship opportunities, contact April Boehnen at aprilb@dingdarlingsociety.org.

The refuge's Visitor & Education Center on Sanibel will be closed on April 22, but Wildlife Drive, Tarpon Bay Explorers, and the Bailey Tract will be open

For more information, visit dingdarlingday com

T h e B a i l e y - M a t t h e w s N a t i o n a l S h e l l M u s e u m w i l l h o l d i t s a n n u a l b e n e f i t g a l a , t i t l e d “ S t i l l S t a n d i n g ” t h i s y e a r , o n A p r i l 2 4 f r o m 5 t o 9 p m a t t h e B r o a d w a y P a l m D i n n e r T h e a t r e i n F o r t M y e r s T h e f u n d r a i s e r w i l l f e at u r e c o m e d i a n a n d a c t o r K e v i n N e a l o n f o r t h e s e co n d y e a r i n a r o w A t t e n d e e s w i l l e n j o y d i nn e r a n d d r i n k s , a l o n g w i t h a l i v e a u c t i o n a n d a n u n f o rg e t t a b l e p e r f o r m a n c e b y N e a l o n A s o n e o f t h e l o n g e s tr u n n i n g c a s t m e m b e r s o n N B C ' s “ S a t u r d a y N i g h t L i v e ” f r o m 1 9 8 6 - 1 9 9 5 , N e a l o n c r e a t e d s o m e o f t h e s h o w ' s m o s t m e m o r a b l e c h a r a c t e r s H i s r e c u r r i n g r o l e a s a n a n c h o r o n “ W e e k e n d U p d a t e ” h e l p e d m a k e t h e s k e t c h a s h o w s t a p l e I n 1 9 8 8 , N e a l o n e a r n e d a n E m m y n o m i n a t i o n a s p a r t o f t h e S N L w r i t i n g t e a m T h e g a l a p r o c e e d s w i l l s u p p o r t t h e m u s e u m ' s r e c o ve r y a n d r e b u i l d i n g f r o m H u r r i c a n e I a n T h e g r o u n d f l o o r , w h i c h h o u s e s t h e m u s e u m ' s L i v i n g G a l l e r y o f a q u a r i u m s a n d m a r i n e l i f e , f l o o d e d w i t h o v e r 5 f e e t o f w a t e r , c a u s i n g e x t e n s i v e d a m a g e t h r o u g h o u t T h e s t o r m a l s o t o r e a h o l e i n t h e b r a n dn e w r o o f , e x p o s i n g t h e s e c o n d a n d t h i r d f l o o r s w h i c h i n c l u d e T h e G r e a t H a l l o f S h e l l s a n d s t o r a g e f o r t h e s h e l l c o l l e c t i o n t o w a t e r d a m a g e a n d t h e e l em e n t s T h e m u s e u m ' s p r i o r i t i e s f o r r e b u i l d i n g a r e t o r e c o n s t r u c t t h e e x h i b i t s a n d a q u a r i u m s a s q u i c k l y a s p o s s i b l e a n d t o s a f e g u a r d i t s i r r e p l a c e a b l e s c i e n t i f i c c o l l e c t i o n o f o v e r 5 5 0 , 0 0 0 s p e c i m e n s t h a t i t h a s a m a s s e d i n t h e l a s t 4 0 y e a r s

T h e S a n i b e l C a p t i v a T r u s t C o m p a n y i s t h e p r e s e n ti n g s p o n s o r f o r t h e g a l a

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o r t i c k e t s , v i s i t

S h e l l M u s e u m o r g / g a l a

T h e B r o a d w a y P a l m D i n n e r T h e a t r e i s a t 1 3 8 0

C o l o n i a l B l v d , F o r t M y e r s

Trailways Camps signing up campers, volunteers

a m p i n g s e s s i o n s w i l l t a k e p l a c e o n O c t 9 - 1 2 ,

o v 1 3 - 1 6 a n d F e b 1 2 - 1 5

T o r e g i s t e r f o r a c a m p o r t o s i g n u p a s a v o l u n t e e r ,

v i s i t w w w t r a i l w a y s c a m p s o r g P e o p l e c a n a l s o c o nt a c t T r a i l w a y s C a m p D i r e c t o r J a m i e S e n k e l e s k i a t 9 4 1 - 5 6 4 - 9 8 6 1 o r T r a i l w a y s c a m p s @ g m a i l c o m T r a i l w a y s C a m p s w a s e s t a b l i s h e d i n S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a t o d e v e l o p a n d p r o v i d e c a m p i n g e x p e r i e n c e s

f o r a d u l t s w i t h s p e c i a l n e e d s a n d r e s p i t e f o r t h e i r c a r eg i v e r s I t s m i s s i o n i s : “ E n a b l i n g a d u l t s w i t h s p e c i a l n e e d s , a n d t h o s e w h o c a r e f o r t h e m , t o g r o w t h e i r s o c i a l , e m o t i o n a l a n d s p i r i t u a l r e l a t i o n s h i p ”

