Fort Myers Beach Observer/The Beach Bulletin

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 15, 2023

VOLUME 39, NUMBER 46

Observer 11/15/23

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 15, 2023

VOLUME 39, NUMBER 46

Councilmember proposes new tolls for town bridges

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

Do those entering Fort Myers Beach need to start coughing up some extra dough when they cross the town’s two bridges?

Fort Myers Beach Councilmember Karen Woodson floated that concept as part of a proposal at a management and planning session this past week though three members of the council have since said they wouldn’t support the proposed measure.

FILE PHOTO

Fort Myers Beach Councilmember Karen Woodson

Woodson dropped the proposal to council during a discussion on how to alleviate the town’s past seasonal traffic issues.

Woodson called for “working with Lee County and getting our bridges to be tolled like Sanibel.”

The entrance to Fort Myers Beach over the Matanzas Pass Bridge along San Carlos Boulevard is owned by the state while the southern entrance at Big Carlos Pass Bridge (currently undergoing construction) is

owned by Lee County.

Woodson suggested giving a discount for town residents over the bridges.

“Maybe you have a resident pass and you pay minimally per month or you pay nothing,” Woodson said.

Fort Myers Beach Councilmember Bill Veach said that would be against the state constitution “to have a toll for some people and not for others.”

See TOLLS, page 14

FILE PHOTO

Reimbursement for the replacement of the Fort Myers Beach Pier is currently undergoing FEMA review

County commissioners prod managers on pier, Lynn Hall bathrooms

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

Big Carlos Pass Bridge project blocks entry to Lovers Key State Park Beach

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

W

hen the Big Carlos Pass Bridge project was being touted by Lee County commissioners and discussed, much was made about how traffic over the bridge would not be disrupted. What was not a highlight of talks was that access to the Big Carlos Pass side of Lovers Key State Park

Beach will also be blocked.

In recent weeks, signs have gone up around the Lovers Key State Park near the lot and on the bridge, blocking access to the popular public beach.

The Lovers Key State Park lot near the bridge has been taken over by construction vehicles and equipment for the project.

The public access to that part of the

beach is expected to remain closed off until the bridge work is completed sometime in 2026, Lee County Government spokesperson Betsy Clayton said.

Meanwhile, the fishing pier that had been part of Lee County’s original bridge replacement plans has since been See BRIDGE PROJECT, page 17 NATHAN MAYBERG

More than a year after Hurricane Ian destroyed the Fort Myers Beach Pier and restroom facilities at Lynn Hall Memorial Park, Lee County commissioners expressed their desire to rebuild both at their most recent meeting in pointed comments at county management to make it a priority. The commissioners also asked the county’s managers to arrange a meeting with Federal Emergency Management Agency staff to ensure the Fort Myers Beach facilities could be built back as quickly as possible.

Plans for both the pier and bathrooms have not yet been presented by county staff to the commissioners despite other projects in the county on repairing facilities having moved forward.

“I know that the (portable restroom) trailers are serving a good purpose right now as a temporary solution but it is my very strong desire to see us rebuild permanent bathrooms” at Lynn Hall Memorial Park, Lee County See COMMISSIONERS, page 13

Beach Living............................................8 insidetoday Opinions.......................................4 Business............................................6 Beach Bulletin..................................19-24

Classifieds.............25

Fort Myers Beach Observer

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By NATHAN MAYBERG

Fort Myers Beach Observer

∫ Discounted job listings in national marketplace of library opportunities.

The vote by the commissioners put themselves into the middle of a debate in which state and national social and religious conservatives have pushed to ban books in schools and libraries that have content they oppose or believe is not suitable for children and, more recently, pushing back against the American Library Association. In some states, libraries have been closed altogether as the movement against nonconservative ideas gains traction amongst some.

Hamman said “I am absolutely not asking to any restriction of access to the libraries.” Hamman said “The majority of people who pay the taxes in Lee County don’t agree with the politics” of the American Library Association. “I have a lot of moms that are very concerned,” he said.

While county commissioners cited the politics of the American Library Association, they didn’t specifically cite any specific disagreements with their politics or cite instances of where the American Library Association had interfered with the libraries of Lee County.

Emails sent to all five county commissioners seeking comment and further specificity were not responded to.

Raymond Garcia, a communications specialist with the American Library Association, said the American Library Association is a nonprofit that “connects libraries across the country to grants to fund services that help communities grow and thrive. Those who lose here are the libraries and most importantly their communities. ALA remains committed to providing essential support, resources, and opportunities for every library and library worker in every state and territory across the nation to help them better serve their communities.”

The Lee County commissioners voted at the end of last Tuesday's meeting to name District 5 Commissioner Mike Greenwell as the new chairman of the board and named Ruane as vice chairman.

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ents can pursue to take more control of the materials their children are exposed The Lee County Board of County to through proper supervision. This is Commissioners became the latest governfundamental to who we are as a nation.” ment entity to enter the political fray surEllis said children’s access to a “wide rounding public libraries. range of materials” is being eroded.

Citing unspecified politics of the Lee County resident Christine American Library Association, the comDeVigili, a former candidate for the Lee missioners voted 5-0 last Tuesday to end County School Board, said the county’s the county’s membership and its $2,472 action to remove itself from the annual contribution to the organization.

American Library Association is not the The measure was brought forward by same as restricting public access to Lee County District 4 Commissioner libraries. “The only difference is now Brian Hamman, whose district covers you are choosing to protect children Cape Coral and Fort Myers. from radical ideologies that are pushed Brian Hamman Hamman, the outgoing chairman of by a radical organization. I would love the board, said “Some parents have reached out to me to see the American Library Association turn around with some concerns about the American Library and change their ways.”

Association. These are concerns that have grown DeVigili framed the issue as “children’s safety." statewide and even nationwide. Earlier this week, the District 2 Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass, whose State of Florida has dropped their membership with district covers Fort Myers, said “This is about paying the American Library Association.” $2,000 a year to an organization that we do not supHamman said he is “very concerned about what port their ideology.” Pendergrass said the move by the appears to be the pushing of an agenda on kids, you commissioners wasn’t about restricting access to know, a political agenda on kids. I think if this group libraries but “paying an organization that is out of ever gets back to just political neutrality and really state so they can fund their own beliefs.” just starts to focus on libraries again we can think According to Lee County Government spokesperabout joining again.” son Betsy Clayton, the county’s membership with the Hamman also called for asking for a refund of the American Library Association included: county’s dues. ∫ Subscriptions to professional journals from ALA District 1 Commissioner Kevin Ruane, whose dis- and Divisions are included with membership. trict includes Sanibel, Pine Island and Cape Coral, ∫ Access to specific programs/initiatives (such as said he was “contacted by many parents. It seems to be for children and early literacy – Every Child Ready to an agenda that is not really consistent with where we Read, a foundation of the county’s story time proare going. I hope and pray that we can come back to grams). neutrality sometime in the future.” ∫ Access to the Library Salary Database for posiLee County resident Marcia Ellis called the vote by tion-by-position salary analysis. the county commissioners to pull away from the ∫ Access to awards, grants, and scholarships.

American Library Association as a “personal attack” ∫ Discounted purchase of professional resources, and an “afront.” library merchandise, conference fees and continuing Ellis said “there are mechanisms available that par- education activities. nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

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County commissioners end dues to American Library Association

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OPINIONS

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Web Poll Previous Web Poll Results Do you support Rep. Adam Botana's proposed bill to merge the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District with the Lee County Mosquito Control District? ∫ Yes, 11% ∫ No, 89% ∫ Unsure, 0%

Current Web Poll Question Does Fort Myers Beach need tolls on its bridges? ∫ Yes. ∫ No. ∫ Not sure.

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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

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.

— Fort Myers Beach Observer editorial

Letters to the Editor County withdrawal from American Library Association lacks actual basis To the editor: As a retired English teacher and frequent user of the county library system, I am dumbfounded by the Lee County Commissioners’ vote to cease the county’s annual membership with the American Library Association (ALA).

