Pink Out Picnic to honor cancer survivors, fighters
By TIFFANY REPECKI trepecki@breezenewspapers com
It is estimated that 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the United States this year, as well as 56,500 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer, the National Breast Cancer Foundation reports An estimated 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer
In 2024, an estimated 42,250 women and 530 men will die from breast cancer
On Oct 24, the San Cap Pink Project will host the 12th Annual Pink Out Picnic from 11:30 a m to 1:30 p m at the
Sanibel Fire and Rescue District's Station 171 The event aims to celebrate and honor cancer survivors, fighters and caregivers and to raise funds to help members in the community with their cancer-related needs
“We've all faced some challenges recently with two hurricanes back-to-back,” organization founder and breast cancer survivor Mary Bondurant said “We're excited to still be able to hold our annual picnic, where we can come together as a community It's the perfect time to enjoy friendship, music and food ”
See PINK OUT PICNIC, page 10
Shell museum welcomes new
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium on Sanibel announced the arrival of its newest resident, a playful and active giant Pacific octopus
The largest of the species, the Giant Pacific octopus has eight arms, three hearts, and blue blood It is extremely intelligent and requires extensive daily enrichment to encourage its appropriate
giant Pacific octopus
behavior
Aquarists worked during the first few weeks of its arrival to establish a relationship with the giant Pacific octopus It is healthy, strong, and loves to interact. The transition to its new home at the museum has been seamless, even given the disruption of Hurricane Milton
“The new giant Pacific octopus is curious and not at all bashful,” senior aquarist Carly Hulse said “Much larger than the two-spot octopus and Caribbean two-spot octopus we also have on exhibit, the GPO will enhance
See OCTOPUS, page 7
Early
voting kicks off; hi gh turnout expect ed
By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com
Early voting for the General Election began on Oct 21 and will run through Nov 2
There are 12 locations throughout Lee County where individuals can vote, as well as drop off their vote-by-mail ballot Locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p m daily
Last week, Lee County Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle said he and his staff were ready for the Early Voting period and had ensured the equipment is ready to handle the turnout
“We thoroughly test all 232 tabulators and electronic poll pads that will be used in the election,” he said “We also conduct
City provides guidance on returning overwashed sand
The city of Sanibel's Natural Resources Department reported that storm surge from Hurricanes Milton and Helene has caused a significant amount of sand to be
City to hold workshops on intersection
The city of Sanibel will host public workshops today, Oct 23, from 11 a m to noon and 6 to 7 p m in the Pelican Room at the Sanibel Recreation Center as a follow-up discussion regarding traffic congestion at the Causeway Boulevard and Periwinkle Way intersection
The city's consultants have gathered survey data and public feedback from the previous workshops and are ready to present suggestions for improvements to the intersection
Those who are unable to attend can still provide feedback After the workshop, the presentation will be posted on the city's website Comments and suggestions can be emailed to traffic@mysanibel com
The Sanibel Recreation Center is at 3880 SanibelCaptiva Road, Sanibel
deposited upland on some properties along the island's beaches
The following is important information for property owners returning sand deposited on upland property to the beach dune system:
Environmental Protection's (FDEP) Emergency Final
(Helene), neither an FDEP permit nor a city permit is required to return clean sand back onto the beach that has been deposited on private property by either storm
The requirements for returning clean sand to the beach dune system include:
∫ “Clean sand” is defined as sand that does not have stains or odors and that is similar to the pre-hurricane beach sand in both coloration and grain size It must be free of debris, rocks, clay or other foreign matter
∫ Clean sand can be collected and placed above the high tide line (or mean high water line) on the beach and dune system
∫ Sand may not be placed over any existing native vegetation or storm generated debris on the beach
∫ Sand shall be returned to the beach in a manner that emulates grade and slope of the beach prior to Milton and Helene
∫ Construction equipment shall not operate, and construction materials shall not be stored, in such a way as to damage or destroy the beach dune system
∫ Existing beach dune topography and vegetation shall be disturbed only to the minimum extent necessary
∫ If any topography is disturbed as a result, then topography shall be restored to the predevelopment elevations
∫ Any native dune vegetation destroyed during the activity shall be replaced with native beach vegetation
The FDEP, or the city on behalf of the FDEP, may bring an enforcement action against any private property owner that violates the above requirements
Any sand that does not meet the definition of “clean sand” must be disposed of properly Placing sand or other overwashed material onto the right-of-way of roads is strictly prohibited
Comcast offers free Xfinity WiFi hotspots
To help residents and emergency personnel stay connected ahead of and after Hurricane Milton’s landfall, Comcast opened more than 2 6 1 , 0 0 0 p u b l i c X f i n i t y W i F i hotspots in areas it serves across F l o r i d a T h e f r e e a n d p u b l i c hotspots are open for anyone to use, including non-Xfinity customers
How to get connected:
For a map of public Xfinity WiFi hotspots, which are located both indoors and outdoors in places such as shopping districts, parks, and
businesses, visit Finder wifi xfinity.com.
To find the nearest hotspot location in your city, search the WiFi Hotspot Map Enter your zip code,
zoom in on the interactive map to view the results, and click on the locations for details
For assistance, customers can
https://www xfinity com/chat/, visit X
with Comcast on Twitter at @xfinitysupport
I n a d d i t
W i F
hotspots, Comcast is waiving overage charges for its By the Gig Xfinity Mobile customers from Oct 9-16
CITY OF SANIBEL
OPINIONS
F o r c e r e c o m m e n d s t h a t a l l
w o m e n w h o a r e a t a v e r a g e
r i s k g e t s c r e e n e d f o r b r e a s t c a n c e r e v e r y o t h e r y e a r , s t
r ti n g w h e n t h e y ’ r e 4 0 y e a r s o l d a n d c o n t i n u i n g t h r o u g h a g e
Guest Commentary
7 4 I f t h e r e i s a f a m i l y h i s t o r y o f b r e a s t c a n c e r , a p h y s i c i a n m a y r e c o m m e n d a m a m m og r a m b e f o r e 4 0 y e a r s o l d . S o m e p h y s i c i a n s a l s o r e c o m m e n d b e i n g s c r e e n e d e a c h y e a r i n s t e a d o f e v e r y t w o y e a r s W o r k i n g a l o n gs i d e p h y s i c i a n a d v o c a t e s , i t ’ s i m p o r t a n t t h a t
e a c h p a t i e n t m a k e a p l a n t h a t ’ s s p e c i f i c t o
t h e i r f a m i l y h i s t o r y a n d r i s k l e v e l s
B r e a s t c a n c e r a c c o u n t s f o r a b o u t 3 0 % o f a l l n e w f e m a l e c a n c e r s e a c h y e a r A m a m -
m o g r a m i s t h e g o l d s t a n d a r d f o r d e t e c t i n g
b r e a s t c a n c e r e a r l y W h e n i t ’ s c a u g h t i n e a rl i e r s t a g e s , c h a n c e s o f s u r v i v a l a r e m u c h
g r e a t e r
D e t e c t i o n b e f o re s y m p t o m s
A m a m m o g r a m i s a l o w - d o s e x - r a y o f t h e
b r e a s t a n d d e c a d e s o f r e s e a r c h s h o w t h a t
w o m e n w h o h a v e r e g u l a r m a m m o g r a m s a r e
m o r e l i k e l y t o f i n d i s s u e s s o o n e r , r e s u l t i n g
i n l e s s a g g r e s s i v e t r e a t m e n t s .
No communication from school board
To the editor:
I have written the following letter to Gov Ron DeSantis concerning the lack of communication to parents at The Sanibel School on Sanibel:
Dear Mr DeSantis:
My name is Erin Field, I have two daughters attending The Sanibel School in Sanibel, Florida
I
County School Board is once again falling short in its responsibilities to our children in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton
This situation mirrors the challenges we faced during Hurricane Ian, manifesting once again as a significant lack of communication from the Lee County School Board to the parents
There has been zero communication on the timeline of the reopening of The Sanibel School
G e t t i n g a m a m m o g r a m
s h o u l d b e p a r t o f e v e r y
w o m a n ’ s r e g u l a r m e d i c a l r o ut i n e E n s u r i n g p r e v e n t i v e m e a s u r e s s u p p o r t s e a r l y
d e t e c t i o n R e g u l a r s c r e e n i n g s
c a n f i n d c h a n g e s t h a t o c c u r i n t h e b r e a s t b e f o r e a n y p h y s i c a l
s y m p t o m s ( s u c h a s l u m p s )
s t a r t t o s h o w . I f s o m e t h i n g
l o o k s s u s p i c i o u s , f u r t h e r t e s t s w i l l b e p e r f o r m e d t o d e t e r -
m i n e i f t h e r e i s c a u s e f o r c o n -
c e r n a n d w h a t n e x t s t e p s t o
t a k e
A m a m m o g r a m i s o n l y t h e
f i r s t s t e p t o d e t e r m i n e w h e t h e r t h e r e i s a n i s s u e t h a t n e e d s t o b e a d d r e s s e d f u r t h e r
M i n o r i t y w o m e n
a t h i g h e r r i s k
M i n o r i t y w o m e n a r e m o r e l i k e l y t o
d e v e l o p b r e a s t c a n c e r a n d a t a y o u n g e r a g e
t h a n w h i t e w o m e n T h e y a r e a l s o m o r e l i k e -
l y t o b e d i a g n o s e d w i t h a g g r e s s i v e s u b t y p e s
o f b r e a s t c a n c e r F o r e x a m p l e , t r i p l e - n e g a -
t i v e b r e a s t c a n c e r i s t w i c e a s c o m m o n i n
B l a c k w o m e n
I f r e g u l a r s c r e e n i n g s a r e p e r f o r m e d f o r
a l l , t h e c h a n c e o f c a t c h i n g a n y p o t e n t i a l c a n -
c e r i s i m p r o v e d a n d c h a n c e s o f s u r v i v a l a r e
m u c h g r e a t e r .
3 D , M R I s a n d f a l s e p o s i t i v e s
W h e n s o m e o n e g e t s a m a m m o g r a m , i t i s l i k e l y g o i n g t o b e a 2 D m a m m o g r a m A 3 D
m a m m o g r a m i s a n o p t i o n f o r w o m e n w i t h
d e n s e b r e a s t s A b r e a s t M R I w o u l d b e p e r -
f o r m e d f o r w o m e n w h o h a v e a h i g h e r r i s k o f
Letters to the Editor
How is it that:
∫ All business is already reopened after Hurricane Milton that were open prior?
∫ The Sanibel Recreation Center that is attached to the school is open (has been since Oct 14)?
∫ The Sanibel pool that is attached to the Sanibel Recreation Center is open (has been since Oct 15)?
∫ Why has the school board offered zero communication as the status of the school to the parents? What if they are out for the year? A week? We don't know Parents are being left in the dark.
∫ How many (the rumor on the island is two) rooms at the school were affected? If only a few rooms are affected, why ship all 250 kids off island to Heights Elementary 25 minutes away and how much is that costing as a taxpayer?
More importantly:
∫ What does it do to a child's mental health status to wake up one hour earlier, los-
d e v e l o p i n g b r e
o r
p o s i
t i v e b r e a s t c a n c e r s c r e e n i n g , b u t r a t h e r a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o g a t h e r i m p o r t a n t i n f o r m at i o n
E a r l y d e t e c t i o n i s i m p o r t a n t I t i s n o t u n c o m m o n f o r c a n c e r t o b e d e v e l o p i n g i n t h e b o d y b e f o r e p h y s i c a l s y m p t o m s s t a r t t o s h o w , m a k i n g s c r e e n i n g t e s t s l i k e m a m m
ing that one hour of sleep at night for a child five times a week for the foreseeable future?
∫ What does it do to a middle schooler's mental health status to attend an elementary school again, not have sports, or school dances?
