Cape Coral Weekend Breeze

VA to hold outreach for women veterans

Female veterans will have the oppor-

t u n i t y t o a t t e n d a V e t e r a n s

Administration event tailored to them, where they can experience a one-stopshop of vital healthcare information

The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System will hold outreach events exclusive to women veterans on June 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The events will take place

“

“It’s really a terrific opportunity to find out if you’re eligible for VA care. And also, if you’re already enrolled, you can see if you're eligible for increased service connection due to our PACT Act screening, which will be provided at both locations ”

Donna Sherman, Bay Pines VA Women Veteran Program manager

at the C W Bill Young VA Medical Center in Bay Pines, as well as the Lee County Healthcare Center in Cape Coral

Organizers state the outreach is being held to inform and educate women veterans about gender-specific medical and

ECHO Family Fun Farm Tours set to return this Saturday

mental health services available to them through VA, enroll them for VA’s medical benefits package, assist with disability claims, and more All women veterans and their loved ones are encouraged to attend at no cost.

“It’s really a terrific opportunity to find out if you’re eligible for VA care,” said Donna Sherman, a licensed clinical social worker and the Bay Pines VA

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers

com

A North Fort Myers High School graduate has been selected to participate in the

Foundation Internship Program

“Working for the Television Academy is truly surreal,”

Avery King said

The walking tours begin at 10 a m and will be held this Saturday and again on Saturday, July 20, at ECO’s Regional Impact Center in North Fort Myers.

The Family Fun Farm Tour began in 2016 with periodic breaks throughout the years See ECHO, page 35

IF YOU GO What:

Family Fun Farm Tours

When: Saturday, June 22, at 10 a m

Where: ECO’s Regional Impact Center is at 17391 Durrance Road, North Fort Myers

Avery King

Cape Coral hires new Public Works director

Matthew Williams, a civil engineer, to head city department; has floodplain management certification

B a c h e l o r ’ s D e g r e e i n C i v i l E n g i n e e r i n g f r o m t h e

C o l o r a d o S c h o o l o f M i n e s H e i s a c e r t i f i e d f l o o d p l a i n m a n a g e r a n d h a s p r o f e s s i o n a l e n g i n e e r i n g l i c e n s e s i n

b o t h C o l o r a d o a n d F l o r i d a H i s c a r e e r h a s b e e n m a r k e d

b y s i g n i f i c a n t c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o h i g h w a y d e s i g n , r o a dw a y i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , a n d c o m p r e h e n s i v e w a t e r m a n a g e -

m e n t s y s t e m s

B e f o r e t o j o i n i n g t h e c i t y o f C a p e C o r a l , W i l l i a m s s p e n t m o r e t h a n 1 9 y e a r

Museum seeks volunteers for Red, White & BOOM!

C a p e

C o r a l B r i d g e

“ T h i s i s t h e f i r s t y e a r f o r t h e m u s e u m t o v o l u n t e e r a t t h e

“This is the first year for the museum to volunteer at the event The city’s Special Events Division approached us to run the beer booths this year, and we happily accepted the challenge This will be a great way to raise funds for the museum while also serving the community and having a blast celebrating our country’s birth.”

— Janel Trull, executive director, Cape Coral Museum of History

Matthew Williams

CAPE CORAL BREE ZE

RAYMOND M. ECKENRODE Publisher

VALARIE HARRING, Executive Editor

CHRIS STRINE, Editor

2510 Del Prado Blvd • Cape Coral, FL, 33904

• Phone 239-574-1110 – Fax 239-574-5693

Member Florida Press Association

Informed voters key to good governance

Election year 2024’s political climate continues to heat up with the likelihood of another tempest of record proportion.

And that’s unfortunate

When rhetoric reigns, bold promises thunder and emotions flash, it’s easy to lose sight of why we not only weather the storm but embrace it: We, as Americans, have an obligation to our elected form of governance

We, as Americans, understand that voting is more than a right: It is a duty, a duty that must be performed to the best our individual ability

That is our bedrock

We concede that the philosophy of “team politics” with its blind adherence to this party or that or loyalty to a particular candidate has become a bunker for many on the state and national front.

We concede that campaigns focused solely on a hot-button issue or two can drive and determine local races

But we believe that the truism cited by founder Thomas Jefferson back in 1789 when he was explaining the strength of a new form of government to a detractor: “Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government ”

On the national level, the two major party candidates for the Office of President, incumbent Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump, have agreed to televised debates

Hosted by CNN, the first is scheduled for next Thursday, June 27, in Atlanta It is slated to start at 9 p m

To be hosted by ABC, the second is scheduled for Sept 10

If conducted well, these forums will add a unique perspective on the face of these candidacies, if not their depth

On the local level, there are a multitude of key races up for grabs Five non-partisan, at-large races for Cape Coral City Council; a first-time-since-the-’70s race for Lee County superintendent of schools; one at-large and two district-only school board races; two at-large county commission races and three constitutional office races as well as state House and Senate races

Here in Cape Coral, a majority of the eight Cape Coral City

See EDITORIAL, page 7

This week’s poll question:

What do you think will win the first Presidential Debate?

∫ Biden

∫ Trump

∫ Don’t care, my mind is made up

∫ No opinion either way Vote at capecoralbreeze com

Previous poll question

What do you think of the administrative law judge’s recommended order that could green light permitting for the removal of the Chiquita Lock?

∫ I agree The lock should be removed 63.5%

∫ I disagree The city should replace the lock 12%

∫ No opinion either way 24.7%

* Total votes at press time: 202 votes Percentages are “rounded ’ Poll results are not scientific and represent only the opinions of

Lee Health Board of Directors votes to move forward

Lee Health has been assessing the benefits and considerations of converting to a community-focused nonprofit health system to determine if a new governance structure is in the best interest of the residents of Lee County The case for the transition from a public governmental system has been clearly articulated by and holds unanimous support from the senior leadership of Lee Health. I am pleased to share that on June 13, the Lee Health Board of Directors voted overwhelmingly in support of moving forward with the process to return to a community-focused nonprofit health system

The vote by the Lee Health Board of Directors follows months of thoughtful and deliberate work, first, reviewing the findings of the independent evaluation report, which recommended Lee Health should continue the conversion process and, second, conducting a deep analysis to determine how conversion would affect our ability to deliver on our safety-net mission

Commentary

Throughout the process, Lee Health has been clear that securing Lee Health’s safety-net mission is of the utmost importance Today’s vote affirms our commitment to caring for Lee County’s most vulnerable residents now and in the future By transitioning to a community-focused nonprofit, we can better secure the resources needed to uphold our safety-net mission and ensure continued delivery of exceptional healthcare for the residents of Lee County

Conversion to a community-focused nonprofit will help

safeguard a financially strong and resilient Lee Health that supports our vibrant community As the largest employer in the county, employing nearly 16,000 staff members and providing care through more than 2 6 million patient encounters per year, the opportunities conversion allows will help to strengthen our standing in the community and support our ability to provide the safe, high-quality care Lee County residents have come to expect from its health system for generations to come

Additionally, this transition will enable us to compete fairly in a dynamic and challenging healthcare economy, allowing us to enhance and diversify programs, services and community access points to meet patients where they need care Operating as a community-focused nonprofit system will also enhance our flexibility and help ensure that the productive partnership we enjoy with Lee County and its residents continues and flourishes. We look forward to continuing to work together in innovative ways with our community partners to serve the residents of Lee County

It’s important to know that local control will remain a cornerstone of our governance, with leadership and representation drawn from across the community To ensure we uphold our commitments, we have proposed the creation of an oversight board dedicated to confirming that Lee Health lives up to

See GUEST COMMENTARY, page 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Yacht Club redevelopment

To the editor:

I walked around The Boathouse area today after the city demolished the Yacht Club building, the pool and the senior center It is flat vacant land It is unfortunate that the City Council, in its infinite wisdom, chose to spend nearly $1 million to demo this area when their insurance company said there was only $25,000 worth of damage to the Yacht Club Ballroom due to Hurricane Ian

Now that the area is vacant, I am imploring Council to abandon its inane plan to build a community center building, resort-style pool and four-story parking garage Please go slow with the redevelopment of this land The only good ideas in their plan are to add a second restaurant, to move the boat launch into the marina and to expand the beach

The new restaurant should be built directly north of The Boathouse where the old pool used to be The rest of the vacant land should be used for free ground-level parking This area does not need a resort-style pool that you have to pay to get into, nor does it need a four-story garage that you will have to pay to get into in order to enjoy the beach and restaurant(s) The community center is just plain inappropriate for this area, too

Go slow! See how a second restaurant, a wider beach and additional free parking affects the usage of this area before jumping in with grand plans that may not pan out, especially if we have to pay to go to enjoy this area

The Council plan also includes adding a new seawall parallel to the existing seawall all around the perimeter of the marina and the canals to the east and north Is this necessary? Was there an engineering study that said the existing seawalls were in poor shape? We have been waiting two years for this seawall to be replaced They haven’t even started the seawall and it may take another year or two to finish it

In the meantime, the city kicked out all the boats in the marina two years ago The city used to rent out about 110 slips in the marina I heard the monthly rental of a slip was around $400 This means that over the last two years, the city lost about $1 million in rental income and will lose another $1 million in the next two years while replacing the seawall!

I encourage everyone to go visit the Yacht Club area right now and walk around the vacant site and imagine the best use of this land for the citizens of Cape Coral Do you want a laidback, old-Florida feel for our city or a “destination” area that you have to pay to get into?

Then let your voices be heard by the City Council

Ken Kendrick Cape Coral

Chiquita Lock from a boat owner’s perspective and why the lock must be removed

To the editor:

Over the past 14 years I have traveled through the Chiquita Lock hundreds of times When the lock was operational and we waited for our turn for more than an hour sometimes on holidays and in-season weekends, we had plenty of time to observe people as well as wildlife including manatees and dolphins moving around the lock area

I have seen the slow lumbering manatees swim into the lock while boats are moving in and out under power The boats move back and forth to position themselves against the lock wall using forward and reverse movements Once the manatees are in the lock they face injury and death from boats large and small as props are spinning all around them They have nowhere to go to get out of the way and there is no safe way to mix power boats and marine life in small, confined spaces like the Chiquita Lock It is distressing to see the deep cuts and painful looking damage to the backs of the manatee caused unintentionally by boats just operating as they should in the lock. Even at slow speeds the props and motor skags can be deadly to animals and people These animals must be traumatized while trapped in the lock with numerous boats moving all around them

A few years ago while in the lock we saw a small manatee struggling to get free of the slow closing lock door behind us

The manatee moved in a violent fashion flapping its tail and, after being trapped in the door momentarily, it eventually freed itself and got through How do we know that these partially crushed manatees that are still alive as they swim away aren’t suffering from internal injuries and eventually die? Can it get any more inhumane and traumatizing than this? These types of tragedies probably happen more than we know and will only stop when the lock is removed

Since public safety is and has to be everyone’s No 1 goal we have to consider the long lines waiting to lock through as dangerous for boaters Boats line up for hundreds of yards in both directions waiting for their turn to lock through When you have up to 50 boats waiting for the lock all crowded together battling current and wind you are asking for trouble

The people who suggest replacing the current lock with a “high speed lock” have likely never been in the lock and observed how long it takes to get the boats in and tied off before the lock operator can close the door Depending on the size of the boats, there can be as many as six or eight

Dr. Larry Antonucci Guest

Summer break is here!

The joyous sounds of hundreds of our students tossing their caps in celebration filled the air as the Class of 2024 graduated this May These graduates are now embarking on diverse paths: entering the workforce, joining the military, pursuing technical education, or attending traditional colleges They leave us with cherished memories of friendships, family moments, a n d a c h i e v e m

STEM, and various clubs With their hardearned technical certifications and mastery of social, cultural, civic, and political skills, they are well-prepared to become confident, productive, and happy members of society Congratulations, graduates!

Now that we have closed out another school year, we reflect on its challenges and accomplishments High expectations have been met, and valuable lessons have been learned As we move forward, we remain committed

From page 4

focuses on preparing all students for life after graduation, enhancing a safe learning and workplace culture,

strengthening student, family, and community partnerships, and improving internal operating systems This plan ensures each student achieves their highest personal potential, and we are dedicated to meeting these goals

The work of our strategic p

Cathleen O’Daniel Morgan Guest

Commentary

the summer For our teachers and administrators, the first week of summer break was dedicated to professional development, with teach-

boats tying up one at a time inside of the lock The speed of the lock is not the problem, the time it takes to lock through is directly attributable to the time it takes boaters to navigate into and secure their boat inside of the lock and eventually pull out slowly without running into each other or the exposed lock mechanisms

Boat engines of any type are not meant to sit and idle for long periods of time it is bad for the engines and in the case of inboard motors there are carbon monoxide fumes that build up in engine compartments and even fuel leaks that could easily explode due to lack of ventilation This happens all of the time when gasoline powered inboard motors sit and idle Bilge blowers do not ventilate as well as the ventilation provided by the boat moving forward at planing speed as designed There is no place to tie up outside of the lock and therefore no way to turn off your motors because you are constantly moving or maintaining your boat in position Shifting in and out of gear constantly is certainly not good for the boats and dangerous in general for people in the boat We have seen and heard more than a few shouting matches as boats get too close for comfort

It is well past time for the lock to be removed for the safety of people and our valued wildlife

Tom Kraska Cape Coral

Many thanks

To the editor;

We just wanted to take a moment to share with the community an uplifting experience we shared with complete strangers a few months ago

My husband and I were in a car accident I was driving and the car malfunctioned and accelerated on its own, causing us to strike a building Within moments Dr Sam Desai, DDS and his patient John Fournier came out of the building and assisted me exiting the vehicle

My arm was bleeding very badly With the car leaking fluids they had me sit on the curb at a safe distance from the car while they worked to get my husband over the center console, which they succeeded at Peggy Tavares from the Thrift Store located across the street from the accident brought towels for my arm, because it was bleeding profusely, and waited with us until the ambulance arrived

Our gratitude for these SPECIAL people CAN NOT be expressed with words We are so lucky to have community members like these folks.

