Whiskey
REAL ESTATE ROUND-UP
A Look Inside
WHISKEY CREEK
COUNTRY CLUB
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
BATTLE AT THE CREEK GOLF TOURNAMENT
What’s
NEWLY LANDSCAPED MEDIAN AT THE COLLEGE ROAD ENTRANCE TO WHISKEY CREEK. THANK YOU, TIDEWATER LANDSCAPE, FOR WORKING WITH THE WHISKEY CREEK CIVIC ASSOCIATION TO COMPLETE THIS BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT!
Wildlife
MARK L. FRANZER
BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLERS
Black-and-white warblers are medium to small for songbird classification, approximately 5 inches long. They have a distinct, fairly long, slightly downcurved bill. The head appears somewhat flat with a streamlined short neck. The wings are long, with the tail considered short. Boldly striped in black and white, bodies are bordered with black wings, highlighted by two wide, white wing bars. Adult males have more dominant black streaking with black ear patches, whereas the females have less, with a wash of tan or buff on their flanks.
The black-and-white is one of the first warblers to arrive on its breeding grounds. Their arrival is announced with high-pitched warbling reminiscent of a rusty wheel turning. These black-andwhite warblers act more like nuthatches than warblers, primarily feeding on hidden insects in the bark of trees. Despite their arboreal foraging habits, they nest on the ground, usually at the base of trees. The little black-andwhite migrates long distances along the Eastern seaboard ranging from Canada to upper South America, finding habitat within woodlot or forest landscapes.
Real Estate Round-Up
BOB OXNARD, REALTOR ®
A PRISONER IN YOUR OWN HOME?
Residential real estate is full of emotion. As a former business owner, when my family moved to Florida in the 90’s, I decided to get involved in real estate. I was leaning toward the commercial side of real estate when I learned that it is more head than heart. It is all about numbers with little emphasis on emotion. Residential real estate is the opposite. It is filled with emotion. That made my decision easy. I wanted a job that helped people fulfill their dreams. I wanted to share their emotions when they found the perfect home or when we helped them transition when it was time to move on in life.
There is an adage in our business that says, “Buyers are liars.” For example, I have seen Realtors who exhausted themselves showing their clients homes that met their criteria only to have them buy something different. The buyers weren’t liars, they just didn’t know what they wanted until they saw it. Then they could justify a change in their want list to accommodate their desires. The “must-have” three-car garage wasn’t so obligatory after all. A sales agent soon learns to “sell the sizzle, not the steak.” Sometimes listening to a customer involves more than just hearing words.
But there can be a downside to the emotions of residential real estate as well. Who doesn’t know someone with a “Champaign taste and a beer budget.” Reality sets in when the home they want is beyond their means. The first thing a buyer should do is get qualified by a lender and understand what they can afford. Besides, a seller won’t usually accept an offer without written pre-approval from a lender or proof of funds for the purchase price.
The emotional part of residential real estate can affect sellers as much as buyers. Whereas the value of commercial real estate is largely determined by formulas and numbers, residential real estate values are determined more by the open market. Sellers don’t determine the sale price any more or less than buyers do. The MARKET determines the value of a home.
Market value is the price at which a home would sell in the open market. It is the price that a willing buyer and a willing seller would accept with proper exposure and no undue pressure on either party. Of course, we have all seen instances where one side or the other was particularly motivated to act and the other side benefited, but they are rare.
An important part of a real estate agent’s job is to analyze the market and advise their customers appropriately as to market conditions. Like most markets, the real estate market is cyclical. The ebbs and flows of the market sometimes favor buyers or sellers. A home that is listed above market value will have to wait for the market to catch up. In a buyer’s market, such as we have today, time only exacerbates the inequity.
This brings me to one of the saddest things I see in real estate… a homeowner who is a prisoner in their own home. There are many reasons this can happen. Perhaps
the owner owes too much and really can’t afford to sell at the current value. They are forced to remain in a home that isn’t best for their current circumstances. But sometimes it is simply because the owner wants to sell for more money than the home is worth. They end up holding the key to their own prison!
If you have any questions or comments about this article or other real estate issues, please contact Bob Oxnard at whiskeycreeknews@ yahoo.com.