REFUGE/DDWS

can learn archery skills with Hover-Ball Archery

Kevin Nealon

School district to host Spring Talent Recruitment Fair

The School District of Lee County will host i Spring 2023 Talent Recruitment Fair on April 29 a the Lee County Public Education Center, at 2855 Colonial Blvd , Fort Myers

Principals and department hiring managers will interview and hire teachers, school psychologists speech-language pathologists, school social worker and school counselors for the 2023-24 year

Teaching candidates eligible to attend must meet one of the following criteria:

∫ Hold a valid standard teaching certificate (Florida r out-of-state)

∫ Expected to graduate from a college of education by August

∫ Hold a bachelor’s degree in an area where certification can be obtained or any degree major and a assing score on a subject area exam

To determine if a bachelor's degree can lead toward certification, visit the Florida Department of Education at https://www fldoe org/teaching/certification/general-cert-

requirements/subject-area-knowledge stml If the degree major does not equate to a certification area, potential teachers can register to take a subject area exam

Applicant registration is open now through April 21

To register, visit https://apply leeschools net and apply for “Pool-Spring Teacher Recruitment Fair,” Job ID 20230133 Applicants can create an account or sign into their existing School District Careers one

For more information or questions, contact Careers@leeschools net or 239-337-8676

Scientists’ Society of Southwest Florida’s annual dinner to highlight area students and their science fair projects

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com

Thirteen students have been invited to attend the Scientists’ Society of Southwest Florida annual dinner to present their science fair projects before its members President and Scholarship Chair Trudy Sampson said the society holds an annual student/teacher recognition dinner.

This year the event will be held at Heritage Palms Golf & Country Club Thursday, April 20 The dinner meeting is open to the public for $32 per person Reservations and advanced payment can be made at www science-swfl org

The featured speaker is Dr Derek Buzasi, Whitaker Eminent Scholar, College of Arts and Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University, whose topic will be “Behind the Veils of Dust and Time: Science with the James Webb Space Telescope,” launched just over two years ago as the successor to the Hubble

“Every year we do this event. Our organization judges a lot of science fairs during the year for different schools in Lee County,” she said “We have been doing it for 20 something years, or more ”

Every year, Sampson said they have key teachers who conduct the science fairs and choose some of their best students with their science projects to attend the meeting to present to the society’s board before the meeting starts

“Our members go around and look at the boards It gives members a good opportunity to see what is happening in schools and students (the opportunity) to present their science fair to scientists,” she said “We are encouraging them. We also give them science feedback. Everybody loves the annual meeting ”

She said it is a very good experience to help the students with their presentation skills and self-confidence.

This year nine schools will attend the meeting with 13 kids presenting their science fair projects

“I love working with the kids, to see how smart they are and how hard they work,” she said, adding this a reason she enjoys the annual dinner “The teachers are amazing and do all of this work on their own It’s very encouraging, I think, to see the kids doing all of this work ”

Teachers and students:

n Bonita Springs Middle School for the Arts: Marilyn Stevens and Michael Dougherty

n Canterbury: Kati Morris and Mehereen Chowdhury

n Classical Conversation New Hope: Janet Fadayomi and Bridget Springer

n Community School of Naples: Michael Carpenter and Adrian Deoarine and Michael Carpenter and Josie Byers

n Dunbar High School: Catherine Griffin and Advaith Menon

n Lehigh Acres Middle School: Angela Goicoechea and Anne Levesque and Alejandra Quintana

n Oak Hammond: Andrew Urnezis and Charlie DellaLuna and Emma Yancy

n Oasis Elementary North: Christi Llanes and Zoe Molina

n Oasis Elementary South: Tina Pink and Ava Larson and Aleczander Santos

n St Andrew: Jim Less and Sephora Esperance

“The best science fair projects are projects where the kids are interested in something,” Sampson said In addition, two $2,000 scholarships will be given to students

The students include Donatty Lemieux from Cape Coral Technical College and Autumn Pepper Rhodes from Cypress Lake High School

“We used to have them come to our website and fill out this huge form It wasn’t the best way to do it,” Sampson said “We work with the teachers that we have done science fairs in the past. We pick one, or two schools and let the teacher and guidance counselor pick the person They know who is excelling in the field and wants to go to college ”

This is the first year a student was chosen from Cape Coral Technical College in the IT technology field

The Scientists’ Society of Southwest Florida has provided more than $35,000 for STEM education

“Our focus is really middle school to get them excited,” Sampson said “Studies show that is where they get interested in science Our goal is to get kids excited about STEM It is an exciting thing ”

LeeTran offering free bus rides all day April 22 for Try Transit Day

LeeTran will offer free rides all day on all fixed-route buses for Try Transit Day, which will be celebrated on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22

T r y T r a n s i t D a y i s i n t e n d e d t o i n c r e a s e t r a n s i t r i d e r s h i p b y r a i s i n g awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of using public transportation Residents, visitors and commuters are encouraged to give public transit a try to experience a greener and

