Grandeur Magazine December 2019 by Grandeur Magazine

| CELEBRATING THE GOOD LIFE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

DECEMBER 2019

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| INSIDE |

DECEMBER 2019

CONTENTS 16 GRAND FACES

Pam Cronin led the Shell Factory from aging roadside attraction to booming must-see; Kristen Peterson launched A Mom’s Helping Hand to support single mothers

20 MODEL BEHAVIOR

The Lauren, a model home by Florida Lifestyle Homes in Babcock Ranch, charms with old school design elements

24 DINING

With elegance and quality high on the menu, Veranda E at The Escalante is on its way to a Michelin star

29 COVER STORY

We’ve compiled a grand list of holiday gifts, from affordable-but-fabulous to over-the-top luxurious

42 PETS

Four Persian cats entertain customers and crowds in downtown Naples at the Wind in the Willows shop

56 RIDE

A car buff since he was a kid, Hank Feinberg shares the gems currently in his stable: two Bentleys and two Fords

14 ALSO INSIDE 12 Editor’s Letter 14 The Colors Pages 40 Wine & Spirits 49 Getaway

54 Style 62 Make it a Double 69 Grand Times 74 Next Month

56 GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 7

| STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS |

CELEBRATING THE GOOD LIFE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

ON THE COVER Unwrap our exclusive holiday gift guide and discover unique items to celebrate the loved ones in your life on page 29.

VOLUME 18, NUMBER 3 | PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK Editor | General Manager Art Director Associate Editor Production Director Contributing writers Contributing photographers

Kathryn Robinson Kinsey, kkinsey@gannett.com Lindi Daywalt-Feazel, ldaywalt@gannett.com Pamela Hayford, phayford@gannett.com Dennis Wright, drwright@gannett.com Gina Birch, Jennifer Thomas, Anne Reed, Lance Shearer, Andrea Stetson Alex Driehaus, Amanda Inscore, Ricardo Rolon, Brian Tietz, Andrew West.

VP Regional Sales William R. Barker President Sales, The News-Press Nancy M. Solliday President Sales, Naples Daily News Shawna Devlin Advertising Account Executives Gloria Estrada-Page, gestrada@gannett.com Nicole Holey, nholey@gannett.com

Director Circulation Distribution Jim Keeble Circulation Support and Logistics Manager Cheryl Cushman, ccushman@gannett.com Distribution Manager Brian Franz, branz@gannett.com

ILLUSTRATION GETTY IMAGES, ADAPTED BY LINDI DAYWALT-FEAZEL

Grandeur is published 8 times a year by The NewsPress, a Gannett company. Complimentary copies are home delivered to News-Press subscribers in select neighborhoods throughout Lee and Collier counties. Copies are also inserted into Sunday editions of The News-Press in Collier county â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in newsstands only. Subscriptions to the magazine are $24.95, and single copies are available at The News-Press offices and at various locations throughout Lee and Collier counties. To read the free e-edition visit grandeurmagazine.com. To advertise: 239-335-0457 To subscribe: 239-335-0211 To reach the editor: editor@grandeurmagazine.com

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| ONLINE |

You can explore the Grand life anywhere you go with our mobile-friendly website. From galas and fine dining to the amazing homes of Southwest Florida.

GOLDEN RIND CHEESE & WINE N

A family of foodies has opened Golden Rind Cheese & Wine in south Fort Myers.

hen Daun Dessak took her then-8year-old son, Jeff, to the famed Murray’s Cheese on Bleecker Street in Manhattan, she had no idea it would one day change their family’s life.

“He was completely in awe,” Daun says of the visit. “He looked at me with these huge eyes and said, ‘Mom, I could live here.’” Two decades later, the Dessaks have a cheese shop all their own. The family opened

Golden Rind Cheese & Wine November 1 in south Fort Myers. The 1,300-square-foot store sits in the same plaza as Melting Pot and Norman Love Confections on McGregor Boulevard between College Parkway and Cypress Lake Drive.

— STORY BY ANNABELLE TOMETICH

Visit grandeurmagazine.com/food-drink/goldenrind-cheese-wine to read the full story.

10 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

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| EDITOR'S LETTER |

sually by this time during the holidays, I’ve already pulled my Christmas decorations out of storage and filled my home with holiday cheer from room to room (including the patio), had my tree up and fully decorated since the day after Thanksgiving, gone through no less than two sets of pine-scented candles and had at least half my presents purchased and ready to give my loved ones. But as I write this letter, I

Kathryn poses in an Oscar de la Renta beaded silk gown provided by Saks Fifth Avenue, Waterside Shops, Naples. MAKEUP BY: Ina Zeineddine PHOTO BY: Brian Tietz LOCATION: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa

haven’t even given it a thought. Despite this slow start, I’m still excited to celebrate the holiday season. It’s a time of year that brings people together, allows us to reflect on the past year and look forward to what might be ahead in the new year. As we approach the close of 2019, I find myself looking back at all the wonderful moments, milestones and accomplishments I’ve experienced both personally and professionally. This is the year the much-loved Naomi Rose joined our family, forever filling our hearts with love. It’s the year my first-born granddaughter, Marilyn Grace, turned 2 and with that came her fun, expressive personality that brings a smile to my face each time I think of her or when we FaceTime, and her eyes light up as I appear on the phone screen. In 2019 I was also determined to slow down and enjoy the small things — dinner with friends, weekend retreats, binge watching my favorite shows — and to brush off the professional pressures that can consume me. I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist. I may not have totally succeeded in that last goal, but I truly believe I’m on the right path to making 2020 the year of change. As I look forward, I’m excited to welcome a third granddaughter in January, extend my weekend retreats to weeklong excursions and continue to spend time with my expanding family, close friends and loving partner. And Grandeur will continue to explore the grand life in Southwest Florida with stories that take you inside stunning homes and the finest dining establishments. We will continue to introduce you to movers and shakers, take you inside galas, and even highlight our most famous pets. This season, and always, I’m grateful to the past and excited for the future. I hope the same for each of you. See you next year!

KATHRYN ROBINSON KINSEY EDITOR & GENERAL MANAGER

12 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

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GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 13

| THE COLOR PAGES |

Pining for perfection

• The new Perry small satchel, Tory Burch’s interpretation of the bowler bag in rich pebbled leather, complements the season in pine tree green. Roomy yet compact, it’s versatile for any holiday outing. $498, toryburch.com.

Let it snow

• In pure white leather, the Julia dining armchair echoes snow-covered hills and frosty nights. But it’s comfortable top-grain leather seat and black powder-coated metal base won’t leave you out in the cold. It makes a great pull-up to the game table or an accent chair for additional holiday seating. $299 at ScanDesign, scandesign.com.

Ready for the party •

Easily move from office to evening in this faux wrap dress at Jennifer’s. The A-line silhouette flatters most figures and the bold color and luxurious feel of the fabric will put you in the holiday spirit. $202 at Jennifer’s, jennifersfortmyers.com.

HUES OF

HOLIDAYS

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, you’re not dreaming big enough. Add a little race car red and emerald green to your wish list with a dash of snow-white elegance. Because it’s the best time of the year. Yet you probably haven’t seen the colors of Christmas paired quite like this. These holiday goodies are sure to be favorites year-round. — PAMELA HAYFORD

Weight a minute

• There’s a reason weighted blankets are popular right now. The soft pressure soothes and promotes relaxation so you can settle in for a long winter’s nap. This 12-pound blanket comes with a removable cover for easy care. $260 at Macy’s, macys.com.

14 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

| THE COLOR PAGES |

Brand new sleigh

• Maybe this is how Santa gets all around the world in one night: the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, the new series-production supercar. It’s the first Ferrari to feature Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle architecture. Contact dealer for price, ferrari.com.

Scent of the season

• The aromas of balsam and oak moss mingle with cedar, cinnamon and eucalyptus from this holiday candle by Illume, $58. The mercury glass is sandblasted for a unique finish, and it’s packaged in a keepsake box. Available at Lux Boutique in Naples.

Haute coffee •

Retro style with modern features, this 1950s-style drip coffeemaker by Smeg has 10-cup capacity, a reuseable filter, aroma intensity function, auto-start mode, adjustable water hardness and a digital LED display. $209.95 to $239.95 at Nordstrom, nordstrom.com.

Watch me dazzle • Laced

with mother-of-pearl and 108 diamonds (0.64 carat), the Tambour Moon Divine watch by Louis Vuitton lends elegance and sophistication to any ensemble, day or night. $6,070 at Louis Vuitton, louisvuitton.com.

Merry and bright

• Suzanne Kalan’s delicate emerald baguette bracelet is expertly crafted with 2.3 carats in emeralds and 0.52 carat in diamonds set in 18-karat white gold. Have you been this good? $8,000 at Marissa Collections in downtown Naples.

GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 15

| FACES |

STORY BY ANDREA STETSON PHOTOS BY RICARDO ROLON

FOREMAN OF THE

FACTORY Pam Cronin took the Shell Factory from aging roadside attraction to booming Southwest Florida must-see. hen Pam and Tom Cronin, or Tommy as she calls him, purchased the dilapidated Shell Factory 22 years ago, it was strictly a business venture. Yet it soon became a labor of love. It snowballed into a success story and one that led Pam Cronin to not only save the floundering business, but to help a long list of other businesses and charities along the way. “It was in bankruptcy and foreclosure,” Pam says of the Shell Factory when they were buying the business. “The restaurant had shooting galleries full of spiders. The Dolphin Room was just a slab. There were things falling out of the ceiling. There was just a 10,000-square-foot building with shells and a dollar store.” The Cronins saw some potential. “We are real estate developers,” she says. “We would take buildings and retro fit them. That was the kind of thing we did. We thought we would give it a try, because it was a landmark attraction. The property was so valuable, because it sits between the two 41s. We thought if it does not work, it would make an industrial complex.”

16 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

| FACES |

Right after the purchase, a local newspaper ran a story with the headline “Local Developer Saves Landmark Attraction.” “So we had to work harder to make it work,” Pam says. “It absolutely became a labor of love.” The Cronins added bumper boats, miniature golf, gem mining and, more recently, zip lines. Pam loves Christmas, so she added the 6,000-square-foot holiday house full of decorations, a holiday train, Christmas village and more. “I wanted to have the hugest Christmas house in Southwest Florida,” she says. “It just makes me happy.”

She also added fun things such as drag queen bingo on Sundays. “It is a hoot,” she says. “They do all kinds of crazy antics. We are always looking for the next crazy new thing to do.” Pam’s quest is also to balance the future with the past. “This is an old roadside attraction,” she says. “The tradition is so important. Everybody has a Shell Factory story. Grandparents will come in to the pick-a-pearl, and they will say, ‘I did this when I was little and then I brought your mother and now we’re bringing you.’ That is probably the No. 1 thing that people come back to.” The Cronins added a nature park 15 years ago that has also become a refuge for injured wildlife. Pam created the Nature Park Environmental Education Foundation, which aims to give the public experiences with plants and wildlife and to offer nature-based educational experiences. The foundation also gives back to Lee County school children with transportation for field trips and education. It also provides a permanent home for animals that are no longer healthy enough to live in the wild. Pam often uses her business to help the public. More than 300 charities each year ask for a goodie basket for fundraisers, and she supplies them with a donation package, including tickets to all the attractions, food, a T-shirt and more. Every year she hosts Nam-Jam at the Shell Factory. Admission is free for everyone, and veterans get a free round of golf for four, food and drinks. “Nam Jam — that is really nice,” she says. “Vietnam veterans — they weren’t really well received when they came home. It is really for the Vietnam vets — to say thank you for your service.” Pam scurries between the Nature Park, restaurant and shop as she oversees everything while also balancing a long list of charity work. She becomes shy and very modest when talking about her volunteering. For 21 years, Pam was on the Lee County Tourist Development Council. “That is my favorite board,” she says. “Tourism in Lee County is very significant. It really feels like we make a difference in the community.” In 2007-08, Pam was president of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce.