Your online story quoted the commissioners making vague statements about “concerns” from parents and using terms such as “agenda” and “ideology” regarding the ALA, but nowhere did commissioners articulate a particular issue, despite your reporter’s inquiry.

For those unfamiliar with it, the ALA is a non-profit organization founded in October 1876 by several men including Melvil Dewey, who established the Dewey Decimal

system of library classification. It’s the oldest and largest library association in the world.

Its stated mission, according to its website: “to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.”

Membership in the ALA includes subscriptions to professional journals, access to awards, grants and scholarships, and access to early literacy programs.

Doesn’t sound too scary after all, does it?

Not sure what our local parents and commissioners find so controversial about the ALA, since they can’t seem to explain it themselves, beyond offering nebulous statements.

I’ll bet our commissioners didn’t think to ask the county’s professional library director her thoughts on membership in this impor-

tant organization, how it impacts our local libraries, and what it would mean to cease membership.

Sadly, our commissioners appeared to simply react in knee-jerk fashion to uninformed citizens lodging misguided complaints about a widely respected professional organization dedicated to literacy and the sharing of knowledge. What they all need — ironically — is a trip to their local library to inform themselves.

Katy Odell Cape Coral

Tax bills show continuing assault on property owners’ wallets To the editor: As I begin my annual rite of passage that involves the mystery of my local property tax bills, I stopped to contemplate what exactly See LETTERS, page 5

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 this page do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. Opposing views are welcome. Letters to the Editor or guest columns may be mailed to: Fort Myers Beach Observer, 19260 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931; faxed to 239-765-0846; emailed to news@breezenewspapers.com; or posted to our Virtual Newsroom at www.breezenewspapers.com.

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comfortable with the never-ending assault on the taxpayers’ wallets. The taxpayer’s income doesn’t necessarily go up at the rate of inflation.

George W. Hoover Cape Coral

A precious commodity To the editor: When was the last time you drank a glass of water?

Did you think at all about how important and precious water is? Or, did you, as most do, just take it for granted? Did you think about how necessary it is for our survival?

Think about the manner in which our politicians treat our water. Is there anything in their conduct that makes you think they consider it to be of any importance? If they do/did, why are almost all of the waterways in Florida contaminated? If they do/did, why would Lake “O,” one of the largest freshwater lakes in our country, be in such abysmal condition?

Here in Lee County, the problem is just as bad, if not worse. The County Commissioners routinely override the plans, rules, regulations, and laws that were set in place to protect the integrity of such an invaluable resource.

They allow complicitous developers to run rampant in the race to pave over “paradise.” High-density housing developments are being allowed with very little regard to our environment.

To present such a problem places a burden on the presenter to provide a possible solution. Knowing that developers orchestrate the whole process, I would like to present some solutions, which while they will not be a total cure, might provide a slowdown of environmental

degradation until we elect new people to office who approach governing with a modicum of common sense and healthy respect for the voters who allow them the honor of being of service. ∫ See that all irrigation is provided by retention ponds. ∫ Have all paved and unpaved surfaces deliver this liquid gold into the retention ponds. ∫ Direct all run-off from all structures into the retention ponds. ∫ Reduce the footprint of grassy areas to reduce the amount of irrigation water used. ∫ Provide a listing of native trees, shrubs, and flowers that may be used in new developments. ∫ Plant at least one shade tree per residence for both aesthetic and environmental reasons. If commercial is involved plant more shade trees. ∫ Employ micro irrigation in the bedded areas. ∫ Assure that paving materials of the highest porosity be used allowing more rain water to enter the aquifers below. ∫ Work with the developers to assure that all building materials be environmentally friendly. ∫ Utilize colors, everywhere, towards the white end of the spectrum ∫ Install “Energy Star” rated appliances. ∫ Have all structures meet Florida Gold Star Water Certification.

If the politicians, in cahoots with the developers, are insistent on continuing to pave over our county, the very least we can do is slow their destruction of life as we all want it to be.

Norman Cannon Fort Myers

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From page 4 do these detailed bills really represent.

As a retired person and owner of several Lee County properties including my own residence, I notice the never-ending increase in the final tally of these property tax bills. Some simple math computations helped me calculate that my residence tax bill went up 7% and the tax bills on my single-family rental homes went up between 7% and 18%.

Of course, my local government entities will argue that their costs of services have increased due to inflation and they need more money. This argument will not recognize that two of the largest contributors to our inflation rate are increased real estate values and cost of borrowing, neither of which my local governments should be subject to with balanced budget restraints.

It seems that it isn’t hard to argue that my local governmental entities are enjoying a revenue windfall at the expense of the taxpayers. The fact that is easily ignored is these increased tax amounts are actually taxes on unrealized value gains on our property and that the property owner can only realize their profit if they dispose of the property. In other words, it represents a tax on unrealized profits.

The size of government grows with these increased surplus taxes. Unfortunately, once real estate values start to go down, which they always do at some point, the size of government stays the same and you can feel pretty secure that your taxes aren’t going down with reduced property values.

We, the taxpayers, would be wise to pay attention when voting for our representatives that control our local governed and elect politicians that promise static property taxes, controlled government spending, and aren’t

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Letters

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BUSINESS

Alaina Kendall (right) won two round-trip tickets on the Key West Express as part of the Island Hopper Songwriters Festival raffle awards from the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Handing her the award was chamber volunteer Barry Frank.

PHOTO PROVIDED NATHAN MAYBERG

Mr. Waves Island Bar Manager Katja Gonzalez (left) and owners Nina and Daniel Clarkston opened Mr. Waves Island Bar this weekend on Fort Myers Beach at Times Square.

Catch a Wave

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

Fort Myers Beach Observer

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In the short amount of time Daniel and Nina Clarkston owned and operated the Sun Deck Inn and Suites, one of the oldest hotels on Fort Myers Beach, they encountered the COVID pandemic, a small fire and lastly Hurricane Ian. While the hotel will not be rebuilt, the Clarkstons have instead focused their energy over the past year in opening Mr. Waves Island Bar at Times Square. The establishment became the newest bar and restaurant to open on Fort Myers Beach this past weekend.

On Sunday, as the Town of Fort Myers Beach hosted a concert a hop away down Old San Carlos Boulevard at Bayside Park, the mood was jubilant at Mr. Waves.

Mrs. Clarkston said business on opening weekend was “amazing. Just

positive feedback. We are the first new bar to open after Ian. People are really happy to see that.”

While much of Times Square was destroyed last year by Hurricane Ian, the building the Clarkstons own was one of the few to survive the devastation. They acquired the property, which formerly housed the Teeki Hut, last summer with a group of investors a couple months before Ian struck. They also own the Cold Stone Creamery next door.

Mr. Waves focuses on serving bucket drinks and “beach food” like lobster rolls, shrimp boats, avocado crab boats and flatbreads, Mrs. Clarkston said.

The loss of the Sun Deck Inn was “devastating,” Mrs. Clarkston said. “We can’t rebuild it.” Clarkston said they “knew immediately” the hotel would not

Chamber awards Island Hopper giveaways As part of the Island Hopper Songwriters Festival, the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce donated giveaway items and coupons which were gathered into goodie bags worth over $300. The goodie bags were distributed from the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce visitor kiosk “The Roxie” during the festival in Times Square. Those who collected these bags also got a chance to participate in a raffle organized by the chamber.

Marianne Berry won a 3 day/2 night

Stay at GullWing Beach Resort and Alaina Kendall won two round-trip tickets on the Key West Express as part of the Island Hopper Songwriters Festival raffle awards organized by the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce The grand prize of the Savor the Shore Raffle was a pair of round-trip tickets on the Key West Express, won by Julia Porro. The second prize was a two-night stay at a Sunstream resort on Fort Myers Beach, won by Mary Jakubwiski.

