Brant Dustin Kelling, 33, of St James City, has been charged with second degree murder, after the Lee County Sheriff’s Office says a DNA profile match connected him to a death that occurred on Aug 9
According to a LCSO report, after responding to a call
Former chapter and Idaho State Regent Ann Beebe has been a part of the Daughters of the American Revolution since the organization’s 100th anniversary in 1990 She also served on the National Board of Management in Washington before taking a job with Idaho Gov C L “Butch” Otter
“Constitution
Week is about the founding fathers spending a whole summer in Philadelphia, beating the Constitution into shape before any of the representatives would even vote on it ”
Islander Ann Beebe
T h e U n i t e d S t a t e s
Constitution has been upheld in Beebe’s family as one of the biggest priorities Her mother, Elizabeth, was a member of the DAR in South Carolina and her maternal grandmother, Ottie Lee Rast, was a charter member
B e e b e f e e l s m o s t p e o p l e don’t typically spend too much t i m e s t u d y i n g a n d p o n d e r i n g U S history, the way they did when she was young.
“My mother’s mother was a c h a r t e r m e m b e r o f t h e D A R
w h e n i t w a s f i r s t f o u n d e d (1880), so I always grew up with that kind of pride I was kind of late getting involved in DAR because when I was young I thought they just put on their hats, pins and white gloves and went to the meetings and sat around and drank tea and talked about relatives When I got involved it taught me a lot more about our founding than I had paid attention to Constitution Week is about the founding fathers spending a whole summer in Philadelphia, beating the Constitution into shape before any of the representatives would even vote on it,” Beebe said
Constitution Week is Sept 17-23 It was enacted Aug 2, 1956, by President Dwight D Eisenhower, but it was President George W Bush who officially declared Constitution Week in September 2002 The DAR had petitioned Congress prior to Eisenhower's enactment to recognize the importance of the Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is a most impressive document, Beebe said, adding that it is so inclusive and enduring, in her opinion it had to be from
See DAR, page 13
for medical assistance in St James City on Aug 10, deputies located an unresponsive male, who paramedics pronounced deceased on the scene According to the medical examiner, the cause of the victim’s death was found to be blunt force trauma to the head
A search warrant was obtained, after a Lee County Sheriff’s detective observed what were described as con-
cerning injuries on the victim Blood was reported to have been found on the lanai, driveway and exterior of a vehicle parked in the driveway, according to the report Kelling, who was arrested on an outstanding warrant for charges in Ohio, is currently being held at the Lee County Jail with a $1 million bond His arraignment will be held on Sept 26
By PAULETTE LeBLANC pleblanc@breezenewspapers com
Stearns Custom Builders owner Derrick Stearns said the company has been busy reconnecting with clients for which they’ve done work, to make sure they have everything they need
He credits upgraded building codes for the large success rate of homes that have fared well through the last 20 or 30 years of tropical storms and hurricanes on islands like Pine Island
Good engineering and good execution cannot be i g n o r e d , h e s a i d , b u t another important factor is pile foundations In sur-
v e y i n g a n d a s s e s s i n g
Above, young Ann Beebe, left, and her mother Elizabeth Below is Ann Beebe’s grandmother, Ottie Lee Rast, who was a charter member of the Daughters of the American Revolution
d a m a g e d u e t o s t o r m s u r g e f r o m l a s t y e a r ’ s H u r r i c a n e I a n , S t e a r n s s a i d p i l e f o u n d a t i o n s b e c a m e w o r t h t h e i r weight in gold, as they were the heaviest evidentiary proof he found in homes that did well
“There were multiple homes that I saw some we built and some were built by others but if they had a driven pile foundation, even if the land eroded next to or behind it, the house stayed still,” Stearns said
Although some builders may overlook pile foundations, those who know the island well, will not Not only is it reliable for settlement that comes over time, but in a catastrophic event it will make sure the house stays put, he explained
“There are multiple kinds of piles, like wood, concrete and helical The alternative is not driving the pile, but doing a conventional shallow concrete footing, but when the soils erode 4, 5, 6 feet, it fails, because the soil is the only support,” Stearns said
Conversely, with a pile foundation there is no dependency on the soil, so if the soil erodes, the house will be maintained, he said.