∫ No after school activities for my elementary school child as well those are replaced by bus drivers that don't know their routes (The second bus showed up at The Sanibel School at 4:20 p m on Oct 16 Remember, school gets out at 2:10 p m )
∫ What is the mental health cost of an elementary school child on a bus for almost two hours this afternoon?
The teachers and staff at The Sanibel School and the Sanibel Recreation Center have been amazing Thank you to them for at least listening and lending an ear to this extremely frustrating time, because we do not k n o w t h e s i m p l e s t a
School
page 5 See MAMMOGRAMS, page 5
Dr Santosh Kagathur
Mr DeSantis, I implore you to step in You built the causeway back in three days, surely you can step in and get the 250 children that attend The Sanibel School back home Haven't they been through enough with Hurricane Ian?
P l e a s e a l s o m a k e t h e L e e C o u n t y School Board accountable for their lack of action and communication It seems that they have not learned their lesson at all from Ian
Lastly, until we receive more information on the status of The Sanibel School, I will be calling and emailing every single media outlet, podcast, influencer, and representative on the internet daily This will be my new job making sure that you do yours, Lee County School Board (yet again ) Erin Field
Sanibel
Medicare versus Medicare Advantage
To the editor:
From page 4
This fall, seniors in Southwest Florida will be bombarded with solicitations from M
These plans will sometimes offer lower premiums than traditional Medicare or they will promise freebies in addition to
choosing a Medicare Advantage plan may significantly limit a patient’s options for treatment
One day, all of us are going to get an unfortunate, unforeseen diagnosis And when we get such a diagnosis, we will want to have all the treatment options possible available to us We might need referral to a specialized center in Miami or Tampa or even as far away such as Rochester, Minnesota or Houston We might need a life-saving drug that costs tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars per year With a Medicare Advantage plan, some of these options may not be available However, traditional Medicare plus a supplemental policy is the gold standard, and it is the most widely accepted insurance a senior can have Traditional Medicare with a
∫ C h a n g e s t o t h e b r e a s t ’ s s k i n t e x t u r e
∫ D i m p l i n g o f t h e s k i n
h e a l t h . o r g / .
supplement may cost a little more, but
options Medicare pays 80% of all costs, with the supplementary private policy paying the rest
All too often I hear a patient who is confused and believes they have Medicare when they have signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan I have to explain to them that their treatment options may be limited because they in fact do not have Medicare Medicare Advantage is not Medicare.
Once a person has signed up for one of these plans, their Medicare dollars are turned over to a private company to “manage“ payment for their care The private insurance company will try to maximize profits So, rationing of care or denial of certain services may occur Insurance companies, as we all know, make more money when they don’t pay claims
Please don’t believe what you may h
Furthermore, it is 98% efficient This
means that 98% of the dollars in the system go to pay doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies None of the dollars go to padding corporate profits
So, how did we get to this confusing s i t u a t i o n
Congress created the Medicare Advantage p
administration The thinking was that in the long term these plans would save the government money The hope was that private management of Medicare dollars would be more efficient That never happened. Over the past 20 years numerous s t u d i
Advantage plans have not saved the government any money
A s a
L
County, I recommend that patients sign up for traditional Medicare plus a supplement, such as the one provided by AARP You can access more information by visi
fits/insurance/uhc-medicare-supplement/ Dr. Scott Crater Fort Myers
John Wade provided the other comsioners with an update on the ctions taken to date by the disrict post-storm and tentative next steps to protect the community
Wade reported that contractors have been brought in h e h e l p w i t h b e a c h s a n d moval and cleaning The intent reuse as much of the over-
washed sand as possible to provide immediate protection
Working in collaboration with the Lee County D epartment of Trans portation, one contractor is removing sand out of the Village and other areas Initially unable to gain access to the island until the roads were cleared, another has cleared the Alison Hagerup Beach lot for screening equipment
As of that afternoon, the contractor
Fire board receives storm recap, talks new apparatus
By TIFFANY REPECKI trepecki@breezenewspapers com
The Captiva Island Fire Control District's
c o m m i s s i o n h e a r d a b o u t H u r r i c a n e Milton at its recent meeting, as well as discussed the possibilities of a high-water vehicle and beach flag warning system
On Oct 15, Fire Chief Jeff Pawul provided the commissioners with a recap of what happened during the storm and the district's emergency response, as well as an update on the island's current status.
The district's phone lines are still not working, but the internet is up though service remains spotty
“So we still have Starlink as a backup,” he said
In the case of an emergency, the community should call 911 For non-emergencies, it can email info@captivafire com or stop by the fire station
“Emergency responses have slowed way down from any
hazards from propane leaks,” Pawul said
Since the storm, the district has been asking those with electric vehicles and golf carts to submit an Electric Vehicle Reporting Form on the district's website so firefighters can check to see if those were submerged in saltwater Lithiumion EVs that have been submerged can pose a significant fire risk
“We did get a good response out of that, so that was a good outreach measure that we did,” he said “That was something new that we implemented for this storm and it was very beneficial ”
As of Oct 14, the district had transitioned back to normal staffing and operations
Also during the meeting, Pawul and the commission discussed the possibility of purchasing a high-water vehicle in the future The last few storms resulted in surge, plus overwashed sand and debris, that the district's regular apparatus could not navigate But the mutual aid vehicle that it borrowed could.
was setting up the screening operation in the parking lot for the overwashed sand using DOT resources for the sand piles located onsite and at Blind Pass
“It has to be clean,” he said of sand placed back on the beach “It has to be screened ”
On Oct 21, one contractor was scheduled to scape the beach
“So the beach is ready for when we
See CEPD, page 7
County: Reuse or properly dispose of storm sandbags
L e e C o u n t y G o v e r n m e n t r e p o r t e d
t h a t r e s i d e n t s w h o p i c k e d u p s a n d a n d
s a n d b a g s f r o m t h e i r l o c a l f i r e d e p a r tm e n t i n a n t i c i p a t i o n o f H u r r i c a n e M i l t o n a r e a s k e d t o s a v e t h e s a n d b a g s f o r r e u s e , u s e t h e m a r o u n d t h e i r h o m e , o r p r o p e r l y d i s p o s e o f t h e m
S a n d b a g d o ' s
∫ S a n d f r o m b a g s t h a t w e r e n o t s o i l e d b y s t o r m w a t e r c a n b e e m p t i e d i n y o u r y a r d , f l o w e r b e d s a n d p l a n t e r s a s a
s o i l s u p p l e m e n t ∫ C o n s i d e r k e e p i n g s a n d b a g s f o r r e u s e H u r r i c a n e s e a s o n d o e s n o t e n d u n t i l N o v 3 0 S t o r e t h e m f i l l e d i f y o u h a v e s p a c e O r e m p t y t h e c l e a n s a n d a n d s t o r e t h e b a g s i n a d r y l o c a t i o n a w a y f r o m d i r e c t s u n l i g h t ∫ P l a c e e m p t y b a g s ( b u t n o t s a n d ) i n y o u r t r a s h c a n i f y o u d o n o t p l a n t o r e u s e t h e m
∫ S a n d o r s a n d b a g s t h a t c a n n o t b e r e u s e d c a n b e t a k e n t o a n y o f t h e f o u r
L e e C o u n t y s e l f - h a u l p u b l i c d e b r i s d r o p - o f f
Fire Chief Jeff Pawul
TIFFANY REPECKI
decide to apply the repurposed sand,” Wade said
He continued that Lee County officials want to prioritize putting in protection where the road was washed out during the storm, as well as focus on realigning some of the onshore riprap rocks
“The Village area has zero protection right now,” Wade said
Commissioner Bob Walter asked if certain areas have been identified as the most vulnerable at this point in terms of placing the sand, such the Jensen's curve, the Alison lot or South Seas homes
“The S curve right now is the number one priority,” Wade said, citing the Alison parking lot area as another spot probably high on the list “The downtown area of the Village has to be addressed.”
“It's just a matter of dealing with the sand that we have and prioritizing it in the areas that most need it,” he added, noting that staff are trying to work with the county to get funds for additional sand
In terms of post-storm debris and vegetation disposal, Wade reported that contractors are cutting up trees and piling them along the roads for pick up and the focus is to clear the main access areas
“The beach has been littered with all sorts of unnatural debris, as well as a lot of downed Australian pines and a lot of sea grapes, unfortunately,” he said “There's a lot. Those trees are huge.”
Walter shared that the landscape debris hauler expected to start on Oct 22 or today, Oct 23
As for the district's costs and expenses, Wade quoted about $25,000 in services to date He reported that he does not expect a total over $30,000 or $40,000, but he did not know about the screening
“We have a limited budget, so I'm trying not to
Fire board
From page 6
“It shows that the need is 100% there,” he said
The district still has funding leftover f r o m a r e c e n t $ 1 5 0 , 0 0 0 g r a n t , p l u s impact fees.
“I don't see a solution on the horizon to stop hurricanes, or flooding, or sand and debris on the roadways,” Pawul said
Also at the meeting, he and the commissioners discussed a possible beach flag warning system to increase safety on the island The state has a uniform system that i s u s e d i n v a r i o u s a r e a s t h r o u g h o u t Florida Different colored flags are put up to advise the public of the current conditions at a beach
“It kind of goes along with beach safety and the lack of there being lifeguards,” he said
T h r o u g h i t s r e s e a r c h , t h e d i s t r i c t learned that it could implement it
“It's definitely in our purview as far as
Sandbags
Octopus
overextend ourselves,” Wade said
Secretary Linda Laird pointed to the district's reserves fund.
“I think we should consider fortifying the hot spots while we in parallel work to get the money,” she said “I think we should use that to protect the island and our roads ”
Walter stressed the need to restore the dunes
“We need to be more fortified with dunes throughout Captiva,” he said
Wade explained that the planned beach renourishment is going to be more focused on dunes and the dune system, including bringing in mature vegetation, but it will not take place until April or May
He reiterated that the current focus needs to be on fortifying the island until then
CEPD Beach Brief
On Oct 15, the CEPD provided the following additional information in a Beach Brief:
∫ Staff toured the beach on Oct 14 with consultant APTIM Massive erosion has occurred from the 'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa north, destroying critical onshore protections
∫ It was agreed that work toward installing a new berm as a protective measure should begin immediately.
