SWFL Parent & Child JULY 2020 by SWFL Parent & Child Magazine

S W F L PA R E N T C H I L D. C O M

J U LY 2 0 2 0

Your Back-to-School Pediatric Headquarters • Back-to-School Physicals • Sports Physicals

• Check-ups • Vaccinations

Designated areas to separate well and sick children FORT MYERS (239) 481-5437 CAPE CORAL (239) 573-7337 LEHIGH ACRES (239) 481-5437

www.ppcswfl.com

Also specializing in family medicine and internal medicine

Let OUR Family Take Care of YOUR Family Physician-Owned. Patient-Centered

Ask PPC WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BREASTFEEDING By Angela Frink, APRN Why should I breastfeed? Benefits for Baby • Fewer illnesses due to antibodies from mom • 50% reduction in risk for SIDS (sudden infant death) • 40-45 min more sleep at night than formula fed babies Benefits for Mom • Decreases risk for breast cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and heart attack • Lose weight! Every 6 months of breastfeeding can lower BMI by 1% • It is FREE! • No need to bring water, formula or bottle with you

their head, it should be flat, not sunken in. They should be gaining weight at their checkups after the first few days. It is NORMAL to lose some weight at first. We expect them to be back to birth weight by 2 weeks old. Stools should start to change from dark green to yellowish by day 4 of life.

I’ve had breast surgery, can I still breastfeed? YES, you can. Most breast reductions and breast implants do not prevent breast feeding. Sometimes it can reduce supply due to the incisions, removal of milk ducts, and other factors. Breastfeeding will not damage implants. Contact a lactation counselor to discuss your situation.

When do I feed my baby? When they are first waking up and eyes may not even be open yet. This is the best time to breastfeed. Your baby might suck on their hands, stick out their tongue, or turn toward you when you touch their cheek to tell you they are hungry. Crying is a late sign of hunger and makes latching more difficult. You should feed the baby 10-12 How do I know my baby is getting enough times in 24 hours. It may be much more frequent to eat? at some times for building your milk supply and Your baby should have 8-10 wet diapers in a 24 helping baby grow. This is called cluster feeding. hour period. They will likely need a new diaper at If your baby is very sleepy, sometimes that means each feeding. Look at the soft spot on the top of they need to eat more often.

When should I see a lactation counselor? Anytime you are worried or have questions about anything. If your nipples are painful or bleeding. If you are worried about your milk supply. If your baby is not latching well, not gaining weight, or very sleepy. Many times, small adjustments to positioning or latch can make a big difference! Angela Frink, APRN, is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and a Certified Lactation Counselor in the Cape Coral Pediatrics office of Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida at 1261 Viscaya Parkway, 239-573-7337.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 3

4 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

contents »

swfl

parent&child

Features 31 congrats, grads A tribute to the Class of 2020

In Every Issue 17 ask the expert

33 double duty Five Southwest Florida parents talk about how they manage the new roles forced on them by the pandemic

37 easy getaway Explore seven local resorts that welcome families, offer discounts and help you get away without a lot of travel.

S W F L PA R E N

18 early learning How to keep little ones learning at home

Bonita Springs movie contest opens to kids and teens

30 where are they now Jeff Malavsky and sons Matthew and Samuel graced the cover 20 years ago

20 in the kitchen Fresh, frozen or canned produce — which is best?

51 travel Exercise your patriotism and plan a trip to Washington, D.C.

23 dining out Six great restaurants for dining al fresco

TCHILD.COM

25 kid stuff ILLUSTRATION BY LINDI DAYWALT-FEAZEL WITH GETTY IMAGES

28 teens

Tips for finding the best shells at the beach

57 voices Miss Pre Teen Florida International, Ana Vlad, of Naples, shares her platform to make a difference.

These local hiking trails are great for kids J U LY 2 0 2 0

Other Departments 6 7 8 9 11 13

our contributors editor’s note letter to the editor online me time 5 things

14 44 47 54 55 58

fyi safety family album around town calendar last look

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 5

Grand Opening July 11th, 2020

NEW PERMANENT EXHIBIT Built with contributions from our generous community supporters

» our contributors

Meet the contributors to this month’s issue of Southwest Florida Parent & Child magazine. Noël Konken • In the Kitchen • Noël Konken, a registered dietitian, is a clinical pediatric dietitian at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. .

José H. Leal • Find Shells Like a Pro • José H. Leal, who has a Ph.D. in marine biology, is the science director and curator of the BaileyMatthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel, where he was director from 1996 to 2013 and led the museum to its first accreditation. Despite decades of research on mollusks, he’s still drawn to the shelling mystery of “What can I find next?” REAL TOOLS REAL PROJECTS REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES 15080 Livingston Road, Naples, FL 34109 (239) 514-0084 https://cmon.org

Jean Le Boeuf • Dining Out • Jean Le

Boeuf is the pseudonym used by a local food lover who dines at restaurants anonymously and without warning, with meals paid for by The News-Press and Naples Daily News. Follow the critic at facebook.com/jeanleboeufswfl or @JeanLeBoeuf on Twitter and Instagram.

Heather Singleton • 6 Ways to

Keep Littles Learning at Home • Heather Singleton is the director of education at Child’s Path, formerly known as Collier Child Care Resources.

print-graph-paper.com

Andrea Stetson • Double Duty, Kid Stuff and Teens • Andrea Stetson writes for magazines and newspapers throughout Southwest Florida. She has also been a news producer and writer at television stations in Fort Myers, Miami and Scranton. Andrea lives in North Naples with her husband, daughter, dog and eight bunnies. Her son graduated from Georgia Tech. Jennifer Thomas • Get Away Close to Home and Travel: D.C. • Jennifer Thomas is a freelance travel writer who has extensively explored the U.S. and destinations abroad. A journalism graduate from Bowling Green State University and an Air Force veteran, she is the owner of the FSR Ventures public relations firm and Beauty Results PR. Jennifer lives in Fort Myers with husband Bill, daughter Kylie, and golden retriever Rosebud. Ana Vlad • Voices • Ana Vlad, of Naples, turns 13 years old this August. As holder of the Miss Pre Teen Florida International 2020 title, she is determined to turn her pageant platform into a local youth movement.