In an area such as an island, where a waterfront home is vulnerable to storm surge soil erosion, Stearns recommends having a Geo Technical Exploration Survey soil test This test will show whether the soil conditions require a pile foundation to prevent settlement
See PINE ISLAND SPIRIT, page 13
The School District of Lee County continues to dive deeper into busing issues to reach its on-time goal of more than 95%
“We are always going to have avenues of challenges each and every day and rightfully so Not every bus driver comes to work every day Sometimes people get sick Sometimes they have a family obligation and if they are entitled to leave they are expected to take that and take care of their personal business, but that does put u s i n a b i n d , ” S u p e r i n t e n d e n t D r C h r i s t o p h e r B e r n i e r s a i d d u r i n g a Wednesday School Board meeting
Staff is looking at everything to solve the district’s transportation issues, which include looking at new solutions
“I don’t know if I want to announce them here tonight because they are very much in the making, but I think we have to find a way to cover uncovered routes,” Bernier said “We have to get better into our schools and out of our schools and that includes enhancing our parent pick up and drop off lines and making sure those lines are out of the way of the buses so the buses can be more operationally efficient ”
To have a better understanding of ontime percentages, Bernier is asking the transportation department for not just a breakdown of the total system, but high school, elementary and middle school on time percentages
“Additionally, we are beginning to highlight those school buildings that are above 10 percent and those numbers
Students will now have two full days, rather than two half days of school to accommodate the days missed due to Hurricane Idalia and will go to school for a half day before Winter Break begins in December
The school district closed schools on Aug 29 and Aug 30 in abundance of caution as Southwest Florida felt the outer bands of Hurricane Idalia
“We are required by Florida law to h a v e a c e r t a i n a m o u n t o f h o u r s o f instruction in each semester We felt the best way to meet that legal requirement
a n d s t i l l f i n i s h t h e s e m e s t e r b e f o r e Winter Break was to extend the early dismissal days already in place and use the previously approved hurricane make-up day on Dec 22 as an early dismissal day,” School District of Lee County Spokesperson Rob Spicker said
Those make-up days include:
n Oct. 25, now a full day
n Dec 21, now a full day
n Dec 22, rather than a day off, will now be an early dismissal day for students and a workday for all staff
T h e c a l e n d a r c a n b e v i e w e d a t https://www leeschools net/calendars/ins tructional calendar
higher than that That will be a conversation between the chief operations officer, myself and the director of transportation on a weekly basis,” he said
In addition, the district is working with
Boys & Girls Club and YMCA to restore some bus stops closer to the locations at the board’s request
“We have said, though, to those community partners that this is a one-year only option By this time next year, they will have had to find a different business model,” he said “But we are not going to bring our students closer to those nonprofit locations at the expense of those students walking back to their neighborhoods We will drop off our students in t h e i r n e i g h b o r h o o d s a n d i f w e h a v e remaining students for those programs, then we will bring them closer to those organizations and make sure they are in a legitimate, or more easy walking distance, to the location, but may not necessarily be door-to-door ”
With transportation continuing to be a challenge, a middle school proximity plan is on the horizon, Bernier said
Pine Island Elementary School will hos t a community event Wednes day, Sept 20, at 9:30 a m in the school cafeteria The main goal of the event will be reconnecting community organizations and PIE
Principal Tom Millins understands the importance of building relationships and forging bonds with the students, island families and the community. This bond is critical for the continued success of PIE
The community event is an opportuni-
ty to reconnect with these island groups and share things such as academics, safety, recognitions and the day-to-day school life of an elementary student The event will include overall school operations, safety, school and district initiatives
Superintendent of the School District of Lee County Dr Christopher Bernier, will also be sharing district initiatives
Pine Island Elementary is at 5360 Ridgewood Drive in Bokeelia Contact the school at 239-283-0505
Publisher Raymond M Eckenrode reckenrode@breezenewspapers com
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There is a huge reason why I trust VA for all my health care needs and why I have for over 18 years I feel safe, connected, and know my providers have my best interest at heart and strive to deliver positive health outcomes. Further, as I age, I know that VA will be positioned, ready, and capable of caring for me when I need them most The overwhelming majority of veterans who use VA for their care, feel the same way
The Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit e x p a n s i o n i n t h e h i s t o r y o f t h e U S
Department of Veterans Affairs Among the many provisions in the law, there is one that I’d like to urgently highlight that directly impacts post-9/11 combat veterans and the opportunity to enroll for VA’s full medical benefits package
When President Biden signed the PACT Act into law last August, his pen stroke immediately initiated a one-year, VA health care open enrollment period for veterans who meet the following criteria:
Served on active duty in a theater of combat operations during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War or served in combat
To the editor:
I guess “Way to go Brandon” is also known in emails as Robin Ware, among other names he used. I guess Joe decided not to use Robinhood for his emails from all his followers, while serving as VP Robinhood donated his spoils I guess that’s not what Joe was willing to do Robinhood wouldn’t work, if you weren’t helping the less fortunate LOL Trump needs to Trump onto something else
Dump Trump and Biden
Make America united again!
