Fort Myers Beach Observer/The Beach Bulletin

Free off-season parking times proposed

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

Old San Carlos Boulevard visitors could catch a break this summer if a free parking proposal from Councilmember John King goes through

T h e T o w n o f F o r t M y e r s B e a c h

Council is considering a proposal from King which would offer motorists free parking between 4 p m and 7 p m on town parking spots for Old San Carlos

Boulevard

The proposal would be for the offseas o n , p o t e n t i a l l y f r o m J u l y t h r o u g h

September if the council agrees

King initially proposed a couple free hours for lunch from 11 a m to 1 p m and three hours of free parking for dinner from 4 p m to 7 p m

“I’m not trying to give away the store I just think any help that folks can get from us would (help) get them over the

hump in the offseason,” King said Councilmember Scott Safford said he would support the proposal, “not counting holidays ”

Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said there is not much parking downtown this time of year after 5 p m

“If there is minimal fiscal impact, just the messaging for us to say ‘free parking during offseason’ could be great for these restaurants,” Atterholt said “Not just for

LPA gives nod to new Myerside hotel

own c ounc il mus t still app rov e rez oning for CPD nea r Beac h Sc hoo l

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

The Town of Fort Myers Beach Local Planning Agency unanimously recommended the town council approve a redevelopment of the former Myerside Resort and Cottages with a 45-unit hotel, which would also have four

FILE PHOTO

Only one of the seven cottages at the Myerside Resort and Cottages survived Hurricane Ian. As part of a redevelopment proposal, a 50-feet high hotel with a restaurant would go up on the property, which is located diagonally across the street from the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School

dwelling units and 9,000 square feet of commercial space including a restaurant, as part of a commercial planned development approval near the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School

Myerside Resort and Cottages was largely destroyed by Hurricane Ian

The approval of the 50-feet high hotel came with multiple conditions and after extensive debate regarding the amount of parking on site, which is located in between the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School, Fort Myers Beach Library and Bay Oaks Recreational Campus

If the town council were to approve the development, it would mark a much more intensive use of the property which previously housed seven cottages with 12 units

The developers are seeking a 25-30% reduction in parking which would mean they would only need 60 parking spaces with a 30% reduction from the 90 spaces required by code

See MYERSIDE HOTEL, page 18

A 50-feet high hotel with 45 units and four housing units would replace the former Myerside Resort and Cottages next to the Beach Elementary School and Bay Oaks Recreational Campus if the Fort Myers Beach Council approves the rezoning The Local Planning Agency unanimously approved the rezoning with conditions

the restaurants but for the merchants and the other shops down there could be great It’s going to be a long, hot summer for these businesses ”

Fort Myers Beach Operations Manager Frank Kropacek said the town is seeing a lot of day-trippers currently He said the free parking could help local businesses “get on their feet and get through the long summer months here ”

Council rejects bid protest

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 Council voted Monday to reject a bid protest over the awarding of a $21 7 million contract for the town’s beach renourishment project

The council had previously voted May 6 to accept the low bid of $21 7 million from Ahtna Marine and Construction Company despite the protest from Callan Marine, the second-lowest bidder Callen Marine put in a bid of $37 19 million

On Monday, a representative from Callen Marine argued in front of town c o u n c i l t h a t A h t n a M a r i n e a n d Construction Company doesn’t have the necessary equipment to complete the project in time The company accused Ahtna Marina and Construction Company of not being responsive to the bid terms

Under the terms of the bid, Ahtna is expected to complete the project within 180 days to 195 days or risk fines of $750 a day

Town Attorney Becky Vose advised the town council against rejecting the lowest bid, saying she had “no earthly idea” how she would defend a decision to go against the lowest bidder.

The project will entail beach restoration to approximately 6 5 miles of what the town considers to be “critically eroded” beach with about 949,000 cubic yards of new sand. The last beach restoration project took place in 2011

Since Hurricane Ian, the town has embarked on two other projects related to addressing its eroded beaches, including an ongoing sand haul project and an emergency berm that was installed after Hurricane Ian.

The Fort Myers Beach Observer filed

20 See BID PROTEST, page 20

T

Best wishes to the Class of ’24

The Class of ’24 does not need to hear the

journey trope these graduating seniors know very well that life not only is not “fair,” but it can dump literal piles of debris in one’s everyday path

In an interview with our sister publication the Cape Coral Breeze regarding graduation, North Fort Myers High School Principal Debbie Diggs summed up their high school years well

The Class of ’24 wrapped up middle school during the pandemic and started high school with variations of in-school and virtual learning, she said

This meant educational challenges and scant opportunity to enjoy the things unique to high school dances, proms, pep rallies

Post pandemic and after a short stint of “normalcy,” their lives were disrupted again some severely by Hurricane Ian which impacted thousands of Lee County families who suffered the loss of homes, of jobs, of businesses.

On the brink of adulthood, those who graduated this past weekend face record-high housing costs as they launch and an economy where even a fast-food meal can set you back nearly 20 bucks if you opt for that large fry and Coke

What we will say is that tough times are not unique

Nor are tough kids on the cusp of becoming resilient adults

So, in place of the traditional get-readyto-grow-up mantra, we will again recognize that there are many in this year’s graduating class, both here in Lee County and across the state of Florida, who are, indeed, already adults, young adults who want to change a world that needs changing

On that mission, we wish them well

And we wish that there was far, far less for them to tackle

All the best to the Class of ’24

You made it

And you earned it the hard way

Observer editorial

District, board ending the school year strong

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The views expressed on the Opinions Pages are just that opinions. These pages are intended to convey a range of viewpoints; opinions printed on these pages do not necessarily reflect the views

or posted to the virtual newsroom at fortmyersbeachtalk.com. Letters run space permitting and are are due no later than noon Monday for consideration for that week’s paper. The Observer reserves the right to edit or reject any submission. You may also comment on any letter or guest commentary at fortmyersbeachtalk com

Sam Fisher Guest Commentary

Travel & tourism light up Lee County’s economy

W h e n i t c o m e s t o t o u r i s m , L e e

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C o u n t y V i s i t o r & C o n v e n t i o n B u r e a u

t o h i g h l i g h t t h e v a l u e o f t o u r i s m t o L e e

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∫ C a p e C o r a l V e t e r a n s M e m o r i a l

M o n u m e n t , C a p e C o r a l P a r k w a y n e a r

t h e C a p e C o r a l B r i d g e

Guest Commentary

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Cecil L. Pendergrass

BUSINESS

Buffalo grilling at Times Square

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

When it comes to branding, the folks at Buffalo Grill don’t miss an opportunity to let you know where they are from and what they are about at the new buffalo wing and sandwich spot at Times Square

The marketing starts with the fiberglass buffalo in front that sports the jersey and logo of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen on one side to the other side that has the Buffalo Sabres logo with the jersey number of their Hall of Fame legend Gilbert Perreault

Below the buffalo are blocks with the words “FMB Strong” and the message “Buffalo Love” with a heart where the “o” goes

Further along on the property is a cornhole game with Bills and Sabres logos

Near the food truck/trailer where the food is cooked, is a large sign reminiscent of the large selfie wall/welcome sign Fort Myers Beach erected at the bottom of the Matanzas Pas Bridge before Hurricane Ian The sign at Buffalo Grill has a big heart before large letters that say “FMB ” Behind it are messages of “Buffalo Love” and “FMB Strong ”

Buffalo Grill’s owners, Buffalo natives Fred Mallone and Bill Wagner, believe their menu will entice Fort Myers Beach residents and island tourists to scarf down wings, hot dogs, chili dogs burgers, roast beef, grilled c h i c k e n , s a u s a g e s a n d t h e i r s i g n

Sandwich ” The Stinger Sandwich mixes chicken tenders and roast beef

Mallone says their wings will stand out from the competition “They are crispy and saucy,” he said

For Mallone and Wagner, this is their first entry into the food business The food truck business is being led by consultant Tom Galanes, whose family runs the Buffalo restaurant mainstay Zorba’s The family has been in the restaurant business for 51 years in Buffalo, Galanes said. He expects to be traveling back and forth from Buffalo to Fort Myers Beach to keep tabs on the new eatery

Last Friday was the first official day that Buffalo Grill was open for business on Fort Myers Beach The beach was relatively busy for the middle of May

“When the word gets out, this will be the place to be,” Dave Buono said Buono, of Buffalo, was having lunch with his family along the artificial turf while looking out to the view of the Gulf of Mexico ahead

“We think it wil be a good attraction,” Wagner said “Take some pictures, play some games ”

NATHAN MAYBERG

Fred Mallone (left) and Bill Wagner opened up their new eatery Buffalo Grill on Friday at Times Square on Fort Myers Beach

Beach Living

Ground is broken under a tent above where The Whale was buried on Fort Myers Beach.