6 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

editor's note »

parent & child

swfl

S W F L PA R E N T C H I L D. C O M

Part of the USA TODAY Network

Volume 21, Issue 7 Dedicated to serving the families of Lee and Collier counties 2442 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33901 swflparentchild.com Regional VP, Sales William R. Barker General Manager Kathryn Robinson Kinsey kathryn@swflparentchild.com Editor Pamela Smith Hayford (239) 335-0448 pamela@swflparentchild.com Art Director Lindi Daywalt-Feazel

Editorial Contributors Noël Konken, José H. Leal, Jean Le Boeuf, Heather Singleton, Andrea Stetson, Jennifer Thomas, Ana Vlad Photographer Amanda Inscore Vice President/Advertising Sales Shawna Devlin Specialty Publications Team Coordinator Dennis Wright dennis@swflparentchild.com Distribution (239) 335-0211

TIME TO RECHARGE

amily vacations are important. They give you time to bond as a family without the stresses of work and school. You — and the kids — can just be yourself. It’s a time for everyone to relax and recharge. You probably know this. You’re probably craving this. Nearly 100 million Americans planned to take family vacations last summer, according to a 2019 AAA Travel survey. This year, however, everything has changed. AAA didn’t even release a travel survey due to the novel coronavirus. Many families have canceled big trips. Maybe yours is one. We think we’ve found a solution: the return of the staycation, not at home but at a local resort. Several in Southwest Florida are not only family-friendly, but they offer big discounts for residents and take coronavirus precautions. We found seven coastal resorts where you and your family can experience that big vacation feeling without big travel plans (page 37). We certainly could use that vacation. As parents, we’ve had extra demands land on our shoulders. When school was in, we not only had to take care of our own work and home responsibilities, but we also had to become teacher’s aide for our kids, and now camp counselor. To help us all learn from each other, we spoke with five Southwest Florida parents to see how they juggle it all (page 33). In this month’s issue, we also have a list of hiking trails where you can have fun while social distancing, info on a movie contest for kids and teens, great spots for outdoor dining, tips for getting the best shells at the beach and much more. To all parents, this month, may you get the recharge you so very much deserve.

Southwest Florida Parent & Child is a FREE publication distributed at more than 500 locations throughout Southwest Florida by The News-Press Media Group. All rights reserved. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information published but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. Any opinions expressed by writers and advertisers are not necessarily opinions of the magazine or publisher.

Member of

Pamela Smith Hayford, Editor Contact us: We enjoy hearing from you. Send your photos, letters or comments to: pamela@swflparentchild.com. Or visit us online:

swflparentchild.com

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 7

» letter to the editor

ALWAYS

ININSTYLE STYLE

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

C C O M P A N Y

OVID-19 has opened people’s eyes to those we tend to take for granted. First responders, health care workers, and the essential workers manning supermarkets, food processing plants and a whole range of other services. Further, the closing of schools has made parents acutely aware of the important role that teachers play, as parents have had to pick up the reins of educating their children while schools were closed. Last, but not least, the critical role early childhood education teachers play became obvious. In addition to helping young children to develop the cognitive, social and emotional skills they need during their formative years before kindergarten, these educators also provide the child care that families need so parents can work. The return on investment in these programs has been shown to be well north of 7:1 in normal times. In this emergency, it is difficult to even estimate this return as it has helped to save lives and kept the county fed. As the effects of COVID-19 became clear, so did the community’s need for our teachers and staff. In the face of this need, we at CCCR remained open throughout the height of the pandemic (except two weeks to flatten the curve). We felt it was our duty to enable first responders, health care workers, and other essential workers in Collier County to do their jobs without worrying about who was there to care of their children. ...We followed all the CDC guidelines and asked for the advice of the county health department to keep all safe. As a result, there were no infections at our centers. Our diligence and everyone’s compliance allowed us to continue to serve the community... We were supported in our work through funding from the Early Learning Coalition, the NCEF, and the Community Foundation. We will likely still come up short, but we knew we needed to provide our own essential service to keep Collier County healthy, fed and functioning. As board members, we want to thank our teachers and staff, and our supporters, for going above and beyond in this time of need.

S T O R E

MIROMAR OUTLETS

Dine at our wide array of restaurants! Voted the Best Shopping Mall and Best Factory Outlet Mall in Southwest Florida

UP TO 70% OFF RETAIL PRICES

— From the Board of Directors: Chairman of the Board Felix Mehler and Seymour Burchman

GIFT CARDS MAKE THE

Perfect Gift

NO ACTIVATION FEES

8 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

0720-1057

(239) 948-3766 • MiromarOutlets.com • Mon.-Sat.: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. • Sun.: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. I-75, Exit 123, Corkscrew Road, in Estero, between Naples & Fort Myers

Tell us what you think

Send your letter to the editor via email to editor@ swflparentchild.com. Letters may be edited for space.

online »

swflparentchild.com

Get SWFL Parent & Child anywhere at any time

Get the latest event information and family news every day on our family-friendly site.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/swflparentchild FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @swflparentchild FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @swflparentchild FIND US ON PINTEREST pinterest.com/ swflparentchild READ US ON ISSUU issuu.com/swflparentchild

MISS AN ISSUE? SWFL Parent & Child magazine is available in its entirety online along with back issues, too. Did you miss our birthday party issue in February? It’s online. Or wish you could find that list of where kids eat free (or nearly free) from the November issue? It’s online, too. Even our list of 10 great hikes for kids in last year’s March issue is online. Just visit swflparentchild.com and scroll to the bottom of the page. You’ll also find past stories individually on the site.

NO SUMMER CAMP?

NO PROBLEM This is one weird summer. We are in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. School ended early. Kids are bored. Parents are about to lose their ever-loving minds. And to top it all off, many kids are missing out on summer camp. USA Today spoke with three camp counselors across the nation about how parents can bring those experiences home

if camps are canceled. Of their programs, one went completely virtual; one was still figuring out what to do; and one was doing a mix of online and on-site programming with new restrictions like temperature checks, masks on staff, limited group sizes and enhanced sanitization. Read the full story on swflparentchild.com.

S W F L PA

RENTCH

ILD.COM

J U LY 2 0 20

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO? Our website has plenty of ideas. There’s our calendar and list of attractions, but we also have lists of ways kids can continue to learn at home and features about local organizations hosting online events and activities.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 9

THINK. LEARN. BECOME. Combining academic essentials with the

To enroll now call or visit us online

enrichment of the arts, The Discovery Method™

DiscoveryDayAcademy.com

opens the minds of

BONITA SPRINGS CAMPUS Infants–8th Grade P 239-498-5826

students through projectbased learning methods from Infants–Grade 8.

10 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

me time »

TAKE CARE OF YOU Our friends at Reviewed.com offer these fabulous finds to help with self-care and relaxation at home.

