Sanibel Island Reporter/Islander

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 15, 2023

VOLUME 61, NUMBER 52

City council proceeds with sewer project

Island students to perform at annual school concert

By TIFFANY REPECKI

trepecki@breezenewspapers.com

By TIFFANY REPECKI

trepecki@breezenewspapers.com

The Sanibel School is set for its Fall Music Showcase and the community is invited to attend.

Themed “Tropical Dreams,” this year's annual concert will be held on Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the cafetorium, featuring the Steel Drum Band, Elementary Choir, Orff Club and Seahorse Chorale.

“The Fall Music Showcase showcases all of the wonderful ensembles that we have during the fall semester at The Sanibel School,” Music Department Director Joey Giangreco said.

As for the theme, it is intended to provide the audience with the feeling of a tropical paradise.

“Many of the songs that we're going to be performing have to do with tropical,” he said. “Either to do with the island, with the tropics or with nature in some way, or with fun in those types of places.”

The Steel Drum Band will kick off the concert. A middle-school elective class, this year's group only has eighth-graders as it was highly sought. They recently performed at a NASCAR race in Homestead.

“They learn to play music on steel drums and they perform a variety of different arrangements,” Giangreco said of students enrolled in the class. “Soca and reggae and other tropical music genres.”

For the showcase, the band will play

“The Banana Boat Song,” “La Isla Bonita” — which translates to “the beautiful island” — “Carol of the Bells, “Under the Sea” and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”

Next on the stage will be the Elementary Choir, which is an afterschool club consisting of students in grades 3-5. The group has the opportunity to take part in multiple performances throughout the year.

“They sing a variety of different genres and music,” he said.

It will perform “Yellow Submarine,” “A Zing-a Za,” “Who Would Image A King” and “Popcorn.”

Also an after-school group, the Orff Club is made up of fourth- and fifthgraders.

“Orff is actually named after a gentleman, Carl Orff,” Giangreco said. “It has to do with the methodology of teaching music, which is using various methods to make music.”

The students sing and play a range of instruments, plus other musical objects to make music. For the concert, they will present “Funga Alafia,” “Ensemble 1” and “Dream On” as a drumming routine.

Taking center stage next, the Seahorse Chorale will wrap up the individual

The Sanibel City Council approved proceeding with the final areas of the Sanibel Sewer System expansion program during its recent meeting, as well as two resolutions related to the county.

On Nov. 7, the council members voted 4-0 on a resolution that expresses its intent to declare a special assessment to fund a public improvement for the expansion and extension of the sewer collection system, with the project to be referred to as the “Sanibel Sewer System Phase 4B Expansion Project,” as authorized by the Home Rule provision of the Florida Constitution and the Sanibel Charter.

Councilmember Holly Smith recused herself from voting as a property owner in the project area.

Prior to the vote, Deputy City Manager Steve Chaipel provided an overview of the proposal.

Phase 4 is the last portion to complete the system expansion and it was partiSee SEWER PROJECT, page 21

IslanderInsIde

See SCHOOL CONCERT, page 21

Fire commission OKs auditor, gets update on station rebuild

By TIFFANY REPECKI

trepecki@breezenewspapers.com

The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District's commission approved a financial auditor at its recent meeting, as well as heard an update on the Station 172 rebuild and discussed the Sanibel Causeway project.

On Nov. 8, the commissioners voted unanimously 3-0 to authorize Fire Chief Kevin Barbot to engage in negotiations and to finalize a contract with Tuscan & Company to serve as the district's auditor.

Fire Chief Kevin Barbot

Prior to the start of its regular meeting, the commission held a special meeting as the RFP — request for proposal — Committee to discuss the auditor proposals that were received and to rank them.

Barbot reported that the district

submitted the RFP to 15 firms throughout the state and received a couple of public records requests in response. However, the district only received one proposal.

“After all of these proposals, we were left with one,” he said.

Barbot added that he checked with the district's attorney, who said they could proceed with just one proposal. However, the commission serving as the committee would still have to do the ranking.

“We are finalizing one proposal for the ranking list,” he said.

See FIRE COMMISSION, page 22

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Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 2 captivasanibel.com Island Reporter

County school board approves 8% wage bump

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

School District of Lee County employees will see an 8% salary increase for all positions in the salary schedule.

The Lee County School Board approved the 2023-24 school year administrative salary schedule at an approximate cost of $4,000,000 on Nov. 7.

The item was brought forward by Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier as district staff and administrators worked diligently on the item the previous week to determine the 8% salary increase and to stay within their bargaining authority.

“Reaching this is a pretty historic agreement with our school district,” he said.

Teachers Association of Lee County President Kevin Daly asked the board during public comment to approve the new tentative agreement between the Teachers

Sanibel crews extinguish truck on fire On Nov. 8 at about 12:07 a.m., the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District responded to a report of an outside fire at 900 Tarpon Bay Road on Sanibel. Upon arrival, crews found a pickup truck that was fully engulfed in flames on the side of the road.

The district reported that the fire was quickly extinguished, with no injuries reported.

The cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation. The Sanibel Police Department also responded and provided assistance.

Association-Lee County and district.

“This year’s TA passed the TALC bargaining unit with a 93% approval rate. The employees have spoken loudly about this year’s TA. I want to highlight what I believe is the major factor to explain the overwhelming approval. This year the board set a new standard for money set aside for employee compensation. Through the new standard we have been able to start the process of dealing with compression that was stressed upon us by lawmakers in Tallahassee without adequate funding to handle the very compression it created and to start bringing back the idea that experience matters,” he said. “We look forward to the commencement of bargaining in February and working together to address the continued challenges faced by the employees of the School District of Lee County.”

Those challenges include a livable wage, continuing to offset compression, medical inflation and special

attention to supplement the time employees take on to enrich the lives of students.

“It is imperative that we remain competitive in retaining and recruiting the best talent for students and families of Lee County,” Daly said.

Fourth-grade teacher Anna Witten expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the board’s commitment to support teacher pay increases.

“The financial support that you have provided has allowed us to negotiate a historical salary increase in at least the last decade,” she said. “We are grateful for the progress we have made in addressing teacher compensation, which will allow us to attract and retain talented teachers. We must continue to work together to ensure our teachers receive the salaries and benefits they truly deserve.”

On Nov. 8, the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District responded to a pickup truck on fire on Tarpon Bay Road on Sanibel.

SANIBEL FIRE AND RESCUE DISTRICT

Page 3 n Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 captivasanibel.com

Island Reporter

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Ways to go but headed in right direction Workforce Now has released its 11th annual Southwest Florida regional educational and workforce outcomes study.

This year’s 121-page report compiled by researchers from Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida SouthWestern State College and the FutureMakers Coalition is another deep dive into “demographics, education, occupations, employments gaps and projected job growth” within Lee, Collier, Hendry, Glades and Charlotte counties.

The goal of the coalition that now has 150 partners is to close the higher education gap and retain high-skilled jobs within the region.

“FutureMakers Coalition aims to transform Southwest Florida’s workforce by increasing the proportion of working-age adults with college degrees, workforce certificates, industry certifications and other high-quality credentials to 55 percent by 2025.”

It hopes to do so across the five counties through “a collective impact initiative working along the cradle-to-career pathway to create a skilled and sustainable workforce pipeline” beginning with early childhood learning and ending with “post-high school credential attainment and career connections.”

“The coalition focuses on systems change to connect untapped workforce with the education and training to fill in-demand jobs by removing attainment barriers and creating a culture of career exploration and aspiration from an early age.

At the beginning of the initiative in 2013, Southwest Florida was sitting at 39%, a gap of 89,518 skilled workers with a lower percentage of skilled workers in each county compared to the state.

By 2021, the region — one of Florida’s fastest-growing — was at 43.7% of the goal

Island Reporter

captivasanibel.com

Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 4

OPINIONS

Editorial with Collier County’s skilled workforce sitting at 48.8%, less than a point from the state’s overall 49.7%, followed by Lee County at 43.5%, Charlotte at 40.9%, Hendry at 24% and Glades at 20.5%.

So what does this year’s report tell us about where the jobs are, how much they pay and, perhaps most important, what industries are expected to add jobs in the near future?

First, there are few surprises.

Retail continues to reign king with 446,228 workers reported in 2022, making it Southwest Florida’s largest industry at 17% of all workers in the region.

Next up?

“Accommodation and food services was the next largest industry (14.1 percent), followed by construction (13.8 percent) and health care and social assistance (13.8 percent),” the 2023 report summation states.

Retail, accommodations and food services jobs continue to be among the lowest-paying in the region, with average annual wages of $41,500 and $30,946 respectively in 2022.

Some good news for workers?

Wages are up slightly and there are more jobs, including those that pay more.

The average annual wage for all industries in Southwest Florida was $56,735 in 2022, a 6.5% bump from 2021, the summation states, finding that construction jobs are “by far” the fastest growing industry with 10,000 new jobs since 2018. This job growth was followed professional and technical services, with 5,977 new jobs; health care and social assistance, with a 4,823 gain; administrative and waste services, at a 4,440 gain; and manufacturing with a 2,627 employment increase.

The report released on Oct. 23, recognizes, though, that in all five counties Southwest Florida continues to lag behind both its stated trained and educated workforce goal of 55% but also the state average of 49.7%.

The coalition recognizes the challenges ahead, including education disparities, and is implementing a newly funded initiative to address it.

“In 2023, Florida Gulf Coast University and FutureMakers were awarded a $23 million grant from the United States Department of Commerce to formalize and grow sector strategies by offer(ing) training to the untapped workforce. The four target industries for the Equitable Jobs Pipeline project are health care, manufacturing, PK-12 public education, and logistics. More than 1,700 local job seekers from underserved populations who face barriers to education, employment, and career advancement will be able to benefit from this program,” the report states.

Given that the cost of housing, both in terms of price to buy and monthly rent, has escalated well past the overall 6.5% bump in overall average wage, adding more skilledlabor jobs is an admirable goal.

Targeting the core factors of education and training to make them more accessible to a broader sector of our population is even more so.

We do have a ways to go.

But the Workforce Now report’s focus on education — and opportunity — points us in the right direction for the economically sustainable labor pool Southwest Florida needs.

— Island Reporter editorial

United Way neighborhood campaigns: 25 years of giving

Web Poll Previous Web Poll Question Are you planning to attend any island Halloween events? ∫ Yes, all of them, 33% ∫ Yes, one/some, 17% ∫ No, none, 50%

Current Web Poll Question Are you planning to attend the Veterans Day Celebration at Sanibel City Hall? ∫ Yes, have before. ∫ Yes, first time. ∫ No, not attending.

