Neapolitan Family Digital Issue July 2021

JULY 2021 NeaFamily.com

COMPLIMENTARY

Keep Your Cool in the Pool

Tips for water safety

Cruise to Cabbage Key

For chilled shrimp & frozen Key lime pie

Christmas in July

And other refreshing ideas for family fun

Frozen Fanatics Our top 10 spots for frosty treats

NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

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NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

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July 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS 6

in every issue . . .

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

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YOUR COMMUNITY

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COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS UPDATE

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READERS RECOMMEND

on the cover…

Kids Eat Free. We’ve updated our list of local restaurants that offer free or reduced-price meals for children.

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12 Use It Or Lose It. Fun ways to keep kids learning this summer.

by Gabrielle O’Boyle 14 Out & About. Find the best local events in July for your family. Story times are back at Collier County libraries!

Kai Pia is 3 years old and is the son of Ronald and Nicole Pia. He has three older brothers – Aidan, Dillon, and Sean – who live in New Jersey. Kai loves all sports, especially hockey. He is imaginative, a problem-solver, and likes to help people. When he’s not playing hockey or running with a cape on like a superhero catching bad guys, Kai’s helping “Gamma” garden, baking cookies and cake with Mommy, or giving ice to Daddy for his boo-boos.

Cover photo by Monica Alvarez of Monica Alvarez Photography www.monicaalvarezphotography.com 305-815-3495 info@monicaalvarezphotography.com

20 Staying Cool. Check out our list of great ways to explore SWFL while beating the summer heat.

by Anna Snyder

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24 We Love It. New products for your family.

26 Cabbage Key. Discover the island – and Key lime pie – that’s just an hour’s boat ride from Captiva.

by Karen T. Bartlett 28 Swimming Safety. Tips on protecting your children in and around the water.

The Naples School of Irish Dance “Where Dance Is an Adventure” Register NOW! First Class Free Fall Classes Start August 9 Accepting Ages 4+ The Naples School of Irish Dance 875 94th Ave. N., Naples FL 34108 Call 239-438-6226 or 516-314-7404 or email NaplesIrishDance@gmail.com 4

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NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

YOUR COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS

New Minature Horse Program at Naples Therapeutic Riding Center

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NEW CLASSES | BALLET | POINTE

$100,000 grant from the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation is funding a new miniature horse therapy program at Naples Therapeutic Riding Center (NTRC), a nonprofit organization providing therapeutic horseback riding and other equine-facilitated services to children and adults with physical, social, and mental health needs.

Two miniature horses, Toulmin and Itty Bitty, were donated to NTRC. Miniature horses, known as “minis”, are similar to their NEW INSTRUCTORS MORE SPACE full-sized equine| partners in terms of personality, intelligence, and disposition. The to improve the facilities to ensure | JAZZ | LYRICAL | grant TAPwas| used MODERN the safety of the minis as well as fund the new position of equine resource manager to implement and facilitate the program.

In addition to having the minis on site at the riding center, NTRC’s new mini traveling program will bring the therapeutic benefits of horses to worksites and organizations through Southwest Florida, including hospitals, schools, hospices, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers.

Visit www.naplestherapeuticridingcenter.org.

Call for available class times today! (239) 566-3535

13020 Livingston Road #8, Naples, 34105 bdaNaples.com Left:FL Camryn Ramsey |with miniature horse Toulmin.

Happy kids. Sparkly smiles.

Dr. Sandor.

Naples’ Favorite Pediatric Dentist

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Marilyn Sandor, DDS, MS was instrumental in helping develop the Zooby product line.

10 neafamily.com • July 2021 NEAPOLITANfamily

NEAPOLITANfamily •neafamily.com January 2021 5

Keeping track of which restaurants offer free (or discounted) kid’s meals is an impossible task for parents, so we’ve done the legwork for you. Check the details below for each restaurant, as days and purchase requirements vary, even among different locations of some of the chains. We’d love to hear about other restaurants in Southwest Florida where kids can eat for free, so please share with us at info@neafamily.com.

BEEF O’BRADY’S 7385 Radio Rd., Naples 239-348-2100 20301 Grande Oak Shoppes Blvd., Estero 239-949-4423 A kid’s meal is $1.99 with the purchase of an adult entrée on Tuesdays.

BOB EVANS 2570 Northbrooke Plaza Dr., Naples 239-598-5255 One free kid’s meal with each adult entrée purchase after 4 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Bokamper’s currently is closed, but will reopen for football season.

BOKAMPER’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL 8990 Fontana del Sol Way, Naples 239-431-7611 One kid’s meal 50% off on Wednesdays with purchase of every adult full-price entrée.

BURGER FI 1514 Immokalee Rd., Naples 239-631-5647 12712 Tamiami Tr. E., Naples 239-331-3606 Free kid’s meal for 12 and younger with the purchase of an adult meal on Tuesdays. In-store orders only.

BURNTWOOD TAVERN 9110 Strada Pl., Naples 239-631-8964 One free kid’s meal with each adult entrée purchase every Monday.

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CICIS PIZZA 2650 Immokalee Rd., Naples 239-597-0306 Kids 0-3 eat free every day.

HURRICANE GRILL & WINGS 6345 Naples Blvd. #7, Naples 239-513-9900 One free kid’s meal with adult entrée purchase on Saturdays.

KRUK’S PHILLY STEAKS 6434 Naples Blvd., Naples 239-572-8128 Kids 12 and younger eat free with the purchase of an adult meal from 3-8 p.m. on Tuesdays.

MILLER’S ALE HOUSE 6320 Hollywood Dr., Naples 239-591-0125 Kids eat free on Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult meal.

MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILL 6434 Naples Blvd., Naples 239-594-0065 7335 Radio Rd., Naples 239-352-1212 1016 Immokalee Rd., Naples 239-593-4993 Kids 12 and younger eat free on Sundays with entrée purchase.

PERKIN’S RESTAURANT & BAKERY 4335 Tamiami Tr. E., Naples 239-775-8200 3585 Gateway Lane, Naples 239-596-0700 One free kid’s meal with adult meal purchase on Tuesdays from 4-10 p.m.

PINCHERS CRAB SHACK 1200 5th Ave. S., Naples 239-434-6616 28580 Bonita Crossings Blvd., Bonita Springs 239-948-1313 One free kid’s meal every day with the purchase of adult entrée $15.99 or more.

RIB CITY 9191 Tamiami Tr. N., Naples 239-591-3500 10431 Corkscrew Commons Dr., Estero 239-949-1006 4836 Leonard St., Cape Coral 239-549-7427 Kids under 4 years old receive a free meal (one piece of chicken and fries) with the purchase of each adult meal every day. Dine-in only.

STEVIE TOMATO’S SPORTS PAGE 15215 Collier Blvd., Naples 239-352-4233 814 Pine Island Rd., Cape Coral 239-573-7877 One free kid’s meal with the purchase of a full-priced adult meal on Wednesdays.

TEXAS ROADHOUSE 6815 Collier Blvd., Naples 239-417-1111 3005 Terracap Way, Estero 239-256-2290 Half off a kid’s meal on Mondays, with the purchase of a full-priced adult entrée.

NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

from the publisher… the parenting magazine devoted to collier county

P.O. Box 110656 Naples, FL 34108 info@neafamily.com 2020

2020

2020

2020

Co-Publisher Leigh Ann Newman lanewman@neafamily.com 239-272-0529 Co-Publisher Stacy Nicolau snicolau@neafamily.com 239-370-5333 Travel Editor Karen T. Bartlett mostlykidsguides@gmail.com 239-595-9026 Feature Writer Anna Snyder Digital Editor Claudia Metsch Editorial submissions are welcome. We reserve the right to edit, reject, or comment editorially on all material contributed. We cannot be responsible for return of any unsolicited materials. Articles and advertisements in Neapolitan Family do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher nor does the publisher assume responsibility for statements made by our advertisers or editorial contributors. Acceptance of advertising by Neapolitan Family does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services, or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service that is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Neapolitan Family is available free of charge at distribution points throughout Collier County as well as digitally at neafamily.com. Neapolitan Family is ©2021 by Neapolitan Family Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

THIS MONTH Staying Cool Having lived in Naples for 15 years, I should be used to the heat. I’m not.

Although my years in Florida have destroyed my ability to deal with winters up north, they have done nothing to improve my resistance to Southwest Florida temperatures and humidity.

It might seem odd, then, that summer is my favorite time of year in Naples. School’s out, our roads and restaurants are slightly less crowded, and using these precious summer months to explore our beautiful area just makes sense. Naples writer and mom Anna Snyder provides an extensive list of ways to have fun with your family in July without melting on page 20. And I’m excited to note that Collier County Public Libraries are on the list, as story times and some other in-person events have returned as of this month! You can find more details on library events in our calendar, starting on page 14, and at neafamily.com.

If you are heading to the beach or pool to cool off, take a few minutes to read our swimming safety article on page 28. Drownings among children currently are at record-high levels, and these tips can help you protect your family.

My favorite way to beat the heat is a little indulgent – ice cream. On page 21, we’ve put together a list of some of our top sweet treat spots in SWFL. Try somewhere new this month.

Speaking of treats, our travel editor Karen T. Bartlett traveled to Cabbage Key to put the island’s restaurant’s fabled Key lime pie to the test, and compare it with Key lime pie from other local islands. Find out which dessert won the day on page 26.

Stay Cool!

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YOUR COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS

A previous Youth Haven school supply drive at Laura Jacobs Bridal in Fort Myers.

W E ’ R E H E R E TO H E L P YO U

Find the Perfect Community F O R YO U R FA M I LY

T R AC EY A L B ERT R E A LT O R ®

(239) 572-8643 Tracey@LiveParadiseLiveNaples.com LiveParadiseLiveNaples.com

D O W N I N G - F R Y E R E A LT Y, I N C .

8950 FONTANA DEL SOL WAY, SUITE 100, NAPLES, FL 34109

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Youth Haven Hosting Drive For New School Supplies, Clothes

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outh Haven, a residential shelter in Naples for boys and girls ages 6-19 removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or homelessness, is looking to the public to provide new school supplies and clothing for its students.

There are three ways to contribute.

• Visit the Wish List on https://YouthHavenSWFL.org, and purchase and deliver the donations to the Youth Haven campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday-Friday.

• Access the Youth Haven Amazon Wish List to have items shipped directly or make a financial contribution.

• Mail monetary donations or gift cards to: Youth Haven Attn: School Supply 5867 Whitaker Road Naples, Florida 34112 All donations are requested by Aug. 2 so that they are available for students starting the new school year.

For more information, contact Laura Lafakis, Youth Haven’s director of development, at Laura.Lafakis@youthhavenswfl.org or 239-774-2904.

Send Us Your Community News!

Did your kids do something amazing? Is your organization hosting an event? Let us know, and you might see your news in print! Send photos and details to info@neafamily.com.

NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

Jump Start Kids 239-946-4776 Golf Lessons for Kids Ages 3-6

• CONNECT • PLAY • EMPOWER

Mallory Poff with her solar-powered refrigerated trailer project that won the 2021 Lumen Prize at Elon University in North Carolina.

Local Student Named 2021 Lumen Scholar at Elon University

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allory Poff, a 2019 graduate of Barron Collier High School in Naples, recently was awarded the prestigious 2021 Lumen Prize at Elon University in North Carolina. Fifteen Elon sophomores are selected Lumen scholars each year following a lengthy application and interview process, and receive a $20,000 scholarship.

Poff, an engineering major, will spend the next two years pursuing her project: “What Is an Efficient Solar Panel Design to Power a Mobile Cooling Unit and Meet Agricultural Standards for Small Farms?” Her goal is to make a self-sustaining trailer to transport crops from small farms to local food pantries and farmers markets using solar energy to refrigerate the crops rather than burning fossil fuels, and provide videos and instructions to enable farmers to make their own trailers.

Poff points to her Collier County Public Schools teachers and her time serving the Naples community as sources of inspiration for her project.

“I am super passionate about renewable energy and have been since elementary school,” Poff said. “I am very thankful for my engineering and math teachers throughout my K 12 education [at Collier County Public Schools]. The Engineering NAF Academy at Barron Collier High School was an eye opening program for me I was the only female at BCHS to complete the Engineering NAF program in 2019, and it was the support of my teachers and peers that helped me grow in my confidence as a woman in STEM that set me up for success at Elon.”

Poff noted that she grew up with a service mindset. “I have always loved to serve my community, whether at East Naples United Methodist Church, Osceola Elementary School, or Meals of Hope, so I knew my research would have a service component attached,” she explained. “By creating a cost-effective, energy-efficient way to store and transport crops, this device will solve a huge need in this community and protect the surrounding environment.”

Poff is the daughter of Michael and Danielle Poff, sister to Victoria, and granddaughter of Tom and Carol McElroy and Anne Poff, all of Naples.

NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

JumpStartKidsGolf.com Dance classes for ages 18 months and up!

• Classes offered: Parent & Child, Creative Movement, Jazz, & Ballet

• Private and group lessons available

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COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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By Jennifer Kupiec

Is Your Child Gearing Up for Next School Year?

s a result of disrupted learning due to COVID-19, and the potential for student learning loss, Collier County Public Schools is encouraging all students to participate in Gear Up for Next School Year.

The Gear Up online program provides summer learning opportunities for students in English, math, science, and social studies. These engaging activities are designed to sustain learning during the summer months and prepare students for next school year.

All CCPS students moving into grades 3-10 will have access through Canvas to a Gear Up course, which will appear on their dashboard. Students moving into kindergarten, first, and second grades will have brought home a calendar of activities last month to be completed throughout

the summer. Participation is voluntary, and students work independently at their own pace on these non-graded assignments.

If your child brought home their district-provided device for use during the summer, ensure they do not leave the laptop continuously plugged into the charger.

Remember, “A charge overnight is just right.” You also will want to securely store the laptop when not in use, avoid extremely hot temperatures in vehicles, and carry your laptop in a waterproof bag in the event of

rain. Browse safely and responsibly at all times, as rules of use apply whether on or off campus.

For more information about Gear Up, visit www.collierschools.com/gearup.

Questions related to lessons and activities may be sent to TeachingAndLearning@ collierschools.com, and those needing technical support may email studentlaptop@ collierschools.com.

As a reminder, the wearing of face masks now is optional on all CCPS campuses. The district will be resuming all regular activities for the 2021-22 school year, including field trips and the use of volunteers on campus.

We look forward to welcoming our #CCPSFamily back to school on August10.

Children’s Montessori School SUMMER CAMP

Animal Discoveries Campers Ages 12 months to Pre-K/K 239-593-6668 childmont101@gmail.com 10

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Summer VPK www.childmont.com NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

Spinal Health is imperative for a healthy life

Looking after your, and your families health, also includes keeping check of your spinal health. Just READERS RECOMMEND like we check things like our child's teeth, eyes and ears, it’s important to pay attention to any changes in their spines. Regular checks can help with early detection of any spinal issues, which includes scoliosis. All girls should be checked before the age of 10 and boys before 12.