Just say aaah

Let’s face it Multiple Reviewed staff members swear by the Peter Thomas Roth pumpkin enzyme face mask. They say it leaves skin feeling fresh and glowy (plus it smells like fresh-baked pumpkin pie). Another great option that’s more budget-friendly is the Dr. Jart sheet mask. $60 and $12.50 on Amazon.com.

Zone in Meditation is made easy with Headspace, an app that thousands of people are obsessed with. It has a whole library of guided meditations, relaxing sounds and daily bedtime exercises — and all you need is 10 minutes. Reviewed even dubbed it the best meditation app of 2020. Download is free, optional in-app purchases.

Sticking your feet in this massager by Nekteck does more than just soothe your tired toes — it also gives you a few moments of much-needed “you time,” which is important when you’re stressed out or feeling anxious. With over 3,700 reviews, the massager is praised for how well it gets rid of pent-up tension and the fact that it has a heat setting for even more relief. $75.99 on Amazon.com.

Self-care is in the cards

NIGHT

DATE

You need something to feel better. But what? Yoga? Journaling? A bubble bath? The Self-Care Bucket List can help. This deck of 100 cards contains ideas for various mood boosters and mental health aids, from unplugging from social media for the day to volunteering to do a random act of kindness. $50 at Uncommon Goods.

Garden Party at Downtown SoHo. Play games, listen to live music, drink bottomless mimosas and bloody marys, and munch on free barbecue from 2 to 4 p.m. (or $2 from 4 to 6 p.m.) every Saturday and Sunday. Free. Downtown Social House, 1406 Hendry St., downtown Fort Myers. 239-337-7646 or facebook.com/downtownsoho. SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 11

Call to Schedule an Appointment To day Telehealth Also Available

NP-0000976856

Camp IMAG

June 8 to August 7 REGISTER ONLINE TODAY AT

theIMAG.org

When School Is Out, Camp Is In!

Camp IMAG offers children a fun, exciting, and educational curriculum blending Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) with History and Art in new themed weekly sessions with hands-on activities, games, crafts, exhibit explorations, and more to inspire the imagination and encourage a love of learning! Camps are designed for rising K - 8th grade students and are divided into rising K - 1st graders, rising 2nd - 3rd graders, rising 4th - 5th graders, and rising 6th - 8th graders. The IMAG also offers a Junior Camp Assistant Training Program for rising 9th - 12th grade students.

12 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

5 things »

CELEBRATE BLACK VOICES From a heartwarming picture book to an adventurous middle grade tale, dive into these summer reads by Black authors.

Poetry of the heart

Celebrate love This award-winning picture book warms the heart with a story about the bond between father and daughter and an embrace of individuality. “Hair Love” is written by Matthew A. Cherry and illustrated by Vashti Harrison. For ages 4-8. $17.99, Penguin Random House.

Through a collection of emotionally evocative poems, author Jacqueline Woodson shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and ’70s through the eyes of a child — her. These glimpses into her own soul also share how she developed her voice from a child who struggled with reading to a successful writer today. For ages 10 and older. “Brown Girl Dreaming,” $10.99, paperback, Penguin Random House.

Award-winning mystery Inspiration Vashti Harrison does it again with “Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History.” The New York Times bestselling author-illustrator inspires readers with the stories of exceptional men, including the musician Prince, artist Aaron Douglas, civil rights leader John Lewis, filmmaker Oscar Micheaux and tennis champion Arthur Ashe. $17.99, Hachette Book Group.

Love a mystery? In “The Parker Inheritance” by Varian Johnson, Candice must solve a mystery that starts with an old letter she finds in the attic. With the help of a friend, she dives deep into family history, unspoken secrets and forgotten heroes. $16.99, Scholastic.

Summer adventure The perfect read for summer, “The Last Last-Dayof-Summer” follows two young sleuths into one last adventure before the new school year begins. It involves a mysterious man and a camera that freezes time — literally. The two heroes must put aside their differences to save their town and each other before it’s too late. For ages 8-12, grades 3-7. $16.99, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 13

« fyi Launch your story into space The Marco Island Center for the Arts is offering a virtual way for residents to add their voices to the center’s Space/ Time Capsule. The center collaborated with StoryHabitat. com to create a link so that the public can share thoughts, stories and even quarantine art projects for a time capsule that’s also a piece of art in the likeness of the Friendship 7 spacecraft that splashed down in 1962 after John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth. Get the link at marcoislandart.org. The direct link is recording.storyhabitat. com/s/BZJM6yYQ.

Kids can brighten a senior’s day with art Looking for a new project for the kids? Or to have them give back to the community? Healthy Lee created a program called Kids with Compassion in which children can create artwork and cards to send virtually to people living in assisted living, nursing or memory care facilities. “It’s a simple, fun and safe way to keep the kids involved while bringing joy to a senior community who needs these children so much right now,” says Healthy Lee Chairman Gary Griffin in a news release. To participate, go to kidswithcompassion.org.

FSU book helps kids cope with virus Families trying to explain the novel coronavirus to young children now have a new tool to help. The Florida State University Center for Child Stress & Health created a coloring and activity book to help families talk about the virus, its impact on our lives and how to avoid getting sick. It was designed to help children express and manage their emotions and talk about their fears. You can download the e-book, “The Germ that Wears a Crown: A Story About the Coronavirus,” by Javier Rosado and Tatiana Fernandez, at fsustress.org/ebook.html.

14 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

Back-to-school immunizations Certain vaccines are required for school. One that’s often forgotten is the Tdap booster required before entering seventh grade. Check with your child’s physician to make sure they’re up to date. If your child needs immunizations and can’t get in to see their doctor, the Florida Department of Health holds weekend clinics for back-to-school vaccines. The vaccines are free. Make an appointment in Lee County by calling 239-461-6100, and in Naples 239-252-8207. Details are available at lee.floridahealth.gov and collier.floridahealth.gov.

How to check your child’s sight at home The pandemic has forced many of us to put off some basic but necessary checkups, and vision is often one area that gets put on hold. However, many vision problems can be treated if caught early. A new tool gives parents a way to administer a basic vision screening at home. Using guidelines from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Florida Society of Ophthalmology walks parents through the steps with in-depth instructions and downloadable eye charts. It can also be used for adults. Get details at mdeye.org/ homevision.