Previous Web Poll Question: Are you in favor of building height restriction changes for Pine Island and Matlacha?
n Yes 56%
n No 39%
n I have no opinion 5%
n Other 0%
Current Web Poll Question:
Are you concerned about development in Cape Coral along Pine Island Road and Burnt Store Road?
n Yes, especially encroachment and increased traffic
n No, it’s out of our hands
n Why worry, local development is inevitable
n Other
Share your opinion at pineisland-eagle.com
To the editor:
Leo Amos MatlachaI love these scorched earth letters where I’m told how great someone is without one fact Florida is now the least liked state for teachers, look it up… it’s a FACT! “Woke ideology” means to be awake to the needs of others, informed, thoughtful, and aware of
against a hostile force during a period of hostilities after Nov 11, 1998
And:
Were discharged or released between Sept. 11, 2001, and Oct 1, 2013, and not previously enrolled in VA health care
Time is of the essence as the deadline to apply for VA health care without the need for additional eligibility verification is Oct 1, 2023 For some vetera n s , m e e t i n g V A ’ s i n c o m e threshold requirements prevent them from being eligible for VA care Applying for care before the deadline eliminates this challenge entirely
David B IsaacksTo apply for care today and to learn more about the PACT Act, Veterans can visit www va gov/PACT, or visit the closest VA medical center or clinic.
One of the primary advantages of VA health care is the comprehensive coverage it offers From preventive care to specialized treatment for service-related conditions, veterans receive high-quality medical attention w i t h o u t t h e f i n a n
s o c i a l i n j u s t i c e D e S a n t i s i s o p p o s e d t o “woke” sentiments He has been untruthful about its meaning so repeatedly as to make the word meaningless His own lawyers, however, had to define the term in court while defending DeSantis’s firing over a “woke” official, said, “ It would be the belief there are systemic injustices in American society and the need to address them ” Republican policies regarding the needs of Americans has been purely undemocratic O n e h u n d r e d a n d s e v e n t e e n H o u s e Republicans voted to cut Social Security, an old age security plan that we have paid into our entire lives DeSantis drew his own redistricting line to weaken votes considered unfavorable to him (gerrymandering) His minions in the Florida Legislature has given in to his demands for excessive gubernatorial power, even to the degree that DeSantis created his own private military, accountable only to him. His “stop woke act” has stopped or restricted the discussion of race equality, a n d h a s n e g a t i v e l y i m p a c t e d A f r i c a n American studies in college Blatant distor-
associated with private health insurance and private health care in general Furthermore, t h e V A h e a l t h c a r e s y s t e m focuses on the unique health challenges faced by veterans, e n s u r i n g t h a t t h e i r s p e c i f i c needs are met
Back in 2005, after I completed my first VA primary care appointment, I felt the same way as I do now VA health care is about building a l i f e l o n g r e l a t i o n s h i p a n d empowering veterans to access VA throughout their journey of life As a community, it is our d u t y a n d r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o encourage and support veterans in applying for VA care they deserve nothing less
David Isaacks is a Marine Corps vete r a n a n d e x e c u t i v e d i r e c t o r o f t h e V A Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8) –the network of VA hospitals and clinics located in Florida, South Georgia, Puerto Rico, and the U S Virgin Islands
tion of the truth includes omitting Rosa Parks was black, and teaching that slavery taught slaves trades that could be beneficial to them, when the truth is that slaves were only taught skills beneficial to their white masters But this isn’t just about racism He has made it easier to ban books in a move called “parental rights” which is nothing more than allowing one set of parents to force their belief system on the rest. You may vote for him because you agree with his positions but he’s coming for all of us with more taxes, lower pay, higher prices, higher inflation than the rest of the country, fewer rights, lower quality of life, and more lies! You best realize Republicans are not for lower taxes for most Americans anymore, in fact they gave our tax dollars away to hugely profitable corporate America, and added more to the deficit than Democrats have ever done!
Denise Healey BokeeliaTo the editor:
Recently the White House explained that the president will travel to Alaska to mark the somber occasion of 9/11 after his Sept 10 trip to Hanoi, Vietnam, where he will meet with Vietnamese leaders to discuss technological innovation and climate change It will be the first time that a president has not attended any of the observances that have b e e n h e l d a n n u a l l y i n N e w Y o r k C i t y , Pennsylvania and Virginia, or at the White House 9/11 was one of the worst events in our country’s history
The decision to forgo the traditional obser-
The Matlacha Hookers Inc is a local 501©3 non-profit established in 1998, with approximately 200 current memb e r s A f t e r H u r r i c a n e I a n , t h e g r o u p adopted a GoFundMe for hurricane relief a n d c o n t i n u e d r a i s i n g f u n d s f o r t h e Greater Pine Island area.
The Hookers' organization strives to make a positive difference in the island community and has decided to use some of the money raised for hurricane relief and rebuilding for the Greater Pine Island area's locally owned and operated businesses and non-profit organizations
The Hookers have dedicated another $35,000 grant opportunity, with $2,000 grants for local for-profit businesses and $3,000 for local non-profit organizations The deadline for applications is Sept. 28.
