Sanibel Island Reporter/Islander

Legion to retire old flags during annual ceremony

By TIFFANY REPECKI trepecki@breezenewspapers com

American Legion Post 123 will host a ceremony this week in recognition of Flag Day and the community is invited to attend, as well as bring any American flags that need to be retired

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson officially established June 14 as Flag Day to commemorate the adoption of the U.S. flag on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress On June 14, the Legion will hold its annual Flag Day Flag Retirement Ceremony beginning at 5 p m outside

See FlAG CeremonY, page 18

City council signs off on SUP plan, police ranger positions

By TIFFANY REPECKI trepecki@breezenewspapers com

The Sanibel City Council approved the updated Shared Use Path Master Plan at its recent meeting, along with filling up to f i v e p o s i t i o n s a t t h e S a n i b e l P o l i c e Department for its Ranger Program

On June 4, the council voted unanimously 5-0 to accept the draft plan as presented

The agenda packet for the updated plan included recommendations from the Parks a n d R e c r e a t

o

A

v i s o r y C o m m

t e e , which were not incorporated into the final draft In a second motion, the council

voted 5-0 for the suggestions to go back to the committee for prioritization as a list of improvements, while also taking public

adoption as an addendum to the plan

Prior to the votes, Planning Director Paula McMichael provided some background

According to staff reports, the original plan was adopted in 2009 The city started an update in 2019, but work was delayed due to the pandemic and other priorities In 2022, city staff requested a s s i s t a n c e f r o m t

C

u n t y Metropolitan Planning Organization to

complete the plan and a consultant was brought in The timeline for completion was about six months, but work was delayed by the hurricane.

County MPO consultant Chris Keller, of Benesch, presented the updated plan to the council

He reported that they reviewed the existing Shared Use Path system and the purpose of the update is to establish a blueprint for the future of the system Updates to the plan included: improvements completed in the past 10 years; o b t a i n i n g u s e r f e e d b a

By TIFFANY REPECKI

Sanibel have decreased over 2023 for the second consecutive year The Lee County A p p

released its prelimi nary estimated tax

cate

80% drop the city of Sanibel,

Captiva as part of unincorporated Lee County Initial valu ations for the fire districts also varied depending on island “While countywide values are mostly flat, the localized value estimates remain impacted by the recovery from Hurricane

Caldwell said in a statement

According to the estimates, the city's

Captiva

Seats up for election with special districts on islands

By TIFFANY REPECKI

trepecki@breezenewspapers com

The candidate qualifying period is open for multiple seats with the islands' special districts

Qualifying for the November election opened on June 10 and it will run through June 14 at noon, according to Lee County Elections Candidates could begin to prequalify starting on May 27

The following seats are up for election on Sanibel and Captiva:

Captiva Erosion Prevention District

∫ Seats 2, 4 and 5: Four-year terms (2024-28)

Rocky and Panda with Shiny Objects in the Tahitian Gardens Shops.

SAINT

MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS

EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Event to suppor t local businesses

The next Love Sanibel Businesses Back will take place on June 18 at 9 a m at The Sanibel Cafe, at 2007 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, and the Tahitian Gardens Shops, at 1975 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

The initiative offers the public a chance to

support island businesses and services through mix and mingle events It was l a u n

Angels Episcopal Church as an extension of its mission For more information, visit www saintmichaels-sanibel org

Captiva Island Fire Control District

∫ Seats 1 and 2: Four-year terms (2024-28)

∫ Seat 3: Two-year term (2024-26)

Sanibel Fire and Rescue District

∫ Seat 3: Four-year term (2024-28)

Sanibel Public Library District

∫ Seats 4, 6 and 7: Four-year terms (2024-28)

∫ Seat 5: Two-year term (2024-26)

If only one candidate qualifies for a seat, he or she is elected unopposed

For more information, visit https://www lee vote/ and select the “Candidates” tab

County commissioners enact burn ban for all of Lee

Lee County enacted a burn ban for unincorporated Lee County and municipalities effective June 4 when the drought index hit 600 due to increasi

Southwest Florida

The county’s ordinance bans “outdoor b

campfires, bonfires and trash burning Grills for food and backyard fire rings are not included Officials are asking residents to be mindful of dry conditions and to use good judgment to mitigate potential for significant wildfires

The Florida Forest Service offers information and tips at:

∫ Be Wildfire Ready w

Prevention/Be-Wildfire-Ready

∫ Ready, Set, Go! Resources w

Safety/Ready-Set-Go!-Resources

For the county to enact a burn ban, certain conditions must be met, including a

that reaches or exceeds a value of 600 out of 800 The county also coordinates with the Lee County Fire Chiefs’ Association and Florida Forest Service, both of which support the ban

The ban does not apply to prescribed burns authorized by the Florida Forest Service, authorized public fireworks displays permitted by the county and other government agencies, and fireworks sales authorized by state laws

The ban is accomplished by the Lee County Commission adopting a State of Local Emergency Vice Chairman Kevin

Emergency and burn ban

authorized by

Conditions were met after the meeting, so the ban was signed and enacted County officials will continue to monitor the drought conditions to determine how long the ban will be in place Visit www leegov com and the county's social media to monitor when the ban is rescinded

County school board approves union contract

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

T h e L e e C o u n t y S c h o o l B o a r d

approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Teachers Association of Lee County for fiscal years 2025, 2026 and 2027

At the June 4 meeting, Board Member Armor Persons said he was very disappointed in the union

He said they have been told that new teachers are living in what is like college dorms, yet the district offered them 8% last year and 5% this year, but the union gave them 3% last year and 1% this year

“ A n e w t e a c h e r w o u l d b e m a k i n g

$54,999 a year. Instead, they are going to be making $50,500 this year They got a $500 boost in a beginning teacher pay,”

Persons said “With this inflation, and last year they got a 3% They got a little over 4% in two years That puts us at a huge disadvantage in hiring new teachers when every other district surrounding us pays more The union is not looking out for beginning teachers, or first-year teachers They are not getting the full amount I cannot support this.”

Board Members Chris Patricca and Jada Langford-Fleming also voted against the agreement

According to the agreement, “effective July 1, 2023, the district will adopt a starting salary schedule with a minimum base salary of $50,500 for instructional staff, excluding special instructional staff who will receive a minimum base salary of $58,010 ”

OPINIONS

Web Poll

Previous Web Poll Question Hurricane season begins on June 1 How prepared are you?

∫ All/mostly prepared, 0%

∫ Somewhat prepared, 33%

∫ Have not started yet, 67%

Current Web Poll Question

Do you agree with the jury's guilty verdict for Trump?

Looking to the next elections this year

o f f i c e ; t h i s i n c l u d e s y o u r n a m e , a d d r e s s , s i g n a t u r e a n d p a r t y a f f i l i a t i o n

Y o u r p a r t y a f f i l i a t i o n i s

e s p e c i a l l y i m p o r t a n t f o r t h e p r i m a r y e l e c t i o n b e c a u s e

F l o r i d a i s a c l o s e d p r i m a r y

s t a t e T o v o t e i n p a r t i s a n

c o n t e s t s i n a p r i m a r y e l e ct i o n , y o u m u s t b e r e g i s t e r e d

w i t h o n e o f t h e t w o m a j o r

p o l i t i c a l p a r t i e s

I f y o u a r e r e g i s t e r e d a s a n

I n d e p e n d e n t , a m i n o r p a r t y

o r n o p a r t y a f f i l i a t i o n , y o u

c a n o n l y v o t e o n n o n p a r t i s a n r a c e s t h a t m a y a p p e a r o n

y o u r b a l l o t I f y o u w i s h t o c h a n g e y o u r p a r t y f o r a p r im a r y e l e c t i o n , y o u m u s t d o

s o a t l e a s t 2 9 d a y s b e f o r e

t h a t e l e c t i o n .

I f y o u p l a n o n v o t i n g b y

m a i l , i t i s i m p o r t a n t t o r e m e m b e r t h a t y o u n e e d t o

r e n e w y o u r r e q u e s t a f t e r

e v e r y g e n e r a l e l e c t i o n I f y o u

h a v e n o t r e q u e s t e d a V o t e -

New challenge for snowbirds: Surplus line carriers

For years, miles of pristine coastline, mild winters and yearlong golf have made Florida among the most popular retirement spots in the country. Snowbirds flock to the Sunshine State, often purchasing second homes to live here while family and friends shiver in northern climates

Recent legislation, however, could have a significant impact on these homeowners, as nearly 80,000 Florida homes could be taken off Citizens Insurance and moved to what are called “surplus line carriers ”

With insurance costs rising, depopulating the state-run insurance carrier has become a priority However, pushing thousands of homes to surplus line carriers provides a complex set of obstacles that Florida property owners need to be aware of

Unlike regular insurance companies, surplus line carriers are unregulated by the Office

Breach of public’s trust?

To the editor:

The Lee Health Board of Directors are duly elected by the voters of Lee County

The Lee Health board will vote on June 13 to “convert” the citizens' Lee Health care system from a publicly-held nonprofit entity to a privately-held nonprofit entity The meeting will be held at 1 p m at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers

So how did this occur and what forces caused this to happen? The public record reports that a member of the Lee County Legislative Delegation a state representative acting on requests from Lee Health's administration and other interested parties, which included a county commissioner acting as an interested citizen, not in his role as a commissioner, had influenced the state representative to act as a “carrier pigeon” to

of Insurance Regulation (OIR) and their policies often cover risky properties or luxury items that other insurance companies will not Now, they’re expanding into the Florida property insurance market

Surplus line carriers are now allowed to selectively target homes insured by Citizens that are vacant for nine months yearly This leaves those with vacation homes and or temporary Florida residents at risk, highlighting the importance of consumer advocacy and the crucial role of public adjusters in protecting policyholder rights and ensuring fair insurance settlements

As president of the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (FAPIA), I believe all Florida homeowners have the right to understand their insurance options It is important to know if your “second home” qualifies to be taken out of Citizens Gather paperwork and calculate your time and tenant's time at the property You should also confirm how much you are currently paying for Citizens, as homeowners are only required to accept an offer that is within 20% of what they are paying for Citizens’ coverage If you are forced to accept

See CHALLENGE, page 22

Letters to the Editor

author a bill during the 2024 legislative session The bill would enable the Lee Health board to have the legal means to “convert” the publicly-held Lee Health System to a private not-for-profit hospital system

A breach of the public's trust regarding the bill is evident based on the fact that the citizens/voters of Lee County were not even considered as the most important piece of the legislation The bill did not include a provision for a referendum that would allow the voters/citizens of Lee County to vote on the “conversion issue ”

Moreover, it should be duly noted that according to Lee Health's charter and website, we the people are considered the owners of the Lee Health System via us having the right to vote for a board of directors to represent us from districts in Lee County

The bill was passed in February with a

120-day hurry up enabling “conversion” deadline

The Lee Health's board and chief executive officer have reported that they have hosted town hall meetings, giving the public the opportunity to voice their opinions on the “conversion ” Most of the meetings have been held in the late afternoon, 4:30 p m when most people are getting off work and or still working As far as public hearings before the board, its meetings are held at 1 p.m. twice a month on Thursdays The public has three minutes to speak before the board, which it elects

The rationale for the “conversion” proposal being touted by the Lee Health board and its administration is that in order for Lee H

page 22

Tommy Doyle

John Hornbuckle

Captiva fire board approves annual audit, more

By TIFFANY REPECKI trepecki@breezenewspapers com

T h e C a p t i v a I s l a n d F i r e C o n t r o l

District's commissioners signed off on the prior fiscal year's audit at its recent meeting, as well as discussed the initial property tax valuations released by the county office