Share your opinion at captivasanibel.com

There is no single gift that supports as many different nonprofits in our community as a gift to United Way. The power of collective giving to address the diverse needs in our region is what first inspired me to become involved in a United Way campaign. Each gift is combined with thousands of others, magnifying and multiplying the power of your contribution. This is true whether you give as an individual, through a company gift such as payroll deductions, or through neighborhood or community campaign giving. This is how we get to a big number like

Barbara Hartman

Guest Commentary

$11.3 million and how we support 260 programs and initiatives from the nonprofit agencies in our tri-county area.

My first exposure to United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades was through Florida’s Workplace Development where I was invited to lead our employee giving or pacesetter campaign. I quickly found myself loving the work that I was doing with United Way and took on larger volunteer leadership roles.

I learned so much about the great needs in our community and how United Way adapts to

address and fund those needs. The full transparency and accountability of the organization’s distribution of funds to its partner agencies assured me that the dollars were well managed.

This inspired me to become an Alexis de Tocqueville donor and to join the board of directors for United Way. Giving back to the community that I grew up in was incredibly rewarding, and I still feel that way.

After my retirement 10 years ago, I was asked by Cliff Smith, former president of United Way, to start a community campaign for my neighborhood, The Landings. Through my outreach to neighbors and our committee’s community campaign, I came to realize that many of my own neighbors leverage United Way’s partner agencies to help them. Many othSee UNITED WAY, page 22

We want your opinion The views expressed on the Opinions Pages are just that — opinions. These pages are intended to convey a range of viewpoints; opinions printed on these pages do not necessarily reflect the views of The Island Reporter. Opposing views are welcome. All letters must be signed and must contain a phone number for verification purposes. Letters considered for publication must relate to subjects of public interest. Letters to the Editor may be e-mailed to Tiffany Repecki at trepecki@breezenewspapers.com; posted to the virtual newsroom at captivasanibel.com; or mailed to 2340 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957. Letters are due no later than noon Thursday. The Island Reporter reserves the right to edit or reject any submission.

Page 5 n Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 captivasanibel.com

Island Reporter

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 15, 2023

Captiva library, county system offer programs Part of the Lee County Library System, the Captiva Memorial Library is offering the following free programming:

Doodle Pencil Cases (daily during operating hours) Create your own unique canvas pencil case.

Teen programs ∫ Today, Nov. 15: Color Your Own Canvas Doodle Pencil Cases (daily during operating hours) Create your own unique canvas pencil case. ∫ Nov. 17: Color Your Own Canvas

Adult programs ∫ Today, Nov. 15: Who Took the Turkey? (daily during operating hours) You are invited to the Binder Family Thanksgiving Dinner, but there's a minor

issue. The turkey is missing. Can you solve the case and save the holiday dinner for the Binder family? ∫ Nov. 17: Who Took the Turkey? (daily during operating hours) You are invited to the Binder Family Thanksgiving Dinner, but there's a minor issue. The turkey is missing. Can you solve the case and save the holiday dinner for the Binder family?

The library is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. It will be closed on Nov. 22-24 in recognition of the Thanksgiving holiday.

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

Download books, stream video and other online content at www.leelibrary.net.

The Captiva Memorial Library is at 11560 Chapin Lane, Captiva.

Tickets available for Sound+Waves Music Festival

CIHS films now streaming for free on YouTube

By STAFF REPORT

trepecki@breezenewspapers.com

By TIFFANY REPECKI

trepecki@breezenewspapers.com

F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva and its community partner, the 'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa, will host the Sound+Waves Music Festival on Dec. 2 beginning at 5 p.m. on the beach at the Captiva resort.

It will take place in conjunction with the 15th Annual F.I.S.H. 10K/5K, also set for Dec. 2. Together, the festival and race will honor the resiliency of the islands, with the proceeds to benefit F.I.S.H. “Our community has endured a lot since (Hurricane) Ian, and F.I.S.H. has been here every step of the way offering recovery assistance to survivors,” F.I.S.H. Executive Director Maria Espinoza said. “We're excited to plan this festival as a way to demonstrate our commitment to our community.”

The featured artists will include: Jessica Jones, of the Jessica Jones Project; Joe Marcinek, of George Porter Jr.; Will Montgomery, of Arrested Development; Marcus White, of the Marcus King Band; Shane Platten, of the Melody Trucks Band; Will Neal, of Fantasia Barrino; Rick Bennedetto, of KC and the Sunshine Band; and Chris Sgammato, of Displace. They will offer a variety of acoustic performances, including songs from their respective bands, familiar favorites and festive tunes.

The concert will be followed by fireworks.

Food and beverages will be available

If you go What Sound+Waves Music Festival When Dec. 2 beginning at 5 p.m.

Where 'Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa, 15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva Details Tickets are $125 per person

for purchase.

Advance tickets are $125 per person; no on-site tickets will be sold.

“We hope our community will join us to have fun, dance and acknowledge the many different achievements and milestones we've accomplished in the past year,” Espinoza said.

For more information or tickets, visit https://FISHmusicfestival.rsvpify.com.

The F.I.S.H. 10K/5K will start at 7:30 a.m. at The Community House on Sanibel.

In addition, the Sanibel Recreation Center

will host a Holiday Event and Youth Reindeer Run from 10 a.m. to noon.

For more information about the race, visit runsignup.com/Race/FL/Sanibel /10K5KRace4FISH. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

For additional information, visit http://fishofsancap.org/ or contact Diane Cortese at Dianerc10@gmail.com or Leah Winkler at leahwinkler12@gmail.com.

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

The Captiva Island Historical Society recently announced that its Captiva Memories documentary series, along with two joint productions, are now available to stream for free on its YouTube channel.

The collection of films that can be watched include “A New Film of Old Stories” (2011), “Earth, Wind & Water” (2012), “By The Sea” (2013), “Artists & Authors” (2014), “Our Mailboat Santiva” (2015), “South Seas: Captiva's Enduring Paradise” (2016), “Buck Key: Island of History and Mystery” (2018), “Sands of Time: History of Erosion on Captiva” (2020) and “Tight Lines & Big Fish Stories: The History of Angling on Captiva” (2022).

In addition, two films that the CIHS created in partnership with the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village are available to watch free-of-charge. They are “Blind Pass: The Bridge That Connects” (2018) and “Be Our Guest: History of Lodging on Sanibel & Captiva” (2019).

“Connect with island history from the comfort of your easy chair,” the CIHS reported.

Visitors to the channel will also find the “Island Voices” segments, such as the one with Captiva icon Capt. Bob Sabatino in which he describes how he found his way to the islands, the early life experiences on Sanibel and Captiva, and the many characters who are part of the island's colorful past.

A non-profit, the CIHS is committed to gathering, preserving, interpreting and sharing the history of Captiva, while providing education about the remarkable people and events that shaped its past.

Find the channel on YouTube @captivaislandhistoricalsociety or visit https://www.youtube.com/@captivaislandhistoricalsociety/videos.

The films are also available to own on DVD with a donation or rent or buy from Amazon Prime.

For more information, visit http://www.captivaislandhistoricalsociety.org/.

By TIFFANY REPECKI

trepecki@breezenewspapers.com

“The native flora and fauna are already bouncing back with palm trees, hardwoods and pines showing signs of life, while gopher tortoises, shorebirds, manatees and alligators are thriving in their habitats,” the park manager added.

In March, the FoCC provided an update based on reports from park staff.

At the time, the dock was in permitting for total

captivasanibel.com

More than a year after Hurricane Ian devastated the area, a barrier island has reopened to visitors.

Effective Oct. 25, the Cayo Costa State Park beach is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset for those with private vessels. The Friends of Cayo Costa State Park reported that restrooms are available on the Gulf of Mexico side of the island. However, ferry services, docks, electricity, drinking water and overnight accommodations remain unavailable at this time.

Visitors are asked to adhere to all posted signs and to avoid closed areas.

“Please leave no trace of your visit,” the FoCC added.

Following the September storm last year, the park was closed for repairs.

“Cayo Costa State Park was significantly impacted by Hurricane Ian, a devastating Category 4 storm that destroyed much of the park's infrastructure,” the park manager reported via an update.

At the time, cleanup and demolition efforts had been finished and staff were working on repairing and rebuilding the infrastructure. They also were working on repairs and managing natural resources.

replacement. The maintenance shed, ranger residences and cabins were all lost, but the FoCC was working with the park to obtain approval for researching a replacement for the cabin camping experience.

For more information about the park, visit https://www.floridastateparks.org/CayoCosta.

Based on Pine Island, the FoCC is a subcommittee of the Barrier Islands Parks Society — a nonprofit that is the official citizens support organization for Cayo Costa, Gasparilla, Stump Pass, Don Pedro State Parks, Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum, Gasparilla Island Lighthouse and Amory Memorial Chapel. All funds raised by the FoCC are used exclusively for Cayo Costa State Park.

The FoCC's mission is to preserve, protect and promote the unique unspoiled natural beauty and heritage of the Cayo Costa for present and future generations. Its goal is to preserve and protect one of the few remaining undisturbed/undeveloped barrier islands left in Florida, while educating the general public and local community on the natural and cultural resources found on the island.

For more about the FoCC, visit http://www.friendsofcayocosta.org/.

Page 7 n Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Cayo Costa beach reopens to public

Captiva Current

CCA holds holiday party, potluck social The Captiva Civic Association held a Halloween Party & Potluck Social on Oct. 31 at the Captiva Civic Center on Captiva.

Attendees showcased their creativity and enthusiasm by donning an array of imaginative costumes, adding an extra touch of magic to the festivities. “We are grateful to our members, neighbors and friends for their continued support and look forward to their participation in the upcoming season,” CCA Executive Director Emily Hess Ankerson said.

CAPTIVA CIVIC ASSOCIATION

Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 8 captivasanibel.com Island Reporter

BUSINESS

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The SanCap Chamber cut the ribbon at the Driftwood Inn on Sanibel on Oct. 31.

SANCAP CHAMBER

BAILEY-MATTHEWS NATIONAL SHELL MUSEUM

Jessie Macaluso

On Nov. 7, the SanCap Chamber cut the ribbon at Trademark Roofing on Sanibel.

Claire D'Agostino

Shell museum welcomes new staffers The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel recently welcomed two new staff members, educator Jessie Macaluso and Ambassador Animal aquarist Claire D'Agostino.

Born and raised in Illinois, Macaluso graduated from the University of Iowa with degrees in biology and anthropology and moved to California shortly after. It was there that she discovered her favorite mollusk in the tide pools of San Pedro — the California sea hare.

Macaluso is returning to the shell museum following part-time positions in 2022 as an educator and a visitor services associate. She spent the summer as a shorebird monitoring intern for the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, D'Agostino is a graduate of the University of Tampa and received a Bachelor of Science in environmental science with a minor in sustainability, as well as a scuba certification.