Champions program helps kids get to college Students who start 11th grade this fall have an opportunity to get help on the path to college. Champions For Learning is accepting applications for its College & Career Preparation Program. It’s free and it provides a variety of resources, such as family workshops to help guide students through application processes, financial aid and college planning. There’s also an online tool to help students stay on track. The program is open to rising 11th graders in public or private school in Collier County with a minimum 2.5 GPA and household income less than $120,347. Applications are accepted until the class is full. Get an application at championsforlearning. org/apply.

Book takes the scare out of storms Here in Florida, it’s practically guaranteed you’ll encounter some very scary storms. There are the everyday torrential downpours of summer with big shows of lightening and thunderous boomers. And there are hurricanes, too, with their own set of concerns. “When the Storm Comes” by Linda Ashman uses beautiful imagery and gentle rhymes to help families address the scary and give hope for after the storm passes. $17.99 hardcover, Penguin Random House.

Miguel Argumosa, DMD • Erin Taylor, DMD Nicole Eastham, DMD Board Certified Pediatric Dentists

Three Locations To Serve You! BONITA SPRINGS

9510 Bonita Beach Rd. Ste. 101

239 333.2990

CAPE CORAL

PORT CHARLOTTE

1508 S.E. 12th Terrace

3872 Tamiami Trail, Unit D&E

239 322.5222

941 391.8090

Comprehensive dental care with state of the art facilities equipment for children and those with special healthcare needs All forms of sedation available: Nitrous, Oral, In office I.V. and Hospital Emergencies Welcome!

Fun and Interactive Environment

We Love Kids, Kids Love Us!

www.swfl-pediatricdentistry.com Most Insurance Accepted Se Habla Español

School supplies requested The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center is seeking donations of school supplies and money to buy supplies for the center’s annual outreach program July 25, when the center provides backpacks and school supplies for about 580 lowincome children living in the Harlem Heights neighborhood of south Fort Myers. To donate, call 239-482-7706, email melissa@heightsfoundation.org or visit heightsfoundation.org/donate.

CCCR is now Child’s Path Collier Child Care Resources got a new name July 1: Child’s Path. The new identity kicked off with a virtual launch party on Facebook. The organization’s board of directors changed the name to better reflect the organization’s mission to break the cycle of poverty for at-risk and underserved children by providing partial scholarships for early learning and child care.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 15

Nature Park

16 » JULY 2016 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

« ask the expert JOSÉ H. LE A L

José H. Leal, who has a Ph.D. in marine biology, is the science director and curator of the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel, where he was director from 1996 to 2013 and led the museum to its first accreditation. Despite decades of research on mollusks, he’s still drawn to the shelling mystery of “What can I find next?”

FIND SHELLS LIKE A PRO Shell Museum curator and marine biology expert José H. Leal shares tips for finding the best seashells in Southwest Florida.

ow was shelling today? As curator at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, for many years I’ve been asking this question of our museum friends, members and visitors. Shelling is one of the main activities that locals and visitors alike enjoy in our area, and the islands of Southwest Florida lead the pack when it comes to ideal conditions for shelling. When the “stars are aligned” for shelling, the shape of the islands’ shores, winds and currents help accumulate huge amounts of shells onto our local beaches. I’ve been shelling for a few decades and have done it in different parts of our great planet, but I have a hard time thinking of places that can top Southwest Florida for the sheer abundance of shells one can find locally. Not all shelling forays are the same, however, not even in places like Sanibel or Captiva. Here, the best conditions for shelling are in the winter, when cold fronts coming from the northwest hit the local shores. The conditions then turn out to be just right. Also, no matter where you look for shells, check the local tide charts. Low tides are always best, revealing shells that would otherwise be underwater. The timeframe between one hour before and one hour after lowest tide works for most places. And the best low tides are the spring tides, around full and new moons. Then, low tides

are lower than usual and high tides are higher. (The word “spring” here is used to convey the idea of “jumps” or “leaps” in the normal tide pattern.) Apart from the tides, try to collect where shells could be more abundant. The receding high tide will leave a band of debris known as the wrack line. Depending on your location in the world, the wrack line may be composed of different combinations of seagrass, seaweed, crustacean shells, sea sponges, sea urchins and other marine objects. On Sanibel, we have mostly shells. One weekend late in the fall, while exploring Blind Pass Beach on the northwestern end of the island, I rummaged through a pile of shells more than 2 feet thick. Last winter, locals and visitors alike found a number of desirable shells, such as the always elusive junonias, alphabet cones, Scotch bonnets, albino prickly cockles, juvenile queen helmets, nutmegs and others. What kind of equipment should you carry during your shelling excursions? I recommend plenty of plastic bags to carry your treasures and a shell dipper. A shell dipper (the kind with a metal, bowl-like sieve attached to a handle) will help you dig out shells that accumulate just below the line where the water meets the sand. Be mindful of living mollusks or shells occupied by hermit crabs. Local regulations in Lee County prohibit live shelling. Living mollusks (“occupied” shells) are heavier, and

you can usually see the animal inside a snail shell. Living clams and other bivalves keep their valves shut and are also heavier than their empty counterparts. Wash your shells thoroughly with freshwater and, to remove encrustations from the outer surface of your shells, soak them in a 50/50 solution of water and bleach for an hour or two, inspecting the results frequently. When done, rinse them thoroughly in freshwater and set aside to dry. Some people like to apply a thin layer of mineral oil to the shell to help minimize fading and bring out the colors of the shells. Last but not least, when shelling locally, consult our Southwest Florida Shells online guide, shellmuseum.org/shell-guide, to find the names of your treasures or download the shell identification app at shellmuseum.org. See you on Sanibel!

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 17

« ask the expert

HE AT HER SINGLETON

WAYS TO KEEP LITTLES LEARNING AT HOME The director of education at Child’s Path offers these tips to help little ones learn outside of child care.

Read, Read, Read — Young children love to be read a story, often multiple times. Encourage story time throughout the day. Have you read the same story at least five times? Encourage your child to read it to you (young children often memorize the story and can tell it back to you while referring to the pictures). Have them use puppets or props and re-tell the story. Ask open-ended questions, such as “Why do you think he did this? What would happen if he did that? How do you know?”

Talk, Talk, Talk — Use higher level vocabu-

lary words when you speak to your child. “Did you know a spider is an arachnid?” Label your actions throughout the day or label your child’s actions (self and parallel talk). Speak in complete sentences and repeat and extend your child’s language to encourage them to speak in complete sentences. For example, if your child says “truck,” reply “That is a red dump truck,” or “Where do you think the truck is going?” When conducting daily tasks, such as grocery shopping, ask what shapes the items are. For example, a cereal box is a rectangle.