Rebirth of The Whale

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

As a full house gathered under a tent where The Whale once stood as a landmark of the old Fort Myers Beach to celebrate a groundbreaking for the construction of its rebuild, co-owner Mike Miller had a story to tell of how this day almost didn’t arrive

After Hurricane Ian totaled The Whale, mere months after Dawn and Mike Miller bought it, Mr Miller was frank with his wife He asked her “Do you know how much money we have made in the three and a half months?”

They had bought the property during the summer of 2022 before disaster struck, meaning not a whole lot

“Let’s unload this thing,” Mr. Miller said to his wife. Mrs Miller had another idea “Find something else to sell,” she replied

See THE WHALE, page 10

A full house was on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony at The Whale under a tent on Fort Myers Beach Friday.

NATHAN MAYBERG

The Whale

From page 8

What Mr. Miller didn’t realize until that moment was that his wife had grown attached to The Whale in that short span of ownership

“I purchased this as a real estate investment,” Mr Miller said “One thing led to another and my wife just fell in love with the place ”

While Mr Miller was spending much of his time running their manufacturing plant in Tennessee, Mrs Miller was worki n g o n r u n n i n g t h e b u s i n e s s a n d i t s rebranding.

The couple purchased a home on Fort Myers Beach in 2018 after vacationing on the island for about 25 years They practically raised their children on trips to Fort Myers Beach several times a year before selling their Ohio home and settling down

on the bay in the southern section of the town

When Hurricane Ian destroyed The Whale, Mr Miller said his first reaction was “mind boggling and shocking ”

The original building dated back to 1947, he said There had been three additions

“I did everything I could to find the original wood door,” he said Miller said the door was a solid two-to-three inch thick oak wood door

The good news was that their home survived.

“We had a lot of damage There was seven feet of water in the house,” Mr Miller said “We lost three boats, four Waverunners and a BMW ” They recovered one of the boats The other two were totaled

See THE WHALE, page 11

Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce President Jacki Liszak led ceremonies for the groundbreaking at The Whale.

Dawn and Mike Miller, co-owners of The Whale.

NATHAN MAYBERG

The Whale co-owner Mile Miller with shovels used to break ground on construction for the new restaurant, scheduled to open sometime next summer.

The Whale was packed on the inside and every table was taken outside at their groundbreaking Friday for the rebuild of their iconic restaurant

The Whale

From page 10

On Friday, Mr Miller explained to the crowd how it was their support that to the decision to build The Whale again

“If it wasn’t for you and the community, we wouldn’t even be rebuilding,” he told them

The Whale will be a little different in its new incarnation There will be three stories

One thing that will stay the same is their famous smoked wings Luckily for the Millers, they know the recipe and make it at home regularly

Greg Von Krumreig, a managing part-

“It’s part of our recovery therapy to see these icons come back.”

-Jim Atterholt Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor

ner in the restaurant, said the new restaurant will be built partly over some of the remains of the old building which was buried underneath the sand where folks were gathered in a tent Friday “I am excited not only for us but for the community of Fort Myers Beach,” he said Since the restaurant was torn down after Hurricane Ian, there have been rotat-

ing food trucks at the property That has ended for now Construction is expected to last until July or August of 2025

“It’s an icon,” Fort Myers Beach Vice

Mayor Jim Atterholt said He called the rebuilding of The Whale “a significant chapter in the rebuild of Fort Myers Beach We are very fortunate for entrepreneurs like Dawn and Mike for being

The Whale, whose original building dated back to the 1940s on Fort Myers Beach, was totaled by Hurricane Ian.

willing to invest in our future ”

Meanwhile, the Millers are making plans for another property in town They purchased the former Tuckaway Cafe

Boulevard which is going to be Sandy Bottoms Bar & Grill, which they plan to open with midwestern comfort food in the coming months

Atterholt said that when The Whale opens next summer it will be “a great comfort to people It’s part of our recovery therapy to see these icons come back ”

NATHAN MAYBERG

The design of the new look for The Whale, which was totaled by Hurricane Ian

Breakfast with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

Get to know the missions of the U.S. Coast Guard and Auxiliary at a meet and greet breakfast Thursday, May 23, as part of National Safe Boating Week

While being a marvelous source of recreation, boating, to the unprepared, can be a risky sport Not knowing or obeying the Navigation Rules or the nautical “Rules of the Road,” drinking alcohol or taking drugs while operating a boat, or choosing not to wear your life jacket, are all examples of human error or a lack of proper judgment All too often this misjudgment turns into a Search and Rescue case

Representatives from the Coast Guard and Auxiliary will be available to answer questions about search and rescue, our missions, facilities, training, and capabilities. Register online at www Aux91FMB org/Breakfast

The Safe Boating Campaign is a worldwide effort focused on responsible boating led by the National Safe Boating Council with support from boating safety advocates around the world At its heart, the Safe Boating Campaign is a grassroots effort that collaborates with partners to share about safe boating in their local communities through events, social media, workshops, and more It is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U S Coast Guard National Safe Boating week is May 18-24

Jacob’s Ladder to play Bayside Park Concert Series

STAFF REPORT

The Bayside Park Concert Series at Bayside Veteran’s Memorial Park returns Sunday, May 26 with the rock band Jacob's Ladder

The show will run from 4 p m to 7 the park, located off Old San Boulevard Plenty of parking is ble in the area

awn chairs and well-behaved pets

6’ or less leash are encouraged, ver there will be no outside food verage permitted The park is near Snug Harbor Waterfront

weather permitting and are free to the public

eccentric and electrifying guitar ffs, with rich harmonies to comment their acclaimed vocals e concert series is presented by ort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Fort Myers Beach Title Sponsors are Nervous Nellie’s, Snug Harbor Restaurant and Wahoo Willie’s The Series Sponsor is Alex King Group, and the Stage Sponsor is Moss Marina Stage Sponsorships are available each week

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

Lions Club accepting scholarship applications

Doc Ford’s gears up for National Yucatan Shrimp Day

STAFF REPORT

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, c

Myers Beach, is preparing for a celebration of its house specialty Yucatan shrimp On May 24, the r e s t a u

National Yucatan Shrimp Day

down to National Yucatan Shrimp Day on May 1, offering a drawing for a custom YETI cooler filled with restaurant swag at each location For every purchase of a Yucatan dish or a bottle of the restaurant’s

tomers will receive an entry to the drawing

Doc Ford’s Yucatan shrimp is a taste of Florida via the Caribbean Rim, a dinner “to evoke deep summer a kind of scampi for the sun-

vacation on a plate,” as The New York Times shared in a “Cooking” column The secret is in the sauce

scratch potion of butter, garlic, fresh cilantro and Key lime juice tossed with steamed peel-and-eat shrimp and mild Colombian chilis

It shines in shrimp tacos, the Y

baked oysters and half- and onepound Yucatan Shrimp entrees at Doc Ford’s locations on Sanibel and F

M

Petersburg

“Our Yucatan entrees are wildly popular as Doc Ford’s top-sellers,” said Joe Harrity, a partner with HM Restaurant Group, which owns and operates Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille and Dixie Fish Company

customers ”

awards from the Fort Myers Beach Observer In 2021, the Fort Myers Beach restaurant was named the best “Everyday Eats” in the nation by TripAdvisor

Town hires new harbormaster

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

The Town of Fort Myers Beach has hired Curtis Ludwig as its new h

Austin Gilchrist, whom the town parted ways with in March

Lugwig’s responsibilities will

i s y e a r , t h e L i o n s C l u b w i l l a w a r d s c h o l a r s h i p s t o 1 0 d e s e r v i n g a p p l i c a n t

Jacksonville native, Lugwig will earn $70,000 annually in his new position Ludwig, a veteran of the U S

worked with a company docking tanker vessels and helped run the c o m p a n y A c c o r d i n g to the town, Lugwig has served as a project

seeing the daily operations of a port, docking and releasing vessels He also has his 100-

icense.