Concert

From page 15

T r i - I N o o n R e c i t a l s P r i z e S h e h a s received top awards in numerous national and international competitions including t h e i n a u g u r a l A n t o n i o M o r m o n e

International Prize, Sarasota Artist Series P i a n o C o m p e t i t i o n , B r e v a r d M u s i c F e s t i v a l , I n t e r n a t i o n a l L i s z t P i a n o

Competition for Young Pianists, and was a finalist at Concours musical international de Montréal

Li has performed with many leading o r c h e s t r a s s u c h a s T h e P h i l a d e l p h i a O r c h e s t r a , N e w J e r s e y S y m p h o n y , B r e v a r d M u s i c F e s t i v a l O r c h e s t r a ,

L’Accademia Orchestra del La Scala, and t h e N W D - P h i l h a r m o n i k e r , a n d w i t h r e n o w n e d c o n d u c t o r s s u c h a s L i n a

e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , A p r i l

1 9 , 2 0 2 3 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

more economical transportation option

More people using public transportation results in a reduction of air pollution and

traffic congestion

T h e f r e e d a y o f r i d e s i s a v a i l a b l e o n f i x e d - r o u t e b u s e s i n L e e C o u n t y T o v i e w a f u l l s y s t e m m a p a n d r o u t e s c h e du l e s , v i s i t w w w R i d e L e e T r a n c o m o r p l a n y o u r r o u t e u s i n g t h e t r a n s i t o p t i o n i n G o o g l e M a p s T h e L e e F a r e a p p i s a v a i l a b l e o n A p p l e a n d A n d r o i d d e v i c e s t o p l a n a t r i p a n d t r a c k b u s e s i n r e a lt i m e

LeeTran is the public transit provider

that operates in Lee County with 26 bus routes, and an ADA paratransit service c a l l e d P a s s p o r t L e e T r a n e m p l o y s approximately 280 people and has a fleet of 44 full-size buses, 11 trolleys, 5 seasonal trams, 52 paratransit vans, and six m i c r o t r a n s i t v e h i c l e s f o r o n - d e m a n d service

Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www facebook com/leecountyflbocc

Gonzalez-Granados, Xian Zhang, Eric Jacobsen and Jonathon Heyward She had played recitals at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall in New York, Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater in Washington D C , P e p p e r d i n e U n i v e r s i t y i n M a l i b u , E v e r g r e e n M u s e u m & L i b r a r y i n B a l t i m o r e , S u n d a y M u s i c a l e i n N e w Jersey, Southeastern Piano Festival and the Honest Brook Music Festival

I n t e r n a t i o n a l l y , L i h a s p e r f o r m e d recitals including Sala Verdi in Milan, H a m m e r k l a v i e r I n t e r n a t i o n a l P i a n o Festival in Barcelona, Musica Insieme Bologna, Teatro Alighieri in Ravenna, Fazioli Pianoforti in Sacile, and the C Bechstein Series at the Konzerthaus in

Berlin She was also featured on WQXR’s “Eine-kleine Birthday-musik,” a free, allMozart live streamed concert from The Greene Space in New York City, to celebrate Mozart’s 266th birthday

As an avid chamber musician, Li has appeared at prestigious festivals around the world including the Verbier Festival

A c a d e m y , C l a s s i c h e F O R M E

International Chamber Music Festival in Lecce, Ravinia’s Steans Institute, La Jolla Music Society, Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the Artists Series Concerts in Sarasota and the Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival

Li began piano lessons at age five in

China and was a student at the Elementary S c h o o l d i v i s i o n o f t h e C e n t r a l Conservatory of Music in Beijing, then she moved to Philadelphia in 2012, at age fourteen, to study at the Curtis Institute of Music with Jonathan Biss and Seymour Lipkin. After receiving a Bachelor of Music degree at Curtis Institute in 2019, she received her Master of Music degree at The Juilliard School in New York with Robert McDonald and continues her studi e s w i t h M c D o n a l d a t t h e J u i l l i a r d School’s Artist Diploma Program

The Southwest Florida Symphony’s Masterworks series is sponsored by Uhler & Vertich Financial Planners and the L A T Foundation

WHAT’S HAPPENING

‘A Cracker at The Ritz’ held over through June in Bonita Springs

After selling out all but one show in its three-month run, “A Cracker at The Ritz,” the social satire about life in Florida, is extending its Bonita Springs run through June It is performed at 7 p m on select Tuesdays at the Performing Arts Center, Moe Auditorium, 10150 Bonita Beach Rd , Bonita Springs The new dates are April 11, and 25; May 2, 16, and 30; June 13, and 27

In “A Cracker at The Ritz,” Earlene is the Queen of the Florida Crackers She narrates her family’s four generations in Florida Each generation has prospered on everything from cattle to citrus, and rum to real estate Don’t confuse Earlene’s “Cracker” with the cultural slur. She and her Cracker ancestors are proud of their heritage

“Who,” she might point out, “do you think sold Disney World to Disney?”