Before joining the shell museum, she worked at The Florida Aquarium in Tampa, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, and SeaWorld in Orlando as both an aquarist and a maintenance diver. In her new role, D'Agostino will educate the public about the animals on exhibit at the shell museum, in addition to caring for them and maintaining the aquarium systems.

Chamber celebrates two reopenings on island As Sanibel continues its hurricane recovery journey, the SanCap Chamber recently cut the ribbon to celebrate the reopening of the Driftwood Inn on Sanibel on Oct. 31 and at Trademark Roofing on Sanibel on Nov. 7.

“The Driftwood Inn is a small boutique inn with a passion for the beauty of Sanibel Island,” Breakaway Vacation Properties owner Kim O’Brien, which manages the property and other island rentals, said. “We want to share our unique tropical lifestyle. We promise warm hospitality, a safe and modern accommodation, and a decor that expresses the rich history and wildlife of the island.”

A five-minute walk from the beach, the inn is comprised of four two-bedroom cottages with queen-size beds, two full baths, a pull-out sleeper sofa and screened lanai. They each sleep six. It officially reopened on Sep. 28 upon the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian. “The cottages are very well built,” she said. “They were not a teardown, but we gutted them completely and rebuilt. Everything is brand-new.”

The inn is currently running at a 92% occupancy rate with homeowners returning to monitor their properties and construction executives checking in. O’Brien anticipates 100% occupancy for season as previous guests return for their annual visits.

“It’s always a good day when we can welcome more rooms back to the island accommodations inventory,”

chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said. “We especially love seeing the return of our small inns, so iconic of the charm and warmth Sanibel is known for. Kudos to Kim and Breakaway.”

Trademark Roofing has been operating in Cape Coral since 2016. Before Ian, it conducted a lot of business on the island for commercial, residential and new construction roofing services.

“After the storm the demand went 'through the roof,'” Chief Executive Officer Tristan Starbird said. “Our company philosophy is to continue to grow where we are needed and wanted most. Sanibel became a popular spot, and the more work we have done on the island, the more demand it has created. We see great value being an onisland business. The community is tight-knit, and we have been welcomed with open arms.”

Trademark prides itself on individualized service and excellent workmanship and communication with customers for homeowners and builders alike.

“It’s great to welcome a roofing contractor office right on-island,” Lai said. “Now, businesses and homeowners can enjoy the experience of a long-time, respected roofing firm along with the convenience and confidence of supporting an island business.”

The Driftwood Inn is at 711 Donax St., Sanibel.

Trademark Roofing is at 1149 Periwinkle Way, Unit 2, Sanibel.

Page 9 n Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 captivasanibel.com

Island Reporter

Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 10 captivasanibel.com Island Reporter

Business Notes F.I.S.H. to hold ribbon-cutting F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva is inviting the community to a ribbon-cutting on Nov. 16 starting at noon for its recently purchased ancillary building, at 2422 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

Light refreshments will be provided by Catering by Leslie Adams.

Parking will be available at the F.I.S.H. Walk-In Center, at 2430 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

F.I.S.H. purchased and refurbished the ancillary building, formerly Gene’s Books, to create a one-stop shop serving local families. As of Nov. 1, it was in the final stages of relocating its food pantry program to the space, as well as staff offices.

A. Vernon Allen expands to Sanibel A. Vernon Allen Builder announced that its company has expanded to the islands.

Founded in Naples in 1951, the luxury home builder has purchased an office building at 1504 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

Owned by Ryan Benson and Andy Bringardner, the company is a builder in Port Royal and homebuilding firm in Southwest Florida.

HM Restaurant Group promotes Colbert

Ryan Benson Andy Bringardner Benson, who has a home on the east end of Sanibel, felt that the timing after Hurricane Ian was right for the expansion in order to build back homes for residents.

For more information, contact 239-312-2999 or info@avasanibel.com.

Obituaries

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HM Restaurant Group has promoted Blake Colbert to general manager of the Dixie Fish Company on Fort Myers Beach.

He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of restaurant operations.

Colbert has 15 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry. He Blake Colbert was previously a manager at the Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille on Sanibel.

HM Restaurant Group owns and operates the Dixie Fish Company and Doc Ford’s.

Pfeifer Realty Group presents top producers for month Pfeifer Realty Group recently named its top producers for the month of October.

Jennifer McSorley was the top volume sales consultant.

A full-time Realtor and Sanibel resident, she has been with Pfeifer Realty since 2008.

McSorley specializes in real estate sales on Sanibel and Captiva and in Fort Myers. A Cornell graduate, she holds the Sanibel Greg Demaras Jennifer McSorley Captiva Island Specialist Florida since 2002, she designation. has a deep appreciation Greg Demaras was the for the islands and enjoys top selling associate. He is sharing her in-depth a state-licensed Realtor knowledge of the island with over three decades of real estate market. real estate expertise.

Cuscaden is a past direcDemaras was the 2018 tor for the Sanibel & Sanibel Captiva “Rookie Captiva Islands of the Year” and earned Association of Realtors. his Best-of-Zillow desigFor more information, nation in 2020. He is call 239-472-0004 or board president of the visit www.mysanibelSanibel & Captiva Islands realestate.com.

Association of Realtors.

The Pfeifer Realty Kara “KC” Cuscaden Kara “KC” Cuscaden Group is at 1630 was the top listing agent.

Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

A real estate advisor in Southwest

Kiwanis holds meeting with speakers The Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club welcomed F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva Executive Director Maria Espinoza as its guest speaker at its Oct. 31 meeting. Her presentation shed light on the role that F.I.S.H. played both before and after Hurricane Ian, aligning with its mission to create thriving communities through neighborly support. The club meets on Tuesdays at 8 a.m. at The Community House, at 2173 SANIBEL-CAPTIVA KIWANIS CLUB Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. For From left, Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club more information, visit President Jeff Blackman and F.I.S.H. of Sanibel- www.sanibelkiwanis.org.

Captiva Executive Director Maria Espinoza.

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PRESERVING PARADISE SCCF: Sea turtle hatchling counts lowest since 2016

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SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

Snake parasites after dissection.

Island Reporter

SCCF collaborating with FSW Lab The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation is collaborating with Florida SouthWestern State College professor Jordan Donini's lab on research that is allowing road-killed snakes to provide hope for the future.

The SCCF reported that two projects focused on snakes and turtles are looking at the various diseases and parasites that afflict the local herpetofauna.

Pentastomes are parasitic arthropods that are known to inhabit the respiratory systems of reptiles, birds and mammals. Elyse Martin, a student of Donini, is seeking to validate different methods of detecting pentastomes in snakes such as complete blood count, X-ray, ultrasound and PCR testing, which detects genetic material.

The SCCF is collecting road-killed snakes and sending them off to the lab, where necropsies are performed.

“We advocate that you please brake for snakes and avoid hitting them,” SCCF biologist Mike Mills said.

“And, we are also turning tragedy into hope. These road-killed snakes will provide valuable data that could help save snakes in the future.”

Ranaviruses are a group of viruses that can affect fish, amphibians and reptiles. Certain strands of the virus have been attributed to mass die-offs in several species of turtles, including box turtles.

The SCCF is collecting oral and cloacal swabs on Sanibel's and Captiva's box turtle populations and sending the samples to the FSW lab to test for any ranaviruses and other pathogens.

“Understanding the health of our box turtle population will be monumental in conserving them,” Mills said.

If you see a box turtle, take a picture and notify the SCCF at 239-472-3984 or clechowicz@sccf.org.

Report your news to THE REPORTER:

captivasanibel.com

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that 2023 was a record-breaking season for the total number of loggerhead nests laid, with 878 nests laid on Sanibel and 299 nests laid on Captiva.

“While we should be encouraged by these impressive nest numbers and proud of the ongoing conservation efforts leading up to this point, they only tell half the story,” Coastal Wildlife Director and Sea Turtle Program Coordinator Kelly Sloan said.

The SCCF reported that the islands' hatchling counts were the lowest recorded since 2016, due in part to storms, predation, and the hot and dry summer we experienced. Hatch success on Captiva was alarmingly low — about 10% (2,268 hatchlings emerged). Sanibel's hatch success was slightly higher at 32% (24,961 hatchlings emerged).

June, July and August were also the hottest on record globally, meaning the nests incubating during those months experienced warmer temperatures than ever before.

“This excessive heat can kill developing embryos and likely did impact the number of hatchlings produced this summer,” she said. “Additionally, warm temperatures skew hatchling sex ratios.”

According to sea turtle biologist Dr. Jeanette Wyneken, of Florida Atlantic University, between 87% and 100% of the hatchlings that she has tested over the last few seasons have been female.

“Florida hosts the largest nesting population of loggerheads in the world, and limited production of male hatchlings may have serious impacts on future populations,” Sloan said.

Predation by coyotes was also a significant concern.

About 43% of the nests on the islands were depredated, exceeding the recommended threshold of 10% outlined by the Loggerhead Recovery Plan.

The SCCF reported that while it could be a result of implications from Hurricane Ian, such as reduced inland prey and less human activity on the beach to scare coyotes off, nest predation posed a consequential threat to sea turtles this summer.

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

A Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation volunteer and staff member inventory a sea turtle nest that has been predated by a coyote(s).

Another event that contributed to the low hatch success was Tropical Storm Idalia, which impacted the beaches at the end of August, when a large percentage of nests were still incubating. The surge associated with the storm washed away 121 nests and likely caused water inundation — flooding — in many others.

“In addition to these threats to embryos, the hatchlings that did emerge experienced more light pollution than in the past, and we documented our highest number of disoriented nests in a single season,” Sloan said.

The SCCF reported that great strides have been made in sea turtle conservation over the last several decades, but emerging and worsening threats continue to impact the already stressed populations.

“Record nest counts alone should not be taken as an indication that the population has recovered,” she said.

“Ongoing monitoring and research to identify and manage these threats are critical to their success in the future.”

Coastal Watch deems adoption day a success The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation's Coastal Watch thanked the new mangrove mamas and propagule papas who joined it for the Adopt-A-Mangrove Adoption Day event on Oct. 28. It reported that 546 baby mangroves were adopted into homes across 19 different zip codes in Southwest Florida.

Coastal Watch will host its next adoption day on Dec. 1.

Participants receive a mangrove seedling, pots and soil, along with the guidance needed to take care of the seedling. The baby mangroves will grow until they reach a certain size, at which point the SCCF will ask for them to be returned.

The returned mangrove seedlings will be planted at one of the SCCF's restoration sites, making a direct and positive impact on the local coastal ecosystems.

Coastal Watch reported that mangroves are more than just trees. They are a source of energy, provide a nursery habitat for juvenile fish, a nesting habitat for wading birds, stabilize shorelines by reducing erosion, provide water quality management and are a buffer against storm damage. The Adopt-A-Mangrove program aims to educate the community about the value of mangroves in Southwest Florida.