We also treat adults for scoliosis and kyphosis issues that have gone uncorrected and worsened over the years.

Sober Moms, Happy Moms

12 Real-Life Stories of Women Who Dr. T Foster Bryant Gave Up Alcohol and Found a Better Way Early detection & treatment can make all the difference

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South ScoliCare felt,Provider and powerless in our own skin. ober Florida’s Moms, HappyPremier Moms is a unique

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I know this book never met a mom who consciously wanted TOP 20 SCOLIBRACE PROVIDERS IN THE THE WORLD detection & and treatment can make all ofthe difference will touch the lives many women, and toEarly neglect their child, drink drive, or INTERNATIONAL CHIROPRACTIC PEDIATRIC CERTIFIED Early detection and then leads better outcomes including wider To purchase, visit www.olearypublishing. families who need to help.

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EDUCATION

By Gabrielle O’Boyle, Healthcare Network of Florida

Use It or Lose It! It!

Fun ways to keep keep kids learning this summer

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his past school year was a year like no other. Whether students attended class in-person or virtually, their studies were disrupted during the pandemic, leaving many kids struggling to keep up. Learning gaps could widen during summer vacation, as studies show students can lose on average up to three months of progress in reading and math skills over break. However, actively engaging children in math and reading during this time can reduce summer learning loss and strengthen academic

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skills and performance for the upcoming school year. But let’s be real, not many kids or parents are eager to trade in summertime fun for workbooks and flashcards.

One of the best ways to encourage learning over school break is to make learning fun by focusing on topics that interest your child and, when possible, using real-world experiences as educational opportunities. This helps kids recognize that learning opportunities occur every day through experiences, interactions, interests, and adventures, not just in the classroom.

Reading • Hobbies are excellent learning opportunities because your child likely already is interested in the subject. Encourage them to expand their knowledge or skill through research. This could include activities such as planting a garden, star gazing, cooking, drawing, knitting, and photography, or collecting items such as comics, shells, and stamps.

• Let your child pick appropriate reading material that they enjoy, including comic books, graphic novels, and magazines. This can cultivate a healthy reading habit, which will increase reading skills as well as build on comprehension and vocabulary skills.

• Is your child eager to see the next big book-to-screen movie? Challenge them to read the book before they watch the movie. Afterward, ask them comparative questions, such as which NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

version was richer and more complex; was the movie adaptation accurate to the book; or, did the characters look as you had imagined?

• If your child is young, set aside time to read to them. Short on time? Try reading to them during bath time. If you have an older child, start a family book club where everyone reads the book together.

To strengthen comprehension, even with little ones, be sure to ask them for their thoughts on the story and characters.

• Create a custom bingo card that contain titles from the school’s summer reading list, or maybe diverse subjects such as poetry, history, biography, sports, animals, mystery, or other countries. Mix it up by making the center square a “reader’s choice” option. Most importantly, keep it fun by offering varying prizes as your kids mark off books in a row, on the diagonal, or fill a full card.

• Build on vocabulary with a word of the day. Each morning select a new word and make a point to use it several times throughout the day. From traditional dictionaries to flashcards and dictionary apps, there are several age-appropriate options to help kids build vocabulary.

Math • Crafts and projects are fun and stealthy ways to engage kids in math. For instance, while baking or cooking, ask your child to read the recipe out loud and to help with measurements. Or have them help with measurements for home improvement projects such as painting a room or hanging drapes.

• If you have a child who loves sports, encourage them to practice their math

skills by calculating their favorite player’s average hits, points, or yards achieved.

Have them find the mean, median, and mode for a team’s player heights and weights or calculate year-over-year performances for their favorite team. Sports are a fun, relatable way for kids to practice math.

• Expand on everyday opportunities such as shopping. Depending on their math proficiency, children can help add ticket prices, calculate sales/discounts, or compare unit prices for cost savings. If you can, pay in cash and have your child count the change. If a child is older, give them a budget to shop within. Not only will these activities keep their math skills sharp, but these lessons also will build necessary real-world skills.

• Summer brings possibilities for

family adventures. Whether it is a day at the water park or a weeklong getaway, include your child in the planning. Invite little ones to plan a family activity while older children can help plan a day. This activity not only will empower kids as they take part in the planning it also will teach several practical concepts including research, budgeting, timing, and teamwork.

By making the most out of everyday experiences and focusing on activities and topics your child enjoys, summer learning just becomes summer – an enjoyable time for both parents and children.

Written by GABRIELLE O’BOYLE, Healthcare Network’s director of marketing, with subject expertise from father of four and pediatrician JORGE L. CAMINA, JR., M.D., FAAP.

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13

OUT & ABOUT

in July 2021

Repitcon

1 THURSDAY 7:30 a.m. Gone Fishing: CCSO SummerFest. Kids will fish and learn about water safety. Parental supervision required. Monday-Thursday through July 29, except for July 5. Located at Naples Pier, 25 12th Ave. S., Naples. Call the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Youth Relations Bureau at 239-252-0144.

2 FRIDAY 6:30 p.m. Buddy Break Respite Program for Kids With Special Needs.

Three-hour monthly session of free respite care for children with special needs and their siblings. Crafts, games, movies, special activities. Pre-registration required. Located at Grow Church, 15300 Tamiami Tr. N., Naples. Call 240-893-7072 or check https://growchurch.com/buddy-break.

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3 SATURDAY

5 MONDAY

9 a.m. Repticon. Learn about animals not normally seen in pet stores. Shop for a new family pet. Seminars on animal-related topics by herpetology experts. Located at Crowne Plaza, 13051 Bell Tower Dr., Fort Myers. Check https://repticon.com.

8 a.m. & 1 p.m. Open Gym: CCSO SummerFest. For Collier-enrolled students. Monday-Thursday through July 22.

Supervised by Collier County Sheriff’s Office deputies. Located at Oakridge Middle School, 14975 Collier Blvd., Naples, and Immokalee High School, 701 Immokalee Dr., Immokalee. Call the CCSO Youth Relations Bureau at 239-252-0144.

10 a.m. 4th of July Parade. This Naples summer tradition begins on Broad Avenue South and ends at 8th Avenue South. Visit www.fifthavenuesouth.com.

4 SUNDAY 4 p.m. 4th of July Fireworks Celebration. Bring lawn chairs and blankets for a night of good old-fashioned fun. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Located at Sugden Regional Park, 4284 Avalon Dr., Naples. Visit www.collierparks.com or call 239-252-4000.

4 p.m. 4th of July Celebration.

Free ice cream social from 4-6 p.m., with food and beverages available to purchase. Get your groove on as a DJ keeps you entertained until the firework display begins at 9:15 p.m. Located at Paradise Sports Park, 3868 City Gate Blvd. N., Naples. Call 239-350-5404 or check www.sportsforceparksnaples.com.

9 a.m. Summer Institute for Marine Science. For students rising to grades 8-10, with an interest in marine sciences and marine biology. Located at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Rd., Naples. Call 239-530-5940, email info@rookerybay.org, or check https://rookerybay.org.

4th of July Fireworks Celebration NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

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10:30 a.m. Family Story Time. Stories, songs, and hands-on activities. Registration required. Every Tuesday. Located at South Regional Library, 8065 Lely Cultural Pkwy., Naples. Check www.collierlibrary.org or call 239-252-7542.