Crossword Puzzle
ACROSS
1. Large body of water
6. Brisling 11. Freight
12. Hairdos 15. Avenue 16. Force
17. Craggy peak
18. Honey
20. Immediately
21. Gorillas
23. Supervisor
24. Crazes
25. Mouthful
26. Blockheads
27. 10 cent coin
28. Being
29. Air hero
30. Auspices
31. Bottle opener
34. Empties a boat
36. Seated oneself
37. Scent
41. Decorated, as a cake
42. Dots on dice
43. Abounding
44. Cards with one symbol
45. Balm ingredient
46. Porous limestone
47. Animal companion
48. Plans for meetings
51. Color of some sunsets
52. Flapjack flippers
54. Scrawny
56. Lands and wealth
57. Monetary units of Serbia
58. Overact
59. Inscribed pillar
DOWN
1. Tentacled devilfish
2. Library cubicles
3. Before, in poetry
4. Ancient
5. Mark down
6. Pressure
7. Newspapers
8. Break
9. Donkey
10. Destructive sea wave
13. Wears away
14. Stitches
15. Phase
16. Vocations
19. By surprise
22. Biological group
24. A type of ligneous plant
26. Paddles
27. D
30. Cultural doings
32. Not new
33. Like many a superhero
34. Arm muscles
35. Film material
38. Active during the daytime
39. Transgression
40. Prepared
42. Satisfy
44. Abbey area
45. Lace tip
48. Car
49. Cobras
50. Three-handed card game
53. Flat hat
55. Anger
CROSSWORD SOLUTION IN THIS ISSUE
Whiskey Creek Ladies’ Club
LENA ALLEGRO PRYOR
The February meeting of the Whiskey Creek Ladies’ Club (WCLC) was attended by 41 members and three guests. President Mo Poirier opened the meeting with a flag salute and a welcome. Ellie Neal read the inspirational message, “Stop Worrying .” The tables were decorated with Valentine hearts by Cathy Trent. Cathy Trent and Sue Lynch gave the members Valentine candies. Prior meeting’s minutes and Treasurer’s Report were approved. President Poirier encouraged members to invite friends
to join us as guests to attend a meeting and lunch and possibly join the ladies’ club. Club dues for next year will remain the same, $30. They will be due in March. However, if you would like your name in the Club Directory, dues must be paid by May. President Poirier reminded members that name badges must be worn at meetings to avoid a $1 fine. Jill Harlow has volunteered to be Publicity Chairperson beginning in October 2025.
Pam Lucas reported that the WCLC Book Club’s next book is The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. The Book Club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at the WCCC. There is a book discussion and lunch. The next meeting is February 16. New members are always welcomed. Interested parties please contact Pam at (276) 617-8850. Table games, prepared by Cathy Trent, were enjoyed by all members.
Next month’s meeting is March 6. The program is Blessings in a Backpack. Lunch will be, in keeping with St. Patrick’s Day, Irish Stew with
Carrot Cake or Fried Chicken BLT Salad and dessert.
Note: Keller Williams is having their annual shredding event on April 19 from 9 to 11 a.m. at their office on University Drive.
Responses to next month’s attendance are due Wednesday, one week prior to the meeting. We encourage you to make your meal selection for the following month when you sign in at the meeting. If you need to cancel, please notify Linda Jones or the club at least eight days prior to the meeting. Otherwise, you will be responsible for the cost of your meal.
The Whiskey Creek Ladies’ Club is a social and service organization. Membership is open to all women in Lee County. We meet on the first Thursday of each month at the Whiskey Creek Country Club. Social time is at 11:30 a.m., meetings start at 12 p.m. from October to May. An interesting and informative program is presented each month, a great opportunity to learn about the many programs offered in Southwest Florida. New members and guests are always welcome. Contact Linda Jones at piglinjones@gmail.com or call Linda at (678) 744-5461.
Whiskey Creek Country Club
It is a wonderful time of the year to get outside and enjoy a fun time of golf. The weather is perfect to enjoy a great time with friends and then enjoy a delicious lunch after. Chef
JTee has added many new breakfast and lunch choices to the menu. Maybe a refreshing drink in the bar is something you might enjoy with a friend or neighbor.
The club is now open on Monday for lunch … so you can enjoy eating at WCCC … every day of the week.
Card games and Mah Jongg games are held at various times during the week. Call for details and the times at 481-3021.
The Pro Shop has many new items arriving! You can always purchase a gift certificate if you can’t quite decide on that perfect item for gift giving.