“I am looking for-

Curtis Ludwig

ward to continuing

Hurricane Ian, and playing a vital role in growing the divi-

Lugwig said “I’m

place.”

NATHAN MAYBERG

PHOTO PROVIDED

Beach Kids Foundation expands scholarships

STAFF REPORT

The Beach Kids Foundation has announced additional scholarship opportunities for applicants

The “Tom and Fran Myers Scholarship” will be awarded to two separate applicants Each student recipient will receive an additional $1,000 that may be used towards educational expenses The two recipients will be hand selected and given their awards at our scholarship award ceremony this summer (details to follow) To become eligible, please read the details below

Tom Myers was a passionate activist for the community, especially in regard to nature and our local environment He sat on the Board for Matanzas Pass Persevere and pioneered many renourishment efforts for our island In light of his recent passing, an applicant will be selected to receive an additional $1,000 to honor his contributions to our community and recognize a student with similar interests

F o r a n y o n e a p p l y i n g f o r t h e “ T o m M y e r s Scholarship,” read below:

∫ The scholarships will be awarded to a student, preferentially, pursuing or planning to pursue a degree in environmental studies, marine science, bioengineering, environmental engineering, or similar degrees.

∫ Please submit information pertaining to volunteer work, internships, jobs, or recreational activities related to the environment and if possible sustainability efforts, that have taken place during your college and/or high school experience

∫ Include dates of experiences, a brief description, and references (1 or more) for each listing

∫ Prospective experiences can be included (i e internships), but documents for those must be included

scholarships through the Tom and Fran Myers Scholarship

with submission

Fran Myers has been involved in 25-plus SWFL organizations over the past 40 years She has owned a handful of successful businesses on Fort Myers Beach and is passionate about business development and entrepreneurship Fran has also been an esteemed member of our tourism industry in Lee Country As such, an applicant will be selected to receive $1,000 in her honor

Scholarship,” read below:

- Will be awarded to a student, preferentially, pursuing or planning to pursue a degree in business, commu-

nications, hospitality management, or similar degrees

- Please submit information pertaining to jobs, internships, or volunteer work that has taken place during your college and/or high school experience

- Include dates of experiences, a brief description, and references (1 or more) for each listing

- Prospective experiences can be included (i e internships), but documents for those must be included with submission

Thank you to the Myers/Red Coconut family for their continued dedication in supporting our mission for the Beach Kids

The Beach Kids Foundation is currently accepting scholarship applications for the 2024-25 school year and welcome local college-bound students to apply Every year, the foundation helps as many children as possible, through scholarship funding and through providing families at Beach Elementary School with supplies and other necessities to ensure the healthy growth and development of our youth

To apply, students must live on Fort Myers Beach or have a parent, grandparent or guardian who lives or works within the Fort Myers Beach area (33931 zip code).

To receive a scholarship application, email chairman Deborah Groll at summerinoh@aol com The deadline to submit an application is June 15 Over the years, the Beach Kids Foundation has provided hundreds of Fort Myers Beach students with college scholarships

Fort Myers airport sees largest increase in traffic statewide

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

The Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers saw the largest increase in traffic in the first quarter of this year statewide, Gov Ron DeSantis announced

The airport saw an increase of 25% in the first three months of the year compared to last year

According to figures from the Lee County Port Authority, there were 3 8 million passengers on planes going through the Fort Myers airport in the first quarter of 2024 compared to 3,066,754 in the first quarter of last year

passing through That was approximately 4,000 off the record in March of 2022.

Overall, the number of passengers going through the Fort Myers airport was down last year, dropping from a record of 10,343,802 in 2022 to 10.07 million in 2023.

The numbers released by the office of Gov DeSantis showed that Florida had more than 140 million visitors last year, which the state considers a record For the first three months of the year, the state tallied an estimated 40 6 million visitors.

Last year's tourism numbers marking an increase of 2 3% from 2022's record-breaking figure. Of those visitors, 129 1 million were domestic visitors along with 8 3 million overseas visitors and 3 2 million Canadian visitors

For the first quarter of the year, the number of air visitors was estimated at 38%, while non-air visitors was estimated at 62%

Total enplanements at 19 Florida airports increased by +9 4% in Q1 2024 from Q1 2023, climbing to 30 2 million.

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District Chief Scott Wirth announced that the old fire station off Estero Boulevard and Donora Boulevard is up for sale

The station was totaled by Hurricane Ian and was due to be replaced with the department’s purchase of the former Topps property near the former town hall

h t t p s : / / w w w l o o p n e t c o m / L i s t i n g / 3 0 4 3 - E s t e r oBlvd-Fort-Myers-Beach-FL/31786829/

The fire district is also closing in on a $3 4 million purchase of property on San Carlos Island for a fire training center and administrative office off Shrimp Boat Lane

The fire department continues to operate out of its stations on Lenell Road and San Carlos Boulevard The department also has administrative offices at Voorhis Street

The month of March saw the second-most passengers recorded in a single month at the Southwest Florida International Airport with 1 5 million

“Once again, Florida leads the nation as an unrivaled destination for tourists,” DeSantis said “These recordbreaking numbers show that our work has made the free state of Florida even more attractive to visitors ”

Orlando International was the state’s busiest airport with 7 6 million enplanements (+6 8%), followed by Miami with 7 5 million (+12 1%)

Publix reaches produce donation milestone

STAFF REPORT

Publix announced that it has reached a milestone of having donated 100 million pounds of produce to Feeding America partner food banks, in the company’s ongoing commitment to help feed neighbors facing food insecurity

The food banks include Harry Chapin Food Bank in Fort Myers More than 50 million pounds of produce have been donated to Florida food banks since 2020

The company began purchasing produce in 2020 at the height of the covid pandemic to help struggling farmers and provide additional fresh fruits and vegetables to its food bank partners

“As a grocery retailer, we can make our largest impact by helping feed our neighbors in need Donating

100 million pounds of produce is an example of the difference Publix associates make year-round,” said Publix CEO Kevin Murphy. “I am proud of this innovative program and how we continue to find new ways to support the communities we serve, but our work is not done We look forward to continuing to provide our food bank partners with produce throughout the year ”

“Feeding America is deeply grateful for our partnership with Publix and for the generosity they continue to demonstrate,” said Feeding America CEO Claire BabineauxFontenot

“Their contribution of 100 million pounds of fresh produce makes a meaningful difference to people facing food insecurity We look forward to continuing to work together in the movement to end

hunger ”

The donations by Public cover food banks in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia

In 2021, Publix also launched its Good Together hunger alleviation campaign (formerly known as Feeding More Together), uniting customers and associates twice a year to provide food for people facing food insecurity

Through its Good Together food donation program, Publix donates food from its stores that is no longer salable but still safe for consumption

During its fall Publix Serves Week, thousands of company associates volunteer with organizations that assist community members facing hunger.