At the June 4 meeting, the commission voted unanimously 3-0 to approve a resolution accepting the financial statements

for the district's fiscal year 2022-23 as

CliftonLarsonAllen Before the vote, principal Chris Kessler from the firm presented the final report “ T h e

, explaining that it was a clean audit

Also during the meeting, Pawul reported on the early property tax valuations

r

Appraiser's Office that week The district

Captivaville Songwriters Weekend returns to resort

By TIFFANY REPECKI trepecki@breezenewspapers com

The 'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva will present its Sixth Annual Captivaville Songwriters Weekend on June 14-16, featuring sun and fun, good times and great tunes

The events will begin with the Kick Off Party on June 14 from 2 to 8 p m at the Oasis Pool, including individual music sets by the participating artists and an all-artist jam session On June 15, the Pool Party will be held from noon to 5 p.m., with Brunch on June 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p m at The Shipyard

“Dive into three days packed with sensational tunes, sandy beaches and unforgettable sunsets,” the resort reported “From country to classic rock, reggae to blues, our lineup is stacked with talent that'll keep you grooving from dawn to dusk And with performances poolside and in our acclaimed new Shipyard restaurant, the party never stops ”

This year's lineup of artists will include Dean Alexander, Sheena Brook, Kristin Forbes/Lady Hatchet, Megan Linville, Claire Liparulo, Katie Lyon, Danny Myrick, Brian Sutherland and Emma Zink

Resort guests will receive free admission

Day passes for the general public will be available on a first come, first served basis. The pass costs $10 per vehicle and will be valid for one day To reserve a day pass, contact the reservation desk

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t h t t p s : / / t w e e nwaters com/captivaville/

To make a resort reservation, visit https://tweenwaters com/ or call 800-223-5865

The 'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa is at 15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva

saw a 2.17% increase $29,757,839 over last year's final tax roll, from

according to the estimates

“Not what we were hoping for,” he said, noting that the Upper Captiva Fire District saw a 14 76% increase in its estimate as a comparison “Sanibel, unfortunately, did not see those increases ”

Pawul added that he has a meeting scheduled to discuss the valuation

He continued that the district finally

Community Disaster Loan Program that they applied for The application was approved for a total amount of $746,781

“It's basically, in principle, like a line of credit,” Pawul said

He reported that the funds can only be used toward operating expenses, not capital expenses like purchasing a replace-

Lee County officials reported that staff provided an update to the Lee County Commission at its meeting on May 4 related to the work to provide all requeste d a n d r e q u i r e d d o c u m e n t a t i o n i n response to FEMA's efforts to retrograde the county's Community Rating System (CRS) classification

On May 3, the county submitted documentation on all 414 properties identified by FEMA

“County staff will remain available and responsive to FEMA staff as the agency reviews the documentation,” officials reported “It's anticipated that review could take about a month ”

The county also updated its website at

o the issue The site now includes a document called “Lee County's Floodplain M

Compliance Response to FEMA,” as well as an Executive Summary

ment fire truck Also, the interest rate is unknown as it is figured in three years

“These loans have been forgiven in the past historically, nobody pays it back, but I have no trust in historical,” Pawul said “It's an option It's a line of credit It may or may not have to be paid back ”

He suggested signing the agreement but not drawing on the funds without more information

“It's a good amount It would definitely make a dent in our budget,” Pawul said “If you knew 100% you were going to be forgiven, it's a no-brainer if you knew what the interest rate would be ”

After some discussion, a motion to finalize the loan as recommended was approved 3-0

Also at the meeting, Pawul provided an update on the $750,000 line of credit that the district opened last year with Synovus bank to use as emergency funds in the case of another catastrophic event

“They have said we need to renew our agreement,” he said

Pawul explained that it is a five-year agreement, and the district's attorney and he agree that it does not need to be renewed Instead, it sounds like the creditor realized that it is not getting money each year

“They say it expires We say it doesn't expire,” he said “We've gone back and forth ”

It also wants a 90-day extension in principal, which

From page 6

∫ June 14: Summer Reading Program Crafts

(daily during operating hours)

Enjoy a variety of Summer Reading Program table-top crafts and activities, while supplies last

∫ June 17: Summer Reading Program Crafts

(daily during operating hours)

Enjoy a variety of Summer Reading Program table-top crafts and activities, while supplies last

∫ June 19: Summer Reading Program Crafts

(daily during operating hours)

Enjoy a variety of Summer Reading Program table-top crafts and activities, while supplies last

Teen programs

∫ Today, June 12: Summer Reading Program Crafts

(daily during operating hours)

Enjoy a variety of Summer Reading Program table-top crafts and activities, while supplies last

Pawul had not yet shared with the attorney

“I don't think we need a 90-day extension,” he said “In our opinion, it's not expiring.

Pawul reported that the attorney offered some options for moving forward

“It's really, how much do we want to stick to what our intent was?” he asked, adding that he needs to know if the commission is acceptable to the bank pulling the agreement, if it decides to do that

Commissioner Jeff Brown reported that the district did not agreed to pay basis points

“I think we push back on them,” he said, adding that if the bank decides to pull the agreement, the district could turn to the Community Disaster Loan for any needed disaster or emergency funds.

The other commissioners agreed and directed staff as such

In other news

∫ Pawul reported that consultant Hans Wilson & Associates had to wait until June 1 to begin the seagrass study at McCarthy's Marina to determine if a lift could be installed for the fire boat

“So they are going to be starting their process any day now,” he said

∫ Pawul reported that crew members took part in training in Fort Myers toward the end of May The city

∫ June 14: Summer Reading Program Crafts

(daily during operating hours)

Enjoy a variety of Summer Reading Program table-top crafts and activities, while supplies last

∫ June 17: Summer Reading Program Crafts

(daily during operating hours)

Enjoy a variety of Summer Reading Program table-top crafts and activities, while supplies last

∫ June 19: Summer Reading Program Crafts

(daily during operating hours)

Enjoy a variety of Summer Reading Program table-top crafts and activities, while supplies last

Children programs

∫ Today, June 12: Summer Reading Program Crafts

(daily during operating hours)

Enjoy a variety of Summer Reading Program table-top crafts and activities, while supplies last

donated a building for use and agencies from across the county had the chance to participate

“The training itself was really good,” he said. “They guys who went said it was great ”

∫ The district responded to 66 incidents in May

“More than double the month before,” Pawul said “It's been a busy month ”

One call involved a brush fire started by an underground LCEC electrical box that caught on fire

“Luckily, it wasn't up against a structure,” he said “It could have been a lot worse ”

Another incident involved a South Seas dumpster that caught on fire

“That one was right up against two contractor trailers,” Pawul said. “Luckily, it didn't reach those.”

∫ Pawul reported that a resident has a foundation and wants to make a donation so the district can purchase needed capital items, such as medical and fire equipment They would be items that have not been budgeted for but would be useful In their discussion, they also spoke about a new fire truck

“We don't have anything done yet,” he said, explaining that the possible donation is currently under review by the foundation's board “It sounds like it would be a good donation ”

∫ June 14: Summer Reading Program Crafts

(daily during operating hours)

Enjoy a variety of Summer Reading Program table-top crafts and activities, while supplies last

∫ June 17: Summer Reading Program Crafts

(daily during operating hours)

Enjoy a variety of Summer Reading Program table-top crafts and activities, while supplies last

∫ June 19: Summer Reading Program Crafts

(daily during operating hours)

Enjoy a variety of Summer Reading Program table-top crafts and activities, while supplies last

Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a m to 12:30 p m and 1 to 4 p m

For more information about a program or to register, call 239-533-4890

In addition, the library system is offering the following free virtual programming:

Adult programs

Conversation Club from 6 to 7 p m

Are you ready to take your Spanishspeaking skills to the next level? Improve your fluency by chatting with adults. Practice speaking Spanish with others on a

s Intermediate to advanced Spanish-speaking skills are recommended in order to get the most out of the session Registration is required before June 13 at 6 p m ∫ June 13: Online Author Event with Freida McFadden from 8 to 9 p m Freida McFadden will chat about writing psychological thrillers and her bests e l l i n g h i t “ T h

, including her forthcoming third installment, “The Housemaid Is Watching ” Registration is required

Download books, stream video and other online content at www leelibrary net The Captiva Memorial Library is at 11560 Chapin Lane, Captiva

Sanibel fire hosts groundbreaking for station

The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 7 for Station 172, at 5171 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel The station is being rebuilt due to Hurricane Ian damages

SANIBEL FIRE AND RESCUE DISTRICT

BUSINESS

Trust Company to offer seminar

The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company will offer “Domicile Day” a seminar on Florida residency, domicile status and estate planning on June 20 from 11 a m to noon at its office at 2450 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, as well as simulcast to its Fort Myers office

It will include a presentation and Q&A led by staff and local estate planning attorney David M Platt

Seating is limited, and reservations are required

The seminar is designed for people with $2 million and higher in investable assets.

To make a reservation, contact Frances Steger at 239-472-8300 or festeger@sancaptrustco com

Rec center adds to Hall of Sponsors

A d v e n

Books + Paper, MugBugs Cajun Kitchen, Native Outdoor Services, PRG Roofing + Construction, Sanibel Strong, Superior Title Services of Sanibel, Rachel Pierce Art Gallery and Tarpon Tale Inn have

Sponsors.

Proceeds from the sponsor signs financially assist eligible island parents, guardians and workers so youths can attend the after-school program, Fun Days, holiday camp, summer day camp and other city-operated programs

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t

Chairperson Barry Alan Roth at 239-313-9591

SANIBEL PUBLIC LIBRARY

From left, Sanibel Public Library staffer Betty Anholt and Southwest Florida Archaeological Society President John F. Furey.

Sanibel librar y employee recognized

The Sanibel Public Library staffer Betty Anholt was awarded the Certificate of Achievement by the Florida Anthropological Society at its 76th Annual Meeting on May 10-12 in Pensacola

The recognition acknowledges her contribution to the understanding and preservation of the state's archaeological and anthropological heritage

A n h o l t w a s n o m i n a t e d b y S o u t h w e s t F

o r i d a Archaeological Society President John F Furey In his nomination letter, he wrote, “She has been called the 'Unofficial Historian of Sanibel ' We at SWFAS wish to recognize her accomplishments and her integration of archaeology and history at Sanibel and Captiva Islands ”

A Sanibel resident since 1969, she has combined her love for Sanibel and Captiva with archaeology, conservation and preservation In 2020, Anholt was h

Guardian of History Award by the Captiva Island Historical Society She has written seven books on Sanibel's history

CHR leader named SWFL Citizen of the Year

S W

Resources Executive Director Nicole Decker-McHale as the SWFL Citizen of the Year at its 2024 INCredible Awards on May 29 in Bonita Springs

The awards are an annual celebration of exceptional leaders and organizations driving economic and community growth in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties The SWFL Citizen of the Year honors an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the betterment of Southwest Florida

“On a personal level, I'm deeply honored to receive this award,” Decker-McHale said “At the same time, I see it as an affirmation of the outstanding work of our entire CHR team ”

A Sanibel resident for three decades, she has played a strategic role in CHR's fundraising efforts for many years. In May of 2023, Decker-McHale was appointed executive director of the nonprofit Board President Roger Grogman said she has been a passionate and committed leader who is spearheading new ideas around affordable housing for the island

“We are so proud of the outstanding leadership of Nicole and the benefits that her leadership has provided to the CHR team and, most importantly, to the residents of CHR on Sanibel,” he said

In addition to her leadership role at CHR, DeckerMcHale serves as chair for the Sanibel Public Library District's Board of Commissioners. She has been an active volunteer and board member for F I S H of Sanibel-Captiva for 10 years, having served in the roles of board chair and secretary

on May 29 in Bonita Springs, where Decker-McHale was named the SWFL Citizen of the Year.