See MR. WAVES, page 10

Charley’s Boat House, longtime Beach restaurant, says goodbye

Stella, Linda and Charlie Hartling enjoy some ice cream cake for Stella’s birthday at Mr. Waves Island Bar on Fort Myers Beach this past Sunday.

Charley's Boat House Grill & Wine Bar, a Fort Myers Beach staple for decades under various names but the same ownership, is officially no more following its demolition this past week. The building, off Estero Boulevard, was totaled by Hurricane Ian. The property was sold to London Bay Development along with the Outrigger Beach Resort across the street this summer. NATHAN MAYBERG

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Beach Living

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Newton Beach Park could get new name

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

Should Newton Beach Park get a new name? The Town of Fort Myers Beach Cultural and Environmental Learning Center Advisory Board has voted to recommend to the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council that the park be renamed.

In a presentation to the town council this past week, CELCAB Chair Barbara Hill said “This is a perfect time to rename the park since the Newtons never donated this property.”

Proposed new names to replace Newton Beach Park include Calusa Park, Seven Seas Park, Gulfside Botanical Park and Gulfside Park. “We welcome any input from the community as to their ideas,” Hill said.

Jim and Ellie Newton, who were involved in real estate in town, sold the property for the park to the Town of Fort Myers Beach to preserve it as a public park. In 2009, an attempt to change the name of the park failed by a vote of 4-2 by the town council.

Ian wiped out a cottage that was on the property, in which the Newtons had lived. “That property was flattened,” Hill said. Lee County is expected to provide funding through Tourist Development Tax funds to replace restrooms there, Hill said.

The board expects to begin a strategic plan to rebuild the park next year.

“This is a great time to re-evaluate just what we want that park to be. It will always be an educational and passive-educational park for the public and for visitors but also having practical needs such as parking and restrooms,” Hill said.

As part of a state grant the town received for the park when it was acquired, the town is obligated to maintain it as a park “to maintain programming for the education of the uniqueness of our island, its wildlife, its ecosystem, its botanical park which we had utilized with some of the native landscaping,” Hill said. “All of that to kind of bring greater awareness and appreciation of the uniqueness of this island.”

Before Hurricane Ian, the park was a gathering spot for guided nature walks along the beach.

According to an obituary for Jim Newton, his father Dr. Robley Newton became the personal physician for Thomas Edison after the family located to Fort Myers Beach in 1924. Mr. Newton helped develop Edison Park in Fort Myers, according to the obituary.

The presentation by Hill included a recommendation by the board to replace the bocce ball court at the park with a swing set. The members of CELCAB also requested the town erect a new entrance sign for the park.

Echo in the Park The band Echo covered a number of classic rock hits with technical proficiency Sunday during a performance at Bayside Park on Fort Myers Beach. The show was part of a weekly concert series scheduled for Bayside Park on Sundays. The next show will take place this upcoming Sunday at the park off Old San Carlos Blvd./NATHAN MAYBERG

LeeTran shuttle to resume Thursday

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

LeeTran will resume its free beach tram shuttle service on Fort Myers Beach on Thursday, Nov. 16, Lee County Communications Director Betsy Clayton said.

The free tram will run about every 35 minutes, seven days a week from the Fort Myers Beach Public Library to Bowditch Point Park. Service will begin at 9:30 a.m. daily at Fort Myers Beach Public Library and end with the last tram leaving Bowditch Point Park at about 10:35 p.m.

The tram can be hailed from anywhere along its route along Estero Blvd. as well as on Old San Carlos Blvd.

Beach sunset ABOVE RIGHT: Audra Lepper (left to right), Jill Meeker, Twyla Samson, Melissa Lichtman, Michelle Wiley, Tyler Matthews, Debbie Mast and Lori Fam enjoy a recent sunset on Fort Myers Beach./NATHAN MAYBERG and Crescent Street, Clayton said.

The tram service has not been in operation since before Hurricane Ian. In addition, LeeTran offers a trolley service that picks up passengers at the Beach Park & Ride on Main Street and travels over Matanzas Pass Bridge to Bowditch Point Park, Times Square, Santini Plaza and Lovers Key State

Park. The bus route also includes stops at Publix and the Fort Myers Beach Public Library. The cost for the trolley is 75 cents for adults with children 6 and under riding free.

The trolley service runs every 30 minutes beginning at 6:17 a.m. from Beach Park & Ride, with the last stop at 10:47 p.m.

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Fort Myers Beach Observer

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 10 Fort Myers Beach Observer

Town enters into $1.4 million contract for town hall trailers

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

The Town of Fort Myers Beach has contracted with Boxx Modulars for temporary town hall modular trailers at a cost of approximately $1.4 million to replace the town’s current trailers being rented through the state. The trailers will be situated near the Bay Oaks Recreational Campus at 2731 Oak Street.

The four-year contract is expected to cover the timeframe it will take for the town to develop plans and construct a new town hall. The modular trailers, known as a “quad,” are expected to arrive this month.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management had been providing the trailers for the town hall offices since Hurricane Ian at no cost until this summer when the

department began forwarding a monthly bill from the Texas-based firm SLS for $41,258.90.

The agreement for the new trailers includes monthly charges of $22,695 for four players plus additional costs for installation, construction and dismantling.

Fort Myers Beach Director of Operations Frank Kropacek said the town is working with ICS Materials to develop a site plan for where the trailers are going to be installed. Kropacek said “we are in the process of combining the trailers we have on site” at the former Topps supermarket lot owned by the Fort Myers Beach Fire District.

The town has yet to formally discuss plans for a new town hall. The town and Fort Myers Beach Fire District commissioners recently broke off talks to swap the town

hall property with the fire district’s property at the former Topps supermarket lot. The fire commissioners determined that the town hall property was not as suitable for a new fire station as the Topps lot where the town currently has its offices located. Town officials had previously discussed placing the new town hall near its Bay Oaks Recreational Campus.

DeSantis appoints two Lee School Board judges to approves 8% wage bump local courts

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

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

The school board approved the 2023-2024 school year administrative salary schedule at an approximate cost of $4,000,000 Tuesday night.

The item was brought forward by Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier as district staff and administrators worked diligently on the item last 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 AssociationLee County and the 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.

A 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,” Witten 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.”

Lee Schools look to better serve ESOL students

By MEGHAN BRADBURY

news@breezenewspapers.com

A cultural shift in under way to better serve students in the School District of Lee County's English for Speakers of Other Languages program with plans to implement changes in every school.

The goal?

To transform the district’s ESOL department to better serve students in the program, something officials said will not happen overnight.

“It’s going to take time. Your work will speak for itself, and it will spread. Work with the willing at the moment and (it will) start to trickle down,” said ESOL Director Sohira Sarmiento in explaining the initiative at a recent school board meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier said the shift began with the coalition of the willing, who immediately jumped on board.

“All of them will come through this process and will have a plan,” he said.

Sixteen schools, including some charter schools, are still to be included.

Sarmiento, who was born and raised in Miami as a student within the ESOL program, has recently become

the director in the district.

“I am very passionate about it, and it means a lot to me because it’s a full circle moment to help these students,” she said.

The change will be transform the ESOL department.

“I would like to transform the ESOL department — building capacity within our schools. My small team cannot be at every school to teach the child. Transformative change is needed to grow into a world class system that includes ESOL students,” Sarmiento said.

That transformation includes creating a common language around words used to describe and talk about ESOL students. Supporting schools is another way to transform the program.

“The district ESOL specialist and school did not have a clear understanding of supporting schools,” Sarmiento said.

The new vision The new vision of support for schools falls under English Language Learner tiers of support and an action planner.

The tiers include developing an action plan, customized professional learning sessions, targeted planning support for Professional Learning Communities, data

STAFF REPORT Gov. Ron DeSantis recently made a judicial appointment to the 20th Judicial Circuit Court and filled a judicial vacancy in Lee County Court.