Production Directors
Stephen Miller
Elizabeth Miller
Sales Department
Margo Williams
Miranda Ledbeter
Alyssa Debban
Corey Bank
Justein Matthias
Webmaster
Selina Koehler
Production Manager
Lee Nostrant
Production Department
Elaine Donholt
Ruth Nekoranec
Katie Heystek
Dianne Strout
Karen Kalisz
Michelle Feeney
Andie Reynolds
www.seabreezecommunications.com
Seabreeze Communications, Inc. does not endorse any advertising as it relates to the communities. Advertising is not screened by Seabreeze Communications, Inc.
Some Popular Drugs Can Cause Hearing Loss Part II
MARY LOU WILLIAMS, M. ED.
Last month’s article was about ototoxic drugs, drugs that cause hearing loss. Among the most common listed in that article were aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs like ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen and piroxicam, many antibiotics, and certain diuretics. As extensive as that list was, it was not complete. This week’s article adds to that list.
Some chemotherapeutic agents can be ototoxic such as methotrexate (Rheumatrex), cisplatin (Platinol) and nitrogen mustard (Mustargen). The ototoxic effects can be minimized by carefully monitoring blood levels.
Quinine is ototoxic, including tonic water. The ototoxic effects of quinine are very similar to those of aspirin.
Another class of drugs that can cause hearing loss are the erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs in the class that includes Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra. These drugs can cause sudden hearing loss. A case report in the April 2007 issue of the Journal of Laryngology & Otology involving sudden hearing loss in a man taking Viagra prompted the FDA to search the FDA’s Adverse
Events Reporting System for instances of hearing loss and this class of drugs. The FDA found a total of 29 post marketing reports of sudden hearing loss, both with and without accompanying ringing in the ears, vertigo, or dizziness. In most of the cases, the hearing loss involved one ear.
Drugs That Cause Tinnitus
Besides the drugs already mentioned, there are
other drugs that cause tinnitus. These include cardiac medications such as metoprolol (Lopressor) and propranolol (Inderal).
Many psychopharmacologic agents cause tinnitus. Among them are amitryptiline (Elavil) and the benzodiazepine class of drugs that include alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium) and triazolam (Halcion).
Bupropion (Welbutrin), fluoxetin (Prozac), migraine (Tofranil), lithium and phenelzin (Nardil) are other psychopharmacologic drugs that can cause tinnitus. I looked up Paxil in The Physicians’ Desk Reference and found, under “Other Events Observed During
the Premarketing Evaluation of Paxil,” side effects related to hearing. These side effects were as follows: tinnitus, frequent; otitis media (inflammation or infection of the middle ear), infrequent; deafness, rare. Glucocorticosteroids can cause tinnitus. Among them are prednisolone (Prednisone) and adrenocorticotrophic hormone or ACTH.
Anesthetics that can cause tinnitus are bupivacain, tetracain and lidocaine (Novacaine).
Antimalarials that can cause tinnitus are chloroquine (Aralen) and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquinil). Besides these medications, some common toxic substances that can cause tinnitus are alcohol, caffeine, lead, marijuana, nicotine and mercury.
This list is not exhaustive. Consult with your doctor if you have a question about the ototoxic effect of any drug you are taking.
Most of the information in this article was obtained from an article published in the Hearing Rehabilitation Quarterly, Vol. 22, No. 2, 1997, by Orin S. Kaufman, D.O., a physician and volunteer at the League for the Hard of Hearing. Their website address is www. lhh.org. Click on site contents. Then scroll down to ototoxic medications.
CROSSWORD SOLUTION
SUDOKU PUZZLE SOLUTION
WC WC Whiskey Creek Whiskey Creek
Your $125/year membership funds the following: Website (WhiskeyCreekNews.net)
Whiskey Creek News Bulletin (publishing & quarterly postage)
Maintenance of damage and/or upkeep of our community not covered by the MSTBU
Owners directory & membership mailings
Reserves to maintain & renew deed restrictions (WCCA spent nearly $100k in 2018 on this matter)
Free neighborhood events!
Battle at the Creek Golf Tournament, Friday, May 2nd
Holiday lights & decor
Storage rental
Accounting services
Landscape & entrance
beautification projects
By joining the WCCA, you are at no obligation other than your financial contribution. However, we encourage you to become involved by attending our board meetings held on the second Wednesday of each month at the WC Country Club!
Continental Women’s Club
LIZ PAUL
The Continental Women’s Club will hold its monthly luncheon meeting on Thursday, April 3 at 11:30 a.m. Our April program will feature a chorus group from Ray V. Pottorf Elementary School under the direction of Libby O’Connor, Music Teacher. Please join us to enjoy this award-winning chorus group.