∫ Property owners may bring unscreened sand to the Hagerup lot or Blind Pass
∫ If there is sand in one's right-of-way that needs to b e r e m
https://www mycepd com/contact-us
Clean sand placement
Additionally, the CEPD reported that the Florida
emergency response and rescue,” Pawul said
However, Lee County would have to approve the system, and staff is waiting on a response. If the district were to receive approval, he would like to see it installed at all of the main access points “ A l i s o n H a g e r u p , T u r n e r B e a c h , potentially 'Tween Waters, maybe Mucky Duck's entrance, South Seas,” Pawul said “The goal would be to get it in as many of the heavily populated areas as possible ”
Post-stor m updates
On Oct 18, the Captiva Island Fire Control District reported that it will end its regular post-storm updates It will send out information as anything important develops or on an as needed basis
Some of the new announcements in the last update included:
∫ Captiva Drive in the area of Captiva
From page 6
From page 1
our visitors’ experience as they learn more about the diverse mollusks, shells and marine life in our Living Gallery of Aquariums ”
During rebuilding after Hurricane Ian, the museum took the time needed to improve and strengthen aquarium and exhibit conditions before welcoming hundreds of new animals Adjustments were made to the giant Pacific octopus life support system to ensure ideal water quality, filtration and temperature
New supporting exhibits illuminate the
c
l l e c t i
biology and behavior of mollusks, including growth, anatomy, feeding, reproduction and traits that can be difficult to explain by science New exhibit features include videos, large touchable shells, dioramas, a growth series of junonia shells and more
Some of the most popular species on view include flamingo tongue, strawberry conchs, giant clams, disco clam, queen conch, horse conch, lined seahorse, California sea hare, giant triton and red abalone
Aquarists share fun facts about the
Emergency Order waives the requirement for permits to place overwashed sand onto the beach. Although the requirement has been waived, all sand must be “clean ”
∫ “Clean sand” is defined as sand that does not have stains or odors and that is similar to the pre-hurricane beach sand in both coloration and grain size It must be free of debris, rocks, clay or other foreign matter
∫ Clean sand can be collected and placed above the high tide line (or mean high water line) on the beach and dune system
∫ Sand may not be placed over any existing native vegetation or storm generated debris on the beach
∫ Sand shall be returned to the beach in a manner that emulates grade and slope of the beach prior to Hurricanes Milton and Helene
∫ Construction equipment shall not operate, and construction materials shall not be stored, in such a way as to damage or destroy the beach dune system
∫ Existing beach dune topography and vegetation shall be disturbed only to the minimum extent necessary
∫ If any topography is disturbed as a result, then topography shall be restored to the predevelopment elevations
∫ Any native dune vegetation destroyed during the activity shall be replaced with native beach vegetation
∫ The FDEP may bring an enforcement action against any private property owner that violates the above requirements
∫ Any sand that does not meet the definition of “clean sand” must be disposed of properly Placing sand or other overwashed material onto the right-of-way of roads is strictly prohibited
Shores and Jensen's on the Gulf and in the area near the intersection of Wiles Drive are fully repaired Both lanes of traffic are open to the public
∫ The district is working with the Lee County Emergency Operation Center to assist with power outages associated with Comcast and CenturyLink, as well as plans to fortify the island's infrastructure It is doing everything that it can to advocate for emergency restoration of the beach dune system
∫ Lithium batteries used in devices, like smartphones, laptops, electric scooters and electric vehicles, can pose serious dangers if they have been exposed to saltwater or damaged. The chemical reaction caused can lead to overheating, swelling and, in extreme cases, fires or explosions
∫ If an electric scooter, vehicle or golf cart has been submerged in saltwater, it could present a higher risk of fire due to
internal battery damage The district recommends contacting a professional to inspect and safely remove these items from your property
∫ If you suspect battery damage: M o n i t o
, smoke or unusual heat
Do not attempt to charge or use any batteries that appear damaged or submerged
If you see smoke or fire, evacuate and call 911 immediately
∫ If a battery has come into contact with saltwater, move it outside and 50 feet away from your home immediately, away from flammable materials Avoid handling it directly; use non-conductive tools, like wooden tongs, to pick up small batteries Never throw batteries in regular trash Take them to your local hazardous waste collection site
marine life during daily Keeper Chats at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. For more information, visit ShellMuseum org The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium is at 3075 SanibelCaptiva Road, Sanibel
Giant pacific octopus
BUSINESS
Business Notes
Industr y Appreciation Awards finalists unveiled
The Horizon Foundation, Horizon Council and Lee County Economic Development Office announced the finalists for the 2024 Industry Appreciation Awards.
The awards celebrate Lee County businesses that drive the local economy, employ the workforce and shape their industries One winner will be recognized in the following categories:
∫ Large Business of the Year: B&I Contractors, Liberty Aluminum Company and Sanibel Captiva Community Bank
∫ Small Business of the Year: Fire & Rice, LSI Companies and TenderCare Pet Salon
∫ Diverse Business of the Year: Ferrer's Custom Carpentry and Remodeling Services, International Roofing and Pirozzi Organizational Development Solutions
∫ S u p
Construction, Enterprise Mobility and Florida Blue
∫ Innovative Technology Award: 2D Wellness, B&I Contractors and MY Shower Door
Insurance Group, Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille and Titan Contracting
The winners will be announced at an awards luncheon on Oct 25 at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center, at 1375 Monroe St , Fort Myers
San Cap Bank announces expanded role for Marsh
S a n i b e
C o m m u n i t y B a n k announced Laura Marsh has expanded her role within the bank
She currently serves as a human resources assistant in the Bridge Branch in Fort Myers
In addition to managing human resources
r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s , M a r s h w i l l c o o r d i n a t e t h e bank’s financial literacy e
a n c i n g financial literacy in the community, fostering partnerships with local community organizations and promoting financial empowerment
She will also collaborate with local organizations and businesses to help further strengthen the bank’s community connections and enhance its role as a dedicated corporate citizen in Southwest Florida
Marsh has over 25 years of executive administrat i o n e x p e r i e n c e w o r k i n g f o r s e v e r a l S o u t h w e s t Florida businesses, including Sanibel Community Church She has also served as a substitute teacher for Lee County public schools since 1996
Marsh holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Trent University, a degree in education from the University of Western Ontario and a master’s degree from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario
CFI activates SanibelCaptiva Recovery Fund
The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) activated the Sanibel-Captiva Recovery Fund ahead of Hurricane Milton to support the recovery and rebuild efforts on Sanibel and Captiva
CFI is a public grant-making charity established in 2011 to inspire philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration for the vitality of the island community It partners with individuals, private foundations and other community organizations to facilitate grantmaking to local and national nonprofit organizations through its donor-advised fund program and other community grant-making initiatives
Hurricane Ian is still evident on our islands,” Executive Director Dolly Farrell said “We are deeply grateful to our past supporters who helped accelerate our community’s rebuilding efforts While many communities in Southwest Florida have returned to pre-Ian capacity, our barrier island communities and economies are still not fully recovered Hurricane Milton will surely deliver another blow to these efforts ”
CFI has activated the recovery fund in past disasters, including Hurricanes Charley, Irma and Ian, and the COVID-19 pandemic Donations are tax-deductible and will provide grants to local partnering nonprofit organizations on the islands and other recovery and economic revitalization investments for the community CFI has distributed over $1 million in grants to local nonprofit organizations since Hurricane Ian in September of 2022
“The destruction that Sanibel and Captiva faced in
In addition, CFI announced a new loan program for island businesses struggling to recover from Ian. In partnership with Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, the loan program is available for a limited time Currently, the program has $1 2 million to distribute through individual loans, with an average loan of $100,000 The loans will have a competitive interest rate, with interest only paid the first year and a four-year term thereafter
Donations to the Sanibel-Captiva Recovery Fund can be made online at MyCFI org, by scanning the QR code or by mailing P O Box 1429, Sanibel, FL 33957
For more information, visit MyCFI org
Pfeifer Realty presents top producers for month
The Pfeifer Realty Group recently named its top prod u c e r s f o r t h e m o n t h o f September.
Kerri Maw was the top volume sales consultant A full-time, real estate profess
, s h e moved to Sanibel in 2003. Maw obtained her Sanibel C
she has closed over $6 million in residential properties
Lisette Hitt was the top listing agent. She has been a
Florida since 2002 and has over 19 years of sales experience Hitt joined Pfeifer Realty in 2008 After running a travel agency on Sanibel and partnering in real estate, she now specializes in selling properties on the islands and in Fort Myers
Dawn Ramsey was the top selling
2000, where she and her family operated the Tarpon Tale Inn With over 23 years of experience in hotel ownership, vacation rentals and real estate, Ramsey's passion for cus-
The Pfeifer Realty Group is
Laura Marsh
Dawn Ramsey Lisette Hitt
Kerri Maw
VIP Realty announces top producers for month
VIP Realty Sanibel and Captiva announced its top producers for the month of September
Deb Smith had the top sales She has a background in accounting and holds the Second Home and Resort Specialist, Sanibel Captiva Island Specialist, Accredited Buyer's Representative and Senior Real Estate Specialist certifications
Karen Bell and the Bell Team, which includes John Bates, Holly Peeples and Sherrill Sims, had the top listings Since 1986, Bell has been a prominent broker in the region She was recognized as the “Best of the Islands” Best Realtor in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2017. The Bell Team was recognized as the “Best of the Islands” Best Real Estate Team in 2009, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2022
Tina DiCharia was the top producer A longtime Southwest Florida resident, she was a court reporter for over 30 years and owned and operated a reporting agency She is currently serving a three-year term on the
Sanibel and Captiva Islands Association of Realtors' board of directors
For more information, call 239-472-5187 or go to SanCapIslandRE com
BBB offers post-storm resources and tips
By BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU
Hurricane Milton’s impact on Florida’s west coast is especially tragic as it has not yet recovered from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene less than three weeks ago The aftermath of such a storm can feel overwhelming Cleanup and recovery begin after everyone is accounted for and safe from immediate threat. Storm victims from Milton and Helene should never feel pressured to make a hasty decision or c h o o s e a n u n k n o w n c o n t r a c t o r M a k e temporary repairs if necessary so you can take the time to choose a trustworthy contractor
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has
tips to help you recover safely and effectively after the storm Take time to review these helpful tips below:
Assess the damage
∫ Assess the damage and take pictures.
∫ Contact your insurance company immediately Inquire about policy coverage and specific filing requirements This helps expedite the claim process
∫ Document the damage to your property (and autos) Take pictures and video, if possible
∫ Do not make any permanent repairs until you get approval from your insur-
ance company Your insurer might not fully reimburse you for permanent repairs without authorization
Clean and make temporar y repairs
∫ Make minor repairs that will limit further damage to the home If you must make temporary repairs to protect your home from the elements, save all your receipts
∫ W e a r p r o t e c t i v e c l o t h i n g L o n g pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy shoes Be cautious Learn more about how to clean up after a storm from the Red Cross, including the supplies you’ll need
and how to handle fire hazards such as gas, electricity, and chemicals
∫ Be on the lookout for price gouging Report instances to your local BBB and the Florida Attorney General's office at 1866-9-NO-SCAM
Hire a contractor
∫ Get references Get referrals from friends and relatives and check BBB org for ratings and reviews on contractors in the area
∫ Do your research Local and national companies may both do a fine job with your storm damage repair needs, but if See BBB, page 10
VIP Realty Sanibel and Captiva is at 1560 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Deb Smith
The Bell Team of Sherrill Sims, Holly Peeples, Karen Bell and John Bates. Tina DiCharia
Pink Out Picnic
The event initially stemmed from then-Sanibel Fire Chief Dan Duncan asking about how to get Radiology Regional Center's Mobile Mammo coach at the fire station and raising awareness for the cause The organization of the event unfolded from there, and it has become an annual tradition
This year's event will feature a free lunch for all cancer survivors, with donations asked of others There will be live music, a photo booth, raffles and the chance to connect with friends and neighbors.
All funds raised support uninsured and underinsured
you choose to do business with someone not local, be sure to understand who will be taking care of any service needs that
The San Cap Pink Project will hold
on Oct. 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p . m . a t t h e Sanibel Fire and Rescue District's
SAN CAP PINK PROJECT
community members with breast cancer-related needs as the San Cap Pink Project is dedicated to supporting the islands' residents and employees.
It extended gratitude to local businesses and community members for supporting this year's event, including Bank of the Islands, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank and Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant
To help with planning, RSVPs are requested at PinkOutPicnic com
The community is invited to reserve a spot and take part
may arise after the completion of the project ∫ Learn about storm chasers Storm
“We encourage everyone to come out, wear pink and show support for those fighting breast cancer Our mission is to make sure our community knows about the resources available and that no one has to face the fight alone,” breast cancer survivor and organization President Ann Neubauer said “Although a few of our other events had to be postponed due to the storms, we have exciting plans in the works for those, so stay tuned ” For more information about the San Cap Pink Project, visit PinkOutSanibel.com.
chasers are businesses that follow storms hoping for a quick buck Research anyone w h o o f f e r s y o u u n
carefully
∫ Ask about preventive features and installations Check with your contractor about adding hurricane-resistant features to help protect against future damage during the repair process
Know what you sign
∫ Read and understand anything you are asked to sign Avoid signing an "estimate" or "authorization" form before hiring a particular contractor
∫ Get a written contract agreement with anyone you hire It should specify the work, the materials used, and the price breakdown for both labor and materials.
Any oral promises should be written into the contract, including warranties on materials or labor
Make sure you know the terms and conditions if you cancel a contract.