COASTAL WATCH

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SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

Case against Chiquita Lock removal continues Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation partners who are fighting the removal of the Chiquita Lock in Cape Coral have been granted the opportunity to move forward and pursue their claims on the merits of the case.

The SCCF reported that it and other nonprofits who had joined together to oppose the lock's removal were pushed to withdraw as petitioners from the legal challenge in August. Administrative Law Judge Suzanne Van Wyk recently ruled that the other parties remaining in the lawsuit could proceed, and the case will commence on Nov. 29 to decide if the city of Cape Coral will be able to remove the lock.

“The Chiquita Lock was engineered to send polluted

canal water through mangrove wetlands to capitalize on natural filtration, rather than allowing the water to flow freely into the Caloosahatchee,” SCCF Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis said.

The lock has been damaged since Hurricane Ian, and many proponents of removing it point to the hazard it serves for manatees. However, the SCCF notes that removing the lock will negatively impact the estuary's already depleted seagrass beds, which are a major food source for manatees.

“While 19 manatees were killed in boat lifts across Florida in 2022, another 800 died of starvation.

Protecting manatees requires protecting seagrass, which

means preserving the Chiquita Lock,” he said. “A combination of sensors, manatee exclusion devices and a lock tender could ensure that manatees are not unwittingly caught in the lock.”

DePaolis noted other improvements that could be made to the lock, such as converting it to a high-speed two-way lock that could cut down wait times for boaters.

The SCCF reported that it will continue to monitor the ecology and water quality in the areas impacted by the project to track pollution, its sources, and its impacts on fish and wildlife habitat.

Shell museum to host guided walk The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum will host a guided Snail Search and Biodiversity Walk on Nov. 16 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Pond Apple Park Trail, at 1159 Causeway Blvd., Sanibel.

Participants will search for land snails, document their sightings for the benefit of science, and explore the flora and fauna. The community science program teaches the use of the wildlife observation app iNaturalist and techniques for observing and recording nature to share with scientists. The walk is free, but advance registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Jorden Falker at jfalker@shellmuseum.org.

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Island lIvIng

Report your news to CAPTIVASANIBEL.COM

SPD releases weekly blotter

The Sanibel Public Library will host a virtual author talk on Nov. 16 with Joy Harjo.

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.

SANIBEL PUBLIC LIBRARY

Other enforcement actions ∫ On Oct. 31, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for excessive speed. The driver was subsequently issued a notice to appear for not having a valid driver’s license and a citation for speeding. ∫ On Nov. 2, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for excessive speed in a school zone. The driver was subsequently issued a notice to appear for having an expired driver’s license and a citation for speeding.

Enforcement operations statistics From Oct. 31 to Nov. 6: ∫ Alarm calls (business and residential): 9 ∫ 911 non-emergency calls: 10 ∫ Traffic crashes: 1 ∫ Radar details: 52 ∫ Traffic stops: 27 — Citations issued: 9 — Written warnings issued: 4 — Verbal warnings issued: 16 ∫ Residential area checks: 517 ∫ Business area checks: 213 ∫ Total area checks: 1,111 ∫ Reported burglaries: 1 ∫ Reported thefts: 0 ∫ Total CAD calls: 1,382 November 2023 to date: ∫ Alarm calls (business and residential): 8 ∫ Non-emergency calls: 8 ∫ Traffic crashes: 0 ∫ Radar details: 45 ∫ Traffic stops: 23 — Citations issued: 6 — Written warnings issued: 3 — Verbal warnings issued: 15 ∫ Residential area checks: 458 ∫ Business area checks: 189 ∫ Total area checks: 983 ∫ Reported burglaries: 1 ∫ Reported thefts: 0 ∫ Total CAD calls: 1,208

Important reminders The city of Sanibel's 2021 and 2022 Hurricane Re-entry Passes are still valid. If you have one, you do not need to re-apply for a new pass.

Updated information on the Sanibel Boat Ramp: ∫ The boat ramp is open to permit holders on weekdays, weekends and holidays. ∫ The boat ramp is open to the public (non-permit holders) on weekdays that are not holidays for a $40 daily fee. ∫ Commercial use of the boat ramp is prohibited. ∫ Fines for violations at the boat ramp are $250.

Roadside parking on Sanibel is not allowed except in the case of special events requiring a permit. It is enforced and can result in a $150 fine.

Solicitation is not allowed on Sanibel. Please share any photos of solicitation hang tags to police@mysanibel.com or use Tip411.

See BLOTTER, page 19

Sanibel library offers range of programs and topics The Sanibel Public Library provides a variety of programming for adults and children.

With support from the Sanibel Public Library Foundation, the library has launched a series of virtual author talks to include bestselling authors and thought leaders. The next one will take place on Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. with U.S. Poet Laureate and 2022 Academy of American Poets Leadership Award winner Joy Harjo. She will discuss her new memoir, “Catching the Light,” and her lifetime as a writer and poet.

In 2019, Harjo was appointed the 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate, the first Native American to hold the position and only the second person to serve three terms in the role. Her nine books of poetry include “Weaving Sundown in a Scarlett Light,” “An American Sunrise,” “Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings,” “How We Became Human: New and Selected Poems” and “She Had Some Horses.” Harjo is also the author of two memoirs, “Crazy Brave” and “Poet Warrior.” She has edited

several anthologies of Native American writing including “When the Light of the World was Subdued,” “Our Songs Came Through — A Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry” and “Living Nations, Living Words.”

Her writing awards include the 2022 Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award, 2019 Jackson Prize from Poets & Writers, Ruth Lilly Prize from the Poetry Foundation, 2015 Wallace Stevens Award from the Academy of American Poets and William Carlos Williams Award from the Poetry Society of America.

Harjo is a chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, board of directors chair of the Native Arts & Cultures Foundation and artist-in-residence for the Bob Dylan Center. A musician, she performs with her saxophone nationally and internationally.

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

See LIBRARY, page 19

F.I.S.H. in need of volunteers F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva is seeking volunteers to help assemble Thanksgiving food baskets on Nov. 19 from noon to 3 p.m. at its new location, at 2422

Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Those interested in volunteering can email merari@fishofsancap.

The Sanibel School The Sanibel School, at 3840 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, reported the following:

Students accepted into All State Six middle-school students recently auditioned for this year's All State Choir. All six students were accepted to

sing amongst the best middle-school singers across the state. In addition, a seventh student was accepted for the All State Orchestra.

For more information, call 239-472-1617 or visit sbl.leeschools.net.

American Legion American Legion Post 123 reported that the Tiki Hut will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It serves burgers, hotdogs and specials. There are TVs

available for sports and more. The Post is open to the public.

Membership applications are also available. For more information, call 239-579-0130 or visit American

Legion Post 123 Sanibel Florida on Facebook. Post 123 is at 4929 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.

Sanibel Public Meetings The following public meetings/hearings are scheduled: ∫ Nov. 20: Sanibel City Council

special meeting at 8 a.m. at BIG ARTS, at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, and via Facebook Live. For

more information or the agenda, visit www.mysanibel.com.

and reading out loud can practice with the most accepting, loveable, fluffy girl around. Rizzo is a trained R.E.A.D. therapy dog. Advance registration is required by contacting Megan Willis at mwillis@sanlib.org or 239-472-2483.

On Nov. 21, Fun With 3-D Printing will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Open lab about 3-D printing. Participants can ask questions and see an object get 3-D printed.

Youth programs are designed for children and accompanying adults.

For the most up-to-date information, visit the calendar at www.sanlib.org.

Library cards are available to residents of Sanibel and Lee County at no charge.

Visitor library cards are available for a $10 annual fee.

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

For more information, call 239-4722483 or visit www.sanlib.org.

The Sanibel Public Library is at 770 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.

Blotter From page 18 Reporting suspicious activity Anonymous tips regarding crimes or suspicious activity can be submitted via Tip411: ∫ Text the keyword SANIBEL then your tip to 847411. ∫ Web tips can be submitted at https://www.tip411.com/tips/new?alert_g

roup_id=22450. ∫ Use the free “Sanibel PD” app for your Android or iOS device.

The SPD's non-emergency line is 239472-3111.

Find the SPD on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SanibelPolice.

Progressive Club to hold meeting with speaker The Progressive Club of groups in 43 states, Canada the Islands will hold its meetand Russia. His publicaing on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. at tions include “Winning The Community House, at Local and State Elections: 2173 Periwinkle Way, The Guide to Organizing Sanibel, with virtual options Your Campaign,” “Giving also available to participate the Media Your Message” The guest speaker will be and “The News Media and national political consultant the Big Lie.” and local resident Bob Prior to becoming a fullSchaeffer. He will speak on time consultant in 1984, “Campaign 2024 — How to Schaeffer was an editorial Win Elections that Protect writer at the NBC affiliate Democracy.” Schaeffer will in Boston, host of a talk analyze 2024 electoral show on a regional Bob Schaeffer prospects and offer practical National Public Radio staguidance for effective involvement in criti- tion, and writer for an alternative weekly cal campaigns. He will cover races at the paper. He previously served as research national, state and local levels. director for the Massachusetts Schaeffer is president of FairDistricts Legislature’s Human Services Committee Now, the statewide districting reform and staffed several activist groups in New organization, treasurer of the Progress England.

Florida Education Institute and a board It is an interactive meeting with time member of the Floridians for Democracy provided for questions. To attend the meetInstitute. ing via Zoom, email Since 1970, he has held senior posi- pcisancap@gmail.com to receive the link tions with state and local candidate cam- or watch online at www.facebook.com/pcipaigns and ballot questions. Schaeffer spe- sancap. cializes in strategic planning, field organiAnnual dues for the Progressive Club zation and earned media. As a consultant, are $35 for an individual or $70 for a couhe has designed and managed campaigns, ple. To renew a membership or join, mail a trained senior staff, and built broad-based check payable to PCI to: PCI, P.O. Box electoral coalitions.

898, Sanibel, FL 33957.

Schaeffer has led more than 300 workFor more information, visit https://pcisshops on political campaign management, lands.org or contact 239-994-3175 or pcistrategic planning and advocacy skills for sancap@gmail.com.

captivasanibel.com

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

For help setting up or logging into webinars, contact notices@sanlib.org or 239-472-2483.

Additionally, the library has scheduled upcoming programs.

On Nov. 16, a Study Session will take place from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Come to the library after school for study hall. Snacks will be provided and attendees will receive volunteer hours for participating.

Family Storytime for ages 5 and under will be held on Nov. 17 at 10:30 a.m. with Megan Willis. Literacy is a family bonding experience with stories read aloud, followed by early literacy centers of play to flex minds, develop motor skills and increase creativity. The program will include an art/craft center.