With sincere appreciation, Betty and Charlie Shogren Cape Coral

Not so impressive

To the editor:

Gov DeSantis announced on June 10 that he was committed to approving a teacher salary increase of $1 25 billion for the 24-25 Fiscal Budget This is in addition to the “impressive” job of increasing starting teacher pay by a little over $8,000 in 2019

Florida has a debit of 9,000 teachers statewide. These are the new teachers who will benefit from an increased starting

enhancing their skills and preparing for the upcoming year For some students, it brings more structured pursuits: catching up on credits, taking enrichm e n t c o u r s e s , a t t e n

g STEAM camps, and participating in internships to build personal and professional skills Many of our staff members are at work supporting these summer sessions; from bus drivers continuing to deliver our s

schools clean and ready for the new school year

Our leadership team will use this precious time to plan and ensure that budgets, poli-

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

salary Just how much will they make? The average starting salary, according to DeSantis’ website, is $48,000 If he adds $10,000, as he says, the new teachers, making $58,000, will be making more than the average teacher state teacher salary of $54,000! Where does this leave the current teachers? Front-loading of salaries for new teachers is a time-honored tradition in school systems As a 36-year retired teaching veteran of a Maryland county, this was met with derision by teachers in the system who were in an already “compressed” salary system (meaning they did not receive an increase for several years in a row) and did not receive a salary increase without pushback from the teacher’s union for some form of increase DeSantis’ salary increases for starting teachers may attract new teachers, but it will not retain existing teachers if they do not receive an equally exceptional raise

I suggest they go to Maryland Their starting salary could be as high as $59,640 with a first year Bachelor’s degree and $116,807 with a Master’s degree in Montgomery County And they would be appreciated for their work However, they’d miss the wonderful Florida weather

Cindy Perouty Fort Myers

Equal justice for all

To the editor:

I am a Democrat and currently living in Lehigh Acres I have been a Democrat all my life I am very upset and disturbed that Trump is still a candidate for the Presidency

I have a 41-year-old son who happens to be a felon and cannot get a job He recently in September went to school to get his CDL Class A license to better himself for his son and still cannot get a job He got a call from a major big box store and when he told them he was a felon that was the end of the conversation To work for a grocery chain as a driver!

If you can be a felon and can be President, they need to remove “felony” off all job applications, rental applications and professional certifications If the highest position in the land can be taken by a felon, all positions should follow suit!

Something must be done for all the lower-middle class citizens

Very upset mother here!

Florida. Love it or stay home

To the editor:

Here we go again

Rosy Cruz Lehigh Acres

Reading a letter from a recent transplant who is going from an Independent to a Democrat because she does not like the way Florida is governed What? You didn’t check why the residents of Florida are pleased before moving here?

Newcomers leave their terribly run states to move to Florida and now want to change it to the way their state was ruined and probably why they left

Som clarifications regarding the letter:

Reproductive care it’s going in front of the voters in November If your state is better, you can stay there

Hamper sexual content books in our grade schools: If anyone wants their kids exposed to filth, online has anything a person could want We want to keep Florida schools clean

Up north they go in for supporting everything but the

cies, and staffing are aligned for a successful start to the 2024-25 school year

Whether our students and staff are out for only part of or all of summer break, it is important to make time to detach from the classroom routine and enjoy the different rhythms of the season This time of year offers a chance for relaxation and vacation, which is incredibly important to

school year

To all district employees, thank you for your unwavering dedication to providing high-quality educational experiences and safe learning environments for every Lee County student Enjoy your summer, and we look forward to seeing you all again in August!

Cathleen O'Daniel Morgan represents District 7 School Board of Lee County

American Flag Fly any flag you want, but remember, Florida is an American state; we fly the American Flag

We didn’t have a water quality problem until all of the people from up north starting flooding into Florida, bringing their dogs that poop to get caught in water runoff, and fertilizing lawns, not to mention personal sewage

Dismantling Social Security: Probably more people on Social Security here than any other state in the nation Cracking down on Medicare fraud is hardly cutting down benefits One of my doctors is serving seven years for Medicare fraud and he is just a start of what needs to happen

Don’t move to Florida and want to change it to what you left up north Get educated why we have such a wonderful state before moving here, it’s NOT just the weather Be a solution, not the problem

BTW, I moved my business here 35 years ago because of taxes and unfriendly to small businesses in my previous state. I did my research before moving Best move I ever made, I moved to join the residents of Florida, NOT change them Chuck Fedora Cape Coral

The impor tance of positive family and childcare provider interactions

To the editor:

Whenever a child is going to a childcare facility it is extremely important to have a positive open line of communication with the teachers, facility staff and parents Providing times for parents to come in and speak with the staff and or teacher is key for the success of this By parents and providers having an open line of communication and working together they are setting up the children for success

There are many ways to offer this communication and involvement One way a facility can offer this is to have regular family activities planned By opening the doors for families to come in and do things with their students instead of only dropping them off this offers a relaxed environment for all to interact This will also show the children the positive environment that they are in Memory-making activities are a great place to start with these scheduled activities A center can offer a meal with the parents, a craft night, a family game night, etc This is not only allowing the communication and interaction but creating memories for the families

Another way to keep lines of communication open is a regular scheduled conference This is a more formal way of communicating for the teacher, staff and parents By offering conference times parents are able to sit directly with the teacher in a more quiet setting and discuss all concerns and positive events for the child This is a great way for parents and teachers to create a plan for the child’s success

One other way for a center to continue open lines of communication for parents is to offer monthly calendars show all activities going on, flyers, letters and other information relevant to the child. Parents being able to call the center to ask questions is also imperative

By working together a childcare facility and the parents of the student are able to create a safe and positive environment for the children Children that are able to be happy and feel safe are better prepared for kindergarten and later years in school

Kellie

McIntosh Cape Coral

Editorial: Well-informed voters are the route to good governance on all levels of government

From page 4

Council races will be determined by voters this year

Candidates seeking your vote are:

■ In District 2: incumbent Dan Sheppard, Craig Unroe, and Laurie Lehmann

■ In District 3: former District 7 council member Dr Derrick Donnell, Daniel J Ludlow, Deborah Lee McCormick and Chad Bruening

■ In District 4: incumbent Richard Carr, William Matthews, Robert J Sutter, and former District 4 council member Jennifer Nelson

■ In District 5: incumbent Robert Welsh, Joseph Kilraine, Jason Conzelman, and Charles Pease

■ In District 7: Michael David Harper and Rachel Kaduk

Local races are the ones that most impact our day-to-day lives and pocketbooks

While mailers, websites and other political advertising funded by candidate campaigns may abound, debates or multi-candidate Q&As are scant

It’s a tad tougher to become informed although we believe that local media outlets, including The Breeze, do a good job with preelection coverage A list of the candidates who qualified last Friday for the various local seats and offices may be found on our “Week in Review” on page 14

Local election coverage will begin in earnest next week with additional information for Cape Coral City Council candi-

General Election with “Questions of the Week” on city issues

We invite you to read in print or on online at capecoralbreeze com

Thanks to a number of community organizations, there also are opportunities

to come out and meet the candidates before the Primary Upcoming events include:

■ The Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center and Museum, at 4522 Del Prado Blvd S , will host an open-to-the-public candidate meet-and-greet event on June 26 from 6-8 p m

■ T h

Commerce will host its 2024 Candidates HobNob at the Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral at 360 Santa Barbara Blvd on July 23 The free and open-to-the-public event will run from 5:30- 8 p m and will offer an opportunity to meet the 2024 city, county, state, and federal candidates. To RSVP, visit www capecoralchamber com

■ T

Industry Association will host Cape Coral City Council candidates at its monthly dinner meeting on Aug 8 The meeting will run from 5:30- 8 p m and takes place at Cape Cabaret at 4725 Vincennes Blvd For

more information, visit wwww cccia org

We thank the organizations that have put these events, and others like them together We have found them to be well worth attending

W e h a v e t w o e l e c t i o n s r a p i d l y approaching the Aug 20 Primary and the Nov 5 General Election

Let us quote Thomas Jefferson again: “The government you elect is the government you deserve ” If our belief is we deserve better, we, as voters, must do better

If casting a ballot is the foundation of sound governance, information is its underpinning

There is ample opportunity to be well informed

May we all take advantage of it this election season as the political winds blow

Breeze editorial

Guest Commentary: Lee Health looks ‘to return to a community-focused nonprofit health system’

From page 4

the promises made to the residents of Lee County in the legally binding Mission Agreement

Significant stakeholder outreach and engagement continues to be a top priority and so far has included 19 public information sessions and public hearings, more than 25 education and feedback meetings with Lee

Health physicians and staff More than a dozen meetings with stakeholders have ranged from the Greater Community Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance to local chambers of commerce, to community homeowner associations, industry action committees, elected officials and many more I am deeply grateful for the hard work and dedication that brought us to this phase, and

the engagement of our leadership team, team members and community We look forward to finalizing the Mission Agreement with the Lee County Board of County Commissioners over the next several months to ensure Lee Health continues to be the safety-net provider for Lee County, caring for patients regardless of their ability to pay, and to conducting formal votes by the Lee County Board of

Commissioners and the Lee Health Board of Directors to complete the process

For more details, regular updates, and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit LeeHealth org/LookingAhead

Dr Larry Antonucci is the president and chief executive officer of Lee Health.

Agree? Disagree? Weigh in! Letters, guest opinions, comments welcome

The views expressed on the Opinions pages are just that opinions. These pages are intended to convey a range of viewpoints; opinions printed on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. Opposing views are welcome. Letters to the editor or guest columns may be e-mailed to vharring@breezenewspapers.com. All letters and guest opinions must be signed and must include a phone number for verification purposes. Readers are also invited to comment on any letter or editorial opinion online at: capecoralbreeze.com.

A junior at Cape Coral High School jump-started a Solar Car Team this past year Mason Huffman wanted to encourage fellow students to pursue STEM classes and opportunities They also did outreach to middle schools in Cape Coral Above, the race is on

CCHS Solar Car Team looks to next year’s SunChase Competition

A junior at Cape Coral High School began a Solar Car Team this past school year to inspire students to pursue STEM classes.

As a youngster, Mason Huffman participated and won many middle school solar car competitions that were hosted at F l o r i d a G u l f C

c

m p

t i t i o n

p

v i d e d h i m w i

h

h e opportunity to watch high school teams f r o m a c r o s s F l o r i d a c o m p e t e i n t h e

SunChase Solar Car Competition, which ultimately inspired him to create his own team at Cape Coral High School

“The CCHS Solar Car Team would be a perfect outlet in teaching students about the importance of sustainable energy and e n g i n e e r i n g b y o r g a n i z i n g o u t r e a c h events where students were able to build their own miniature solar cars,” he said

The team received a $2,000 LCEC

E n v i r o n m e n t a l F u n d i n g G r a n t , w h i c h was a significant part in funding the team This competitive grant is awarded twice a year to projects and programs dedicated to the environment and utility industry, Huffman said

“Without LCEC’s generous donation of $2,000 we wouldn’t be able to kickstart our team and begin acquiring necessary materials such as our car’s frame and electric motor,” he said

The team would like to express its g r a t

Jackson, Vice Principal, Mr Beall, and

Team Sponsor/Teacher, Ms Kimble in helping us establish the Cape Coral High School Solar Car Team and achieve our goals,” Huffman said

The team currently has eight members, a l l o f w h o m

H

enrolled Cape Coral High School student that is passionate about STEM

“Membership is open to any currently enrolled Cape Coral High School students with an unweighted GPA of 3 5 or above Students can sign up by filling out o

https://cchssolarcarteam wixsite com/cch s/eligibility or by contacting one of our team members,” he said

In 2025, Huffman and his teammates w i

C

a

e Competition, which is hosted annually by FGCU in April He said some teams travel from as far as Miami and Tampa to participate in the competition

“The competition consists of two parts the presentation of the solar car and the race,” Huffman said

The presentation portion provides students an opportunity to showcase their

mechanical systems used in their solar go-kart, as well as a description and justification for the modification done to the go-kart

“The second part of the competition is the demonstration of the performance of

Team: Building an interest in STEM programs and careers a goal of new solar car group at Cape

From page 8

the vehicles through multiple sprint and endurance races As a first-time participant in the 2025 SunChase Solar Car Competition, we are extremely excited to be representing Cape Coral and compete against other high schools from Florida,” Huffman said

Beyond the competition, another goal is to inspire students from Lee County schools to learn more while having a deeper understanding of sustainable energy and engineering

“Ultimately, we hope to increase students’ interest in pursuing further studies in this field at the college level,” he said

This past year, some of the team members traveled to the MIT campus over spring break to meet with the MIT Solar Car Team and discuss the construction of a solar car.

“Additionally, we reached out to the FGCU College of Engineering faculty to gain insights into the building process and receive suggestions on enhancing the performance of our vehicle Florida Gulf Coast University donated solar-car kits and tracks which we used for the outreach events this past year,” Huffman said

The team did a few two-and-a-half-hour outreach events at Trafalgar Middle School and Mariner Middle School this past school year as well They taught students the basic solar car construction, solar cells, optimal angle for solar panel orientation and how gears affect speed and torque

“Students built their own solar cars and raced them in a solar car competition afterward Over 60 middle school students have participated in our outreach events and expressed great interest in joining the team once they advance to high school,” Huffman said “We were so happy to see students eagerly building their cars and learning about the fundamentals behind solar cars

For this upcoming school year, they aspire to host more outreach events for middle school students and promote STEM education in Southwest Florida

“Also, we would like to participate in the 2025 Lee County School District STEMtastic and Collier County Public School STEAM Expo to showcase not only solarpowered cars, but also hydrogen fuel-cell powered cars

Mason Huffman, a rising senior at Cape Coral High School, presents information on Cape Coral High School’s Solar Car Team. The team, which has eight members, is open to students interested in STEM classes and opportunities. It hopes to compete next year at the FGCU-hosted SunChase Solar Car Competition as well as participate in other events.

and saltwater fuel-cell powered cars,” Huffman said.