“That was quite an honor,” she says. She has been chairwoman of Arts for ACT. She has helped with Valerie’s House, the iCAN AIDS Network and with One More Child. “One More Child is a charity that sends missionaries to Haiti and other places to help,” Pam explains. “It’s just a wonderful thing that is great for the kids.” Pam says when she can’t volunteer time, she donates money. “Normally the ones I do, I like the small ones,” she says. “I really focus on local.” When the Player’s Circle Theatre was looking for help, she stepped in to not only help financially, but to offer the group a home. She is turning her Dolphin Room into a rehearsal space and theater for the group. “I was very familiar with them, and I wanted to help them,” she says. “It will be their permanent home. It was a special event room. Now it will be a theater.” Pam is a fixture in Southwest Florida. She has lived here since 1974. “I was born in New York, near Buffalo,” she says. “I moved at age 18 months. My dad didn’t like the cold.” They spent 10 years in the Washington, D.C., area before heading farther south. Pam graduated from Fort Myers High School and got her bachelor’s degree in science and education from Florida State University. She secured her master’s degree in tourism administration and event planning from The George Washington University. After Tommy died about two years ago, Pam continued to devote herself to her work and charities. She said the key to running a business and helping so many charities is good planning. “And just have good people around you,” she says. “I have a great general manager. It’s just making the good decisions, surrounding yourself with really good people.” When work gets too stressful, she has just the places to go. “If it gets a little stressful, I go to the Christmas house and listen to the music or go to the nature park and feed the lemurs some grapes.” Next on her agenda is restoring a 1927 carousel. “It is absolutely beautiful,” she says. She hopes it can make its debut to the public this month, and to make it family-friendly, she plans to charge only a dollar for rides, free for people with special needs. “We are excited that we are going to make it affordable,” she says. “That is my most exciting news now.”

GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 17

| FACES |

STORY BY ANNE REED | PHOTOS BY ANDREA MELENDEZ

A HELPING HAND FOR SINGLE MOMS Kristen Peterson supports single mothers in numerous ways through the creation of A Mom’s Helping Hand of SWFL.

ommy, get out of bed.” It’s been 16 years since Kristen Peterson, founder and president of A Mom’s Helping Hand of SWFL, heard her 7-year-old daughter say those words. She still remembers that day, her daughter standing by her bed and asking her, “Don’t you even care if I had a good day? I still need a mom.” “It was a slap in my face,” Kristen says. “No 7-year-old should have to come to their mother and feel that their mother doesn’t love them. No child should feel that way, ever.” Kristen had relocated to her mother’s Cape Coral home from Connecticut with her four children, ages 1 month to 7 years old, after going through a divorce. “I was so depressed when I got here,” she explains. “It was extremely difficult, trying to get over the divorce and dealing with all of these emotional issues.” One of the biggest difficulties Kristen faced was finding resources and support for single mothers. “There are a lot less services here than there are in New England,” she says. “It was a big shock for me. My ex was in the Navy, so the lack of services here was phenomenal.” A few months after moving to Cape Coral, and after her tough-love talk from her daughter, Kristen got a job and started saving money so she could afford to move into her own home. It seemed like things were falling into place; she was working as a K-2 teacher at a school in Fort Myers and the kids were thriving. “Although I had things together, I was still struggling to figure out how I was going to do things on my own,” she says. “Just taking care of my kids and working was all I could muster up the energy for each day.”

18 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

| FACES |

Finding support Several years later, Kristen connected with a group of local single moms, and she felt like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. The support she received though the group, and the opportunities she found to support others, started Kristen on the path to founding A Mom’s Helping Hand of SWFL. She started researching 501(c) (3) organizations in November 2014, filed in January and was approved in February 2015. “In March or April, I took a class through Goodwill on running your own business,” she recalls. “I figured that would help me run my own nonprofit.” She started with four board members, including herself. The first project they launched was a series of support group meetings.

“We geared a lot of our programs towards what I struggled with as a single mom trying to raise kids here,” she says. “Support is and always will be a key factor of the organization. When you go home and you have a husband or wife at home, you have that other person to tag team with. That is where our support groups come in. Oftentimes the moms come in to this group and find that they now have someone to call.” More programs followed. One helps moms afford birthday parties for their children. Another provides school supplies. Once a month, A Mom’s Helping Hand opens the office to moms in the program so they can pick up toiletries and stretch their grocery budgets. About three years ago, the nonprofit partnered with a Cape Coral business to provide a complete Thanksgiving dinner for each of the families. “We have some really amazing and generous people here in our community,” Kristen says. That includes the parent-teacher organization at Oasis Elementary that stepped up to help. Launching so many programs their first year may have been a bit ambitious, but Kristen has no regrets. And with so many programs, and families to help, funding was needed, especially when it came to providing school supplies. The board’s idea that first year was such a hit, it continues to be their main fundraiser each year: flocking. “We tried to stop flocking, but people keep calling,” she says. Flocking involves someone paying A Mom’s Helping Hand to place numerous flamingos in someone’s yard to celebrate a birthday or anniversary or as a practical joke. “We had someone call us because their brother was going for open heart surgery and they wanted to give him a laugh,” Kristen says. “Now it’s kind of evolved.” Flocking still funds the school supply program, which helped 150 families this year and 400 the previous year, and the funds now stretch to cover opening the office for group meetings. Other fundraisers include yard cards, Mother’s Day flowers and car washes. The generosity and support has allowed A Mom’s Helping Hand to stretch beyond the 31 families in their program, especially during the holidays.

SWFL Santas The holidays can be a stressful time for families, and the SWFL Santas is another program that started from an area where Kristen struggled as a single mother. “Last year we helped 50 families in addition to the 25 families within our program,” she says. The program pairs a family in need with a business organization or family or community member who adopts them for the holidays. The family provides a wish list. “We tell everyone it’s just suggestions,” Kristen says, noting that they try to avoid filling the list with expensive items. “If we find that a child needs a little bit more, we will purchase that ourselves.” Kristen notes that a unique part of the program is that teens are not left out. “We know that teenagers need to have something under the tree,” she says. “So we do not do an age cutoff at elementary school or middle school.”

Moving forward A Mom’s Helping Hand started with five families in 2015 and grows each year. To participate, a single mother must be living on her own, and mothers must attend at least two meetings or training classes each quarter, something that ties back to why Kristen started the program — support. The moms must also volunteer for the organization three hours each quarter. Volunteer opportunities include helping in the office, assisting with the flamingo flocking and helping with other fundraisers. Training is offered in resume writing and interview skills, household budgeting and career advancement. Kristen hopes to add more, including sessions on legal issues like wills. She also wants to add case managers, and, just like she started A Mom’s Helping Hand based on her own experiences and needs, Kristen has taken the need for case managers into her own hands. She’s working toward a master’s degree in human services. “I always thought my future was going to be in business, to be a top manager somewhere,” she says. “When I started A Mom’s Helping Hand, I found my passion.” The nonprofit is run by single moms who work full time, which makes it difficult to create more programs and write curriculum. But that’s something Kristen hopes will change as donations grow. Further in the future, she would like to add a residence facility where single moms can stay as they get back on their feet. While so many years have passed since she arrived at her mother’s house in Cape Coral, Kristen notes that even she still struggles and still needs support. “There is no accomplishment, no getting over being a single mom and needing someone to talk to,” she says. “I still have my moments when I feel overwhelmed, and I still have things of my own I need to do. The need for help and support never ends.” GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 19

| MODEL BEHAVIOR |

STORY BY ANDREA STETSON PHOTOS BY AMANDA INSCORE

GOING

OLD

SCHOOL The Lauren by Florida Lifestyle Homes is a popular pick at Babcock Ranch.

he elegant dormer windows are more than a pretty outside decoration. Inside, each one has a cushioned bench with pillows and looks just perfect as a place to snuggle up and read a book. The Lauren by Florida Lifestyle Homes is the builder’s only twostory house at Babcock Ranch. It was so attractive that the model was quickly purchased and is now on leaseback, so others can see all the unique features of the home. The second story has the most distinctive features. Besides the window benches, this level also has a sitting room, loft and a bedroom. “The whole upstairs is really built into the attic,” explains Bill Ennen, president of Florida Lifestyle Homes. “That is how you get those dormer windows and the vaulted ceilings. People seem to like that better than everything being flat. The little dormer windows, it is a nice little spot to cuddle up and read books.” While the upstairs was decorated with a family in mind, it could be decorated and designed for homeowners of any age.

20 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

| MODEL BEHAVIOR |

THE LAUREN BY FLORIDA LIFESTYLE HOMES IS THE BUILDER’S ONLY TWO-STORY HOUSE AT BABCOCK RANCH. IT WAS SO ATTRACTIVE THAT THE MODEL WAS QUICKLY PURCHASED AND IS NOW ON LEASEBACK, SO OTHERS CAN SEE ALL THE UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE HOME.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The dining room table has a unique set up with two chairs on the ends and couch seating on the sides. With the open floor plan, the kitchen and family room flow into the dining area. • The Lauren by Florida Lifestyle Homes is the only home by this builder in Babcock that is two stories. The home has the unique feature of dormer windows upstairs with little benches for sitting under each window. • The loft in the Lauren has a lots of sitting and not just at the table and chairs. Every dormer window has a cushioned bench just beneath it that is perfect for curling up and reading. The pool and spa overlook the lake at Babcock Ranch. French doors lead from the home to the outdoor kitchen, eating area and sitting section under roof, and to the pool and spa just beyond. GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 21

| MODEL BEHAVIOR |

“My favorite part of the house is the loft area,” says Sydney Leigh Warren, interior designer with Norris Furniture & Interiors. “We kind of struggled with what to do up there. But with Babcock Ranch being a family community, we designed it for a family.” The configuration of the upstairs guest room led the designer to be creative in the décor. Sydney put one twin bed and one daybed in the room. Above the daybed is a giant chalkboard. “Because that room is kind of an odd shaped room, we just wanted to do something very different and unique,” Sydney says. “With children in mind and home schooling, that is a big chalkboard that kids could use for drawing or if they did any school work.” The upper level also has a 424-square-foot unfinished room that looks like a huge attic but could be made into all kinds of usable space. “It is really big,” Bill says. “You can finish it off really inexpensively. It is wired for air conditioning. One of the people we are building it for is using it as a hobby room.” Bill says the entire upstairs is flexible space. “It can be used in many different ways,” Bill says. “The upstairs could be two bedrooms or the bedroom and a bonus room.” Even the way to get to the second floor is a bit uncommon. Many two-story homes have the staircase as a focal point in the foyer or family room. Builders create floating staircases, bannister details and artwork along the walls. But Florida Lifestyle Homes chose to make the stairs a functional, not focal, part of the house. The staircase is hidden off to the side near the kitchen. “We like having the staircase hidden so you are not seeing it,” Bill says. “It is sort of going back. We had one growing up in our house. Having it hidden in the back reminds me of my childhood.” Downstairs the home also has both luxury and 22 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

unique features. Just past the entry is a dining room table with seating for six. Around the table is a two-seater couch, two plush white chairs and wooden-backed seats on the ends. The kitchen has a square island that separates it from a four-seater wooden table that’s nestled by a bank of three windows. Windows are everywhere in the great room. The two-story family room has double glass doors between big windows that overlook the lanai. This room has dark tongue-and-groove beadboard halfway up the walls and

white painted walls above. “That wall, being that it went all the way up to the ceiling two stories high, we needed to bring it down visually,” Sydney says. “It was just too cozy it up, and we painted it that dark charcoal color.” A huge clock on the upper wall also breaks up that two-story wall space and matches the dark color on the wall below. Bill chose glass French doors in the family room and bedroom rather than the more common sliding glass doors.

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CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The upstairs has a lot of flexible space. This area is decorated as another sitting room, but it could be changed to a bedroom, rec room, fitness room or den. • The loft overlooks the two-story family room. The designer wanted to break up the very tall wall space so she created a wall with dark wood on the lower half and white walls on the upper level. • The configuration of the upstairs guest room led the designer to be creative in the décor. She used one twin bed and one day bed in the room to take up less room. Above the day bed is a giant chalkboard. • The most unusual part of the house is the cushioned benches under each dormer window. The builder said it fits with the Babcock community that stresses a family lifestyle with wide front porches and cozy places inside to read a good book. • The laundry room in The Lauren by Florida Lifestyle Homes also provides a place to sit and write, a sink and lots of counter space. The master bedroom has French doors that lead to the lanai. The spacious room also has a king-size bed and a sitting area.