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Beach Kids Foundation have announced an expansion of their

Swim season is almost here! Red Cross shares critical water safety tips for children and families

The American Red Cross encourages families to prepare for the fast-approaching summer swim season by learning to be “water smart ” Research shows that participation in formal water safety and swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% for one to four-year-olds

"Before families head out to pools and parks, it’s important for all family members to learn and review critical water safety skills,” said Jill Palmer, Executive Director of Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter “Knowing fundamental Red Cross water safety skills will help you feel more prepared for fun outings in, on and around the water and help save lives ”

Each year, more than 2 5 million people learn to swim through Red Cross lifesaving aquatics programs These programs incorporate the latest science-based curriculum and industry best practices, helping to keep individuals and families safer while enjoying water activities Through this work, over the last century, the Red Cross has helped to reduce accidental drownings by nearly 90% nationwide.

“Preventing unsupervised access to water, providing constant, active adult supervision and knowing how to swim are critical layers of protection to help prevent drowning,” said Connie Harvey, director of Aquatics Centennial and Survival Programs for the Red Cross

Important water safety tips

This summer, remember these four water safety tips:

1 . Nobody should ever swim alone – adults and teens as well as children Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child’s life to another child

2 . It’s best to always designate a “water watcher” who will keep a close eye and constant attention on children and weaker swimmers in, on and around water until the next water watcher takes over

3 . Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear properly fitted U S Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.

4 . Reach or throw, don't go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object to the person in trouble and tell them to grab on Don’t go in! You could be in danger of drowning yourself

“We encourage families to educate themselves on safer water habits, to learn to swim and know how to handle emer-

gencies,” said Harvey “Our aquatic training providers offer swim education and classes for both children and adults We recommend that you also learn first aid and CPR, so you’ll know what to do until help arrives ”

See WATER SAFETY TIPS, page 19

The developers are also seeking to eliminate four required parking spaces by offering 16 bicycle spaces instead at the property, which straddles School Street, Oak Street and Estero Boulevard

The project would also attempt to mitigate the parking situation through valet parking, which the developers suggest could lead to parking being “doubled up " They also propose “double-counting” of parking spaces for the bar area and restaurants

The developers also suggest they could potentially use parking spaces at the Beach Methodist Church, which is located d i

Elementary School

The former Myerside Cottages previously had an agreement with the Town of Fort Myers Beach to utilize four of the town’s parking spaces on Oak Street Much of the town’s parking spaces that were once empty are now being used for town employees at the town hall and other town trailers located next to Bay Oaks Recreational Campus

On a visit to the site Monday, most of the spaces at the town’s public pool next door to the proposed hotel site were all filled by town employee vehicles

The hotel’s height appeared to be less of a concern for the board, at nine feet shorter than the Fort Myers Beach Public Library across the street

LPA member Jane Plummer was most concerned about the parking, saying that the amount of parking set aside for the commercial space for the restaurant and other commercial uses was not enough.

“I think 14 or 15 parking spaces for 9,000 square feet of commercial use

The proposed Myerside Hotel would stand 50-feet high with 45 hotel rooms and four housing units across from the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School, Fort Myers Beach Library, Little League baseball fields and next to the town's public pool and Bay Oaks Recreational Campus. The LPA approved a rezoning with conditions this past week for the project. The town council must still vote on the request.

where does the employees that are going to serve these people, where are the cooks, where are the spa people going to park? Where are their clients going to park?”

Plummer said “I don’t see how the retail works with parking ”

Ken Gallander, a planner with The Neighborhood Company, which is repre-

senting the developers, said the hotel may not be full all the time

Patrick Vanasse, a former LPA member and partner in The Neighborhood Company, said there were businesses downtown for which the town doesn’t

require any parking “We are a short bike ride from downtown,” he said

Vanasse said parking and discouraging vehicle traffic was a challenging issue

“We see this as a public-private part-

Water safety tips

WHALE Tales for children

The Red Cross recently revamped its Longfellow’s WHALE Tales Water Safety for Children program The nocost program is designed to help children from all backgrounds in kindergarten through 5th grade learn vital water safety behaviors without having to be in or near the water

Educators, swim instructors, parents, caregivers and others can teach critical water safety lessons to children before the swim season kicks off WHALE Tales are short, engaging and age-appropriate lessons that cover important water safety topics in different environments such as pools, waterparks, oceans, lakes and rivers. The free downloadable resources include lesson plans, course presentations and engaging materials such as videos and a c t i v i t y s h e e t s a n d c a n b e a c c e

redcross org/WHALEtales If you’re a parent or caregiver teaching your own children, visit redcross org watersafetyforkids

Myerside Hotel

nership,” Vanasse said He said one of the solutions to the parking situation could be the development of a public parking lot Vanasse said the developers are entitled to 30 units by right.

C

Local Planning Agency Chair Anita

would offer a discount to customers who don’t use their own vehicle to stay at the hotel in order to reduce impacts to local traffic The idea has been floated by Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt Vanasse said the hotel would go along with such a concept if it became town policy for businesses to offer reductions in rates for those who take alternative transportation to local hotels.

Vanasse said the developers were willing to accept the LPA’s approval of the proposal with a condition of overflow

Community par tnerships

Our Aquatics Centennial Campaign, launched in 2014 to recognize 100 years of Red Cross leadership in swimming and water safety, is active in nearly 100 communities across the country The program works to reduce drowning rates in locations where drowning rates are above the national average alongside valued community partners

To date, the campaign has delivered more than 131,000 sets of swim lessons and certified 5,400 junior lifeguards, lifeguards and Water Safety Instructors We’ve also armed nearly 19,000 parents and caregivers with water safety knowledge and/or CPR skills

“We want to make the water a safer place for everyone and, as a community, we all play an important role in helping to achieve that goal,” said Harvey ” Learn more at redcross org/centennialswim

From page 18

parking, or for making arrangements for valet parking or with neighboring properties Vanasse said he and the developers would work with town council to address parking at the site.

The property is owned by Beverley Milligan and Roland Weinmann

Cereceda said she wasn’t sure how she felt about the project initially and has concerns about parking, but believes some of the impacts have been minimized

“You will live or die” by the parking situation, Cereceda said “I wish you good luck on that ”

The approval of the 53,463-squaref o o

process, amounted to a rezoning for the former cottages

Town council voted 4-1 in 2021 in

Get star ted today

Go to redcross org/watersafety for swim program information and a variety of resources The Red Cross Swim app can help children and adults learn with kidfriendly video and activities on mobile devices Do your part Be “water smart ”

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission For more information, please visit redcross org or CruzRojaAmericana org, or follow us on social media

change the zoning of the property from residential conservation to commercial planned development and allow for a restaurant and boutique store, and allow for the sale of alcohol at the restaurant

The serving of alcohol at the restaurant had faced scrutiny from some local residents at the time due to its location near

League baseball fields and Bay Oaks

Town staff had recommended denial of the project in 2021 for being inconsistent with the comprehensive plan and the residential neighborhood The Lee County School District also opposed the project at the time.