In addition, this school year the team will begin building its solar car With that said, they are still actively seeking funding to cover the cost of solar panels, batteries, wheels, safety equipment, and other electronic components Those interested in sponsoring the team

cchssolarcarteam@gmail com

“Once we secure the necessary materials, we aim to

SunChase Solar Car Competition,” he said.

The team also looking is for mentors who can assist them in optimizing their solar car’s performance

“We would greatly appreciate mentorship during the building process, particularly from specialists willing to meet with our team in the upcoming school year,” Huffman said

For more information, videos, and photographs, visit h

programs

PHOTO PROVIDED

LadyCakes Bakery has a sweet move in the making

New location to embody the ‘foodie atmosphere’ of the South Cape with a fun, urban twist

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

A Cape Coral go-to that has spent the last 10 years providing tasty sweet treats to members of the community and beyond is preparing for its next chapter with a new location

LadyCakes Bakery has announced they will next find a home along Cape Coral Parkway in the coming months, as its former storefront will close to the public this Saturday

Construction is currently under way for the new spot, fitting in with the bakery’s usual two-week summer break Owner Bess Charles said she hopes the transition will be complete by the end of July This updated venue is being designed and specially tailored to LadyCakes and what they do best, along with providing customers with more of an interactive and immersive experience when visiting the bakery.

“This new space will be built just for what we need, and we adjusted the layout that we need to run efficiently,” Charles said “We’re really making it for us It’s exciting ”

LadyCakes, in its 10 years of operation in the Cape on Del Prado Boulevard, has earned local and national acclaim, being voted “Best Bakery” from 2014 to 2023 in the Breeze Newspapers’ “Best Of” readers choice competition, and was honored as one of the top 10 Best Bakeries in the state in 2019

Charles said while the move in an uncertain economic business climate is one that comes with uncertainty, with no risk comes no reward

“It’s definitely scary, but without any sort of risk, businesses don’t grow, they stay stag-

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Jeff and Bess Charles, owners of LadyCakes Bakery, are getting ready to move from their 10-year location at 2924 Del Prado Blvd to 477 Cape Coral Parkway East where their new space is being specially tailored

nant,” she said “After 10 years in business, we’re really fortunate to have such a big community following in Southwest Florida, and without that following, this move wouldn’t be possible We’re grateful and very excited for what is in store for after the location opens ”

Charles said the new spot, to be located at 477 Cape Coral Parkway East, will feature all of the same beloved cake and cupcake creations, with a new, fun urban twist

“I wanted to make sure the new location

really captured that kind of foodie atmosphere that downtown Cape Coral has,” she said “I think downtown Cape Coral has really expanded into this hub of really good, unique food experiences

“I wanted to make sure we fit within that mold and that vibe.”

The new LadyCakes will feature a graffiti wall, one-of-a-kind spaces for fun photo opportunities, and other experiences

“It will be more than just this ‘homey,’

quaint bakery that it always has been for the last 10 years,” Charles said “I’m excited for that artistic kind of spin that the bakery will have.”

Naturally being in one location for 10 years, LadyCakes is taking the week to reminisce on fond memories There have been pregnancy announcements, engagements, wedding announcements, and plenty of happy times have taken place

“Over the last 10 years this place has held a lot of memories, not just for us, but for our customers,” Charles said “But looking towards the future, it’s going to be so bright ”

Charles, who grew up baking with her mother and grandmother, has always had a passion for baking and letting her creative side out What started as a passion project in her kitchen that became overwhelming, she and her husband, who has a background in restaurant management, dove head-first into creating LadyCakes in 2014 and haven’t looked back

“I was an at-home hobby baker for nine years before we opened our location,” Charles said “It got to the point where the athome hobby baking was taking over our lives ”

Charles, looking at a kitchen covered in flour and sugar, talked to her husband one night and said “something’s got to change ” So her husband quit his job and they put all of their savings into the new business When they first opened they occupied one unit, and that grew to two units, and eventually a third all side-by-side

“We had a customer base before moving

See LADYCAKES, page 13

LadyCakes: Promises to

From page 12

in, but that just catapulted into something much larger than I ever thought it would be,”

Charles said “I’m a huge believer that if you’re not willing to take risks, and not willing to fall straight on your face, you’ll learn nothing And that’s kind of been our motto and our story We just spread our wings and jumped knowing there was a net there to catch us, and the community was that net

Over the last 10 years, they’ve carried us through some of the hardest times Southwest Florida has ever seen, and I’m sure the next 10 years they’ll do the same thing ” Charles said she believes what sets LadyCakes apart other than their creative and

continue ‘baking memories’ with all of its popular favs and new taste treats

“I wanted to make sure the new location really captured that kind of foodie atmosphere that downtown Cape Coral has I think downtown Cape Coral has really expanded into this hub of really good, unique food experiences “I wanted to make sure we fit within that mold and that vibe ”

Bess Charles, owner, LadyCakes Bakery

delicious offerings, is how they operate and interact with their clientele

Being a New York native, she took tidbits from her childhood experiences where bakeries give a family-oriented atmosphere

Where the owners know your mother, father, sister, aunts, cousins.

“I wanted to create that experience,”

Charles said “I wanted it to be more than just a person walking in and placing an order And looking back over the last 10 years, there have been so many families we’ve watched grow, get married, have children I just had my first wedding for a girl who I did her

Christening cake for Through all these years, I’m watching all of these kids and families grow and multiply and they’re all part of our family, as we are theirs ”

LadyCakes specializes in custom creations and custom cakes for all occasions Every day on-site they offer cupcakes, brownies, cookies, and plenty of other goodies, including pre-made cakes that can be inscribed You can’t pass up on their popular “crumb-bun” that sells out every day, which is a rich, buttery cake base topped with a pile of cinnamon and sugar crumble mixture

For more information on LadyCakes, visit www iloveladycakes com or find them on social media @iloveladycakes

Primary, General Election ballots firm up

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

The qualifying period for the 2024 election cycle culminated last Friday, as those looking to toss their hat in the ring to be an elected official must have submitted the proper documents by the deadline

Things were a bit different this year for the Lee County Elections Office, under the watch of Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle, as they were processing more candidates in more races than in previous elections

“This year’s qualifying period was different, as we handled qualifying for the City of Cape Coral and the Town of Fort Myers Beach candidates,” Doyle said Ballots are not quite set in stone

"We are just waiting for the certified list of State candidates from the Florida Division of Elections," Doyle said

All in all, this November’s election will play a vital role in the future of Southwest Florida communities and beyond

“Local, countywide and municipal elections are essential in shaping the future of our communities,” Doyle said “In those elections, residents have the

opportunity to choose the leaders who will represent them and address the needs of the community ”

Among the offices up this election cycle are Cape Coral City Council seats for Districts 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7

City residents hoping to serve on the eight-person elected board must be a registered elector of the city; a permanent resident; a continuous, full-time resident of the city for the entire calendar year preceding their qualification of office; and must reside in the district in which they are seeking office

Cape Coral City Council races are non-partisan Council members are elected at-large meaning voters may cast a ballot in each race regardless of the district in which they live Terms are four years, and members are limited to two consecutive terms

Now qualified:

In District 2, incumbent Dan Sheppard, Craig Unroe, and Laurie Lehmann

In District 3, the seat is held by Tom Hayden who has announced he will not seek re-election, Derrick Donnell, Daniel J Ludlow, Deborah Lee McCormick and Chad Bruening

In District 4, incumbent Richard Carr, William Matthews, Robert J Sutter and former District 4 coun-

A photo taken from a home security system video showing the black bear in Lori Liano’s yard in Bokeelia

PHOTO PROVIDED

cil member Jennifer Nelson

In District 5, incumbent Robert Welsh, Joseph Kilraine, Jason Conzelman and Charles Pease

In District 7, Jessica Cosden has term-limited out and so cannot seek re-election Michael David Harper and Rachel Kaduk have qualified

For the first time since the ’70s, Lee County voters will elect a superintendent of schools The race’s victor will be elected to a four-year term

Current Superintendent Dr Ken Savage has said he will not run As a result of a voter initiative which turned the role into a constitutional office, he will be the last superintendent to be appointed by the Lee County School Board

There are two candidates in the partisan race: Denise Carlin, a Republican, and Victor Arias, a Democrat

There are three Lee County Commission seats up for a vote this year

In District 1, incumbent Kevin Ruane, a Republican, has qualified

In District 3, Ray Sandelli is not seeking re-election David Mulicka (REP), Matthew R Thornton (REP) and

‘There’s no such thing as bears on Pine Island’ Black bear explores Bokeelia resident’s yard

By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

Lori Liano of Marina Drive in Bokeelia said she didn’t know if bears were even seen on Pine Island until she saw one hanging around her yard

“We were leaving for church Sunday morning and Gianna, our 13-year-old, said a racoon must have knocked down the garbage,” Liano said “We looked at the security video to see the raccoon and we saw that it was a bear and he was at the front door and he was at the back door ” Security footage clocked the bear on Liano’s property for at least 10 minutes, she said She asked some of her neighbors about whether or not they’d ever seen

bears and was told to call Florida Fish and Wildlife

“I didn’t even think about seeing a bear here, because we never saw one I reached out to FWC and they put me through to a biologist who said he was probably dispersed from his family and probably swam here,” Liano said

While Liano said the last thing she wants is for anyone to hurt an animal, she does want locals to be aware of the bear’s presence She said her husband estimated the bear’s weight at about 200 pounds

“At the pool this morning I asked, ‘Has anyone seen a bear on Pine Island?’ Everyone said, ‘There’s no such thing as bears on Pine Island,’” Liano said with a laugh

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Gov Ron DeSantis vetoed a $4 million grant appropriation for the Cape Coral Northeast Reservoir Water

Project

City spokesperson Melissa Mickey said the request was for an additional $4 million in funding

“We have already received some grant funding for the project, and we anticipate to apply for additional grant funding as the project continues to progress,” she said Friday “The city has already received approximately $7 6 million in grant funding for the project ”

Mickey said it is important to note that this year

DeSantis invested billions of dollars in Florida’s water quality, Everglades Restoration, the environment and natural resources, as well as environmental cleanup programs

The budget includes $3 1 billion for Florida’s water quality and supply

DeSantis’ Focus on Florida’s Future Budget for fiscal year 2024-2025 is $116 5 billion, which includes reserves that sit at 14 6% of the budget

DeSantis issued $949 6 million in line-item vetoes, which resulted in putting the state’s reserves at $17 0 billion

The governor's vetoed budget items for Lee County also include:

■ Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District – Natural Sinkhole Preservation Project Phase II, $2 million

■ S R 8 2 T r a f f i c S a f e t y I m p r o v e m e n t s f o r Benchmark Avenue, $2,673,775

■ Bonita Beach Road Improvements for Vanderbilt Road to Hickory Drive, $2 million ■

Improvement Project, $1 3 million

■ YMCA of Fort Myers Facility Hardening and Improvements Project, $500,000

■ Fort Myers Fire Station 18,

Amateur Radio Field Day set for this weekend

Public invited to see emergency radio communications in action; get more information on how ham radio connects the world

B y J O H N AT H A N M I N E H A N

n e w s @ b r e e z e n e w s p a p e r s c o m

T h e 8 5 t h a n n u a l A m a t e u r R a d i o F i e l d D a y w i l l b e

m a r k e d

S u n d a y

F i e l d D a y w i l l r u n f r o m 1 0 a m o n S a t u r d a y u n t i l 2

p m o n S u n d a y a t t h e N o r t h F o r t M y e r s C o m m u n i t y

t i o n s a n d p a r k i n g w i l l b e p l e n t i f u l

T h e e v e n t i s o p e n t o t h e p u b l i c , a n d t

s s e m e r g e

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

t i o n , m a k i

i n c e

A m a t e u r R a d i o C l u b h a s p a r t i c i p a t e d f o r n e a r l y 4 0 y e a r s T h e e v e n t i s h o s t e d t o p r a c t i c e r a d i o o p e r a t i o n s n e e d e d t h r o u g h m a j o r s t o r m s o r o t h e r n a t u r a l d i s a s t e r s w h e r e r a d i o c o m m u n i c a t i o n i s o f t h e u t m o s t i m p o rt a n c e T h e F o r t M y e r s A m a t e u r R a d i o C l u b h a s w o r k e d

w i t h E m e r g e n c y O p e r a t i o n s C e n t e r s a n d l o c a l g e o d i v is i o n f i r e s t a t i o n s t o p r o v i d e a b a c k u p i n c a s e i m m e d i a t e

e m e r g e n c y r a d i o o p e r a t i o n s a r e n ’ t a v a i l a b l e F i e l d D a y i n c l u d e s s e t t i n g u p t e m p o r a r y r a d i o s t at i o n s i n v a r i o u s l o c a t i o n s , s u c h a s p a r k s , o p e n f i e l d s , o r p a r k i n g l o t s T h i s s c e n a r i o a l l o w s t h e p a r t y i n v o l v e d t o

p r e p a r e f o r a n e v e n t t h a t w o u l d b e l e s s t h a n i d e a l