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“It is just to keep with the look of the house,” he explains. “It goes with the design of the home. There is a lot of natural light.” Two guest rooms are on one side of the main floor. Both have queen-size beds, one decorated in white and gray and the other in white, gray and orange. The two bedrooms share a bathroom. On the other side of the main floor is the master suite. The king bed is decorated in a tweed color with navy accents. Long white curtains surround double glass doors that lead to the lanai. There’s also a sitting area with chairs and a decorative plant. Outside is an outdoor kitchen, eating area and sitting section under roof and a pool out in the sunshine overlooking a lake. David Robbins, a sales associate, loves the way the home is designed and decorated. “It’s the character,” he says. “That comes from the twostory build and the way it has been decorated.” While the home is done in neutral tweed, charcoal and gray colors, there are pops of orange found throughout the home. It’s in little things such as the orange throw pillows on a guest room bed, the orange flowers on a cof-

fee table and the orange pillows on the charcoal-colored cushions by the dormer windows. “We use a piece of art or a piece of fabric that really starts the whole story,” Sydney says. “For us it was the floral pattern on the great room sofa. For us it was the orange there. It’s bright, it’s fun.” The four-bedroom, three-bathroom home spans 4,081 square feet under air and a total of 5,540 square feet. Prices to build a Lauren start at $925,000 and include the lot. Sydney says The Lauren is certainly a memorable house. “I think they are going to remember those windows,” she says. “I think the dark charcoal wall in the family room is very memorable, and I think that whole loft area up there, too. And all the different ways you can use that loft area.” She also likes the wide front porch with its red swing chair that matches the bright red front doors. “We were really pleased with how it turned out,” says Sydney, who did the interior design with Luanza Maitland. “It was very different from most houses that we do. It is not the typical Florida house. It was a little more Old Florida and a little more colonial.”

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GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 23

| DINING |

ELEGANCE AT VERANDA E

The al fresco restaurant at The Escalante aims high â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and delivers.

24 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

| DINING |

“

STORY BY GINA BIRCH

e have big plans here,” says Christopher Cassel, executive chef of Veranda E, the al fresco restaurant at Hotel Escalante in Naples. The plans are to be awarded a coveted Michelin star, and everyone at the property is on board. Christopher recently relocated from a country club setting to the picturesque restaurant just off Fifth Avenue South for many reasons, among them, “It has all the criteria to achieve Michelin recognition.” He has thoughtfully put together an international cooking team whose presentations are works of art. The restaurant setting is a work of art as well, an oasis of twinkling lights and lush tropical foliage, trellises dripping with vines, around a clear blue pool. Patrons say they feel as if they’ve been transported to an exotic island, Beverly Hills or somewhere along the Mediterranean. There are all kinds of alcoves and nooks hosting tables covered in crisp linens for more intimacy. Even though all dining is outside, most of the tables are covered, and temperature control devices keep diners comfortable regardless of the weather. “It’s not only the ambiance, we try to do things different from anywhere else in Florida,” says General Manager Marco Garcia, the face of Veranda E. He brings panache to the restaurant with flaming desserts, Mexican coffees and, by his account, the largest by-the-glass port list in the country. He has a passion for dessert wines, and when he was a mere busboy, learning the restaurant trade, Marco would ride his bicycle to the library, pouring over books on wine. When you order a bottle from him, he shares history, stories and all kind of facts that add to the enjoyment of consuming it. “When you experience Marco, you have the best night of your life no matter who you are,” brags Hotel Escalante owner Mary Brandt.

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: Veranda E’s version of shrimp and grits features gruyere cheese and creole bacon sauce. • Marco Garcia flambés desserts tableside using fruits such as bananas, cherries and peaches with homemade ice cream. • Radish flowers in wonton cups envelop small lumps of crab and cheese in this artful appetizer.

GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 25

| DINING |

When not tending to her guests, Mary tends to the aeroponic garden behind the restaurant. She can be seen in high heels and dresses, pruning leaves and pulling roots from the base of the towers that can be extended 24 feet high. Herbs, lettuce, tomatoes and other nonroot vegetables used in the restaurant come from here. There is also a traditional dirt garden where more organic produce is grown. Christopher says itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the only restaurant garden of its kind in Naples, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a gold mine for his kitchen when crafting his global haute cuisine. 26 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

Plant-based diners love the fresh vegetables, while carnivores choose from items such as New Zealand lamb racks and Black Angus filets. Holiday short ribs come in a small pot with thin slices of colorful candy cane beets. Typically served with crisp onion rings, this presentation also has a side of mashed potatoes and parsnips with a little ginger; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feel-good food with style. The seafood served is both local and flown in from around the globe such as calamari from Peru; it arrives as a steak, not rings. The signature appetizer is tenderized and massaged before cut into strips

and tossed in a kung-pao sauce made with an Asian whisky. Changing the presentation for the holidays, chef serves it in a large martini glass with a base of housemade wakame salad. The calamari are tender and meaty, sweet with mild heat and perfect for sharing. Christopher uses a proprietary chili spice blend on the shrimp and grits, another favorite small plate. Gruyere cheese is added for rich flavor and texture, along with a decadent Creole bacon sauce. The menu has no shortage of seafood, from grou-

| DINING |

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Strips of calamari in Kung Pao sauce are served in a martini glass for a twist on this signature appetizer. • A holiday spin on Veranda E short ribs, these come with candy cane beets. • A pot of potato and parsnip mash is a comforting side dish to entrees such as short ribs. • Chef Christopher Cassel sends small bites as gifts to whet the palate of guests prior to dining. • Hotel Escalante Owner Mary Brandt tends to the aeroponic garden behind the restaurant.• Veranda E comes alive at night with twinkling lights and a glowing and a shimmering swimming pool.

per to sea bass; however, the dish that put Veranda E on the map from the time its doors opened is a fourpound crispy whole red snapper. It’s a head turner, on a large board with bowls of soba noodles, wakame salad and grilled citrus slices. The flavorful sauce consists of ginger, soy, citrus and peanuts and takes three days to make. Marco filets the fish tableside. “This is not just another place to

eat but a culinary experience,” he says. “That is the food, the service, the ambiance and the passion for what we are doing. If there is no passion, there is nothing.” The passion and teamwork are tangible in this magical space where dining is never rushed. Guests can truly enjoy the atmosphere, impeccable service, world-class cuisine and just as important, the company sitting across from them.

GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 27

A NEW NAME FOR A LASTING

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| GIFT GUIDE |

2019

WISH LIST Are you in the midst of decking the halls and the hearts of the true gifts in your

lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;family, friends and special people who make each day better in some way? If you are still pondering that justright surprise on your holiday shopping list, we have some suggestions for that certain someone, from over-the-top to sweetly simple. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never too late to make a holiday wish come true.

GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 29

| GIFT GUIDE |

UNDER

The world needs Love • Nothing says you care like a box of Norman Love Confections

fine chocolates. This candy cane gift box playfully displays 10 limited-edition holiday delights, like White Christmas, Whiskey Chestnut, Pumpkin Pie, Brandied Cherry and S’more. $27 at normanloveconfections. com. Or better yet, visit one of the Chocolate & Dessert Salons in Fort Myers or Naples.

The Beau-tie of it • They look like bracelets

but when the wearer is in need of holding back a few locks of hair, in a snap, they’re hair ties. $48 for a pack of seven to eight at Lux Boutique in Naples.

The gift of sleep • Let the sugar

plums dance. This long sleeve pajama set and eye mask are made with Soma’s comfortable Cool Nights fabric. $49 for the pajamas, $10 for the eye mask at Soma, soma.com.

A tisket, a tassel • With these leather tassel keychains, you can add the world’s latest fashion craze to any outfit — any thing, in fact — from your simple set of keys to handbags, luggage or even the dog’s collar. $15 at Diane’s Fine Fashions at The Village Shops on Venetian Bay in Naples.

30 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

| GIFT GUIDE |

AirPods secure

• Give the gift of never having to search for your AirPods again. The Airsnap AirPod case by Twelve South keeps them safe in a full-grain leather case with a metal clip. You can even charge your AirPods while they’re in the case. $34.99 at Nordstrom, nordstrom.com.

Appeal to good taste • Prepare to salivate. Cranberry cinnamon goat cheese, manchego,

cheddar, perfectly crisp crackers, peppermint bark... Grazing Haus, a catering service in Fort Myers that specializes in handcrafted cheese and charcuterie platters, turns the ho-hum food platter into a ho-hohooray holiday grazing plate of excellence. They’re as beautiful as they are delicious, works of art for the table. Holiday platters start at $50 while the holiday boxes begin at $35, grazinghaus.com.

Wine not • For the What’s your sign? • Par Avion’s Zodiac Collection of teas pairs the perfect flavorings for your astrological sign. For example, Aries, second from left, combines green mate, lemongrass, spearmint and more to create a tea aimed at sustaining the energy they need for their adventures while also calming their impatient temperment. $17 each at Saks Fifth Avenue, saksfifthavenue.com.

oenophile in your life, this 5-piece wine bottle accessory set has all the important tools. $29 at West Elm, westelm.com.

GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 31

| GIFT GUIDE |

Brighten the night • The stars will shine for the woman who wears INC International Concepts’ Kalina stilettos, created exclusively for Macy’s. The shoe is emblazoned with sparkling rhinestones and a bow detail at the toe. So even if the night is a bit cloudy, she’ll still shine bright. $119.50 at Macy’s, macys.com.

UNDER

250

Checkmate

• You’ll be the winner with this modern take on the perennial game of chess. The set’s sleek acrylic puts glam front and center on game night. The classic becomes the classy. Board measures 12 inches square. $199 at West Elm, westelm.com.

Uniquely you •

This multichain charm necklace by artist Concha Diaz del Rio is handcrafted in Madrid, Spain. Each piece is unique, the perfect gift for someone who strives to be one-of-akind. It’s also nickel-free and hypoallergenic. Every piece comes certified and with a one-year warranty. $187. Available at Jennifer’s in The Design Center of Fort Myers, jennifersfortmyers.com.

32 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

Smart scent • Control your home aroma

with a touch to your phone. Moodo is a smart scent diffuser that can be loaded with four different fragrances to change according to your mood or time of day. Or use the existing scents to combine into one that’s uniquely for you. Compatible with Alexa, Siri and Goodle Assistant. $119.90 at moodo.co.

| GIFT GUIDE |

Smart mug • Technology has revolutionized the coffee cup. More than simply an insulator, the Ember Mug allows you to set your drink’s exact temperature. It features a built-in battery and includes a charging coaster. It’s also easy to hand wash (it’s submersible up to 1 meter). Available in 10-ounce and 14-ounce. $99.95 at ember.com.

The beer necessities •

For the ice-cold beer connoisseur, this beer tower from Studio Mercantile, exclusive to Macy’s, is the perfect gift. It has a detachable ice rod that keeps suds cold without watering down your drink. The base is designed to keep the whole thing steady, and the pour spout adds convenience. Holds three quarts of your favorite brew. $99.99 at macys.com.

The future is now • Is there anything Amazon’s Echo Show 8 can’t do? With the 8-inch HD screen, Alexa can show you your day, the latest movie trailers, weather or local news, photos from your vacation, even who’s at the front door. It can act as an in-house intercom or PA system. But can Alexa do the dishes? $129.99 list price at amazon.com.

Small but mighty • At just about the size of a 5-by-7 photograph, the Ella Micro Tote was created to beautifully hold just the necessities, including the iPhone 11 Pro and Samsung Galaxy Note 10+. It’s made of lightweight performance satin and can be carried by the top handles or the removeable crossbody strap. $178 at Tory Burch, toryburch.com.

Secret sounds • Bose, a name synonymous

with quality sound, put its speakers into high quality sunglasses. The Bose Frames Alto directs the sound to your ear so that you can interact seamlessly with the world around you while also discreetly enjoying your favorite playlist. One button provides multiple functions and access to Siri and Google Assistant. Stainless steel hinges are finished in gold. $199.95 at bose.com.

GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 33

| GIFT GUIDE |

Heady holidays • The Mulberry Lorelei headband by Jennifer Behr is crafted with velvet fabric braided together over a fitted headband. $300 at Marissa Collections in downtown Naples.

UNDER

500

What’s SUP? • For an evening out • The perfect evening bag for a winter gala, the Annie Handbags Bar minaudiere, $330, is handcrafted in genuine python and lined with suede to complement its sleek, modern design. Available at The Boutique at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort in Naples.

34 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

With its stable design, the Lifetime Horizon stand-up paddleboard is great for beginning and intermediate paddlers. It also features an accessory mount that’s compatible with most cameras, speakers and other mountable devices. Paddle included. $399.99 at Bass Pro Shops, basspro.com.

| GIFT GUIDE |

The next step in virtual reality • The Oculus Quest is an all-in-

one gaming headset that puts you in the middle of the action. Built-in sensors translate your movements into the VR world. And it remembers your play space, so you won’t hit real-world objects while in VR. One of the latest games: “Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series.” Starting at $399 at oculus.com.

Soft and luxurious • Even winter in Florida needs a cozy blanket for snuggling. Melt into the faux fur Carved Throw from the Hotel Collection, exclusively at Macy’s. It’s a perfect addition to any bedroom motif. $335 at Macy’s, macys.com.