Eligibility criteria:
n Businesses operating before Hurricane Ian and businesses currently operating after Hurricane Ian (09/28/2022) are eligible Note: This is a change from the f i r s t r o u n d o f H u r r i c a n e I a n G r a n t s , which only allowed applications from open businesses before 9/28/2022
l Locally owned and operated small businesses in the Greater Pine Island and
Matlacha Area
l A current Sunbiz Annual report, title or other proof of a currently operating business must be provided
l You must not have received a grant from the first round of grants
n Non-profit organizations operating before Hurricane Ian and currently operating after Hurricane Ian (09/28/2022) are eligible
l May not have national, state or county affiliation
l Must be in the Greater Pine Island and Matlacha area
l Social clubs are not eligible
W e i g h t e d C r i t e r i a ( t o t a l p o i n t s a n applicant can earn = 100):
1 20 Points: What type of assistance, if any, did you apply for? (E g , Small Business Loan SBA, Grants, etc )
2 20 points: What did your business or Non-Profit contribute to the Greater Pine Island area during the first four
months of the recovery efforts?
3 40 Points: How can you support the continued recovery efforts to Pine Island over the next 12 months?
4 20 Points: If you were chosen as a recipient, how would your business or non-profit use the money?
Required information to qualify:
n Questions on the application must be completed in their entirety
n If you lack the required information on the application or do not include the necessary supporting documents, your application will not be eligible to move to the ranking round; this includes your “narrative on how the grant will make a positive difference in your business serving the Pine Island area ”
n The applicant agrees this narrative could be published and shared to promote the Matlacha Hooker Hurricane Ian Grant Program and Greater Pine Island rebuilding initiatives and marketing activities
n Once applicants are determined to be eligible, the weighted criteria will be reviewed and scored The ranking list will be completed, and the top highestscoring applicants will receive the grant
n In the event of a tie, applicants will be chosen via blind drawing
n For-profit, small businesses selected will receive a $2,000 grant
n Non-profit organizations selected will receive a $3,000 grant Grant applications are on the Hookers' w e
t l a c h a h o o k e r o r g , under the Hurricane Ian Recovery Tab.
Completed applications and supporting documents can be mailed to the M a t l a c h a H o o k e r s , P O B o x 1 1 1 , Matlacha, FL 33993, and must be postmarked by Thursday, Sept 28, 2023
If chosen as a recipient, businesses or non-profits will be contacted by a member of the committee to be invited to the Matlacha Hookers General Membership Meeting, the second week in October, for a check presentation
Those businesses and organizations not chosen will receive a letter from the committee acknowledging receipt of their application and thanking them for their submission
If you have questions about the grant process or criteria, contact Julia Gaylor at 12thmadam julia@gmail com Please write, “MH Grant Questions” in the subject line
As part of the Emergency Restoration of the Pine Island Road Causeway and Bridge, crews will be working in the project boundaries along CR 78 Pine Island Road from west of Little Pine Island Bridge (Bridge No 120111) to West of Shoreview Drive
The Florida Department of Transportation announcement includes:
n UPDATE: A permanent sheet pile
wall is now installed on the south side of the Pine Island Causeway. The contractor is working on the completion of the concrete cap
n UPCOMING: The contractor will be mobilizing to the north side so crews can begin driving sheet piling there This is expected to occur mid-September and traffic configurations will be changing as the work progresses Motorists should
expect an overnight, 20-minute lane closure for delivery/removal of materials
a n d e q u i p m e n t w h e n t h e m o b i l i z i n g begins
n Motorists can expect temporary, intermittent lane closures with flagging operations
n Pedestrians and bicyclists are not permitted within the construction zone
n Noise from construction equipment
in the area is to be expected
n Please use caution and watch for workers and construction vehicles entering and exiting the roadway.
