Adventures in Paradise

By Nanette Wiser

SWAMP-SENSATIONS

Paradise News’ art director and photographer Janet Nummi loves national parks, and so far, has 14 under her tutu. Here is her recap from her latest adventure to the swamp at Midway Campground in the Big Cypress National Preserve, the Everglades and Biscayne National Park in her Airstream, comfy and tricked out with wi-fi, pets, camera, water, bug spray and sunscreen.

“The stars at night were brilliant and alligators were everywhere. Big Cypress National Preserve is just a few hours from St. Pete, bordering the Everglades National Park. The Oasis Visitor Center’s long boardwalk is a great spot for big gator sightings. On the way back to camp, we drove down the 22-mile gravel road known as The Loop, and stopped by Florida’s legendary Clyde Butcher Gallery to see his powerful black and white landscapes of the area. He is definitely the Ansel Adams of the swamp!

“Our next stop was Biscayne National Park where 95% of the park is underwater. It’s a great place to boat, kayak, snorkel or dive the shipwrecks. www.biscaynenationalparkinstitute.org

“On the way home, our collective sweet tooth (hubby, kids and fur-babies) detoured to Key Largo for the best key lime pie at Blond Giraffe Key Lime Pie Factory, followed by a romp and swim on Key Largo’s dog beach. Treats for all continued with a stop at a fabulous fruit market with an exotic petting zoo. Florida City’s Robert Is Here sells exotic homegrown fruits and shakes that are out of this world, and owner Robert was hand slicing fruit for a guest onsight.” www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgIvxPH-g2Q

Ten Must-Visit Places

 Sept. 4-5 Meet Clyde Butcher at Big Cypress Gallery  Clearwater Pier 60’s Trippo Water Slide, Hippo Slide  Cloudland Canyon State Park, GA (2 hours from Atlanta)  Fall Creek Falls State Park, TN (one of the highest waterfalls in Eastern U.S.)  Buttermilk Falls, Ithaca, NY (then lunch at Moosewood Restaurant)  Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa FL (Forbes 5-star rated)  Hotel Effie, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, FL  Copper Door B&B; Rosie’s soul food, Miami, FL  Luminary Hotel & Co. + Silver King Ocean Brasserie Beacon + Social Drinkery, Ft. Myers, FL  Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Ft. Myers, FL

Clyde Butcher Gallery Big Cypress National Preserve

Robert Is Here

Key Largo Dog Beach

Gulfport Goes Gecko

Gulfport may be one of our favorite small towns in America, and is a paradise within a paradise. Diverse, with cute boutiques, delish cafes and java joints, with 1st Friday and 3rd Saturday celebrations and a laid-back vibe, the big event comes in mid-August and early September.

GeckoFest (Sept. 4, 10 am-10 pm): The annual end of summer celebration in Gulfport is the quirky Geckofest, celebrating its 20th birthday and honoring this waterfront village’s unofficial mascot and favorite reptile, the Gecko! The Facebook vote for this year’s theme? “American Band Stand” will inspire musical inspired costumes, music, dancing, food and drink from 1950 thru the 1980s. Look for Elvis, Elton, disco queens and punk costumes by festival attendees and vendors. Parking and admission to Geckofest is complimentary and the event is pet and family-friendly.

3101 Beach Boulevard South

General Info: www.Facebook.com/SIKPromotions or call (727) 322-5217. Vendor Info: www.sikpromotions.com/applicants/ summer/geckofest

The Gecko celebrations kick off August 14 from 4-9pm with a Poker Run and Pub Crawl (O’Maddy’s, Manatees on the Bay, Neptune Grill, Isabelle’s Restaurant, Little Tommie’s Tiki) and after-party at Salty’s with Big Brother Band. The usually sold out Gecko Ball is August 28 from 6-11pm at Gulfport Casino Ballroom featuring music, dancing, a costume contest, silent and live auction, cash bar and the Gecko Queen coronation.

Dining Wednesday thru Sunday 4-9pm 727-346-9800 www.HistoricPeninsulaInn.com

Paradise Tours & Transportation owner, Joy Harlow celebrates and appreciates the natural beauty of Tampa Bay by offering informative and relaxing bus tours. Space is limited to 14 passengers. Tours and day trips are filled with fascinating historical facts for visitors and locals alike.