Be the barista • Make premium coffee shop beverages with the Breville Bambino Plus stainless steel espresso maker. It features ThermoJet heating to get the optimum temperature in three seconds, precise digital temperature control, an automatic steam wand with adjustable milk temperature and texture, and preinfusion for ultimate flavor extraction. Pre-infusion gradually increases pressure for the best flavor. $499.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond, bedbathandbeyond. com.

Go scooter go • This little gem

was made for getting around. The GXL V2 electric commuter scooter by Gotrax has 8.5-inch wheels that easily handle bumps along your route, and it’s the most powerful GXL scooter yet, getting up to 15.5 mph for up to 12 miles on a single charge. The reinforced frame can support riders up to 220 pounds. And it folds up for convenient carry. $499.99 at gotrax.com.

Like a Scout • Be prepared for anything. The Prepster Backpack

3-day Emergency Bag contains everything you need to survive 72 hours after an emergency. Its compact shell contains high-quality essentials such as a pop-up tube tent, bandages, solar charger, rope, duct tape, water, first aid supplies and a NOAA emergency radio. $395 at preppi.co.

GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 35

| GIFT GUIDE |

LIMITS... The new Lexus

• In its drive to make the Lexus brand synonymous with luxury “Beyond the Road,” the carmaker partnered with Marquis Yachts to create the Lexus LY 650. With a base price of $3.74 million and $4.85 million when fully optioned, this sleek, 65foot vessel made quite an impression when it debuted at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in late October. Christopher Parr of Pursuitist.com called it “amazing.” It’s certainly impressive.

36 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

The finest accessory • To Assouline, books are more than paper and glue. They’re culture, lifestyle, works of art, as informational as they are beautiful. Indeed, each book by Assouline is hand-bound and every page scrutinized. The Impossible Collection is at the pinnacle of this ethos, each title curated by top experts on art-quality paper luxurious sophistication, “because culture is the finest accessory.” The Impossible Collection titles start at $895. Available at assouline.com.

| GIFT GUIDE |

She’ll feel like a queen • With more than

45 carats in sparkling diamonds and nearly 43 carats in rubellites, this stunning collar will make her feel like royalty. Set in 18-karat white gold, the pearls range from 13.5 mm to 15 mm. For price, contact Kathein Jewelers of Marco, 239-259-8937 or katheinjewelers.com.

The ultimate golf car • Yamaha’s new Drive2 boasts precision engineering and the

ultimate in luxury. Already providing the largest interior in the industry, the new Yamaha boasts a larger bagwell that holds two staff bags comfortably. Front suspension facilitates a smoother ride, and a newly designed dash provides more room for drinks, snacks and mobile devices (two USB ports come standard). See Coastal Carts in south Fort Myers for prices, coastalcartsfl.com.

Scent of Swarovski

• Bottles as dazzling as their fragrance, Bond No. 9 New York’s signature star is swathed in Swarovski crystals in the Swarovski Galactic Trio, which features some of Bond’s most coveted perfumes. The keepsake velvet box is covered with more than 1,700 hand-applied crystal Swarovski fancy stones. Saks Fifth Avenue, saksfifthavenue.com.

Digital bartender • Smart technology lets you

bring the bar home. The Barsys 2.0 accommodates five bottles and expertly creates your favorite imbibement. The app-controlled system also comes preloaded with hundreds of well-measured cocktails, so you get the perfect pour every time. Works with iOS and Android. $979 at thebarsys.com.

GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 37

| GIFT GUIDE | Stylish tech • Apple and the luxury brand Hermes paired up to create the Apple Watch Hermes, an expertly styled device. With GPS + Cellular, this Series 5 also keeps you connected with just your Apple Watch. $1,299 at apple.com.

AND

BEYOND Your personal trainer • Peloton started as a way to get

an at-home world-class cycling workout in your own home. Now the Peloton Tread brings the personal trainer to runners. The Family Package, $4,844, includes the tread, delivery and setup, resistance bands, free weights, exercise mat, two pairs of wireless earbuds, two glass water bottles and a heart rate monitor. Get details at onepeloton.com.

Fits like a glove

• You won’t know where the boot ends and your legs begin. Louis Vuitton’s Silhouette ankle boot features a second-skin fit thanks to a sock-like textile on the upper. The signature Monogram Flower-shaped heel complements the fitted style. You’ll want to sport these all season long. $1,140 at Louis Vuitton, louisvuitton.com.

Go all-in • For the card shark, this shagreen Aerin poker set is a prize to be sure. The 300-piece set includes an Aerin-embossed dealer button, two decks of cards and poker chips in a display-worthy case of embossed shagreen leather and brass. $2,500 at Saks Fifth Avenue, saksfifthavenue.com.

38 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

| GIFT GUIDE |

Keep your cool • Forty-six cans of beer in the cooler. That’s how much the Yeti V holds. Or 65 pounds of ice, if you’ve got a big holiday shindig. But the haul isn’t the “wow” factor. Yeti combined tech from its Rambler cups and iconic Tundra cooler to take Yeti insulating power to the next level. Plus, the stainless steel body adds durability and style. $800 at yeti.com.

The X factor • The Couture

X-Necklace by David Webb emanates a stately presence with carved tiger’s eye, lapis lazuli and brilliant-cut diamonds (over 7 carats total) in 18-karat yellow gold and platinum. $215,000 at Marissa Collections in downtown Naples, marissacollections.com.

Dream ride • The Mercedes-AMG GT C Coupe is designed to be pure sports car, using state-of-the-art technology to maintain balance and control. Even its alluring looks serve to celebrate its power and conquer wind and weight. The GT C Coupe accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds with 550 horsepower. Base price starts at $150,900. The two-seater pictured below boasts Solarbeam Yellow metallic ($9.900) exterior with AMG forged cross-spoke wheels ($1,700). Visit mbusa.com to build your dream ride.

GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 39

PERFECT

GIFT

Charleen Bridgett of The Wine Merchant guides buyers in matching wines with food, personalities and budgets. t’s the most wonderful time of the year, for both drinking and giving wine. On our way to parties, we often get stuck in grocery stores, scanning shelves for gifts, or in a pinch, looking for another bottle to open at dinner. But with a little planning and the help of people like Charleen Bridgett, you can find the perfect gift for any palate and in the right price range. Charleen is the owner of The Wine Merchant in North Naples and is excellent at guiding buyers when it comes to matching wine with foods, personalities and budgets. For inspiration while writing, I like to open a bottle, and with the name La Solitude ($15), it sounded like a good afternoon complement during the busiest part of the year. A curious white Cotes du Rhone from old vines, it’s 60% clairette, 30% viognier and 10% grenache blanc. It has some weight to it along with fresh citrus and peach, a great value and a good way to begin a holiday meal. This month Charleen shares some of her budget-friendly faves while I aim for the splurges. We also share a festive cocktail recipe featuring whiskey that’s new to Southwest Florida.

Gina Birch Gina Birch is the wine columnist for The News-Press in Fort Myers. Follow her social media here: Twitter: @ ginabirch Facebook: GinaBirch

Charleen Bridgett Guest columnist and owner of The Wine Merchant in North Naples

40 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

GINA’S WINE PICKS

THE

CHARLEEN’S WINE PICKS

| WINE & SPIRITS |

Vina Lolita ($15.99) • I like bubbles all the time, but a lot of people feel they are for a celebration, and the holidays are definitely a time to celebrate. This is a sparkling wine from Spain. It’s super affordable, and it’s made 100% from chardonnay grapes. It’s a sparkling wine that’s not too sweet and not too dry, just perfect for parties and big events. And not just for the holidays, it’s really good all year around — a shiny star in my book.

La Jota Howell Mountain Merlot ($85) • Ah, merlot. When made well it has so much character and can complement a wide range of food. This one is world class. Howell Mountain vines are known to produce concentrated fruit, and it’s evident in this wine. It has flavors of ripe dark fruit, espresso and some dark chocolate. The more it opens the better it gets, so take your time to savor. In addition to how wonderful it is in the glass, the elegant packaging and 94 points all combine to make it a not-too-expensive holiday splurge.

Jaffurs Grenache ($36.99) • I like grenache as an alternative to both cabernet and pinot noir; it’s not too heavy but not too light. When picking a grenache, it’s like I’m torn between two lovers. I love Jaffurs from Santa Barbara. It’s a Rhonestyle wine with raspberry and cherry cola notes. It’s so approachable right now and so versatile. For the same price, I also can’t get enough of Domaine Blain Soeur & Frere, Pierre Bleue; it’s a cru Beaujolais. The fruit is a little darker than Jaffurs, but it’s still light and won’t overwhelm any holiday food; it’s super friendly to any palate. I love them both.

BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015 ($145) • This is a go big or go home wine and why not go big for the holidays? If points matter to you, or the person you’re gifting, this one has 98. Although drinking well now, it’s probably best to put on the shelf for another five years. However, if you’re like me and must pop the cork, decant it and sip as it sits, experiencing how it comes alive when exposed to oxygen. Rich and complex, it has dark cherry, raspberry, mocha and a little tobacco, with a finish that keeps giving.

Barnard Griffin, Sangiovese Rosé ($15.99) • This is a nice way to introduce people to rosé. From a familyowned winery in Washington State, the wine has no residual sugar, so it’s not sweet. It’s a crowd pleaser, super easy and really pairs with everything and anything. Made from sangiovese, it’s pretty substantial and can stand up to all food types, including meat dishes. Even though it’s the holidays, we live in a hot climate and this is a refreshing alternative to a big red. It’s festive, has a beautiful color, and if you chill it down and drop a raspberry in the glass, it has a festive look.

Champagne Besserat de Bellefon Brigitte Bardot ($299) • I can’t even begin to think of the holidays without bubbles. In its shiny gold bottle, this embodies French chic and the woman it’s named after. Brigitte Bardot is often referred to by her initials B.B., just as this Champagne house is — a match made in heaven. The elegant Champagne pays homage to the iconic actress famous for her sex appeal; her signature is on the bottle. The off-dry wine with its tiny bubbles and finesse has both structure and balance. It’s a gift for someone who has everything but still wants what no one else has. Not available locally, but it can be shipped from several warehouses in New York, including Convive Wine & Spirits. (Wine prices may vary.)

| WINE & SPIRITS |

COCKTAIL PICK

NEW FASHIONED MULE • 3 blackberries • 4 sprigs fresh mint • Simple syrup, splash • Woodinville Bourbon, 2 ounces • Ginger Beer, to top

METHOD: Muddle 2 berries, 3 mint sprigs and simple syrup in a shaker. Add bourbon and ice and shake. Pour into a stemless wine glass and top with ginger beer. Use the remaining berry and mint sprig to garnish.

BIG IMPRESSIONS While some would argue whiskey is good anytime of the year, there’s something about the holidays that lends itself to this sophisticated spirit. Perhaps it’s the warming characteristics that include vanilla, cinnamon and spice. When I think of this spirit, Kentucky comes to mind first. When I think of the Pacific Northwest, I tend to think of wine. Woodinville, Washington, is famous for its winetasting rooms but now boasts a spirit of the same name. New to the Southwest Florida market is Woodinville Whiskey, a highly rated, small-batch, single-farm spirit making its way into the local bar scene. Woodinville is the featured ingredient in the New Fashioned Mule at Cavo Lounge in North Naples. The barrels used for aging are seasoned in the open air for 18 months in the harsh climate of Central Washington, before being slowly toasted and heavily charred. The result produces aromas of creme brulee and spice. Woodinville is delightfully smooth but still rich with flavors of caramel and spicy dark chocolate, along with a sweet, lingering finish. It’s perfectly suited for Cavo’s Florida-style whiskey cocktail that includes blackberries, mint and ginger beer — refreshing and slightly sweet, with a seasonally festive presentation. You could easily have a second one. The New Fashioned Mule is half price ($7) during happy hour, and all “mules” are $5 on Wednesday. Woodinville also makes a 100% Straight Rye Whiskey that smells like cinnamon and clove, with caramel, spice and honey on the palate.

BY LITTLE ARTISTS

6 - 9 P.M.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020 THE NAPLES GRANDE

Join us for an immersive art experience at Naples’ most unique gala. Art will be produced live, performed and created interactively with guests. The event includes silent and live auctions, a delectable dinner and dessert and special entertainment.