Gov. DeSantis appointed Andrew Marcus, of Fort Myers, to the 20th Judicial Circuit Court. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Donald Mason. The court covers Lee County, Charlotte County, Hendry County, Collier County and Glades County.

Marcus has been the Managing Shareholder Gov. Ron DeSantis at the Law Office of Andrew P. Marcus, P.A. since 2018. Previously, he was a Shareholder at Gray Robinson, P.A. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and his juris doctor from the University of Miami, according to a biography released by the office of DeSantis.

DeSantis appointed Kimberly Bocelli, of Fort Myers, to serve as Judge on the Lee County Court.

Bocelli fills the vacancy left by Erik Leontiev, who was elevated by DeSantis to the 20th Judicial Circuit Court.

Bocelli has served as a General Magistrate for Lee County since 2015. Previously, she was an associate attorney for the firm of Roetzel & Andress, LPA. She earned both her bachelor’s degree and juris doctor from the University of Florida. review and progress monitoring meetings as requested by school, classroom visits monitoring instruction, ondemand support, ESOL specialist support visits, modeling lessons and/or interventions and guidance for student small group interventions.

“The action planner is to help guide support given at each school with three focus areas,” she said, adding that there are objectives and goals set up for each area.

The vision also includes the role of the ESOL contact for curriculum and instruction, which includes providing ongoing professional learning, supporting professional learning communities and progress monitoring student achievement data.

“This area is critical and ESOL contacts to grow to See ESOL, page 12

Mr. Waves From page 6 be salvageable. The property would require being build up to new hurricane codes (at a higher elevation) due to the losses being above the 50% rule.

“The hotel dates back to the 1940s. A lot of the things were grandfathered in,”

she said.

The Clarkstons lived in the owner’s suite of the hotel since they purchased the property. “We became friends with our guests,” Mrs. Clarkston said. They now live off island and also work in real

estate.

This is the first time either one has operated a restaurant or bar before.

Clarkston said the toughest part was “building a team.” They spent a year working on building the business after Ian

damaged the property.

“We’re winging it,” Mrs. Clarkston said. “There is nothing better for this location than a bar/restaurant. … This view, looking at the bridge, is priceless.”

Page 11 n Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 fortmyersbeachtalk.com Fort Myers Beach Observer

help capacity in school,” Sarmiento said of ongoing professional learning.

Sarmiento said it’s about shifting the mindset of ESOL contacts and administrators, which is a positive change that goes beyond compliance tasks.

The hope is also to bring two ESOL compliance specialists to six with each zone having two dedicated compliance specialists.

Sarmiento is also applying for an Immigrant Grant to add two support employees who speak Spanish and Haitian Creole to help talk with families, so they receive support while transitioning from other countries.

By the numbers There are currently 18,478 ESOL students enrolled in the district, a number that is always a moving target as students become language proficient and exit the program. The majority of 18,478 students in the ESOL program speak Spanish, with 15,176 students; 1,201 speak Haitian Creole and 586 speak Portuguese.

“It is going to take time for you to develop language — three to five years to get a solid foundation to learn a new language,” Sarmiento said. If we are “not

looking at every child and trying to make best interventions and decisions about them, we will continue to see the cycle we are in.”

Students are reevaluated at their third year to see how they are doing.

Some remain in the program their for their entire education.

There are currently students in the ESOL program that began in kindergarten and are now in high school, she said.

“That should not be the case,” Sarmiento said. “It cannot be language at that point. There is more training that our ESOL contacts need. We can put support in place for these kids.”

The enrollment over the last few years include: ∫ 2020-2021 — 12,414 ∫ 2021-2022 — 15,408 ∫ 2022-2023 — 21,227 ∫ 2023-2024 — 20,582 — the number pending at the summer for the ESOL program.

“This past summer we exited 85 students that performed on grade level during spring 2023 testing season,” she said, explaining why there was a dip at the end of the school year to the start of the year.

Proficiency scores The presentation included testing scores.

FAST testing for Spring 2023 with achievement levels 3,4 and 5 ∫ English Language Arts — English Language Learner of 10.1% compared to non-English Language Learner of 52.9% ∫ Math — grades 3-8 – 30% for ELL and 59% for non-ELL students ∫ Algebra — 15.3% for spring 2023 ∫ Geometry — 13.9% for spring 2023 Sarmiento said they are currently partnering with the elementary curriculum team, executive directors, chief academic officer and deputy superintendent to help train teachers with science in reading with specific modules dedicated to oral language development and language acquisition, which in turn will help start to close the gap.

There is also intervention for other areas, such as math with Imagine Math and after school tutoring sessions in math for elementary and middle school students. For high school students the ESOL department is working with the math curriculum department to provide professional development.

For Next Generation Sunshine State Standards Science for fifth grade students 13% received a level 3-5 in the spring of

2023 and 8% for eighth graders. Fourteen percent were proficient for end of course biology scores in the spring of 2023. In the spring of 2023 13.4% were proficient in U.S. history and 22.1% in seventh and eighth grade civics.

She said there was a significant downward trend in U.S. history and civics, which may be attributed to background knowledge, as well as different government structures from where they grew up.

These students also test on World Class Instructional Design and Assessment standards, which are English Language Proficiency Standards that measure academic language skills. These focus on social and instructional language, language of language arts, language of mathematics, language of science and language of social studies.

The percentage of proficiency levels – four to six – for the 2023 school year: ∫ Listening — 55% compared to 71.82% in 2022 and 72.6% in 2021 ∫ Speaking — 35.02%, compared to 44.52% in 2022 and 44.98% in 2021 ∫ Reading — 16.58%, compared to 13.99% in 2022 and 23.6% in 2021 ∫ Writing — 17.0%, compared to 19.41% in 2022 and 25.38% in 2021 ∫ Overall — 12%, compared to 16% in 2022 and 2021% in 2021.

Fort Myers Beach Observer

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 12

ESOL From page 10

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“We’re talking about the Town of Fort Myers Beach, nailed by a hurricane, we just want to build back some bathrooms. That’s what we’re looking for. We don’t want to put back anything crazy just something that’s a little more resilient than what was there before. We can cashflow it. Can you give us approval? That’s as simple as it is. It doesn’t have to be more complicated than that.”

Brian Hamman Lee County Commissioner (R-District 4)

“I don’t want to delay another 90 days because we don’t have the check," Kevin Ruane Lee County Commissioner (R-District 1)

Ruane asked Harner for a timeline on when the county can receive its approvals and reimbursement. Harner said “We can move as soon as we have approval. That doesn’t mean we have to have the dollars in our hands.”

Ruane said “I don’t want to delay another 90 days because we don’t have the check.”

Pendergrass questioned Harner if the county can utilize Lee County Tourism Development Tax funds as the county has done with other projects in the past to “start that process with those funds and get reimbursed by FEMA later?”

Harner said FEMA won’t reimburse the county if it uses TDT funds for the project. “We have to wait on approval from FEMA before we move forward but they won’t reimburse us if we use TDT dollars,” he said.

Hamman called that “nonsensical.”

Harner then asked Lee County Assistant Manager Glenn Salyer to comment. Salyer said “We can cashflow the project through TDT but we do need FEMA approval for the project itself.”

Hamman asked Salyer to reach out to a local FEMA representative to meet with the county commissioners “so we can tell

them how important this is to us.”

Hamman said “Some of the things that I hear that FEMA won’t let us do or is dragging their feet on doesn’t make sense to me because I don’t understand why that helps America. … We’re talking about the Town of Fort Myers Beach, nailed by a hurricane, we just want to build back some bathrooms. That’s what we’re looking for. We don’t want to put back anything crazy just something that’s a little more resilient than what was there before.

We can cashflow it. Can you give us approval? That’s as simple as it is. It doesn’t have to be more complicated than that.”

Harner said “we will make our best effort” on replacing the facilities.