As part of the 2021 agreement, the restaurant was supposed to have noise restrictions which would not allow the

playing of music until after 3 p m on weekdays and 10 a m to 10 p m on weekends There was no mention of such restrictions at Tuesday’s LPA meeting

Back in 2021, Milligan said the music would be limited to radio or Spotify-type of setup

Vanasse said the restrictions agreed to in 2021 would not apply to this new commercial planned development and have not been brought up in the review process

The council voted in favor of allowing the restaurant at the time in a bid to protect the cottages on site, only one of which survived Hurricane Ian

A previous council had previously given approvals to the property owners to add a bed and breakfast use to the land

Free parking From page

1

King had proposed the free parking break for 90 days in the summer, though Atterholt suggested from June 1

t h r o u g h O c t 1 “ S e p t e m

Atterholt said

Allers said he would prefer free parking just for the hours of 4 p m to 7 p m

“I’m just a little worried about the logistics,” Fort Myers Beach Dan Allers said Allers asked staff if the free parking would “have a huge financial impact” to the

Bid protest

From page 1

requests with the town two weeks ago for the amount of the project that the town will be liable for Requests submitted to Town of Fort Myers Beach Manager

Andy Hyatt and Environmental Project Manager Chadd Chustz have not been responded to. New requests were again submitted Monday and not responded to as of press time

Lee County will fund up to $9 2 million of the project with tourist development tax dollars

According to the town’s consultant on the project, FEMA will only fund up to 90% of the northern section of the project which is up to 56,000 cubic yards of sand (or about 6% of the total sand)

The county’s contribution from the tax on short-term lodging is to offer storm protection for County beach parks and recreational benefits for shorelines

budget Allers said he doesn’t want to “make a decision that is going to put

Kropacek said the loss of revenue is “not as great of a

Manager Andy Hyatt said the town could put together a worst-case scenario loss of revenue by counting the spaces and looking at revenue numbers

Kropacek said the time would be good because the town is going through new, temporary signs as it switch-

accessible to the general public according to Florida DEP standards

between 500 to 1,000 feet of the beach at a time for safety reasons as the work proceeds Pipelines delivering sand that

Boutelle said

Environmental Protection Permit conditions prohibit construction in the Little E

between March 1 and Nov 1 for sea turtle and shorebird nesting

Chustz did not respond to questions

would be impacted.

In early 2023, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection issued a

es to new town signs which will notify motorists that the town is moving away from QR codes for paying parking meters, to a new system of texting for the downtown area

Allers asked for the town staff to provide revenue figures and projections at the council’s next meeting June 3 before a decision is made

Joint Coastal Permit and Submerged Lands Authorization, which expires in January 2038 The permit was modified to authorize a one-time placement of approximately 15,000 cubic yards of beach compatible material above the Mean High Water line on the southern

observed storm loss in this section of the island, which has not been restored previously In addition, a second offshore borrow area was added to the project scope to provide ample sand resources

according to the town

In its protest letter, Callan Marine warned that the town could be exposing its beach areas and adjacent waters to environmental hazards, including potentially an oil spill if a dredge tinder sunk or partially sank

“The nearest available and specified borrow area is offshore and exposes any dredge on the project to potentially hazardous sea and weather conditions The closest safe harbor is 1 5 miles from the p

Callan Marine wrote in their protest letter to the town

Callan Marine, which is based in Texas, initially filed a notice of protest on April 30

In a letter to town council ahead of its May 6 vote to award the contract to Ahtna Marine, Hyatt cited the impending hurricane season as a reason to treat the project with urgency and award the contract without delay

Hyatt said the beach renourishment project will provide surge-impact reductions for a 25-year storm

The work is expected to begin in June

Captains For Clean Water urges Big Sugar to drop lawsuit

C a p t a i n s F o r C l e a n W a t e r r e p o r t e d t h a t t h r e e i n d u st r i a l s u g a r c a n e c o r p o r a t i o n s f i l e d a l a w s u i t i n 2 0 2 1

a g a i n s t t h e U S A r m y C o r p s o f E n g i n e e r s o v e r t h e

d e s i g n a n d i n t e n d e d u s e o f a n E v e r g l a d e s r e s t o r a t i o n p r o j e c t , t h e E v e r g l a d e s A g r i c u l t u r a l A r e a ( E A A )

R e s e r v o i r C o n s i d e r e d t h e k e y s t o n e r e s t o r a t i o n p r o j e c t , t h e E A A R e s e r v o i r i s i n t e n d e d t o p r o v i d e f u l l - s c a l e r e l i e f

t o S o u t h F l o r i d a ' s w a t e r q u a l i t y c r i s i s b y r e s t o r i n g t h e

n a t u r a l E v e r g l a d e s f l o w s o u t h E x p e c t e d t o b e c o mp l e t e a n d o p e r a t i o n a l i n 2 0 3 0 , i t w i l l s t o r e e x c e s s

L a k e O k e e c h o b e e w a t e r , c l e a n i t t o f e d e r a l s t a n d a r d s

a n d m o v e i t s o u t h t h r o u g h t h e E v e r g l a d e s a n d i n t o

F l

C a p t a i n s F o r C l e a n W a t e r r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e r e s e r -

v o i r w i l l h e l p m a i n t a i n t h e l a k e a t l o w e r , h e a l t h i e r l e v -

e l s ; r e s t o r e t h e e c o l o g y o f t h e E v e r g l a d e s ; b a l a n c e

s a l i n i t i e s i n t h e F l o r i d a B a y ; r e c h a r g e t h e a q u i f e r t h a t p r o v i d e s d r i n k i n g w a t e r f o r m i l l i o n s o f F l o r i d i a n s ; a n d

m i t i g a t e t h e h a r m f u l l a k e d i s c

O k e e l a n t a C o r p o r a t i o n ( F l o r i d a C r y s t a l s ) a n d T h e

S u g a r C a n e G r o w e r s C o o p e r a t i v e o f F l o r i d a , t h e l a ws u i t c l a i m s t h a t t h e y a r e o w e d a s p e c i f i c a m o u n t o f p u b l i c w a t e r f o r i r r i g a t i o n

r i l I t c o u l d a l s o s e t a d a n g e r o u s p r e c e d e n t , f o r c i n g E v e r g l a d e s r e s t o r a t i o n p r o j e c t s t o p r i o r i t i z e B i g S u g a r ’ s i n t e r e s t s a n d r e p l a c e t h e i r h i s t o r i c a l w a t e r s u p p l y o v e r b e n e f i t s t o S o u t h F l o r i d a ’ s w a t e r s I t a d d e d t h a t a s t h e s u g a r i n d u s t r y p u b l i c l y p r om o t e s s u p p o r t o f E v e r g l a d e s r e s t o r a t i o n , i t s h i s t o r i c a l p a t t e r n s c o n t i n u e t o c o n t r a d i c t t h a t s e n t i m e n t T h e l a w s u i t d i r e c t l y t h r e a t e n s t h e s i n g l e - m o s t i m p o r t a n t r e s t o r a t i o n p r o j e c t t h a t r e p r e s e n t s a s u s t a i n a b l e s o l ut i o n b e n e f i t i n g t h e e c o n o m y , t h e e n v i r o n m e n t a n d t h e q u a l i t y o f l i f e f o r F l o r i d a ’ s r e s i d e n t s a n d v i s i t o r s C a p t a i n s F o r C l e a n W a t e r h a s l a u n c h e d a p u b l i c m o v e m e n t u r g i n g B i g S u g a r

WHERE TO GO WHAT TO DO WHO TO SEE

Seeing Red and Ar tist as Muse to continue through June 22 at Shell Point’s Tribby Ar ts Center Page 25

State park one of s eve ra l loc al camp options

STAFF REPORT

The Friends of Lovers Key (FOLKS) will present five summer camp sessions throughout June and July at Lovers Key State Park

Attendees will enjoy beaches and mangroves while

Morning field trips in the park are followed by afternoon enrichment activities at the new, air-conditioned discov-

campers in fun, enriching experiences in science, art, and outdoor recreation

All sessions will take place at Lovers Key State Park Full day sessions only Space is limited for all sessions; advance ticket purchase is required. To register, visit the F r i e n d s o f L o v e r s K e y ’ s E v e n t b r i t e p a g e : https://bit ly/FOLKS-Events Applications for full scholarships for campers impacted by Hurricane Ian are available for each session

Summer schedule:

∫ June 10 - 14: Marine Biology Camp, ages 11- 16, 8:30-4:00, $300

Have fun exploring the park’s coastal islands by foot, kayak, and flippers while learning all about the marine biology of our local barrier islands Grab your water shoes, bathing suit, and plan to make new friends with

the dolphins, manatees, and other coastal creatures you'll encounter during your week at Lovers Key! Led by John Bailey, Environmental Education Resource Teacher, Curriculum & Instructional Innovation in Lee County Public Schools, and a certified SCUBA instructor and Sea Scout

∫ June 17 - 21: Marine Biology Camp, 11-16, 8:304:00, $300

Discover the lure of Lovers Key! Have fun exploring the park’s coastal islands by foot, kayak, and flippers while learning all about the marine biology of our local barrier islands. Grab your water shoes, bathing suit, and plan to make new friends with the dolphins, manatees, and other coastal creatures you'll encounter during your week at Lovers Key! Led by John Bailey, Environmental Education Resource Teacher, Curriculum & Instructional Innovation in Lee County Public Schools and a certified SCUBA instructor and Sea Scout

∫ June 24 – 28: Beach Buddies, ages 6-9, 8:30-4:00, $300

Children will explore Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico from top to bottom using microscopes, seine nets, plankton trawls and fishing poles Learn about the shores and aquatic life of beautiful Lovers Key State Park through hands-on experiments and creative expression

Led by Susie Hassett, M A , Science Education, Head

County Public Schools

∫ July 15 – 19: Beach Explorers, ages 9-12, 8:304:00, $300

Children will explore Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico from top to bottom using microscopes, seine nets, plankton trawls and fishing poles Learn about the shores and aquatic life of beautiful Lovers Key State Park through hands-on experiments and creative expression Led by Susie Hassett, M A , Science Education, Head

County Public Schools.

∫ July 22-26: Young Florida Naturalists, ages 8-12, 8:30-4:00, $300

Become a Junior Naturalist by exploring the beautiful coastal habitats of Lovers Key State Park! You will discover nature's treasures and learn about plants and animals through fun games and engaging activities Led b

County Public Schools, B A in Environmental Studies, and Julia Sessa, Environmental Education Helping

Environmental Studies

PHOTOS PROVIDED

BIG ARTS to showcase films as part of Fort Myers Film Festival

By TIFFANY REPECKI

d t h e

c o u n t y t o h o s t a n d s h o w c a s e s o m e o f t h e f e a t u r e d f i l m s i n t h e f e s t i v a l .

G a l l e r y D i r e c t o r W i l s o n M c C r a y e x p l a i n e d t h a t

B I G A R T S h a s a f i l m p r o g r a m i t s M o n d a y N i g h t

F i l m s e r i e s w h i c h h e h a s o v e r s e e n s i n c e c o m i n g o n

b o a r d i n t h e s u m m e r o f 2 0 2 2 “ E v e r y y e a r , w e ' v e s e e n h o w t h e F o r t M y e r s F i l m F e s t i v

Seeing Red and Artist as Muse to continue through June 22 at Shell Point’s Tribby Arts Center

Artworks by 73 artists are on display through June 22 in Shell Point’s Tribby Arts Center

On display in the Shell Point Gallery, “Seeing Red: Works by Shell Point Artists & Writers” features work in a wide variety of mediums, including ceramics, fused and stained glass, paintings, digital and printed photographs, textiles, wood, and mixed media The exhibition is visually awash in red, as all artists were required to interpret the theme “Seeing Red” in their works.

Jurors selected 64 out of nearly 100 submissions for display in the exhibition, with 17 of the selected works receiving perfect scores on the rating system In all, the objects in Seeing Red represent 46 Shell Point resident artists, several being working or retired professional artists

Serving as jurors were Grace Ramsey, Drawing Professor, and Anica Sturdivant, Assistant Curator, FGCU Art Galleries, Bower School of Music & the Arts, Florida Gulf Coast University

Garnering the jurors’ top scores were glass works by Michael Armstrong, Vicki Bundschu, and Jeannette Lindman; mixed media pieces by Patricia Armstrong and Jan Frieden; paintings by Carolyn Bachman, Karen Meredith, Anita Putnam, and Helga Weichselbaum; photographs by Theresa Baldwin, Helen Donegan, and John Ippensen; a ceramic work by Doug Heatherly; and textiles by Carol St Clair and Bibi Stein

“Seeing Red” also displays ten texts by Shell Point writers who also reflected on the theme

Concurrently and in its second-floor Legacy and Overlook Galleries, the Tribby is displaying 28 stunning art quilts in “Artist as Muse: The 20th Anniversary Exhibition of Art Quilters Unlimited.”

ARTS From page 24

t h i s a n c i e n t c i t y .

∫ May 2 4 : “From Laughter to Legacy: Capti v a’ s Je ns e n Fami l y ” by Ke n Sneeden and the Captiva Island Historical Society

The Jensen brothers are beloved by island residents and visitors and their Twin Palm Marina & Cottages was an island icon for 40-plus years under the family’s ownership

∫ May 2 5 : “Wo me n o f The Watershed” by Scott Michael Barnett

A young woman journeys to the source of the Everglades headwaters to better u n d e r s t a n d t h e h i s t o r i c c h a l l e n g e s o f water management and pollution that now threaten this fragile ecosystem Along the way she will meet a new generation of

Based in Fort Myers, Art Quilters Unlimited is comprised of fiber artists who display their creative works throughout southwest Florida To celebrate the group’s twentieth anniversary, each of its participating member artists created a textile homage to a painting or style of a well-known 20th-century artist The resulting exhibition presents a fiber-art survey of major painting styles that distinguished a remarkable century of art

Finally, in the Tribby Collaborations Gallery and as a complement to the Seeing Red exhibition, the display “Seeing Red: By the Book: Artworks by Youth of the Heights Center Art Program” is presented The exhibition is part of a year-long collaboration between Tribby Arts Center and the Heights Center of Fort Myers In this newest display, the children were inspired by their

advocates who are redefining the balance of women in conservation

All films will be shown at 7 p m in the Christensen Performance Hall

McCray explained that after talking with Raddatz, Raddatz sent him a series of films to look at and select from for the three at BIG ARTS He reported that he had previously met Biffar

“He said he would love it if one of his films would be screened at BIG ARTS,” McCray said

Biffar will be in attendance for the screening

“I will introduce him for a Q&A after the film,” he said

As for the CIHS film, it was a “perfect” pick

favorite books as they created images in red.

Many of the artworks on display in both the “Seeing Red” and “Artist as Muse” exhibitions are offered for sale In addition, the shop Serendipity, inclusive in the Shell Point Gallery, offers a wide variety of artworks and artistic gift items

“Seeing Red” and “Artist as Muse” are on display Saturday, March 30 and are open to the public free of charge from 10 a m until 3 p m Tuesdays through Saturdays Tribby Arts Center is located at 17281 On Par Blvd within the Coastal Commons neighborhood of Shell Point

For more information about Tribby Arts Center, call 239-415-5667

“Because it's like family,” McCray said “Everyone on Sanibel and Captiva knows the Jensen family, and it's such a heartwarming story ”

He continued that the third film is surprising because it outlines a lot of the cons e r v a t i o n w o r k b e

Everglades and it points out the many strong women involved with that

“It’s certainly topical and it's certainly important,” McCray said

The box office will open one hour before each screening.

A t t e n d e e s c a n s t r o l l t h e g a l l e r i e s , explore the gift shop and enjoy a drink from the bar

Tickets are $12 per film

“Ticket sales are going well and there's

plenty of room,” he said.

They can be purchased online and at the box office, as well as prior to each screening

The community is encouraged to come out

“I think it's important to take part in the festival because it's an important cultural event in Lee County, and now more than ever we need to join together as a community and celebrate the arts,” McCray said

For more information or tickets, visit bigarts org/programs/film-series BIG ARTS is at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Rose Young and Oscar.