“A Cracker at The Ritz” is a 75-minute roasting of Florida in song and sketch comedy Songs include “Snowbird Come (and He Won’t Go Home),” “Swampland Scam,” and “Florida Man ”

“Red Tide and Dead Water” lists the mother lode of chemicals in the water run-off There is a realtor’s solution to ocean rise And John Morgan shows up with a lawsuit that’s sure to suit everyone

“A Cracker at The Ritz” is performed in Bonita on select Tuesdays to allow Compton & Bennett time to continue their rigorous schedule of weekend performances elsewhere The duo is best known outside Southwest Florida for Assisted Living: The Musical They perform about 60 shows each year, all around the country

For more information or to purchase tickets visit https://artcenterbonita org/ or call 239-495-8989

Eighth annual Bonita Springs Shor t Film Festival to be held April 22

The eighth annual Bonita Springs Short Film Festival is back. The event and red-carpet gala will be held on Thursday, April 20, at Prado Stadium 12 Theatre in Bonita Springs, beginning at 6 p m

The 2023 competition theme “Good Deeds” will encourage filmmakers of all ages, stages, and walks of life, to participate and showcase their talent on the giant silver screen. Filmmakers can pick any genre (comedy, drama, documentary, western, etc ) and tell a story through film

The festival is now accepting footage from any location, particularly from Southwest Florida, though judges like films shot in Bonita Springs and those films will receive additional points The filmmaker must hold all parts of the film’s rights. Failure to observe this rule can disqualify the entry For any questions about using specific footage, please get in touch with the Antonio Correia, at 239-404-3377

Each film/video must be 1 minute to 10 minutes long, with an exciting story for everyone to enjoy

Award categories include Best Overall, Best Depiction of Bonita Springs, Most Original, Best Film Under 18, Best Musical Video and the People’s Choice Award Company sponsors include City of Bonita Springs, Henderson Franklin Attorneys at Law, Bonita Print Shop, Bonita Springs Historical Society, Heaven Scent Flowers & Boutique, Bonita Video, M & M Multi Media and TLC Marketing & Creative Services; Inc.

Friends of the Festival include Connie & Steve McIntosh, Gary Price, Amy Quaremba and Kathy McGrath For more information about the Film Festival, visit www BonitaSpringsfilmfestival com or check the Bonita Springs Festival Facebook page, where there will be weekly updates Contact Film Fest Executive Director, Antonio Correia at antonio@bonitavideo com

Shell Point to present concer t April 24

The Shell Point Retirement Community will present the Florida Gulf Coast University Jazz Ensemble and special guest Saturn Quartet on April 24 at 7 p m on the Connie Brown Hall Stage at the Tribby Arts Center, at 17281 On Par Blvd , Fort Myers The Mardi Gras-themed concert will feature the music of New Orleans, from Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton, to Benny Goodman and more The New Orleans-based Saturn Quartet is comprised of members of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra Tickets are $25 For more information or tickets, visit https://www tribbyartscenter com/ or call 239-415-5667

With the launch of Snail Search of Lee County its new citizen science project the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is hosting guided Snail Search and Biodiversity Walks

On a walk, an educator will take participants out into the field in Lee County and walk them through the steps of creating a free iNaturalist account a free citizen science app and how to use it

Participants will also have the opportunity to explore the local flora and fauna within the natural area

The purpose of Snail Search of Lee County is to help the Sanibel museum learn more about the availability and location of native and invasive land and tree snails in the area Research conducted on land and tree snails in the area is limited and outdated, and most studies contain no photographs

During the free interactive walks, participants will be given the tools to go out on their own and contribute to the project Walks are expected to last 45 minutes to 1 hour, weather depending

The following walks are scheduled:

∫ April 26 at 10 a m at the Estero Bay Preserve State Park, at 4940 Broadway West, Estero ($2 per vehicle parking fee)

∫ May 24 at 2 p m at the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, at 7751 Penzance Blvd , Fort Myers ($1 per vehicle parking fee)

To register, contact Jorden Falker at jfalker@shellmuseum org or 239-347-5119

For more information, visit https://www.shellmuseum org/snail-search

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is at 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel

Junior Achievement ‘Inspire’ event to be held April 26-28

F o u n d e d i n 1 9 9 4 , J u n i o r A c h i e v e m e n t o f S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a ( J A ) h a s b e e n i m p a c t i n g t h e r e g i o n ’ s f u t u r e w o r k f o r c e f o r o v e r 2 8 y e a r s O n e o f i t s n e w e s t a n d e x c i t i n g p r o g r a m s , J A I n s p i r e , a i m s t o l a u n c h 1 0 , 0 0 0 L e e a n d C o l l i e r C o u n t y m i d d l e s c h o o l s t u d e n t s o n a n i n t e r a c t i v e c a r e e r e x p l o r a t i o n o n A p r i l 2 6 - 2 8 , a t F G C U ’ s A l i c o A r e n a T h i s w i l l b e t h e l a r g e s t c a r e e r e x p o i n S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a h i s t o r y , w i t h t h o u s a n d s o f s t u d e n t s s c h e d u l e d t o c o n n e c t a n d e x p l o r e c a r e e r o p p o r t u n i t i e s w i t h n e a r l y 1 0 0 o f t h e r e g i o n ’ s t o p e m p l o y e r s a n d b u s i n e s s p r o f e s s i o n a l s . J A I n s p i r e g i v e s s t u d e n t s r e a l - w o r l d o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o e n v i s i o n f u t u r e c a r e e r o p t i o n s i n S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a T h e p r o g r a m i n c l u d e s i n - c l a s s r o o m c u r r i c u l u m a n d a h a n d s - o n i n t e r a c t i v e c a r e e r e x p o S t u d e n t s w i l l r e v i e w c a r e e r p l a n n i n g , s k i l l s , i n t e r e s t s , a n d j o b o u t l o o k s a n d t h e n e n g a g e w i t h l o c a l b u s i n e s s e s a n d l e a r n s k i l l s t h a t a r e i n d e m a n d a t t h e c a r e e r f a i r A f t e r t h e e v e n t , s t ud e n t s a n d t e a c h e r s w i l l d e b r i e f t o d i s c u s s a c a d e m i c c h o i c e s a n d c a r e e r p a t h s P r e p a r i n g y o u n g s t u d e n t s w i t h l e s s o n s t h a t p r o m o t e f i n a n c i a l l i t e r a c y a n d c a p a b i l i t y , w o r k a n d c a r e e r r e a d i n e s s , a n d e n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p h e l p s t h e m b e t t e r t r a n s i t i o n i n t o a d u l t h o o d J A I n s p i r e g e t s s t u d e n t s o n e s t e p c l o s e r t o f i n d i n g t h e i r p a s s i o n , e a r n i n g a c o l l e g e d e g r e e , a n d a c h i e v i n g c a r e e r s u c c e s s

L o c a l b u s i n e s s l e a d e r s a c r o s s S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o p a r t i c i p a t e E x p o b o o t h s p a c e a n d s p o n s o r s h i p o p p o r t u n i t i e s a r e a v a i l a b l e S p o n s o r s h i p s a r e c r i t i c a l f o r J u n i o r A c h i e v e m e n t t o c o n t i n u e p r ov i d i n g l i f e - c h a n g i n g p r o g r a m s t o s t u d e n t s i n o u r c o mm u n i t y Y o u c a n m a k e a d i f f e r e n c e i n t h e l i v e s o f t h e s e s t u d e n t s b y e m a i l i n g S t e p h a n i e H o f f m a n , D i r e c t o r o f O p e r a t i o n s a t s h o f f m a n @ j a s w f l o r g T o h e l p s u p p o r t J u n i o r A c h i e v e m e n t o f S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a a n d t h e f u t u r e o f l o c a l c h i l d r e n , p l e a s e v i s i t w w w J A S W F L o r g o r c a l l 2 3 9 - 2 2 5 - 2 5 9 0

Annual Pioneer Picnic to be held

April 29 at Lee County Civic Center

T h e P i o n e e r C l u b o f L e e C o u n t y i s c e l e b r a t i n g t h e

7 4 t h a n n i v e r s a r y o f i t s ’ f o u n d i n g i n 1 9 4 9 b y R A

H e n d e r s o n , J r T h e P i o n e e r C l u b w a s f o r m e d t o h o n o r t h o s e l i v i n g p e r s o n s w h o h a d b e e n r e s i d e n t s o f o l d L e e

C o u n t y f o r 5 0 o r m o r e y e a r s . T h e i n i t i a l m e e t i n g w a s h e l d i n 1 9 5 0 a t t h e L i o n s P a r k o n C l e v e l a n d A v e n u e i n F o r t M y e r s T h e P i o n e e r P i c n i c i s a s o c i a l o r g a n iz a t i o n c o m p r i s e d o f m a n y o f t h e o l d f a m i l i e s o f L e e

C o u n t y w h o g e t t o g e t h e r a n n u a l l y t o c a t c h u p o n o n e a n o t h e r ’ s l i v e s a n d t o h a v e l u n c h t o g e t h e r T h e P i o n e e r P i c n i c t r a d i t i o n a l l y i s h e l d t h e l a s t S a t u r d a y i n

A p r i l o f e a c h y e a r

T h i s y e a r ’ s a n n u a l p i c n i c w i l l t a k e p l a c e o n

S a t u r d a y , A p r i l 2 9 , a t t h e L e e C o u n t y C i v i c C e n t e r –

T i n s l e y P a v i l i o n w h i c h i s l o c a t e d o f f B a y s h o r e R o a d i n N o r t h F o r t M y e r s R e g i s t r a t i o n a n d v i s i t i n g b e g i n a t

1 0 a . m . , l u n c h w i l l b e s e r v e d a t n o o n f o l l o w e d b y p r es e n t a t i o n s a n d a r a f f l e a t 1 p m