On Nov. 18, a Saturday Crafterday! will take place from 11 a.m. to noon.

Professional artist and coloring book creator Melissa Gindling will lead a How-toDraw session.

R.E.A.D to Rizzo will be held on Nov. 20 from 3 to 4 p.m. Children who need a confidence boost when it comes to reading

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SPORTS

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Rec center provides update on activities, events The Sanibel Recreation Center reported on the following upcoming programming.

Throughout November, Wild Card Wednesday will be offered on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Access an array of card and board games. Free for members; nonmembers must purchase a pass.

Registrations are being accepted for Fun Days on Nov. 20-22 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It will offer a variety of fun craft activities, games and swim time. Enrollment is available for kindergartners through eighth-graders. Each child will need to bring a lunch, water, swimsuit, goggles,

towel and sunscreen.

The center will be closed on Nov. 23-24 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The center is open on Mondays through Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A variety of memberships, passes and punch cards are available.

For more information, visit https://www.mysanibel.com/government/recreation2.

The Sanibel Recreation Center is at 3880 SanibelCaptiva Road, Sanibel.

Lions Club builds birdhouse kits for campers

Island Reporter

captivasanibel.com

REFUGE/DDWS

The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge's new outdoor pavilion, The Roost, will serve as the venue for the Holiday Ice Cream Social on Dec. 13, as well as for upcoming programs in the works.

In conjunction with The Woodshop at the Shell Point Retirement Community, the Sanibel Captiva Lions Club recently constructed birdhouse kits for the campers at Trailways Camp. Each camper was presented with a kit containing the pieces to be assembled and the necessary fasteners. After they assembled their birdhouses, the campers painted them in a variety of colors and designs. They got to take home their camp creations.

DDWS reports on refuge programming and more The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge provided the following updates for the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel: ∫ A Holiday Shopping Night is scheduled for Nov. 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. ∫ A Hautman Exhibition is on display from now through Nov. 30. ∫ An inaugural Ice Cream Social is planned for Dec. 13. ∫ Photo-artist Niki Butcher will mount an exhibition, “Daydreaming,” from Dec. 21 to Feb. 25. ∫ The refuge will offer Free Winter Programs on Jan. 8 through March 30. ∫ Novelist Barbara Kingsolver will speak at a special ticketed gathering on Jan. 11. ∫ The Winter Lecture Series will return from Jan. 18 through March 21. ∫ Wellness in Nature @ “Ding” will take place at the refuge and beyond on Jan. 18-21. ∫ A free Estate Planning Seminar will be held on Jan. 30. ∫ The Go Wild for “Ding” — Into the Night fundraiser is slated for Feb. 7. ∫ Carl Hiaasen will present at a ticketed program on Feb. 29. ∫ Sounds of the Sand will take place on March 23-24 at Bell Tower in Fort Myers. ∫ The refuge will host a unique Solar Eclipse Viewing on April 8. ∫ The “Ding” Darling Day Conservation Carnival will be held on April 20 at Lakes Park in Fort Myers. ∫ The 12th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford's Tarpon Tournament will take place on May 10.

Bestselling author Barbara Kingsolver will appear on Jan. 11 with her daughter and coauthor, Lily Kingsolver.

REFUGE/DDWS

SANIBEL CAPTIVA LIONS CLUB

America's Boating Club to offer boating course America's Boating Club of Sanibel-Captiva will present the U.S. Power Squadron's “America's Boating Course” in two sessions — Nov. 30 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — at the Sanibel Public Library, at 770 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.

The course covers basic boat operation and safety, with an emphasis on boating the waters around Sanibel and Captiva. Among the topics covered are required safety equipment, boat handling, docking and anchoring, navigation, right of way rules, VHF radio operation and han-

dling emergency situations at sea.

Participants will study the navigation charts for the Pine Island Sound, San Carlos Bay and Caloosahatchee River, with important destinations, channels and waterways also discussed.

The course is designed for those new to boating and the area, as well as experienced boaters who would like to strengthen their skills. Senior, highly experienced instructors present the material through lectures, demonstrations and discussions.

Completion of the course and passing a simple exam qualifies partici-

pants to receive the Boating Safety Education ID card from the state.

The cost is $75 and includes text and an educational sunset cruise.

Class size is limited, so early registration is advised.

To register, visit www.sancapboating.club, click on the “Education” tab at the top of the page and complete the registration form for the “America's Boating Course” scheduled for Nov. 30.

For more information, contact lead instructor Bob Orr at 239-5790139 or robert.orr1663@comcast.net.

Perry Tract exhibit restoration begins The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge recently began work on rescue-and-restore operations for the Perry Tract exhibit that Hurricane Ian washed out last year. Funded by Lee County Tourist Development Council and “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge dollars in 2017, in partnership with the city of Sanibel, it interpreted sea life at the Gulf-front tract, along with the life and work of Dr. Louise Perry, who donated the property to the refuge. When Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland rode her bike to check on the exhibit after the storm, she found only emptiness.

Several weeks later, parts of the display showed up a mile inland at the Gulfside City Beach Park and the city, identifying it as the exhibit, contacted refuge staff and dragged it out of the woods.

Refuge staff have hauled the parts to a maintenance property to begin the repair process, with a hopeful date of late 2024 to have it back in place.

REFUGE DDWS

group performances. Another elective class that is available to middle-schoolers, it features students in grades 6-8.

The group will perform “We Know the Way,” “Wade In The Water,” “Colors of the Wind” and “Tres Cantos Nativos Dos Indios Krao” for the showcase.

He noted that the Seahorse Chorale will play in December at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World in Orlando, then in April at the New York Invitational Music Festival at Carnegie Hall in New York.

“They have a very exciting performance season ahead,” Giangreco said.

The concert will conclude with the song “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.” “We will close the night with a grand finale with all of the performers,” he said.

Tickets are $5 for adults, and students are free.

“The funds raised will support the Music Department at The Sanibel School,” Giangreco said.

During the showcase, there will be

to $26,973,000 in total. ∫ The council voted 5-0 to approve a grant from the FDEP for the “Sanibel Slough Stormwater Capacity and Water Quality Improvement Project” in the amount of $1 million. ∫ The council voted 5-0 on a resolution to acknowledge and support Community Housing and Resources' plan to offer those age 50 and older the opportunity to reside at Casa Mariposa. ∫ The council was presented with the annual reports for the Sanibel Communities for Clean Water Program and the Sanibel Clean Canals Program, plus the Golf Course Report Card Program. Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation research associate Mark Thompson covered the SCCW and SCCP, while Sanibel Natural Resources environmental biologist Dana Dettmar spoke on the golf courses. ∫ The council voted 5-0 to sign on to the amicus curiae — or friend of the court — brief that supports the implementation of the Everglades Agricultural Area A-2 Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area projects and to ensure that the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan is implemented to restore, preserve and protect the Everglades, coastal estuar-

ies and Florida Bay as intended. Prior to the vote, staff explained that the SanCap Chamber, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and Captains for Clean Water are some of the others that have signed on. ∫ The council voted 5-0 on a resolution to appoint Jim Meyer as an alternate member for the city on the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization's Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinating Committee. ∫ The Sanibel School's Parent Teacher Association presented the council with a check for $14,030.12 for the purchase of playground equipment that is used by the school during school hours and the city outside of school hours for programs and Sanibel Recreation Center members. The funds were its cost share as part of an interlocal agreement, with the city to pay the rest of the $28,060.24 total purchase. ∫ The council recognized through a proclamation the Island Water Association's efforts as first responders following Hurricane Ian. ∫ The council held the first reading for an ordinance that would amend the Land Development Code by adjusting the maximum building heights in ecological zones. The second reading is set for Nov. 20.

Sewer project From page 1 tioned into seven areas, known as Areas A through G. Areas A and E were completed in 2018. Known as Phase 4B, the remaining areas are in the construction process and include 24 existing residential connections — of which 20 will be assessed connection fees and six will be assessed transmission fees.

In his staff memo, Chaipel reported that the financial impact for Phase 4B has been completed with a $10,000 per existing residential connections assessment for each property, including connection fees and transmission fees, which is in line with the assessment methodology approved for Areas A and E. He noted that the resolution is the start of the assessment process for the involved properties.

With the council's vote of approval, Chaipel explained that a follow-up resolution will be required to set the date and time for a public hearing on the final assessments, which will likely be early next year.

Also at the meeting, the council voted unanimously 5-0 to approve a resolution opposing the Lee County Comprehensive Plan amendment related to building height and intensity of use on Captiva and urging the Lee County Commission to

reject the amendment when it is up for final consideration.

Also during the meeting, the council members voted 5-0 to approve a resolution opposing any amendment to the Lee County Charter that would change the requirements for voluntary annexation of privately owned property into a county municipality and urging the Lee County Charter Review Commission to reject any such proposal.

In other news ∫ The council voted 5-0 to approve an ordinance that updates the Land Development Code regarding building height for the Resort Housing District.

Prior to the vote, staff explained that the ordinance would allow an additional permitted 8.3 feet for a pitched roof on a three-story building — previously approved by council — to be used for interior ceiling height, but not to create an extra floor or story. ∫ The council voted 5-0 to approve an amendment to the grant agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the city's 2022 Hurricane Ian and Nicole Beach Recovery Project, which increased the amount of funding for the agreement by about $13,889,274

CITY OF SANIBEL

The Sanibel School's Parent Teacher Association presented the Sanibel City Council with a check at its Nov. 7 meeting to cover the cost share of the new equipment purchase for the shared playground.

Island Reporter

they'll see a variety of different performances throughout the evening.”

“We have so many talented students at The Sanibel School,” he added. “We hope that people come out to see the show and help support our students.”

For more information, contact 239472-1617 or josephag@leeschools.net.

The Sanibel School is at 3840 SanibelCaptiva Road, Sanibel.

captivasanibel.com

food and drinks available for purchase.

“All the funds raised from the concession stand will help to support the Seahorse Chorale's upcoming performance trip to Carnegie Hall,” he said.

The community is invited to come out for an evening of tropical dreams.

“We are very excited to showcase students from a variety of different music ensembles and grade levels,” Giangreco said. “We're really looking forward to presenting a great selection of repertoire, and

Page 21 n Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023

School concert From page 1

Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 22 captivasanibel.com

United Way From page 4 ers serve as volunteers for United Way. I’m proud to share that since our first campaign in 2014, The Landings has been able to expand our influence. To date, The Landings has donated a total of $232,545 to United Way over just nine years.

While I have lived in Southwest Florida for most of my life, many of those involved in the community campaigns are seasonal or have relocated from other parts of the country. Some have been involved in United Way in other regions or states, while some are introduced to United Way for the first time through their neighborhood involvement.