Annie Wainwright Through the Trees

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Registration open for Master Gardener training course

Lee County residents passionate about gardening can cultivate their skills and give back to the community through the 2024 Master Gardener Volunteer Program Training Course.

The 12-week program will kick off on Aug 20 and run through Nov 20

The course is designed with convenience in mind, starting online to accommodate the summer heat and transient residents The latter portion will transitions to hands-on, in-person learning experiences

The curriculum is specifically tailored to the county's unique environment and population profile, ensuring the knowledge and skills gained are directly applicable to local gardening practices

The deadline to apply is May 31

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o r t o a p p l y , v i s i t https://bttr im/sw9iw

The Florida Master Gardener Program is an outreach program composed of UF/IFAS Extension certified volunteers who are trained to provide research-based horticultural education to Florida residents through workshops, demonstrations and gardening advice

For more information, visit https://sfyl ifas ufl edu/ lawn-and-garden/florida-master-gardener-program/

Annual writing contest deadline extension!

The Annual Gulf Coast Writers Association (GCWA) Writing Contest has been extended by one month from May 31 to June 30, 2024, at 11:59 p m EST Over the last month, GCWA has been transitioning its website from one platform to another While leaders expected kinks during this timeframe, one unexpected hiccup was in submitting entries for the contest Therefore, the GCWA Executive Team decided to keep the contest open for an additional month to ensure all writers who wished to enter their best work had the chance to do so

Submissions are being accepted in three categories:

F i c t i o n , N o n f i c t i o n a n d P o e t r y T

, g o t o www gulfwriters org and click on Writing Contest The first-place winner in each category will receive $200; the second place, $75; and the third, $50 Deadline is June 30, 2024 at 11:59 p m EST

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Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grill to host book signings for new Doc Ford with author Randy Wayne White in June

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T i c k e t s o n s a l e n o w f o r

N U T C R A C K E R ! M a g i c a l C h r i s t m a s B a l l e t

T i c k e t s a r e n o w o n s a l e f o r N U T C R A C K E R !

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Wayne White See WHAT’S HAPPENING, page 29

Island pets seeking forever homes PET PALS

Find A Home Give A Home Pet Rescue

By ISABELLE WELLS

Co-founder of

the Find a Home, Give a Home pet rescue organization of Fort Myers Beach

If you have a pet and he or she is not doing well, don’t wait to bring your pet to the veterinarian. I understand it is costly but sometimes waiting is deadly Last Saturday I stopped by our vet’s office in Fort Myers and was told that someone on the phone could not afford the treatment for their dog who was very sick She had stopped eating and was passing black and bloody stool I was able to meet her in the car and she was panting on the floor and you could see she was not doing well Brought her in and she died on the table right in front of me and that was heartbreaking I had found out that her owner got her when she was only 30 days old from Miami and she was lethargic for about three days. Ran a Parvo test which was negative So the other obvious cause was hookworms An autopsy was performed and our veterinarian did confirm she had 200,000 to 300,000 hookworms in her She had no blood any more, just water in her veins She had never been seen by a vet or dewormed Sky was 8 months old and didn’t survive which would have been so preventable She was a very cute and happy French bulldog puppy

Jingle

Good student! Jingle is mixed with a wirehair terrier and 50 pounds He is a love Gentle taking treats Sits, gives his paw

D o e s n ’ t b a r k . D o e s n ’ t s h e d much Very attentive, energetic and is learning manners right

n

Jingle wants to hug everyone

S

around If you are interested in Jingle please contact Isabelle via text or phone at 239-281-0739

dle of joy with a zest for life and a heart full of love. If you have any interest in meeting her please text or call 239-281-0739

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

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

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

Save Our Strays Feline Rescue For t Myers Beach

We are in need for a person to transport a feeder to various locations on the beach Friday through Monday

The transporter does not have to feed but if wants to help her is welcome to do so or just wait for her at each stop

Please call 239 851 3485 if you can help transport This would be in the evenings after 5 p m and at this time of year with low traffic can be done in approximately 90 minutes

Also, we are in need of kitten dry food, Iams Healthy Kitten or Purina One healthy kitten plus adult dry food, Purina One tender select chicken flavor

It is kitten season and lots of kittens are showing up in many places If you should see any please call us right away so they can be brought into rescue and vetted and adopted

Milo is a 6-week-old male kitten He is black and white, white on chest and feet plus beautiful eyes He is super playful and is ready for preadoption but has not yet had vacines and cannot be fixed until 12 weeks old

Copper is also a 6-week-old male kitten who is orange and white and very fluffy He loves playing with his litter mates and is ready for preadoption and will be getting first vacine in a couple weeks

June Concerts at Shell Point’s Tribby Arts Center

Shell Point’s Tribby Arts Center Encore! Season, sponsored by FineMark National Bank & Trust, continues in June with Big Band and Americana concerts Stardust Memories Big Band, Thursday, June 6, at 7 p m Comprised of some of South Florida’s finest jazz professionals, and featuring talented guest vocalist Danny Sinoff, Stardust Memories presents a selection of Big Band classics from the music of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, T o m m y D o r s e y , C o u n t Basie, Duke Ellington, and more. Tickets $30.

instruments, she is internationally renowned for her

Mean Mary, Thursday, June 13, at 7 p m Awardwinning musician and songwriter Mean Mary evolved from a child prodigy who played for tips on the streets of Nashville to a seasoned performer and headliner of over 4,000 festivals and concerts Equally versatile on guitar,

haunting vocals, and intricate story songs Tickets $30

To purchase event tick-

call the Tribby Box Office at 239-415-5667

About Shell Point L

Caloosahatchee River and minutes from Sanibel and Captiva Islands is Shell Point Retirement Community Home to 2,500 residents, Shell Point is the country’s largest, not-for-profit, single site continuing care retirement community (CCRC), offering independent and assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing services Shell Point provides residents exceptional care with a

world-class health center, activities, and resort amenities, including championship golf, a marina, art and fitness centers, restaurants, pickleball courts, gardening spaces, a dog park, and miles of bike paths and waterfront trails Learn why Ideal Living lists Shell Point among the “100 Best Places to Live” by visiting ShellPoint org ” PHOTOS PROVIDED Stardust Memories Big Band.

Elite DNA Behavioral Health conducting food drive through May for Mental Health Awareness Month

Elite DNA Behavioral Health, a comprehensive behavioral and mental health care provider, is hosting a statewide food drive throughout May for Mental Health Awareness Month

Now through Friday, May 24, Elite DNA is collecting food items at 32 locations and is calling on the community for s u p p o

o u g

goods, dry pasta, rice, cereal and other non-perishable food items

Elite DNA is collaborating with seven Feeding Florida chapters across the state

to distribute items to those in need via a network of local hunger organizations including All Faiths Food Bank, Feeding N

Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Second Harvest of the Big Bend

Feeding Florida is the state’s network of food banks working to solve hunger

Florida member food banks support more

than 2,400 local charitable agencies, which provide food directly to individuals and families in need

Elite DNA has practices throughout the state of Florida and is collecting non-

Bradenton, Brandon, Brooksville, Cape Coral, Delray Beach, Fort Myers, Estero,

Ocoee, Orange Park, Ormond Beach, Oviedo, Port Charlotte, Sarasota, Stuart,

County reports on schedules for upcoming holiday

Most Lee County administrative operations will be closed on May 27 in observance of Memorial Day

The county’s holiday schedule adjustments are as follows:

∫ Domestic Animal Ser vices

Lee County Domestic Animal Services, at 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers, will be closed on May 27 It will resume regular business hours on May 28

∫ LeeTran

LeeTran will not run bus, trolley or Passport service on May 27 Services will resume on May 28 Route

s c h e d u l e s a n d m a p s a r e

www rideleetran com

∫ Libraries

Lee County Library System branches, including the Captiva Memorial Library, will be closed on May 27 Each location will resume regular operating hours on May 28 The library is always available online at www leelibrary net/online