T h e C l a s s e s o f 1 9 7 3 f r o m A l v a H S , B i s h o p V e r o t

H S , C y p r e s s L a k e s H S , D u n b a r H S , E v a n g e l i c a l C h r i s t i a n S c h o o l , F o r t M y e r s H S , N o r t h F o r t M y e r s H S a n d R i v e r d a l e H S w i l l b e r e c o g n i z e d a t t h e p i c n i c a s c e l e b r a t i n g t h e i r 5 0 t h C l a s s R e u n i o n s A l s o r e c o gn i z e d a t t h e p i c n i c w i l l b e t h e e l d e s t p i o n e e r m a n a n d w o m a n b o r n i n L e e C o u n t y ; t h e c o u p l e m a r r i e d t h e l o n g e s t ( b o t h s p o u s e s n e e d t o b e i n a t t e n d a n c e ) ; p i on e e r w h o t r a v e l e d t h e l o n g e s t d i s t a n c e t o t h e p i c n i c ; a n d t h e e l d e s t p e r s o n i n a t t e n d a n c e A p p r o x i m a t e l y 1 , 2 0 0 i n v i t a t i o n s a r e m a i l e d o u t f o r t h e p i c n i c o f w h i c h t w o - t h i r d s a r e s e n t t o r e s i d e n t s a n d t h e r e m a i n d e r t o t h o s e p e o p l e w h o l i v e o u t o f t h e a r e a T h e r e a r e n o r m a l l y 6 0 0 - 7 0 0 p e o p l e i n a t t e n d a n c e B a r b e c u e c h i c k e n o r p o r k , b a k e d b e a n s , c o l e s l a w , r o l l s , c h o c o l a t e c h i p c o o k i e s a n d i c e d t e a o r l e m o n a d e a r e a v a i l a b l e t o t h e a t t e n d e e s f o r $ 1 0 p e r p l a t e T h e e l i g i b i l i t y r e q u i r e m e n t f o r m e m b e r s h i p i s t h a t t h e p e r s o n w a s a r e s i d e n t o f L e e C o u n t y P r i o r t o

1 9 7 3 P l e a s e e m a i l p i o n e e r l e e c o u n t y @ g m a i l c o m t o r e c e i v e r e g i s t r a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n o r y o u m a y r e g i s t e r t h e d a y o f t h e p i c n i c T h e r e a r e n o m e m b e r s h i p d u e s T h r o u g h t h e g e n e r o s i t y o f t h e E d i s o n a n d F o r d W i n t e r E s t a t e s , f r e e a d m i s s i o n o n t h a t w e e k e n d i s g i v e n t o t h e m e m b e r s o f t h e P i o n e e r C l u b b y p r e s e n ti n g t h e i r m e m b e r s h i p c a r d t o t h e E d i s o n a n d F o r d W i n t e r E s t a t e s , 2 3 5 0 M c G r e g o r B l v d , F o r t M y e r s , ( G e n e r a l A d m i s s i o n ) A p r i l 2 8 - 3 0 A n i n v i t a t i o n h a s a l s o b e e n e x t e n d e d t o t h e m e m b e r s o f t h e P i o n e e r C l u b t o v i s i t T h e I M A G H i s t o r y & S c i e n c e C e n t e r , 2 0 0 0 C r a n f o r d A v e , F o r t M y e r s , ( G e n e r a l A d m i s s i o n ) a n d t h e S h e l l F a c t o r y / N a t u r e P a r k , 1 6 5 5 4 N o r t h C l e v e l a n d A v e , U S 4 1 , N T a m i a m i T r a i l , N o r t h F o r t M y e r s , ( G e n e r a l A d m i s s i o n ) A p r i l 2 8 - 3 0

Floral arranging class to be held at Edison and Ford Winter Estates

Edison and Ford Winter Estates offers many opportunities throughout the year for residents and guests to learn how to make floral arrangements. Classes can be purchased as gifts and offer an opportunity for friends and relatives to enjoy the day together

Registration is open for the following class:

∫ Mother’s Day Floral Workshop

May 7, 10 a m

This class will instruct participants how to create a decorative basket or vase filled with flowers Taught by floral designer, Anita Singh, the class can be purchased as a gift for mothers, daughters, sisters or other special women To ensure adequate supplies, registration is required All flowers, tools, vessels and supplies will be provided, along with light refreshments and an apron. Students of all experience levels are welcome Space is limited Cost: Edison Ford members $75; non-members $85

For additional information or to register for classes, visit EdisonFord org

Edison and Ford Winter Estates is at 2350 McGregor Blvd , Fort Myers

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

L o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o w e l c o m i n g n e w f o s t e r s

B y I S A B E L L E W E L L S Co-founder of the Find a Home, Give a Home pet rescue organization of Fort Myers Beach

Like many of you, my daughter and I lost our house on the island. It has been a challenge to stay positive and move forward We decided to rebuild and one of the most rewarding part will be when we welcome new fosters in our home again Over the last 12 years we helped many dogs from the finest little one 4 pounds to the larger one So many stories and memories A few of them passed away and are buried in our yard. We will redo our sanctuary again and welcome more souls very soon I am so ready for them