According to a spokesperson for FEMA, the Lynn Hall Memorial Park Repairs Project started on Oct. 11 “and is actively being worked on. Currently, FEMA Public Assistance is verifying information provided by the applicant.”

The portable restrooms project has “moved forward to a review of impacts and eligibility,” a FEMA spokesperson said. “This step ensures the project meets eligibility requirements.”

The county’s pier project is being reviewed for eligibility as part of FEMA’s hazard mitigation assistance. Hazard Mitigation are actions taken to reduce the risks of future storm damage.

According to FEMA, all of the projects are moving forward. The process involves scoping, costing, eligibility determination, environmental and other reviews.

Meanwhile, the parking lot at Lynn See COMMISSIONERS, page 14

Fort Myers Beach Observer

Commissioner Brian Hamman (R-District 4) said.

Hamman said the bathrooms are “very valuable” to Lynn Hall Memorial Park as a parent.

Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane (R-District 1) said “It’s a longterm investment. It’s one we’ve had. I don’t see how we go backwards.”

Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass (R-District 2) said he supported rebuilding the pier and the bathrooms “as soon as possible and help make it more resilient, bigger and taller.”

Lee County Manager David Harner said “We are waiting on FEMA.” Hoerner said the pier is “a priority” and he expects plans for the Fort Myers Beach Pier to come first, followed by plans for the restroom facility. “We would have to work on the town on permitting issues but we’ll address that as we move forward based on direction from the board,” he said.

Pendergrass asked what the wait was on FEMA. Harner said the county was waiting on “replacement costs and resiliency dollars.”

Pendergrass asked Harner if the county has begun planning and designing for the replacement work. “Are we still already working ahead of that process as far as design and started applying for the permitting for that so we don’t have to wait for that?”

Harner replied that “We have to wait.

We can’t move that process forward in order to receive the funds. As soon as we receive the funds, then we can move forward.”

Page 13 n Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 fortmyersbeachtalk.com

Commissioners From page 1

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 14

Tolls From page 1 Woodson said that “I’m not saying that they don’t get a toll at all but it could be a different pricing.”

Veach said the discount for Sanibel toll users was through the state. “There is a discount if you have so much but that is from the state. That is for every toll,” he said.

Veach said Woodson’s proposal would mean that “everybody who lives here is

going to pay a toll every time they come on and off.”

Woodson’s proposal would require county and state approval due to the bridges not being owned by the town. Veach said he didn’t believe the town can approve the tolls without the approvals of the county and state.

Reached after the meeting, Fort Myers

FILE PHOTO

Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane (R-District 1)

Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said “I am opposed to any tolls to enter or exit Fort Myers Beach.”

Councilmember John King said that “I’m always willing to listen to proposals, but at this time I could not support a toll for the bridges.”

A message left for Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers was not returned as of

press time.

In 2005, Town of Fort Myers Beach voters approved in a referendum by a vote of 72% to 28% to require a referendum by voters on any initiation of bridge tolls on Fort Myers Beach before the town council could institute them.

NATHAN MAYBERG

Lee County commissioners have urged management to make the replacement of the Lynn Hall Memorial Park restroom facility a priority.

Fort Myers Beach Observer

Commissioners From page 13 Hall Memorial Park remains pitch black

at night due to a lack of any lights. The

lights at the busy intersection at Estero Boulevard and Old San Carlos Boulevard have not yet been replaced either leaving those exiting downtown businesses

around Times Square in darkness at night.

Page 15 n Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 fortmyersbeachtalk.com

Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 16

Page 17 n Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Bridge project From page 1

See BRIDGE PROJECT, page 18

NATHAN MAYBERG

fortmyersbeachtalk.com

removed by county plans after what county officials describe as concerns by the Florida Department of Transportation for endangered sawfish and threatened sea turtles.

The original bridge plans eliminated fishing from the draw bridge as the height was raised from 23 feet to a 60foot fixed-span bridge.

However, the new bridge included plans for a fishing pier below the deck, following an appeal from former Fort Myers Beach Mayor Ray Murphy to allow room for fishermen.

It now turns out the fishing pier will not be constructed after all.

According to Clayton, the county was notified of concerns from the Florida Department of Transportation that the new fishing pier “results in a concentration of bait occurring in a relatively confined area, which attracts predatory fishes, including smalltooth sawfishes, with the potential consequence of incidental sawfish catch on hook and line gear. Because the fishing pier would be located just outside of the Charlotte Harbor Critical Habitat Unit for sawfish, it would be in one of the two areas in Florida with the highest densities of sawfishes, greatly increasing the chance of incidental catch at the fishing pier.”

Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 18 Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

Bridge project From page 17 Clayton said in a that the letter National Marine Fisheries Services “has found that fishing piers in the Gulf of Mexico report incidental catch of sea turtles on a regular basis. The incidental catch of either smalltooth sawfishes or sea turtles would be considered ‘take’ under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Incidental catch of these species could result in injury, mortality, stress, or otherwise reduce the fitness of individuals and hamper the recovery of their populations overall.”

Clayton said the “length of the process and uncertainty around approval are problematic, so the county is no longer pursuing the permit to build it at this time as part of this current project.”

Lee County District 3 Commissioner Ray Sandelli, whose district includes Fort Myers Beach, could not be reached for comment.

Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said he was “thankful the sidewalks on the bridge now being constructed will be demonstrably wider for both bikes and pedestrians. My hope is when the bridge is completed, it will have an easy access point to Lovers Key Park for those who walk or bike over from Fort Myers Beach.”

The removal of fishing from the bridge

NATHAN MAYBERG

currently leaves Fort Myers Beach fishermen with few options on the island to fish from bridges or piers. The Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier has been closed since Hurricane Ian and is not expected to be rebuilt for at least another three to four years. Another fishing pier near Matanzas Pass which was maintained by the Florida Department of Transportation, was removed before Hurricane Ian. The fishing pier off Fishermans Wharf on San Carlos Island has been closed off since damage from Hurricane Ian. The Big Carlos Pass Bridge Replacement Project was originally estimated to have a cost of between $49 million and $56 million though the most recent estimates are more than $90 million. Federal funds will cover $25 million of the work.

Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers didn’t return a message seeking comment.

WHERE TO GO

WHAT TO DO

WHO TO SEE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 15, 2023

VISIT US ONLINE FORTMYERSBEACHTALK.COM

Christmas Boat Parade to return —Page 21

Beach Kids Foundation toy drive returns

By NATHAN MAYBERG

T

nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

he Beach Kids Foundation, which raises funds for the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School, will be renewing its holiday toy drive for Fort Myers Beach families at a time of renewed need a year after Hurricane Ian. “We have started our annual holiday toy drive, where the charity hopes to help raise thousands of dollars worth of gifts for all of the families of Fort Myers Beach

through the next several weeks,” Beach Kids Foundation Board member Melissa Schneider said.

Last year, after Hurricane Ian, the organization purchased hundreds of gifts through its Amazon Wishlist with the help of the Fort Myers Beach Community.

“We would love to keep up that momentum to continue this long-standing holiday tradition this year,” Schneider said.

The Beach Kids Foundation also helps aid the Fort

insidetoday Pet Pals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Myers Beach Elementary School with its needs. The foundation recently raised more than $2,000 for the school at a cornhole tournament held at the Beach Bar. The Fort Myers Beach Elementary School is on target to reopen in early December.

If interested in aiding the Beach Kids Foundation toy drive contact fmbkidsfoundation@gmail.com or visit the foundation's Facebook page at Facebook.com/beachkidsfoundationinc.

Sports & Recreation . . . . .24

What’s Happening . . . . . . .22

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 20 Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

Free legal clinic for seniors returns to Fort Myers A Fort Myers-based legal nonprofit is hosting a free limited legal advice presentation on adult guardianships at the downtown library Thursday.