∫ Parks & Recreation

Lee County Parks & Recreation offices and recreation centers will be closed on May 27 and will reopen on May 28 Parks, pools and preserves will remain open on May 27 For a list of open locations, hours and

amenities, visit www leeparks org

The county asks park patrons to remember that no alcohol is permitted in county parks It also reminds residents and visitors that the Causeway Islands Park on the Sanibel Causeway remains closed to watercraft, pedestrian and bicycle traffic due to the active construction zone

∫ Solid Waste

Garbage, recycling and yard waste collections in unincorporated Lee County, city of Bonita Springs, village of Estero and town of Fort Myers Beach will take place one day after the regularly scheduled collection day for the week beginning on May 27 If the regular collection day is Monday, the truck will pick up material on Tuesday Tuesday’s regularly scheduled pickups will occur on Wednesday and so on for the rest of the week through June 1 Regular collection schedules will resume on June 3

Lee County Solid Waste facilities and offices will be closed on May 27 It includes operations at the: Household Chemical Waste Collection Facility, at 6441 Topaz Court, Fort Myers; Resource Recovery

Regional Solid Waste Disposal Facility

Residents are urged to recycle plastic, metal and glass containers from holiday weekend activities

Tallahassee, Tampa Carrollwood, Tampa Westchase, Venice, Wesley Chapel and Weston

The community is invited to drop off donations at any Elite DNA location between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, from May 1-24 F o r m o r e i n f o r m a

o n a n d t o f

drop-off locations across the state, visit EliteDNA com/Find-A-Location/ F

EliteDNA com

this summer.

Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center offering summer camp

STAFF REPORT

Attention Future Scientists and Marine Biologists, the Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center is offering summer camps designed for children K-16

Campers will explore the barrier island and water of Estero Bay Field Trips will introduce campers to sea grass communities, plankton populations, mangrove tangles and bird-nesting areas The camp's staff of state-certified science teachers offers a wide diversity of expertise providing highly personalized instruction The camps run from 9 a m - 4 p m Monday through Friday with all instructional materials provided Cost is $275 per child

Camp dates are June 10-14, June 17-21, June 24-21, July 8-12, July 15-19 and July 22-26 For more information go to our website at http://www ostegobay org

FILE PHOTO

Ostego Bay Marine Science Center summer campers discover sand dollars on Fort Myers Beach at the last camp held in 2022. The camp renews

Danny Sinoff

Mean Mary

What’s Happening

From page 26

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Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee hosts GRAMMY award-nominee Hunter Hayes live in concert Saturday, Aug 3 with doors opening at 7 p m and the show beginning at 8 p m Tickets start at $59 and are available from Ticketmaster or at www moreinparadise com Attendees must be 21 Parking is free

A multi-instrumentalist and platinum-selling artist, Hayes is an embodiment of the type of musician who embraces change and strives to rewrite the rules After debuting on the scene with a platinum-certified album, Hayes has charted his own path, moving from his country roots into the genre-bending world that he was destined for On his album, “Red Sky,” the singer-songwriter is executing at the highest level of his musical career: crafting memorable melodies and instantly catchy hooks albeit with a top-notch musician’s discerning ear His music is both a reflection of his influences, and a product of his prodigious multi-instrumental talents, reflected by the fact that he plays every instrument on his records

The Louisiana native has garnered over two billion on-demand global streams since the release of his debut album, along with six gold and platinum-certified singles. In addition to his legendary headlining shows, Hayes has toured with superstars like Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood, and has headlined sold-out shows across the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia With over 50 award nominations and wins, including five GRAMMY nominations, Hayes is just getting started

Museum Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 9

a m - 4 p m

Park Hours: Daily 7 a m - 6 p m

∫ History at the Beach Date: May 24

Cost: FREE

Embark on an exciting beach tour highlighting coastal sea life and Calusa history Explore the shoreline's lifeforms and ancient artifact replicas that offer a glimpse into the region's past The tour starts at 10 AM and we will meet at Beach Access 22

Florida Repertory Education announces summer theater camp programs for

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Unique summer camps offered at Edison and Ford Winter Estates

Edison and Ford Winter Estates is offering several summer camp options for children in grades K-5 Students are separated into groups according to grade level (K-2 and 3-5) The camps are educational and focus on science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM), and incorporate fun activities Campers get to invent, design, build, and learn in the same location where famous inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford invented some of the world's best-known products Summer camp starts on June 3 and runs from 9 a m to 4 p m daily

Most of the camps are available for both age groups; camps for younger students are less complex Summer camp is sponsored by Captains for Clean Water, Fred and Gingy Quinn, Scientists' Society

o f S o u t h w

Pavers Additional sponsorships are available Camp options are listed below

Camps:

∫ Kitchen Chemistry

June 3-7

Ordinary kitchen ingredients will be used to conduct science experiments and campers will learn about chemistry and reactions

∫ Fundamental Physics

June 10-14

From the sound waves of the phonograph to the mystery of light in a bulb, this camp explores the wild world of physics Campers will learn how to conduct experiments and learn about the world around them

∫ Wired Wizardry

June 17-21

Students will learn why Edison was called “the Wizard of Electricity” in this exciting camp In this crash course of electronics, campers learn about watts, amps, volts, and the power of circuits The week concludes with campers designing a light system in their own miniature model house

∫ LEGO Explorers

June 24-28

Campers will explore rapid prototyping and mechanical designs using LEGOs They will also begin to explore robotics using modular LEGO parts

∫ Space and Rockets

July 1-3

This camp is part space science, and part rocket science Campers will learn about their place in the universe as they design and launch a water-powered rocket

∫ Roving Robotics

July 8-12

Campers will combine mechanics with code as they solve a variety of challenges

K-2 Campers will design interactive moving models using motors, lights, and savvy coding Campers in 3rd-5th grade will tackle the most recent LEGO competition field as they learn alongside Edison Ford robotics coaches who will teach the tricks of the trade.

∫ Innovation and 3D Design

July 15-19

Students will learn how to design anything by using CAD (computer aided design) and a 3D printer They will learn how to think and design in 3D as their creations take shape

∫ Mechanical Marvels

July 22-26

C a m p e r s w i l l l e a r n a b o u t s i m p l e machines, mechanical advantages, and gear systems in this fast-moving camp.

∫ Art and Creativity

July 29 – August 2

Students will unleash their creativity through various art forms such as painting, sculpting, and mixed media They will also create their own art exhibition

∫ Code Camp (Grades 3-5 only)

August 5-9

Campers will explore the world of code as they develop their own program in Scratch, a word block coding language They will learn new skills each day that can be added to their library of code, allowing them to develop their own original programs

∫ Eager Engineers (Grades K-2 only)

August 5-9

T h i s c a m p i s f o c u s e d o n S T E M (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education It offers a range of activities and experiences designed to s p a r k c u r i o s i t y , f o s t e r c r e a t i v i t y , a n d develop critical thinking skills

Camp Pricing

Three-day camps are $135 for Edison Ford members and $150 for non-mem-

bers Five-day camps are $225 for Edison Ford members and $250 for non-members

Scholarships Available

Support from private donors make it possible for the Estates to offer one scholarship for each camp A committee will determine scholarship eligibility based on financial need so that underprivileged children can experience camp The deadline to apply for a scholarship is two weeks before the desired camp Parents or guardians can apply through the website a t h t t p s : / / w w w e d i s o n

org/education/camps/ Throughout the year, other camps and classes are offered when school is closed, including one-day camps and spring and w i n

receive a discounted rate For registration and additional information, visit edisonford org

PHOTO PROVIDED Summer camp students perform a chemistry experiment at Edison and Ford Winter Estates.