New CFI fund to benefit older island residents and workers

The Charitable Foundation of the Islands announced that the Shady Rest Foundation has established a fund the Shady Rest Foundation Fund to benefit older adults living or working on the islands

“We are so honored to be able to give a monetary gift to CFI that is going to oversee distribution of funds to older adults who are in need,” foundation Vice Chair Dr Jo Stecher said “The dignity and respect older

adults require and deserve is helped when they don’t have to make a request for assistance If the help is o f f e r e d t o t h e m , h o p e f u l l y , t h i s money will make the offers go out more easily ”

CFI reported that it will use the $50,000 donated to create the fund to award grants to nonprofit organizations that serve adults ages 60 and older who live or work on Sanibel and Captiva

“

Fund is CFI's first field-of-interest fund, which means the donors select an area they wish to support in this case, the islands’ older adults,” E x

said

The CFI Grants Committee will invite island nonprofits to apply and will select the recipients

“ T h e S h

Fund is one example of how CFI can

emerging needs and filling gaps donors see,”

Wiesemann said

Bob Murray said board

impressed with the nonprofit organizations that they visited In addition,

learned surprised them “

there were older adults on the island that need-

“Our goal is to support

ways, with nursing care, health care, as well as to help them get out and socialize whatever it takes to make their lives a little better ”

CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF THE ISLANDS

From left, Charitable Foundation of the Islands Board Chair Chip Roach, CFI

Board Secretary John Morse, Shady Rest Foundation Vice Chair Dr. Jo Stecher, CFI Executive Director Dolly Farrell, foundation Chair Bob Murray and CFI Board vice Chair Lisa Riordan

Zonta among Habitat for Humanity honorees

p r o g r a m , w h i c h r a i s e d a t o t a l o f $ 5 3 4 , 0 0 5 F o r o v e r 1 0 y e a r s , t h e c l u b h a s s u pp o r t e d W o m e n B u i l d i n L e e w i t h f i n a nc i a l g r a n t s a n d h a n d s - o n s e r v i c e , f u n di n g a n d h e l p i n g t o b u i l d o r r e h a b i l i t a t e h o m e s f o r q u a l i f y i n g r e s i d e n t s I n A p r i l a n d M a y , Z o n t i a n s p r o v i d e d l a b o r a t b u i l d i n g s i t e s , s u c h a s e x t e r i o r a n d i n t er i o r p a i n t i n g a n d l a y i n g f l o o r i n g . “ W o m e n B u i l d w a s e x t r e m e l y

r e w a r d i n g f o r t h e Z o n t i a n s w h o p a r t i c ip a t e d , ” c l u b s e r v i c e c o - c h a i r P a u l a F r i e d m a n s a i d “ W e w o r k e d i n s m a l l t e a m s t o l a y 2 , 0 0 0 s q u a r e f e e t o f f l o o ri n g i n j u s t o n e d a y W e w e n t h o m e e x h a u s t e d b u t s o h a p p y t o h a v e h e l p e d b r i n g s o m e o n e ’ s l i f e l o n g d r e a m o f h o m e o w n e r s h i p c l o s e r t o r e a l i t y ”

Jesi Crane

Megan Marquardt Kelley Laird

ZONTA CLUB OF SANIBEL-CAPTIVA

From left, Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva member Taryn Manning, a Women Build homeowner and members Joanne

PRESERVING PARADISE

SCCF: New Lake O operating system in final stages

T h e S a n i b e l - C a p t i v a C o n s e r v a t i o n F o u n d a t i o n

reported that on May 24, the U S Army Corps of Engineers released a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM), the updated management plan for Lake Okeechobee

The plan seeks to maximize the number of days the Caloosahatchee and St Lucie watersheds receive low or optimal flows from Lake Okeechobee, as well as increase the volume of water conveyed south to the Everglades and Florida Bay

Throughout the five-year LOSOM development process, the SCCF has provided modeling, evaluation and commentary on the proposed plans Now in the home stretch, the FEIS is in a 30-day review period, after which a Record of Decision (ROD) will likely be issued and signed, putting it into effect

“With the wet season quickly approaching, we w e l c o m e t o d a y ’ s a n n o u n c e m e n t f r o m t h e A r m y Corps LOSOM will provide the operational flexibility to avoid some of the worst ramifications from harmful algal blooms (HABs) in our northern estuaries,” Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis said “LOSOM won’t solve all of our problems, but it will lower the number of damaging discharges that transport massive amounts of polluted lake water into o u r e s t u a r i n e e c o s y s t e m s A s o u r r e c e n t s t u d y showed, even one HAB event can be hugely destructive to the economies of our coastal communities ”

The SCCF reported that some of the intended outcomes of LOSOM include recognizing the Seminole Tribe of Florida as a separate and distinct water supply user, reducing stress to the Caloosahatchee and St Lucie Estuaries, sending more water south, and better addressing HABs

“With LOSOM online, we will be one step closer to protecting our estuaries, strengthening our communities and restoring America’s Everglades,” he said

The SCCF noted that despite the operational improvements from LOSOM, the FEIS states that more water storage is still needed as envisioned in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan As a recent study from the SCCF’s Marine Lab highlights, fully protecting the Caloosahatchee Estuary will require finding solutions for the pollutants generated within the local watershed

Chamber ’s new program takes advocacy to next level

The new Preserving Paradise leadership program's equation for success is simple: thriving ecology equals thriving economy A partnership between four organizations the SanCap Chamber of Commerce, Captains for Clean Water, The Everglades Foundation and Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation it aims to involve local, highamp business leaders in water-quality advocacy through intense networking and educational immersion into the complex issues

“This is a first-of-its-kind program to involve proven leaders in a fashion that supports maybe the most important ingredient for keeping Southwest Florida financially viable,” chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said “Never before has an initiative razor-focused on water quality and the environment as a teaching moment for improved business climate Now that we’ve lived firsthand the perils of tainted waters and sea level rise, the need for a program such as this has become abundantly apparent.”

It invites decision-makers and influencers in the Southwest Florida realm of non-profit organizations, hospitality industry and other commercial enterprises to apply for a course of seven daylong sessions designed to familiarize them with the importance of a clean environment to the region’s future as a sustainable model for ecotourism and

lucrative destination looking forward to guaranteed economic success

“It is imperative that local business leaders are empowered to advocate for the natural environment that supports Florida’s economy,” foundation Chief Executive Officer Eric Eikenberg said. “This program will provide an array of educational opportunities for those leaders to engage more effectively in protecting the environment upon which their businesses rely The Everglades Foundation was founded more than 30 years ago by two businessmen, who recognized the connectivity between the Everglades and Florida’s economy We are proud to partner with these organizations to enrich the advocacy of today’s leaders ”

Interested leaders can apply online to be considered for 20 available slots in the biweekly educational program running from August to October It will include relevant, dynamic on-site and in-classroom involvement, such as onthe-water excursions to critical Everglades and Caloosahatchee sites, in concert with government entities, to personally experience the importance of clean water and threat of pollution to the future quality of life

A graduation ceremony will follow the program completion, whereupon participants become official wildlife and

See CHAMBER PROGRAM, page 20

Community helping to bring life back to preserve

After Hurricane Ian wreaked havoc on Sanibel, the Gulf Ridge Preserve a 21-acre piece of land owned by the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation became the focal point for a community-driven restoration project

The SCCF reported that from May 14 to June 5, more than 100 volunteers came together to plant over 8,000 spartina and saw grasses Together, they put in 220 volunteer hours to breathe new life into the landscape

“We’ve had tons of community members come and help us out, and we are super excited that we’ve had such a great turnout of volunteers coming together to help us with this monumental project,” Coastal Watch Director Kealy Pfau said

The efforts are already showing promising results

“We’ve already seen some local wildlife checking out the newly planted areas It will be great to see how many species utilize this habitat once it’s fully restored,” she said

The SCCF reported that a nesting killdeer pair joined the volunteers at the preserve, first spotted by the shorebird

team, which roped off the area to protect the nest while ensuring the restoration work continued without disturbance

Hurricane destruction

“Prior to the hurricane, a lot of this

property ended up being a lot of hardwood trees This property had a couple of large swales that historically were all wetland grasses But over time, from lack of fire, a lot of the hardwood trees moved into the marshes and overtook it,” SCCF Wildlife & Habitat

See PRESERVE, page 20

John Lai

James Evans

Eric Eickenberg Capt Daniel Andrews

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

Isl and lIvIng

SPD releases weekly blotter

As Sanibel continues to recover from Hurricane Ian, the Sanibel Police Department is committed to keeping the community safe and secure To support that effort, a weekly police blotter will be issued on Tuesday that will include real time information about law enforcement response to criminal activity

Arrests

∫ Delane Rubinio Gaspar, 20, of 101 Meadow Road, Lehigh Acres, was charged on May 28 with one count each of operate motor vehicle without valid license and out-of-county warrant

Other enforcement actions

∫ On May 30, an unlocked vehicle with the keys still in it was stolen from the Sanibel Lighthouse parking lot While the investigation is still ongoing, the SPD would like to remind residents and visitors to always lock their vehicles and remove, secure or hide any valuables when leaving it unattended

∫ On June 1, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for excessive speed The driver was subsequently issued a citation for speeding and a notice to appear for operating a vehicle without a valid license The vehicle was removed from the scene by a licensed driver

∫ On June 1, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for excessive speed and passing over a solid yellow line. The driver was subsequently issued a notice to appear for unlawful speed (70 mph in a 35 mph zone)

∫ On June 1, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for excessive speed The driver was subsequently issued a citation for speeding and a marijuana pipe was seized for destruction

∫ On June 2, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for expired registration The driver was subsequently issued a citation for the expired registration and a notice to appear never having a driver's license issued The vehicle was removed from the scene by a licensed driver

∫ On June 2, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for excessive speed The driver was subsequently issued a citation for speed Loose marijuana leaves and a half-smoked blunt were also seized for destruction

Enforcement operations statistics

From May 28 to June 3:

∫ Alarm calls (business and residential): 9

∫ 911 non-emergency calls: 19

∫ Traffic crashes: 3

∫ Radar details: 53

∫ Traffic stops: 57

Citations issued: 23

Written warnings issued: 2

Verbal warnings issued: 35

∫ Residential area checks: 309

∫ Business area checks: 193

∫ Total area checks: 931

∫ Reported burglaries: 0

∫ Reported thefts: 1

∫ Total CAD calls: 1,205

May 2024:

∫ Alarm calls (business and residential): 31

∫ Non-emergency calls: 101

∫ Traffic crashes: 4

∫ Radar details: 255

∫ Traffic stops: 243

Citations issued: 70

Written warnings issued: 15

Verbal warnings issued: 168

Sanibel library offers range of programs and topics

The Sanibel Public Library provides a variety of programming for adults and children