Law at the Library is a quarterly conversation sponsored

by Lee County Legal Aid Society with support from AARP Foundation. The next session is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Fort Myers Regional Library meeting room, 1651 Lee St., Fort Myers 33901.

A panel of three local attorneys will discuss the guardianship process: Lisa Gelman of the Martin Law Firm; Beth Prather of Green Schoenfeld & Kyle, and Amy McGarry, followed by an audience question-and-answer session and 20-minute individual appointments on any legal issue.

Advance registration is required. Participants should email Nanci@leecountylegalaid.org with contact information, a brief description of the legal advice being sought, and

any relevant documents.

“Civil legal aid is absolutely essential to level the playing field for those who don’t have the individual resources to hire private counsel,” said Andrew Banyai, Legal Aid Society’s executive director. “We welcome the opportunity to again focus our community outreach on issues of elder law with the generous support of the AARP Foundation.”

Unlike in criminal law, there is no constitutional right to counsel in civil law, which includes landlord-tenant disputes, foreclosures, evictions, probate, debt collection, child custody cases, domestic violence orders of protection and more.

Law at the Library follows a similar series of free legal workshops “Just for Seniors” offered Lee County Legal Aid Society in prior years through support from The Community Foundation.

For more information on Lee County Legal Aid Society, visit leecountylegalaid.org or call 239-334-6118.

About Lee County Legal Aid Society Founded in 1967, Lee County Legal Aid Society is a private, nonprofit organization that provides no-cost civil legal aid to low-income residents of Lee County. The organization helps narrow the access to justice gap among those who cannot afford a private attorney in civil cases. In partnership with the Lee County Clerk of the Court, Lee County Legal Aid Society offers free, 20-minute “self-help” legal clinics that pair attorneys in private practice with those in need of legal services. Unlike in criminal law, there is no Constitutional right to counsel in civil law, which includes landlord-tenant disputes, foreclosures, evictions, probate, debt collection, child custody cases, domestic violence orders of protection and more

By NATHAN MAYBERG

nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com

FILE PHOTO

The Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade will return to Salty Sam's Marina on Dec. 2. encourages visitors to come early and support the recovering businesses on Fort Myers Beach by enjoying a late lunch or early dinner. For information on who is open, visit: www.fortmyersbeach.org/whos-open-for-business.

The best options for parade viewing are along the pedestrian walkway atop Matanzas Pass Bridge, at the shoreline by Bayside Park at the base of Old San Carlos, all bars, and restaurants long the back bay areas, aboard private vessels in the bay area and from numerous homes along the waterway. Attendees are asked to be respectful and kind to other parade viewers, take a moment to support our area businesses and enjoy the holiday season.

“We anticipate that the evening will be a huge boost to the businesses in the area. Being able to present an event that not only helps businesses, island workers and residents but one that gets us back on the track to normal

feels really good,” Liszak said.

To vote for the People’s Choice Award the night of the parade, visit People’s Choice voting information, www.fmbboatparade.com.

In a change this year, there will not be an awards party directly after the parade but it will follow the following Wednesday on Dec. 6 at Parrot Key Carribean Grill at Salty Sam’s Marina. Parade participants will be in attendance to accept awards and the general public is welcome to join them for a $5 donation. Complimentary h'dourves that evening and a cash bar. The party will take place from 6 to 8 p.m.

Liszak said the boat parade needs more boats to enter the parade and encouraged those interested in participating to get their applications in.

For more information, contact the Fort Myers Beach Chamber at 239.454.7500 or visit www.fortmyersbeach.com.

Refuge to host ‘Daydreaming’ exhibit The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel will host Niki Butcher's “Daydreaming” exhibition in the free Visitor & Education Center Auditorium from Dec. 21 through Feb. 25.

She specializes in hand-painted black-and-white photography glorifying nature’s beauty. Spouse of worldrenowned wildlife photographer Clyde Butcher, Butcher has made a name for herself capturing the splendor and authenticity of special places and people. She finds beauty not only in nature but also in the historical buildings and interesting people who inhabit the landscapes.

Inspired by the hand-painted postcards of the 1930s, Butcher’s first started painting her black-and-white photographs in the 1980s. Using her own photographs, oil paints, Q-tips and cotton balls, she turned landscapes into dreamscapes and reality into fantasy. Today, Butcher uses a similar technique to paint digitally.

“This is Niki’s first traveling exhibit, and we are the second showing of it,” “Ding” Darling Wildlife SocietyFriends of the Refuge Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman said. “It is a unique opportunity to view this exhibition before it begins its touring exhibition schedule.”

Butcher will mount about 50 of her original works and prints. Prints will be available for sale through the Refuge Nature Store, whose profits benefit education and conservation at the refuge.

The DDWS support the refuge exhibitions.

The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel.

REFUGE/DDWS

Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

The Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade is set to return, the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce announced. The parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m. leaving from Salty Sam’s Marina at 2500 Main Street in Fort Myers Beach.

This will be the 35th anniversary of the annual Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade and the first since 2021. Last year’s boat parade was canceled due to Hurricane Ian. “Things are progressing very well,” Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce President Jacki Liszak said. “We have 10 boats signed up with more coming in each day.”

Parade participant vessels will assemble in front of the docks at Salty Sam’s Marina at 5:30 p.m. At 6 p.m, the boats will begin to leave Salty Sam’s Marina going past Parrot Key Caribbean Grill heading northwest passing by Erickson & Jensen seafood, the shrimp fleet, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Dixie Fish, Bonita Bill’s Waterfront Cafe, then heading under the Matanzas Pass Bridge.

They will travel past the Coast Guard station and the homes along the back bay through Estero Pass, Hurricane Pass and into Pelican Pass behind San Carlos Island. After traveling through Pelican Pass and circling Pelican Island, they will turn back through Estero Pass and into San Carlos Bay heading toward the Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina. The parade will turn south in front of the Pink Shell and head back toward the Matanzas Pass bridge. The boats will travel past Moss Marina, Snug Harbor and Nervous Nellies going back under the Matanzas Pass Bridge. After passing Matanzas on the Bay and Petey’s Upper Deck, boats will continue south along the Fort Myers Beach (Estero Island) shoreline and then cross the Matanzas Harbor mooring field toward Salty Sam’s. Depending on time, the parade may make another short loop around the Back Bay area.

“Folks are super excited for the evening and we know that it will bring with it a hefty dose of holiday spirit which we all need,” Liszak said.

The two lead Chamber boats will carry the Chamber’s Board of Directors, ambassadors and others including Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Music and MC services on the lead boat will be provided by local beach musician and resident Barry Lawrence. Adventures in Paradise will provide the lead boats.

The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce

Page 21 n Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 fortmyersbeachtalk.com

Christmas Boat Parade to return

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 22 Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

WHAT’S HAPPENING Shell Point to host annual Holiday Craft Bazaar Nov. 15-16 Shell Point is hosting an annual Holiday Craft Bazaar today, Nov. 15 and Thursday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in The Village Church at 15100 Shell Point Blvd., Fort Myers.

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

Admission to the Holiday Craft Bazaar is free and open to the public. After shopping, guests can enjoy a meal at one of Shell Point’s on-site restaurants. For more information, visit www.ShellPoint.org.

Edison and Ford Winter Estates to host Annual Autumn Garden Festival On Nov. 18 and 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Edison and Ford Winter Estates will hold its annual Autumn Garden Festival. More than 50 garden vendors from around the state will have exotic and native plants and trees for sale. The festival takes place outdoors, under large shade trees and features plant vendors, garden art, gardening supplies, food trucks and live music. The event is sponsored by Zion Healing Center.

Vendors will have many types of plants and trees, including air plants, bromeliads, butterfly plants, cacti, fruit trees, herbs, hibiscus, orchids, palms, succulents, and many hardto-find species. Vendors will also offer garden supplies, such as flowerpots, fertilizer and worm castings.