Understand the terms and conditions and get copies of warranties and
guarantees.
A contractor should be responsible for obtaining all necessary permits, not you
∫ Head to BBB org Check out BBB's tips for hiring a restoration contractor, hiring a tree service, and debris removal
Review contracts, deposits and payments
∫ Make sure the contract is specific
Be sure the contract specifies the schedule for releasing payments to the contractor Ask for a start and end date for the work to be done
∫ Never pay in full in advance Do not pay with cash Don’t make a final payment or sign a completion agreement until all work is done satisfactorily
For more information on navigating the aftermath of Milton and Helene, visit
resources curated by BBB to assist businesses and consumers in their recovery efforts can also be accessed
PRESERVING PARADISE
September in Des Moines, Iowa.
Refuge to host Federal Duck Stamp Contest winner
Each year, the U S Fish & Wildlife Service selects a winning duck stamp for the following year from some 200 contestants The winning duck stamp artist becomes somewhat of a celebrity, and the J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge has the honor of hosting an appearance by the annual winner
Named for the man responsible for creating the Federal Duck Stamp program, the refuge with supp o r t f r o m th e “D in g ” D ar lin g Wild lif e S o cietyFriends of the Refuge (DDWS) schedules the artist’s appearance to coincide with Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling’s mid-October birthday
The 2024-25 Federal Duck Stamp Contest winner, Chuck Black, will make his appearance on Oct. 24 for a free 1 p m talk open to the public A stamp-signing opportunity will follow his presentation
The Montana artist worked as a wildlife biologist for seven years before devoting himself to his first love wildlife art His wins for the California and Colorado state duck stamp contests led to a decision to paint full-time
“Chuck’s winning portrait of a northern pintail is stunning,” DDWS Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman said “We look forward to welcoming such a talented and promising artist to the refuge as part of a long tradition that honors our namesake, who designed the first duck stamp in 1934 ” Proceeds from the duck stamp program have purchased 6 million acres of wetlands as preserved habitat in its 90 years of existence
F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t e v e n t , c o
Wildman at wildman@dingdarlingsociety org
SCCF: Banded black skimmer and snowy plovers survive
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, its shorebird team re-sighted banded black skimmer 7U on Captiva, as well as received news that three of its banded snowy plovers were sighted a few hours up north.
Black skimmer 7U
Black skimmer 7U had not been seen since it was banded on St Pete Beach in 2022 until August on See SCCF, page 13
SCCF provides post-storm bald eagle update
Foundation reported that staff and volunteers were able to check on all of the bald eagle nests on Sanibel, Captiva and North Captiva Most nests fared well, despite the extreme winds brought by Hurricane Milton
Notably, the nest adjacent to the SCCF's Puschel Preserve was blown apart in the storm. It was a new nest built in November of 2022 after Hurricane Ian, so staff believe that there is plenty of time for them to rebuild and still have a successful nesting season
The well-known “Dairy Queen” eagle nest which has held strong for over 20 years is intact, and both birds were sighted at the nest
During Milton, partner Window to Wildlife posted a video of Clive a male at one of the eagle nests that the SCCF monitors apparently riding out the storm in the nest There has been one potential sighting of he and his mate, Connie, since the storm, and the nest is still stand-
ing
“Our team will continue to check on the nests throughout the season and will provide updates as we learn more,” SCCF shorebird biologist Audrey Albrecht said Bald eagle nesting season runs from Oct 1 to May 15
Laughing gull rescue
When checking on eagle nests, shorebird staff helped rescue an injured laughing gull on Captiva
“When we responded to the bird, we found construction workers watching over it keeping it safe,” she said “We were able to successfully bring the bird to CROW clinic, which is now operating and able to take patients once again ”
On the way to CROW, they also found a sick anhinga and brought it in as well
For questions about eagles or to share eagle observations or photos, email eagles@sccf org
CHUCK BLACK
Chuck Black’s portrait of a northern pintail took top honors in the contest held last
COASTAL WATCH
From page 12
Lover’s Key The SCCF first sighted it in September during its Global Shorebird Counts
Black skimmers are listed as statethreatened in Florida They can be found a l o n g t h e G u l f a n d n o r t h e a s t e r n U . S . coasts and in southern California, Mexico, and South America As beach-nesting birds, they are highly vulnerable to habitat loss and disturbance in developed coastal areas and beaches
“We are happy to have seen 7U alive and well following Hurricanes Helene and M i l t o n , ” S C C F s h o r e b i r d b i o l o g i s t Audrey Albrecht said Crow, LL Cool J and White/Blue Banded snowy plovers Crow and LL Cool J, originally from Sanibel and band-
ed by SCCF biologists, were re-sighted last week in Pineallas County
On Oct 16, the team also received news that “Super dad” White/Blue was
Dunedin. White/Blue was banded as a chick on Sanibel in 2019 and has fledged chicks on the island every year since, other than 2024
Snowy plovers are also listed as threatened in Florida and have a limited range along coasts in California, the Gulf of M
Like black skimmers, the small beachn
coastal development and human disturbance T h e S C C F
o w y plovers on Sanibel since 2002
SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
Black skimmer range maps
Snowy plover range maps
Isl and lIvIng
SPD releases weekly blotter
As Sanibel continues to recover from Hurricane Ian, the Sanibel Police Department is committed to keeping the community safe and secure. To support that effort, a weekly police blotter will be issued on Tuesday that will include real time information about law enforcement response to criminal activity
Arrests
∫ Christian Caraballo, 32, of 928 N E 13th Place, Cape Coral, was charged on Oct 14 with one count of drugs possess controlled substance without prescription
∫ Patrick Andrew Fitz, 63, of 716 S Mahogany Way, Sanibel, was charged on Oct. 14 with one count each of DUI unlawful blood alcohol DUI influence of alcohol or drugs and marijuana possess less than 20 grams cannabis
Other enforcement actions
∫ After Hurricane Milton, the SPD assisted with safety assessments, residential well-being checks, and curfew checkpoints until normal operations were resumed
Enforcement operations statistics
From Oct. 8-14:
∫ Alarm calls (business and residential): 31
∫ 911 non-emergency calls: 4
∫ Traffic crashes: 0
∫ Radar details: 30
∫ Traffic stops: 37
Citations issued: 16
Written warnings issued: 1
Verbal warnings issued: 21
∫ Residential area checks: 840
∫ Business area checks: 151
∫ Total area checks: 1,273
∫ Reported burglaries: 0
∫ Reported thefts: 1
∫ Total CAD calls: 1,528
October 2024 to date:
∫ Alarm calls (business and residential): 36
∫ Non-emergency calls: 24
∫ Traffic crashes: 2
∫ Radar details: 66
∫ Traffic stops: 66
Citations issued: 28
Written warnings issued: 1
Verbal warnings issued: 40
∫ Residential area checks: 1,295
∫ Business area checks: 398
∫ Total area checks: 2,269
∫ Reported burglaries: 1
∫ Reported thefts: 2
∫ Total CAD calls: 2,771
Impor tant reminders
Roadside parking is not allowed on Sanibel and is enforceable with a $150 fine
When leaving Sanibel, motorists are encouraged to travel east on Periwinkle Way. In order to minimize the number of vehicles driving through residential neighborhoods and increase traffic flow, priority is being given to vehicles eastbound on Periwinkle Motorists using Bailey Road southbound, Lindgren northbound and Periwinkle westbound may experience additional delays as traffic flows are adjusted for efficiency.
Information for the Sanibel Boat Ramp:
Sanibel library offers range of programs and topics
The Sanibel Public Library provides a variety of programming for adults and children
Crafternoon will be held today, Oct 23, from 3 to 4:30 p m The project will be “Painting Mini Pumpkins ” Open to ages 3 and older, make a work of art A variety of craft supplies will be available, along with examples and guidance
On Oct 24, Teen Talk: Pop Culture, Current Events, and Library Picks will take place from 3 to 4 p m Teens can take part in a relaxed hangout and freely chat about pop culture, current events, personal experiences and explore the services that the library offers Snacks will be provided
Family Storytime for ages 5 and under will be held on Oct 25 from 10:30 to 11 a m Sing, read, question and move around during the stories, followed by early literacy centers of play to flex minds, motor skills and creativity The program will include an art/craft center
On Oct 25, Learn Libby Open Workshop will take place from 11 a m to noon with IT librarian Andrew Dyen-Shapiro He will answer questions and help participants navigate the Libby app. Attendees should bring a device to read or listen to audiobooks on that can download applications; those who want to read on a Kindle should bring another device that they can download Libby on, such as an iPhone or iPad
Halloween Celebration will be held on Oct 28 from 3 to 5 p m Youths can come dressed up and enjoy story time, a trick-or-treat parade and a mummy escape room Also, the winner of the pumpkin decorating contest will be announced
On Oct 29, Experience Virtual Reality will take place
See LIBRARY, page 15
The Sanibel School
reported the following:
Chorale to hold car wash T
school's middle school choir will hold a car wash on Oct 26 from 9 a m to 2 p m at Bank of the Islands, at 1699 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Disney World on Dec 13
The community is invited to stop by and get their vehicle washed by the students
F
Music Director Joey Giangreco at JosephAG@LeeSchools net
For more information, call 239472-1617 or visit sbl leeschools net
THE SANIBEL SCHOOL
SANIBEL PUBLIC LIBRARY A Halloween Celebration will take place on Oct. 28 at the Sanibel Public Library.
The Sanibel Public Library will offer Experience Virtual Reality on Oct 29
SANIBEL PUBLIC LIBRARY
Crafternoon will be held today, Oct 23, and on Oct 30 at the Sanibel Public Library
Library
From page 14
from 10 to 11 a m Open to ages 10 and older, experiment with the HTC Vive VR System There are various experiences to choose from One user per session; two experiences per user First come, first served Baby & Toddler Storytime and Playdate will be held on Oct 29 from 10:30 to 11 a m Open to ages 4 and under, babies and their caregivers will take part in a short story time, sensory play, literacy activities and more
On Oct 30, Crafternoon will take place from 3 to 4:30 p m The project will be “Halloween Lanterns ” Open to ages 3 and older, make a work of art A variety
Blotter
From page 14
∫ Parking and boat launching fee is $40 per day
∫ P a r k i n g a n d b o a t l a u n c h i n g o n weekends and holidays is with AC/BC permit only
∫ Commercial use is prohibited.