For residents in The Landings, Bonita Bay, Riva Del Lago, Grandezza, and many other Southwest Florida communities, the United Way’s community campaign allows individuals to collectively support United Way alongside their neighbors who share the same passion for improving the lives of those around them.

The first local community campaign launched in 1998 in Bonita Bay. This year, the community is on track to surpass $20 million in funds cumulatively raised over the past 25 years. I can’t think of a better example of what a community can do collectively than what Bonita Bay has accomplished. Their community has a strong base of supporters, including many Alexis de Tocqueville donors who give at the $10,000 or above level annually. When asked what inspires the community to continue giving, Bonita Bay’s community cam-

paign chair and Alexis de Tocqueville donor Gary Brooks shared this: “The speed at which United Way responds to the changing needs of the community, such as Hurricane Ian, hunger, and housing shortages, is what inspires me and others in Bonita Bay to continue giving.

They have a pulse on the greatest areas of need. There are strong checks and balances in place to ensure the dollars raised go directly to the organizations and people in need. Unlike so many charities, the money I give to United Way stays local and positively impacts the community.”

In 2008, United Way contacted another supporter and asked her to start a campaign at Riva Del Lago, a luxury high-rise community in Fort Myers. Katherine Caldwell founded the Riva Del Lago campaign, but like me, she began her journey with United Way through employee giving. While working at Colonial Bank, she first gave to United Way through their employee payroll deduction program.

“We didn’t have a goal,” said Katherine, who is also an Alexis de Tocqueville donor.

“We just wanted to see how much we could raise.”

After the first year, they set a goal of $10,000 and slowly worked their way up.

This past year, the community’s goal of raising $25,000 was surpassed, and a record-breaking $33,000 was raised. In total, Riva Del Lago has raised $226,956 since 2008.

When asked how the community was

inspired, Katherine said that the best way to inspire is to lead by example and to get involved.

The Grandezza Community Campaign is spearheaded by fellow board member and Alexis de Tocqueville donor Bill Motzer.

His involvement with United Way began through a neighborhood campaign. He and his wife were inspired after visiting a United Way Partner Agency, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida which provides services to abused children.

That's when they made their first gift. Each year, they have increased their contributions.

When it comes to inspiring Grandezza homeowners to give, letters of appeal are distributed to neighbors and the campaign committee hosts several events during the campaign, including an activity day, raffle, and silent auction.

The community has found fun and creative ways to engage residents, including a helicopter golf ball drop. For this event, residents purchase a raffle number, which is placed on a golf ball, and then a helicopter soars over the golf course and drops the balls. The person with the number that lands closest to the hole is declared the winner.

It’s regarded as the most memorable event of the campaign.

“The more you’re around this particular United Way, the more impressed you are with the dedication,” said Motzer. "They make sure the money goes directly to deserving charities. Through their fund dis-

tribution program, we are all assured that our money is efficiently invested into the community.”

Motzer shared that 75% of the community’s fundraising pool is earned from direct donations, and the remaining 25% comes from events. When the Grandezza community campaign began in 2009, $2,000 was raised. Just last year, the community, which consists of nearly 1,000 homeowners, came together to raise over $200,000. Over the last 14 years, Grandezza and its homeowners have raised $1.5 million.

Add up just the four communities mentioned above and you can start to see the collective impact of the dollars raised.

During the 2022-23 campaign season, 11 communities collectively raised $4,479,983, making up 40% of United Way’s overall total of $11.2 million raised.

As Lee County residents, we have such an important role to play in our community.

Whether you support a company, give to a community campaign, or simply donate directly — consider the impact of our shared efforts. Nothing compares to the power of uniting together for a shared mission, and for 25 years, the United Way’s community campaign has proven this to be undeniable.

Barbara Hartman is a board member, Alexis de Tocqueville donor and community chair for the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Campaign Committee. For more information, visit UnitedWayLee.org.

Fire commission From page 1 Island Reporter

Commissioner Jerry Muench noted that Tuscan has worked with several other agencies.

Commissioner Richard McCurry

agreed, reporting that the firm has worked with governments, fire districts and special districts. He noted that he researched Tuscan and it is qualified and thorough.

“They have a lot of experience in what we need,” Commissioner Bruce Cochrane added.

A motion to finalize the recommended list, with just Tuscan on it, was approved in a 3-0 vote.

During the regular meeting, Assistant Fire Chief Chris Jackson provided an update on the rebuilding project for Station 172 on Sanibel-Captiva Road. He reported that the variance request package, which will need approval in order for the station's construction to start, was submitted to the city that week.

He reported that the Sanibel Planning Department and city staff are optimistic the process will move quickly and the Sanibel Planning Commission may consider the variances at its Dec. 12 meeting.

“If everything goes according to plan,” Jackson said.

Barbot explained that the district has the city's support on the rebuild of the station.

“They are all 100% on board,” he said.

“I think it's going to get done because they've just been incredible to work with,” Barbot added.

Also at the meeting, Barbot told the commission that there have been some calls from the community and concern about the ongoing causeway project and how the district will respond to an emergency with traffic closed to one lane over the weekends. He reported that he has spoken to the involved state and local agencies and there is a plan in place to shut down traffic if crews need to respond to a call.

Barbot added that he can make the same call if assisting agencies need to get on to the island.

“The causeway is kind of disastrous, but it's a necessity that needs to get done,” he said.

Muench suggested that the district con-

duct some test runs to ensure the plan works.

Barbot said staff will look into arranging a test run.

In other news ∫ Barbot provided an update on the property valuations for Sanibel. He reiterated that the numbers were released in July showing a 38% deficit. However, the final numbers came out in October.

“Normally, those numbers are plus or minus 1%,” Barbot said.

The district saw a 9.1% increase in the October numbers, which translates into about $400,000.

He was waiting on a response from the county property appraiser as of the meeting. ∫ Barbot reported that the district is waiting on a $6 million funding agreement for the rebuild of Station 172, along with $2 million in replacement funds for operating expenditures during the storm.

As for FEMA, all of the district's submitted projects have been obligated, which means that they are currently under review. He explained that the district is looking at recouping just under $500,000. ∫ Jackson reported that the RFP for a new brush truck has been sent out to 20 manufacturers.

“More to come as we start proceeding on it,” he said. ∫ The district responded to 776 calls to-date this year, down about 54% from 2022. ∫ Barbot reported that Lt. John Reitenbach was recently promoted to captain. ∫ The following personnel were recognized for their years of service: firefighter Edward Zarick for eight years.

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 15, 2023

Page

Holiday meal, butterfly release to take place 24 aLSOinSidetOday aLSOinSidetOday aLSOinSidetOday aLSOinSidetOday

Shell Shocked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Island Worship . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . 27 The Community House Calendar . . . . 27 In the Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Recipe of the Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Island Beat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 CROW Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 BIG ARTS Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Santiva Islanders Calendar . . . . . . . . 28

Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 24 captivasanibel.com Sanibel-Captiva Islander

Life is short?

What are you kidding me?

Who says life is short? If you live to be ninety you’ll have seen the dawn of a new day some 32,850 times.

Yes, we would live 32,850 days. Now how would you like to listen to the clang of the same alarm clock for about 20,000 of those days?

It’s hard to imagine the magnitude of the number 32,850 if you take the attitude that life Art Stevens is short. I take the attitude that life is long, not short. If I realized when I was twenty that I’d still have up to 20,000 more days — that’s 20,000 not 2,000 or even 5,000 — but 20,000, I would have slowed myself down a bit. I would have done more things then that I enjoy now, like nap a lot.

And if you divide the number of days you’d live until the age of 90 by 24 hours a day it would boggle your mind even further. You’d live 788,400 hours. In minutes? It would be 47,304,000 minutes. Who said we don’t have a minute to waste.

During the course of 47,304,000 minutes I’d say that some of those minutes could easily and guiltlessly be wasted. And that would also dispel the theory that there’s never enough time to do everything. During 47,304,000 minutes you could eat 5,000 tons of Wheaties and drink more than 20,000 pints of beer.

Time moves slowly for some, quickly for others.

I would imagine if you’re serving 60 days in jail — or 1,440 hours — time might indeed pass very slowly. After all, how many times could you reread the Superman comic book you’ve been rationed?

And time can move very quickly if you’re having fun. If you’re sky diving from 20,000 feet up not only is your body hurtling through space at a breakneck pace but it would only seem like a minute from top to bottom.

Contrary to science fiction it hasn’t been proven yet that we can fool around with time. We have not yet found a way to time travel either backwards or forwards. We can’t predict the future. We even have difficulty learning from the past. Time is relentless though. A ninety-year old man may live 32,850 days but that’s chicken feed compared to the universe.

The planet earth is estimated to be billions of years old. What’s 90 years out of that total? And for all we know earth may be around another billion years — assuming we can survive a few more tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, forest fires, mudslides, avalanches, melting ice bergs, global warming — and several more late night talk show hosts.

So is life really short? Compared to what — algae? Grass? Ivory Soap? Everyone agrees that people will live considerably longer as time goes on. So will those 32,850 days that now make up ninety years evolve into 64,000 days? Only time will tell but time rarely tells us anything. Our generation is living considerably longer than our great grandfathers did. And that’s because our great grandmothers gave as good as they got.

But whatever happens after we find our eternal rest, there will still be 24 hours or 1,440 minutes to every day. Use it or lose it.

Shell Shocked

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

F.I.S.H. and TCH partner up to host Thanksgiving meal, butterfly release

By TIFFANY REPECKI

trepecki@breezenewspapers.com

The island community is invited to gather with family and friends to enjoy a free holiday meal.

Partnering with The Community House, F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva will host a Thanksgiving Meal and Butterfly Release on Nov. 17 beginning at 3 p.m. at TCH on Sanibel. It is free and open to islanders.

“Everyone can come and sit and enjoy all of the holiday fixings,” F.I.S.H. Executive Director Maria Espinoza said, noting that there is still much work to be done as the Hurricane Ian rebuilding continues. “Hopefully, we can bring people together like we did last year and celebrate the progress that's been made.”

“It is important that as a community we continue to gather and look towards our future with gratitude for our friends and neighbors,” TCH Executive Director Teresa Riska-Hall added. “We are extremely happy to be partnering with F.I.S.H. on this community celebration.”

Jerry's Foods on Sanibel will provide a traditional Thanksgiving meal, including sliced turkey with gravy, sweet mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. F.I.S.H. will offer pumpkin pie as the dessert.

“Since it's kid-friendly, we're also going to have a minipizza section with additional sides,” Espinoza said.

F.I.S.H. partner Midwest Food Bank will provide beverages, like soda, water and such.

Following the meal, a butterfly release will take place starting at 4 p.m.

Espinoza explained that since the hurricane, F.I.S.H. has incorporated an element of healing, rebirth and moving forward in its events. The release aims to symbolize transformation, hope and connection.