T h e m a i n f e a t u r e s o f t h e e v e n t w i l l i n c l u d e : ■ O p e r a t i n g o n E m e r g e n c y P o w e r : P a r t i c i p a n t s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o u s e t h e i r r a d i o s t a t i o n s u s i n g a l t e r n at i v e p o w e r s o u r c e s , s u c h a s g e n e r a t o r s , b a t t e r i e s , o r s o l a r p o w e r , t o s i m u l a t e t h e c o n d i t i o n s o f a p o w e r o u t -

a g e d u r i n g a n e m e r g e n c y

■ S e t t i n g U p T e m p o r a r y A n t e n n a s : H a m r a d i o

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

n i c a t i o n o v e r v a r i o u s b a n d s a n d f r e q u e n c i e s T h i s h e l p s

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

r a d i o e q u i p m e n t

■ C o n t a c t i n g O t h e r S t a t i o n s : P a r t i c i p a n t s a i m t o m a k e a s m a n y c o n t a c t s w i t h o t h e r h a m r a d i o s t a t i o n s a s

p o s s i b l e w i t h i n a 2 4 - h o u r p e r i o d . P o i n t s a r e a w a r d e d

f o r e a c h c o n t a c t m a d e , a n d b o n u s p o i n t s m a y b e e a r n e d f o r f a c t o r s l i k e u s i n g a l t e r n a t i v e p o w e r s o u r c e s o r i n c o r p o r a t i n g n e w t e c h n o l o g i e s ■ P u b l i c A w a r e n e s s : I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e e m e r g e n c y p r e p a r e d n e s s a s p e c t , F i e l d D a y a l s o s e r v e s a s a n o p p o r -

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

c o m m u n i t y t o m a k e a r a d i o c o n t a c t u n d e r t h e s u p e r v is i o n o f a l i c e n s e d o p e r a t o r “ F i e l d D a y i s s p o n s o r e d b y t h e A m e r i c a n R a d i o

R e l a y L e a g u e , t h e n a t i o n a l o r g a n i z a t i o n f o r A m a t

R a d i o I n C a n

( R a d i o A m a t e u r s o f C a n a d

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

The event is hosted to practice radio operations needed through major storms or other natural disasters where radio communication is of the utmost importance The Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club has worked with Emergency Operations Centers and local geo division fire stations to provide a backup in case immediate emergency radio operations aren’t available.

If You Go

l i c s e r v i c e d u r i n g e m e r g e n c i e s a n d a c t i v e l y e n g a g e s i n o t h e r c o m m un i t y

w h i c h c o

Red, White & Booze Pub Crawl to kick off July 4th festivities

South Cape event offers opportunity to vist multiple venues for specialty beverages & appetizers

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

Looking to kick off your 4th of July festivities early?

O n J u n e 2 9 , t h e S o u t h C a p e H o s p i t a l i t y a n d

Entertainment Association’s inaugural Red, White & Booze Pub Crawl hits South Cape where attendees can enjoy patriotic food and appetizer options at various local establishments

The event runs from 7 to 11 p m , and a wristband secures patrons a drink and appetizer sample at each location

“SCHEA is incredibly excited to celebrate the nation’s birthday with the community through this patriotic pub crawl,” said SCHEA spokesperson Shannon Quinn “We are thrilled to bring together friends, neighbors and visitors alike to South Cape to join in the festivities It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase our vibrant community spirit while enjoying great company and exploring local venues ”

Instead of the usual trolley transportation, pub-crawlers will be transported via limo buses to four designated areas, where you can then walk to multiple participating locations.

“The trolleys are currently undergoing refurbishment, so we’ve introduced a new element to recent events,” Quinn said “While we encourage participants to walk the crawl, we also have two limo buses available for transportation to four designated locations These limos feature vibrant lighting, music and air conditioning perfect for a June event ”

As always, attendees are encouraged to dress up and show off their patriotism The “best dressed” who enter the photo booth contest will also score tickets to SCHEA’s upcoming BaconFest Trolley Event on Aug 31

“Participants should dress in red, white and blue patriotic attire to add to the festive atmosphere of the event,” Quinn said “It’s a fun way to show national pride, connect with others and enjoy the lively celebration together ”

Participating locations and their samples include:

If You Go

What:

Red, White & Booze Pub Crawl

When: Saturday, June 29, from 7 to 11 p m

Check-in: Regular check-in is from 6 to 7:30 pm. at Big John’s Plaza (near Pinch-a-Penny) and Dolphin Key Resort (under the entry awning) Late check-in is until 10 p m at Dolphin Key Resort

Tickets: For tickets and additional information, visit www southcapeentertainment com

■ Ralph’s Place - Jello Shots & Whiskey Smokies

■ Rusty’s Raw Bar & Grill - TBD & BBQ Ribs

■ Rack’em Spirits & Times - Ricky Bobby & Beanie Weenies

■ Dixie Roadhouse - Firecracker & Apple Pie

■ Tiki Hut - Watermelon Peach Lemonade & Bourbon

BBQ Meatballs

■ T i t o ’

Empanadas

& M i n i

Quinn said it’s sure to be a great evening out on the town for all who attend Be sure to get your passport stamped at each location to enter into a drawing for the grand prize

“Participants can expect an evening filled with patriotic flair and community spirit at the Red, White & Booze Pub Crawl,” she said “They’ll get to sample patrioticthemed appetizers and drinks, dress in festive attire and we are adding special entertainment a stilt walker, ‘Way Too Tall Torrie ’”

It’s also always exciting to see what concoctions the establishments can create

“I’m really looking forward to discovering what the participating establishments have prepared for the event,” Quinn said “We’ve got two new additions, Tito’s Cantina & Hooked Island Grill Attendees should be especially excited to try each location’s patriotic-themed drinks and appetizers, showcasing the colors of red, white, and blue, along with classic American appetizers It’s going to be a delicious journey celebrating the holiday ”

Regular check-in is from 6 to 7:30 pm at Big John’s Plaza (near Pinch-a-Penny) and Dolphin Key Resort (under the entry awning). Late check-in is until 10 p.m. at Dolphin Key Resort The official photo booth is also located at Dolphin Key under the awning

This is a 21-plus event Valid ID at check-in will be required, per ticket You cannot pick up wristbands for other people Tickets are $25 in advance and $20 for designated driver tickets

F o r t i c k e t s a n d a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t www southcapeentertainment com

COMMUNITY

Ginger and turmeric: tropical spices that beat the heat

(Editor’s note: The following column was previously published in The Breeze )

By DEBORAH HAGGETT news@breezenewspapers

com

Spring and early summer are the best times to add tropical spices to your ornamental edible garden Two of my favorites, ginger and turmeric, are both classified as perennials in the Zingiberacaea family

Ginger, Zingiber officinale, the smaller of the two, grows 2 to 3 feet tall; has narrow, elongated leaves; and yellow to green flowers with purple tips

Turmeric, Curcuma longa, can grow from 3 to 4 feet tall with banana shaped leaves It is known for its very showy bracts that range in color from burgundy to green, yellow, white and pink Some are bi-colored

Both plants add color and texture to your summer garden

G i n g e r a n d t u r m e r i c thrive in the high humidity and frequent rains of our

GARDEN CLUB OF CAPE CORAL

F l o r i d a s u m m e r s W h i l e ginger plants prefer partial to complete shade, turmeric prefers more sun with partial shade in the heat of t h e S o u t h w e s t F l o r i d a afternoons. Both favor rich, organic, well-draining soil.

I start my plants from rhizomes or organic roots purchased from my local farmer’s market or supermarket Look for roots that have several “eyes” or buds on them Wash the roots and cut them into pieces 1 to 1 1/2 inches long and containing at least one eye Allow the cutting wound to dry for a day or two before planting Then plant them about 15 inches apart with the eyes facing up When planting in containers, choose pots a minimum of 8 inches deep and about 18 inches wide You may need to water the cuttings and emerging plants frequently until the summer rains arrive Harvest the roots in the fall after the leaves of the plants begin to turn yellow or brown.

Store in a cool, dark, dry place I have spent hours searching the internet for ideal ways to store my ginger and turmeric roots One method I am currently attempting is to store them in a bucket of sanitized play sand Another suggestion for ginger root is to peel it, cut it into 1-inch pieces and store it in a jar covered with vodka! The jury is still out on these methods

There are several recipes available for incorporating these aromatic, wonderful spices into your everyday cooking Ginger with its sweet and spicy flavors adds zest to many stir fries, beverages and desserts Turmeric has a more pungent, bitter flavor that is often a highlight in mustards and curries It is known for its yelloworange color and will stain your fingers or anything else it touches My preference is to grate fresh ginger, turmeric and garlic in a bit of coconut or olive oil and stir fry them with my favorite vegetables

Besides adding flavor to your cooking, ginger and turmeric are touted as having antioxidant, anti-inflamm a t o r y a n d o t h e r h e a l

A

n www scholar google com identified numerous on-going studies investigating these claims Others suggest these spices add so much flavor to your cooking, you can eliminate fats and sugars from your dishes, thereby creating more nutritious and healthy meals.

Whether you are looking for health benefits or tasty meals, cultivating ginger and turmeric into your garden adds color and texture that will please your senses

Happy gardening & bon appétit!

Deborah Haggett is a former Lee County Master Gardener Volunteer and member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral Visit the Garden Club website at www gardenclubofcapecoral com JUNE 21, 2024

July programs and activities set at Cape Coral Lee County Public Library

Next month’s roster of activities at Cape Coral Lee County Public Library offers topics for all ages The following activities are free to the public:

Adult Programs

Book Discussion: “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles

11 a m , Wednesday, July 3

Deemed unrepentant by a Bolshevik tribunal in 1922, Count Alexander Rostov is sentenced to house arrest in a hotel across the street from the Kremlin, where he lives in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history unfold

English Café

6 p.m., Tuesday, July 9, 16, 23, 30

10 a.m., Friday, July 12, 19, 26

Free, informal conversation sessions for adult ESOL/ESL students

Spanish Conversation Club

2 p m , Wednesday, July 10

Improve your Spanish fluency by chatting with other adults Join us as we practice speaking with others on a variety of topics, including current events and everyday situations Intermediate to advanced Spanish-speaking skills are recommended in order to get the most out of the session

Crafts at Cape: Paper Ornaments

10 a.m., Thursday, July 11

10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Saturday, July 27

Join us as we create ornaments from recycled book pages Each class has a maximum seating of 20 Participants may only register for one class in the series Registration is guaranteed until the start of the program

Download Drop-In Featuring BARD Support

11 a.m., Thursday, July 18

Receive personalized help downloading e-books, movies, music and more from Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla, two of Lee County Library System’s largest online content providers This week we will also be offering support for registered users of BARD, the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download service which is provided through Lee County Talking Books Bring your fully charged digital device for this hands-on help session Note: Please bring any passwords you may need for downloading apps Kindle users will also need an Amazon account and their password for accessing it

Children’s Programs

Kids Read Down Fines

1-2 p.m., Saturday, July 6

5:15-6:15 p.m., Wednesday, July 17

Children and teens can earn a $2 credit on overdue fines for every 15 minutes they read in the designated area for a total of $8 in one session Please bring your library card Please check in at the Youth Desk

Didgeridoo “Adventure” Down Under 2 p m , Monday, July 8

The Cape Coral Lee County Public Library

Join us on an epic adventure to the Land Down Under where we'll hear otherworldly sounds from the didgeridoo, explore the Great Barrier Reef and the Outback and learn about amazing creatures like kangaroos, koalas and much more This show is an energetic fusion of Australian music, culture, comedy, character building, storytelling and audience participation For ages 6-11 years Registration is required and is valid only until the start of the program Please arrive 15 minutes early to guarantee your spot in the program

Community Helper Storytime: Cape Coral Fire Department

10:30 a m , Wednesday, July 10

Meet our hometown heroes and tour a fire truck The Cape Coral Fire Department will join us for this special event featuring stories, an equipment show and tell and safety tips For children through age 5 No registration required, but space is limited to 75 children plus their caregiver Tickets available 30 minutes before start of program

Professor Universe: Battle of the Body

2 p.m., Monday, July 15

When professor Universe is caught stealing the evil plans of his nemesis, he finds himself shrunk down and trapped inside of the body In this epic tale of virus versus immune system, kids will learn about the fascinating science of the immune system including macrophages, T-cells, B-cells, antibodies and more For ages 6-11 years Registration is required and is valid only until the start of the program Please arrive 15 minutes early to guarantee your spot in the program

Baby Explorers

10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 17

Babies and their caregivers are invited to join us for sensory play, literacy activities and more. Please dress babies for some messy play For babies up to 24 months No registration required, but space is limited to 50 children plus

Lee County Domestic Animal Services to host

Pet owners can get their pet microchipped or check that their pet’s existing microchip is up to date at a Microchip Clinic from 9 a m to noon, Saturday, June 29, at Lee County Domestic Animal Services, 5600 Banner Drive, Fort Myers

Fourth of July festivities cause one of the highest intake days at shelters Checking for a chip is one of the first things a shelter or rescue does when a pet is brought in Studies show that microchipping greatly increases the chances an owner will be identified; about 74% of found dogs and 63 5% of cats turned in to shelters were reunited with their owners.

event June 29

During the microchip clinic, pet owners will have the opportunity to have pets scanned to verify they are mircochipped and the information is current Pets can be microchipped during the event for $10 No appointment is necessary

Visit www leelostpets com or call 239-533-7387 for more information Owners must bring dogs on nonretractable leashes and cats in hard-sided carriers

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter at www leegov com/resources/ newsletters Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.

EDUCATION

It’s summertime.

Why isn’t the living easier?

When temperatures rise in the summer, so can anxiety and stress Juggling jobs, bored children and often hardto-find, expensive childcare can impact summer sun and fun For many, it becomes difficult to view summer through rose-colored glasses

Why is summer so stressful and what can be done to reduce negative impacts?