∫ Fines for violations at the boat ramp are $500
of craft supplies will be available, along with examples and guidance
For the most up-to-date information, visit the calendar at https://sanlib org/
Those with library items that were damaged due to Hurricane Milton can email reference@sanlib org or call 239-472-2483; provide the titles of the damaged items Fees for the items will be waived
Library cards are available to residents of Sanibel and Lee County at no charge Visitor library cards are available for a $10 annual fee
Solicitation is not allowed on Sanibel
Please share any photos of solicitation hang tags to police@mysanibel com or use Tip411
Repor ting suspicious activity
Post-storm, the library has temporarily adjusted its hours to Monday through Saturday from 9 a m to 5 p m
Beginning on Oct 28, its normal hours will resume of Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a m to 8 p m and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a m to 5 p m
For more information, call 239-472-2483 or visit https://sanlib org/
The Sanibel Public Library is at 770 Dunlop Road, Sanibel
∫ Text the keyword SANIBEL then your tip to 847411
∫ W e b t i p s c a n b e s u b m i t t e d a t https://www.tip411.com/tips/new?alert g roup id=22450
Anonymous tips regarding crimes or suspicious activity can be submitted via Tip411:
∫ Use the free “Sanibel PD” app for your Android or iOS device The SPD's non-emergency line is 239472-3111 F i n
SPORTS
County reopens parks, recreational facilities post-storm
Lee County Parks & Recreation announced the reopening of many parks and recreational facilities following the impacts of Hurricane Milton The sites
h a d t h o r o u g h
s t a f f a s s e s sments and safety inspections
T h e f o l l o wing locations are open to the public with regular operating hours:
Boat ramps:
∫ Alva Boat Ramp
∫ Davis Boat Ramp
Pools
∫ Lehigh Acres Community Pool
∫ North Fort Myers Community Pool
∫ San Carlos Park Community Pool
Paddlecraft launches:
∫ Russel Park Paddle Craft Launch
∫ Telegraph Creek Paddle Craft Launch
Parks:
∫ Charleston Park
∫ Hickey Creek Mitigation Park
∫ Hunter Park
∫ Judd Park
∫ Karl Drews Community Park
∫ Kurt Donaldson Park
∫ Lehigh Acres Trailhead Park
∫ Nalle Grade Park
∫ North Fort Myers Park
∫ Manatee Park
∫ Mary Moody Park
∫ Miramar Park
∫ Olga Park
∫ Royal Palm Park
∫ Rutenberg Park
∫ Schandler Hall Park
∫ Shores Nature Trail Park
∫ Veterans Park
∫ Wa-Ke Hatchee Park
∫ Waterway Park
Preserves:
∫ Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve East and West
∫ Prairie Pines Preserve
∫ Pop Ash Creek Preserve
∫ Telegraph Creek Preserve
Recreation:
∫ Karl J Drews Community Center
∫ Kelly Road Soccer Complex
∫ Lehigh Acres Senior Center
∫ North Fort Myers Recreation Center
∫ Veterans Recreation Center
∫ Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center
A l s o , t h e O
Buckingham Community Center are available for rentals.
Due to heavy impacts to coastal areas, the following sites remained closed as of Oct 12:
∫ Beach sites: All county beach park locations remain closed
∫ Boca Grande: All county facilities in Boca Grande remain closed
∫ Pine Island: All county parks and boat ramps in the Matlacha-Pine Island area are closed
For updates, visit www leeparks org
The website also lists the addresses, available amenities and hours of operation
DOH-Lee: Beach tests show acceptable levels
Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) reported that tests taken after Hurricane Milton show that there is no increased risk of illness
beaches at this time
Tests completed on Oct 14 indicate that the water quality at all county beaches show an acceptable level of Enterococcus bacteria established by state guidelines The test
FloridaHealth gov/HealthyBeaches
For more information, call 239252-8200 or visit Lee.FloridaHealth.gov.
Swimming pools
The public should avoid swimming in any pool until it has been properly cleaned and is fully functional Public
swimming pools need to be approved for opening by the DOH-Lee A fully functional pool has:
∫ Been cleared of debris that may cause injury
∫ Operating filtration and chemical treatment equipment
∫ Life-saving equipment available
∫ Clear water with visible drain covers on the pool floor
∫ Properly balanced chemicals with disinfectant and pH at safe levels
Additional information on swimming pool water and safety can be found on the Florida DOH's swimming pool webpage at https://www floridah e a l t h
n gpools/index html and https://www watersmartfl com/layers html
City provides update on beach parks post-storm
On Oct 18, the city of Sanibel reported that Public Works crews are working to reopen beach parking lots on the island following the impacts of Hurricane Milton.
(Algiers) and Bowman's Beach Park are now open to the public Use cau-
debris may be buried in sand T
closed as crews work to remove sand and debris:
∫ Lighthouse Beach Park (bayside and Gulfside)
∫ Blind Pass
∫ Turner Beach
The city will provide notice to the public as more beach parking lots open
Tract, will remain closed as post-Hurricane Milton repairs
Center reopened on Oct 20 with regular hours In addition, T
reopened on Oct 21 with regular hours
Shell museum to host guided walk
Aquarium will host a guided Snail Search and Biodiversity Walk on Oct 25 from 4 to 5 p m at Koreshan State Park,
search for land snails, document their sightings for the
explore the flora and fauna
The walk is free, but advance r
Parking is $5 per vehicle For more information or to register, contact Jorden Falker at jfalker@shellmuseum org
Obituaries
Rickey Paul Silhavy “Captain Rick”
It is with deep sadness that we share our husband, father and grandfather, Rick Silhavy’s, peaceful passing on July 20, 2024 with his beloved wife Diane by his side at age 76
Born and raised in St Louis, Mo Rick was the son of late Gordon and Audrey Silhavy and brother to the late Kathy Bauer, late Mark Silhavy, late Fran Dippel and late Janice Dell and cousin, nephew, uncle and friend to many others He worked several jobs before following his grandfather and father’s footsteps into the National Automatic Sprinkler Industry (NASI) in St Louis He p r o u d l y s t a r t e d h i s o w n c o m p a n y i n 1 9 9 2 c a l l e d Gateway Fire Protection, Inc He was the 3rd generation into the Union and today there five descendants of Silhavy’s, 2 more generations, in the NASI Union Rick and Diane treasured 34 years of an adventure seeking marriage Enjoying many memorable times with his/their children- Kimberly and Mark Reed, Stephanie Silhavy and Max Connolly, Doug and Valerie Silhavy, Matt and Erin Silhavy, Bree Silhavy and Rikki Silhavy and Josh Leddy He cherished his 13 grandchildren Jacob Reed, Andrew Reed, Claire Simmons, Kalynn S i l h a v y , A d d i s o n S i l h a v y , N o r a C o n n o l l y , B a r r e t t Silhavy, Aydin Silhavy, Ferdinand Connolly, Drake Silhavy, Owen Connolly, Merynn Silhavy and Seray Silhavy. One great-grandson, Theodore Reed. With his love of fishing since a young man, Sanibel and the Florida Keys was his destination for their new HOME 28 years of beach, fishing and boat life was treasured by his family and a great vacation spot for the extended family His love of travel included driving thousands of miles on summer long vacations in their RV across the USA, up to Nova Scotia and to Alaska Travels to Europe, Hawaii and many guy Fishing trips throughout the Caribbean added to all the stories Rick would love to tell to his Hungry Heron and Doc Ford’s buddies while having his daily lunch at the bars Always as “Captain Rick”. He also loved writing a fishing column in the Island Sun for many years, during his time as a Charter Captain out of Jensen’s Marina
Rick, we were truly blessed to have you in our lives, you will always be dearly loved and will be eternally missed by us all Expressions of sympathy could be a memorial contribution in the name of “Captain Rick Silhavy” to Captains for Clean Water at: Captainsforcleanwater@org or mailing a check to 2031 Jackson Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901, you can call for information at 866-670-2329
A celebration of life gathering will be held in January for “Captain Rick”
Grace Kathleen (nee Gorman) Mannix passed away September 18th, 2024, surrounded by family Grace was born in Harlem on November 26th, 1937, raised in the Bronx, New York and graduated with honors from Lenox Hill School of Nursing Grace and her husband of 65 years, John Walker Mannix, lived a full life from Germany to Islip, New York, and Sanibel, Florida
Grace enjoyed her career, friends, traveling and reading. She was a passionate parent, grandparent and wife who enjoyed having a good laugh She loved spending her free time on the beaches of Fire Island and Sanibel and boating with her family Grace and John retired to Sanibel Island, Florida, where they made many new friends and where Grace was an active member of the Sanibel-Captiva Garden Club and Osprey Club
Grace is predeceased by her parents, Walter and Mary (Rogers) Gorman, and her sisters, Elizabeth (Betty)
McCullough
Besides her beloved husband John, Grace is survived by her four children, Grace Schiraldi (Vincent Schiraldi), John Walter Mannix, Annalise Mannix (Joye Clayton), and Elaine Romeyk (Brian Romeyk) Grace is also survived by her 10 loving grandchildren
A Celebration of Grace’s Life is planned for Saturday November 16, 2024, on Long Island, New York
In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that you honor Grace with a donation to The Dubin Center, an Alzheimer’s and
Donations can be sent to The Dubin Center, 12685 New Brittany Blvd , Fort Myers, FL 33907, or made online at https://dubincenter com/
Lucy Roth
One’s biggest wish is that a person you loved so very much knew just how much they meant to you
Lucy Roth was born in St Louis in 1934 to a modest family She never forgot how hard her father worked to keep the family comfortable For the rest of her life, Mom always treated every race, gender, nationality, and income level with fairness and respect. She donated her time and money to numerous organizations as well as helping individuals in time of need
Lucy was working for Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals when she met Paul F Roth in the summer of 1956 They married in 1957, and she never imagined that they would be together for 67 years, moving around the country every few years for his work She was the ultimate organizer and made these moves seem easy and even adventurous for her three children
Family was top priority to her, and she insisted on dinner together every night with no television or telephones to distract from conversation She taught us manners and to appreciate time together. Family vacations were part of this, and a trip to Sanibel in 1970 introduced us to our life-long love of the island Later, she was able to share the island with her grandchildren too
Paul and Lucy made Sanibel their home in 1992 and formed many close friendships Both were especially involved in SCCF, and Wines in the Wild was one of her favorite events to help host
She supported our dreams and goals, going to swim meets, football games, and horse shows and always insisted on good sportsmanship The garden was always one of her favorite places to be, and all her children inherited her love of gardening as well As I write this memory of her, I look out on to my garden that I have started planting with colors that I know she would have enjoyed
Lucy died at home on September 29th and left behind a large and loving family and friends, a hole in our hearts, and a lifetime of wonderful memories
A celebration of life will be held on November 9th at the Congregational UCC at 11:00am Memorial contributions if you wish may be made to SCCF, SCUCC church, Lee Health “kids minds matter” program or St Jude’s Hospital
Grace Kathleen (Gorman) Mannix
Milton further impedes freshwater habitat recovery
Foundation reported that Sanibel wildlife, especially aquatic wildlife, has had its share of challenges over the last two years with three major storms resulting in large storm surge events
Hurricane Ian, the most severe of the storms, decimated the freshwater wetlands across the island Salinities went from 0-4 parts per thousand (ppt) to 1428 ppt on most of the island and freshwa-
ter wetlands were converted to highly brackish or seawater overnight, resulting in die-off and high stress on many aquatic species
“Over the last two years, many areas have recovered, especially shallow areas, where the very active wet season of 2024 either created new temporary waterbodies or diluted the salt concentration of oth-
Management Director Chris Lechowicz
out reintroduction,” Lechowicz said
species were severely reduced from freshwater body loss, there was promise of a slow comeback due to heavy amounts of rainfall
“Within a two-week period, the storm s u r g e s f r o m H
Hurricane Milton inundated many of our recovered or recovering wetlands with salt water again,” he said
Many of the wetlands, especially shallow wetlands, had returned to a mostly freshwater state or 4 ppt or less, which has been tolerable to most of the species found on the island. Now, some of the wetlands are showing salinities as high as 28 ppt again
Freshwater gamefish that were introduced in 1960 by the J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge have not been documented since Ian
“This last event with Hurricane Milton reduces the chances of them existing with-
Early voting
Small live-bearing fish, such as sailfin mollies and mosquitofish, and the egglaying marsh killifish were present in good numbers this past year and the SCCF e x p e c t s t h a t t h e y w i l l s u r v i v e
Amphibians, frogs and toads were beginning to recover across the island as many e p h e m e r a
active rainy season to allow frogs to reproduce and repopulate areas
“The added saltwater will set this back as frogs will wait to seek out low salinity pools to lay their eggs,” he said B a
habitats that can allow certain species to thrive for a period and then change with a storm or two to allow other species to thrive for a finite amount of time
species have come and gone, and even repopulated due to environmental changes to the island,” Lechowicz said
From page 1
Accuracy Test of the voting equipment and voting system to ensure they’re tabulating and counting votes accurately ”
The early voting locations are:
∫ C a p e C o r a l - L e e C o u n t y P u b l i c Library, at 921 S W 39th Terrace, Cape Coral
∫ East County Regional Library, at 881 Gunnery Road N , Lehigh Acres
∫ Estero Recreation Center, at 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero
∫ Fort Myers Regional Library, at 1651 Lee St , Fort Myers
∫ Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers, at 4224 Renaissance Preserve Way, Fort Myers
∫ Lakes Regional Library, at 15290 Bass Road, Fort Myers
∫ L e e C o u n t y E l e c t i o n s B o n i t a Springs Branch, at 25987 S Tamiami Trail, Suite 105, Bonita Springs
∫ Lee County Elections Cape Coral Branch Office, at 1039 S.E. 9th Ave., Cape Coral
∫ Lee County Elections Center, at 13180 S Cleveland Ave , Fort Myers
∫ Lehigh Acres Elections Office, at 600 Homestead Road, Suite 9, Lehigh Acres
∫ North Fort Myers Recreation Center, at 2000 N Recreation Parkway, North Fort Myers
∫ Northwest Regional Library, at 519 Chiquita Blvd N , Cape Coral
Doyle explained that taking advantage of the early voting period and not waiting for Election Day could prove to be a benefit to voters
“People are very interested in voting in this election, and we expect a very high turnout,” he said “Vote early to eliminate any possibility of lines on Election Day If you do encounter lines, please remain patient If you plan to vote in person, I suggest you review your sample ballot so that you’re prepared when voting at the polls ” Doyle also spoke to the importance of voting in an election, especially this year
“The politics are so divided that it’s firing up voters,” he said “Many view the upcoming election as one of the most criti c a l e l e c t i o n s o f o u r l i f e t i m e , s o i t ’ s important that you exercise your right to vote.”