n Please be patient and plan for additional travel time as it may be slower than usual in the area
For additional information about the roadwork, visit the FDOT project web page at https://www swflroads com/project/451937-2 or email at PineIslandinfo @qcausa com
n
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e d n e s d a y , S e p t e m b e r
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i n e I s l a n d E a g l e
It’s slow season on the water with not a lot of boats fishing over the week days. Those that did fish often found a good bite from a variety of species
Anglers found hungry sea trout over grass flats inside Redfish and Captiva Passes, south of Rocky Channel, all around Bokeelia, and north Matlacha Pass Fish are averaging twelve to seventeen inches with a few over twenty inches Live bait and lures fish around bait schools and feeding birds gave the best a c t i o n S h r i m p , s m a l l pilchards, and pinfish, plus a host of lures including Z-man and MirrOlures worked best Big ladyfish, bluefish, small s h a r k s , a n d s m a l l g a g
grouper were hooked as well
With effort, anglers are boxing limits of mangrove snapper across the inshore waters and gulf passes In P i n e I s l a n d S o u n d a n d
C h a r l o t t e H a r b o r , s n a p p e r were chummed up around bait schools, bar drop-offs, m a n g r o v e s h o r e l i n e s , a n d
structure. Inshore snapper are a v e r a g i n g e i g h t t o f i f t e e n inches If you catch the slower stages of the tides, drifting hard bottom in the passes or the Sanibel Causeway are good choices
Overall, redfish catches were good around the inshore waters Larger fish 28 to 32 inches were hooked around the gulf passes and smaller slot or keeper size reds were hooked around oyster bars, creeks, and mangrove shorelines from Bokeelia’s Jug Creek, south to St James and areas in between in the Sound and Matlacha Pass Black drum, mangrove snapper, and snook were caught from the same areas Shrimp, shrimp and jig combos, and soft plastics were top baits
Snook fishing remained steady around the barrier islands and passes of Sanibel, Captiva, and Cayo Costa Islands, plus inshore from Bokeelia south to Galt Island, plus south Matlacha Pass From land, snook were hooked from the Bokeelia Fishing Pier and Matlacha Draw Bridge
Tarpon sightings and hook-ups came from the southern Sound near the powerlines, around Bokeelia, and way up Charlotte Harbor near the bridges A few were hooked on live and cut mullet, plus big Bomber lures. Tarpon are often hanging around bait schools and ladyfish schools
If you are fishing around either, it’s a good plan to fish a
bigger bait or lure for tarpon
Offshore, after the waters settled down from hurricane Idalia, mangrove and lane snapper, plus mostly undersize gag grouper was caught from reefs, ledges, and hard bottom over depths from forty to eight feet Goliath grouper and sharks were often a nuisance over the reefs
If you have a fishing report or for charter information, contact Gulf Coast Guide Service at 239-410-8576 (call
or text); on the web at www fishpineisland com; or via email at gcl2fish@live com
Have a safe week and good fishin’
A s a l i f e t i m e r e s i d e n t o f Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning the waters around P i n e I s l a n d a n d S o u t h w e s t Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for the past 23 years
With only 8 games, Clem Moors came out on top scoring 110 points Second, Bonnie Kellen rolled in with 80 points Close behind was Stephanie LaHines scoring 75 points. Lots of laughs and good food at the Moose!
From page 4
vance at the attack sites or the White House in favor of other topics raises concerns about the administration’s priorities Seems the President and progressives along with the media want to cancel events that has united Americans
It’s vital to prioritize commemorating the heroes and victims of 9/11 above all else on this day of remembrance Many Americans find it disheartening that the focus appears to have shifted away from honoring the memory of those who perished, and that the consciousness of 9/11 is receding. It was a terrorist attack against our country, and everybody should remember it and take precautions and watch out and hope it never happens again
Lou WalkerHarry Chapin Food Bank, the largest hunger relief organization in Southwest Florida, has announced it will hold its first ever, 24-hour food packing event on Sept 15 and Sept 16 The 24-hour Sort-aThon begins at 8 a m on Sept 15, Hunger Action Day at the Fort Myers Distribution Center, 3760 Fowler St in Fort Myers
During this 24-hour event, volunteers will be inspecting, sorting and packing food donations that will be distributed through a variety of Harry Chapin Food Bank programs and partner agencies
Volunteers will work four-hour shifts
b e g i n n i n
8 a m o n S e p t 1 5
Community members are encouraged to form teams to participate in this unique event A $25 donation per person is encouraged to participate
September is Hunger Action Month, which focuses on how communities can come together to raise awareness about hunger in America and inspire action
According to Feeding America, more than 135,250 people in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties faced food insecurity in 2021 Food insecurity is defined as the lack of access to enough
Food Pantry will be in the Pine Island United Methodist Church parking lot Friday, Sept 15, from 10-11:30
Participants will need to park and show their ID at registration Participants must also bring their own bags
The church is located at 5701 Pine Island Road, across from the Fire Station near the four-way stop at The Center
The mission of Community Coopera-
tive is to eliminate hunger and homelessness in Southwest Florida while simultaneously inspiring and supporting sustained positive change in its clients by delivering innovative food, education and social service programs Its office is at 3429 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd , Fort Myers
food for an active, healthy lifestyle
Now in its 40th year, Harry Chapin Food Bank feeds more than a quarter of a million people each month through a variety of food distribution programs.