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• Stella’s Apparel & Swag • Kitschy Kitchenware • Snarky Barware • Stella’s Pantry • Serving Ware • Home Goods • Gifts • Books • Greeting Cards • Free Gift Wrap

Local produce Arts & Crafts Arts & Crafts Botanicals and more Botanicals and more 9am–2pm

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4th SaturdayVisitGulfportFlorida.com @visitgulfportfl @visitgulfportfl Gulfport MarketFresh “This is a family business, the mural tour resonated with us because my husband Steven Ramsey is an award-winning artist/ muralist,” says Harlow. “People call us for our exciting 90-minute tours, as well as transportation to the airport, cruise lines, sporting event, winery or craft brewery tasting, music festival, concert, Tarpon Springs, Tampa International Mall, Seminole Hard Rock Casino or a night out on the town.”

St. Petersburg History Tour: Learn the history and trivia about The Sunshine City’s fascinating past with a historian, educator and author as you tour downtown St. Pete.

Shadows in The Sunshine – Haunted Bus Tour:

Paranormal investigator Dr. Brandy Stark guides you to haunted hotels, book stores and spectral hot spots. After the tour, enjoy special discounts at a haunted downtown restaurant. Mural Tour: Explore several exciting downtown St. Pete districts featuring murals and hear insights from artists. Saturday 1pm; tours 90 minutes. Cigar Tour: Discover Ybor City’s cigar history and see how stogies are made. Chocolate Factory Tour: Learn about Florida-grown cacao beans and how they become delicious chocolate bars. 55+ Singles Food Experience: Enjoy an appetizer, entrée and dessert at three popular downtown restaurants showcasing international flavors and make new friends. Monday 2-4pm.

Paradise Tours offers private and group sightseeing tours within 100 miles of their office in Pinellas County. It’s the safe and affordable way to enjoy and see paradise. You can ride over the Skyway Bridge to Bradenton and Ellenton Outlets for a day of shopping and exploring. Their experienced and friendly tour guides and insured drivers are a popular option for locals, bridal or bachelor parties and meeting/event planners.

Turning 65? Get the knowledgeable help you need to navigate the Medicare minefield

Birthdays. Whether you love ’em or hate ‘em, they beat the alternative. But when the 65th birthday rolls around, it brings more than the usual baggage. It’s the time for thinking about Medicare.

Instead of something to dread or ignore, consider your 65th birthday as a time of opportunity. Among insurance and Medicare specialists, this milestone birthday is known as the Initial Enrollment Period, which – in its entirety – extends three months before and three months after your birth month. It is during this period that you can enroll in Original Medicare, as well as Medicare Advantage Plans, Prescription Drug Plans, and Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans – whatever makes the most sense for you and your unique circumstances. With limited exceptions, during this seven-month period you have special rights that enable you to enroll in any plan that you choose, regardless of any health conditions.

Such decisions can’t be made lightly, as they will impact the remainder of your life. And Medicare can be tricky and confusing. So it is recommended that you start the process with the guidance of a licensed insurance agent who specializes in this area, like Robert D. Inghram.

An independent, licensed insurance agent for the state of Florida, Robert Inghram’s specialty is Medicare and Medicaid products offered by private insurance companies. These products include Medicare Advantage Plans, Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans. With clients throughout the state, Mr. Inghram specializes in ensuring his clients understand the nuances, as well as the confusing aspects, of Medicare so that they can make a confident, informed decision about coverages, benefits and pricing that will meet their needs. The way he sees it?

His role is to help you navigate the Medicare minefield.

As confusing and complicated as it may already be, that minefield is made even trickier with COVID-induced limitations and CDC recommendations for social distancing and mask wearing of the unvaccinated (or recently vaccinated). The good news is Robert can help you review plan options, answer questions,

If you’re new to Medicare, you don’t have to go it alone. Licensed insurance agent Robert Inghram specializes in these products and will help you navigate the Medicare minefield to make the smartest decision possible.

and sign up for the plan of your choice remotely in the comfort of your home through his web portal or if you don’t have internet access, by phone. As your

65th birthday approaches, there’s no need to feel anxious about signing up for Medicare. To request a consultation, a quote, or to simply learn more, go to www.RobertInghram.com, call 727-269-5053 (866-820-4282 toll free) or email Bob directly at robert.d.inghram@gmail.com.

ROBERT INGHRAM, MEDICARE ADVISOR www.RobertInghram.com robert.d.inghram@gmail.com 2706 Alt. 19 N, Ste. 322, Palm Harbor 34683 727.269.5053 or 866.820.4282

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