“We thought that a butterfly release would be very symbolic,” she said.

“(It) is a physical sign of our belief in the continued beauty of our islands,” Riska-Hall added.

Espinoza reported that they worked with the SanibelCaptiva Conservation Foundation to identify which species of butterfly would be appropriate for the release and chose the Zebra longwing. According to SCCF staff, the species of butterfly has not yet been seen on Sanibel since the storm.

“We are going to release 300 butterflies,” she said.

Espinoza noted that the F.I.S.H. team is excited to give the species a fresh start on the islands.

In addition to helping with the selection, the SCCF provided F.I.S.H. with guidance on how to give the released butterflies their best chance at survival, such as the appropriate plantings to help them thrive. As a result, F.I.S.H. will also distribute biodegradable seed packs — one per family — containing milk weed and other plant species seeds at the event for attendees to take home and plant in their own yard.

“The seed packs are plants that are good for this specific type of butterfly,” she said.

The islands are encouraged to come out and take part in the community gathering. While people are welcome to take a meal or two to-go, F.I.S.H. simply asks that people do not take several of them.

“I remember last year's event at The Community House.

It was such a good experience to come together,” Espinoza said, noting that it was the first chance to really gather following the hurricane.

“It's about having a nice meal, being thankful and experiencing something as beautiful as a butterfly release as a community,” she added.

For more information, call 239-472-4775 or visit F.I.S.H. on Facebook, X/Twitter or Instagram.

The Community House is at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel From left, “Ding” Darling re-enactor Tom Milligan, “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman, J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Complex Manager Kevin Godsea, DDWS President Wendy Kindig, Bob Hautman, Joe Hautman, Jim Hautman, DDWS Vice President Bill Hardy and Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland.

Refuge and DDWS award Brush of Excellence to Hautmans At a special reception on Oct. 21 during the inaugural Art in the Wild at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel, the refuge and the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge presented the Hautman brothers, wildlife artists, with the Brush of Excellence Award.

In 2015, Sam Koltinsky, filmmaker for the “America’s Darling” documentary about the life of Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling, jointly presented the DDWS and refuge with a framed and mounted paintbrush once used by the artist and political cartoonist — paint smudges, fingerprints and all. The DDWS partially supported the film.

Koltinsky charged the refuge with the responsibility to similarly honor artistic individuals or organizations who have demonstrated achievements with their artistic talents and have had impact on the success of the DDWS or conservation. Wildlife sculptor and DDWS Emeritus Board Member Jim Sprankle received the first Brush of Excellence Award from the

DDWS and refuge in 2017.

Since that time, Hurricane Ian destroyed the original Darling paintbrush award. In its place, the refuge jointly presented Jim, Joe and Bob Hautman with the award in name. The three brothers from Minnesota have collectively won first place in the Federal Duck Stamp competition 15 times — most recently Joe Hautman in the 2022 contest.

Considering more than 100 artists typically compete each year in the contest and winners are not allowed to enter for the following three years, the Hautmans’ accomplishments have made a hallowed name for them in wildlife art circles nationwide. The brothers even made the script for the 1996 hit comedic movie “Fargo.”

DDWS Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman presented each of the Hautmans with an inscribed award in the shape of a brush tip recognizing the trio See EXCELLENCE, page 26

Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church will host a movie and popcorn night today, Nov. 15, at 6 p.m. at The Gathering Place @ St. Michael's, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. This month's film will be “The Long Walk Home” (1990). A brief discussion will follow. All are welcome; enter off of Dunlop Road. For more information, visit https://www.saintmichaels-sanibel.org/.

Lions Club sponsors contest at school The Sanibel Captiva Lions Club is sponsoring the Lions International Peace Poster contest. The club challenged students at The Sanibel School to participate. Working with art teacher Erica Sharp, eight youths entered the contest. The club reported that judging will be done by a panel of local experts in mid-November, with the winner results to be announced. For over three decades, Lions Clubs around the globe have hosted the contest for schools and youth groups, which is open to ages 11-13.

Inaugural Art in the Wild deemed a success partners for demonstrating their art, leading workshops, competing in the plein-air Paint Out, and staffing Creation Stations for hands-on activities.

It also thanked the event sponsors, along with Stanley Gavin Jr. and his Tice Elementary School choir and other musical presenters for adding performance art to the festivities.

Sanibel-Captiva Islander

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge reported that what promises to become the signature event of the year for the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Art in the Wild came to life for the first time on Oct. 2122 on Sanibel. It brought together nature and art, appealing to all ages. The DDWS thanked its artist

captivasanibel.com

REFUGE/DDWS

The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge hosted Art in the Wild on Oct. 21-22.

Page 25 n Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Monthly movie night planned

Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 26

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Report your news to CAPTIVASANIBEL.COM

Deadline extended for housing needs survey The city of Sanibel reported that the deadline for its online Housing Needs Survey, being conducted with the help of the Bright Community Trust and FEMA Community Assistance Program, has been extended to Nov. 17.

It is a first step in the process to obtain available funding for city and local non-profits, like Community Housing and Resources and F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, to meet unmet affordable housing needs.

Any member of the Sanibel community is encouraged to complete the survey, especially those on a fixed income or those who commute to their Sanibel place of

work from off-island. The questions are designed to better understand the needs of the workforce and low-moderate income residents that will guide decision-making for the Below Market Rate Housing (BMRH) Program administered by CHR. The city asked that survey responses be limited to one per person.

To access the survey, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/sanibel-bmrh-20231002.

For more information, contact the Planning Department at 239-472-4136.

Sanibel-Captiva Islander

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PHOTO PROVIDED

Marlberry

Marlberry possibly used by Seminole Indians Marlberry (Ardisia escalloniodes) plants are native to Central and Southern Florida, as well as the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.

It starts out in a bush form but can reach a maximum height of about 20 feet tall.

On Sanibel, you will typically find its height in the 12-foot to 15foot range with very little care. Its glossy leaves and grayishwhite bark give it a fresh and vibrant appearance.

The native plant puts out clusters of small white flowers, a sweet fragrance and small berries.

The berries start out with a white to pale green color and then darken to a deep purple color that attracts a wide variety of birds and fauna. With the dense sometimes weeping arches of the berries and clustering of the leaves, it provides perfect cover for the small birds and animals.

It is also rumored that the Seminole Indians would use the marlberry plants for making their arrows, as skewers to roast meat and use the leaves as an “extender” for their smoking tobacco.

You will commonly find it in the coastal ridges and hammock areas of Sanibel that mainly consist of moist soils and in thickets of cabbage palms, stoppers, beautyberry and wild coffee plantings. It will tolerate the deeper shady areas, but will grow faster and produce more flowers and berries with increased light.

Peak season for flowers and berries is in fall, however, they do cycle throughout the year and there is a good chance that at least a few different plants will bloom while the others are starting the new cycle, giving interest to different areas of your garden.

The marlberry makes for an interesting native plant in the island native landscape.

In The Garden is a joint effort by all at the local garden center, at 3889 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel. For more information, contact 239-3955859 or visit www.facebook.com/rswalshinthegarden.

The Shell Point Retirement Community will host an annual Holiday Craft Bazaar today, Nov. 15, and on Nov. 16.

Shell Point to host annual holiday bazaar The Shell Point Retirement Community will host an annual Holiday Craft Bazaar today, Nov. 15, and on Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in The Village Church, at 15100 Shell Point Blvd., Fort Myers.

Over 50 resident vendors will offer one-of-a-kind items, including original art and photography, pottery, woodworking, needlecraft, glass, jewelry, children’s items and handmade fashion accessories.

Admission is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit www.ShellPoint.org.

Sanibel Community Church to host support group Sanibel Community Church will offer Surviving The Holidays through the GriefShare Support Group on Nov. 19 and Dec. 17 at 11:30 a.m. at 1740 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Open to the public. For more information, visit https://sanibelchurch.com/ or contact info@sanibelchurch.com.

Excellence From page 24 as the second award recipient.

“The Brush of Excellence Award is a prestigious award reserved for the finest artists whose conservation efforts influence the world they live in,” she said at the presentation. “Much like ‘Ding’ Darling, all three of the Hautmans will leave a lasting impression on the art and conservation world.”

Darling was a political cartoonist for the Des Moines Register and won two Pulitzer Prizes for this

work. His work spans more than 50 years and was syndicated in over 100 newspapers. Darling began visiting Sanibel and Captiva in the 1930s and is responsible for the creation of the wildlife refuge. As the first head of the U.S. Biological Survey — forerunner to today’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — he was instrumental in creating the Federal Duck Stamp Program and designed the first duck stamp.

By CHEF LORETTA PAGANINI This is a very simple recipe — a little time consuming since the beets take about one hour to roast — but since beets can be roasted up to a week ahead and kept in the refrigerator, I love to always have a few on hand and prepare this delectable recipe. Serves eight. (Chef tip: There are many varieties of beets available in the market today. Try using golden and stripe red Chioggia beets. Choose smaller beets since they tend to cook faster.)

4 large beets, trimmed, scrubbed and stems cut off 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoons Italian parsley, chopped 4 ounces soft goat cheese, crumbled 2 cups Arugula greens

Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss beets with olive oil in a roasting pan. Sprinkle with salt. Cover pan with foil.

Roast beets until tender, about 60-75 minutes depending on the size. Let beets stand covered at room temperature for 20 minutes. Peel beets. Place in bowl; cover and chill at least one hour.

While beets are chilling, reduce vinegar by half.

Cool to room temperature.

Thinly slice beets with slicer (wear protective gloves to avoid staining hands).

Arrange beets in concentric circles on each of the eight plates on top of arugula greens.

Drizzle with balsamic glaze, goat cheese and fresh parsley.

Loretta Paganini

CROW Calendar

The Community House The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, will present the following:

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Painting with Friends Painting with Friends Painting with Friends will be held today, Nov. 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. Bring you own supplies. Cost is $10 donation; register and pay at the door. For more information, contact Jane Hudson at janehudsonpainter@yahoo.com.

Shellcrafters The Shellcrafters will meet on Nov. 20 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 The Community House.

Oil Painting Class Artist Suzette Heeres will host an Oil Painting Class on Nov. 21 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The subject will be “White Ibis.” Cost is $55 for members and $65 for non-members; all supplies included.

To register, visit https://interland3.donorperfect.net/webli

Painting with Friends will be held on Nov. 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. Bring you own supplies. Cost is $10 donation; register and pay at the door. For more information, contact Jane Hudson at janehudsonpainter@yahoo.com.

Shell Critter Kits are available for purchase in a variety of different options. Cost is $5 per kit with all of the supplies included, except for glue. Order them in-person at TCH or call 239-4722155.