While students often love to be out of school,

can impact mental wellness Parents may feel

places for them to be

k

Expectations for summer trips, social gatherings and fun can add pressure t o a l r e a d y - d i s r u p t e d schedules

A l a c k o f s t r u c t u r e can also lead children to a perceived loss of purp o s e a n d d i r e c

distress and exacerbating issues such as anxiety and depression

While unstructured time away from school can be good, it can also result in more time for social media, less time sleeping, less structured nutrition through school meals and less socializing with friends and peers, causing some to feel isolated and lonely According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, summer months, often when teens have less supervision, are the peak months for teen drinking and drug use.

Keeping regular routines like bedtime, mealtimes and activities help children know what to expect and reduce anxiety Maintaining routines with expectations and activities (even chores!) provide benefits for both children and parents by helping to teach children responsibility and self-control

When you are feeling over-scheduled, seek out only activities and plans that you enjoy Resist the temptation to overcommit The key is finding balance

Speaking of schedules, disrupted and erratic sleep routines due to activities and longer days are linked to stress Keeping children’s school sleep schedule will also help with the transition back to school in the fall.

Summer weather can increase stress A study by the American Physiological Society found that people are more likely to have higher levels of stress hormones in summer than winter Hot temperatures impact mental wellness, causing issues with memory, attention, reaction time and sleep Allergies from pollen can cause inflammation, and extreme weather like hurricanes can result in PTSD

To support the impact of heat on your mental wellbeing, limit outdoor activities to early mornings or late in the evenings to avoid the hottest parts of the day Wear sunscreen and hats and drink water to prevent dehydration Look for indoor activities in air conditioning

For storm anxiety, limit exposure to social media and news about impending storms, talk about feelings and stay calm, as children mirror your moods and reactions Focus on what you can control, and give children tasks to prepare, such as putting a flashlight in their room or keeping a pet calm

Expectations to maximize fun can result in splurge spending on vacations, eating out and other expenses In addition, parents may have to pay for camps and activi-

EDUCATION BRIEFS

Albers graduates from Monmouth College

MONMOUTH, IL -- Marcus Albers of Cape Coral recently graduated from Monmouth College with a degree in exercise science Albers is the son of Bree L Albers of Cape Coral, and Thero Harris of Springfield, Ill

Monmouth held its 167th Commencement Exercises on May 19

Founded in 1853 and affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U S A ), Monmouth College is a residential liberal arts college that is the birthplace of the women's fraternity movement

For additional information about the college, visit https://www monmouthcollege edu

Lopez Timossini receives degree from Geor gia Tech

ATLANTA -- Mario Lopez Timossini of Cape Coral has earned a master of science in analytics from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta

Lopez Timossini was among more than 5,700 undergraduate and graduate students to be presented Georgia Tech degrees during the Institute’s 266th Commencement exercises May 2-4 at McCamish Pavilion

The Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, is one of the top public research universities in the U S , offering business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts and sciences degrees Its more than 47,000 undergraduate and graduate students represent 54 U S states and territories and more than 143 countries They study at the main campus in Atlanta, at campuses in France and China, or through distance and online learning

For more information, visit www gatech edu

Lavoie graduates from Adelphi University

GARDEN CITY, NY -- Leah Lavoie of Cape Coral was among the undergraduate and graduate students recently awarded degrees at Adelphi University, including those who completed degree requirements

Lavoie earned a bachelor of science.

Adelphi held its 128th commencement ceremonies to recognize graduates on May 21 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York

Adelphi University, a highly awarded doctoral research university, offering liberal arts and sciences programs and professional training at the undergraduate and graduate level with particular strength in its “Core Four” academic areas: arts and humanities, STEM and social sciences, business and education and health and wellness Adelphi is Long Island’s oldest private coeducational university serving more than 7,250 students at its main campus in Garden City, and at learning hubs in Brooklyn, the Hudson Valley and Suffolk County, as well as online. For more information, visit https://www adelphi edu/

Cape student to attend

New York Institute of Technology

OLD WESTBURY, NY -- New York Institute of Technology welcomes incoming students for the fall 2024 semester, including Anthony Fileccia from Cape Coral, who plans to major in chemistry

New York Institute of Technology’s six schools and colleges offer undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and other professional degree programs in in-demand disciplines A nonprofit, independent, private, and nonsectarian institute of higher education founded in 1955, it welcomes nearly 8,000 students worldwide The university has campuses in New York City and Long Island, New York; Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as programs around the world For more information, visit nyit edu

Alber t named to the Graceland University Spring 2024 Honors List

LAMONI, Iowa -- The honor roll lists for Graceland University’s 2024 spring term have been announced, and Robert Albert of Cape Coral has been named to the honors list

Graceland University students with a GPA between 3 65 and 3 99 are named to the honors list

Founded in 1895 and sponsored by Community of Christ, Graceland University’s campuses are located in

JUNE 21, 2024

Lamoni, Iowa, and Independence, Missouri For more information, visit www graceland edu

Rhoten named to University of Iowa dean’s list for 2024 spring semester

IOWA CITY, IA -- Major Rhoten of Cape Coral was among the more than 7,650 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa named to the dean’s list for the 2024 spring semester

Rhoten is a third-year student in Iowa’s College of Engineering and is majoring in civil engineering

Dean’s list status was earned by 1,063 first-year undergraduates during the 2023 spring semester at Iowa, 1,752 second-year students, 2,041 third-year students and 2,807 fourth-year students

With over 200 areas of study to choose from, students are encouraged to mix and match majors, minors and certificates to earn a degree that reflects their unique interests

To learn more about the university, visit uiowa edu

Silver man named to Dean’s List at Manchester University

NORTH MANCHESTER, IN -- Congratulations to Manchester University students who have earned a place on the Spring 2024 Dean’s List for their academic achievements

Dylan Silverman of Cape Coral was named to the Spring 2024 Dean's List He was among nearly 360 students named to the Dean’s List

Silverman was also a May graduate from Manchester with a bachelor of science in business management and accounting

Undergraduate students earning a semester grade point average of 3.5 or higher who have completed at least 12 semester hours with no more than three hours of Pass/Not Pass grades are included on the Dean's List Students with more than one hour of Incomplete (I) or Not Recorded (NR) grades at the end of the semester are not eligible for the Dean’s List

Learn more at www manchester edu/

Buck, Castillo named to Saint Mar y's College Dean’s List

NOTRE DAME, IN - Two students from Cape Coral -Lily Buck and Mary Castillo -- have been named to the Saint Mary’s College Dean’s List for the Spring 2024 semester

To earn this academic honor at Saint Mary’s, a student must achieve a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3 6 on a 4 0 scale, have a minimum of 12 graded credit hours, no incompletes, and no grades lower than a C

As a private college founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is committed to the social and economic empowerment of all women With more than 60 undergraduate academic programs, as well as accelerated advanced degrees options, the college offers a strong liberal arts foundation For more information, visit SaintMarys edu

Cape students named to dean’s, president’s list at University of Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, AL -- A total of 13,103 students enrolled during Spring Semester 2024 at The University of Alabama were named to the dean’s list with an academic record of 3 5 (or above) or the president’s list with an academic record of 4 0 (all As) These driven students are making waves across UA’s more than 70 undergraduate programs

The UA dean’s and president’s lists recognize full-time undergraduate students The lists do not apply to graduate students or undergraduate students who take less than a full course load.

Students from Cape Coral recognized by the university include:

President's List -- Alexandria Dyar, Samantha Sipe, Larissa Vickery and Lauren Whinery

Dean's List -- Matthew Barrow and Payton Maiuri

The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state's flagship university UA provides nearly 200 degree program For more about the university, visit https://www ua edu/

Sharon Clime Guest Column

Television Academy: ‘Getting Real: Unscripted Internship’ will foster goal of

From page 1

and had been performing in Southwest Florida professionally since she was 8 years old

“I have always loved television and began pursuing a career as a television actor early freshman year I traveled back and forth to LA throughout high school. I knew very quickly LA was my end goal,” King said

She attended California State University Northridge with a major in television production

King has applied for the internship multiple times, finally being accepted this year She said there are more than 2,000 applicants every term, so it was a great honor to be chosen

“I submitted multiple essays, resumes and even my idea for a new reality TV show,” King said

The “Getting Real” Unscripted internship is a paid internship for eight weeks where she will be a development intern She will be working for Bunim and Murray P

Vanderpump Villa and The Challenge Other productions include award-winning nonfiction programs such as Born This Way, Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, Surviving R Kelly and The Real World

“Development is the process from idea to production I will work heavily on television show pitches, developing the show idea and selling the show,” King said

She hopes to gain a new knowledge from working professionals on how to navigate “this tricky business ”

“I hope to make connections that last my whole career because it is all about who you know Most importantly, I can’t wait

Avery King was one of 40 students chosen by Television Academy from across the country for the 2024 Summer Internship Program. The eight-week, paid internship provides students with the opportunity to work at top Hollywood studios and production companies The applicant pool exceeds 2,000 every term

to start working for a production company that makes some of my favorite TV shows and learn how they do it,” King said

King was one of 40 students chosen by Television Academy from across the coun-

Program The paid internship provides students with the opportunity to work at top Hollywood studios and production companies

“I am working toward creating my own female-driven stories for a wide audience,” she said in a prepared statement “It is my goal to create TV for the whole family that is both appropriate but also entertaining for a multitude of ages I love the writing and developing process and can’t wait to work in development for the summer!”

Avery King is all smiles after being s

d Internship” through the Television A c a d e m y F o u n d a t i o n I n t e r n s h i p Program /PHOTO PROVIDED

From page 1

Women Veteran Program manager “And also, if you’re already enrolled, you can see if you're eligible for increased service connection due to our PACT Act screening, which will be provided at both locations ”

The outreach event on June 29 will see representatives from VA radiology, m

partner violence program, suicide pre-

FGVA, and the VA’s clinical contact center (24-hour hotline)

The PACT Act is a law that expands VA health care and benefits for veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances

“Women can conveniently jump into our programs, find out quickly what they might be eligible for, meet some of the s t a f f t h a

y providers that we work with, and make an informed decision,” Sherman added

Women veterans represent the fastestgrowing population of VA users in the nation The Bay Pines VAHCS currently s e r v e s a b o u t 1 1 , 0 0 0 w o m e n p a t i e n t s

Nationally, nearly 1 million women use the VA for their medical and mental health care, or 11 percent of all VA users, officials said

As for how this event helps bridge the gap between the VA and women veterans, Sherman said, “It’s a lot easier when you actually meet staff hands-on, face-toface You develop that beginning relationship Somebody explains it to you You don’t have to read the fine-print or g e t t h r o u g h a c o m p l e x d o c u m e n t Someone can shepherd you through a

Organizers state the events are being held to inform and educate women veterans about gender-specific medical and mental health services available to them through VA, enroll them for VA’s medical benefits package, assist with disability claims, and more All women veterans and their loved ones are encouraged to attend at no cost

complex process ”

Sherman said the VA wanted to tailor this event for female veterans because “women sometimes may not perceive that they are a veteran, even though they served in the military

“Sometimes women feel a little hesitant to go into this large government hospital space; might feel a little bit nervous We want them to know that we have set up huge programs that are especially for them to take advantage of and to get the healthcare they so deserve as a result of having served ”

Sherman, a 16-year VA employee, said the VA has worked hard to ensure

understood when they seek assistance, especially for those ages 54 to 65

“These are women that I call the trailblazing group, because they were among the first recent women to enroll in the military, and they may have been the only women in their military group,” she said “That creates a different kind of stress, especially when you combine that with combat situations, foreign country situations and so forth And I think some of those experiences may have been a little harder to process for them They want to

feel that they’re not the only woman veterans coming to VA They want to feel that there are other women here and we have healthcare that’s set up specifically for them ”

Sherman said a lot of veterans, including female veterans, don’t always realize what benefits and coverages are out there for them Hosting events such as the u

women, that can help remove any barriers to attend

“And hopefully once they get there, they can put faces to names and faces to s

what their level of comfort is and whether they think it would be worthwhile to engage with VA,” Sherman said

Many female veterans are more comfortable talking to and working with a female doctor or healthcare employee, and more than 50% of Bay Pines employees are female

“But what we’ve done in primary care is really terrific,” Sherman said. “Primary care providers who are specially trained in women’s health many of them are women Some are men This way veterans have a choice It’s basically a onestop shopping experience where they can

get all of their preventative care, and all of their gender-specific care all in one s p o t r a t h

appointments ”

The VA has added additional services just for women, such as specially trained women’s providers in the areas of psychology, social work, pharmacy, physical therapy, nursing, and more

“ I t ’ s a w h o l e t e a m o f p e o p l e , ” Sherman said. “And then we have the woman veteran program where we will have all different kinds of events for women that give up-to-date information about women’s healthcare issues, provide opportunities for women to meet and socialize with one another Opportunities to be honored in different ways for their service ”

There is currently a photography display program ongoing at every Bay Pines VA location, where six different female veteran photos and stories are on display They are updated every six months to honor as many female vets as possible Bay Pines even hosts baby showers, with one having taken place at the Cape Coral location this past April

“We want to make sure that women know we’re here for them, and that this is their day,” Sherman said Lee County Healthcare Center is at 2489 Diplomat Parkway, East, in Cape Coral The C W Bill Young VA Medical Center is at 10000 Bay Pines Blvd in Bay Pines.