In addition to the hotly contested pres-
a Harris/Tim Walz and Donald Trump/JD Vance, the ballot for islanders includes other races and state constitutional amendments
Read the full article for free online by visiting www captivasanibel com
SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation biologists sighted an eastern glass lizard two days after Hurricane Milton
Another victim of addiction
The room I entered was spartan and dingy It was a typical meeting room for individuals who suffered from shame, remorse, addiction and guilt I was one of them. I had no choice. I
w a s c o m p e l l e d t o j o i n these other unfortunates so that I could finally break the curse that had been plaguing me for years. For you see, I am now a member of AA
I took my seat There were about twenty other people sitting around in a circle They were from all walks of life. The leader entered the room and took his seat among the circle of outcasts
“Hello all of you My name is Bill and I want to thank you for the courage you’re displaying in simply being here today It does take courage to finally put an end to your long time addiction I’m aware of how difficult this is going to be for each of you to literally bare your souls to total strangers. But please be aware that each of you is suffering from the same affliction so you will get plenty of support in this room And remember also, what is said in this room stays in this room ”
Each of us settled into our chairs and tried not to look at one another. Guilt was rampant.
Bill then said, “I’m going to ask each of you to tell your story I want you to get it out there so that we can all begin to help each other Art, why don’t you start?”
This was my worst nightmare to be the first person called on to share his miserable story I took a deep breath and began to speak
“My name is Art and I’m an accumulator.” The group applauded me for owning up to my misery and having the courage to join Accumulators Anonymous
I continued: “It all started when I was ten My parents gave me tons of toys for my birthday and I became so possessive of them that I still have them in my home to this day The same is true for the clothes I had when I was fifteen They were never thrown out and weren’t given to a neighbor’s kid when I outgrew them I simply kept them My parents thought that this was odd but didn’t discourage me from collecting things We had a big house and had room for everything.
“This habit continued as I got older Whatever I got from matchbooks to salt shakers, I never threw anything out I have every shirt, tie, suit, and pair of shoes I ever owned I have every magazine I ever read I have every marble I played with as a child as well as every comic book I understand that some of these comic books may be very valuable today but I can’t endure the thought of parting with any object I ever owned I am a true accumulator and want to be helped
“My wife wanted to help me and even tried throwing things out without my knowing about it But I’ve always been suspicious of her motives and caught her in the act each time At one time the garbage truck removed boxes of accumulated items that my wife secretly put outside the house but I saw the boxes in time and threw myself into the body of the truck to retrieve them.
“Yes, I was a bit filthy when I emerged from the truck And I literally smelled like garbage But it was worth it to me Who knows what other rash deeds I might have carried out to retrieve objects of my addiction? I showered for four hours following this episode and it left a deep scar in my heart But I continued my addictive habit of accumulating. My marriage is falling apart as a result and no one will enter my house anymore There’s just no room to sit down ”
Tears were filling the eyes of the AA group as they realized that they were not alone in their accumulation addiction. In time each member of the group related
TCH fall fest to offer games, costume contest and more
By TIFFANY REPECKI trepecki@breezenewspapers com
The Community House on Sanibel will hold an island tradition this week to kick off the season
The Annual Fall Festival will take place on Oct 25 from 4 to 6 p m Free and open to the community, it will feature games with prizes, a costume contest for all ages, craft activities, a photo station and more
“The idea is to do something fun for families in the community,” TCH Executive Director Emily Ankerson said “We're bringing people together to celebrate the changing of the seasons ”
There will be candy to collect, along with fair-style games and fun prizes to win
“Children's festival-type games like a bean bag toss,” she said “We'll have some prizes, including books donated by MacIntosh Books + Paper ”
Attendees are encouraged to dress up for the all-ages costume contest
“It's for adults and children There'll be categories, like most original or best collaborative costume,” Ankerson said. “There'll be multiple prizes. It might be some fun items like merchandise and trinkets ”
Heather Paints! will offer face painting, and there will be a photographer to capture the memories
“We're going to have a little photo station set up with fall themes, like with hay bales, pumpkins and corn stalks,” she said
CROW's Animal Ambassadors will make a special appearance
“The Shellcrafters will have a shell painting station with family-friendly activities,” Ankerson said
Kirkland has organized a Community Bake Sale.
Shell Find
PHOTO PROVIDED
Junonia found on Sanibel
Kelyse Schafer, 12, of Fort Myers, found a junonia on Oct 11 near Beach Access 1 off West Gulf Drive on Sanibel Kevin Schafer reported that his daughter and he were on a daddy-daughter date when Kelyse spotted the shell next to his feet Her first one, the junonia had just washed onto shore He added that Kelyse grew up on Sanibel and that the family has been actively shelling and looking for a junonia for 11 years To report a shell find, contact 239-472-1587 or trepecki@breezenewspapers com
Community House custard flavor,” she said “They're doing a special flavor for us ”
The community is invited to take part
“Come do something fun and uplifting, especially after all of the cleanup and hard work people have been doing post-storm,” Ankerson said “Be part of the community and come together for a fun reason.”
For more information, visit www sanibelcommunityhouse net or contact 239-472-2155 or info@sanibelcommunityhouse net
The Community House is at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Bank of the Islands to ser ve as sponsor
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge reported that Bank of the Islands donated $1,500 as a Protector Sponsor for its annual Go Wild for “Ding” Dreaming of a White Pelican, scheduled for Feb 12 BANK OF THE ISLANDS
The Community House Calendar
The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, will present the following:
Sanibel Hear ts Club
meet on Oct 25 from noon to 3 p m
Beginners to experts are welcome to participate and play the card game N
Suggested donation of $5
Ar ts & Crafts Fair
An Arts & Crafts Fair will take place on Oct 27 from 9 a m to 2
p m It will feature handmade arts, crafts and treasures created by local artists The array of art in diverse mediums will include paintings, shell c r a f t s ,
w
l r y , b a s
t s , p o t t e
y , hand-sewn items such as placemats, housewares, glass art, baked goods and other culinary items, greeting cards, wearable art and more Free admission and parking
Shellcrafters
Shell Critter Kits are available for purchase in a variety of different options. Cost is $5 per kit with all of t h e s u p p l i
glue Order them in-person at TCH or call 239-472-2155
TCH office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a m to 3 p m
The Shellcrafters will meet on Oct 28 from 10 a m to 1 p m in the lobby A shell crafting class will take place at 10 a m ; it is free and supplies range from $5-10 Items will be available for sale All sales benefit the operations of TCH
Art Stevens Shell Shocked
Refuge's WoW team to visit schools
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife SocietyFriends of the Refuge reported that the J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge's Wildlife on Wheels (WoW) has been polished up and refreshed for the new school year Its schedule has filled with nine Title I schools an estimated 9,000 students in the School District of Lee County The team will visit the following for the 2024-25 school year:
∫ N
Elementary in Fort Myers
∫ Nov 4-22: Lehigh Elementary in Lehigh Acres
∫ Dec 2-20: Varsity Lakes Middle School in Lehigh Acres
∫ J a n
Elementary in Lehigh Acres
∫
Hammock Middle School in Fort Myers
∫ Feb 14-21: Lehigh Senior High in Lehigh Acres
∫ Feb 24 through March 13: Orange River Elementary in Fort Myers
Sunshine Elementary in Lehigh Acres
∫ April 22 through May 6: Harns
Marsh Elementary in Lehigh Acres
Foundation Chief Executive Officer James Evans
Decal program results in donation
Bank of the Islands recently made a
Islands program Winners Kim and Bill Cuthbertson were spotted with the program's decal on their vehicle, winning them the chance to decide which local non-profit would receive a charitable contribution They chose to donate the
Student raises funds to suppor t SCCF
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that eighth grader Jillian Hubbard, of New Jersey, recently raised money to support its mission for the second year in a row through her homemade crafts made from Sanibel shells
their own stories of accumulation and collectively we understood that we all had a common problem One member of the group offered us gum from a small pack of Wrigley’s that he had owned for forty years It was a start There was a great deal of work to be
done by each of us if we wanted to straighten out our lives and live happily We needed to find a way to let go of the need to accumulate unnecessary objects. My joining AA was done in the nick of time Pray for me In the meantime, I took all the pencils home that were distrib-
Conservation Foundation The bank has donated $144,200 to date through the program All islanders are invited to visit the bank’s branches to pick up a decal and learn more about the We Love Our Islands program
Shell Find
PHOTO
PROVIDED Junonia found on Sanibel
Ashley Skinner, of Sanibel, found a junonia on Oct 11 near Beach Access 1 off West Gulf Drive on Sanibel She reported that she has been shelling for years and found a ton of amazing ones after Hurricane Ian “I'd bike to the beaches and have the whole beach to myself since they were all closed to the public for months Best shells I had ever seen, but no junonia,” Skinner said “This was my first one!” To report a s h e l l f i n d , c o n t
trepecki@breezenewspapers com
uted at the meeting
Art Stevens is a long-time columnist for the SanibelCaptiva Islander His tongue-in-cheek humor is always offered with a smile
SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
From left, Jillian Hubbard and her mother, Sue.
BANK OF THE ISLANDS
From left, Bank of the Islands Vice President David Lowden, winners
ISL AND HOME islander
Purple passionflower is native flowering vine
Purple passionflower vine (Passiflora incarnata) is a perennial flowering vine native to Florida
It is one of the most complex and intricate flowers
a m o n g t h e f l o w e r i n g
vines The vine is very easy to grow, can tolerate dry conditions and loves full sun Its bloom
t i m e i s d u r i n g t h e w a r m e s t m o n t h s f r o m late spring through early
f a l l I t w i l l d e f i n i t e l y need a structure to grow on and plenty of room to wander It will spread
e a s i l y o v e r a f e n c e , arbor or trellis in a sunny location, reaching out with its grasping tendrils and hanging onto anything within reach
The best part of the vine is the gorgeous, 3-5 inch flowers that come in shades of lavender or purple, with a wavy fringe over five petals The middle of the bloom looks like a tiny landing pad, with a tiny yellow bean-like pollen sac suspended overhead The flowers last about a day or so and bloom continuously The small green fruit is oval in shape and edible, but is not very tasty
The passionflower vine is perfect for a butterfly garden It is the larval host plant for Gulf fritillary and zebra longwing the state butterfly of Florida as well as other species of butterflies The vine also attracts hummingbirds
In addition to the beautiful purple-white-green color combination of the incarnata variety, Passiflora flowers come in a range of colors including white, blue, lavender, purple red and maroon There are also five other Florida native passionflower vines: lutea, multiflora, pallens, sexflora and suberosa With the other native varieties, the flowers are not as showy, with more subdued colors. By far, the Passiflora incarnata has the showiest flowers and are the most intriguing
In The Garden is a joint effort by all at the local garden center, at 3889 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel For more information, contact 239-395-5859 or visit www facebook com/rswalshinthegarden
City provides information on vegetation post-storm
The city of Sanibel's Natural Resources Department reported that following Hurricane Milton, residents and
impacts and are now working to clean up/remedy the landscaping on their property
In contrast to Hurricane Ian, which brought Category 4 force winds and storm surge to the island, Milton was a smaller scale a event that included storm surge, tropical storm force winds, and very little rain following the passing of the storm’s eye As a result, there is less structural damage to trees; however, you may have noticed that since the storm, vegetation continues to brown and drop leaves This is likely a result of saltwater storm surge inundation/salt spray combined with a lack of rain to dilute salt deposition in the soil and wash salt spray from leaves. It is important to remember, many native plants are adapted to these type of impacts from tropical weather events Native plants may appear dead or dying, but given time they are likely to recover
The department provided the following guidance related to vegetation impacts post-storm:
∫ How do I know if a plant is dead or alive?