In addition, the Garden Shoppe will be open and offers visitors a large selection of unusual tropical and Florida native plants that thrive in Southwest Florida. Ceramic flowerpots, vegetable and flower seeds, garden art, and gardening gift items will be available for purchase. Edison Ford members receive a discount on all Garden Shoppe purchases.

A limited number of garden carts will be available, so guests are encouraged to bring a cart or wagon for transporting plants. A designated plant holding tent and loading spot will be offered for anyone needing assistance. Parking and admission to the festival is free (tours of the homes, museum and laboratory are not included). For more information, visit edisonford.org.

Edison and Ford Winter Estates is at 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.

‘Popcorn Falls’ now playing at the Off Broadway Palm The Off Broadway Palm Theatre presents “Popcorn Falls” playing through Nov. 18. Written by James Hindman, “Popcorn Falls” is a mile-a-minute two man show that proves art can save the world.

Welcome to Popcorn Falls, a sleepy American town that is forced into bankruptcy when their only claim to fame, their namesake waterfall, dries up. Their only hope is a chance for a grant – if they can open a theater and put on a play! Just two actors play over twenty roles in this farce that BroadwayWorld called a “laugh-out-loud comedic genius.”

The Off Broadway Palm is an intimate theatre, located off of the main lobby at Broadway Palm.

Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings with selected matinees. Ticket prices range from $55 to $70 with discounts available for groups of 20 or more.

Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling 239-278-4422, visiting BroadwayPalm.com or in person at 1380 Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers.

Alliance for the Arts presents Clown Bar Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts (AFTA) brings back the popular performance Clown Bar this November. An experience like no other, this

clown noir play transforms the Foulds Theatre into an interactive, immersive bar. Drinks will be available for purchase, served by hilarious, yet frightening, gangster clowns.

Audiences follow along with the main clown, Happy, as his brother, Timmy, is found dead. Now Happy must return to his former life as a clown to ask a few questions. But will Happy be able to go home again without getting sucked into the seedy clown underbelly of vice and violence?

Performances are Nov. 9-10, 16-18, 24-25 at 7:30 p.m. and 19, 26 at 2 p.m. with the bar opening 45 minutes prior to show start. All performances sold out last season, so tickets are expected to be in high demand.

Tickets are $27 for members and $32 for nonmembers. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the box office at 239-939-2787, visit us in person at 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, or go online at www.artinlee.org/Theatre.

Fort Myers Brewing to host Thanksgiving Eve Bash Nov. 22 Fort Myers Brewing Company is kicking off Thanksgiving weekend with its popular Thanksgiving Eve Bash, featuring specialty beer releases, food trucks and live music with extended hours from noon to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22.

On tap for Thanksgiving Eve Bash are several of Fort Myers Brewing’s popular seasonal brews, including Keg Nog, an eggnog-inspired Imperial Stout; 2 Star’s Wish, a traditional Christmas ale spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon, orange and vanilla; Pumpkin Porter, a porter with a touch of allspice, nutmeg and clove; and Cranberry Shandy, a slightly tart cranberry wheat beer blended with lemonade.

The event includes a food truck rally spotlighting Don’t Give Up, Soky’s Kitchen, Vesuvius Wood-Fired Pizza and Wicked Streatery.

Guests can enjoy live and DJ’d music throughout the day with performances from DJ Memphis from 4 to 7 p.m. and Rock Republic from 7 to 10 p.m.

Fort Myers Brewing Company is at 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Suite 28, in Fort Myers. For more information, visit FMBrew.com or call 239-313-6576. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, as seats tend to fill up quickly.

The brewery is closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Holiday Wreath Auction at Edison and Ford Winter Estates Edison and Ford Winter Estates is partnering with the Fort Myers Woman's Community Club for its annual wreath auction, which will be held on Nov. 30, from 6-9 p.m. Dozens of handmade holiday wreaths will be auctioned, with the proceeds benefitting restoration and preservation efforts at the Estates. The event is sponsored

by Riverview Wealth Partners of Raymond James.

The auction will take place in the Estates' river pavilion, along the Caloosahatchee. Guests will be able to stroll the decorated grounds and enjoy the animated lights and decorations during Holiday Nights, and appetizers and a cash bar will be available.

Tickets for the wreath auction are $20 per person and include Holiday Nights admission and appetizers.

Advance, online registration is required by Nov. 22 at EdisonFord.org.

Edison and Ford Winter Estates is at 2350 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.

Fort Myers Brewing announces Winterfest set for Dec. 14-17 Fort Myers Brewing Company has announced the dates for its annual winter celebration, Winterfest, to take place Thursday, Dec. 14 through Sunday, Dec. 17.

The event will feature four days of beer releases, food trucks, live music, a holiday night market featuring local handcrafted items, and a festive “Movie in the Parking Lot” screening of The Grinch. Fort Myers Brewing will have its popular Keg Nog on tap, a holiday-inspired imperial stout, along with other festive drinks to be announced. There will also be plenty of free photo opportunities with Santa and the Grinch for attendees and their furry friends.

The event will have local food truck favorites Wicked Streatery, King’s Tacos & Burritos, Don’t Give Up and more. There will be live music from Hat Trick, Briz & Lady, Brian Markley, Jeff Lyons and others throughout the weekend.

Taproom hours will vary each day of the event. The full event schedule and beer lineup will be announced in the coming weeks.

Winterfest will be held at Fort Myers Brewing Company, located at 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Suite 28, in Fort Myers. For more information, visit FMBrew.com or call 239-313-6576. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, as seats tend to fill up quickly.

Fort Myers Brewing will also host a variety of other holiday happenings throughout the month of December, including photos with Santa and Christmas ornament painting for kids and adults. For more details and the brewery’s latest schedule, visit FMBrew.com.

‘Celebration in the Sky’ largest fireworks show in Southwest Florida, comes to Seminole Casino Hotel Jan. 13 Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee will light up the sky with “Celebration in the Sky,” Saturday, Jan. 13 at 9 p.m. The fireworks display will be choreographed to lights and a custom soundtrack. Violinist Timothee Lovelock, who is nationally recognized for his one-of-akind violin and DJ shows, will perform.

Attendees are strongly encouraged to arrive early.

Parking at Seminole Casino Hotel will be limited, with clearly identified overflow parking nearby. All ages are welcome and admission is free. Guests should bring their own chairs to the viewing area for the show. Food and beverage options will be available for purchase at the event.

“Celebration in the Sky” is the largest land-based fireworks show in Southwest Florida. The show is produced

by Zambelli Fireworks, one of the largest fireworks companies in the world. A traditional outdoor Zambelli Fireworks production is a complete sensory experience unlike anything else! Zambelli’s productions are some of the largest in the world, and their displays include a variety of shells and high-intensity multi-shot devices that awe and inspire.

For more information, call toll-free 800-218-0007 or visit moreinparadise.com or facebook.com/Seminole CasinoHotel/.

Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is at 506 South 1st Street in Immokalee.

Al-Anon, Al-Ateen meetings Are you concerned with a friend or family member's drinking? Let us help.

Call our 24-hour helpline at 941-564-5098 or visit www.SouthFloridaAl-Anon.org. Meetings are held every day in Lee County.

Al-Ateen meetings are also offered for ages 10-18.

The Fort Myers Beach Observer & Beach Bulletin welcomes news from our community!

Send news tips & releases to news@breezenewspapers.com

Find A Home Give A Home Pet Rescue

Spud and Blue Spud is a pure funny little Pom Pom. Just a year old and lots of spunk. He and his brother are totally cute both were born Nov. 27, 2022 and both weigh 5 pounds. If you like Poms, they are for you.

They can be separated and will do fine. Spud is the larger one and loves to prince around. Blue (his brother is more timid and has a blue eye which makes him totally cool).

Both are adorable and love to be picked up and carried around. They sleep together of course but also love to be by themselves.

Fun little guys who love to hop in the grass. Both are vaccinated and microchipped and will be neutered.