Community members interested in participating in the 24-hour Sort-a-Thon should contact, Volunteer Manager, Lori Harrington at lharrington@hcfb org or 239-334-7007, extension 141
About Harry Chapin Food Bank
Harry Chapin Food Bank rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and distributes it to children, families and seniors who are hungry through a series of food
distribution programs that feed more than a quarter of a million people each month
Harry Chapin Food Bank distributed $61 5 million worth of food in fiscal year 2022. Through its food distribution programs, the food bank supplied 34 7 million pounds of food and other grocery items, including 12 million pounds of fresh produce The food is the equivalent of 29 million meals distributed to those who are hungry
Harry Chapin Food Bank is also a United Way partner agency For more information or to make a gift, please call 239- 334-7007 or visit harrychapinfoodbank org
The St James City Civic Association Board Meeting will be held Thursday, Sept 14 at 9 a m , at 3300 Fourth Ave , St James City
All are welcome to attend
A representative of the Greater Pine Island Alliance will be a guest speaker
Anyone interested in having classes
should attend to hear about renovations and getting on the calendar
Check out the SJCCA's new website and opportunities to donate to rebuilding after Ian
Any questions, call Cindy 954-2495512
Latin music lovers will rock the day and night away Saturday, Sept. 16, when well-known internationallyacclaimed artists from Cuba, Puerto Rico and South America perform at the first-ever Fort Myers Latin Music Festival at the Caloosa Sound Amphitheater on Edwards Drive in downtown Fort Myers
The family-friendly event will include music, food trucks and a kids’ zone with four bounce houses and will run from noon to 10 p m
Headlining the music festival will be some of the most well-known artists in Latin music along with rising stars in the music industry Among the performers will be:
● Osmani Garcia is a popular Cuban singer and songwriter known for the catchy and upbeat reggaeton and Latin music Garcia participated in the National Festival of Cuba and received several awards He co-founded El Duo de Cristal, which played three domestic Cuban tours with songs reaching number one on the Cuban charts
● Lucy Grau is a Miami-based singer and songwriter who has been dubbed the “Latin Disco Queen” for her soulful and electrifying performances She masters both
Creative Coast Preschool is offering three free hours of VPK to all children who turned 4 on or before Sept 1 The preschool also has availability for anyone 2 years old or older For more information, contact Maria at 239-283-3423
Creative Coast Preschool is at 10731 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia
English and Spanish as she proves in her hits “Last Dance” and “On the Radio” (salsa version), the Donna Summer classics she chose as a rendition to the late singer
● The Celia Cruz All Stars is a group of musicians and singers who once played with the legendary “Queen of Salsa,” Celia Cruz Fans call the group “classic Celia” with a funky, contemporary twist
● Bianca Leony was born in Miami of CubanAmerican parents who made the Latin rhythm part of her soul Her grandmother Bianca Varela was a renowned opera singer in Cuba and is the inspiration for Leony’s music
The festival also will feature some rising Florida Latin stars, including Joe Hernandez y su Orchestra Classica, Sessi, Aivy and DJ LEXX
The festival will showcase a variety of Latin music genres, including salsa, bachata, merengue, reggaeton and more, according to organizers
“Attendees can enjoy Latin cuisine, shop for unique crafts and souvenirs and experience the vibrant and colorful atmosphere of the festival,” said organizer Eddie Latour of Nice Guys Productions “The festival promises to be a fun-filled celebration of Latin culture that will bring people together and create lasting memories ”
The event is presented by Hyundai of Fort Myers with a dozen other sponsors providing support.
A portion of the proceeds from the festival will support local non-profit organization Music aLIVE SWFL, formed in October 2022, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian to preserve and promote live music in Southwest Florida Music aLIVE SWFL will provide financial assistance, education and other support to local musicians and others that support the live music industry, Latour said
Tickets are $40 pre-sale and $50 at the door Children under age 5 are free VIP tickets cost $150 and include VIP parking, buffet dinner from 3 Pepper Burrito, exclusive walk-in bathrooms, meet and greet with the performers, a VIP tent with shade and a designated area to d a n c e b y t h e s t a g e T i c k e t s c a n b e p u r c h a s e d a t https://outertix com/niceguys/20
For more, visit www niceguysproduction com
The Riverboat Jazz Band will be performing Tuesday, Sept 19, from 6-8 p m at the Lake Kennedy Center, 400 Santa Barbara Blvd , Cape Coral Doors open at 5:30 The cost is $5 per person -- BYOB and other
The band will be performing at the Lake Kennedy Center the third Tuesday of every month For additional information, please call 239-574-0575
The 21st Annual Blessing of the Animals will be held Saturday, Sept 30, from 11 a m to 1 p m , under the oaks at St John’s Episcopal Church at 7771 H Stringfellow Road, St James City Hosted by the Rev Bill Gilmore, vicar of St John’s Episcopal Church, the blessing will also include the Rev Jacek Mazur, pastor of Our Lady of the Miraculous
Medal Catholic Church; the Rev Kaylee Vida, pastor of Pine Island United Methodist Church; and the Rev Tom Hafer, pastor of Fishers of Men Lutheran Church
All animals are welcome -- please remember to bring your owner
Contact St. John’s Episcopal Church at 239-2835439 for more information