If branches of a tree are flexible or green tissue is present just beneath the bark, the plant is still alive and will likely produce new leaves over the next month or as conditions allow If you’re unsure whether the plant is dead or alive and the plant does not pose a hazard, leave it alone and see how the plant fares over the next few weeks/months
∫ Does salt remain after the storm?
More than likely, especially since we are heading into the dry season Without regular rainfall to dilute storm surge, salt deposits in the soil may linger for some time and salt spray may remain on the plant According to soils tests following Ian, the University of Florida IFAS Extension (Lee County) determined that an inch of rainfall or irrigation would be enough to dilute the salt in the soils to a non-harmful level We expect this is true of Milton’s storm surge Similarly, rainfall or spraying down the plants would remove the salt spray.
∫ What plants are salt tolerant?
Since Ian, Natural Resources has been maintaining a list of plants that were unaffected by or recovered from saltwater storm surge The list provides some examples, but is not inclusive
Salt tolerant plants include: gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba), strangler fig (Ficus aurea), wild tamarind (Lysiloma latisiliquum), seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera), mahogany (Swietenia mahogani), cabbage/sabal palm (Sabal palmetto), Jamaica dogwood (Piscidia piscipula), pigeon plum (Coccoloba diversifolia) green buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus), silver buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus var sericeus), cinnamon bark (Canella winterana), paurotis palm (Acoelorraphe wrightii), buckthorn ( S i d
jamaicensis), seven year apple (Casasia clusiifolia), bay cedar (Suriana maritima), joewood (Jacquinia keyensis), w
(Pithecellobium unguis-cati) lignum vitae (Guaiacum sanctum), white indigo berry (Randia aculeata), necklace p
Contact Natural Resources for the full list of plants
∫ How do I know if I should remove a tree?
After a hurricane some trees may be damaged beyond repair Conditions that would warrant tree removal include: the lower main trunk is cracked or broken; a large stem has split from the tree; the tree is leaning towards a target (i e , person, structure, vehicle, animal); the major roots are severed or broken; multiple limbs greater than 8 inches in diameter are broken For more i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t https://edis ifas ufl edu/publication/FR172?downloadOp en=true
∫ How do I know if a tree can be restored?
Many trees may look to be in poor condition after the storm. However, a tree standing after a hurricane is a good sign of resiliency and can likely be saved through restoration/corrective trimming Under certain conditions a tree can be restored, which includes: young trees (trunk that is 10 inches diameter or less) can tolerate significant corrective pruning; canopy is defoliated; small branches (4 inches in diameter or less) are broken or dead; leaning or fallen trees are small or recently planted For more i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t https://edis ifas ufl edu/publication/EP300?downloadOp en=true
∫ Can I trim or remove hurricane impacted vegetation without a permit?
It depends on the situation Vegetation activities that do not require a permit include: removal of vegetation debris on private property, seaward of the CCCL (beach dune), or within the mangrove fringe; removal of dead native or live and dead exotic plants; removal of downed native or exotic plants or those leaning at an angle greater than 30 degrees; restoration trimming and/or corrective pruning of hurricane damaged vegetation excluding mangroves or vegetation seaward of the CCCL
∫ What vegetation activities require a permit?
Vegetation activities that do require a permit include: mangrove trimming and removal; vegetation trimming or removal seaward of the CCCL (beach dune); removal of live native vegetation (i e , native plants that can be preserved or restored); other activities described in Sanibel Code Section 122-141-150 (Vegetation Permits), that are not otherwise addressed above
∫ How do I apply for a permit?
Property owners can apply for permits online via the c i t y ’ s C i t i z e n S e l f S e r v i c e ( C S S ) p
r t a l a t https://www mysanibel com/sanibel-online If you have never used the CSS portal, you must first create an account Once you have an account you can search for the specific permit you need: vegetation, mangrove, or CCCL Another option is to designate your vegetation contractor as an authorized agent, and they can apply for the permit on your behalf
∫ Can I remove a tree that has fallen onto my property from a neighboring property?
Yes, but only with permission from the property from where the tree originated However, even without permission, you may trim or remove any portion of the tree that crosses over your property line
“We ask for your patience in allowing native vegetation recovery following this recent storm event,” the department said. “It will take time to restore the natural beauty of our barrier island sanctuary It is important to preserve what native vegetation can be saved to begin the recovery of Sanibel’s valuable ecosystems ”
For more information or questions regarding vegetation recovery, trimming or removal, and permitting, contact the Natural Resources Department at 239-472-3700 or sandnr@mysanibel com
Sanibel
Captiva
IN THE GARDEN
Purple passionflower vine
FEMA: Guide to assistance for Floridians
Are you in Florida and affected by Hurricanes Debby, Helene and/or Milton?
FEMA is committed to helping survivors navigate the disaster assistance process and get the support they need
The following is detailed information on how to apply for FEMA assistance, including eligibility by different counties, the application process, and what to do if you were not approved for assistance
∫ Am I in a county eligible for support for more than one hurricane?
You can find a list of eligible disasters for your county by using the DisasterAssistance gov location search Submit your zip code for a list of disasters declared for your county Starting your application online is the fastest way to start your recovery process
∫ If I applied for individual assistance for one hurricane, do I need to reapply?
If you are in a county eligible for disaster assistance from multiple hurricanes, you need to submit applications for each disaster (i e , one application for Helene and a separate application for Milton) If this situation applies to you, please see the next question
∫ I am in a county with more than one open hurricane declaration. How do I apply for each disaster?
If you experienced damage from multiple hurricanes, you must complete a separate application for each event
∫ When you apply for Debby disaster assistance, please note the date and damage you received from Debby Hurricane Debby has an incident period of Aug 1-27, 2024
∫ When you apply for Helene assistance, please note the date and damage you received from Helene Hurricane Helene has an incident period of Sept 23, 2024, and continuing.
∫ When you apply for Milton disaster assistance, please note the date and damage you received from Milton Hurricane Milton has an incident period of Oct 5, 2024, and continuing
∫ If I apply for disaster assistance for more than one storm, what support may I be eligible to receive?
Eligible households affected by multiple hurricanes may receive assistance for each disaster, including an upfront Serious Needs Assistance payment to support basic needs like food, water and medicine for both incidents
FEMA will not pay for the same loss twice but can help with new damage caused by the next disaster When you apply, do
your best to identify damage done by disaster (e g , list Helene damage in the Helene applications Do your best to list separate damage done by Milton in the Milton application )
∫ FEMA says I am not approved for assistance. What are my options for getting the support I need?
If you received a letter from FEMA that says you have not been approved for assistance, that may not be the final decision A quick fix, like providing more information, may change FEMA’s decision
Be sure to read your FEMA determination letter carefully The letter specifies why you have not been approved and recommends actions that may change the decision
If you are in a county eligible for assistance for both hurricanes Helene and Milton, and were not approved for Helene assistance, you may still apply for Milton assistance
Learn more about “Common Reasons FEMA May Find You Ineligible for Assistance and How to Address Them” at https://www fema gov/fact-sheet/common-reasons-fema-may-find-you-ineligible-assistance-and-how-address-them
∫ Why are people in Florida affected by Hurricane Milton eligible for more FEMA money than those who are affected by Hurricane Debby and Helene?
FEMA adjusts the maximum amount of financial assistance available to disaster survivors each fiscal year, which began on Oct 1 Each year, FEMA assistance maximums are adjusted using the annual Consumer Price Index to keep pace with cost-of-living increases similar to how Social Security payments are adjusted at the beginning of each federal calendar year
The first change you might notice is in the initial Serious Needs Assistance award amount, which provides help with basic needs like food, water and medicine For Helene, which was declared on Sept 28, the payment is $750 For Milton, which was declared on Oct 11, the payment is $770
∫ How do I get my questions answered about the disaster application process?
We know these are challenging times, and we are committed to ensuring survivors receive every dollar and type of assistance they are eligible for. Applying for assistance is the critical first step toward recovery
If you need help, we encourage you to apply for FEMA assistance through DisasterAssistance gov You may also visit a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center to meet
How to appeal FEMA decision
FEMA reported that if you applied for assistance due Hurricanes Milton or Helene and do not agree with its decision, you can submit an appeal online, in person, by mail or fax within 60 days of receiving its decision letter For more information, visit fema gov/assistance/individual/afterapplying/appeals.
face-to-face with FEMA representatives, apply for FEMA assistance, receive referrals to local assistance in their area, apply with the U S Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans and more
Find a Disaster Recovery Center on our website at https://egateway fema gov/ESF6/ DRCLocator or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362 You may also apply for assistance
and find locations for Disaster Recovery Centers on the FEMA mobile app or get help by calling 800-621- 3362 If you choose to apply by phone, please be aware that FEMA is increasing staff at call centers but wait times may be longer due to increased volume for multiple recent disasters
Public ur ged to stay safe, stay hydrated
Lee County Public Safety reported that EMS has seen an increase in calls related to dehydration as people clean up outside o f t h e i r h o m e s i n t h e a f t e r m a t h o f Hurricane Milton It offered some safety tips for the public to keep in mind during their cleanup efforts “Stay safe and stay hydrated,” it said
LEE COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY
Recipe of the Week: Pork Involtini alla Calabrese
By CHEF LORETTA PAGANINI
Every year I offer several gastronomic tours of Italy during which we enjoy delicious meals at some of the best restaurants all over the Italian peninsula We explore wineries and partake in local cooking classes We learned this recipe while visiting the region of Piedmont shared by a local chef during our Harvest Tour It was a favorite among our traveling friends Serves six (Chef tip: I use pork tenderloin when making this recipe I slice it thin on a diagonal and pound it )
Stuffing:
15 sprigs fresh Italian parsley, leaves only
2 medium sized cloves garlic, peeled
3 tablespoons very fine unseasoned bread crumbs
3 ounces prosciutto ham
3 ounces grated cheese Fontina
2 extra-large eggs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Involtini:
6 pork scaloppines (about 1 pound), pounded
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 white onion, cleaned, sliced
2 extra-large eggs
Loretta Paganini
1/4 cup milk
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
About 1 cup bread crumbs
8 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chicken or veal stock
Fresh thyme sprigs
1 large lemon cut into wedges (for serving)
Be sure scaloppines are pounded evenly Melt the butter and let rest until cool Chop parsley, garlic, breadcrumbs, prosciutto and cheese all together, using a food processor Add the whole eggs to the ground ingredients and season with salt and pepper Use a brush to lightly butter one side of each pork scaloppini Place 1/6 of the stuffing on each and roll them up to form six bundles Make sure the stuffing is completely enclosed
Season the breadcrumbs with salt and pepper and lightly beat the eggs and milk with a little salt. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Dip each involtino in the beaten egg, then roll it in the seasoned crumbs Place the involtini in a hot skillet with the olive oil Cook for five minutes Turn the involtino over and cook for five minutes more
Transfer the involtini to a baking pan and bake for 15 minutes, turning the meat once Remove most of the oil Add the onions to the hot skillet and cook until soft Add wine, thyme and stock and reduce by half at high heat
Remove from the oven, transfer the involtini onto a serving dish and serve hot with wine sauce and the lemon wedges
CROW Calendar
The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife's Visitor Education Center, at 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, will present the following:
∫ Wednesday, Oct 2 3
Program of the Week at 11 a m
The presentation will be “A Day In The Life.”