TTY

18 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

Heather Singleton is the director of education at Child’s Path, formerly known as Collier Child Care Resources.

Build fine motor skills — Parents often ask how they can help their child learn to write their name. Before a child can write with a writing instrument, they must build their fine motor skills. We use play dough in early education centers a lot. At home they can also mash potatoes, knead dough, ring out wash clothes over a bucket and so much more. Place clothes pins over the brim of a coffee can and encourage children to use their pincher grip to pick them up and place them back. Place cotton balls on a table and encourage children to use tongs to pick them up.

Encourage social-emotional skills — Model

appropriate phrases and actions for multiple scenarios. For example, does your child know how to join a group? How to ask for a turn? How to act if they lose a game they are playing? If a classmate takes your child’s toy, do they know how to get it back? Social-emotional skills are imperative when entering kindergarten. They are often referred to as “the most needed skill for kindergarten success.” Incorporate role model scenarios to encourage your child to be assertive and fair. These everyday interactions build problem solving skills that they will use every day in life.

Acknowledge your child’s efforts, speak in exact terms and tell them what you want them to do — Do you often catch yourself

saying good job? Good job at what? Young children are concrete learners. Offer them specific feedback like, “Thank you for picking up your toys so we can eat dinner. That was helpful so I wouldn’t trip.” If a child struggles with a task, acknowledge their effort. Practice is part of the learning process, and we need to reward a child’s persistence as much as the result of a completed task. Offer specific instruction that tells children what you want them to do. Children hear the last word of what we say. If you say, “Don’t run,” they hear “RUN!” Instead you can say, “We are using walking feet.” If you want a child not to touch an item, say “We look with our eyes while our hands are by our sides.”

ASK THE EXPERT

Take time to have fun and play — Young

children learn through play. It is the universal language of childhood. They can learn how to write the letter “A” while taking your pretend food order. They can discover that numbers have meaning while counting the number of blocks it took to build their tower. Play and active learning is at the heart of early childhood education. Children should be encouraged to move often, as sitting still can be almost impossible for them to do for extended periods. You are literally helping them form synapses in their brains during play. Remember, 85% of brain development occurs before the age of 5 years. Make those connections with your children now and enhance their learning through your everyday interactions.

We welcome questions from readers. Ask us anything. We’ll find the

answer. Send your question to editor@swflparentchild.com with “Ask the Expert” in the subject line.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 19

« in the kitchen

FRESH, FROZEN OR CANNED How do you like your produce?

hen it comes to getting your daily intake of fruits and vegetables, it is commonly assumed: fresh is best. But is that true? The 20152020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend adults have 1.5 to 2 servings of fruit and 2 to 3 servings of vegetables daily. However, based on the 2018 State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables by the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-

tion, only 1 in 10 adults actually eats the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. If our goal is to increase our daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, then using all varieties of produce are beneficial to our health. When it comes to nutrient quality, there is often no difference between fresh, canned or frozen fruits and vegetables. Nevertheless, it is important to follow these tips to get the most out of your produce, no matter which form you prefer.

Find a recipe fo strawb r erry sorbe t on page 22

20 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

Noël Konken, a registered dietitian, is a clinical pediatric dietitian at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

CANNED

FROZEN

FRESH

PROS:

• Long shelf life (1-5 years) makes throwing away food due to spoilage less likely.

• Flash frozen at the peak of ripeness, which guarantees optimal nutrient qualities are preserved.

• Can often be consumed whole with no prep needed and taken on-the-go.

• Often less expensive and more cost effective. • Easy to store, assuring you always have fruits and vegetables on hand. • Canned tomatoes have higher amounts of lycopene, which is considered a powerful antioxidant.

• Long shelf life (6-12 months) also helps assure less waste due to spoilage. • Cooking vegetables on high heat from a frozen state can help maintain the best texture as opposed to other preservation techniques.

CONS: • Increased sodium Tip: Look for low-sodium, reduced-sodium or no salt added varieties. Also draining and rinsing canned products for 2 minutes under cold, running water can reduce sodium content by up to 40%. • Sweetened syrups Tip: Look for canned fruits labeled as “packed in 100% juice” or “unsweetened” to reduce intake of added sugars. BEST USES IN THE KITCHEN: • Add any of your favorite rinsed and drained canned vegetables to a low-sodium chicken broth to make a quick, filling and nutrientpacked vegetable soup. • Place rinsed and drained garbanzo beans in a food processor or blender with a hint of lemon juice and garlic. Blend together to make a nutritious dip for sliced carrots or whole-grain pita chips. • Add canned fruit atop low-fat Greek yogurt for a sweet evening treat.

CONS: • Added sauces, which are often high in fat and sodium Tip: Look for plain frozen vegetables and add your own herbs and seasonings when cooking for additional flavor, • Hidden added sugar Tip: Read the nutrition label and ingredient list for added sugar and choose unsweetened varieties. BEST USES IN THE KITCHEN: • Toss a frozen vegetable blend in a saucepan on high heat with brown rice and low-sodium soy sauce to create a colorful vegetable stir-fry. • Keep frozen fruit on hand to blend with low-fat yogurt, nut butter and chia seeds for a refreshing morning smoothie.

• Easier to purchase local, meaning you are supporting local farmers. • Requires less processing with no added sugar, fat or sodium. CONS: • May have lower nutrient quality depending on how long produce has been stored. Tip: Eat in season. Seasonal produce often requires minimal transport time from farm to store, ensuring the highest nutrient quality. • Short shelf life results in increased waste Tip: Wash and cut vegetables immediately after purchase so they are easy to grab on the go. Keep fresh fruits and vegetables in sight in your refrigerator and on your counter for frequent reminders to get your daily intake of fruits and vegetables. BEST USES IN THE KITCHEN: • Add color to your summer pasta salad by adding fresh peppers, cucumber, broccoli and tomatoes. • Pile high your burger with fresh toppings such as tomato, avocado and red onion. • Brighten up your picnic with a fresh fruit salad.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 21

« in the kitchen (continued)

Summer smiles! Voted Best Orthodontist for 5 years in a row! Board Certified Orthodontist Braces & Invisalign® Affordable payment plans Most insurances accepted

RECIPE

Call to schedule your complimentary consultation! 2017

GETTY IMAGES

239-260-2100|

3-INGREDIENT STRAWBERRY SORBET INGREDIENTS

» 3 cups frozen strawberries » 6 tablespoons pure Maple syrup » Juice of half a lemon DIRECTIONS 1. Place frozen strawberries in food processor or highspeed blender. 2. Pulse to crush the fruits into small pieces and add the maple syrup and lemon juice. 3. Spoon it into a bowl and serve immediately — or store in the freezer until you’re ready. SOURCE: Ashley Lovetere, MS, RDN, LDN, a licensed and registered dietitian with Lee Health

22 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

dining out »

Jean Le Boeuf is the pseudonym used by a local food lover who dines at restaurants anonymously and without warning, with meals paid for by The News-Press and Naples Daily News. Follow the critic at facebook.com/jeanleboeufswfl or @JeanLeBoeuf on Twitter and Instagram.

