Community Conversations Near and afar, NYC members make an indelible difference
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s the oldest private club in Naples, the founders and members of NYC have played key roles in the evolution of this coastal gem on the Gulf of Mexico. There isn’t enough space to list past members’ accomplishments or current members’ contributions to the community, but Waypoints is highlighting the interesting and impactful activities of several of members in what will become an ongoing series.
Naples Historical Society
The future is bright for the Historic Palm Cottage since the next-door property was purchased to protect the street’s character and expand historical exhibits. The Naples Historical Society purchased the 1,530-square-foot, ranch-style home at 163 Twelfth Avenue South and its 1935 guest cottage after the owner offered the nonprofit the right of first refusal to purchase the spread in March 2021 for $4.2 million. Mary S. Smith, chair emeritus of the society’s board of directors, and Past Commodore Stephen B. Smith provided a $1 million matching grant to kick off the successful fundraising effort. Society Chief Executive Officer Elaine Reed is thrilled that the total has been raised to extinguish the mortgage, though another $300,000 is being raised for redevelopment. The acquisition of the property “was a feat that will protect Palm Cottage in perpetuity. We are tremendously grateful for all of those who have supported our endeavors, including many Naples Yacht Club members,” Reed says. “We profoundly appreciate all major gift donors who share this vision, especially Mary S. and Stephen B. Smith who led the effort with their $1 million match challenge.”
Other major donors for this initiative who are yacht club members include: Patrice “Treecie” Schoonmaker through the Schoonmaker Foundation; Lynne and Chip Shotwell; Sharon and Dolph von Arx; Vicky C. and David Byron Smith; Kathleen and former U.S. Representative Francis Rooney; and Tanya and Denny Glass. Many other yacht club members contributed, and NYC is buying an inscribed brick paver ($300) to support the project. The plan is to create 1,000-squarefeet of new exhibits in the new house—Smith Exhibit Hall—and an exterior pathway with the brick pavers featuring “stations” chronicling Naples’ history and the decades-old fruit trees gracing the property. “The yacht club purchased a brick because we support the Naples Historical Society—as the oldest private club, our appreciation of the town’s history and the need to keep it alive is aligned,” says NYC Executive Director of Membership Brenda O’Connor. Reed is thrilled that residents have come together to prevent the development of a dominating mansion on the adjacent property. “It is rare for a homeowner to buy an expensive parcel of land and not want to have their dream house built on it,” she says. “This project is a true community opportunity, a life-time legacy.” The project is expected to be completed by fall 2023.
Immokalee Foundation
A unique, 18-home subdivision rising in lmmokalee has the unexpected name of Career Pathways Learning Lab—which makes sense when you realize that it’s being developed to provide students with paid, onthe-job training to gain the valuable experience they need to enter the construction industry. They are learning about land development, home construction, marketing, and sales while working side-by-side with industry professionals. It is part of The Immokalee Foundation’s Career Pathways program, hence the subdivision’s name, focused specifically on engineering, construction, business management and entrepreneurship. Working with lmmokalee Technical College (iTECH), BCB Homes, and Collier Enterprises, The lmmokalee Foundation developed the high school curriculum and internships that can lead to four industry-recognized credentials. BCB Homes President Greg Brisson helped brainstorm the Career Pathways Learning Lab project with others from its inception and stepped up as the general contractor. “It turned into, ‘Oh, boy. We’re
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NAPLES YACHT CLUB | Waypoints 2022-2023
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9/16/22 4:09 PM