Summer Institute for Marine Science

1 p.m. Open Gym: CCSO SummerFest. For Collier-enrolled students. Monday-Thursday through July 22. Supervised by Collier County Sheriff’s Office deputies. Located at East Naples Middle School, 4100 Estey Ave., Naples. Call the CCSO’s Youth Relations Bureau at 239-252-0144.

$150 per student Max of 12 students per week Scholarships available

6 TUESDAY 10 a.m. Family Story Time. Every Tuesday. Stories, songs, and hands-on activities. Registration is not required.

Located at Immokalee Library, 417 N. First St., Immokalee. Check www.collierlibrary. org or call 239-252-7073.

12:30 p.m. Regal Summer Movie Express. Kids’ movies for $1 every Tuesday and Wednesday through Sept. 8. This week’s movies are Lego Movie and Storks.

Located at Regal Cinemas Hollywood 20, 6006 Hollywood Dr., Naples; Regal Gulf Coast & IMAX, 10028 Gulf Center Dr., Fort Myers; and Regal Belltower & ScreenX, 13499 Belltower Dr., Fort Myers.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.regmovies.com.

FIND YOUR FLOCK

Registration Opens April 22, 2020 RookeryBay.org

4:30 & 5 p.m. Golf Lessons for Ages 3-6. Jump Start Kids Golf is designed to give ages 3-6 a fun environment in which to learn to play the game of golf. Ages 3-4 at 4:30 p.m.; ages 5-6 at 5 p.m., on Tuesdays in July. Located at Fleischmann Park, 1600 Fleischmann Blvd., Naples. Check www.jumpstartkidsgolf.com or call 239946-4776.

Regal Summer Movie Express

@wolJIN!IIANIMAT'IOMGIIOt.lP

7 WEDNESDAY 9 a.m. Safari Squad. Includes an animal encounter, reading, art, and play stations. Located at Naples Zoo, 1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd., Naples. Call 239262-5409 or check www.napleszoo.org.

A lifelong joy of learning, An education for life.

INFANT TODDLER CHILDREN’S HOUSE VPK ELEMENTARY

Call to schedule a private tour

239-597-2255

More information can be found on our website

www.naplesmontessori.org 2655 Northbrooke Drive Naples, Florida 34119 License #C20CO0132

Daily hours from 7:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

We buy & sell gently used kids stuff • Clothing (newborn to size 16), toys, baby furniture, equipment, and more.

• We pay cash on the spot.

• No appointment necessary; clothes must be freshly laundered and brought in a plastic container.

13560 Tamiami Trail N. #4, Naples

239-596-6096

Also in: Fort Myers at 239-274-0039 Port Charlotte at 941-764-8121

www.onceuponachildnaples.com neafamily.com

15

10 a.m. Toddler Story Time. Every Wednesday. Stories, songs, and activities for ages 16-35 months. Registration is not required. Located at Estates Library, 1266 Golden Gate Blvd. W., Naples. Check www.collierlibrary.org or call 239-2527109.

10 a.m. Toddler Story Time. Ages birth to 3 years. Stories, songs, and finger plays every week. Registration is required.

Located at Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Dr., Naples. Check www. collierlibrary.org or call 239-252-7109.

10:30 a.m. Story Time. Ages 18 months to 5 years. Stories, songs and rhymes, and a variety of fun activities to engage little hands and bodies. Located at Vanderbilt Beach Library, 788 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Naples. Call 239-252-7160 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

8 THURSDAY 10 a.m. Harvest Festival Mang-Go Days. July 8-10. Join us for a scavenger hunt and crafts, and take home the best

ter, 755 8th Ave. S., Naples. Visit www. gulfshoreplayhouse.org or call 239-2617529.

9 FRIDAY Broadway Palm Performance

tasting mangoes that you can get from a ranch. Located at Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch, 1215 Roberts Ave. W., Immokalee. Call 239-252-2611 or visit https://colliermuseums.com.

4 p.m. Lego Fun. Share ideas, be creative, and have fun. Bricks provided. Ages 4-11. Registration is not required. Located at Estates Library, 1266 Golden Gate Blvd. W., Naples. Call 239-252-7109 or check www.collierlibrary.org.

7:30 p.m. June B. Jones: The Musical. Thursday and Friday. From Gulfshore Playhouse Education’s STAR Academy, a fun and entertaining musical that is perfect for the entire family. Located at Gulfshore Playhouse, Norris Cen-

12 p.m. The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs. Through Aug. 13. A creative and fun retelling of the classic tale.

Tickets are $19 for kids all of ages, and include show and lunch. Located at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. For tickets or more information, call 239-278-4422 or check https://broadwaypalm.com.

2 p.m. Summer Movie: Karate Kid. Free. Rated PG. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis. Located at Headquarters Library, 2385 Orange Blossom Dr., Naples. Check www.collierlibrary.org or call 239-252-7350.

10 SATURDAY 8 a.m. Bark on the Ark Dog Cruises. Pure Florida’s dog-friendly cruise takes guests and their pups for a sightseeing eco

Summer is a great time for your kids to catch up and get ready for the next school year!

TUTORING

by Tracey Ansteth Albert

Grades K-3 • Flexible hours • Clean, calm, positive environment

Reading, Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, Organizational Skills, and Homework Assistance

What parents are saying about Tracey: “Our daughter always leaves her session full of energy and excitement. She loves going to tutoring and feels very comfortable and welcome.” —Kelly, Naples

Contact Tracey today for more information at:

239-572-8643 TA1019@aol.com

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Former CCPS Teacher for 10 Years

Golden Apple Award Recipient “Our son is so comfortable with Miss Tracey.

It brings us joy and peace of mind knowing he is in great hands. Not only have we seen tremendous improvements, but she also has brought back his confidence. She is very professional, yet has a mother’s touch. Tracey takes great pride in her students, and it shows.” —Danielle, Naples

“I’ve noticed how thorough Tracey is about each subject/topic she reviews with our son. Her history as an elementary school teacher is very apparent because every time I pick up him from his lesson, he has learned something new without even realizing he is actually ‘learning’.” —Jen, Naples NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

cruise along Naples Bay to Keewaydin Island, where pets and their parents will enjoy time to play. Located at Pure Florida, Tin City Docks, Naples. Visit www.purefl. com or call 239-263-4949.

10 a.m. Visit with Santa. It’s Christmas in July! Have a chat with Santa and take photos. Kids and pets are both welcome.

Located at Shell Factory, 16554 N. Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers. Check www. shellfactory.com.

11 SUNDAY 10 a.m. Miniature Train Rides. A 15-minute ride through woods, lakes, small villages, and scenes. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located at Lakes Park, 7330 Gladiolus Dr., Fort Myers. Call 239-2671905 or check https://rrmsf.org.

12 MONDAY

11 a.m. LGBTQ+ Youth Group. This is a safe space for those in grades 6-12.

Second Saturday of every month. Located at Naples Pride Center, 2248 Airport Rd. S., Naples. Call 239-304-9407, check www.naplespride.org or email info@ naplespride.org.

8 a.m. CCSO SummerFest: Build-aChair. Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students will learn to work with tools and together to build a chair. Located at First Baptist Academy, 3000 Orange Blossom Dr., Naples. To register, call the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Youth Relations Bureau at 239-252-0144.

6:30 p.m. Tiki Bird Bash. Join us as we dunk lifeguards with “coconuts” and eat pineapples/shaved ice by the water. All ages. $6. Located at Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park, 11565 Tamiami Tr. E., Naples. Call 239-252-3527 or check www.collierparks.com.