∫ Thursday, Oct. 2 4
Program of the Week at 11 a m
T h e p r e s e n t a t i o n w i l l b e “ W i l d l i f e Conservation ”
∫ Friday, Oct. 2 5
Program of the Week at 11 a m
The presentation will be the presenter’s choice
∫ Monday, Oct 2 8
Program of the Week at 11 a m
The presentation will be “A Day In The Life.”
∫ Tuesday, Oct. 2 9
Program of the Week at 11 a m
The presentation will be “Ecosystems Of Florida ”
∫ Wednesday, Oct. 3 0
Program of the Week at 11 a m
The presentation will be “Invasives Of Southwest Florida ”
Admission is $12 for ages 13 and older, $7 for ages 4-12 and free for ages 3 and under
In addition, CROW offers a Wildlife Walk Hospital Tour on Mondays through F r i d a y s a f t e r t h e d a i l y p r e s e n t a t i o n
Limited to 12 people; participants must be age 10 or older The cost is $25 per person; advanced registration and payment is required To register, contact 239-4723644 ext 229 or reservations@crowclinic org F o r m o
http://www crowclinic org/ or call 239472-3644
Not ‘Why?’ but ‘What now?’
Here we are again …
Another significant hurricane causing flooding and destruction here, and additionally as well as more tragically, loss of life in other parts of Florida All that after Hurricane Helene did the same from northern Florida to North Carolina just a few days earlier
No wonder on the Sunday in between those two events I got asked this question during our worship time:
Why hurricanes?
Although it wasn’t really me who was being asked that question. It was Jesus, since I had started that morning’s message off by asking a question of my own:
on Faith
If you could ask Jesus one question in this moment, what would it be?
I doubt it would shock you to hear that in the instant after finishing that sentence, someone yelled out, “Why hurricanes?” Not “Why?” as in “Why are there hurricanes?”, but “Why does God allow them?” Or, as I think was really being asked: Where is God in all this?
Which in essence is a variation of the question which has troubled theologians and people of faith since day one: “Why does God allow suffering and hardship?” As is the case with most theological questions, many different answers have been offered throughout the centuries, among the most historically common in Christianity being ones derived from four common themes three of which are that God allows suffering and hardship:
n To test our faith
n To make our faith stronger
n To teach us something
Now, while I certainly believe that suffering and hardship can test our faith, make our faith stronger, and teach us something, or at least lead us to learn something I am highly sympathetic with those theologians, spiritual leaders and people of faith as well as non-faith who find it troubling to think that a God who we in Christianity proclaim is good and loving would intentionally permit suffering and hardship for those purposes.
Island Worship
∫ Bat Yam Temple of the Islands
2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel (Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ), https://www batyam org/, https://www facebook com/batyamsanibel/ Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer
Sabbath service on Friday at 7 p m and via Zoom Torah (Bible) Study on S
batyamsanibel@gmail com
∫ Captiva Chapel by the Sea 11580 Chapin Lane, Captiva, 239-472-1646, https://www captivachapel com/, www facebook com/Captiva-Chapel-By-The-Sea
Rev Dr Doug Dortch
Services will return for season in November Videos of services from the past season can be found on the chapel's website and Facebook page
∫ Chavurat Shalom of Southwest Florida P O Box 722, Sanibel, www chavuratshalomofsouthwestflorida org Shabbat service on Friday at 7:30 p m Torah Talk on Tuesday at 7:30 p m There are also speakers, discussions and informal “schmoozes ” For Zoom links, email ChavuratShalom@gmail.com.
∫ Sanibel Community Church 1740 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-2684, https://sanibelchurch com/, https://www facebook com/sanibelchurch/ Pastor Jeramie Rinne
Sunday service at 10 a m in the Sanctuary Services will be recorded and posted on the SCC's YouTube channel
∫ Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ 2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-0497, https://www sanibelucc org/, https://www facebook com/sanibelucc/ Senior Minister Rev Dr Mark Boyea
Sunday service at 10 a m in the Sanctuary
∫ Saint Isabel Catholic Church 3559 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, 239-472-2763, https://www saintisabel org/, https://www facebook com/stisabelcatholicchurch/ Father Edward Martin
Friday Mass at 9 a m Saturday Vigil Mass at 5 p m Sunday Mass at 10 a m
∫ Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-2173, https://www saintmichaelssanibel org/, https://www facebook com/saintmichaelssanibel/ Rev William “Bill” Van Oss
Saturday service at 5 p m in the Sanctuary, with a social to follow Sunday service at 9:30 a m , with a social to follow; service is available via livestream and the link on the website
And then there is the fourth most common theme when it comes to attempting to explain why God allows suffering and hardship: Sin
We suffer and struggle, that theological view claims, because it is the result of sin, a word which, despite the deeply negative connotation it so often has in our time, simply means to “miss the mark,” to live in ways that are contrary to how God hopes and calls us to live
But again, while there is no doubt that suffering and hardship do occur as a result of our not living with the compassion, desire
for justice, and care for creation and the most vulnerable which God calls us to, that hardly addresses all suffering and hardship
Those though, are just some of my thoughts on that particular answer to why God allows suffering and hardship But if you recall, I wasn’t asked the question Jesus was So what does Jesus have to say about it? Well he doesn’t He really doesn’t seem to be all that interested in the discussion at all
In the two instances in the Gospels in which the subject presents itself, Jesus, in
Otter's Island Eats, 11506 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva
Rosalita's Cantina, 975 Rabbit Road,
1551 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
islandBEAT islander
Santiva Islanders Calendar
(Editor's note: Due to Hurricane Milton, the schedule is subject to change Visit the online calendar on the Santiva Islanders' website to confirm details for an event )
The Santiva Islanders will present the following:
Cardio & Strength
Mahnaz Bassir will host Cardio & Strength today, Oct 23, from 10 to 11 a m in the Parish Hall at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Bring water and a towel; no mat is required Light weights may be brought Cost is $5 per class and $60 per month for members or $10 per class and $120 per month for non-members
BIG ARTS Calendar
BIG ARTS, at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, will present the following:
Fine Ar ts
“Nautical Twilight” by Dahye Kim will be on display from now through Oct 27 in the Dunham Family Gallery The exhibition explores the quality of time in video and film, expanding it into space An artist reception will take place on Oct 25 from 5 to 7 p m Free and open to the public, it will feature complimentary wine and light bites
Workshop
Cartooning For The Young At Heart with Doug MacGregor will be held on Nov 4, 6, 11 and 13 from 10 to 11:30 a m Cost is $172 for donors and $215 for non-donors Deadline to register is Oct 28
Workshop
Zentangle Holiday Cards with Donna Lee Cole will be held on Nov 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 10 a m to 1 p m Cost is $135 for donors and $168 for nondonors Deadline to register is Oct 28
Workshop
Glass Fusing with Petra Kaiser will be held on Nov. 6, 13, 20 and 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost is $135 for donors and $168 for non-donors Deadline to register is Oct 30
Registration is required for workshops by calling 239-395-0900
F o r m o
www bigarts org or call 239-395-0900
Social Mahjong
Social Mahjong will be held on Oct 24 from 1 to 3:30 p m at the Sanibel Public Library, at 770 Dunlop Road, Sanibel. Cost is $5. For more information, contact Beth Funderburg at bfundy4648@gmail com
Coffee & Conversation
Coffee & Conversation will be held on Oct 25 from 9:30 a m to noon in the library at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Volunteers will be available to answer questions, register new members, sign up for activities and more
Cardio & Strength
Mahnaz Bassir will host Cardio & Strength on Oct 25 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Parish Hall at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Bring water and a towel; no mat is required Light weights may be brought Cost is $5 per class and $60 per month for members or $10 per class and $120 per month for non-members
Coffee & Conversation
Coffee & Conversation will be held on Oct 28 from 9:30 a m to noon in the library at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Volunteers will be available to answer questions, register new members, sign up for activities and more
Cardio & Strength
Mahnaz Bassir will host Cardio & Strength on Oct 28 from 10 to 11 a m in the Parish Hall at Saint Michael and
What now?
From page 24
one, dismisses the disciples’ question as to whose sin was responsible for a man being born blind In the other, in response to an implied similar question about the suffering of two different groups of people, he clearly questions the premise of then question to begin with by asking rhetorically if those who suffered were worse simmers than any others than those asking the question to begin with
Instead, the question which Jesus seems to almost always be most, if not
and $120 per month for
Social Hour
Social Hour will be held on Oct 28 from 4 to 6 p m at Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen, at 1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Enjoy happy hour drink and appetizer specials Attendees will order and pay individually
Leisure Lunch
A Leisure Lunch will be held Oct 29 from noon to 1 p m at The Lighthouse Cafe, at 1020 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Attendees will order and pay individually For more information or to reserve a spot, contact Deborah Butler at deborahpbutler@comcast net
Cardio & Strength
Mahnaz Bassir will host Cardio & Strength on Oct 30 from 10 to 11 a m in the Parish Hall at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Bring water and a towel; no mat is required Light weights may be brought Cost is $5 per class and $60 per month for members or $10 per class and $120 per month for non-members
The Santiva Islanders serve all adult islanders and visitors, regardless of age. The cost is $25 for an annual membership The Island Seniors raise funding to help defray the cost of the program activities
For more information, visit https://santivaislanders org/ or contact santivaislanders@gmail com
exclusively interested in, is this one: What now? “What now?” as in “How will we respond in the face of suffering and struggle?”
Jesus seems to understand that suffering and struggle are part of the human condition in a world which struggles to live as God calls us to So for him the far more important question is: Will we respond with compassion; with offering comfort and care; with working to alleviate the causes and conditions that are the source of suffer-
ing and hardship both immediate and long term?
It might not for many, but Jesus’ “non-answer answer” works for me
So I sure am glad he was asked that question a couple of Sundays ago and not me
The Rev Dr Mark Boyea is senior minister at the Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ
Sanibel
Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen, 1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Coontie is known as ‘living fossil’
By SANIBEL-CAPTIVA
CONSERVATION
FOUNDATION
The coontie (Zamia integrifolia) is an evergreen shrub that has become a popular addition to Florida gardens and landscapes It is slow-growing and longlived, typically growing 3 feet wide and about 3-5 feet tall Coontie can be planted in sun or shade in well drained soils, and it is moderately salt tolerant It is intolerant of very moist soils, so should be planted in well-draining, drier areas Typically, they are found within hardw o o d f o r e s t s , s a n d y p i n e l a n d s a n d coastal hammocks Because coonties are cycads an ancient group of vascular plants that have been around for hun-
dreds of millions of years they are often referred to as “living fossils ” Like all cycads, coonties are dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female p
cones that are reportedly pollinated by beetles; females produce brightly col-
wildlife, including birds and small mammals All parts of coonties are toxic to humans and other animals, including pets The coontie is also the larval host plant for the Atala butterfly Although coonties are toxic, the tubers were harvested by native Americans and early settlers Properly prepared, they can be used to make flour
Legion holds post-stor m clean up
American Legion Post 123 on Sanibel hosted a volunteer clean up on Oct. 15 following Hurricane Milton. Posts from around the district showed up to help, along with local members and friends.