This handsome boy is hoping to be the center of your world. Arthur was very scared when he first came to us, but time and kindness has turned him into a lap cat. He enjoys following the volunteers around, but the moment a lap is available, he’s in it Arthur prefers to be petted on his head, which makes us curious about his history and if someone hurt him He’s approximately 2 years old and is hoping to be your best friend. For more information, call Helping Paws Animal Sanctuary at 239-283-9100. If y o u ’ d r a t h e r j u s t d o n a t e , o u r a d d r e s s is 10060 Mallory Parkway, E , Unit D, St James City, FL, 33956 or there’s always our w e b s i t e w w w h e l p i n g p a w s a n i m a l s a n c t uary com
From page 1
the minds of pure genius
The term “founding fathers,” conjures up images of a group of older men, but most of them were relatively young Despite the presence of Benjamin Franklin, who was 81, the average age of the signers was just 43 James Madison, father of the Constitution, was only 36 years old, while the articulate Alexander Hamilton was an even more youthful 31 The youngest delegate, Jonathan Dayton from New Jersey, was just 26 years old
The delegates to the convention as a group were very well educated Thirty-one attended college and 15 graduated Three were college professors and two were college presidents The schools they represented included the most prestigious in America at the time namely Princeton, Columbia, William and Mary and Harvard. Six attended universities in England All of this education
aided the delegates in creating a new government Drawing on their training in philosophy of political theory and history went a long way toward helping the founding fathers produce a the Constitution
“These men worked together in close quarters and a c l o s e d u p b u i l d i n g i n P h i l a d e l p h i a f r o m M a y t o September of 1787 Imagine how hot it would’ve been in a closed building they even kept the window shut to keep out eavesdroppers during the summer with no air conditioning They were totally focused on creating a constitution which would establish the rights and privileges and responsibilities of American citizenship I wonder if they knew at the time that their efforts were the foundation of the most incredible governmental document in human history,” Beebe said.
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After Hurricane Ian hit Pine Island, islanders immediately began caring for one another, Stearns said A year later, he emphasizes people are ready to get past Ian and get back to some sense of normalcy It was good to see the same tight-knit community spirit that welcomed the Stearns family to Pine Island in the 1970s when they first arrived
“It’s going to take time but the island will bounce back You can re-build houses, you can rebuild roads there were times it was difficult to see our island in the largest state of devastation that I’ve ever seen, but the one thing that Ian never took was the Pine Island spirit The Pine Island spirit was never broken,” Stearns said
Air Pros USA will honor local men and women who served or are currently serving in the U S military The HVAC company has launched its 4th annual Air Pros USA Veterans Day Giveaway to award one veteran or active-duty service member in the Fort Myers area a free air conditioning unit with installation
Throughout the entire month of September anyone can nominate a deserving veteran for Air Pros USA Veterans Day Giveaway by filling out a short appli-
cation at https://airprosusa.com/veteransday-giveaway/ The deadline to submit nominations is Saturday, Sept 30th The contest is open to active military, retired service members, and veterans who were discharged under general or honorable conditions All nominees need to own their home in the Fort Myers area
“The Veterans Day Giveaway stands as a cherished and treasured tradition throughout our company,” serif Anthony Perera, founder and chief growth officer of
Air Pros USA. “It serves as a humble gesture of appreciation for their dedication and an authentic reflection of our gratitude for their unwavering commitments The values and ethos of Air Pros USA resonate profoundly with Veterans as we have numerous former and active military in our company and the communities we serve We are honored to be able to give back in this annual tribute.”
Air Pros USA is dedicated to the veterans’ community, instituting this tradition
leading up to Veterans Day, by helping those in need This year, the company will host the giveaway in multiple U S cities across Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana
For more information and a complete list of official rules for the Veterans Day Giveaway, visit https://airprosusa com/ veterans-day-giveaway/
For more information visit www.airprosusa com
With the holiday travel season quickly approaching, Lee County Clerk Kevin Karnes is hosting a free online class on how to apply for a passport The webinar will be held from 2-3 p m, today, Sept 13, via the online platform Zoom
During the virtual class, participants will learn the process and requirements to apply for a passport so they can begin their travels abroad This includes:
n Types of forms & applications
n Required documentation and infor-
mation for adults and minors
n Time limits
n Fees and associated costs
n Turnaround times
September is also Passport Awareness
M o n t h , w h i c h i s a t i m e t h e U S Department of State encourages people to apply for their passport since demand is typically down in the fall and winter months As an official passport acceptance facility, the Lee Clerk’s office processes approximately 8,000 passport
The class is free, but registration is required Anyone who would like to attend the online class can register at www leeclerk org/seminar
This webinar is part of the “How To” series provided by the Lee Clerk’s office to educate the community about all of the resources available to them Recorded tutorials of past “How To” classes are available at www.leeclerk.org/howto.