5 p.m. Gulf Coast Runners’ Summer Run for Fun. Bring your kiddos out for an active night of fun. This is not a drop-off program. Mondays through July. Located at Naples High School Track, 1100 Golden Eagle Cr., Naples. Check https://gcrunner.org.

Toddler Tuesday Storytime & Craft

13 TUESDAY 11 a.m. Toddler Tuesday Storytime & Craft. Songs, stories, and craft. Included with open play from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A great way to make new friends.

Call to reserve your spot. Located at We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym, 17640 S. Tamiami Tr., Fort Myers. Check www. werockthespectrumfortmyers.com or call 239-362-3378.

Miguel Argumosa, DMD, Erin M. Taylor, DMD, Nicole Eastham, DMD Sarah Vanderbosch, DMD Board Certified Pediatric Dentists

Three Locations to Serve You. BONITA SPRINGS

9510 Bonita Beach Rd. Ste. 101

239.333.2990

CAPE CORAL

1508 S.E. 12th Terrace

239.322.5222

PORT CHARLOTTE

3872 Tamiami Trail, Unit D&E

941.391.8090

NACS Naples Adventist Christian School

We are a K-8th grade school centrally located in Naples. We are proud to have a committed staff teaching a nationally certified and accredited curriculum in a Christ-filled environment. We accept Step Up For Students and Florida Empowerment scholarships. The NACS family exists to show children Jesus, teach them to think, and empower them to serve. All students are welcome!

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Contact us to schedule a visit, or explore online.

2629 S. Horseshoe Drive, Naples, FL 34104 239-261-NACS (6227) • nacs@flcoe.org www.NaplesACS.org neafamily.com

17

6:30 p.m. Lifeguard Training. Must be at least 15 years old and pass prerequisites the first day of training. Certification is not guaranteed. Located at Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park, 11565 Tamiami Tr. E., Naples. Call 239-2523527 or check www.collierparks.com.

14 WEDNESDAY 8 a.m. You Can Do it All: CCSO SummerFest. Rising sixth grade female students spend three days with female deputies learning everything from self-defense to internet safety. Located at Professional Development Center, 615 3rd Ave. S., Naples. Call the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Youth Relations Bureau at 239-252-0144.

15 THURSDAY 7 p.m. PFLAG Naples. Every third Thursday. A safe, loving, nonjudgmental, and supportive environment for the parents, family, and friends of the LGBTQ+ people.

Located at Naples Pride Center, 2248 Airport Rd. S., Naples. Call 239-304-9407 or check www.naplespride.org.

16 FRIDAY 8 p.m. Cowboys & Constellations.

Join us as we explore major constellations and share tips to navigate, tell time, and learn the stories behind the stars. Free.

Located at Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch, 1215 Roberts Ave. W., Immokalee. Call 239-252-2611 or check https://colliermuseums.com.

17 SATURDAY 10 a.m. Mosquito Musings. A free weekly program for ages 6-12 featuring crafts, take home activities, special displays, or scavenger hunts that will focus on the themes of inventions and nature. Located at Collier Museum, 3331 Tamiami Tr. E., Naples. Call 239-252-8476 or check https://colliermuseums.com.

18 SUNDAY 9 a.m. Breakfast with Santa. It’s Christmas in July! Located at Shell Factory, 16554 N. Cleveland Ave., North Fort Myers. Check www.shellfactory.com.

Breakfast With Santa

3:30 p.m. Space Science Sundays.

Hands-on fun for kids and their adults.

Located at Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers.

Check www.calusanature.org or call 239275-3435.

20 TUESDAY 8:30 p.m. Movies on the Lawn: Soul Surfer. Gates open at 7:30 p.m.

Seating areas under umbrellas are reserved for parties of at least four adults.

Outdoor bar provided by The Pub. Located at Mercato, 9132 Strada Pl., Naples. Visit www.mercatoshops.com or call 239-254-1080.

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NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

23 FRIDAY

show by Mr. Glen of Super Science & Amazing Art and a sightseeing cruise.

Located at Pure Florida, 1200 Fifth Ave. S., Naples. Visit www.purefl.com or call 239-263-4949.

6 p.m. Kids’ Night Out. Games, activities, dinner, and a movie. Located at Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park, 11565 Tamiami Tr. E., Naples. Call 239-252-3527 or check www.collierparks.com.

24 SATURDAY 10 a.m. Beach and Mangrove Clean Up. Pure Florida is seeking high school and college students to help clean up beaches while earning volunteer hours. Depart Tin City at 10 a.m. and return at 1 p.m. Free for students with ID, $15 for general public. All supplies provided. Located at Pure Florida, Tin City Docks, Naples. Call 239263-4949 or visit www.purefl.com.

25 SUNDAY 10 a.m. Little Leapers. Also on Saturdays at 9 a.m. For children ages 7 and younger. Located at Sky Zone Trampoline Park, 14181 S. Tamiami Tr., Ste. 140, Fort Myers. Call 239-313-5448 or check www.skyzone.com.

NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

Birdie’s Fabulous Golf Camp

26 MONDAY 9 a.m. Birdie’s Fabulous Golf Camp for Ages 3-6. Story-themed golf lessons, arts & crafts, movement games, and more.

Snack provided each day. Golf clubs not required. All equipment provided. Located at Fleischmann Park, 1600 Fleischmann Blvd., Naples. Call 239-946-4776 or check www.jumpstartkidsgolf.com.

31 SATURDAY 9:30 a.m. Summer Science Cruise.

Features a fun and engaging science

2 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. The Wizard of Oz. Through Aug. 1. The Wizard of Oz Young Performers’ Edition follows Dorothy’s life-changing adventure down the yellow brick road. Located at The Naples Players, 701 5th Ave. S., Naples.

Call 239-263-7990 or check https:// naplesplayers.org.

6 p.m. Summer Splash. Enjoy socializing with your community and a whole lot of snow cone eating. Located at Golden Gate Community Park, 3300 Santa Barbara Blvd., Naples. Call 239-252-6128 or visit www.collierparks.com.

8 p.m. Comedy Nights. Get ready to laugh until it hurts with Stage 2 Improv. The best family-friendly comedy in SWFL. Located at The Naples Players, 701 5th Ave. S., Naples. Call 239-263-7990 or check https://naplesplayers.org.

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SUMMER FUN

By Anna Snyder

Staying Cool in SWFL W

Photo by Peggy Farren

e’re in the dog days of summer – the lazy, hazy, humid, unbearably hot, melt-your-face-off, 1,000 degree, surface of the sun days of summer.

Welcome to July in Naples! So, what are some ways families can stay cool and continue to enjoy quality time together without sacrificing basic levels of human comfort?

Fortunately, Southwest Florida has lots of fun activities to beat the heat in July 2021.

The ingenuity of parents never ceases to amaze me. Naples mom Kristen Potoften sets up a water day outside with an inflatable slide, mini pool, sprinkler, and water balloons for her four children. “It’s a fun surprise for my kids and a chance to get outside in the mornings before the sweltering heat of mid-day. It allows them to exercise, play together, and get energy out, even on the hottest of summer days. Sometimes, we invite neighbors or friends for water days, and it’s always a summer highlight.”

Giant group beach days also are popular with SWFL residents during the summer. Kids can play together while the moms talk. “I love meeting up early in the day with friends at Horizon Way Beach on Gulf Shore Boulevard North,” said Lauren Odor of Naples. “Until about 10:30 a.m., portions of the beach are shaded by highrise buildings. We often see lots of wildlife there – manatees, dolphins, snook, and one day last summer, we saw a spotted eagle ray jumping and swimming down the beach.”