Belle

Keep calm and kiss the beagle! If you are stressed there is nothing better than kissing a beagle! Belle is fun and loves to play with all the dogs and toys of course. If you ever had a beagle you know they are something else. She was born April 17, 2023. This special little Belle will keep you young and entertained. She is up to date on vaccines, microchipped and will be spayed.

Please note our new PO Box #864, Bonita Springs, Fl 34133 You can also make a donation at www.findahomegiveahome.com using the donation tab using PayPal Please make sure you do it through “Friends and Family” so there is no fee and all the donation comes to us directly.

Save Our Strays Feline Rescue Fort Myers Beach

Spotlight on tuxedo pair Nan and Fran

By Jo Knobloch Saveourstraysfmb@yahoo.com Founder of Save Our Strays Cat Rescue a 501c3 organization on Fort Myers Beach

Time is running out for Nan and Fran as they no longer will have a foster home. They are a beautiful pair of female siblings that need to be adopted together. They are very sweet and are only 2 years old. If you are looking to adopt a wonderful pair, Nan and Fran are it. Please call us for more info at 239-8513485.

We have many kittens also available for adoption ranging in age from 9 weeks to 9 months. All colors. Need volunteers to come to the rescue to play with them. Please call us at 239-851-3485 if you have some time to come and be entertained by these active little ones. The adults also like to be played with.

***We are happy to announce that we have our web page up and running. It is SaveOurStraysfmb.org. By the end of this week we will have PayPal also set up on the web site for donations.

We are also in the process of setting up fundraisers

during season. If you would like to help in setting up and or volunteering at the fundraisers please let us know as it takes a lot of volunteers and we are hoping to bring back our quarter auction as well as silent auction.

Visit our website at SaveOurStraysfmb.org Check out our facebook page Save our Strays Feline Rescue Email us at saveourstraysfmb@yahoo.com. Cat donations can be sent to: P.O. Box 5014, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33932

Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

Follow us on Facebook at Find A Home Give A Home Pet Rescue and see all the amazing pets we saved these past few months

Page 23 n Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 fortmyersbeachtalk.com

PET PALS

Island pets seeking forever homes

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 24 Fort Myers Beach Bulletin

Guadalupe Center needs donations to restock Holiday Gift Shop Guadalupe Center has begun restocking its Holiday Gift Shop, a winter wonderland that provides a unique shopping experience for hundreds of Immokalee families.

Through Monday, Dec. 4, Guadalupe Center will accept new, unwrapped donations of age-appropriate toys, games and gifts for needy recipients ranging in age from infants through teenagers, as well as monetary donations.

The education-focused nonprofit’s annual Holiday Gift Shop provides gifts for more than 2,000 Guadalupe Center students and their siblings based on financial need. Eligible parents can hand-select gifts for their children in mid-December.

“So many families in Immokalee are struggling financially, and the Holiday Gift Shop ensures that every child has presents to unwrap as they celebrate the holiday season,” said Guadalupe Center President and CEO Dawn Montecalvo.

In addition to generous individual donors and couples, Guadalupe Center also partners with local businesses, residential communities and civic groups to make the Holiday Gift Shop a success.

Age-appropriate gift suggestions include: Infants and toddlers (0-2 years) ∫ Popular: activity, light-up and musical toys ∫ Top brands: Step2, Baby Einstein and LeapFrog ∫ Also requested: infant gyms and bouncers, rattles, teething toys, baby dolls of various ethnicities, stacking rings, sit-to-stand push toys and bath toys Preschool-age children (3-5 years) ∫ Popular: Play sets (toy kitchen, toolbox and doctor’s kit) and remote-controlled toys (cars, robots and dinosaurs) ∫ Top brands: LEGO, Hot Wheels, Disney, Sesame Street, Marvel, Shimmer & Shine, Paw Patrol and PJ Masks ∫ Also requested: building blocks, VTech and LeapFrog interactive learning toys, Play-Doh, dolls of

∫ Top brands: Amazon, Target, Walmart, Dunkin’, McDonald’s, Ulta Beauty and GameStop ∫ Also requested: Fujifilm Instax cameras and film, Hydro Flask or Stanley water bottles, hygiene sets, tiedye kits, portable chargers and power banks, board games and bracelet-making kits Donations are accepted during normal business hours at three locations in Collier County: Guadalupe Resale Shop (12980 Tamiami Trail N., Unit 10, in Naples); Guadalupe Center’s Philanthropy Office (2640 Golden Gate Parkway, Suite 205, in Naples); and Guadalupe Center’s van Otterloo Family Campus for Learning (3655 Westclox St. in Immokalee). Additionally, Guadalupe Center created an Amazon Wish List featuring hundreds of the most-requested items: 2023 Guadalupe Center Holiday Gift Shop.

For more information or to arrange a gift drop-off, please contact Elizabeth Cuevas at ECuevas@GuadalupeCenter.org or call 239-944-9988.

various ethnicities, toy cars and trucks, and Fisher-Price Little People activity sets School-age children (6-11 years) ∫ Popular: Arts and crafts sets ∫ Top brands: Shopkins, Hatchimals, Pokémon, Disney, Marvel and Minecraft ∫ Also requested: cars and trucks, LOL Surprise and Polly Pocket toys of various ethnicities, superhero action figures, magnetic construction sets, musical instruments, sports gear, science lab kits, riding toys and board games Pre-teens and Teenagers (12-18 years) ∫ Popular: Gift cards ($25 denomination is most common)

About Guadalupe Center Established in 1984, Guadalupe Center provides high-quality, lifechanging educational programs to more than 1,900 students annually. Recognized nationally as a model for nonprofits serving students from low-income, rural communities, Guadalupe Center is creating a cycle of prosperity through education for students and families in Immokalee. The organization offers three highly successful programs – the nationally accredited Early Childhood Education Program, After-school Tutoring & Summer Enrichment Program and college-preparatory Tutor Corps Program – that foster personal and academic success leading to economic independence. Platinumrated by GuideStar, Guadalupe Center is generously supported by private donors, philanthropic organizations and community partners. For more information, please visit GuadalupeCenter.org or call 239-657-7711.

SPORTS & RECREATION Local Red Sox scholarship application open The Boston Red Sox Foundation will award $5,000 scholarships in the spring to one deserving student from each of the 15 public high schools in Lee County.

Lee County charter and ALS schools are also included with one $5,000 scholarship to be awarded, for a total of 16 scholarships worth $80,000.

The scholarships are for academically talented students who have shown a commitment to community service and are pursuing a two- or four-year degree at any college or university.

Scholarship funds are raised annually from proceeds of the Red Sox annual Swings for the Sox Golf Tournament. To date, it has raised $530,000 for the scholarship program.

Applications are open at https://www.redsoxfoundation.org/leecountyscholarship/.

Applications should be submitted to flscholarships@redsox.com.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 12.

7th Annual Cape Coral Animal Shelter Golf Classic Nov. 18 The 7th Annual Cape Coral Animal Shelter Golf Classic will be held place Saturday, Nov. 18, at Coral Oaks Golf Course, 1800 N.W. 28th Ave., Cape Coral.

The shotgun start is at 8:30 a.m. Check in, breakfast and Sun Rise Sippers open at 7:30 a.m.

Registration includes breakfast, Sun Rise Sipper drinks, on-course beverages, snacks, luncheon, golfer goodie bag, raffles and top award prizes

Participants are urged to bring cash for the games and raffles – there will be a 50/50 and gift basket raffles!

Register at https://capecoralanimalshelter.networkforgood.com/events/47860-7th-annual-ccas-golf-classic When registering online, please enter info for all players including name, email and shirt size.

For additional information about the annual golf tournament, please call 239-573-2002.

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Fort Myers Beach Observer

fortmyersbeachtalk.com Week of Wednesday, November 15, 2023 n Page 28

Observer 11/15/23

Observer 11/15/23