With support from the Sanibel Public Library Foundation, the library has launched a series of virtual author talks to include bestselling authors and thought leaders The next one will take place on June 13 at 8 p m with Freida McFadden, New York Times bestselling author of “The Housemaid” and “The Housemaid’s Secret ” She will chat about writing psychological thrillers and her bestselling hit “The Housemaid” series, including her forthcoming third installment, “The Housemaid Is Watching ”

McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain

See SANIBEL LIBRARY, page 15

June

Historical village to reinstall school bell

The Sanibel Historical Museum and Village on Sanibel will hold a special ceremony on June 18 at 9 a m to remount the bell in the belfry of the Schoolhouse and the community is invited to attend

The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District will install the bell that was blown off the roof in Hurricane Ian Once it is mounted, one child 12 and under will be chosen at random to be the first to ring the bell

Following the ceremony, attendees of all ages will have an opportunity to the ring the bell once

“This is a classic example of how our community works together,” board President Ty Symroski said “The city repaired the building, Michael Galloway, a volunteer, restored the bell, and now our fire department comes to the final rescue ”

The village also reported that Miss Charlotta's Tea Room has reopened for tours. In addition, new exhibits are currently being installed in the Bailey's General Store by Creative Arts Unlimited

The village will close in August and reopen for season on Oct 15

For more information, visit https://sanibelmuseum org/ or contact 239-472-4648

The Sanibel Historical Museum and Village is at 950 Dunlop Road, Sanibel

Holden ear ns degree from James Madison

and

ceremony on June 18 to remount

Sanibel

Education Notes

Christopher Holden, of Sanibel, graduated with a Master of Science in speech language pathology from James Madison University during commencement exercises in May He was among more than 4,482

Sanibel Public Meetings

SANIBEL HISTORICAL MUSEUM AND VILLAGE

The Sanibel Historical Museum

Village will hold a special

the bell in the belfry of the Schoolhouse on

SANIBEL PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Sanibel Public Library will host a virtual author talk on

13 with Freida McFadden

injury who has penned multiple bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels Her work has been selected as one of Amazon Editors' best books of the year, and she is an Amazon Charts, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Sunday Times and Publisher's Weekly bestseller McFadden is the winner of the International Thriller Writers Award for best paperback, and she is a Goodreads Choice Award winner Her novels have been translated into over 30 languages

A question-and-answer session with the author will follow

To register for the author talk, visit https://libraryc org /sanlib/upcoming

Additionally, the library has the following programs scheduled:

Crafternoon will take place today, June 12, from 3 to 4:30 p m Open to ages 3 and older, make a work of art A variety of craft supplies will be available, along with examples of craft options to complete

On June 14, Family Storytime for ages 5 and under will be held from 10:30 to 11 a m Sing, read, question and move around during the stories, followed by early literacy

page 14

∫ Residential area checks: 1,668

∫ Business area checks: 791

∫ Total area checks: 4,339

∫ Reported burglaries: 2

∫ Reported thefts: 2

∫ Total CAD calls: 5,627

Important

reminders

Roadside parking is not allowed on Sanibel and is enforceable with a $150 fine

When leaving Sanibel, motorists are encouraged to travel east on Periwinkle Way In order to minimize the number of vehicles driving through residential neigh-

centers of play to flex minds, motor skills and creativity The program will include an art/craft center

Part of the Summer Reading Program, Family Film Friday will take place on June 14 from 1 to 3 p m Get out of the summer sun and watch “The Tale of Despereaux ”

Strengthen & Stretch with Ms Robin will be held on June 15 from 9:30 to 10 a m for ages 4-10 The class will combine energetic movements, playful stretches and calming breathwork Participants should wear comfortable clothing and bring a water bottle and towel

On June 15, a Saturday Crafterday will take place from 11 a m to noon with professional artist and coloring book creator Melissa Gindling Participants will create a shorebird drawing that they can take home

On June 18, Baby & Toddler Storytime and Playdate will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a m Open to ages 3 and under, babies and their caregivers will take part in a short story time, sensory play, literacy activities and more

Part of the Summer Reading Program, Star Wars Day will take place on June 18 from 3 to 4 p m Take on the role of an aspiring Padawan with the adventure of joining Luke Skywalker in his effort to rebuild the Jedi Order through the

borhoods and increase traffic flow, priority is being given to vehicles eastbound on Periwinkle Motorists using Bailey Road

s

Periwinkle westbound may experience additional delays as traffic flows are adjusted for efficiency

Recreation Center and are valid from the date of purchase through Nov 30 The 2023 permits have expired and are no longer valid

Information for the Sanibel Boat Ramp:

∫ Parking and boat launching fee is $40

per day

Star War Trials on Tatoonie in virtual reality, build a lightsaber and paint a 3D printed Yoda figurine

On June 19, Crafternoon Constellation Jars will be held from 3 to 4:30 p m Open to ages 3 and older, put constellations in a jar A variety of craft supplies will be available, along with examples of craft options to complete

For the most up-to-date information, visit the calendar at https://sanlib org/

Pick up an Adult Summer Bingo card and keep track of read books from now through Aug. 31. Open to ages 16 and older, those who complete a Bingo on their card will be entered into a lottery for a chance to win a Book Bundle, which will include a library tote bag filled with themed books

Library cards are available to residents of Sanibel and Lee County at no charge Visitor library cards are available for a $10 annual fee

The Sanibel Public Library is open Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a m to 8 p m , Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a m to 5 p m and Saturdays from 9 a m to 1 p m

For more information, call 239-472-2483 or visit https://sanlib org/

The Sanibel Public Library is at 770 Dunlop Road, Sanibel

∫ Parking and boat launching on weekends and holidays is with AC/BC permit only

∫ Commercial use is prohibited

∫ Fines for violations at the boat ramp are $500

Solicitation is not allowed on Sanibel

Please share any photos of solicitation hang

Tip411

Reporting suspicious activity

Anonymous tips regarding crimes or suspicious activity can be submitted via

Tip411:

∫ Text the keyword SANIBEL then your tip to 847411

∫ W

https://www tip411 com/tips/new?alert gr oup id=22450

∫ Use the free “Sanibel PD” app for your Android or iOS device The SPD's non-emergency line is 239472-3111

https://www facebook com/SanibelPolice

SPORTS

SCCF: Local water temperatures top 90°F

T h e S a n i b e l - C a p t i v a C o n s e r v a t i o n F o u n d a t i o n reported on June 5 that maximum recorded temperatures had topped 90°F in the prior 10 days at multiple R i v e r , E s t u a r y a n d C o a s t a l O b s e r v i n g N

w o r k (RECON) sites in the Caloosahatchee Estuary and Gulf of Mexico

It manages a network of water quality sensors deployed throughout the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary that provide real-time water quality data to the public The sensors measure key parameters, such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll, which together comprise RECON

The parameters from various stations are reported weekly in the SCCF’s Caloosahatchee Conditions Report as a joint effort of the Marine Lab and the J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge

“This data helps inform stakeholders on local water quality conditions and provide science-based recommendations for the management of the greater C a l o o s a h a t c h e e s y

Pecenka said “Water temperature, along with other p a r a m e t e r s a r e d i s p l a y e d i n t h e C a l o o

Conditions report, with the lowest and highest values recorded over the week ”

She reported that while water temperatures this high are common in summer months, a spike earlier in the season may represent a larger trend of warming water temperatures in the Caloosahatchee and Gulf Higher water temperatures make the river and estuary

m

adverse effects on aquatic life and can intensify storms in the Gulf and Atlantic

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

Wa t e r t e m p e r a t u r e s s h o w n f r o m f o u r

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation RECON sites at Tarpon Bay, Fort Myers, Shell Point and McIntyre Creek from May 25 through June 1.

Water temperature from May 5 through June 2 in 2016, 2020 and 2024.

TBE awarded new contract for refuge’s concession

The U S Fish & Wildlife Service has awarded the concession contract for the Tarpon Bay Recreation Area at the J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel to Tarpon Bay Explorers

June 1 marked the first day of the 10-year contract, which has a five-year optional renewal

The TBE team reported that it is thrilled to continue its partnership with the refuge

“We plan to be here as long as we can,” managing partner Wendy Schnapp said. “After what our team has endured over the past year and a half with Hurricane Ian's destruction and resulting recovery, we are excited for the opportunity to rebuild our operation bigger and better than ever ”

TBE was first awarded the concession contract in 2002 Its operation began to grow and continue to offer more options to refuge visitors At first, this was limited to tram tours of Wildlife Drive, plus canoes, kayaks and electric pontoons TBE operated out of a single-story building that was part of the original Tarpon Bay marina before the bay's incorporation into the refuge During its inaugural years, TBE added the Sea Life and Nature Cruise and built the Aquarium and Touch Tank Exhibit. In 2004, the building sustained damage from Hurricane Charley that warranted its demolition A new building was constructed in 2008, which is where the TBE team has operated out of since

“We have been honored to be included in a slice of Tarpon Bay's history over the past 21-plus years and are just as honored and excited to continue for at least the next 15,” she said

With the new contract in place, TBE will start to replenish the equipment that it lost in Hurricane Ian and will rebuild all aspects of its operation By the end of the year, it plans to have a couple of pontoons for rent and fishing charters, bike rentals and a replenished kayak and paddleboard fleet The Nature Cruise, including the Touch Tank and Aquarium experience, more bikes, more rental boats, a live bait tank and more items at the nature

Sauerland and Wildlife Drive fee booth attendant Stan Howard

gift shop will follow

“Please come visit the Explorers family soon: help us rebuild and share in the magic of the resurgence of all of the natural beauty of Tarpon Bay and 'Ding' Darling,” Schnapp said “Thank you to all of our loyal customers throughout the years and we welcome any and all nature lovers ”

TBE is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a m to 5 p m for kayak, paddleboard and hobie kayak rentals In addition, kayak tours of Commodore Creek and tram tours of Wildlife Drive are offered on a limited basis A percentage of all sales benefit National Wildlife Refuges around the country

For more information or reservations, visit www.tarponbayexplorers com

Follow TBE on Facebook and Instagram

Tarpon Bay Explorers is at 900 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel

Rec center provides update on activities, events

The Sanibel Recreation Center reported on upcoming programs and activities

taking place From now through June 15, the gymnasium and weight room will be closed Fitness classes will be held in the Osprey Room; no cycling class Limited fitness equipment will be available for use in the Osprey Room. The pools and outdoor courts will be open

From June 17-22, the gymnasium will be closed The weight room, pool and outdoor courts will be open Yoga, power sculpting, mat pilates and bootcamp will be held in the Osprey Room Zumba, cycling and jazz will be held in the Egret Room New and current members can call 239-472-0345 or stop by the front desk for assistance with setting up their CivicRec account. A variety of memberships, passes

and punch cards are available

The center is open on Mondays through Thursdays from 7 a m to 7 p m , Fridays from 7 a m to 5 p m and Saturdays from 8 a m to 5 p m

https://www mysanibel com/government/recreation2

The Sanibel Recreation Center is a t 3 8 8 0 S a n i b e l - C a p t i v a R o a d , Sanibel.