Meetings are being held at The Hideaway Country Club, 5670 Trailwinds Drive, Fort Myers 33907. The cost to attend the luncheon is $26. Please call Liz Paul at (239) 691-7561 by Tuesday, March 25 for meal selection and to make a reservation for our April 3 meeting.
Continental Women’s Club is a social, cultural, and philanthropic organization established in 1975, with membership open to women living in Lee County. We have many special events and interest groups within our club that you can participate in for social and educational purposes throughout the month and the year. In addition, we contribute to many local charities and award two scholarships each year to senior high school girls who plan on furthering their education.
Cook’s Corner
SALMON CROQUETTES
RECIPES TAKEN FROM THE A. LINCOLN COOKBOOK
INGREDIENTS
2 c. salmon, drained, skinned, de-boned, and mashed finely
2 c. mashed potatoes (mashed without liquid)
2 eggs
2 T. butter, melted
½ to 1 tsp. salt
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
½ to 1 c. grated cheese (optional) 2 egg yolks, beaten well bread or cracker crumbs
DIRECTIONS
Combine the salmon and potatoes. Add eggs. Add melted butter, salt, and Worcestershire sauce. Add cheese, if using. Mix well. Form into desired shape. Roll in beaten egg yolk and then cracker crumbs. Heat 1/4 inch of oil in fry pan. Brown croquettes thoroughly on one side; turn over and brown on the other side.
Note: This recipe uses more than the usual Worcestershire sauce. Our recipe calls for one-half the original receipt. Most pre-20th century recipes called for more seasoning than normal in the 21st century. Vary the seasoning to your taste.
HOT ASPARAGUS DIP
INGREDIENTS
2 (12-oz.) cans asparagus spears, drained and chopped 1½ c. mayonnaise 1½ c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional cheese for sprinkling 2 cloves of garlic, chopped salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix asparagus, mayonnaise, cheese, garlic and salt and pepper. Pour into baking dish and bake 20 to 25 minutes or until slightly brown and bubbly. Remove from oven and sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese. Serve hot with lightly toasted French bread rounds.
Whiskey Creek Street Names And Their Meanings (Part I Of II)
Whiskey Creek is a unique neighborhood, with many of its streets bearing names related to wine and other spirits. The creek itself is said to have gained its name during Prohibition when bootleggers found it to be a secretive yet navigable waterway to transport moonshine. From its origins along McGregor Avenue to its end at College Parkway, Whiskey Creek contains more than a dozen street names that refer to this history.
Have you ever wondered what some of these street names mean? Some are more commonly known than others. Here is a look at our neighborhood’s fondness for viticulture and distillation:
Amoroso Drive - Amoroso sherry is a sweet sherry, also known as cream sherry. The term “amoroso” comes from Harvey’s Bristol Cream, a sherry that was once the best-selling in the world. These sort of sweet brown sippers are what most people in Britain think of when they hear the word “sherry.”
Beaujolais Lane - Beaujolais is a light red or (less commonly) white burgundy wine produced in the Beaujolais district of southeastern France. It is made from the Gamay grape. Beaujolais wines are dry, low-sugar wines.
Brandy Circle - Brandy is a strong spirit distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice (typically apples). Most brandy we are familiar with is from Cognac, but brandy also includes pisco, Armagnac or Obstler (produced in Austria and Switzerland).
Chablis Lane - Chablis is a dry, white wine produced in the northernmost region of Burgundy, France. The cooler climate produces wines that are more acidic and less fruity than
Chardonnay. Some Chablis wines are described as having a “flinty” or “steely” note.
Chalon Lane - Château-Chalon is a picturesque hilltop village in the Jura region of eastern France. Its vineyards are situated on the slopes below it. Created in May 1936, it was one of the earliest officially introduced French appellations. An appellation is the official title given to a product made in a specific place, in a style particular to that place. The flavor characteristics of Château-Chalon yellow wines are unusual, with tasting notes listed as curry, nutty, or roasted tobacco.
Claret Court - Claret is a dark purplish-red wine from the Bordeaux region of France. Because Bordeaux wines can only come from Bordeaux, Claret can refer to wines of a similar type from other regions.
Cognac Drive - Cognac is a type of brandy made with grapes and has a very specific, proprietary distillation and blending process located in a small, protected area in the southwest of France. There are actually six growth regions in Cognac that produce different variations of grapes, resulting in six distinct flavors of cognac. Top brands include Hennessy, Remy Martin, Martell, and Courvoisier.