6 SPOTS FOR OUTDOOR DINING

Outside seating is at a premium; reviewer Jean Le Boeuf offers a list of favorites.

tried to go to an open-air waterfront restaurant in south Fort Myers at 6:30 on a Saturday evening. I figured it would be busy. When I called and the host told me it would be a two-hour wait, I almost dropped the phone. Outside seating has never been at more of a premium. The novel coronavirus doesn’t spread as efficiently in the great outdoors. Sunshine and breezes have proven to be useful (though certainly not perfect) disinfectants. These Southwest Florida restaurants could be just the ticket.

Lake Park Diner This chic diner with only outdoor seating is the brainchild of Adam Smith and Chef Michael Voorhis, who also opened The Bevy and Smith Organics food truck. The restaurant may be new, but it already has a distinctly Naples flavor — from the menu with It’s My Jam organic ingredients and biscuit with made-from-scratch aiolis buttermilk and sauces, to the outdoor fried chicken, lounge and fire pit and the bacon jam, bright red phone booth pimento that used to stand outside cheese and Naples-favorite St. George sliced pickles and the Dragon. In the evening, when the sun begins to set, servers move among the tables lighting candles and switching on twinkling fairy lights inside mason jars. The fire pit comes to life with dancing flames. (944 Seventh Ave. N., Naples; 239-228-6351; thelakeparkdiner.com)

Buckingham Farms This breakfast-lunch spot features one of the most idyllic wrap-around porches and picnic areas in town. Shady and surrounded by farm land (and a bonus tortoise sanctuary), this is a great place for kids to roam while you sip sweet tea laced with farm-grown mint. The salads are made with produce grown onsite, as are the sandwiches and so many other things on this homey menu. That you get to eat local, drink local, and enjoy it all under the shade of 100-year-old oak trees makes Buckingham Farms some place special. (12931 Orange River Blvd., Buckingham; 239-206-2303; buckinghamfarmsonline.com)

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 23

« dining out (continued) Skinny Dogz Brunchery Like its sister restaurant, Fat Katz, Skinny Dogz has as much or more outside seating as it does inside seating. The bonus at Skinny Dogz: Its patio tables overlook a lake and a quiet, wooded corner of Gateway. Tack on some huge fans, some outstanding chef-crafted food, some bubbly mimosas, and the world’s worries tend to drift away.

Food and Thought Food and Thought has ample outdoor seating in its oak-shaded courtyard. This cafejuice bar-market combo serves militantly organic counter service meals, desserts, juices, smoothies and milkshakes. Oh what I’d give to enjoy a salmon cake with steamed veggies and a very berry smoothie beneath the shade of Food and Thought’s old oak tree. Then again, there’s nothing stopping me from taking a little lunch break, is there? (2132 U.S. 41 N., Naples; 239-213-2222; foodandthought.com)

(11970 Fairway Lakes Drive, southeast Fort Myers; 239-3622693; skinnydogzbrunchery.com)

Stillwater Grille Situated under the sprawling limbs of a leafy banyan tree, this deck is nothing short of magical come twilight (perfect for a date night). That’s when the twinkle lights come on and the air grows thin and cool. That’s when the first cocktail kicks in and I remind myself to keep my mask clean, in case I need to Uber home. Great cocktails, great craft beers, a solid menu and a stunning place to enjoy them — these days, that’s more than enough for me. (13451 McGregor Blvd., south Fort Myers; 239-791-8554; stillwatergrille.com)

24 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

Mediterrano Mediterrano is a whimsical garden paradise, with twinkle lights and flower baskets hanging above every table. I really cannot describe just how many flowers are outside this restaurant. It’s such a large number of flowers that you can smell them before you see the restaurant. Then, of course, you smell the food. As its name suggests, this restaurant serves Mediterranean food. Lamb keftedes, shrimp sagnaki, orange glazed Moroccan salmon and flaky baklava all grace this menu. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. (336 13th Ave. S., Naples; 239-261-7498; mediterrano-naples.com)

kid stuff »

Portions of Black Island Trail are shaded. Other sections are in the sun, so bring plenty of water to drink.

HIDDEN

TRAILS These hiking trails are a great way to entertain the family and keep your social distance. STORY AND PHOTOS BY ANDREA STETSON

F Some parts of Black Island Trail in Lovers Key State Park overlook the water.

lorida state parks are more than sun, surf and sand. They are places for trekking, trees, twists and turns. While most people know of the beaches or historic buildings in our local state parks, there are also miles of hiking trails that meander past rivers, inlets and thick foliage. Lovers Key State Park is one of the best places for families to hike because they can choose the length of the trek. “The Black Island Trail is especially good for families because we have three shortcuts on the trail,” says Park Manager Katie Moses. “Depending on the weather, heat, kids’ attention spans, you can make it longer or shorter.”

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 25

»« kid stuff (continued) (continued)

Children enjoy hiking the trails at Koreshan State Park and stopping to look for wildlife in the Estero River.

The 2.6-mile trail has shortcuts that can make the trail just a half mile, or 1 mile or 2 miles. “Usually you see tons of gopher tortoises,” Katie says. “There are a lot of overviews. There are manatees and dolphins. There is a freshwater pond. Sometimes you can see an alligator in it.” There’s also a butterfly garden to explore. Shade is a big plus when it comes to hiking at Lovers Key. “You get that nice hammock,” Katie says. “Typically it can be 5 to 6 degrees cooler in that hammock. Another neat thing is trail signs are being replaced and the information is more current.” Koreshan State Park in Estero is known for its historic buildings. But the park also has miles of trails. “What I really like about those trails is for the most part you are shaded the entire time, which is nice on summer days,” says Park Manager Zach Lozano. “There is a lot to look at. You have manatees and alligators. There are a couple of overlooks and of course there is the bamboo. When the wind blows, it makes a certain sound that is unique. It is not your average trail here in

26 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

Gopher tortoises can be seen along the trail at Koreshan State Park in Estero.