Shell museum wraps up year with students

T

Museum & Aquarium reported that it was another successful year of shell studies with The Sanibel School Each year, it teams up with the school to deliver the program to sixth-grade students In a series of classroom visits, the youths learn about mollusk anatomy, behavior and diversity, as well as local mollusk and shell identification This year's students then had the opportunity to share their knowledge at the 87th Annual Sanibel Shell Festival, held in March at The Community House on Sanibel. The program concluded with a student field trip to the museum

TARPON BAY EXPLORERS From left, Tarpon Bay Explorers Equipment

Former school superintendent no longer receiving benefits

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

W

Superintendent Dr Christopher Bernier accepting the superintendent post for Duval County Public Schools, his salary and benefits ended on May 23

“I am writing to inform you that as per paragraph 7 of the Superintendent Separation Agreement signed on April 9, 2024, between you and the School Board of Lee

Flag ceremony

“It is Flag Day and that's why we do it,”

Cmdr Randy Carson said, explaining that the ceremony provides the Legion and islands with an opportunity to properly dispose of their retired flags

“We are the only organization that's allowed to retire flags the right way,” he added

Flags that are disposed are ones that are no longer in service, such as torn, damaged or tattered ones.

The ceremony will open with a prayer, followed by information shared about the American flag and Flag Day Under the s u p e r v i s i o n o f t h e S a n i b e l F i r e a n d Rescue District, the flags to be destroyed

Tax roll values

taxable value dropped about $82 87 million from $4.61 billion 1.80% to $4 53 billion Assessed value decreased 1 62% to $4 85 billion, down $79 98 million from $4 93 billion Just value dropped 10 44% to $5 86 billion, down $683 06 million from $6.54 billion.

County, the School Board’s responsibility to provide salary, health insurance, and retirement benefits ends once you secure employment as a superintendent Since the Duval County School Board selected you on May 23, 2024, you have secured employment,” according to a letter from Chairman Sam Fisher to Bernier.

His April 9 separation agreement states the district would pay salary, health insurance and retirement benefits for 20 weeks His pay rate was $275,400 annually

will then be burned in the fire pit The ceremonial burning of the flags will wrap up with a funeral salute

According to the separation agreement, “If Bernier secures other employment as superintendent, or position at a cabinet-level within the 20-weeks outlined herein, all obligations under this agreement shall cease immediately, including salary pay, payment of health insurance, and retirement contribution. Within 24-hours of hire, Bernier shall notify the chair of the school board of such employment ”

From page 1 If you go

“It's really pretty short and sweet,” Carson said

Typically, the Legion has dozens of flags to retire and even more after the hurricane

Anyone who has a flag ready for retirement can bring it to the ceremony

“We do have a new flag retirement box at the post,” he added “They can drop them off there any time of the year and we save them ”

Following the ceremony, attendees are invited to stick around

From page 1

“We'll probably have some food and drinks , ” Cars on s aid “We' ll probably have the charcoal grill going if anyone wants something to eat ”

The public is welcome to come out

“The main reason is it's Flag Day and the retirement of the flags,” he said

“If anyone in the community is interested to see it, now is the time,” Carson added of experiencing a proper flag retirement ceremony.

For more information, contact Carson at 239-699-8739

American Legion Post 123 is at 4249 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel

What Flag Day Flag Retirement Ceremony

When June 14 at 5 p m

Where

American Legion Post 123, 4249 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel

Details Free and open to the public

increase was estimated for just new construction from $1 73 million to $53 70 million

County estimates, including Captiva, show about an $11.63 billion rise in taxa b l e v a l u

Also for Sanibel, taxable new construction decreased from approximately $1 73

i o n 9 65% to $132 21 billion Assessed value rose 8.71% to $153.02 billion, up $12 26 billion from $140 76 billion Just value climbed 1 50% to $207 06 billion, up $3 05 billion from $204 billion

, u p 3 86% from $147 72 billion

In addition, the initial estimate for the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District decreased

Also in the county, taxable new cons t r u c t i o n d i p p e d f r o m a p p r o x i m a t e l y $2 86 billion to $147 63 million, but just new construction rose from $3 28 billion to $5.31 billion. As for the estimated taxable school value for Lee, it increased $ 5 7 0 b i l l i o n t o $ 1 5 3 4 2 b i l

See TAX ROLL VALUES, page 20

safety and uses.

Keller outlined the existing conditions, i n c l u d i n g p a t h c

, widths, amenities, and completed extensions and improvements since 2009 He broke down the challenges as follows:

n Space: Paths are too narrow; paths are too crowded and congested; new path connections; separate bikers and walkers; environmentally-sensitive land; and limited right-of-way

n Social behavior: People do not signal when passing; bicyclists do not stop at intersections; motorists do not stop at crossings; people do not stay on the correct side of the path; people stop in the middle of the path; need to “better” educate path users; and need more enforcement

n Speed: Bicyclists traveling too fast on the path; e-bikes can go too fast for the paths; and separate bikers and walkers

K

, increased path congestion, bicycle parki n g a n d

micromobility e-bikes and e-scooters and autonomous and connected vehicles

He presented suggested enhancements for over a dozen intersections, such as improving visibility and crosswalk alignment, assignment of right-of-way and potential new crossings Keller also provided recommended path extensions for more than a dozen areas, including on Algiers Lane, Bailey Road, Dixie Beach Boulevard, Palm Ridge Road, Periwinkle Way, Rabbit Road, Tarpon Bay Road and

The Sanibel City Council recognized July as Parks & Recreation Month and July 19 as Parks and Recreation Professionals Day through a proclamation at its meeting on June 4

West Gulf Drive In addition, he outlined a handful of other suggested on-street enhancements, such as marked bike lanes, paved shoulders and shared lane markings

To view the Shared Use Path Master Plan presentation and recommendations from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, visit this article online for free at http://www captivasanibel com/ Also during the meeting, the council voted 5-0 for staff to fill the five ranger positions at the SPD that have been vacant s i n c e t h e p r o g r a m ' s c r e a t i o n a n

include the positions in the 2025 fiscal budget

According to staff, the full-time positions will add additional personnel at var-

ious points on the Shared Use Path system to increase education and enforcement of ordinances and regulations for pedestrian and bike traffic They will also patrol the beach Funding for the positions is available due to vacancies

Also at the meeting, the council voted 5-0 to authorize the city's intervention into the formal administrative hearing c h a l l e n

Association with the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings against the county regarding its Captiva density and height changes

The CCA requested that the city intervene in the proceeding in support of its side

In other news

∫ City Manager Dana Souza provided an update on the grant applications sub-

Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds for critical infrastructure and public facilities projects There was some discussion that they may have to prioritize the requests

He reiterated that the city submitted a p p l i c a t i

u bgrantees' projects, like F I S H of SanibelCaptiva Souza reported that he will speak with the city's partners and provide an update

∫ The council voted 5-0 on a resolution authorizing the placement of tempo-

See COUNCIL, page 20

CITY OF SANIBEL

Tax roll values

year-over-year, while the early valuations for the Captiva Island Fire Control District and Upper Captiva Fire District rose

The Sanibel fire district experienced a 1 80% drop to about $4 53 billion, down $82 90 million from $4 61 billion The Captiva district saw a 2 17% increase to $1 40 billion, up $29 76 million from $1 37 billion, and Upper Captiva rose 14 76% to $340 82 million, up $43 85

Council From page 19

rary announcement signs on commercial properties to help the business community The limit is one sign that cannot exceed 8 feet in height or 32 square feet in size, which can be in place for no more than 18 months. The sign must be removed once the building is complete and a certificate of occupancy is issued

∫ The council voted 5-0 on an ordinance to amend the Code and sunset the

Construction Industry Regulation Board, which have been preempted at the state level

∫ The council was presented with the

After providing feedback on the suggestions to be shared with the committee, it asked that additional follow-up input from the committee be presented at a future meeting

∫ The council held the first reading for an ordinance to amend the Code related to

From page 18

million from $296 97 million

“The value estimates provide a starting point to taxing authorities for their annual budget and property tax rate process,” Caldwell said “The office will continue refining the values and will certify the official values ”

The final numbers will come out before July 1, then be sent to Tallahassee for approval

an automatic speed detection system for the school zone at The Sanibel School

The second reading is set for July 16

∫ The council held the first reading for an ordinance to amend the Code to revise the master development plan on file for the Planned Unit Development (PUD) of the Bailey's Shopping Center Property

The second reading is set for July 16

CityView software He reported that inperson and virtual training will be provided, and it is anticipated to go live before October

∫ Recreation Director Andrea Miller presented the Shared Use Path Bicycle and Pedestrian Survey Results. The council voted 5-0 to approve a motion that it had received and accepted the results

Parks & Recreation Month and July 19 as Parks and Recreation Professionals Day through a proclamation

Chamber program

habitat ambassadors at an elevated advocacy level informed by front-row involvement

“We founded Captains For Clean Water because we were frustrated with how water was being managed in Florida and the negative impacts of Lake Okeechobee discharges and red tide on our businesses,” Executive Director Capt Daniel Andrews said “We are proud to partner with these organizations to empower business leaders to make a difference in the fight This is an opportunity to make a tremendous impact on the future of our waters and help build a more resilient economy in Southwest Florida ”

Preserving Paradise graduates will go forward as community spokespersons for clean water and role models for other busi-

Preserve

From page 12

Management Director Chris Lechowicz said

Ian’s saltwater surge killed many of the hardwood trees, particularly buttonwood, which had encroached on the marshland over several decades In the wake of the disaster, the SCCF brought in contractors to remove the dead trees, opening up the marsh for restoration

“Now that we have this marsh open, we’re replanting with cordgrass and sawgrass in the hopes that we can keep this a grassland and prevent all the hardwood trees from coming back in here,” he said

Importance of marsh habitats

The marshes act as a natural barrier for storms, providing protection for the island The Gulf Ridge Preserve is a sanctuary for a variety of wildlife, including the Sanibel Island rice rat, which is endemic to Sanibel.

“The Sanibel rice rat’s habitat was actual-

nesses, setting examples for how businesses can effectively impact the environment in a positive way and become the “good guys” in the overarching water-quality drama

“Water is the lifeblood of our communities in Southwest Florida,” SCCF Chief Executive Officer James Evans said “To preserve our paradise, it is essential to understand the connection between our natural systems and the ecology of our waters, our quality of life, and our local economy SCCF is proud to partner with these fine organizations to educate our business leaders on the importance of clean water ”

For more information or to apply, visit preservingparadise org

ly mostly in these open cordgrass marshes And over the last, I would say, half a century or more, we lost a lot of these because of hardwood trees moving in So now that we’re able to restore this, we’re hoping that we can expand the range of the Sanibel Island rice rat,” Lechowicz said

Thank you volunteers

“We’re super excited that SCCF has had this opportunity to bring in so many community members to be a part of this process,” Pfau said “From the beginning, having this be a bare slate that we’ve been able to plant these thousands of grasses, to having these community members know that they were a part of it, to see the progression over the next few years ”

The SCCF reported that as the rainy season approaches, the newly planted spartina and sawgrass are expected to thrive, providing habitat for wildlife and a natural barrier

See PRESERVE, page 21

From page 8

t h a t t r y i n g t o r e n o v a t e t h e e x i s t i n g b u i l d i n g w o u l d b e

c o s t p r o h i b i t i v e , ” b o a r d C h a i r R e n e S a v a r i s e s a i d

“ T h e b o a r d s i m p l y c o u l d n o t a p p r o v e t h a t u s e o f d o n o r d o l l a r s "

B I G A R T S c o n t i n u e d t h a t i t s b o a r d a n d m a n a g e -

m e n t a r e p l o t t i n g a n e w f u t u r e f o r t h e p r o p e r t y a n d

c o n s i d e r i n g a r a n g e o f p o s s i b i l i t i e s t o a d d r e s s c o m m u -

n i t y n e e d

Trailways Camp announces office opening

Trailways Camps recently opened its office in the SanCap Gateway Realty Plaza on Sanibel

Sanibel resident and Camp Director Jamie Senkeleski will lead program outreach and operational services from the location

She will be joined by Sanibel resident and Assistant Karan Balmer, who joined the team in April

F

wayscamps org/

Preserve

From page 20

against storms The community members who participated in the project will be able to witness the transformation and growth of

Business Notes

The Trailways Camps office is at 1177 Causeway Blvd , Sanibel

City awarded for budget presentation

The city of Sanibel reported that the Government Finance Officers Association recently awarded it the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget

The award reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting In order to receive it, the city had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation The guidelines are designed to assess how well a budget serves as:

∫ A policy document

∫ A financial plan

∫ An operations guide

∫ A communications device

Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories and in the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories to receive the award

There are over 1,700 participants in the Budget Awards Program

San Cap Community Bank recognized

Community Bank was named one of the “Best Places to Work in Southwest Florida” by Gulfshore Business

It was chosen as one of 22 Southwest Florida company honorees after an assessment and selection process conducted by Best Companies Group, an independent research firm that specializes in identifying and recognizing great places to work

The process consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices and demographics, in addition to an employee survey to measure

the marsh, a testament to their hard work and dedication

“The Gulf Ridge Preserve restoration

employee experience Combined scores determined the top companies and final rankings

The winners, including the bank, appeared in the June issue of Gulfshore Business.