TCH is accepting art vendors for the 87th Sanibel Historical Annual Shell Festival on March 7-9. Reservations are available for 8-foot tables for $150 and include all three days.

TCH office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, visit www.sanibelcommunityhouse.net or contact 239-472-2155 or office@sanibelcommunityhouse.net.

BIG ARTS Calendar BIG ARTS, at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, will present the following:

Film Series “Lunana: A Yak In The Classroom”

(2019) will be shown on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12.

Registration is required for workshops by calling 239-395-0900.

For more information or tickets, visit www.bigarts.org.

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. For Zoom links, email batyamsanibel@gmail.com. ∫ Captiva Chapel by the Sea 11580 Chapin Lane, Captiva, 239-472-1646, https://www.captivachapel.com/, www.facebook.com/Captiva-Chapel-By-TheSea Rev. Dr. Doug Dortch In-person service on Sundays at 11 a.m. through April. Services will be videotaped and posted on the chapel's website and Facebook page. Services from the past season can also be found online. ∫ Chavurat Shalom of Southwest Florida www.chavuratshalomofsouthwestflorida.org Classes and discussion on Thursday at 11 a.m. via Zoom. Torah Talk on the third Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. via Zoom. Friday Shabbat service at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Len Minsky Current Events discussion on Saturday at 11 a.m. via Zoom. An informal “schmooze” session on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. 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 SCC Sanctuary. Services will be recorded and posted on the SCC's YouTube channel on Monday. ∫ Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ 2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-0497, https://www.sanibelucc.org/, https://www.facebook.com/sanibelucc/ Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Mark Boyea Sunday service at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. ∫ Saint Isabel Catholic Church 3559 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, 239-472-2763, https://www.saintisabel.org/, https://www.facebook.com/stisabelcatholicchurch/ Father Edward Martin Friday Mass at 9 a.m. Weekend Masses on Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday 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. with a social to follow. Sunday services at 8 and 10:30 a.m. with a coffee hour to follow each. Services take place at The Gathering Place @ St. Michael's at the church; enter off of Dunlop Road.

Report your news to THE ISLANDER:

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Sanibel-Captiva Islander

Program of the Week at 11 a.m.

The program will cover a variety of topics related to wildlife and patient care at CROW. Admission to the center is currently free. Admittance includes the above daily presentations, and no reservations are required to attend.

In addition, CROW offers a Wildlife Walk Hospital Tour on Wednesdays through Fridays after the daily presentation. 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 239472-3644 ext.

229 or reservations@crowclinic.org.

For more information, visit http://www.crowclinic.org/ or call 239472-3644.

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The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife's Visitor Education Center, at 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, will present the following: ∫ Today, Nov. 15 Program of the Week at 11 a.m.

The program will cover a variety of topics related to wildlife and patient care at CROW. ∫ Thursday, Nov. 16 Program of the Week at 11 a.m.

The program will cover a variety of topics related to wildlife and patient care at CROW. ∫ Friday, Nov. 17 Program of the Week at 11 a.m.

The program will cover a variety of topics related to wildlife and patient care at CROW. ∫ Wednesday, Nov. 22

Page 27 n Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Recipe of the Week: Roasted Beet Carpaccio with Arugula in Balsamic Glaze

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Cielo, 1244 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

SCOTT McDONALD 5 to 8:30 p.m.

SCOTT McDONALD 5 to 8:30 p.m.

SCOTT McDONALD 5 to 8:30 p.m.

SCOTT McDONALD 5 to 8:30 p.m.

MudBugs Cajun Kitchen, 1473 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

SLIMTRONIC5000 5 to 8:30 p.m.

YARD DOG CHARLIE 5 to 8:30 p.m.

PRESTON HAMILTON 5 to 8:30 p.m.

BRIAN BEARDEN 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Traders, 1551 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

PETER REDPATH 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

DANNY MORGAN AND JOHN McLANE DUO 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

DANNY MORGAN 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

PETER REDPATH 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen, 1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

CHRIS WORKMAN 6 to 9 p.m.

JENNY VE 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Sanibel-Captiva Islander

JOSH ROWLAND AND DANI LIGHTNER 6:30 p.m.

KARAOKE 8 to 10 p.m.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY SCOTT McDONALD 5 to 8:30 p.m.

ROY SCHNEIDER 5 to 8:30 p.m.

MICHAEL DAVID 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

J.D. INGALLS 5 to 8:30 p.m.

ANTHONY PICONE 5 to 8:30 p.m.

JOHN McLANE 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

DANNY MORGAN 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

LAST CALL TRIVIA 7 to 9 p.m.

Santiva Islanders Calendar

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Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 28

islandBEAT islander Sanibel Captiva

The Santiva Islanders will present the following:

Coffee Bistro Coffee Bistro will be held on Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at The Gathering Place @ St. Michael's at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Coffee and other beverages will be served. Volunteers will be available to answer questions, register new members, offer signups for activities and more. Enter off of Dunlop Road.

Bring water and a towel; the exercises are done standing or sitting in chairs, so no mat is needed. Cost per class is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Enter off of Dunlop Road.

Happy Hour at MudBugs Happy Hour at MudBugs will be held on Nov. 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. at MudBugs Cajun Kitchen, at 1473 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Enjoy happy hour drink and appetizer specials. Participants will order and pay individually. For more information, contact event host Robin Christian at 817-975-7166.

Cardio and Strength SANIBEL-CAPTIVA KIWANIS CLUB

From left, Cielo General Manager Marcus Preece and Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club President Jeff Blackman.

Cielo donates to Kiwanis The Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club reported that Cielo recently donated a total of $7,500 to the club. The contribution was presented by Cielo General Manager

Marcus Preece to club President Jeff Blackman. The donation will be directed toward the club's scholarship program.

Refuge announces Paint Out winner The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge reported that out of the dozen of plein-air artists who participated in the Art in the Wild Paint Out on Oct. 22, the People’s Choice Award went to John Brennan, of Lutz. A longtime friend of the refuge, he demonstrated how to paint a duck at the two-day event. Brennan took best of show in the Florida Junior Duck Stamp as a student.

More than half of the voters who visited the Paint Out display from Oct. 22-30 voted for his moody refuge landscape as the best.

Brennan won a $50 gift card to the Refuge Nature Store. REFUGE/DDWS

Mahnaz Bassir will host Cardio and Strength on Nov. 16 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at The Gathering Place @ St. Michael's at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. It will involve light to moderate aerobics, strength and balance exercises, and stretching. Bring water and a towel; no mat is required. Light weights may be brought. Cost is $5 per class and $40 per month for members or $10 per class and $80 per month for nonmembers. Enter off of Dunlop Road.

Fun and Games Fun and Games will be held on Nov. 16 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at The Gathering Place @ St. Michael's at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Options will include cards, board games, puzzles, Bridge, Mahjong and more. For more information about Bridge, contact Bryant Korn at bryantekorn@gmail.com. For more information about Mahjong, contact Robin Christian at fwrobin01@att.net. Enter off of Dunlop Road.

Stretch and Tone Mahnaz Bassir will host Stretch and Tone on Nov. 16 from 1 to 2 p.m. at The Gathering Place @ St. Michael's at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. It will involve toning exercises, balance movements and total body stretches.

Coffee Bistro Coffee Bistro will be held on Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at The Gathering Place @ St. Michael's at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Coffee and other beverages will be served. Volunteers will be available to answer questions, register new members, offer signups for activities and more. Enter off of Dunlop Road.

Cardio and Strength Mahnaz Bassir will host Cardio and Strength on Nov. 21 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at The Gathering Place @ St. Michael's at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. It will involve light to moderate aerobics, strength and balance exercises, and stretching. Bring water and a towel; no mat is required. Light weights may be brought. Cost is $5 per class and $40 per month for members or $10 per class and $80 per month for nonmembers. Enter off of Dunlop Road.

The Santiva Islanders serve all adult islanders and visitors, regardless of age. The cost is $20 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.

That’s not to say that we are perfect people. But it is to say that we trust God’s redeeming grace to be making us into people who are more capable of living into God’s expectations of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22). It is to say that we trust God’s grace to be transforming us into the type of people who reflect a quality of life that can only be explained by Christ living in us.

is to say that we trust God’s redeeming grace to be making us into people who are more capable of living into God’s expectations of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol (Gal. 5:22). It is to say that we trust God’s grace to be transforming us into the type of people who reflect a quality of life that can only be explained

by Christ living in us.

Christians around the world began this month by celebrating “All Saints Sunday” on the church calendar. Normally, we might not give much thought to how such a designation applies to us, given how we tend to look at the day as a time to remember those who departed from our fellowship over the last year.

But when we stop and consider the manner in which God’s hopes for advancing Christ’s cause in this world hinge entirely on us, then we see that it’s important that we get off the bench, move onto the court, and mix it up with the powers that be until the buzzer sounds and every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Who knows? Maybe as a result the world would take us more seriously than it does today. And maybe even some would be so moved by our witness that

Faces on Faith

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

Sanibel-Captiva Islander

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they would want to come over to our side and join Rev. Dr. us in this most wonderful Doug DortCh work of making our world more of what God has created it to be. Only then will the word “saint” be redeemed and along with it this world that God in Christ so deeply loves.

“For this reason … we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every good way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:9-12).

captivasanibel.com

Back in my seminary days I played basketball with a group of fellow students, many of whom had played in college. During the fall and winter, we would take on teams from other seminaries and community colleges, as well as a freshman team or two at some of the larger four-year schools in the Louisville area. Our nickname was the “Saints,” which at the time seemed appropriate but now strikes me as being more than a tad presumptuous. But of course, no one we played took our nickname that seriously. They understood it for what it was — just a nickname.

Sometimes I wonder if the same could be said of us Jesus followers today for whom the moniker is to be more of a description of our witness than a mere nickname. Ask people in our current context to define a saint and chances are they will come back with some description of a person who acts “holier than thou,” someone who sticks his nose up in the air so proudly that when it rains, he is always a threat to drown. For that reason alone, most of us avoid being labeled a saint out of fear that others will perceive us as rigid and judgmental and choose to stay away from us. I can’t say that it’s a baseless fear.

Sadly, however, the word saint is a good word. It’s a Bible word. Throughout the New Testament the Apostle Paul invokes it as a way of inviting the recipients of his letters to consider how they might give concrete evidence of the difference living for Jesus makes in their everyday experience. Far from being a license to Christians to act superior to non-believers, Paul offers the term as something to be embraced because of the ways in which it helps them identify themselves in an otherwise pagan world. Think of how sports teams today wear different colored jerseys to distinguish them from one another. According to Paul, we believers always look better in white, the color of purity.

That’s not to say that we are perfect people. But it

Page 29 n Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023

The saints among us

Sanibel-Captiva Islander

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Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 30

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Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 32