The Florida Constitution established
the Clerk of the Circuit Court as a public trustee, responsible for safeguarding public records and public funds Clerk Kevin Karnes is directly elected by and accountable to Lee County residents
In addition to the role of Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Clerk is the County Recorder and Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, and the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Auditor for Lee County. For more information, visit https://www leeclerk org/
Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, has presented K e
President’s Circle Award The President’s Circle Award recognizes exemplary performance by certified affiliates of Keep America Beautiful in creating clean, green and beautiful communities
In qualifying for the President’s Circle Award, KLCB has met standards of merit of Keep America Beautiful by conducting an annual Community Appearance Index; calculating the affiliate’s cost/benefit ratio; and administering initiatives to end littering, improve recycling, and beautify Lee County’s community.
Keep Lee County Beautiful is one of more than 700 c o m m u n i t y - b a s e d a f f i l i a t e s i n t h e K e e p A m e r i c a Beautiful network whose programs, initiatives, and efforts, supported by millions of volunteers, help transform public spaces into beautiful places
“Achieving the President’s Circle Award means Keep Lee County Beautiful is working in strategic, creative, and sustainable ways to keep and create beautiful communities,” said Keep America Beautiful President and CEO Jennifer Lawson “Every day KLCB engages the community members of Lee County to take the responsibility of keeping clean neighbors, of growing beautiful
places, and teaching others of the importance of waste reduction in and out of the home We are thrilled to celebrate your excellence and are grateful for your example and leadership ”
Each year, Keep Lee County Beautiful engages over 5,000 volunteers in more than 400 community improvement initiatives Make sure to follow KLCB on Facebook or Instagram to stay updated on future events You can also visit www klcb org or call 239-334-3488 to find out how to get involved and support KLCB and their efforts
On Saturday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Edison and Ford Winter Estates will host the annual "Airing of the Quilts" show Dozens of quilts from the Southwest Florida Quilters Guild will be on display, suspended from clotheslines between the palms in front of the historic homes Quilters Guild participants will also have quilts available for sale
Certified quilt appraiser Lars Cain will be on site and conducting appraisals from 10 a m to 2 p m His vast experience includes the Library of Congress and the
Smithsonian Institution. He has been sharing his expertise for many years and has spoken to more than 1,500 quilt groups throughout the Midwest, New England area and south to Florida Since 1977, he has appraised more than 20,000 quilts Visitors may bring antique quilts for assessment Verbal appraisals will be offered for $25 and the fee for a written appraisal will be $35 per quilt
“Quilts have a long history with the Edison and Ford families,” said Brent Newman, chief curator at the estates “Henry Ford and his wife, Clara, collected quilts and other historical objects that were created and used by people from all across t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s T h e q u i l t s w e r e o f t e n m a d e f r o m m o d e s t s c r a p s o f material, demonstrating the resourcefulness of American women ”
The quilt show is included with admission Tickets may be purchased online or a t t h e t i c k e t c o u n t e r A d m i s s i o n i s f r e e f o r Edison Ford members. Visit EdisonFord org to purchase tickets
T h e E d i s o n a n d F o r d Winter Estates are located at 2350 McGregor Blvd , in Fort Myers Call 239334-7419 for information
A H i s t o r y o f t h e K o r e s h a n U n i t y Settlement will be the topic of the first event of the 2023-24 Saturday Lecture Series hosted by the Estero Historical Society
The event will be held at the historic Art Hall in the Koreshan State Park located at the northwest corner of U S 41 and Corkscrew Boulevard The event i s s c h e d u l e d t o b e g i n a t 9 : 3 0 a m , Saturday, Sept 16 A continental breakfast will be served The presenter will be R o n W e s t c o t t , t h e l e a d d o c e n t o f
Koreshan State Park
Koreshan Unity Settlement, a religious sect, founded by Dr Cyrus R Teed in Chicago, moved to what is now Estero in 1893 The utopian community was based on a commitment to communal living and a belief that the universe existed on the inside of the Earth They were an i n d u s t r i o u s c o m m u n i t y t h a t b u i l t a n d operated a printing facility, boatworks, cement works, sawmill, bakery, store and hostelry The Koreshans had a profound effect on the development of Southwest Florida which Westcott will detail in his presentation
Koreshan State Park charges a $5 entry fee at the ranger station Visitors can tour the park following the presentation In addition, attendees are asked to register for the presentation in advance on the Estero Historical Society website (www esterohistoricalsociety com) EHS
members pay $10 each and non-members pay $15 each
L e a r n m o r e a b o u t t h e E s t e r o Historical Society at the website referenced above or by visiting http://facebook com/esterohistory
T h e h i s t o r i c a l s o c i e t y m u s e u m , housed in two early 20th century buildings, is located inside Estero Park at 9285 Corkscrew Palms Blvd
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