Emma Handsel gets creative in the kitchen to keep her family cool. “We make a lot of ice pops from scratch – constant batches freezing and readily available,” she explained. “I also freeze yogurt tubes for a quick, yummy, purposeful treat. They’re great for an easy poolside snack when we have friends over.”

The afternoon summer rains bring even more chances to cool down. “I let my kids play in the rain when I’m certain there’s no lightning close by,” said Ann Marie Bray, a mom of two. “We splash in continued on page 22

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NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

Beat the Heat With a Treat

Not that we really need an excuse for ice cream, but the icy treat becomes almost essential in Southwest Florida in July. Here are some of our favorite frozen dessert spots in the area.

Sub Zero Ice Cream & Yogurt Galleria, 2359 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Suite 408, Naples Scoops Ice Cream & Acai Bowls Pebblebrooke, 15215 Collier Blvd., #318, Naples Greentree, 2378 Immokalee Rd., Naples Jeremiah’s Italian Ice Tarpon Bay Plaza, 2405-5 Tarpon Bay Blvd., Naples Ben & Jerry’s Venetian Village, 4320 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples Vampire Penguin Shaved Snow Galleria, 2355 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Suite 142, Naples Coconut Point, 8076 Mediterranean Dr., Suite 113, Estero

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt 6355 Naples Blvd., Naples 1830 N.E. Pine Island Rd., Suite 140, Cape Coral Market Square, 5100 Daniels Pkwy., Suite 500, Fort Myers Culver’s 5775 Airport Pulling Rd. N., Naples 8940 Sage Ave., Naples 5102 Tamiami Tr. E., Naples 11905 Bonita Beach Rd. S.E., Bonita Springs 10301 Corkscrew Rd., Estero 1607 Cape Coral Pkwy. E., Cape Coral Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Mission Square, 1575 Pine Ridge Rd., Suite 1, Naples 4666 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers Photo by Monica Alvarez

Royal Scoop 15 8th St., Suite D, Bonita Springs Berkshire, 7335 Radio Rd., Suite 104, Naples Pavilion, 829 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Naples 2307 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach

Kilwins Mercato, 9106 Strada Pl., Suite 4100, Naples 743 Fifth Ave. S., Naples Coconut Point, 23106 Fashion Dr., Estero

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neafamily.com

21

Photo by Peggy Farren

continued from page 20

puddles and get muddy, and then follow it up with a quick dip in the pool.”

There are lots of activities and places to enjoy in the summer months in Southwest Florida, and the following lists in various categories are by no means exhaustive, but simply a jumping-off point.

Beaches Many families in Florida recognize the value of quick and easy beach access. We have daily opportunities to cool off in the Gulf of Mexico, providing a summer highlight for our children easily, along with a way to connect with other families. Favorite beaches typically include full facilities, plenty of parking, and showers. Go early – go often!

• Vanderbilt Beach. The popular spot offers a giant parking garage, bathrooms, beach access, and lots of people! The party atmosphere at sunset each night is high energy and eclectic.

• Lowdermilk Beach Park. You’ll find covered pavilions, lots of picnic tables, two playgrounds, outdoor showers, and bathrooms, which make this beach a favorite among families.

• Lovers Key State Park. This state park has trails, kayak and standup paddleboard rentals, extensive facilities, a boat ramp, and concessions.

• Barefoot Beach. Nestled just past a planned beachfront community in far north Collier County, this beach access point fills up quickly, so plan to arrive early. This beach offers bathrooms, ramps, and relatively limited parking.

• Wiggins Pass State Park. This picturesque state park fills up early, so be sure to arrive around when the park opens at 8 a.m.

Fishing is available in certain areas, and a boat ramp also is available.

There are plenty of pavilions, grills, and bathrooms for park visitors.

• Horizon Way, Vedado Way, Via Miramar, and Seagate Beach access points on Gulfshore Boulevard North. These county beaches are relatively quiet on weekday mornings, and though there are no bathrooms, there are shaded beach areas until about 10:30 a.m.

the individual websites for times, prices, and special events.

• Children’s Museum of Naples (C’mon). Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Wednesdays, C’mon is a popular daytime play spot for parents who enjoy air conditioning and their energetic children who enjoy creative and imaginative play.

• Whiz Kids. The indoor play zone in Naples typically is open for free play during the week from 4-7 p.m. and on the weekends from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Gymnastics World. Open gym on Friday nights are a fun family activity. Supervised children up to age 5 can visit from 6-7 p.m. on Fridays for $9. Children ages 5-14 can come to open gym from 7-9 p.m. on Fridays for $10 (parents may drop off or stay and watch).

• InPlay Family Fun. This indoor play area on the corner of Santa Barbara Boulevard and Radio Road is open this summer for open play Monday-Friday from 3-8 p.m., but call before you go as the schedule can change to accommodate camps and events.

Indoor activities • Collier County Public Libraries. In-person events are back at Collier libraries as of this month! The lineup isn’t yet back to pre-pandemic levels, but there are several story times and even a showing of Karate Kid. In addition, there is a summer reading program for all ages. Visit any location for information to find out about prizes and incentives.

• Crafts. Both Michaels and Joann Fabrics provide accessible online activities, tutorials, and classes in the comfort of your home.

Some have a small fee, and some are free. Visit their websites for more information. Sign up for a free Creativebug account using your Collier County library card. Creativebug is an online resource filled with art classes; there classes for every age group, along with family projects.

• Bowling. HeadPinz and Bowland Beacon participate in the Kids Bowl Free summer program. Sign up at www.kidsbowlfree.com.

• Movies. Every Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the summer, Regal Cinemas Naples, Regal Gulf Coast, and Regal Belltower offers $1 kids’ movies. You can even buy tickets ahead of time. Check out the full schedule at www.neafamily.com. Both Silverspot and Paragon theaters in Naples continue to offer private theater rental from $99 for three hours. Select from any streaming service on your

Indoor play areas Children can enjoy playing freely, meeting new friends, and expending excess energy at several area locations this summer. Check 22

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NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

personal device for no additional cost, or watch a current release for the price of rental plus tickets. Paragon offers theater rentals starting at $99 for specific movies, or $199 for current releases for up to 20 guests.

• Skating. Fort Myers Skatium and Hertz Arena offer recreational ice skating to the public at various times throughout the month of July. Public roller skating times are offered on weekends at Spinz in Fort Myers, Friday through Sunday.

Water parks and water features We have lots of parks that contain water features, along with pools and resorts available for day use in Collier County. However, at times, water features, splash pads, and various pools close down for maintenance. Please call Collier County Parks and Recreation or the City of Naples (depending upon the park’s location) before planning your trip.

• Sun-N-Fun Lagoon. The wait is over – our most fabulous local water park finally will be open at some point in early July!

We’ve missed the slides, the lazy river, the splash pad, and all the other things that make this park so great. Once officially reopened, the water park will operate daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Baker Park. Located in the heart of central Naples near the corner of Central Avenue and Goodlette-Frank Road, this park has wide open space for kids to run, along with a small splash pad. After the kids play, they can cool off in the splash pad before heading home.

• River Park Aquatic Center. This pool in the center of Naples (operated by the City of Naples) offers a slide, lap swimming, a splash pad area with beach entry, and – perhaps most astonishingly – free general admission year-round. It has been operating at 50% capacity, so be sure to arrive early.

• Fleischmann Park. This park features a large toddler play area, climbing rock, and – best of all – a splash pad for when kids get super sweaty and hot. Additionally, there is a sun shade covering almost all of the playground area.