Island pets seeking forever homes

Find A Home Give A Home Pet Rescue

Search for one who is not loved, abandoned or kept in a sanctuary and let him take my place

Help a gentle soul

This is an older gentleman who has many more years of friendship and love to give! He is 1 3 y e a r s o l d , 2 4 pounds and has lost his pet parent He was very sad and was supposed to be euthanized last week, however we took him in o u r r e s c u e K e l s e y would make a great companion. He has a gentle s o u l ! H a s s o m e i s s u e with vision and will need some TLC His foster m o m i s w o r k i n g t o o many long hours and he needs to be with someone who stays home and can help him If you are interested in Kelsey, please fill out the application online at www findahomegiveahome com under the tab form.

Adoption is $100 all his vet

Handsome boy in need of a new home

bill will be paid by the rescue after he is clear of his kennel cough including a dental He is up to date on all his shots and is neutered Call 239-281-0739 for more information

Please note our new PO Box #864, Bonita Springs, Fl 34133

You can also make a donation at www.findahomegiveahome.com using the donation tab using PayPal

--Stephen Pryor

Follow us on Facebook at Find A Home Give A Home Pet Rescue and see all the amazing pets we saved these past few months

Save Our Strays Feline Rescue For t Myers Beach

Donations, volunteers and foster homes needed

B y J o K n o b l o c h S a v e o u r s t r a y s f m b @ y a h o o c o m F o u n d e r o f S a v e O u r S t r a y s C a t R e s c u e a 5 0 1 c 3 o r g a n i z a t i o n o n F o r t M y e r s B e a c h W e a r e s t i l l t r y i n g t o r e c o v e r f r o m o u r l o s s e s i n t h e s t o r m a n d d o n a t i o n s a n d v o l u n t e e r s a r e n e e d e d W e a r e i n t h e p r o c e s s o f s e t t i n g u p a s y s t e m w h e r e b y d o n at i o n s c a n b e m a d e o n l i n e F o s t e r h o m e s a r e a l s o n e e d e d t o t e m p o r a r i l y h o u s e r e s c u e d c a t s a n d k i t t e n s w h i l e w e f i ni s h o u r r e p a i r s a n d r e b u i l di n g w h i c h a r e n o w i n t h e p a i n t i n g s t a g e

Jed

and Luke

Jed (Jeddie) and Luke (Lukie) are 8-monthold brothers that are small for their age; they are special needs kittens who need a very special home Jeddie loves to be held and doesn’t like

to be alone, definitely a lap kitty Lukie has come a long way as he could not walk due to weakness in his hind legs from the time he was born Fortunately it was not neurologic and his

b

Please make sure you do it through “Friends and Family” so there is no fee and all the donation comes to us directly.

w w w f i n d a h o m e g i v e a h o m e c o m u n d e r t h e f o r m t a P a g e 1 9 n W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , A p r i l 1 9 , 2 0 2 3 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

legs got stronger and stronger as he grew Jeddie had a hard time gaining weight and was the runt of the litter He has a cute baby face Both are very sweet and affectionate

Check out our facebook page Save our Strays Feline Rescue

Email us at saveourstraysfmb@yahoo.com. Cat donations can be sent to: P.O. Box 5014, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33912

SPORTS & RECREATION

Mighty Mussels hosting Lee County Spirit Night April 21

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

For the second year, Fort My Mussels is hosting a night dedi the School District of Lee Count April

F o r j u s t $ 5 , L e e C o u n t y a d m i n i s t r a t o r s , f a c u l t y , s t a f f , teachers and their families, and students can enjoy a game of the J u p i t e r H a m m e r h e a d s v s F Myers Mussels Friday, April 21, ing Lee County Spirit Night Tic be purchased at fevo.me/leespirit.

Gates open at 6 p m , with the first pitch at 7 p m , at Hammond Stadium, 14100 Six Mile Cypress Parkway

F o r t M y e r s M i g h t y M u s s e l s M e d i a R e l a t i o n s Manager John Vittas said the tickets are less than half the price for Friday games, which are $12

"In previous seasons we hosted an 'Education Day' game in the early afternoon that was a field trip for students, but in coordination with the School District we mutually agreed that it would be even more fun to host a night that would allow not just students, but teachers, administrators and families to attend a fun game at the ballpark," he said

Vittas joked that this way teachers also get to attend as a fan and not as a chaperone

Obituaries

In addition to the game, the fun themed promotion, Princess & Pirates, he said is popular among both minor and major league teams

"We will be hosting our own ion on the same night as the Lee y Spirit Night. Fans who attend , most importantly the kids, will have a meet and greet with two and two pirate characters The ll be available for photos on the o u r s e f r o m 6 : 3 0 – 8 : 3 0 p m , "