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Questions: Email Laurab@collierchildcare.org or call 239-643-3908

The Art of Early Education

GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 41

| PETS |

THE

PERSIAN

POSSE

LulaBelle, TinkerBelle, NannyBelle and Baby rule the roost at Wind in the Willows. Baby

LulaBelle

42 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

| PETS |

STORY BY ANDREA STETSON PHOTOS BY ALEX DRIEHAUS

STORY BY ANDREA STETSON PHOTOS BY JON AUSTRIA

TinkerBelle

Shop owner Beth Ressler poses for a portrait with LulaBelle, left, and NannyBelle

t exactly 10 a.m., a flat, furry face appears by the glass doors of Wind in the Willows on Fifth Avenue South in Naples. LulaBelle seems to know the exact time that the store opens, and she is ready to greet the first customers. The fluffy Persian cat is just one of four felines that live in the store, offering a friendly welcome and posing for the many photos that customers take. Owner Beth Ressler is a real pet person and has had pets in her shops for decades. Her latest crew includes LulaBelle, TinkerBelle and NannyBelle, all 7 years old, and her only male cat, Baby, who just turned a year old. She also has three more Persian cats that live at home. Beth got the idea of cats in the store from the years when she had a shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “There was another store nearby called the Calico Cat,” she explains. “It was in an old church and had a sign that said, ‘The cat is in’ or ‘The cat is out.’ And our daughter, when she was little, we would go to see if the cat was in or out. It was a huge attraction. “I just love being around animals, and when you have your own business you can bring them in.” When Beth moved to Naples and opened her first shop on Third Street, she had a Maltese dog and a blue-streaked lory. “The bird was named Priscilla, and she would say, ‘Cash or charge, cash or charge,’” Beth says. Later, when she purchased Wind in the Willows in 2001, she had two Persians named Buffy and Toby who lived for 17 years. Seven years ago she formed her new crew of cats. “TinkerBelle and NannyBelle were the first two,” she says. “I was going to get one, but when I went I saw they were sisters. I couldn’t leave TinkerBelle behind.” That silver Persian duo came from a breeder south of Tampa. Then a breeder in Port Charlotte texted her a photo of the cream and white LulaBelle. She fell in love with that cat, too, and quickly adopted her. “Baby came from a lady that owned a store next to me and moved to Denver,” Beth says. “Her daughter wanted me to have him.” At first the girls didn’t like the younger male, so they hissed and spit at him. Now they have made peace, and each have their own special places in the shop. “LulaBelle loves the front counter,” Beth says. “That is her favorite spot. She loves being high. She loves to see everything. LulaBelle used to like being under the long dresses, but Baby went over and took over the spot, so LulaBelle went to the counter. I didn’t think anyone could lure LulaBelle from her favorite spot, but he did.” NannyBelle and TinkerBelle like sitting by the front door or back door and take turns in those places. Baby enjoys hovering under the racks of clothes and then popping out when customers walk by.

GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 43

| PETS |

NannyBelle wears a pink puffy jacket to keep her warm after a recent visit to the groomer.

Every December, Beth creates a holiday window display complete with fake snow. That’s when NannyBelle and TinkerBelle love to sit in the window, popping out of the snow and scattering it on the floor. During the parade in downtown Naples, Beth says people often stand three deep taking photos of the window display with the cats. “People send me pictures from all over the place,” Beth says. “They send them from

England and Germany and all over the world. They are like world-renowned cats. We are definitely known as the cat store.” The feline foursome have a routine. Every morning Beth or a staff member arrives at the store about two hours before opening. They groom the cats, clean their eyes and dress the felines. “They are fluffed and puffed and groomed,” Beth says. LulaBelle wears a pink T-shirt with the word Naples on it. NannyBelle wears a pink coat. TinkerBelle sports a pink bow, while Baby wears a blue one. Then the cats are let out of the room where they spend the night and have free run of the store. “They come out and greet people and are so friendly,” Beth says. “Persians are actually the No. 1 breed for pet cats. I think it is their personality. They are real people kitties. Some breeds are persnickety and mysterious, and these kitties are just so friendly.” While her unusual clothing and accessories attract both locals and visitors, Beth says it’s also the cats that bring customers in. “It is the biggest attraction ever,” Beth says. “It is nonstop. If you stay here for an hour during the peak of the day, from 12 to 4, it is nonstop people asking, ‘Where are the cats?’ People will say, ‘We drove all the way from Estero to see the cats,’ or ‘We come every year to see the cats.’ If people are away from their animals, they come here to get their animal fix. They go to the groomers every eight weeks. They leave at 8 and don’t come back until 4, and some people get so disappointed that they are not here.” NannyBelle is groomed like a lion with very short fur on her body and a fluffy tail, hocks and mane. The others are fluffy all over. The Persian posse also seems to know how to tell time at night. Around 9:30 p.m., it’s time for them to go to their room, where they sleep in little cat bed igloos. The store closes at 10 p.m., and the cats must be put away before the alarm is set. “Every now and then they find a hiding space and we can’t find them,” Beth says. “They know it’s time for them to go to their room at night.

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WELLNESS DIRECTORY

GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 20189 | 45

There’s a new alternative to the busy Emergency Department Feeling sick during the week or weekend and can’t get in to see your primary care doctor? There’s a new alternative to the busy Emergency Department. Millennium’s Fort Myers & Cape Coral Walk-in Medical Centers are now open late and weekends to better care for you during all of life’s minor emergencies. There are no appointments necessary and wait times are much shorter than a typical Emergency Department or Urgent Care Center. The Walk-in is now accepting new patients, and you don’t have to be an established Millennium Physician Group patient to utilize the convenient services. Most insurance plans are accepted and

self-pay patients are always welcome. Millennium’s family-friendly Walk-in Medical Center provides treatment for all of your urgent care needs, such as colds, sore throats, flu, rashes and earaches. Our physicians also treat non-life threatening emergencies like sprains, abrasions, and burns. Our Walk-in Medical Center teams know that when you visit our Centers, you want to feel better quickly and without a lot of hassle. No need to wait in an emergency room or wait to schedule an appointment with your physician, the Walk-in Medical Center can see you today. Skip the Wait. No need to wait hours at a local

Emergency Room or busy Urgent Care Center. Millennium’s Walk-in Medical Centers now have a feature to allow you to view all of the wait times at their Walk-in facilities. You simply “skip the line” by pre-registering for a time that you would like to be seen for the day and essentially you get to “skip the line” when you arrive. If the provider is running behind you will receive a text message letting you know to come in a few minutes later, reducing any wait time. Log-on to www.MillenniumPhysician.com and select “Skip the Line” at the top of the webpage. View the wait times and get in line to feeling better today. To learn more about Millennium Physician Group, please visit www.MillenniumPhysician.com.

357 46 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

Wellness Millennium_46_47_November.indd 68

10/24/19 3:35 PM

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versions of ourselves in the New Year, let’s take a look at what can be done to address, not just declining vision, but also the aesthetics of aging eyes. Drooping eyelids can interfere with vision and make for tired-looking, aged eyes. An experienced oculoplastic surgeon can help with both the form and the function of this common concern. At Collins Vision, Dr. Stephen A. Jones, a board-certified ophthalmologist with fellowship training in oculoplastic surgery, offers a unique, highly customized approach to eyelid and brow surgery that can restore a bright-eyed, youthful appearance. Blepharoplasty is the medical term for eyelid surgery designed to correct the drooping or sagging skin of the upper and/or lower eyelids. If you have any of the following, eyelid surgery might be right for you: • Tired looking eyes • Upper eyelid skin hanging over normal lid creases • Obstructed vision due to eyelid droopiness or puffiness • Bulges, bags or puffiness under lower lid • Smaller or more saggy-appearing eyes About Dr. Jones Dr. Stephen A. Jones is a board-certified ophthalmologist with fellowship training in oculoplastic surgery. He specializes in facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery and his patients appreciate his thorough, thoughtful approach to helping them reach their goals. Dr. Jones’ expertise combines the use of surgical techniques with non-surgical treatments to help patients see, look and feel their best. Set your sights on becoming a better version of you in the New Year! From comprehensive eye care to unparalleled surgical results, trust your vision to Collins Vision. Become a member of the Collins Vision family and See the Difference today. 239.204.2782 • CollinsVision.com

| GETAWAY |

BASK IN THE

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS With 60 isles and cays to explore, BVI is a boaterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paradise. STORY BY JENNIFER THOMAS

Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina

GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 49

| GETAWAY | Catamaran at Baths

he past few hurricane seasons delivered powerful and near devastating hits to some of our favorite destinations, including the British Virgin Islands. However, the BVI is not giving up so easily. Just over 50% of its hotel properties are open and ready for guests with the remaining slated to re-open in 2020. To help support one of her favorite travel spots in the Caribbean, Fort Myers resident Kim Sanders traveled to these islands this past summer and, while not knowing what to expect, she with her family and traveling companions had an amazing adventure — all while bareboating. (For you landlubbers, that’s the act of chartering a sailboat without a crew.) “This past summer we chartered a 48-foot Tower Cat catamaran, and my husband, Mark, was the Captain,” Kim says. “To prepare for our sailing, I arranged for provisions to be delivered directly to the boat, including beverages and basic food items.” This was Kim’s 20th trip to the BVIs with Mark, and while most of her journeys have been spent on the water island hopping via chartered boats, they have also experienced the luxurious villas and resorts of the islands. “The pure beauty of the islands with its gorgeous beaches is what always draws us back,” Kim says. “Plus since we love traveling via boat, the ease of navigation of the islands is a big plus. Back when Mark and I started bareboating, we were charting and using line-of-sight before GPS. Now with GPS, traveling the waters is really easy.” Known as the Sailing Capital of the Caribbean, the best way to see the territory and experience each major island is by boat, says The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission Public Relations Manager Keith Dawson. “Each island is unique in itself; Anegada is known for its decadent spiny lobsters, Norman Island for its underwater caving, Jost Van Dyke for its white-sand beaches and colorful beach bars and restaurants,” he outlines. “The best way to get a taste of the different beaches on each island is to charter a yacht. Companies such as The Moorings, Dream Yachts, MarineMax, along with several other highly reputable charter boat companies, offer a crewed or bareboat sailing experience that can come set with a gourmet chef, professional captain and cabins sleeping as many as 12 based on the boat size. Staying on a yacht is perfect for big family vacations or friend getaways, providing a captain who knows all the best snorkeling spots, seamless transportation to all the islands you wish to see and more.” 50 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

Brewers Bay

Villa pool at Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina

| GETAWAY |

December in the BVI Full Moon Party: Full moon parties take place each month in the BVI and feature an array of great music, rhythmic dancing, mocko jumbies (stilt walkers), signature BVI cuisine, rum cocktails and much more. With two locations to choose from, Trellis Bay on Beef Island (connected to Tortola by the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge) and Foxy’s on Jost Van Dyke, it is a truly infamous party celebrated by locals and tourists alike. This December, the parties are December 12. Incidentally, or logically, these venues also host the largest New Year’s Eve parties in the islands. Foxy’s Old Year’s Night: Foxy’s

Scrub Island

Island hopping is one of the biggest draws to the BVIs. With 60 islands and cays to explore, Kim says it is a different adventure every day. “Each island has its own characteristic and charm,” she says. “My favorite island is Virgin Gorda as it has the most to offer with the infamous Baths, different areas to explore, its beaches, snorkeling, the mountain tops and the dining. Plus, for three years in a row, when the kids were too little to go bareboating, we stayed in a villa — pure paradise.” This gem of an island is the BVI’s third largest island and has a dramatic shape. “The shape reminded Christopher Columbus of a reclining woman, or ‘Fat Virgin,’ inspiring its name. Measuring 8½ square miles, Virgin Gorda entices travelers with its quiet coves, safe anchorages and luxury resorts and villas,” Keith describes. “Natural beauty is in abundance and accessible via indigenous plant-lined trails, nature sanctuaries and natural wonders of our protected national parks.” Located 60 miles east of Puerto Rico, the BVI’s main islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke. Ranked No. 1 in Best Place to Visit in the Caribbean by U.S. News & World Report for three consecutive years

(2017, 2018 and 2019), the BVI is where nature’s best secrets are kept with an abundance of pristine beaches, azure seas, towering sage mountains and burnt-orange sunsets. Keith says BVI’s Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke were featured on ‘The Top Islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas’ list in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2017 and 2018. For Floridians traveling to the BVI, Keith says the sailing, island hopping, hiking, diving, kitesurfing and sport fishing off the famous North and South Drops are some of the most popular things to do. If travelers only see one thing while visiting the BVI, they must experience The Baths on Virgin Gorda, Kim recommends. “The Baths are a natural wonder of the world. Envision giant boulders that you snorkel and hike through,” she describes. “Truly, The Baths are one of the most beautiful landscapes of the world. I also recommend going to the top of this wonder where there is a great restaurant with a pool and a stunning overlook viewpoint. When here, I also visit the Mad Dog Cafe, which serves the best pina colada ever.” Keith suggests hiking to the island’s high point, Gorda Peak, for an incredible view of the surrounding islands.

most iconic and popular day for thousands of travelers each year is NYE, or “Old Year’s Night” as it’s commonly referred to in the Caribbean. With dozens of yachts and boats docked on the beach, the party goes all night throughout the beach, bar and surrounding boats. Every year Foxy’s likes to revolve around a timely and festive theme to ensure each Old Year’s Night celebration is both memorable and unique. Last year’s theme was “The Nauti Yacht Club” with thousands of people dressing up as yachties, pirates, sea creatures and castaways. Previous themes have also included the “Roman Empire” and “Futuristic Space.” Past celebrity sightings include but are not limited to Michael Jordan, Jay-Z and Richard Branson (who has his own private island in the BVI called Necker). This year, travelers can anticipate an “Arabian” themed celebration with costumes, music, performers, fire dancers, drinks (along with the best rum the Caribbean and world has to offer), and decorations to fully reflect this. Part of the motive behind this is the recent adaptation of “Aladdin,” starring Will Smith, which was received positively among critics and moviegoers.