• Eagle Lakes Community Park. This large, relatively new community pool and park offers two water slides, a lap pool, diving boards, and perhaps the best splash pad beach entry pool for children in Collier County. So much fun and reasonably priced! A shaded lounge chair area makes this pool a must-add to your summer bucket list.

• Golden Gate Aquatic Center. This local pool has two big slides, a giant pool, and a large children’s splash pool with fountains and water feature.

• Sunsplash Family Waterpark. This Cape Coral park boasts 14 acres of water slides, speed rides, a splash pad for little ones, and a lazy river. Sunsplash is open every day from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in July.

• Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa. Book a day of fun in the sun, and enjoy full use of 3 acres of water features, including a pool, water slides, and a lazy river. Poolside drink and food service, free Wi-fi, parking validation, and lawn games are included in the day use passes.

• Naples Grande Beach Resort. The hotel offers day use passes to the local community that include beach access and complimentary beach lounge chairs, along with a family pool, adults-only pool, and poolside food and beverage service. Day passes also include the use of the fitness center. Check out www.resortpass.com for additional hotel day pass options.

NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

• Top Rated VPK Program • Preschool Classes for 2-5 Year Olds

• Summer Camp

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One- and Two-Day Options Available Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Ages 2-4 years by Aug. 1

6926 Trail Blvd., Naples, FL

239.597.3464

For more information, email momsmorningout@covenantnaples.com.

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23

We Love It!

New Products Your Family Will Love

TruSens Air Purifiers TruSens Air Purifiers DuPont™ 360 degree filtration system captures dust, mold, ash, pollen, and pet dander particles as small as 0.3 microns.

TruSens also is the only air purifier that uses a SensorPod to measure pollutants in the room “real time.” Placed across the room, the SensorPod communicates with the TruSens unit to assure clear air for the entire room, not just near the purifier. Pet, allergy, and odor filters are available.

Prices start at $179.99 www.trusens.com or www.amazon.com Animal Water Guns Beat the summer heat with this water pistol play set from iPlay, iLearn. Includes five dinosaur water pistols and one pump action unicorn super soaker. $21.99, ages 3 years+ www.amazon.com

The World of Eric Carle Bingo & Matching Game Tin We all were saddened by the recent loss of Eric Carle, the beloved children’s author. Introduce your little ones to him through this travel set. Play bingo or match the animals. Contains four double-sided bingo cards, 30 picture cards, 30 bingo chips, and instructions in a travel tin. $10.99, ages 3 years+ www.amazon.com

The Jar From Afar This book-plus product is designed to bring children and their families together on a mission to help another family in their community. The box contains a paperback storybook and magical interactive gold jar that will hold a collection of your family’s offerings. $39.99, ages 5 years+ www.amazon.com

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SPONSORED CONTENT

Mindfulness in Education: There Is No Learning Without Love

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In 2013, President Barak Obama proposed making high-quality preschool education available to every 4-year-old in the United States. Since then, early childhood education has been a controversial topic with both parents and policymakers. Is preschool education necessary? And if it is, what is the best way to access a child’s mind?

As a mother, I never felt 100% comfortable dropping off my children at such an early age. I struggled with thoughts like: What if someone hurts them and they are afraid to tell me? How are they going to understand my highly active child? What if they are not treated well? But the need to work pushed me to give it a try. As a teacher, I have remarkably high expectations of the way a child should be treated, spoken to, respected, and heard.

Between what I have observed and what I have experienced: There is no learning without love. It does not matter how many efficient strategies you create or how many theories you have studied, a child will not learn unless you bond with them. The first step is love. There is no way to make it work otherwise.

During the first two weeks of school at L.O.V.E. Bonita Springs, we focus on getting to know our students and bonding with them. We make sure our students look forward to returning the next day, and that they feel loved, accepted, comfortable, understood, and able. Generally, the education system does not allow for physical and emotional contact, and that is what scares the parents the most. Knowing your child will be away from home and initiated into a world full of rules and lack of personalization can be very unsettling. That’s why I have based my teaching on mindfulness.

What does this mean? It means paying close attention to

NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

what is happening at the moment: Personalizing the teaching depending on the child’s needs with the purpose of noticing what is happening in the mind and how that affects the child’s world.

By using mindful education as a tool, we can make teachers more effective and the child’s job of learning easier. A child gets to know themselves first, then notice their surroundings, and then focus on how the world around them functions.

I feel that our education system has been doing it backward.

We try to teach children how the world around them functions and then tell them they must adapt themselves to those rules.

As a result, we have many young adults still searching for who they are as an individual. Wouldn’t it make more sense to know who we are and how we work first? How we see the world? What are our strengths and weaknesses? What makes us happy and what stresses us out? God made each of us unique. Our minds are different. Our learning abilities are different. Finding the way things work for a child as an individual, personalizing the learning experience, and helping them discover who they are is my goal.

Find your strengths and grow to your full potential. We all can do it. Do not try to be like anybody else. Being different is beautiful! My wish is to find a community of like-minded people who can help me promote and practice mindful education. For now, I will continue to raise my voice and apply my words at the most wonderful place on earth: L.O.V.E. Bonita Springs. You can find us at 28052 Mango Dr. in Bonita Springs.

LIS ESQUILIN is owner and director of Noah’s Ark Academy Naples and L.O.V.E. Bonita Springs. She can be reached at 239-597-5871, noahsarknaples@gmail.com, or letangleslearningcenter@gmail.com.

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TRAVEL

By Karen T. Bartlett

Cabbage Key Key Lime Pie, Jimmy Buffett ... and Batman?

S

o I’m feeling sorry for myself because we’ll be skipping the boat to Key West this month for the Key Lime Pie Drop, a contest to see who can launch an actual pie from the top of the lighthouse and have it land intact. Which, despite the employment of parachutes, balloons, and such, is practically nobody.

It’s part of the Key Lime Festival (July 1-5), which also involves endless pie eating, people walking around in Key lime hats, and other wackiness.

I don’t wallow in self pity for long, because it turns out there’s a key just a 1-hour boat ride from Captiva Island on which stands a historic 1930s-era homestead-turned-restaurant where the Key lime pie is legendary, Jimmy Buffett himself shows up periodically, and the place definitely has its own brand of wackiness. Like, for example, the gazillion or so dollar bills fluttering from the ceiling.

The place is Cabbage Key, and that story dates back to its days as a rustic fisherman’s bar. An angler who’d had a bountiful catch wrote his name on a dollar bill, which the bartender taped to the wall as “beer insurance” to bank against future unlucky days. Other fishermen followed suit, and then non-fishing locals and tourists, until soon the walls and ceiling were covered with autographed dollars. The tradition continues, and your server will even bring you a marker and piece of tape on request. Sadly, you can no longer use it as beer insurance. As bills fall off, they go to charity. Owner Rob Wells estimates that since his family has owned Cabbage Key, the donations have totaled almost a quarter of a million dollars.

On a Saturday morning we board Captiva Cruises’ 65-foot double decker Lady Chadwick at South Seas Plantation for a

lunch cruise to Cabbage Key. The island, created from an ancient Calusa shell midden, lies between Cayo Costa and Useppa islands.

It even has a wooden water tower we can climb, but instead of a light it is topped with a giant osprey’s nest. Dropping a Key lime pie from up there would be seriously frowned upon.

Richard, our cruise host, weaves his narration of regional stories and natural history with a few tall tales (“to see if you’re paying attention,” he says). As Captain Sean navigates slowly between the sandbars and shallows from Redfish Pass to the open water of Pine Island Sound, Richard mentions that if we’re vigilant we might see a few dolphins. What an understatement.