Together, these street names not only guide residents and visitors but also tell a story of heritage, culture, and community. We will explore more street names in the next newsletter.
FUNNY ONE-LINERS
Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine!
Brown Grass Is Okay
FERTILIZE SMART
Brown is the color of the year according to Pantone Color Institute. While the exact shade of your lawn may not be “mocha mousse,” it’s okay to embrace brown grass – in fact, it can be Floridafriendly. If you have grass in your lawn that you can allow to go dormant, you might consider letting your lawn go brown.
Lawns planted with turfgrasses can require a lot of time and money to maintain a lush and green landscape, especially in Southwest Florida during the dry season. This time of year in Lee County, lawn irrigation can account for 50% of the total household water use. It drains the aquifers accessed by Lee County residents quicker than they can be replenished. Unincorporated Lee County has a one-day-aweek watering ordinance
in place from February through May to conserve water and protect the aquifer.
Following are some alternatives to highmaintenance grasses that are native, require much less water and don’t need to be mowed frequently.
Sunshine Mimosa is a grass alternative that’s native to Florida and tolerant of drought. It spreads quickly, and four or five pots can cover up to 300-square-feet in a season. Additionally, sunshine mimosa is a “nitrogen fixer,” meaning it converts nitrogen in the atmosphere into
compounds for its own use. Plus, it attracts butterflies.
Basketgrass is another native Florida alternative that attracts butterflies. It’s the most shade-tolerant groundcover and it’s resistant to foot-traffic. However, Basketgrass goes completely dormant in the winter.
Twinflower is growing in popularity as an alternative to turfgrass lawns. It’s a low-growing evergreen wildflower, and it rarely needs to be mowed. It’s native to Florida, requires little watering and thrives in sunshine and shade.
Frogfruit, or Fogfruit, is both drought and flood resistant, meaning it can handle both dry and rainy season in Southwest Florida. The native Florida alternative is a host for multiple different butterflies, but it doesn’t do well with heavy foot traffic.
Accepting a brown lawn in the winter or considering a more Florida-friendly alternative for groundcover can save homeowners time and effort, while helping to protect our environment and water supply. To learn more ways that homeowners and landscapers can protect our waterways, visit FertilizeSmart.com .
2023 BOARD
OF
DIRECTORS
President: Cole Peacock
RESOURCE HUB
WHISKEY CREEK CIVIC ASSOCIATION
WHISKEY CREEK NEWS
462-5805 colepeacock@comcast.net
Vice President: Wyler Gins 313-1056
Secretary: Kyle DeCicco 810-3729
Treasurer: Melissa Metzger 851-1561 msmetzger1119@gmail.com
Treasurer: Justin Gyarmathy
Events Chair: Melissa Metzgar
Seth Hart seth@boat-trailers.com
Jessica Nolan 462-6885 weathersnolan@gmail.com
Paul Copeland 464-8726 pcopeland@mcgriff.com
Mike McQuagge
Amy Kizmiller Pappas
Justin Gyarmathy
COMMITTEES
Deed Restrictions Chair: Seth Hartt seth@boat-trailers.com
Membership: Sally Gins wccaacct@gmail.com
Yard Committee Chair: Mark Franzer mfranzer@yahoo.com
Editor: Jan Kotcamp 482-7679 whiskeycreeknews@yahoo.com
Articles for The Whiskey Creek News must be submitted to the editor by the fourth of the month.
WHISKEY CREEK SECURITY
The Lee County Sheriff’s Department 477-1000
WHISKEY CREEK MSTBU ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Robert E. Beville, Chairman Irrigation 454-1413 Peter J. Boldrin, Secretary Walls 275-0491
Roland T. Kotcamp, Lighting 482-7679 Fitzroy A. Alexander, Landscaping 433-1836
VACANT, Sheriff Detail
Josh Malo, MSTBU Coordinator 533-2308
LOCAL ACTION NUMBERS Emergency 911
477-1000
Coordinator 533-9400
Services 432-2083
of Commerce SW FL 278-1231 Child Abuse 1-800-962-2873 Code Enforcement 533-8895 Dead Animal Removal 949-6246
Div. of Motor Vehicles 533-6000
Elder Helpline 211 Emergency Management 477-3600
Health Dept. 332-9556 Fraud Line 477-1242 Lee County D. O. T. 533-8580