More hiking trails Florida. You get to see a lot that is not ordinary.” The trails are great for kids, says Pam Jones-Morton, a longtime volunteer at Koreshan. “They are going to be able to see the river,” she says. “There are native slash pines. There is a deck to overlook the Estero River, and maybe if they are lucky they might spot a manatee moving up. As they move along the trail, you get to see butterflies. We have gopher tortoises that are moving around and eating. They can sit still and watch them. They are a 60-million-yearold species. So it is a real treat.” From the Blue Trail, guests can go over the newly restored white bridge to the trail by Monkey Island. There are no monkeys there, but there is a lot of bamboo. “If it is a windy day, they can hear the wind rustling in the bamboo,” Pam describes. “As they come along the river, they come back into the regular vegetation. They will see dog tail cactus hanging from the trees. There is a tree with lichen, red and white lichen. They can learn about lichen. Wildflowers are in bloom. There are different types of flowers on the trail. As they go along they will see a lot of plant life and native creatures. When it is quiet like this, the creatures will be out. If they have a dog, they can walk a dog on a 6-foot leash. So it is the perfect family gathering.” Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park has a little-known path that runs between the beach and the parking lot. Koreshan’s Zach Lozano, formerly park manager at DelnorWiggins, says the path runs parallel to the beach. “People will walk the beach down and take the trail back,” he says. “It is a change of scenery, and it gets them out of the sun for a while.”

State parks are not the only places with elaborate hiking trails. There are other often overlooked places to hike in Southwest Florida.

FORT MYERS • Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve has a 1.4-mile boardwalk.

Otters and alligators have been spotted here. Where: 7751 Penzance Blvd., Fort Myers. Online: sloughpreserve.org

• John Yarbrough Linear Park is a 6-mile paved trail that runs northsouth through Lee County’s south Fort Myers area. It has several access points and the southern portion is shaded. Online: leegov.com/parks/parks/ linearpark

CAPE CORAL • Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park has kid-friendly trails just

north of the Cape Coral city limits. Much of it is shaded, though it is usually wet in summer. Where: 12301 Burnt Store Road, Punta Gorda. Online: stateparks.com/charlotte_ harbor_state_park_in_florida.html

• The Randell Research Center on Pine Island has a trail, just under a mile, that takes visitors through the archaeological site and to the top of a Calusa mound. Where: 13810 Waterfront Drive, Pineland. Online: floridamuseum.ufl.edu/rrc/visit/trail • Yellow Fever Creek Preserve in Cape Coral is a nature reserve of nearly 340 acres. It has 2.5 miles of marked trails and a fishing pond. The shortest loop is .72 mile. Find it and other Conservation 2020 lands at leegov.com/conservation2020/ preserves.

ESTERO/BONITA SPRINGS • The Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve off Corkscrew Road has

hiking trails that meander around water inlets, scrub brush and other natural terrain. Where: Estero Bay Preserve State Park, 4940 W. Broadway, Estero.

• Cullum’s Trail in Bonita Springs is a shell-lined path along the Imperial River. The 1.5-mile nature trail winds its way past cypress knees, palm trees, ferns and other greenery. The shaded trail also has some cutoffs to shorten the distance. “I love the

wildlife on it,” says Cullum Hasty who was instrumental in getting the trail made and open to the public. “I love the birds, the fish and just the various critters you see when you walk it. I have seen wild turkeys. I have seen all kinds of bird life. You see otters in the river from time to time. It is great to see all that wildlife in its natural habitat.” Online: bonitaspringsparks. org/parks___trails/cullum_s_trail • The CREW Marsh Trail has boardwalks and pathways that lead past a variety of birds, trees and flowers. “It has a tower you can climb up. The wildflowers are absolutely incredible right now,” says Ricky Pires, who teaches at Florida Gulf Coast University and leads field trips for fourth graders to CREW. “It is just a really wonderful place for anyone to hike. They could make a bingo card before they leave, find a flower, certain invertebrates.” Check trail conditions and access locations at crewtrust.org.

NAPLES • Barefoot Beach Preserve, a Collier County park in North Naples, has a trail that runs parallel to the beach all the way to the southern tip of the beach. The trail is shaded. There are educational signs on some of the trees and plants. Where: 505 Barefoot Beach Blvd., North Naples. Online: colliercountyfl.gov • Gordon River Greenway Park has a 1.5-mile paved loop that goes past water and through the trees. Online: gordonrivergreenway.org • Baker Park is Naples’ newest park; it opened in 2019. Its 15 acres features a 1.3-mile loop trail by the river, over bridges, on boardwalks, concrete and paths. Where: 50 Riverside Circle, Naples. Online: naplesgov.com/parksrec/page/bakerpark-now-open • Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary has a 2.25-mile boardwalk that meanders around a marsh, wet prairie and bald cypress forests. Where: 375 Sanctuary Road W., Naples. Online: corkscrew. audubon.org

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 27

» teens

WANT TO MAKE A MOVIE?

Filmmakers of all ages are invited to enter the Bonita Springs Short Film Festival. BY ANDREA STETSON

van Johnston, 17, likes making films with multiple meanings. Tony Garrido-Giambo, also 17, enjoys creating films with special effects. Both teenagers have won awards for their films in the annual Bonita Springs Short Film Festival. With limited things to do and limited places to go right now, making films could become a fun and educational hobby for teenagers. Evan and Tony are already working on films for the next festival, which is scheduled for November. The top 13 entries get to see their entire film on the big screen at the Prado Theatre in Bonita Springs during the event. All films that are entered get at least a small clip shown. Antonio Correia, who organizes the event, says