As soon as Lady Chadwick picks up speed, at least half a dozen dolphins appear, cavorting and jumping several feet in the air.

The kids on board (meaning every one of us, from about 6 to 86) are mesmerized.

“It’s a great opportunity for them to see humans in captivity,” Richard quips. It’s more likely that after six generations the resident pod has figured out Lady Chadwick’s schedule, and the sound of the engine means they get to play in the wake.

If this is how the first 30 minutes goes, can the enchantment possibly prevail?

It does, starting with lunch. I skip the famous cheeseburger that locals claim inspired Jimmy Buffett to write Cheeseburger in Paradise (sorry, that’s just a legend) and go for chilled, peeled Gulf shrimp served with potato salad and coleslaw. The shrimp are huge, fresh, and tasty, and the potato salad and coleslaw both transport me as close to my Georgia seacoast roots as I’ve been

Summer Family Fun in SWFL

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NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

since, well, Georgia. The pale yellow slice of frozen Key lime pie (which unfortunately my companion and I choose to split) is creamy, tart, and properly unadorned except for a generous dollop of whipped cream.

We’re among the last Lady Chadwick passengers into the restaurant because I paused for an intimate conversation with a gigantic resident gopher tortoise. In retrospect, I’d save my tortoise moment for later, to have our pick of front porch, screened back porch, or one of the umbrella-shaded patios.

After lunch we check out the nature trail, which is cut through old island vegetation thick with cabbage palms, strangler figs, and live oaks. Then we climb to the top of the water tower, after which I can report three facts: (1) the views are beautiful, (2) an osprey currently is in residence, and (3) osprey nests are pretty stinky.

Must taste more pie At 2 p.m. we board Lady Chadwick for home. The palette of Pine Island Sound magically has changed from this morning’s jade green to clear Caribbean blue. Now, only one thing remains to complete our Key lime experience: more pie tasting.

Captiva: The new bakery, Boop’s by The Bubble Room, decorates its slice with whipped cream, kiwi, strawberry, and a green lime twist. Though artful, its excess would amuse a purist.

But there’ll be no tasting today, as they’re sold out.

Sanibel: On to Bailey’s General Store for their bakery’s signature Key lime pie parfait, layered with graham cracker crumbs, both Key lime and lemon filling, and whipped cream. And (oh, why not?) we score a cake-like confection layered with Key lime filling and a lime green glaze on top, decorated with what looks like a white chocolate wafer tinted lime green. Anyone who knows that Key lime pies are never lime green would turn up her nose, but I’m an equal opportunity taster.

Back home, we set up the tasting. The parfait is delicious but super sweet. The cake and pie combination is yummy and we devour every crumb. But my heart belongs to that 100% Key lime pie with just the right chill and tartness, presented on a plate drizzled with raspberry sauce. Cabbage Key wins.

Photos, facing page: Caitlyn Purdy from Grand Island, Florida, watches from the upper deck as Lady Chadwick approaches the Cabbage Key dock. Above: An osprey family is at home atop the 1930s-era wooden water tower. Below: Carter Purdy and his younger brother Chase Purdy cautiously tasting the Key lime pie.

Photos by Karen T. Bartlett

Now, about Batman The man who built the inn and cottages on Cabbage Key as a winter retreat was the son of famous mystery writer Mary Roberts Rinehart. Some called her the Agatha Christie of America, even though she published her first mystery 13 years before Christie.

The author (formerly a World War I press correspondent and women’s suffrage activist) visited regularly but mostly spent time fishing and hobnobbing with Barron Collier and other socialites on Useppa Island. Oh, and inventing Batman.

Please. Everybody knows that D.C. Comics invented Batman, right? Wrong. Mary Roberts Rinehart invented him as a diabolical character, along with the black bat shape in a circle of light and other bat symbols, in her 1920 play called The Bat. It later became a movie starring Vincent Price. Two decades after The Bat, D.C. Comics artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger adapted her concept, making him a superhero. You can look it up!

Travel Editor KAREN T. BARTLETT currently is reading “The Bat”

by Mary Roberts Rinehart.

NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

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27

YOUR FAMILY

WAVES OF FUN

P

Swimming Safety Tips for Summer

laying in or around water year-round is one of the joys of living in Florida, but this treasured pastime comes with some serious risks. Drowning is the second-leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of 14 in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As COVID-19 restrictions ease, many families are having more informal gatherings and taking trips to the beach, increasing the potential for children to have unsupervised access to water sources.

Because of this, it’s important for children to take swimming lessons to learn water safety skills and create safer habits in and 28

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around water. As swimming lessons begin across the country, many are being conducted safely with COVID-19 precautions in place.

Protect your family’s safety around water this summer with these tips from the Make a Splash Tour, presented by Phillips 66 and the USA Swimming Foundation.

Designate a water watcher and closely monitor children Designate a water watcher when you are in, on, or around water. Watch all children and adolescents swimming or playing in or around water, even if they

know how to swim. Keeping young children or inexperienced swimmers within arm’s length at all times can help ensure you are able to provide assistance if and when it is needed.

Wear a life jacket Anyone participating in any boating, paddling, or towed water sports, regardless of swimming ability in pool or open water situations, should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Preschool-aged children (5 years old and younger) who are not protected by touch supervision, in particular, should always wear a life jacket. Swimming aids and water toys – NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

such as puddle jumpers, inflatable water wings, and rings – are not intended to be lifesaving devices. They may provide some buoyancy in the water but do not prevent drowning.

Swim with a buddy When possible, choose swimming locations where a trained lifeguard is watching for dangerous conditions and helping keep an eye on swimmers. Also make it a practice to always have at least two people swimming together. That way, if someone has a problem, the other can get help.

Learn to swim Research has shown formal swimming lessons reduce the risk of childhood drowning by 88%. Through the annual Make a Splash Tour, the USA Swimming Foundation, with the support of Phillips 66, encourages children’s swim lessons.

By equipping your child with the skill of swimming, you’ll open doors to a lifetime of safety, fun, fitness, and even employment opportunities.

While lessons progressively teach a variety of swimming strokes, some of the most important things swimmers learn – even in beginner classes – are breath control and how to float. These basic skills are essential for staying above water should someone find himself or herself unable to touch or too tired to swim to safety. Children can participate in swimming lessons before they can walk, and parent-child swim lessons provide bonding opportunities along with water safety education.

Enter water feet first Diving in a pool that is too shallow or into water where you’re not certain what’s below the surface, like a lake, can have dire consequences. Teach children to dive only in designated diving areas and to always enter water of unknown or non-visible depth feet first.

Swim in designated areas and obey posted signs and flags Ropes, buoys, and flags in larger bodies of water like lakes or oceans are commonly used to mark off safe swimming areas and provide visual cues about changes in depth, underwater surfaces, NEAPOLITANfamily • July 2021

and currents. Teach children what these signs and markers mean and that they’re in place as safety tools, not toys to play with or float on.

Learn CPR If the unthinkable does happen, knowing how to perform CPR allows you to take immediate action, which has been shown to significantly better the outcome for children with submersion injuries. In the time it takes for paramedics to arrive, you could save someone’s life. Seconds count: The more quickly lifesaving CPR

is started, the better the chances of recovery. There are many places that offer CPR training, including community organizations and nonprofit groups. Remember to keep your certification current once you have completed the initial requirements.

Make safety a priority for your summer water fun. Find more information, including swim lesson providers in your area, by visiting www.usaswimming.org/ makeasplash.

Source: USA Swimming Foundation and Phillips 66 neafamily.com

29

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“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” –Aristotle

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