To learn more about women veterans health services and how to apply for care, v

needs-conditions/womens-health-needs/

DOH-Lee cautions public of presence of blue-green algae at Caloosahatchee River - Alacante Canal North in Cape

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) is cautioning the public of the presence of blue-green algae at Caloosahatchee River Alacante Canal North This is in response to water samples taken on June 19, 2024

The public should exercise caution in and around Caloosahatchee River Alacante Canal North

Water sample testing is underway Blue-green algae have the potential to produce toxins Since environmental conditions can change at any time, it is important to exercise caution, even if presence of toxins has not yet been confirmed

DOH-Lee advises residents and visitors to take the following precautions:

■ Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with waters where there is a visible bloom

■ Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have any contact with algae, or discolored or water that smells unpleasant

■ Keep pets and livestock away from the area to avoid any contact with water Waters where algae blooms are present are not safe for animals Pets and livestock should use an alternative source of water when algae blooms are present

■ Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms Boiling the water will not eliminate toxins

■ Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts, and cook fish thoroughly

■ Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and partners collect algae samples from reported bloom

locations After samples are analyzed at their laboratory, the toxin results can be viewed on Protecting Florida Together or on DEP’s Algal Bloom Dashboard

What is Blue-Green Algae?

Blue-green algae are a type of bacteria that is common in Florida’s freshwater

e n v i r o n m e n t s A b l o o m occurs when rapid growth of algae leads to an accumulation of individual cells t

n d often produce floating mats that emit unpleasant odors

Blue-green algae blooms can also appear as scum, foam, or paint on the surface of the water in various colors. To learn more about the appearance of algae blooms, visit Protecting Florida Together

Some environmental factors that contribute to bluegreen algae blooms are sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions, and excess nutrients Blooms can appear year-round but are more frequent in summer and fall

Many types of blue-green algae can produce toxins Blue-green algae may not always be visible as a bloom, but it can still be present in the water

Is Blue-Green Algae Harmful?

Blue-green algae can produce toxins, which can be harmful to human and pets as well as ecosystems, including fish and other aquatic animals Sensitive individuals (e g , children, the elderly and those who are immunocompromised) may still be at risk even at low

concentrations and should avoid any exposure

For additional information on potential health effects of algae blooms, visit DOH’s harmful algae blooms webpage

Where Can I Find Current Water Status Information?

Current information about Florida’s water quality status and public health notifications for harmful algae blooms and beach conditions is available at Protecting Florida Together You can subscribe to receive notifications when water quality changes in your area

Where Can I Report Issues Related to Algae Blooms?

■ Algae Blooms: DEP monitors algae blooms and collects samples for analysis Blooms can be reported to DEP online or by calling the toll-free number at 1-855305-3903.

■ Human Health Impacts: Report symptoms from exposure to a harmful algae bloom or any aquatic toxin to the Florida Poison Information Center by calling 800222-1222 to speak to a poison specialist

■ Animal Health Impacts: Contact your veterinarian if you believe your pet has become ill after consuming or having contact with blue-green algae contaminated water

■ Fish Kills: Dead, diseased or abnormally behaving fish or wildlife should be reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission online or at 800-636-0511

If you have other health questions or concerns about blue-green algae, please contact DOH-Lee at 239-6902100

BUSINESS

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Southwest Florida Inter national Airpor t repor ts traffic numbers for May

During May, 843,270 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers This was an increase of 11% compared to May 2023 It was also the second-best May reported in the 41-year history of the airport Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 21%

The traffic leader in May was Delta with 192,204 passengers Rounding out the top five airlines were Southwest (150,279), American (146,034), United (133,218) and JetBlue (71,519).

Southwest Florida International Airport had 6,945 aircraft operations, a decrease of 0 2% compared to May 2023 Page Field saw 16,861 operations, which was a 13% decrease compared to May 2023

Southwest Florida International Airport served more than 10 million passengers in 2023 and is one of the top 50 U S airports for passenger traffic No ad valorem (property) taxes are used for airport operation or construction For more information, visit flylcpa com or facebook com/flyRSW

Publix pies earn top honors at pie championships

in Orlando

Last month, eight of Publix’s original pies were awarded blue ribbons at the 2024 American Pie Council Pie Championships in Orlando The Publix bakery competed in the commercial division in the 6- and 9-inch categories

Publix 6-inch pie winners: apple, cherry, key lime, mango key lime and no-sugar-added apple

Publix 9-inch pie winners: cherry, key lime and mango key lime

Publix has competed in the National Pie Championships since 2001 and has brought home blue ribbons every year since then. To celebrate this year’s accomplishment, Publix blue-ribbon-winning pies will have a special sticker on the packaging

Buffalo Wild Wings Foundation makes donations to local youth organizations

The Buffalo Wild Wings Foundation is dedicated to giving back to its communities across the country, and throughout 2024, it will donate more than $3 million to organizations that support various youth initiatives that help kids thrive, compete and belong to a team Of the total donation amount, $1 million will go toward Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the remaining $2 million will support more than 300 local youth-serving nonprofits throughout the US

In Fort Myers, the Buffalo Wild Wings Foundation donated $5,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County

To learn more about the work the Buffalo Wild Wings Foundation is doing throughout the year, visit foundation buffalowildwings com

Fort Myers mayor to present update on major development at REIS meeting

City of Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson will present updates on major development and infrastructure projects at the Tuesday, July 9, luncheon meeting of the Real Estate Investment Society

The program will include insights on affordable housing initiatives and opportunities for private development The mayor will also address impact fee changes, building permitting issues and proposed ordinances After his presentation, Mayor Anderson will respond to specific questions from the attending real estate development and investment professionals

Anderson is a former executive with Chico’s and longtime city police officer He has served as mayor since 2020, having served on the City Council prior to becoming mayor.

The meeting will begin at 11:30 a m on July 9 in the Osprey Room at Pelican Preserve’s Clubhouse, on Treeline Avenue at Colonial Boulevard Admission is $30 for members and $45 for guests Reservations are required by July 5 athrough the REIS website: www reis-swfl org

Pulte named 2023 Builder of the Year by Florida Green Building Coalition

PulteGroup was once again honored as Florida’s greenest homebuilder by the Florida Green Building Coalition, earning the 2023 Builder of the Year Award for completing more green-certified single-family homes than any other builder in the state. The national homebuilder, one of the country’s most recognized and trusted brands for 70 years, was also a top finalist for the highest-scoring singlefamily home in Florida

It’s the second time PulteGroup has been recognized for its commitment to environmentally friendly green products, best practices and sustainability The company also received the coalition’s Builder of the Year Award in 2020

Pulte certified 78 homes Platinum, the highest level of certification, in 2023

The FGBC award was presented during a ceremony at TerraWalk, one of several PulteGroup-affiliated neighborhoods at Babcock Ranch, America’s first solar-powered town located just outside of Fort Myers

“We are honored to receive the Builder of the Year award, which reaffirms our efforts to build quality, sustainable homes with minimal environmental impact,” said Josh Graeve, president of PulteGroup’s Southwest Florida Division “This is what our homeowners want and a big part of our legacy as a homebuilder in Florida Accepting this award at TerraWalk was particularly poignant – the neighborhood is a great example of our commitment to green building, energy efficiency, environmental stewardship, technology and innovation ”

Designed with nature in mind, TerraWalk by DiVosta, a PulteGroup brand, features an extensive network of hiking and biking paths and a private eight-acre amenity center nestled along a large lake Many of the neighborhood’s

single-family homes and garden villas overlook lakes and preserves

Pulte Homes, DiVosta’s sister company, is the exclusive builder in five additional Babcock Ranch communities, including Verde, Parkside, Edgewater, Edgewater Shores and Northridge Pulte also built in the Lake Babcock and Lake Timber neighborhoods

The Florida Green Building Coalition, the state’s leading certifier of green residential and commercial construction, has certified over 35,000 single-family homes, commercial buildings, high-rises, land developments and local governments The coalition’s certification programs are the only Florida-specific standards addressing the state’s unique challenges – a hot humid environment, climate, distinct topography and geology, resiliency and potential natural disasters

Green certification is based on hundreds of factors with numerical points earned for energy performance, water conservation, lot choice, site conditions, health, materials and disaster mitigation Projects are awarded bronze, silver, gold or platinum certification based on points

To browse Pulte’s new homes and communities across Southwest Florida, please visit https://www Pulte com/ FortMyers

Greater Fort Myers Chamber announces finalists for 2024 Chamber, APEX Awards

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber has named its finalists for the 2024 Chamber Awards, which will be held Thursday, July 25, at 5 p m , at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers

Recognizing members for their outstanding contributions to the greater Fort Myers community, the program will feature an award ceremony to honor finalists and name honorees for their impact The finalists for each category are as follows:

■ Small Business of the Year Award: Face It Botox, Global Strategies and Tech in a Flash

■ Large Business of the Year Award: Drake Ready Mix, Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P A and Scotlynn USA

■ The Community Impact Award: Dr Nadine “Deanie” Singh (Premier Mobile Health Services), Roz Barminski (Hope Clubhouse of SWFL) and Stephanie Ink-Edwards (Community Cooperative)

■ Entrepreneur of the Year: Ryan Carter (Scotlynn USA), Matthew Rebstock (Tech in a Flash) and Janelle Miley (Global Strategies)

■ The Nonprofit Excellence Award: Boys & Girls Club of Lee County, Gulf Coast Humane Society and Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida

■ Young Professional of the Year Award: Kelly Thawley (Florida Southwestern State College), Meagan Baskin (Florida Gulf Coast University) and Melissa Mitchell

(Priority Marketing)

The awards ceremony will also recognize the finalists and recipient of the Women in Business Committee’s APEX Awards

Organized by the Chamber’s Women in Business Committee, the APEX Awards recognize local women with outstanding reputations for professionalism, philanthropy and leadership This year’s three APEX finalists include Jeannine Joy (United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades), Debra Mathinos (The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center) and Dr Sandra Pavelka (Florida Gulf Coast University)

The presenting sponsor of the 2024 Chamber Awards is Verizon, and the APEX sponsor is Sanibel Captiva Community Bank Additional sponsors include The City of Fort Myers, DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops, Florida Gulf Coast University, Hope Clubhouse of SWFL, The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center, Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt P A , Lake Michigan Credit Union, M&M Multimedia, Northwestern Mutual, Priority Marketing, Scotlynn USA, Solomon & Hoover CPAs and The United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades

Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available

Tickets for the Chamber Awards celebration are $150 per person and $1,350 for a table of 10 To purchase tickets or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit FortMyers org or call 239-332-2930

Construction of Entrada Cape Coral apartment complex begins

Entrada Cape Coral is officially underway This apartment community will include 240 units, a clubhouse, pool and pickleball courts The development is located adjacent to the Villages at Entrada master planned community off of the Del Prado Boulevard , North, and De Navarra Parkway in Cape Coral

The project features four stories of block and plank concrete construction, spread across five apartment structures and a large clubhouse Future residents will be able to

enjoy a variety of amenities, including community gathering rooms, fitness center, resort sized pool, pickleball courts and community grilling areas

This development is being built by BBL Building Company, which provides general construction and construction management services to project owners, developers and architects from Texas to Florida and across the South Visit https://bblbuildingco com/

A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for mid-July

Shuckers at the Gulfshore and Cottage Bar to be rebuilt on Fort Myers Beach

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

A year before Hurricane Ian, the owners of Shuckers at the Gulfshore and Cottage Bar were holding a jubilant celebration of the 100th anniversary of the landmark Fort Myers Beach property which once moonlighted as a casino

Hurricane Ian wiped out the physical history of the town’s oldest commercial building standing at the time of the storm

On Monday, the new owners of Shucker’s at the Gulfshore and Cottage Bar received approval from the town council for five variances to construct a new Shuckers

The property was sold last summer for $9 million to

Right Choice Investments, a Michigan-based limited liability company connected to Fort Myers Beach developer Joe Orlandini

The new restaurant will have three stories (rather than the previous two stories), with 12,000 square-feet, about 1,100 square-feet more than the old Shuckers The popular restaurant had been reconstructed over the years, around one of the original cottages

One of the main variances granted to the company was for parking The council approved allowing the developer,

Neighborhood Company and attorney Noel Davies, to have 16 vehicle parking spaces – down from the 28 spaces that were there previously Under town code, the rebuild of the restaurant and bar would require 114 parking spaces

According to town staff, they are allowed a 33% reduction in the parking requirements for being in the downtown district which would require them to have 76 spaces Instead, they sought an 85% reduction in parking which would necessitate only 16 vehicle parking spots at a business where parking has historically been difficult The large number of spaces required is due to the property being a bar and restaurant The Whale, located across the street, also recently received a break from parking regulations by the town council.

Mike Miller, owner of The Whale, appeared at the town council meeting to support the project and variance requests though he said he had a concern about potential noise “We want them to succeed,” Miller said “I know they are going to be good neighbors ”

Mayor Dan Allers said the parking requirements Shuckers faced was “an inflated number ” He said that the town should change its parking regulations so not as many parking spaces are required for bars and restaurants that serve the same function in one building

“It’s never made sense why the double calculation for parking if it’s a bar or restaurant,” Allers said “You have to have calculations for the bar and then on top of it for the

GRAPHICS PROVIDED Artist renderings, above and at left, of the new Shuckers at the Gulfshore and Cottage Bar to be built on Fort Myers Beach

restaurant It makes staff’s job much more difficult and for people to understand it makes it much for difficult I would like down the road to look into how we can clear that up to make it a little easier for people to understand and make variances that aren’t necessarily needed ”

Councilmember Scott Safford asked “Is there an issue with parking?”

Allers, who had clashed with Safford over parking requirements at the Myerside Resort earlier in the meeting,

ECHO: Family Fun Farm Tours offer a hands-on look at nonprofit’s efforts to eradicate world hunger

From page 1

Danielle Flood said “When we do the family farm tour it gets a date on the calendar, so families can come out and enjoy the nature and mission of what ECHO does ”

The tour will kick off with a welcome inside the video room, followed by a demonstration that involves 10 kids and oranges The kids are broken up into the top 20%, bottom 20%, and the middle 60% before they are handed oranges for the goods and resources of the world

Flood said two kids on the top end up with 80%, the middle with 13% and the lower 20% receive a sliver of an orange She said the demonstration shows inconsistency and unfair wealth

“That sets the stage for why we have a farm It’s important for every family to grow food,” Flood said

The tour will take participants on a walking tour around the eight creative gardens, which showcases challenges of each area Some of those areas will showcase how to grow food where it is too wet, as well as on hillside – Mount Victor, an elevation of 25 feet.