Trellis Bay New Year’s Eve Party: Trellis Bay Market and

the other businesses on Trellis Bay host an increasingly popular New Year’s Eve party with lighted fireball sculptures, local food, entertainment by top local bands and other cultural entertainment, presenting the full moon party setting on a grander scale. GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 51

| GETAWAY |

Anegada Beach Club

“For a quintessential Caribbean vacation,” he adds, “stroll or swim at the unspoiled beaches at Savannah Bay, Pond Bay, Devil’s Bay, Mahoe Bay or Spring Bay.” Another top island pick for Kim is Cooper Island. “This destination has come forward with very unique things including fabulous organic food — they grow their own vegetables — and it is one of our favorite food spots,” Kim says. One of the better-known islands in this chain might be Tortola as it is also a cruise port of call and it’s the largest. “Tortola offers everything from local street fare, white sandy beaches, lush green mountains and historical sites, cultural events and attractions. Tortola is also known for its shopping. Tortola has unique shopping experiences in locations such as the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park and the colorful Crafts Alive Village, both located in Road Town and compliment a vibrant street food scene.” Keith says. “Swim or stroll the secluded palmshaded white sands of dozens of beaches, including Cane Garden Bay, Apple Bay, Brewers Bay, Smuggler’s Cove, Long Bay Beach, Elizabeth Beach and Josiah’s Bay Beach to name just a few. If watersports are more your style, don’t miss locations such as Trellis Bay and Cane Garden Bay.” East of Tortola is Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, a serene 230-acre private-island haven. The intimate resort features 52 guest accommodations, according to Keith, as well as a collection of two-, three-, four- and six-bedroom villas, the Ixora Spa, world-class restaurants, two private beaches and a 55-slip marina. “Scrub now offers transparent kayaks (YOLO Adventures BVI) that provide unparalleled views of the ocean floor. Guided night tours off the iridescent reef of Scrub Island are also available. Kayaks are equipped with LED lights, providing 52 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

you the best seat in the house for an underwater viewing spectacle,” Keith says. A highly recommended island for its beach style and deep history is Jost Van Dyke. “Named for an early Dutch settler, Jost Van Dyke runs deep with rugged scenery and colorful folklore. Explore vegetation-covered sugar mill ruins, old trails that crisscross the island or visit several nearby cays including Sandy Cay and Sandy Spit,” Keith says. “Food and fun abound on this island, with numerous places to indulge in favored cuisine, such as barbecues, West Indian rotis, flying fish sandwiches, grilled fresh fish and lobster. For the party animals, Great Harbour is world-famous for its yacht-filled parties on Halloween and New Year’s Eve.” This destination is also the birthplace of the legendary “Painkiller” cocktail — the Soggy Dollar has become one of the most iconic bars in all the Caribbean. “Soggy Dollar is located on the pristine White Bay. Travelers can enjoy luscious beaches, crystal clear waters, and plenty of rum in style,” Keith says. “A Painkiller consists of premium dark rum, cream of coconut, pineapple and orange juice (proportions are secret), topped with fresh grated Grenadian nutmeg.” When Kim visits BVI, she spends most of her time on and in the water. “We love boating between each island and then anchoring or catching a mooring ball. When we are not boating, we are snorkeling, kayaking or diving,” she says. New dive sites recently opened as a part of the “Beyond the Reef ” initiative. “One of the most legendary floating bars in BVI, The Willy T, was destroyed by the hurricanes and has now been transformed into an interactive underwater pirate ship playground,” Keith says. “Additionally, ‘Beyond the Reef ’ has removed three

derelict airplanes from the airport and creatively transformed them into half airplane/half sharks. The latter unique dive sites may be found near the Dog Islands in BVI. In addition to the new sites, the BVI’s most popular dive site remains the Wreck of the RMS Rhone. These and other sites will be featured during BVI Wreck Week this December.” There’s also surfing. “Surfers will find themselves at Cappoons Bay and Josiah’s Bay for most of the year with exceptional surfing at Cane Garden Bay during the ground swell season. For beginners, there are even some surfing schools throughout the islands (surfschoolbvi.com),” he says. There are private islands, too, one of which, Necker, houses the most luxurious resort, Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson’s private island paradise, part of the Virgin Limited Edition portfolio of properties. This high-end island has received upgrades since the devastating hurricane damage. “The ‘Great House’ has expanded from nine rooms to 11 and the rebuilt ‘Bali High’ complex has an extended pool and outdoor lounge,” Keith says. “Additionally, private plunge pools have been added to each individual house. Necker continues to rebuild, and construction is set to be completed by summer 2020. Necker also has a wildlife reserve with exotic animals including lemurs, tropical birds, giant tortoises and flamingos.” One of the most secluded islands is Anegada, one that Kim has sailed to many times. It’s the most northern of the BVI chain and formed from coral and limestone. Kim says this island differs from the others as it’s very flat (the others have mountains). “We love to sail to Anegada’s Loblolly Bay, which has the most picturesque beach and is pure tranquility.” Kim describes the BVI in two words: “Yachtsman haven!”

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| STYLE |

NATE

FOY

Traveling this winter?

Dressing in northern climes requires a different tack, so this NBC2 News anchor offers up some tips.

WHO HE IS:

“I am at heart a goofy guy who enjoys finding happiness in little things. I listen to a lot of music, and I’m constantly dancing. I enjoy being around people. I love what I do for a living; the reason I do it is to help people and that is what gets me going.”

HIS WINTER FASHION TIP: “Dark colors truly pop in the winter, particularly when it’s snowing. I also really can’t overstate the extra swagger a scarf brings for men. But above all, cool comes from within. So if you don’t feel good in something, don’t wear it. Wear what makes you feel like the best version of yourself, and never look back.” — INTERVIEWED BY ANNE REED

54 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

PHOTO BY AMANDA INSCORE

HIS FASHION INSPIRATIONS: “My style has evolved over the years. I didn’t wear jeans until my senior year of high school; prior to that it was straight sweatpants, and I took pride in my bedhead. Now I would say I flirt with the metrosexual lines. My girlfriend is my No. 1 contributor to my style. If I had a celebrity that I kind of mold my style around, it would be David Beckham or, believe it or not, Scott Disick.”

| STYLE |

Nate’s

FASHION ESSENTIALS

FOR COLD WEATHER TRAVEL:

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ALDO CADALIWIEN LEATHER CHELSEA BOOT, $110 AT DILLARDS.COM GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 55

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FROM

WORKADAY STORY AND PHOTOS BY LANCE SHEARER

WORLD-

CLASS Hank Feinberg’s car collecting covers the spectrum.

ank Feinberg was stricken early with the car bug. Born in Springfield, Illinois, “in the midst of World War II,” Hank remembers as a child identifying the makes of cars just by the different sounds of the engines. “I would sit on the curb and listen, and I knew just by the sound which was a Buick, a Pontiac, or a Ford. I’ve been a car person all my life.” During the course of his life, the retired Fort Myers endodontist guesses he has bought and sold “about a hundred” cars, and over time, he has sharpened his focus. Hank’s collecting has gone in two distinct directions — on the one hand, foreign, upscale and exotic, and on the other hand, domestic, mass market and utilitarian. But in both cases, the cars that ignite his passion are antique. New cars are just for getting around. Right now, in addition to the modern vehicles he keeps for everyday driving — a 2020 Chevrolet Suburban for him and a Toyota Solara convertible for his wife, Debbie — Hank owns four antique cars, two British Bentleys and two American Fords. 56 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

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The one he has had the longest is a 1961 Bentley Model S-2 sedan. It dates to the era when Rolls-Royce and Bentley were stable mates, before Bentley became a subsidiary of Volkswagen, and Rolls-Royce was acquired by BMW. The equivalent model to Hank’s car was the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, which had much higher production than the 1,920 S-2 Bentleys manufactured over three-and-a-half years. Unlike Hank’s other Bentley, the S-2 is a left-hand drive model, built for the American market, with a 6,230-cc V-8 engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. Hank has been “owner and caretaker” for over 20 years, during which time he has put just 12,000 miles on the odometer. The speedometer, to our modern American eyes, appears to run backward, with zero miles per hour in the upper right quadrant.

But the most immediately distinctive feature of the S-2 is the paint job. With the original Smoke Green lacquer finish, the Bentley gives off the vibe that it is about to pull into the carriage drive of a stately English country home for a weekend visit. To facilitate the journey, the car has matching bespoke fitted luggage designed to nest neatly in the “boot” or trunk, although Hank says the suitcase quality is not up to what one might expect in such a high-end automobile. This S-2 came with over 20 additional factory options, detailed in the original sales order Hank still keeps in the glove box. Options included air conditioning — a rarity at the time, it blows its cold air from behind the rear seat — tinted windows, seatbelts, power steering, a tachometer, an altimeter and monogrammed accessories that include a cigarette case, a compact and

GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 57

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a notepad that fit inside the rear center armrest, matching the tan leather interior. Hank’s other Bentley — and how many people can make that statement — is a 1950 Mark VI sedan, with right-hand drive. While the S-2 lives in one of three bays in Hank’s garage at home, and is ready to drive off, the Mark VI, he says, was a “barn find” that stays in the garage space he rents in a commercial building given over to car enthusiasts. Calling it “the most recent addition to the family,” Hank says the Mark VI was bought “sight unseen, as a nonrunner. One would think that at my age and experience, I would have had more sense.” After four months of working on it, the car is running and drivable, “but we’ve got a long ways to go. The car was literally pulled out of the barn like this,” he says. “It hasn’t even been washed.” The Mark VI has a custom-built aluminum body, typical before World War II but increasingly rare after the war. The coach builder was H.J. Mulliner of London, who affixed several name plates inside the “bonnet” and under the front door, proclaiming his work. The unique style, and the two-tone maroon and gray color scheme, with a red leather interior, attracted Hank’s eye and checkbook. Power comes from a Rolls-Royce/Bentley 4.25-liter six-cylinder “F-Head” engine through a four-speed manual 58 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

transmission. Hank says that getting old cars into shape is “like going to work, but with no time clock.” Other car enthusiasts come help him with their areas of expertise; Hank belongs to the RollsRoyce Club and the Model A Club in Southwest Florida, as well as the local chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America. His shop contains a myriad of parts, supplies and tools necessary to perform all the tasks involved in bringing a 70-year-old — or an 88-year-old car — back to performance standards, but Hank says that the 1/4-inch open-end British standard spanner or wrench he picks up can turn “90% of the bolts on this car.” That 88-year-old, Hank’s oldest, is a 1931 Model A Ford Town Sedan purchased in California this past February. “We already had a virtually identical car at home, but this one looked much nicer, so an offer was made, car bought, shipped to Fort Myers, and the other Model A sold to a fellow in England,” Hank says. The color is basic black with a tan interior, calling to mind the dictum of longtime Fort Myers winter resident Henry Ford that a buyer could have “any color that he wants, so long as it’s black,” although that quote, from 1909, actually referred to the Model T. From 1927 to 1932, over 5 million Model

A’s were built, and they all featured a 201-cubic inch four-cylinder with a three-speed manual floor shift. The car shows where the expression “trunk” for a car’s luggage compartment comes from. In the Model A, it is a trunk, and opens up, Hank says, to accommodate six 5-gallon milk jugs, illustrating the workaday farmyard origins of this once ubiquitous model. Hank’s other Ford is newer, but not much, a 1936 Ford Convertible Sedan, powered by the iconic 221-cubic-inch “flat head” V-8, coupled to “three on the floor” manual transmission. Convertible-loving Debbie took a liking to the car, keeping Hank from following through with his plan to “flip” the vehicle. But with 15 minutes work needed to raise or lower the top, it mostly stays up, he says. Along with the convertible top, options include roll-up windows, an electric clock and an AM radio. Unlike some antique car owners, Hank does not obsess over having his vehicles as spotless as they were on the showroom floor. “I want cars I can get in and drive,” he says. “It’s presentable, but it’s been used. I can drive my cars to Publix without living in fear of a scratch.” From his first car, a 1929 Oakland he bought at age 15, to his current stable, Hank Feinberg has maintained his passion for old cars, but is always willing to consider making a move to the next one. “Am I still looking at antique cars for sale? Of course,” he says. “Are any of mine for sale? Well, maybe — let’s talk.”