Schnars named among marketing leaders

John R Wood Christie's

James Schnars has been rec-

Marketing Leaders

The accolade celebrates the housing industry's creative and influential marketing leaders, with 50 individuals honored this year

achievements, contributions to the housing economy, client impact and personal success They demonstrate strategic vision, creativity and a commitment to driving growth and innovation within their organizations and the wider industry

Since joining the company in 2020, Schnars has led all marketing and public relations strategies, including brand management, digital and print advertising, multimedia initiatives and budget management

A University of Florida graduate, he was named Marketing Director of the Year by the Collier Building Industry Association in 2022

project stands as a beacon of hope and resilience, demonstrating the power of community action in the face of natural disasters

The marsh, which will soon again be teeming with life, is a living symbol of recovery and the enduring spirit of Sanibel,” she said

James Schnars

coverage from a surplus line carrier, there are several things I recommend you prepare for and know before you endure a hurricane season or file a claim

First, the recent legislation requires surplus line carriers to provide “comparable” coverage when you renew your policy

Identify critical numbers in your current policy, like your deductible, judge these against your surplus lines carrier’s coverage to ensure your needs are covered

From page 4

County, it must convert to a private nonprofit entity

What is suspicious and specious about Lee Health's reasoning is that Lee Health is the primary health care provider in Lee County, and Lee Health is providing pediatric rehab services in Collier County There is nothing under the current govern a n c e m o d e l t h a t w o u l d p r e v e n t L e e Health from exploring and seeking to expand its services outside of Lee County

Second, the most glaring hole in surplus lines coverage is these carriers are not required to participate in the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association, which pays for damages if your insurer goes insolvent With a surplus line carrier, homeowners are left unprotected

Finally, surplus line carriers, being unregulated, may include contract terms not permitted for regulated carriers, such as clauses limiting policyholders' rights to

hire public adjusters Their lack of regulat i o n a l s o c o m p l i c a t e s c l a i m d

,

potentially requiring Floridians to travel, even internationally, to address issues This could mean going as far as New York, Bermuda or London for litigation against these carriers

If you are the owner of a Florida vacation home or one of our welcomed seasonal residents, I encourage you to ask questions in the event your Citizens policy is eligible

Letters

As far as Lee Health enjoying a competitive edge in health care, Lee Health has been repeatedly recognized as one of the top 100 health care systems in the U

Report)

S

This past week in Orlando, Lee Health received the governor's Sterling Award for “ … how well Lee Health has strengthened, improved and innovated winning systems to ensure long term success and sustainability in a competitive environ-

ment ”

All of this leaves me with the following questions:

Why this and why now?

How will this impact delivery of health care services ?

What will Lee Health gain from the “conversion?”

What does Lee Health and the citizens of Southwest Florida stand to lose?

In my opinion, the citizens and voters of Lee County will suffer the greatest loss

for takeout Being prepared and knowledgeable can save you both on your monthly premium and in the unfortunate case that you are forced to file an insurance claim

John Hornbuckle is president of the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters' board of directors He obtained his public adjuster license in 2011 and is focused on advocacy for insurance consumers

We the people will no longer be the owners and guardians of our health care system as we have been since 1968

The next step after Lee Health board's v o t e i s a v o

Commission to either support or deny the “conversion ”

Without a public referendum/vote, the citizens are shut out of this process thereby creating a breach of the public trust

Public meeting planned

A virtual, LOSOM Project Delivery Team Meeting which the public can attend and provide comment during will take place on July 24 from 1011:30 a m The log-in details are as fol-

Conference): 1-669-234-1177

Access Code: 1997788788

https://usace contentdm oclc org/utils/ge tfile/collection/p16021coll7/id/25886 Lake O From page 12

low: https://usace1 webex com/meet/earl t gysan Call-in toll-free number (ATT Audio Conference): 1-844-800-2712 C a l l - i n n u m b e r ( A T T A u d i o

army mil or mailed to the

Army

District, Attn: Jacob Thompson, Project B i o l o g i s t , 7 0 1 S a n M a r c o B l v d , Jacksonville, FL 32207-8915 T o r e a d t h e F E I S , v i s i t

Steven R. Maxwell

Sanibel

Life-shattering question: Is it late afternoon or early evening?

A friend of mine called to get together one day He suggested that we meet in the late afternoon. I told him I preferred to meet with him in the early evening

“What’s the difference?” he asked “They’re both the same ”

“No they’re not,” I said “The late afternoon is earlier than the early evening I prefer to meet in the evening part of the day rather than the afternoon part ”

He said: “So if we meet at 5 p.m. is that the late afternoon or the early evening?” I thought a long time about this very deep philosophical question

“The late afternoon ends at 5:30 whereas the early evening begins then,” I said in an earnest, knowledgeable tone suggesting that the answer to that question was never in doubt

Stevens Shell Shocked

“Okay, let’s go along with your supposition. If I show up at 5:45 p m I assume that’s the early evening But if we made our appointment for 5:20 then that’s still the late afternoon?”

“Yes,” I replied “That’s about it ”

My friend was not to be denied “Is there a dictionary definition that says that the term late afternoon extends only to 5:30 p m and not beyond?”

This is why I hated my friend, even though he was my friend He was constantly second guessing me “I’m not aware of any precise definition that makes the case that 5:30 p m is officially the end of late afternoon But in actual practice it is. Late afternoon is really just a concept It has no dictionary defined end But I definitely think that it would be stretching things to say that 6:30 p m is still the late afternoon Most people I know would regard 6:30 as the early evening ”

“But,” my friend persisted, “why should the definitions for such concepts as late afternoon and early evening be arbitrary? If you arranged to meet someone in the late afternoon and he showed up at 5:45 p m wouldn’t you be annoyed?”

“Look, why don’t we just pick a time and meet then? This way there won’t be any misunderstanding as to what constitutes late afternoon and early evening,” I said. “Let’s just meet at 6 p m at the usual place ”

My friend couldn’t let it go “What if two people agreed to meet in the late afternoon and one showed up an hour and a half before the other? Don’t you think the guy who was there first would be very annoyed with the guy who showed up later? I don’t think the second guy could use as an excuse that he was on time because he had arrived at the outer limit of the late afternoon ”

I told my friend that I would meet him at 6 p m whatever he wanted to call that time period and needed to get off the phone so that I could do research on the definitions of late afternoon and early evening. My friend said he was going to play golf instead and for me to let him know what I came up with

I went to several dictionaries to look up late afternoon and early evening Not a single dictionary defined these terms One dictionary defined afternoon as “the part of the day from noon to sunset ” Did this mean that Scandinavians who experienced daylight until midnight or later during the summer months considered 10 p m as still being the afternoon?

The same dictionary defined evening as “the period of decreasing daylight between afternoon and night” or “the period between sunset and bedtime.”

It also defined night as “the period between sunset and

See QUESTION, page 25

BIG ARTS to host Annual Art Vibe

By TIFFANY REPECKI trepecki@breezenewspapers com

The community is invited out for an evening of locally-created artwork, live music and more

BIG ARTS will host its Annual Art Vibe on June 15 from 5 to 8 p m Free and open to the public, it will highlight a new exhibit and scholarship recipients and will feature entertainment, food and drinks

“BIG ARTS is a place for all ages and all arts,” Executive Director Lee Ellen Harder said “This annual event is a celebration of the community and the role the arts play There's several things going on ”

In the Dunham Family Gallery, “Bootcamp: An Immersive Experience in Contemporary Art” curated by senior visual arts students from Florida SouthWestern State College will be on display The students and professors will be on hand for an artists' reception to speak about their work and the experience of creating, hanging and jurying a professional show

She explained that 15 students will show off their work in the exhibit.

“There's going to be 40 to 50 pieces of artwork,” Harder said “It's all paintings ”

BIG ARTS will also recognize this year's Performing and Creative Arts Scholarship winners

“We will present them with their certificate for their award,” she said

If you go

What Annual Art Vibe

When June 15 from 5 to 8 p m

Where

BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel

Details

Free and open to the public

“One Deadly Eye” by Randy Wayne White

PHOTO PROVIDED

White book signing planned at Doc Ford’s

Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille will host a book signing with New York Times bestselling author Randy Wayne White on June 16 from noon to 3 p m at its Sanibel location, at 2500 Island Inn Road, Sanibel Co-founder of the HM Restaurant Group restaurants, he will sign copies of his new book in the Doc Ford series and talk about his writing process Released on June 4, “One Deadly Eye” is White's 27th mysterythriller that follows the escapades of marine biologist and possible super-secret covert government agent Doc Ford and his Sanibel friends. Set on the island during a deadly hurricane, the book blends the reality of Hurricane Ian in 2022 with fiction as the beloved protagonist tries to thwart a criminal brotherhood, capture a serial killer and locate a missing Russian diplomat during the 12 hours of chaos following the passing of the storm's eye Copies will be available for purchase at the event

Open to Lee County residents, the donor-backed program is for those attending college to pursue a professional career in creative or performing arts Six recipients will receive a total of $25,000

“We also will have live demonstrations by four of our BIG ARTS art instructors to give a sample of what we offer during the year for workshops and classes,” Harder said

The instructors conducting the demos will be oil painting artist Jan Atkielski, pastel painting artist Mary Klunk, watercolor artist Sunny Krchmar and mixed media sculpture artist Jeff Ocasio

“Our BIG ARTS gift shop will be open and some of our gift shop artists will be on hand to talk about their work,” she said “We feature local and regional artists and they're all one-of-a-kind, unique ”

Those taking part will include ceramics artist Chris Christian, sculpture artist Gil Sanchez and weaver Diana Urso, who will have her large loom, along with Donna Filimio-Guarglua and Arlene Stigum

Live music will be provided by Wilder Duo

“They're a local band, local musicians,” Harder said Attendees will enjoy hearty appetizers by Catering by Leslie Adams

There will be an open bar with beer, wine and soda “New this year, we're partnering with No.3 Craft Brews of Cape Coral,” she said “They are coming to serve up some of their craft beers ”

The public is invited to come and enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes

“Art Vibe is a wonderful evening with art and music,” Harder said “Celebrate and support the students of the community, enjoy time and friendship with each other and see and experience the role that the arts play in the community ”

For more information, visit https://bigarts org/ or call 239-395-0900

BIG ARTS is at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.