“We can climb up the mountain and see around us, which is unique for the kids It’s a world vision of agriculture and the natural world around us,” Flood said

She said peasant farmers do not have a choice of growing on a hillside, or mountain

“Commercial farmers have the valley contracts Where else are they going to grow food? That kind of mindset opens people’s eyes to realities today – opportunities that we all have to contribute to a more just, fair, and peaceful world,” Flood said

She said the tour is a way to dig deep and connect what kids may be learning at school to what is taking place at the farm

“I want to connect it all together That is the best way to learn – connect hands-on to what you are learning academically What kid doesn’t like to kick around in the dirt and play outdoors?” Flood said

The tour will take about two hours Those who attend can bring a picnic lunch and use ECHO’s tables, pavilions, benches, and shade from the bamboo trees

“We also have a welcome center with books, resources, and cookbooks, snacks and drinks of things that connect to the mission of ECHO,” Flood said Preregistration is encouraged for the

tour, which can be done by emailing Rcarlucci@echonet org, or calling 239567-3316 Tickets are $30 per family –parents and accompanying children under 18 years of age; $12 50 per adult; $8 per student, and $6 per child age 6-12 years old

“We want families not to be priced out,” Flood said

Those families can be as small as two parents and a child, to parents with multiple children

There are tours offered year-round, as well as other events throughout the year –held for kids and adults

ECHO began more than 40 years ago with a mission to help families help themselves out of poverty through agricultural training and resourcing around the world

America Regional Impact Center in North Fort Myers.

“I can’t find anything else I would rather do I have been here 17 years,” Flood said

She was in West Africa where she lived among and loved small skill farmers not knowing ECHO would be her career path

Flood said she would walk to the well, help plant fields and pound grain

“Coming back here I was able to spend my energy to support those I love and millions more around the world,” she said “I

opportunity to see and touch a

get to use my skills that God gave me I feel it ”

She recalls pulling the weight of the water out of the well and drinking from a ceramic pot of water located in the hut Flood said she glanced down and saw little, tiny worms swimming in the water –water-born illnesses

“Everything I can do to pour out my energy and spend my life on behalf of those that do not have the same opportunities is important to me,” Flood said, adding that others have so many opportunities with clean water being one of them

The experience also changed who she

was as a parent She has brought each of her babies – all three kids, now 12, 10 and 7 – with her to work for nine to 10 months – carrying them, like those she worked alongside in West Africa

“My kids feel like they grew up here,” Flood said, adding that her daughter may lead a small section of the tour to talk about what she knows “I am excited for kids learning from other kids of what is important in the world When it comes down to it, we can do with so much less and feel more fulfilled if we are giving back ”

ECO’s Regional Impact Center is at 17391 Durrance Road

A previous Family Fun Farm Tour had the

30 pound jackfruit

Eleanore Flood showing the cent i p e d e s h e f o u n d i n t h e garden./PHOTOS COURTESY OF ECHO

The Capital Grille to open Monday in the Bell Tower

The Capital Grille, known for dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood and a world-class wine list, is bringing its take on luxury dining to Fort Myers Opening Monday, June 24, at 5070 Bell Tower Shops Ave , in Fort Myers, the restaurant emphasizes personalized and anticipatory service in a relaxing, yet elegant atmosphere

The Capital Grille is best known for expertly prepared steaks dry aged in-house for 18-24 days, a process that achieves

Steaks are hand-carved daily by the restaurant’s butcher, with selections including Bone-in NY Strip; Porcini Rubbed Bone-

In Dry Aged Ribeye with 15-Year Aged Balsamic; and Sliced Filet Mignon with Cipollini Onions, Wild Mushrooms and Fig Essence, among others

The restaurant is also popular for its blend of menu classics and twists on appetizers and sides, artfully prepared using impeccable ingredients Signature dishes i

Cherry Peppers; Lobster Mac ‘N’ Cheese; and Lobster and Crab Cakes Dedicated to culinary excellence throughout its menu, a skilled pastry chef prepares desserts each morning from scratch, such as The Capital Grille Cheesecake, served brûlûe style,

and Coconut Cream Pie

The Capital Grille pours from a Wine Spectator-recognized list of more than 350 selections, housed in a floor-to-ceiling, temperature-controlled wine cellar holding more than 3,000 bottles Guests may also choose from 30 wines rarely offered by the glass, including library vintages and highly sought after limited bottlings. Private wine lockers are available by annual lease for the aficionado, offering

wines and exclusive access to private events and tastings

square feet, including a lounge, as well as six private spaces for events The dining room is open daily for dinner, with hours Sunday from 5-9 p m , Monday through Thursday from 4-9 p m , Friday from 4-10 p m , Saturday from 5-10 p m , as well as lunch Monday-Friday from 11:30 a m to 4

Monday-Sunday from 4 p.m. to close. Reservations are recommended but not required

For more information, please visit thecapitalgrille com, Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter)

Shuckers: Town council OKs plan for business to be rebuilt on Fort Myers Beach

said he didn’t have as much concern at Shuckers

“Do I have an issue with parking? Sure,” Allers said “To me it’s different It was important to see the usable square footage,” he said “I’m not a huge fan that they are having less parking spaces but in this case I understand the circumstances ”

Allers cited the requirement for the building to be placed behind the coastal construction line as pushing the construction further away from the beach, limiting parking

As part of the parking variance request, the developers also proposed a bike rack for four bicycles, which allows them a break in one vehicle parking space requirement

The other variances were for setback requirements, an extra two feet of height,

side parking and the entryway The developers largely sought those variances in order to keep the same setup of Shuckers –which the council supported

“We are going to do the best we can to keep the character of that original cottage,”

Orlandini said Orlandini said the bar will have a similar feel to the former one “We want it to feel as close to the prior building It’s important to us to keep that feel ”

Orlandini said there will be three floors, to allow for a larger view and broader view Orlandini said there will be an elevator and stairwells

Orlandini said he met with neighbors

“We want to partner with the community,” he said “We’re going to do our best to keep the character of the original building ”

Orlandini said the menu will keep the favorites the same but said he also wants to broaden the clientele

The Gulf Shore was built in 1921 and went through a number of transformations over the years During the 1920s, it was also known as the Crescent Beach Casino

Gulfshore Inn When the property was pur-

chased in 1970s, there were several cottages, with the property eventually being renamed Shuckers at the Gulfshore and Cottage Bar

The town council approved the rebuild and variances unanimously

South Cape Hospitality & Entertainment Association to hold blood drive for Lee Health

& Entertainment Association will host a Lee Health blood drive Saturday, July 6, from 11 a m to 4 p m

The Lee Health bus will be parked in Club Square, behind the BackStreets Sports Bar on Southeast 47th Terrace in South Cape Donors will also receive a punch card

with complimentary offers from a number of local businesses

All blood donated will stay local to Lee County, and appointments are available to eliminate wait times Please text Shannon at 239-900-4028 (MondayFriday, 10 a m to 4 p m ) or email

secure your time slot.

Public outreach meetings set for I-75 at Daniels Parkway Design Interchange Improvements

The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public outreach meeting for the I-75 at Daniels Parkway Interchange Improvements Project (FPID 446296-2) in Lee County

The public outreach meeting is being conducted to present information about the preliminary alternatives and provides the opportunity for the public to express their views about the project

You can participate live online or inperson The same materials will be displayed at both the online and in-person events

Attend the public outreach meeting: Live Online Q&A Option Register in advance: https://bit ly/I75DanielsPkwy

Tuesday, June 25, 2024 6–7 p m

This event will include a live questionand-answer component with the project t

(

ject/446296-2)

In-Person Option

Thursday, June 27, 2024

Church of the Cross, Gymnasium 13500 Freshman Lane, Fort Myers, FL 33912 Anytime between 5-7 p m

Project displays will be available for review and the project team will be available for discussion

If you are unable to attend the meeting, comments can be provided through the project webpage (https://www swflroads c

(Kimberly Abate@dot state fl us) or mail ( F D O

Abate, 801 N Broadway Ave , MS 1-6, Bartow, FL 33830) While comments about the project are accepted at any time, they must be received or postmarked by Tuesday, July 9, to be included in the formal meeting record Questions can be answered by calling the FDOT project manager Kimberly Abate at 863-5192983

The interchange improvements include the design of a diverging diamond inter-

change, which will significantly reduce delay on Daniels Parkway and reduce the number of conflict points to improve overall safety for all users The DDI also offers the ability to accommodate future traffic volume growth Proposed improvements are located within the limited access rightof-way FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status People who require special accommod a

Disabilities Act or who require translation services (free of charge) should contact

C

Coordinator, at 863-519-2287, or email at

seven days prior to the workshop

Priority Marketing designs ‘Cold Case Playing Cards’ to help law enforcement agencies solve crimes

Priority Marketing and a group of Florida law enforcement organizations teamed up again to produce a deck of Cold Case Playing Cards in hopes of generating new leads for unsolved homicide and missing person cases

I

Association of Crime Stoppers, Priority Marketing designed and produced playing cards that feature photos of victims and d

Attorney General Ashley Moody unveiled the playing cards during a June 10 news conference in Tampa, noting the 5,000 decks of cards will be distributed throughout Florida jails and prisons

Priority Marketing also produced a deck of Cold Case Playing Cards for Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, which began circulating 600 decks of cards in February to local jails and detention centers Nationwide, the playing cards have b e e n l i n k

d arrests

The latest initiative was spearheaded through the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers, along with the Florida Attorney

“Sometimes that new information comes from criminals or co-conspirators, who have a change of conscience or maybe they are motivated by a reward. Since taking office, we have launched several innovative initiatives to bolster ongoing efforts to solve cold cases, and today we are taking action to generate even more leads to help law enforcement bring criminals to justice.”

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody

national organization dedicated to solving cold cases

One side of the playing cards features the Crime Stoppers’ logo, tip line and website The other side has clubs, spades, hearts and diamonds ranging from 2 to Ace, and features images and names of victims, along with descriptions and dates of the crime.

design, produce and distribute Cold Case Playing Cards,” said Priority Marketing founder, President and Chief Creative Officer Teri Hansen, APR “Although we

brands and nonprofits accomplish their

missions, producing these cards gives our team great satisfaction every time we hear that a card has led to a tip An arrest, and ultimately a conviction, will certainly help provide a sense of peace and closure for families and law enforcement that have been pursuing justice for years ”

The playing cards feature cases from across the state, including three from

Jaabin Robinson and Johnny Jackson, and hit-and-run victim Devon Jacob Federly

During the news conference, Moody noted that many stalled investigations get new life after someone comes forward with information, even years down the road “

comes from criminals or co-conspirators,

who have a change of conscience or maybe they are motivated by a reward,” Moody said. “Since taking office, we have launched several innovative initiatives to bolster ongoing efforts to solve cold cases, and today we are taking action to generate even more leads to help law enforcement bring criminals to justice ”

Founded in 1992 by Teri Hansen, APR, Priority Marketing’s portfolio of professional services includes public relations, brand development, web services, social media, creative services, media buying, video production, digital marketing, event planning and more Priority Marketing has grown to include more than 65 creatives and mastermind strategists who partner with clients across a broad spectrum of industries, including hospitality and tourism, retail, health care, senior living, construction, legal, aviation, financial, education and government, as well as charitable organizations For additional information, please call 2 3 9 - 2 6 7 - 2 6 3 8 o r v i s i t P r i o

y Marketing com

My three go-to lures for fishing local waters

Do you have too many lures? Can you have too many? I became lure and fly obsessed at an early age Does your boat look like a mini-Bass Pro Shop when you go snook fishing? The Christmas tree has now become dangerous to kids, tipsy relatives and pets because of the 100 lures hanging from it? You could say for sure that I like lures, maybe too much I’ve got soft baits, hard baits, feather flies, bass, pike, walleye, smallmouth, musky, snook, pan fish, tarpon, sailfish, seatrout, shark and lake trout lures, tackle and storage boxes, plus a few dozen old rods and reels

I forgot to mention all my fly gear It really got out of control and started taking over the house so I was forced by someone

I k n o w w h o w a s n ’ t happy to get a storage (expensive) unit which

a l s o m a d e s o m e o n e I k n o w h a p p y L i f e ’ s much easier that way.