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Isola Bella homebuyers will enjoy a golf membership valued at $97,500 that affords year-round access to Talis Park’s Greg Norman and Pete Dye-designed golf course and the community’s state-of-the-art practice facility.

A “Beautiful Island” of water and golf course view homesites In Italian, Isola Bella means “beautiful island.” In Talis Park, Naples’ newfashioned luxury home community, Isola Bella translates into a limited opportunity to select from 17 exceptional water and golf course view homesites in its newest, and final, neighborhood of distinctive single-family homes. Developed and built by Seagate Development Group – one of Southwest Florida’s leading full-service residential development and construction companies – Isola Bella evokes an Italian hillside with views of the award-winning Vyne House, the epicenter of social life at Talis Park, and the grandeur of the community’s Great Lawn. The intimate 4.5-acre Isola Bella enclave offers homesites to accommodate custom estate residences from 3,500 to more than 5,000 square feet. Since every Isola Bella homesite is unique, homebuyers may choose from a selection of five stunning floor plans. Or, they may custom design one that suits their personal needs and style. For a limited time, Isola Bella homesites will include a golf membership valued at $97,500, with year-round access to enjoy Talis Park’s Greg Norman and Pete Dye-designed championship golf course. Construction is underway on two exceptional furnished models. Designed by Rich Guzman, R.G. Designs principal, with interiors by Theory Design’s award-winning designer Ruta Menaghlazi, the models will preview the possibilities within Isola Bella, along with the Talis Park lifestyle. The four-bedroom, six-bath Sonoma model will embody a casual California coastal theme within 4,012 square feet of living space and a three-car garage. Ideal for everyday entertaining, a large outdoor living area will present covered conversation and dining areas, a fireplace, the convenience of an outdoor kitchen and pool bath, and a spacious deck surrounded by a custom pool and sparkling spa. The first floor of Sonoma’s open-concept design introduces an impressive entry and elegant foyer. An expansive great room and dining area, enhanced with a wine room and bar, open to the outdoor living area, while the gourmet kitchen offers an island and walk-in pantry and nearby powder bath. A first-floor VIP suite provides ample space for guests. Elevator access to the second floor reveals an expansive master suite with dual walk-in closets and a spa-worthy bath with separate vanities, a graceful freestanding tub and walk-in shower. A cozy sitting area opening to a private covered deck welcomes morning breezes. Two suites, along with a comfortable loft with morning bar, afford privacy for family and friends. The second floor also accommodates space for a private study or exercise area.

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The modern-minded Monterey model will boast four bedrooms, five baths and 4,328 square feet under air. A wide foyer welcomes guests to a sitting area complete with wine room. The home’s primary living space includes a sizeable great room, dining area with wet bar and built-in cabinetry, and an island kitchen with walk-in pantry. A powder room and VIP guest suite complete the first floor. An impressive outdoor living area beyond the Monterey’s great room offers upscale elements of entertaining, from a fireplace and covered conversation and dining areas, to an outdoor kitchen with L-shaped bar and a multilevel deck with a spillover pool and spa. Upstairs, the spacious loft opens to a sundeck for stargazing parties. The master suite features two large walk-in closets and bath with separate water closets and vanities, free-standing tub, and walk-in shower. Two guest suites with private baths and a second laundry room complete the second floor. The Monterey plan also features a three-car garage. Isola Bella is just a short walk, bike or golf cart ride away from Vyne House – the heart of activity for Talis Park residents that offers a choice of formal and casual indoor and alfresco dining and a fully-stocked wine room. Residents work out at the fitness center, indulge in spa treatments, and relax near the resort-style pool with a newly installed bar overlooking the 18th green of Talis Park’s Greg Norman and Pete Dye-designed golf course, one of Florida’s highest ranked championship golf courses. Next to the driving range, Casa Cortese sports pub is a great spot for sports enthusiasts and features billiards, shuffleboard, darts, and a Trackman golf simulator to help improve your game. And when the beach beckons, Talis Park members hop on The Beach Runner, Talis Park’s exclusive complimentary Mercedes-Benz Sprinter beach shuttle. Talis Park extends an invitation to be a special guest with a two-day Gold Pass – an exclusive opportunity to experience the benefits of a Sports Membership and the community’s world-class amenities. Gold Pass guests receive a $100 Talis Park gift card to use as they wish toward dining, spa services or golf. You are also invited to play a round of golf at the member-guest rate, as a Gold Pass guest. To arrange a Gold Pass appointment, contact Talis Park’s new home sales associates at 239-449-5900. Talis Park has a full offering of move-in ready and to-be-built opportunities for future residents. Homes start from the high $600,000s to $10 million. The Talis Park Garden House information and Sales Center is at 16980 Livingston Rd. Models Open Daily. Additional information at www.talispark.com.

Live the view

ISOLA BELLA BY SEAGATE DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Magnificent waterfront estate residences steps from Vyne House and the Great Lawn with spectacular water and golf course views

THE MONTEREY

THE LAGUNA

THE SONOMA

Terrace elevation floor plans from 3,500 to more than 5,000 square feet from $2.5 Million

Norman & Dye Golf 16990 Livingston Rd, Naples, FL 34110

A Kitson & Partners Community

TalisPark.com

Broker participation is most welcome. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Oral Representation Cannot Be Relied Upon As Correctly Stating The Representations Of The Developer. For Correct Representations Reference Should Be Made To The Documents Required By Section 718.503, Florida Statutes, To Be Furnished By A Developer To A Buyer Or Lessee. Not An Offering Where Prohibited By State Law. Photography In This Ad May Be Stock Photography Used To Depict The Lifestyle To Be Achieved Rather Any That May Exist.

| MAKE IT A DOUBLE |

A sazerac made by the bartenders at the 86 Room at the Patio de Leon.

MODERN-DAY

SPEAKEASY The 86 Room, created in Prohibition-era style in Fort Myersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Patio de Leon, serves up classic cocktails with throwback flair. STORY BY GINA BIRCH | PHOTOS BY ANDREW WEST

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Derek Van Dusen is a bartender at the 86 Room at the Patio de Leon.

ucked in at the bottom of the old Greystone Hotel building in the bustling Patio de Leon, a step through the doors of this modern-day speakeasy in downtown Fort Myers is like taking a step back in time. At the 86 Room, a 1920s-era piano flanks one wall while a working keyhole jukebox plays tunes from sheet music on another. Black-and-white silent movies are projected behind the bands that play Tuesday through Thursday. Jazz is featured on Wednesday when owner Raimond Aulen is guaranteed to croon into the microphone. Raimond is a licensed contractor with a love of history and music. Moving to Southwest Florida from Miami after hurricane Andrew, he began looking for a space to showcase live music. When no one would rent one to him, he bought a building and opened the popular Indigo Room. When coming up with the speakeasy theme for the neighboring 86 Room, he says, “I have always been intrigued by old things, especially from the 1920s and ’30s era, the way people lived and built things, all of it.”

He salvaged cypress wood from the former McCrory’s building downtown to construct a vintage bar, where staffers dressed in period attire climb a sliding ladder to reach the impressive array of spirits lining the shelves. The 86 Room serves a small selection of beer and wine, but is predominantly known as a whiskey bar, focusing on handcrafted, Prohibition-era cocktails. Raimond and his staff thoroughly research the classics and how they evolved over the years, then reproduce them with quality ingredients including fresh squeezed juices and herbs — no mixes. The Whisky Sour Flip gets its “sour” from fresh lemon, limes and simple syrup. Its pillowy froth comes from egg whites. Add a Luxardo cherry and a splash of bitters, and bartender Derek Van Dusen calls it “the T-shirt of cocktails,” explaining, “Depending on how you dress it up, it’s good for any occasion.” A Lewis bag is used to hand crush ice for drinks such as the mint julep. Derek “spanks” sprigs of fresh mint against his hand to release the oils and aromatics before adding it to rich demerara syrup and bourbon. Served in a metal julep cup, it’s sweet and cooling. GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 63

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Most of the barware is a mismatch of vintage glasses that staffers and Raimond pick up at thrift stores; think beveled glass and delicate coupes alongside more traditional flutes. The sazerac is a showstopper. Bartender Jessica Maine starts by mixing rye bourbon and a sugar cube over ice before straining it into a rocks glass that has been rinsed with absinthe. The fun comes when she sloshes absinthe on the hammered copper bar top then ignites it, sometimes adding cinnamon to create sparks. “It’s like a stage with fire,” she says with a smile. “I make it (fire) jump, I throw it, and I have a lot of fun with it.” The fire does have a purpose: to toast the lemon peel used for a garnish. The 86 Room has outdoor seating facing the action of Patio de Leon as well as in the more private and scenic Bootleggers Alley, behind the bar. It’s fun to sit here with a cocktail and friends, conjuring up images of days gone by when stealth bootleggers used alleys like this to get their illegal hooch to thirsty revelers, like those found at the 86 Room. 64 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Jessica Maine, a bartender at the 86 Room lights absinthe on fire and sparks it with lemon as part of a presentation of the sazerac. • A mint julep • Derek Van Dusen pours a Whisky Sour Flip. • Kentucky straight bourbon • A French 75

GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 65

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STORY BY ANDREW ATKINS

DBS Aston Martin

NAPLES WINTER WINE FESTIVAL “

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James Bond premiere, Aston Martin car up for grabs at Naples 2020 wine auction

he name is Bond. James Bond.” Sound familiar? It’s close to home, too — the second round of the 2020 auction lots for the Naples Winter Wine Festival announced in November includes a 2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante and a trip to the London premiere of the 25th James Bond movie, “No Time to Die.” The 2020 festival runs January 24-26 at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples. In celebration of the festival’s 20th year, organizers have committed to auction lots going above and beyond anything seen before. The festival hopes to add to the stately $191 million it has raised since its 2001 inception to benefit at-risk and underprivileged children in Collier County.

Aside from a taste of 007’s lifestyle, other auction lots of the 12 more announced include a 14-day trip through India and a visit to Switzerland’s exclusive White Turf races. One winner will receive a selection of wines to enjoy on a two-night stay with two other couples at the Pym-Rae estate in Napa Valley, complete with a tennis court, an infinity pool and hiking and riding trails. Another winner will receive a five-night trip for 10 guests to Cuvée’s Hualalai Big Island Villa in Hawaii, including a helicopter ride over the Kilauea Volcano, a swim with dolphins and a guided hike of the Pololu Valley. “The immense impact that the Festival has had on the community is truly the best way to show how successful the Naples Winter Wine Festival has been over the past 20 years,” says 2020 NWWF

Co-Chair Paul Hills in a news release. “This success would not be possible without the support of our wonderful donors, supporters, and patrons year after year to ensure we are able to provide our bidders with the rarest and most mindblowing experiences.” Ticket packages to the Naples Winter Wine Festival start at $12,500 per couple and range to a $30,000 package that includes access to reserved seating for four at a vintner dinner under the auction tent. The 2020 festival headlining vintner will be Saskia de Rothschild, whose family wine company, Bloomberg, is called “one of Bordeaux’s great wine empires.” Sarah Grueneberg, head chef and owner of Monteverde Restaurant and Pastificio in Chicago, will serve as chef de cuisine.

| EVENTS |

THIS YEAR’S COVETED AUCTION ITEMS INCLUDE: Own one of the first Bentley Flying Spurs in the US and take an exclusive tour of Bentley Motors in Crewe •

Discover what it’s like to ride in style with a new 2020 Bentley Flying Spur sedan while visiting the world-famous production facility at Bentley Motors in Crewe, Cheshire. One couple will receive a round-trip business-class ticket to London in February and spend three nights at the chic Connaught Hotel. Located in London’s stylish Mayfair village with a discreet English ambiance and contemporary five-star touches, the hotel is known for its winning combination of elegance and world-famous service. Ground transportation throughout the stay will be included.