Alliance for the Ar ts to host night market

The Alliance for the Arts will present an indoor mango-themed Night Market in place of its monthly Wednesday market today, June 12, from 5 to 8 p m at 10091 McGregor Blvd , Fort Myers It will focus on the summer fruit and feature mango drinks and treats, including mango margaritas and Mango Cart beer It will feature area vendors with mango and other fruit trees for sale, along with a selection of local artisans, crafters and small businesses There will be art demonstrations, an allages art project and a book signing The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce will provide information about the upcoming Mango Mania, as well as share the Tshirt and fan contest designs Admission is free For more information, visit https://www artinlee org/event/nightmarket-2023-11-08-2024-06-12/

Art

WILDER DUO

Wilder Duo will provide live music at the Annual Art Vibe on June 15 at BIG ARTS on Sanibel.

DDWS sends local students to space

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife SocietyFriends of the Refuge reported that thanks to support from the Jenni and Kyle Family Foundation, it was able to send 45 students from the Tice Elementary Space Club along with 10 chaperones to NASA's Kennedy Space Center on the

East Coast for NASA Space Camp J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge

C o m m u n i t y E n g a g e m e n t F e l l o w L e o

Cabrera accompanied the group, and the DDWS underwrote the cost of T-shirts for all the students, designed by one of the students REFUGE/DDWS

FORT MYERS THEATRE

Theater to present ‘Matilda The Musical’

The Fort Myers Theatre will perform Roald Dahl's “Matilda The Musical” from now through June 18 at 16120 San Carlos Blvd , Fort Myers Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She's

Honey During her first term, the two forge a bond as Miss Honey begins to

Question

From page 24

sunrise ” My natural question then became what if I went to bed really early like 9 p m? Does that mean that evening ends for me at 9 p m and night begins simply because I went to bed?

What if my neighbor went to bed at 11 p m ? (And played his TV set loudly at that before he did?) Does this mean that night begins for me at 9 p m while still being evening for my loud neighbor? How could it be possible that night begins at different times for different people in the same time zone?

But there doesn’t seem to be the same confusion about when late morning ends and early afternoon begins as there is for late afternoon and early evening It’s generally understood that late morning ends at twelve noon and early afternoon follows immediately There’s no such rule governing late afternoon and early evening even though I had volunteered to my friend that 5:30 p m was as good a guess as any

One dictionary defined the terms “morning” and “night” as being the same time period This dictionary’s definition of morning is “the first or early part of the day lasting from

extraordinary personality Her school

Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves to punish those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could

Tickets are $25-40 For more information or tickets, visit https://ftmyerstheatre com/

midnight to noon or from sunrise to noon ”

And the definition of night is “the period between sunset and sunrise ” That means that 3 a m is both night and morning This then begs the question as to when to say “good night” and “good morning ”

I blamed my friend for this ridiculous research I was doing just so I could show him that I knew everything I could have learned a complete foreign language in the time it was taking me to do this Why couldn’t we have started our phone conversation by picking an exact time to get together instead of getting into a debate about late afternoon and early evening? Can you imagine Hillary and Barack debating this issue?

I felt I was closing in on the meaning of life but shut the dictionaries instead The simple fact is who gives a damn?

When I met my friend at 6 p m I asked him if he knew the difference between a brook and a stream That ought to lead to tons more discussion, debate and research

Art Stevens is a long-time columnist for the Sanibel-Captiva Islander His tongue-incheek humor is always offered with a smile

ISL AND HOME islander

Spider plant is a great house plant

The house plant Chlorophytum comosum, also known as the spider plant, is a highly durable and trusted indoor and outdoor species for South Florida

The hardy plant is native

regions of Africa and it is characterized by its long linear leaves that are variegated white and green T h e p o p

species has gained the

Garden Merit.

T h e i r f l o w e r s a r e small and white and have a star-like shape When planted in a hanging basket, the plants are known for their cascading form over the edges This characteristic is where the spider plant derives its name as its spiderettes hang over the edge When planted outside in a garden, the spider plant can be used as a very beautiful ground cover that adds a mix of variegated greens and whites

The spider plant is very tolerant of dry or humid air. This unique species is also tolerant of drought and prolonged lack of water, making it perfect for people who forget to water their plants The spider plant will survive in shady locations but does best in bright light To propagate the spider plant, the elongated stalks that grow out of the top of the plant can be rooted easily The root mass of the spider plant can also be divided when the plant gets overcrowded inside its pot

If you would like an easy houseplant to add to your lanai or deck, the spider plant is just the one for you

In The Garden is a joint effort by all at the local g a r d e n c e n t e r , a t 3 8 8 9 S a n i b e l - C a p t i v a R o a d , Sanibel For more information, contact 239-3955859 or visit www facebook com/rswalshinthegarden

IWA replacing infrastructure at RO facility

The Island Water Association recently reported that it has started the replacement of Hurricane Ian damaged infrastructure at its Reverse Osmosis (RO) facility

The construction project will temporarily reduce the water utility's treatment capacity, and therefore has been timed to coincide with anticipated seasonal rains and off-peak residential water demands

To assist in reducing water demands, the IWA is reminding members to irrigate their lawns and landscaping in accordance with the city of Sanibel and Lee County's year-round irrigation restrictions

The irrigation schedules are as follows:

Sanibel

Irrigation times are midnight to 9 a m and/or 5 p m to midnight No irrigation is allowed any day between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

∫ Addresses ending with an even number: Tuesdays and Fridays

∫ Addressed ending with an off number: Mondays and Thursdays

Captiva (Lee County)

∫ Addresses ending with an even number: Thursdays and Sundays

∫ Addressed ending with an off number: Wednesdays and Saturdays

The IWA anticipates that the treatment plant will return to full capacity in early July

“However, your continued adherence to local irrigation rules protects Southwest Florida's vital freshwater resources and limits peak demand stresses on the potable water system,” it said “Please verify that irrigation systems are programmed to operate no more than two days per week using the permitted schedule for your property ” F

Administrative Office at 239-472-1502

LCEC is ready for storm season

By LCEC

Long before storm season, utilities develop response plans and o p t i o n s t o m i t i g a t e d a m a g e a n d recover from destruction as quickly as possible Experience from past storms helps LCEC in the planning

p r o c e s s I n c o r p o r a t i n g l e s s o n s learned ensures rapid recovery after future storms. Southwest Florida has had their fair share of storms and LCEC restoration plans have been refined over the years

∫ How does LCEC prepare for storm season?

Investment in systems and programs yearlong is aimed at reducing vulnerabilities and building a resilient electric system LCEC continually hardens the electric system by proactively inspecting, identifying potential problem areas and aging infrastructure, and repairing or replacing before the storm rolls in Routine vegetation management helps to keep lines clear of trees and brush that could cause power outages

No crisis can be managed without skill, knowledge, resources and patience Every employee, LCEC vendor and supplier are on deck when the threat of a storm rears its

ugly head The restoration plan is practiced long before the first tracking model is published and many potential scenarios are considered No storm is the same and there is no way to know what each situation will bring However, a plan for a d d

, inventory and equipment, communications, fleet maintenance, and many other details are all proactively considered so that boots can be on the ground as quick as possible to restore critical infrastructure and help the community get back to normal

∫ How can residents and business owners help in the restoration process?

Developing a family or business plan is critical Remaining safe and comfortable without power is not a thrill but it is possible Practice the plan and implement it when needed Be patient and trust that utilities and their people are working as hard as

possible to restore service quickly

Use the information in the LCEC H u r r i c a n e G u i d e a t https://www lcec net/reliability/stor m-center/hurricane-guide to make l i f e e a s i e r w h i l e t h e r e s t o r a t i o n team works

Immediately after a major storm, there is no need to report an outage LCEC will assess the damage and know where repairs are needed After a few days, if you are the only one in your location without service, that is the time to contact your provider

Work together as a community while LCEC focuses on restoration

If you have power, offer assistance to others without Offer encouragement and support to all emergency responders As frustrated as those without power may be, remember they are away from their families and working under challenging conditions to help everyone get on with their lives.

Disaster preparedness tax holiday for consumers

Manual can openers, collapsible and travel-sized pet food and water bowls, cat litter pans, pet waste disposal bags, and hamster and rabbit substrate costing $15 or

Reusable ice, pet leashes, collars and muzzles, and pet pads costing $20 or less

Cat litter weighing 25 pounds and fewer costing $25 or less

Portable self-powered light sources and pet beds costing $40 or less

Portable self-powered radios, twoway radios and weather-band radios, gas and diesel fuel tanks, and AA-cell, AAAcell, C-cell, D-cell, six-volt and nine-volt

Sanibel

Captiva

PHOTO PROVIDED

Spider plant

Recipe of the Week: Shrimp-Sesame Rolls with Apricot Ginger Dipping Sauce

By CHEF LORETTA PAGANINI

When good friends come to visit us, I like to serve delicious finger appetizers together with fresh vegetables, warm nuts and chilled white wine. Enjoy these delicious shrimp rolls made with store bought phyllo dough They are easy to make and everyone loves them Makes 32 rolls (Chef tip: When working with phyllo dough, for good success work fast and have all the ingredients ready to use )

2 pounds shrimp, shelled and deveined

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

3 green onions, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1/4 cup sesame seeds

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon cornstarch

CROW Calendar

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife's Visitor Education Center, at 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, will present the following:

∫ Today, June 1 2

Program of the Week at 11 a m

T h e p r e s e n t a t i o n w i l l b e a b o u t

“Climate Change ”

∫ Thursday, June 1 3

Program of the Week at 11 a m

The presentation will be about “Gopher Tortoises ”

∫ Friday, June 1 4

Program of the Week at 11 a m

The presentation will be about “If You Care, Leave It There ”

∫ Monday, June 1 7

Program of the Week at 11 a m

The presentation will be the presenter’s choice

∫ Tuesday, June 1 8

Program of the Week at 11 a m

“Climate Change ”

∫ Wednesday, June 1 9

Program of the Week at 11 a m

The presentation will be about “A Day In The Life At CROW ”

Admission is $12 for ages 13 and older, $7 for ages 4-12 and free for ages 3 and under

In addition, CROW offers a Wildlife Walk Hospital Tour on Mondays through F

Limited to 12 people; participants must be age 10 or older The cost is $25 per person; advanced registration and payment is required To register, contact 239-4723644 ext 229 or reservations@crowclinic org

http://www crowclinic org/ or call 239472-3644

Giving dads their due

Father’s Day is this Sunday But as a father, the day always begs the question: “Do dads really ever get a day?” While Father’s Day is on every calendar, both print and electronic, most dads I know have to be reminded when their day rolls around every June In fact, many men will tell you that it doesn’t feel “manly” to desire any special attention on Father’s Day For them the day can be something of an embarrassment because of what they see as an unnecessary focus on their place in the home Dads, they think, ought simply to blend in with the woodwork

But what might appear on the surface to be admirable humility on the part of these dads can actually be a veiled unwillingness to embrace the critical spiritual responsibilities every father faces A careful reading of the Bible shows that far from being an inconsequential role in the home, dads occupy a vital place and bear a significant obligation in contributing to the faith development of every member of the family For that reason alone, it makes sense for communities of faith and individual believers to

To assemble:

20 sheets phyllo dough

1/4 pound unsalted butter, melted

1 egg

1/4 cup sesame seeds

Kosher salt

Scallions for garnish

Stack three sheets of phyllo, brushing each with melted butter Cut stack in half lengthwise

Squeeze filling into long rope along edge Roll up tightly into thin roll Repeat remaining phyllo and filling Cut each roll into four sticks and place seam sides down on baking sheet Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds and kosher salt. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes.