That being said, if I was forced to take only th r ee lu r es , ju s t th r ee, leave everything else at home, for a day of shallow-water summer fishing here in Southwest Florida, you would think I would have a very difficult time deciding what gets onboard Actually, after two decades on local waters it’s an easy decision when going after warm-water trout, redfish and snook

My first choice of the “big three” would be to have a box of 3-inch paddle tail grubs like DOA’s classic CAL series in three basic colors and a selection of different jig heads to go with them It doesn’t get much better than a lure that works all year long in hot or cold conditions and effective in all parts of the water column A lure-all fish hit that can be slow crawled on the bottom, slow or fast hopped along the bottom, fast or slow straight retrieved from bottom to top, skip casted or even buzzed on the surface Inexpensive, with tons of brands and color options to choose from, it’s an easy number one pick

A solid second choice would be to carry a small selection of spoons. Gold for inshore and chrome for closer to the Gulf Arm yourself with a long limbertipped 8 to 8 5-foot quality spinning outfit allowing mile long casts and you now have the ultimate flats search outfit The more water you cover in a day’s fishing usually means more hook ups Learn to fish a spoon from top to bottom but never ever retrieve it too fast

Mighty Mussels drop first two games in series with the Mets

Castro fans nine in 7-3 loss

PORT ST LUCIE, Fla – Ricky Castro struck out nine over four scoreless innings Wednesday, but the Mussels’ bullpen coughed up the lead in a 7-3 loss to the St Lucie Mets at Clov Castro fanned nine of faced, inducing 12 whiff different pitch types He e whiff on all four chang that induced a swing Fou innings is a new affiliat-

Castro, who was signed by the Twins from th Joliet Slammers on May 2

Despite racking up 11 Fort Myers (30-34) wen 13 with runners in scoring position and are now 1for-32 over their last four games

Fort Myers strung three straight hits together to score two runs in the ninth, but ultimately fell 7-3

Five different Mussels recorded multiple hits in the loss Rixon Wingrove finished 2-for-3 with a walk and the only extra-base hit, a ground rule double in the sixth

The Mighty Mussels took an early lead in the top of the third After Nick Lucky reached on an infield single, he stole both second and third base before Walker Jenkins drove him in with ground out to shortstop

As soon as Castro exited, St Lucie (22-43) took the lead in the bottom of the fifth AJ Ewing walked to start the inning before a Yohander Martinez throwing error put run-

n Villavicencio bunted for a hit to load the bases against Danny Moreno (1-1) Willy Fanas then roped a single to center to put the Mets up 2-1. After a pitching change, Ronald Hernandez grounded out first to plate another run and cap the inning at 3-1 St Lucie

With two outs in the sixth, Villavicencio came through with a double to the left field wall to extend the lead to 51 St Lucie added to its lead on a Jesus Baez solo homer in the seventh and a Fanas single in the eighth

The Mussels were set to tangle again with the Mets Thursday, with the remaining contests in the six-game series Friday, Saturday and Sunday

After a day off on Monday, the Mighty Mussels return home Tuesday for a six-game set against the Tampa Tarpons Coverage of all of the games is on the Mighty Mussels aseball Network

els

drop series opener to Mets, 6-1

ST LUCIE, Fla – The Mighty Mussels manwo hits Tuesday, falling 6-1 to the Saint Lucie

yers (30-33) did draw six walks in defeat but finished 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position while stranding nine runners They are now 0-for-19 with runners in scoring position over their last three games

Trailing 3-0, the Mussels scored their only run in the bottom of the sixth After three walks loaded the bases, Yohander Martinez drew a hit-by-pitch to cut the deficit to 3-1 The next batter was Ryan McCarthy, who struck out swinging to end the threat

St Lucie (21-43) got the scoring going right away in the bottom of the first Boston Baro led off with a walk before stealing second base The next batter was Jesus Baez, who cranked a two-run homer over the wall in left to make it 2-0 Mets Ronald Hernandez followed with a double to the gap before scoring on a pair of ground outs to make it 3-0

Mussels’ starter Ross Dunn (1-1) then settled down to complete four innings of work, allowing three runs on three hits while walking three

After Fort Myers cut the deficit to 3-1, St Lucie responded with an A J Ewing sacrifice fly to make it 4-1 after six innings Ronald Hernandez tacked on two more with a two-out, two-run single in the seventh to cap the scoring at 6-1

Lee County Parks & Recreation seeking public input to improve the department

Lee County Parks & Recreation is asking the public to help improve its services and amenities offered by participating in a biennial needs assessment survey

The survey is available on the homepage of the Parks & Recreation website at www leeparks org and social media pages People who complete the survey have the option to enter a drawing for a chance to win a family four-pass to the 2025 SWFL Ag Expo, a Lee County Parks & Recreation annual parking sticker or an annual pool pass

“Completing the survey is important to anyone who uses any of the Lee County parks or other recreational sites because it allows the public to provide feedback on what the department is doing well and where the department can

improve The survey will remain online until Wednesday, July 31,” officials said

Those without internet access may take the survey in person at any of the following locations:

■ North Fort Myers Recreation Center, 2000 North Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers

■ Terry Park, 3410 Palm Beach Blvd , Fort Myers

For additional information about Lee County Parks and Recreation locations, amenities and special events, please v

leeparks@leegov.com or visit leeparksandrecreation on Facebook and Instagram

Source: Lee County

Move Against Hunger Virtual 5K runs from July 20-25

Registration is underway for the 5th Annual Move Against Hunger Virtual 5K

Organizers are looking for individuals, teams, and corporate sponsors to help Move Against Hunger from Saturday, July 20, through Thursday, July 25, to help us reach their goal of $50,000

The Move Against Hunger Virtual 5K is a community action event that aims to raise awareness about food insecurity and its impact on children and communities on the island of La Gonave, Haiti

The cost for sign-up is $35 and 100% of the proceeds go to feeding children & families Sign-up can be completed at Moveagainsthunger com

This Virtual 5K can be completed your way -- walking, running, cycling, swimming, kayaking, however you

choose to Move Against Hunger

The World Food Programme reported in 2023 that “Haiti can’t wait” as food insecurity has reached emergency levels Move Against Hunger believes that by coming together as a community, we can make a difference in the lives of those who are affected by food insecurity

The Advance the Faith (DBA of Youth 4 Orphans) mission is to build relationships that promote Christian cultures of discipleship and service. In the past, we have provided over 120,000 meals to children and communities

The food crisis in Haiti is growing so the need is stronger than ever

Advance the Faith (Youth 4 Orphans) at 239-2935 7 2 9 o r v i

Go-to lures: If you had to pick just three, what would you choose for local waters?

From page 38

causing it to spin which makes fish point and laugh, and scares others Just reeling fast enough to make it rock back and forth, sides flashing like a wounded baitfish in a s t r a i g h t r e t r i e v e , g e t s t h e j o b d o n e

Everything hits them but redfish go crazy for them and snook aren’t far behind Tie your braided line to a high quality, ultrasmall and very strong swivel to prevent

line twist After years of using many b r a n d s , n o t h i n g b e a t s s t r o n g S P R O swivels Add the longest leader that you can comfortably and accurately cast and remember to never spin your spoon

My number three pick for chasing our three popular inshore species would have to be a surface plug In ankle deep to 3foot water, a floating plug is a deadly lure

Be it a time tested classic Zara Spook or Rapala’s modern and very effective Skitter

Walk or a boatload of other brands, they all produce when it's top-water time, especially in early morning or after dark From bluegills to billfish, who doesn’t enjoy the thrill of a top-water strike?

Almost making the list would be a DOA or other plastic shrimp, which are fantastic, highly versatile lures Another almost choice would be a suspending MirrOlure MirrOdine which also became an overnight classic for inshore species

Opinions vary and everyone has their favorites but these three inshore picks will get it done this summer

Capt George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide You can contact him at 239-282-9434 or via email at captgeorget3@aol com

Ballots: Local candidates qualify, prepare for upcoming Primary, General Election

From page 14

Jake Cataldo (Write-In) have qualified

I n D i s t r i c t 5 , i n c u m b e n t M i k e Greenwell (REP), Amanda Cochran (REP) and Kizzie Fowler (DEM) have qualified Lee County School Board seats are also up this year

These are non-partisan races with some candidates elected at large, others by district

I n D i

Giovannelli and Carol Frantz have qualified.

In District 3, Bill Ribble and Kaitlyn Schoeffel have qualified

In at-large District 7, Vanessa Melbis Chaviano, Sheridan Chester and Joshua D Molandes have qualified

A l l o f L e e C o u n t y ’ s c o n s t i t u t i o n a l offices are up this election year

All have an incumbent seeking re-election

S u p

Tommy Doyle (REP) has qualified, as has Michael “Mick” Peters (REP)

L

“Voting before Election Day offers voters the opportunity to save considerable time It’s important that voters are aware of the different methods of voting available that can make the process of casting their vote more convenient for them. We remain dedicated to empowering voters and want to encourage more people to take an active part in voting.”

Supervisor

Carmine Marceno (REP) has qualified, along with Michael D Hollow (Write-In)

Lee County Tax Collector: Incumbent Noelle Branning (REP) has been elected with no opposition

(REP) has been elected with no opposition

Property Appraiser: Incumbent Matt Caldwell (REP) and Steve Cunningham (REP) have qualified

The primary election is Aug 20, with the General Election to take place Nov 5

of

Elections Tommy Doyle

Candidate information may be found on the Lee County Elections Office webs

Candidate-Lists

Elections office mailed Vote-by-Mail and E

approximately 348,000 Lee County voters on Monday

The notice was mailed to voters without a Vote-by-Mail Request on file for the 2024 Primary or General Elections, officials stated, with its purpose to engage and inform them of alternatives to traditional

Election Day voting

The notice contains essential information about the upcoming elections, officials said This includes key election dates and deadlines, instructions for requesting a mail ballot and Early Voting dates, times and locations

Early voting for the Aug 20 Primary will be held from Saturday, Aug 10, through Saturday, Aug 17, from 10 a m to 6 p m each day

Early voting for the Nov 5 General Election will run from Monday, Oct 21, through Saturday, Nov 2, from 10 a m to 6 p m each day

“Voting before Election Day offers voters the opportunity to save considerable time,” stated Doyle “It’s important that voters are aware of the different methods of voting available that can make the process of casting their vote more convenient for them We remain dedicated to empowering voters and want to encourage more people to take an active part in voting ”

Cape Coral Library: Programs, activities and events scheduled for month of July

From page 18

their caregiver Tickets available 30 minutes before start of program

Family Build It Drop-In

1 0 a.m. - Noon, Saturday, July 2 0

Build your way into a new adventure with your family during this drop-in summer reading program All supplies provided

Don't Try This at Home

2 p m , Monday, July 2 2

Get ready for a messy, hair-raising, explosive, freezing and dangerous show This summer reading program will be a unique mix of some of The IMAG's craziest demonstrations For ages 6-11 years Registration required Your registration is valid only until the start of the program Please arrive 15 minutes early to guarantee your spot in the program

Pre-K Pretend & Play

1 0 :3 0 a m , Wednesday, July 2 4

Let's play pretend at the library There will be stations throughout the room for you and your child to engage in and socialize with Please dress children for some messy play For ages 2-5 years No registration is required, but space is limited to 50 children

plus their caregiver Tickets available 30 minutes before start of program

Prepare with Pedro

2 p.m., Wednesday, July 3 1

American Red Cross presents Prepare with Pedro This preparedness program is designed for students from kindergarten to second grade It follows Pedro the Penguin and his friends as they learn how to be prepared and take action during an emergency

Teen

Programs

Kids Read Down Fines

1 -2 p.m., Saturday, July 6

5 :1 5 -6 :1 5 p.m., Wednesday, July 1 7

Children and teens can earn a $2 credit on overdue fines for every 15 minutes they read in the designated area for a total of $8 in one session Please bring your library card Please check in at the Youth Desk

Teen Tech Playground

2 p m , Tuesday, July 9

Adventure into the world of technology with our immersive summer reading program for teens Snacks and supplies provided This program is for ages 12-18 years

Registration is required and is valid only until the start of the program Please arrive 15 minutes early to guarantee your spot in

the program

Summer Teen Trivia

2 p.m., Tuesday, July 1 6

Teens are invited to a special adventurethemed trivia Bring your friends and test your trivia skills There will be prizes and bragging rights awarded to the winners This program is for ages 12-18 years

Registration required and is valid only until the start of the program Please arrive 15 minutes early to guarantee your spot in the program

Family Build It Drop-In

1 0 a.m. - Noon, Saturday, July 2 0

Build your way into a new adventure with your family during this drop-in summer reading program. All supplies provided

Pokémon Teen Battleground

2 p m , Tuesday, July 2 3

Welcome Pokémon trainers to our library battleground and training stations Here you will find a variety of fights and crafts to immerse yourself in Bring your own cards to show off without having to worry about losing any Snacks provided This program is for ages 12-18 years Registration is required and is valid only

until the start of the program Please arrive 15 minutes early to guarantee your spot in the program

The Cape Coral Lee County Public Library is located at 921 S W 39th Terrace in Cape Coral For more information about a program or to register, please call the library at 239-533-4500 Check the Lee County Library System’s website at www leelibrary net to find out about programs at other locations Call the host library, or Telephone Reference at 239479-INFO (4636), for more information about a specific program

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter at www leegov com/resources/newsletters In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lee County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in its services, programs or activities To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a reasonable modification to participate, contact Raphaela Morais-Peroba, 239533-8782, Florida Relay Service 711, or rperoba@leegov com Accommodation will be provided at no cost to the requester Requests should be made at least five business days in advance

It’s summertime: Long vacation from school and regular schedule could cause anxiety

From page 19

ties to keep children occupied while they are working

Try to make and stick to a budget, and look for free activities, such as library prog r a m s C r e a t i n g m e m o r i e s b y p l a y i n g games or doing crafts with your children encourages family togetherness and can lessen FOMO, or fear of missing out

Summer also marks the end of one phase of life and the beginning of another,

such as changing grades and schools

Anxiety about going away to college, starting a career after college or starting elementary, middle or high school may intensify while waiting for fall

Help plan for transitions by making sure you have everything you need and helping children and teens know what to expect Validating feelings of anxiety during transitions and change helps children and teens process their emotions

The good news for mental health in the

summer is availability of more sunlight, which increases mood-boosting vitamin D and serotonin, as well as sleep-boosting melatonin Outdoor activities, rest and relaxation and quality time with loved ones afforded in summer also benefit mental well-being

While seasonal anxiety affects everyone differently, prioritizing mental wellness during the summer includes taking one day at a time, practicing self-care and compassion and seeing help when needed

Sharon Clime is a licensed marriage

DNA Behavioral Health Elite DNA seeks to provide accessible, affordable mental health care to everyone and has become one of the largest mental health providers in the state, providing in-person and virtual behavioral health services to children, adolescents and adults at more than 30 locations across Florida For more information, visit EliteDNA com

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