One-week, 158-foot private yacht cruise for four couples • Enjoy a one-week cruise in the

Western Mediterranean Sea (for late Spring or Summer 2020) or the Caribbean (for early Spring or Winter 2020) with a luxurious experience. Four couples will travel on the 158-foot Feadship M/Y Gitana, featuring amenities that include a private chef, 10 crew members, 5 cabins (1 master, 2 double and 2 twin), kayaks and a plunge pool. The yacht also has Bodega 202 wines onboard. Airfare to be provided for the four winning couples from any major city in the U.S. to the closest port of embarkation. All fuel charges, dockage fees and guest provisioning, including food and beverages, are included. Roundtrip, private airfare will also be included.

Time-traveling tasting with Château Lafite Rothschild •

Three lucky couples will journey through a time-traveling tasting experience with Château Lafite and to Bordeaux. The winning couple and two guest couples will have VIP assistance at the Paris Airport, receive first-class train tickets from Paris to Bordeaux, and luxury hotel accommodations while in Bordeaux for two nights. The winning couples will also receive nine 750ml (ranging

from the 1905 vintage to 2010) and six 1.5-liter bottles (ranging from 1955 to 2002) from Château Lafite, signed by Baron Eric de Rothschild and Saskia de Rothschild. The trip includes dinner at the private home of the Rothschild family at Château Lafite hosted by world-renowned vintner Saskia de Rothschild or CEO Jean-Guillaume Prats.

Ferrari Trento Italian Art of Living Journey • This eight-day

experience with gourmet dining, a helicopter tour, tailor-made fashion and breathtaking landscapes will be for two couples. Guests will travel between Milan and the Dolomites, visiting the historic sites. Guests will go home with two tailor-made suits by Zegna and two pairs of luxury women’s shoes designed by René Caovilla. They will also have sports and wellness activities in Lake Garda and Alta Badia with expert guides. In Trento, the couples have lunch at Locanda Margon, the restaurant of the Ferrari Trento Winery, a guided visit to the 16th-century Villa Margon and a private tasting at Ferrari Trento Winery with the Chef de Cave and a member of the Lunelli family. Couples will go home with 20 bottles of some of Ferrari Trento’s most notable wines. Roundtrip, business-class airfare to and from Milan is included along with hotel accommodations, meals and ground transportation.

A timeless experience in Napa Valley and Bordeaux, France • Enjoy three nights in Napa Valley

for two couples and three nights in the cultural city of Bordeaux, France, for one couple featuring the inaugural release of Silver Oak’s 2017 Timeless Cabernet Sauvignon. Timeless is a collaboration between winemaker Jean-Claude Berrouet of Château Pétrus and David Duncan who penned the song “Timeless” with Monty Powell, Anna Wilson and Jeff Gargiulo. Accommodations at the Duncan family’s Calistoga Ranch residence in Napa Valley are included along with a special dinner featuring a menu prepared by winery chef Dominic Orsini. The

couples will attend an intimate concert by Monty Powell and Anna Wilson, a tour of the Timeless estate vineyard and a private dinner at The French Laundry in Yountville. The winning couple will then jet set to Bordeaux, where they will meet Jean-Claude Berrouet for lunch and a complete day of wine tasting and tours in Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux. In addition to a case of special Bordeaux wines, five-star accommodations at Hostellerie de Plaisance, VIP train tickets, roundtrip, business-class airfare, and private airport transfers in California and France are included.

2020 Wimbledon, Cotswolds and British Open • Watch some

of the world’s best athletes at both the 2020 Wimbledon and British Open and stay at a 16thcentury manor house in the heart of the Cotswolds. Two couples will receive Wimbledon Club Debenture tickets, with center court tickets for the women’s singles finals, the men’s singles finals, and the men’s and women’s doubles finals. They will stay in deluxe junior suites at The Connaught in London, enjoy a private 90-minute tennis lesson with a tennis champion and receive access to the player lounges. Guests will go home with four pairs of shoes from Stan Smith, four racquets from a tennis icon and get a behind-the-scenes tour of Wimbledon by a Hall of Fame player. In between the two tournaments, the couples will receive en suite accommodations in an English manor. Guests will then receive VIP tickets to all four days of the 2020 British Open at Royal St. Georges and accommodations in Suites at Canterbury Cathedral. Roundtrip, private airfare will also be included.

Lakani World Tours • Take a peek into Europe’s hidden historic gems with this private jet adventure across six cities. The trip will start in Helsinki, Finland, where guests will tour the capital city, followed by three nights in Baku, Azerbaijan, at the Four Seasons Hotel where they

can enjoy a sunset cruise and dinner at one of Baku’s oldest restaurants. Guests will then stay in a private villa in Rhodes, Greece, and visit the ancient castle and acropolis in Lindos, traveling by donkey if they choose. The next stop is Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina to tour its iconic Stari Most, its minaret and bazaar followed by three nights at the Grand Hotel Majestic in Bologna, Italy, where they’ll tour the city and indulge in its culture and history. The adventure will conclude with three nights in Biarritz, France, at the Hotel du Palais where ocean-view suites await. Roundtrip, business class airfare from the U.S. to Helsinki and from Biarritz is included.

Family escape to Trout Lake • Relax and unplug with a five-

day family retreat on Trout Lake in Northern Wisconsin at the home of 2020 NWWF Co-Chairs Nancy and Joe Masterson. The winners of this lot, along with 12 to 14 of their family or guests, will experience the great outdoors in a private retreat with amenities that include bike trails, access to Northern Wisconsin’s premiere golf club, sunset cruises and water activities. A private chef will be available to prepare meals. Roundtrip, private airfare from either Chicago or Minneapolis will be included.

11-night tour of Cambodia and Vietnam • Two couples will first

travel to Hanoi for three days before taking off in an overnight cruise to the UNESCO World Heritage site Ha Long Bay. Guests will stay at The Nam Hai in Hoi An for three nights in one-bedroom villas and spend days exploring the village, learning to prepare local dishes and visiting ancient temples. Following Hoi An, guests will fly to Ho Chi Minh City and stay at the Park Hyatt Saigon and explore the city. Lastly, visit Siem Reap, Cambodia and stay at the Phum Baitang Resort for three nights in Pool Villas and see everything from a 12th-century temple to the studio of a couture Khmer fashion designer.

ABOUT THE NAPLES WINTER WINE FESTIVAL The Naples Winter Wine Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious charity wine auctions, offers a weekend of unforgettable memories. Guests enjoy world-class food and wine during intimate dinners in private homes and are invited to bid on once-in-a-lifetime travel and wine experiences during an electrifying live auction. Since its inaugural event in 2001, the NWWF has raised more than $191 million, making a profound difference in the lives of thousands of children. NWWF and NCEF are on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @NCEF_NWWF.

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| GRAND TIMES |

CYPRESS LAKE GOLF CLUB ANNIVERSARY

1. Michelle Perry and Cathy Krichbaum 2. Barbara and Craig Stevens with Debra Rogan 3. Ken Nimmer, Lydia Black and Chris Black 4. Lois and Dennis Hogerheide 5. Bob and Christine Morro 6. Christine Turner, Sherry Christie and Terry Bradshaw 7. Mary Ossana and Dave “Bubba” Feller 8. Mary Friends and Joe Scotto 9. Steven Peterson with Mary and Scott Fischer 10. Wes Perry and Jack Kahrnoff

PHOTOS SPECIAL TO GRANDEUR

ANNUAL UNITED WAY KICK OFF More than 800 people celebrated the kick off of the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee’s 2019-2020 Campaign at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on October 29. 1. Lisa Myhand and Alicia Miller 2. Jeannine Joy and Anjali Van Drie 3. Erica Castner and Krystle Mabery

GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 69

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CYPRESS LAKE GOLF CLUB

Cypress Lake Golf Club marked the start of its yearlong 60th anniversary celebration on November 1. The celebration included food trucks, cocktails, live music, dancing and commemorative gifts for all members in attendance. Then on November 2, members hit the links for a golf tournament and the courts for a tennis tournament. Cypress Lake Golf Club opened in 1959 and is Fort Myers’ oldest and most historic private golf club.

| GRAND TIMES |

NAPLES CHILDREN & EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Naples Children & Education Foundation Trustee 20th anniversary kick-off celebration aboard the Naples Princess on October 25. The event was hosted by Jerri and David Hoffmann and Kristine and Chris Williams.

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PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SUNSHINE ACE HARDWARE

1. Chuck Hallber, Monty Powell and Anna Wilson 2. John Jordan and Tom Koehn 3. Jim Dixon, Retta Singer and Elliot Singer 4. Julia Van Domelen and Sandi Moran 5. Karen Scott, Anne Welsh McNulty, Adria Starkey and Barbara Jordan 6. Dan Mezzalingua, Rich Kash, Katrina Kash, Ron Balser and Barbara Balser 7. Adria Stakey and Tricia Staros 8. Nancy Masterson and Valerie Boyd

LADIES’ NIGHT OUT Sunshine Ace Hardware’s fourth annual “Bonita Ladies Night Out: Heels, Hounds and Hardware” drew women from across Southwest Florida for a fashion show, food samples, wine tasting and product demonstrations. The evening benefited Brooke’s Legacy Animal Rescue. 1. Ali Gilbert and Tara Settembre 2. Laurie Chiuchiolo and Robin Riggs 3. Km Wolford and Cynthia Ferris

PHOTOS BY LOUIS VENNE | SPECIAL TO GRANDEUR

| GRAND TIMES |

Hope Clubhouse of Southwest Florida has set a new fundraising mark, collecting $200,000 at its annual mental health luncheon, which brought more than 300 people to the Broadway Palm dinner theater in Fort Myers on October 28. The theme of this year’s luncheon, “Faces of Hope Who Give,” was designed to spotlight the people who have given of their time, talent and treasure since the clubhouse’s inception.

Celebrating

HOPE CLUBHOUSE MENTAL HEALTH LUNCHEON years in

February 1 & 2

Downtown Fort Myers River District 1

Art for Everyone 200 Nationally Known Artists Kid’s Activities Food & Entertainment

PHOTOS SPECIAL TO GRANDEUR

FREE Admission & Easy Parking!

EXPERIENCE OPENING NIGHT AS A VIP! 5

January 31 6-9pm 70 Artists • Fine Food Beer & Wine • Music FREE Parking all weekend! Visit our website for VIP upgrades!

4 1. Sandy Stillwell Youngquist and James Wineinger 2. Sawyer Smith and Sarah Owen 3. Cindi Wineinger, Nina King and Anna Toole 4. Diana Willis and Kelly Fayer 5. Marc Collins and Corey Lazar 6. Marlene Moulton and Wendy Murray

ArtFestFortMyers.com 6 GRANDEUR | DECEMBER 2019 | 71

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT

PHOTOS SPECIAL TO GRANDEUR

Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida inducted Huntley “Bud” Hornbeck II, area chairman for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., and Dan Lavender, president and CEO of The Moorings Park Institute, Inc., into its 2019 Business Hall of Fame, Collier County during a dinner and awards ceremony on October 24 at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Beach Resort in Naples.

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PHOTOS BY MICHAEL CARONCHI, CARONCHI PHOTOGRAPHY | SPECIAL TO GRANDEUR

| GRAND TIMES |

1. Mike and Amelia Hoyt 2. Tim Youngquist, Sandy Stilwell Youngquist, Julie Skelton, Bill Skelton, Karen Tasman, Gary Tasman, Talisha Faber and Scott Fischer 3. Bud Hornbeck and Dan Lavender 4. Gary Griffin and Andrew Bellstrom 5. William H. Figlesthaler and Tony Lee 6. Brenda O’Connor and Angela Fisher

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| GRAND TIMES |

PHOTOS BY RED DOOR PHOTOGRAPHY | SPECIAL TO GRANDEUR

TIDES OF CHANGE

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More than 330 community supporters recently came together for the 2019 Tides of Change in support of Pace Center for Girls, Lee County’s vital counseling and academic programs. Held November 8 at MarineMax Fort Myers, Tides of Change featured an evening of shoreside cocktails, dinner, dancing and a wave-making live auction to help chart a smoother course for at-promise young women in Lee County.

1. Amy McQuagge with Mark and Susan Blust 2. Vicki and Richard Pitbladdo with Meg and Bob Geltner 3. John Agnew, Suzanne Boy and Jennifer Nelson 4. Pat Carroll and Lori Collins 5. Doug Meurer, Stefanie Ink-Edwards and Jonathan Gabel 6. Connie LIzak and Gail Markham

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| NEXT MONTH |

WOMEN IN CHARGE Five local leaders talk about what it takes to

reach the top of their fields and their plans to empower the next generation of women.

74 | DECEMBER 2019 | grandeurmagazine.com

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