Apricot Ginger Dipping Sauce

1/2 cup apricot preserves

2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced

2 teaspoons lime juice

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons soy sauce

Pulse ingredients in blender

Island Worship

2050

Way,

(Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ), https://www batyam org/, https://www facebook com/batyamsanibel/ Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer

Sabbath service on Friday at 7 p m and via Zoom For Zoom links, email batyamsanibel@gmail com

∫ Captiva Chapel by the Sea 11580 Chapin Lane, Captiva, 239-472-1646, https://www captivachapel com/, www facebook com/Captiva-Chapel-By-The-Sea Rev Dr Doug Dortch

Services will return for season in November Videos of services from the past season can be found on the chapel's website and Facebook page.

∫ Chavurat Shalom of Southwest Florida P O Box 722, Sanibel, www chavuratshalomofsouthwestflorida org Shabbat service on Friday at 7:30 p m Torah Talk on Tuesday at 7:30 p m There are also speakers, discussions and informal “schmoozes ” For Zoom links, email ChavuratShalom@gmail com

∫ Sanibel Community Church 1740 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-2684, https://sanibelchurch com/, https://www facebook com/sanibelchurch/ Pastor Jeramie Rinne

give special emphasis to this holiday

How, then, might we approach Father’s Day without feeling like we as people of faith are abandoning our unique place in culture by surrendering to yet another day crafted by the marketplace to encourage consumer spending? Here are some practical considerations

∫ Pay attention to the history of Father’s Day and in particular how faith communities were an important inspiration in its creation Father’s Day is a relatively recent holiday, established at the turn of the 20th century when in 1909, a daughter named Sonora Smart-Dodd heard a Mother’s Day sermon and thought it important to give fathers their due as well The idea took off and in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge issued a proclamation in support of a national Father’s Day, one that recognized fathers as a way to “establish more intimate relations between fathers and their children and to impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations ” The fact that Father’s Day began with a young woman’s response to a sermon should not be lost upon believers who may feel as if such an emphasis is

Sunday service at 10 a m in the Sanctuary Services will be recorded and posted on the SCC's YouTube channel

∫ Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ 2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-0497, https://www sanibelucc org/, https://www facebook com/sanibelucc/ Senior Minister Rev Dr Mark Boyea

Sunday service at 10 a m in Fellowship Hall

∫ Saint Isabel Catholic Church 3559 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, 239-472-2763, https://www saintisabel org/, https://www facebook com/stisabelcatholicchurch/ Father Edward Martin

Friday Mass at 9 a m Saturday Vigil Mass at 5 p m Sunday Mass at 10 a m

∫ Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-2173, https://www saintmichaelssanibel.org/, https://www.facebook.com/saintmichaelssanibel/ Rev William “Bill” Van Oss

Saturday service at 5 p m in the Sanctuary, with a social to follow Sunday service at 9:30 a m , with a coffee hour to follow; service is available via livestream and the link on the website

but another cultural encroachment on our distinct place in society; it is most definitely not

∫ Use this holiday to remind fathers of their critical roles in creating a spiritually healthy home environment There are plenty of Bible passages that highlight the place of fathers in leading their families to become maturing believers; and while some might argue that a number of these passage support a potentially damaging picture of a repressively authoritarian head of the household, a more comprehensive and nuanced interpretation of these passages reveals an under-

standing of the ideal father who values and even models sacrificial love.

∫ Encourage fathers to be more transparent in their family interactions One of the struggles many dads have with Father’s Day is being the center of attention, as if standing in the spotlight one day out of the year means that they have to turn in their “man card ” This attitude usually leads to statements like, “I don’t really need anything for Father’s Day,” or “I don’t want you to spend anything on me ” Such statements only keep dads from showing the type of vulnerability

Pulse together all filling ingredients in food processor

∫ Bat Yam Temple of the Islands

Periwinkle

Sanibel

Loretta Paganini

Rev Dr Doug Dortch Faces on Faith

Cheeburger Cheeburger, 1975 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

Cielo, 1244 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

MudBugs Cajun Kitchen, 1473 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

islandBEAT islander

Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen,

Santiva Islanders Calendar

The Santiva Islanders will present the following:

Cardio & Strength

Mahnaz Bassir will host Cardio & Strength today, June 12, from 10 to 11 a m in the Parish Hall at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Bring water and a towel; no mat is required Light weights may be brought Cost is $5 per class and $60 per month for members or $10 per class and $120 per month for non-members

Social Bridge

Social Bridge will be held on June 13 from noon to 2:30 p m in the music room at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Cost is $5 For more information, contact Bryant Korn at bryantekorn@gmail com

Social Mahjong

Social Mahjong will be held on June 13 from 1 to 3:30 p m in the library at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel C o s t i s $ 5 F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , c o n t a c t B e t h Funderburg at bfundy4648@gmail.com.

Coffee & Conversation

Coffee & Conversation will be held on June 14 from 9:30 a m to noon in the library at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Volunteers will be available to answer questions, register new members, sign up for activities and more

Cardio & Strength

Mahnaz Bassir will host Cardio & Strength on June 14 from 10 to 11 a m in the Parish Hall at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Bring water and a towel; no mat is required Light weights may be brought Cost is $5 per class and $60 per month for members or $10 per class and $120 per month for non-members.

Coffee & Conversation

Coffee & Conversation will be held on June 17 from 9:30 a m to noon in the library at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Volunteers will be available to answer questions, register new members, sign up for activities and more

Cardio & Strength

Mahnaz Bassir will host Cardio & Strength on June 17 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Parish Hall at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Bring water and a towel; no mat is required Light weights may be brought Cost is $5 per class and $60 per month for members or $10 per class and $120 per month for non-members.

Happy Hour

Happy Hour will be held on June 17 from 4 to 6 p m at Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen, at 1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Enjoy happy hour drink and appetizer specials Attendees will order and pay individually.

The Community House Calendar

Leisure Lunch

A Leisure Lunch will be held June 18 from noon to 1 p m at the Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant, at 14301 Port Comfort Road, Fort Myers Attendees will order and pay individually For more information or to reserve a spot, contact Deborah Butler at deborahpbutler@comcast net

Cardio & Strength

Mahnaz Bassir will host Cardio & Strength on June 19 from 10 to 11 a m in the Parish Hall at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Bring water and a towel; no mat is required. Light weights may be brought. Cost is $5 per class and $60 per month for members or $10 per class and $120 per month for non-members

Matinee & Lunch

Broadway Swing!” will be held on June 19 from 11:30 a m to 3 p m at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, at 1380 Colonial Blvd , Fort Myers Tickets are $60 For more information or tickets, contact Cindy Butterfield at 239-333-6932 or smilebutterfield@gmail com

The Santiva Islanders serve all adult islanders and visitors, regardless of age The cost is $25 for an annual membership The Island Seniors raise funding to help defray the cost of the program activities

The Mucky Duck, 11546 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva

Traders, 1551 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

Community event suppor ts island businesses

Love Sanibel Businesses Back took place on June 3 at the Over E a s y C a f e a n d O l d e S a n i b e l Shoppes on Sanibel The initiative offers the public a chance to support island businesses and services through mix and mingle events

It was launched by Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church as an extension of its mission For m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t www saintmichaels-sanibel org

The Rev William “Bill” Van Oss, Linda Seifert, Penny Lind and Suncatchers' Dream owner Daniel Thompson

Sue Van Oss, Sanibel Mayor Richard Johnson, Over Easy Cafe owners

Liza Clouse and Trasi Sharp, and the Rev William “Bill” Van Oss.

SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS EPISCOPAL CHURCH

‘Yizkor ’

Although she was not

What once she was

For too long a time

And although at the end

She was not always there

When you were there for her

And although recall and remembrance

Like the rest of her

Were too dimmed by age and pain

For her to ever again utter your name

Remember instead

The magnificent mother in her

Remember instead

The one whose eyes would burst with light

Whenever you came into her sight

For whom your tiniest step forward

Was a milestone measureless

Remember instead

The one and only one

Among all the billions

Who have lived, loved, lost,

Wept and rested

On this planet

Remember

The one of all the billions

Here now and yet to come,

Bound or unbound

By whatever degrees of separation,

The one who was, is,

And will forever be

The one who loved you first,

The one who loved you most,

The one who loved you longest.

Joe Pacheco Poetic License

F.I.S.H. to hold distribution event

Captiva continues to distribute

rebuilding supplies through its H

(POD) program The next event will take place on June 14 from 9 to 11

Periwinkle Way, Sanibel The program

Tax holiday

Call to ar tists for fundraiser

dents and work-

and some extra hands to lift them. For

manuela@fishofsancap org

From page 26

∫ Nonelectric food storage coolers and portable power banks costing $60 or less

∫ Smoke detectors and smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors costing $70 or less

Dads

From page 27

and openness that engender stronger, more affectionate relationships, which reflect a deeper image of masculinity Dads actually bless their families when they welcome the kindness their families show them on this special day by receiving such kindness as a token of appreciation for the many contributions fathers make

∫ Be sensitive to those persons for whom this day brings painful memories or is emotionally challenging Some in worship will have lost fathers to death since the last

∫ Tarpaulins and other flexible waterproof sheeting, ground anchor systems, portable pet kennels and carriers, dry dog and cat food weighing 50 pounds and fewer, and over-the-counter pet medica-

Father’s Day celebration They will need a gentle reminder that the memories of a loving dad will last the rest of their days Others will not have had the fortune to have grown up with a model father They will need to be assured that God’s grace is sufficient for whatever damage still lingers, and if they are fathers themselves, they can learn from those deficiencies and break any cycle of fatherly dysfunction that might be a part of their family system Still others yearn to be fathers but cannot, or some have chosen not

C

& Resources is seeking artist applications for its Give Your Art To CHR fundraiser This

anniversary Open to ages 18 and older, artists of all levels of experience and disciplines are welcome. Paintings and drawings will be accepted, and CHR will provide canvases and boards Artists must submit a bio and photo, three photographs of previous artwork and a description of their proposed art for the project The application deadline is June 15 at 11:59

tions costing $100 or less

∫ Portable generators used to provide light or communications or to preserve food in a power outage costing $3,000 or less

to be fathers (often for sound reasons)

These men deserve encouragement and support, even as we ask them to consider how they might function in fatherly ways to the people God has placed in their lives

When we consider the many contributions fathers can make to producing spiritually healthy families, we see how important this holiday should be So, let’s give dads their due! They deserve the recognition, and also the reminder that their role is a critical one, a role that must not be vacated lest their

p m Twenty-five artists will be chosen by Aug 1, and the artwork is due on Sept 30 The pieces will be displayed throughout Sanibel and Captiva from early November through the holidays. A gala event and auction will follow on Feb 1, where the artwork will be sold to raise funds for CHR For more information or to apply, visit https://sancapchr org/give-your-art/

com/disasterprep/P ages/default aspx

families fail to become the strong and vibrant places of mutual love and support God created them to be

“Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but a faithful man who can find? The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him” (Prov 20:67 NKJV)

The Rev Dr Doug Dortch is the pastor at the Captiva Chapel by the Sea