Vittas said, adding that there is no additional cost to meet the characters "Fans of all ages are welcome and encouraged to dress up for this fun night "

As with all Friday night games, Lee County Spirit Night will have a post-game firework show

"Similar to all of Mighty Mussels games, we pride ourselves on offering an affordable, family friendly experience for fans of all ages Even if you aren’t an avid baseball enthusiast, you’ll not only get to see future Major Leaguers, but you’ll also enjoy an amazi n g f i r e w o r k s h o w , m e e t a n d g r e e t w i t h s o m e princesses and pirates, but most importantly, you can e n j o y a m e m o r a b l e n i g h t u n d e r t h e l i g h t s a t Hammond Stadium where you’ll leave not knowing the final score, but talking about the fun you had," Vittas said

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve hosting classes

The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is offering Tiny Tots Yoga and Guided Meditation classes for the spring season at the preserve's Interpretive Center, at 7751 Penzance Blvd , Fort Myers

∫ Now through May 31: Tiny Tots Yoga on Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a m

Guardians and toddlers up to age 5 can enjoy meditation, movement and songs in an active, family-friendly yoga class Taught by certified yoga instructor Mariela Gómez, the class uses music, yoga play props and stories to help children establish a connection with their caretakers while benefiting from active movement Participants must bring their own gear, including yoga mat, blanket or towel, and water bottle Provided props will be disinfected thoroughly both before and following the class.

∫ Now through April 27: Guided Meditation on Thursdays from 9 to 10 a m

Direct your attention and intentions inward during guided meditation and qigong in the stillness of the slough Each week will focus on a different technique: reducing stress, promoting focus, mindfulness, visualization and kindness Classes begin with simple stretches and qigong movements to shake off any stale energy before beginning meditation Wear comfortable clothing and bring water, a yoga mat and blanket or pillow to sit upon Open to ages 18 and older

The cost for a full session of four classes is $40 or $10 for a single class.

A paid parking fee of $1 per hour per vehicle is required Preregister at www leeparks org; walk-ins welcome if there are open spaces

For more information, visit www leeparks org/sixmilecypress or call 239-533-7555

n W e e k o f W e d n e s d a y , A p r i l 1 9 , 2 0 2 3 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

Freelance

Photographers

Garage Sales

Pressman PressAssistant

TheBreeze NewspapersBreeze CommercialPrinting hasanimmediate needforthefollowing positionsatour PrintingFacility.

PRESSMAN: experiencepreferred butnotrequired.F/T

PRESSASSISTANT: willtrain,F/T

PaidVacation, Benefits,401K,great workenvironment!

ApplyinPersonor emailyourresume

BreezeNewspapers 14051JetportLoop FtMyersFL33913 rbrown@breezenewspapers.com

Professional Medical & Health

Getyour MedicalMarijuanaCard

Fast Easy Appro-val callfora FREEEVALUATIONBY PHONE 239-236-5311

CMMDR.COM

REDBARN

S aturday,April22nd 8amto4pm

S unday,April23rd 8amto4pm

701SE21stAve (offSE24thAveat SE8thSt

Totalcontents ofhome. Beautifulfurniture, homedecor, kingbedroomset, garagefulloftools andmiscellaneous. Donátmissit!

Pictures: facebook.com/redbarnestate anddemolitionsale

Recreation Vehicles

Air Conditioning

AFFORDABLE FREE ESTIMATES

NewInstallation IncludesPermit

(239)573-2086

2YearWarranty

RainBirdContractor

A +RATED-ANGIESLIST

Installation&Repair

Licensed&Insured

FAMILYOWNEDSINCE1981

LEE#LSO200031 CAPE#06938 Sanibel#S11-000923

Boat Lifts & Docks

CUSTOMDOCKS &BOATLIFTS WEBUILDQUALITY DOCKS HAWLEY CONSTRUCTION OVER20YEARS OFEXPERIENCE ALLINLEECOUNTY.

FREEESTIMATES www.marinedocks.net Call(239)561-8074

CBC026058

Contractors

Residential/Commercia l FullServiceGeneralContractor *Additions *Remodels *Renovations

30YearsExperience VeteranOwned

239-560-5448

bestorcontracting.com

Licensed&Insured License#CGC1532266

Handyman

Power Boats

FreeEstimates 239-707-0654

Bonded-LicCBC058576-Insured BulldogBuildersInc.com

Painting Plants & Trees

ONEMANPAINTINGCO. Residential Interior&Exterior DetailOriented, TidyandPersonal Nojobtoosmallorlarge utilizingathreepersoncrew. Andalways,freeestimates andreferencesfurnished. Givemeacalltodiscussallof yourpaintingneeds. ThankYouInAdvance Steve (239) 339-7361

AFFORDABLE FREE ESTIMATES

NewInstallation IncludesPermit

2YearWarranty RainBirdContractor

A+RATED-ANGIESLIST

Installation&Repair

Licensed&Insured

FAMILYOWNEDSINCE1981

LEE#LSO200031 CAPE#06938 Sanibel#S11-000923