28 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

it is an amazing experience for teenagers to see their work shown in a movie theater. “The boy who won is a teen,” Antonio says about Evan. Last year Antonio tried to create a category for children 12 and younger, but there were not enough entries. He plans to try again this year. “It is something children can do to get them out of the house,” Antonio says. Each year there is a theme. This year, the theme is Eat, Love, Play, Bonita. “It gives the filmmakers as much free leash as possible,” Antonio explains. “It could be about picnics. It could be about going to the beach or playing golf and having some love relationship. It could be a relationship or love of the game while having a Gatorade. We want to give them that

freedom to do something out of the box. For kids, that will be perfect. We could have kids planting a garden and showing a love of nature. We can have kids cooking at home with mom helping out.” Technical support is available. “Especially with the editing part,” Antonio says. “We will help you edit. We will give suggestions. It all takes place online, so we upload and download on the internet, so we don’t have to touch hands.” Antonio offers some tips for budding filmmakers: » When using a phone to record video, don’t record in the vertical position. Shooting vertically creates two black bars when it’s shown on the horizonal movie screen, which detracts from the final product. » Avoid recording anywhere that is loud and listen for noises you might not ordinarily notice but a microphone will, such as a refrigerator or air conditioner or a busy road. Before you record, listen to any audio that will interfere with the overall quality. » Make sure you’re not too far away. If the microphone is too far from the sound source, it will be very low in the video. » When using a phone, avoid using the zoom feature. Every time you zoom in, you degrade the picture quality, especially when it’s shown on the big screen. Instead, move closer to the subject. » Make sure the camera is not shaking. Secure it on a tripod, a shelf, on a book, a coffee mug on the kitchen table. » Make sure there is nothing distracting in the frame. There is nothing more distracting than having a great scene and a person cutting the lawn right next to it. Last year there were 47 entries for the film festival. Everyone who entered got to walk down the red carpet, mingle with other filmmakers and get a ticket to the film debuts. Richard Ponton, who teaches digital

media and multimedia design at Lorenzo Walker Technical College, helps students create films for the festival. “We have done it for three years, and every year we have somebody walk away with some prize,” Richard says. “The Bonita Springs film festival is a great grassroots effort supported by the community. It is a great place to cut your teeth.” Richard also has tips for young filmmakers: » Have a plan. A storyboard or a script is important. » Film the same thing a few different times from different angles. » When it comes to editing, throw out anything that does not move the story along. » Try a variety of techniques, such as stop motion or green screen. Stop motion can be done with an iPhone or Android phone. Green screen you can do with a shower curtain in the background. It doesn’t matter the color just any solid color. Evan Johnston, 17, won the grand prize for best film three years in a row. He says there are several secrets to his success. He learned his techniques from podcasts, YouTube videos and American Cinematographer magazine. “It’s learning how to tell a story from start to finish,” he explains. “I like films with some action stuff, but where families can enjoy them together. They have different layers of meaning. There is the main story, but there is a deeper meaning, and I think people really relate to that.” Evan also likes to create films that have a moral meaning. Tony Garrido-Giambo, 17, won last year for best aspiring filmmaker under age 18. “I think it is a good activity for him

because it helps him develop creative problem solving, and critical thinking skills, and these are skills that are not often addressed in our schools, but these are skills we want our young people to have,” says Tony’s mother, Debbie Giambo. “It also results in a project and an outcome that he can share with other people.” It’s also a bonding activity for him and his 12-year-old brother, Che. “I work with my brother on all of my movies,” Tony says. Tony especially likes working with special effects. “I think that makes the movie a lot more interesting,” he says. “Special effects allowed me to make things real that otherwise couldn’t have been there, like teleporting to another time period.” The young filmmaker says it is important to have a plot that the audience can follow. “Also have characters that develop throughout the movie, so the audience doesn’t get bored with the character always having the same traits,” he suggests. “Having a moral certainly helps. I try to have a moral about something that helps people or helps the environment.”

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 29

« 20th anniversary

THEN

THE

MALAVSKY

FAMILY

Jeff Malavsky and his sons Matthew and Samuel appeared on the June/July 2000 cover of SW FL Parent & Child magazine. Samuel was 4 years old and attended Growing God’s Way preschool. Matthew was 20 months. With mom Kelli Malavsky, the boys said they were looking forward to a fun summer.

Where are they now?

Occupation/school: Jeff is

still an investment broker and financial planner for Stifel Inc. Sam graduated from the University of Central Florida and works in the finance department at Duke University. Matt is a senior at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, studying emergency management and wrestling Division I.

Tell us about yourself. What do you enjoy doing now? Jeff: Coaching wrestling, traveling to see our sons. Sam: Traveling with my girlfriend, video games and reading. Matt: WRESTLING, hanging out with friends.

30 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

What do you love about growing up in Southwest Florida (or for Jeff, about raising a family in SWFL)? Jeff: Still a small town feel where we have friends from 30 years ago, and our sons still know their kindergarten class members. A great place for family and friends to visit. Sam: Living where everyone else wants to vacation, knowing families and friends for all my life. Matt: Great weather and close lifelong friends.

What’s one piece of advice that’s been really helpful? Jeff: Remember kids are watching you, so model what you want your kids to know or do. Sam: Take responsibility for your actions and learn from every experience. Matt: Train and study hard, learn from failures and love people.

NOW

Ages: Jeff and Kelli still live in Southwest Florida, in Buckingham. Sam, now 24, lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. Matt, 21, lives in Edwardsville, Illinois.

spotlight »

HATS OFF TO

2020 I

t’s official. Students in the Class of 2020 are now graduates. Eighth graders are now high school students. Fifth graders are middle schoolers. Kindergartners are first graders embarking on a 12-year journey that we can only imagine from here. That journey is no easy feat under ordinary times. Schoolwork can be tough and time-consuming. Personality conflicts arise. Learning challenges emerge. This year, the coronavirus pandemic created a shared challenge that forced unprecedented change. End of school year events were canceled or highly altered. No prom. No grad night. No graduation ceremony. But the Class of 2020 perseveres. When Bishop Verot High School’s original graduation date was postponed, the school organized a caravan parade for graduating seniors. In a long line of decorated vehicles, the students sat on car roofs and hung out windows as the crowd cheered on. Similar parades played out across the region. Public schools in Lee and Collier counties took their graduation ceremonies online, Collier with livestreams June 3 and Lee throughout late June. Both districts hope to hold in-person ceremonies later this month.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Jamie Guterman was one of the 66 graduates honored June 6 during the Canterbury School’s commencement ceremony. • Sarah Akins and Nathaly Barrants decorated a car to attend the drive through senior breakfast for graduating seniors at Estero High School. • Gateway Charter High School graduate Nick Fare. • Lehigh Senior High School graduate Lisa Dong. • Bishop Verot High School senior Anthony Bethune, 17, waves to teachers as he participates in a caravan parade of graduates May 16.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 31

« spotlight

(continued)

Immokalee High School graduating senior Guadalupe Huapilla-Perez poses for a photo before the start of a senior parade May 22 in Immokalee.

Some smaller private schools held in-person graduations with social distancing. The 12 members of the first graduating class of The Village School of Naples walked across the stage in a traditional ceremony that included temperature checks, a 150-person capacity limit, assigned seats and no handshakes upon students receiving their diplomas. While this year has been a challenge, it will also be a common bond. Every member of the Class of 2020 has this shared experience. When they are parents, they’ll tell tale of it to their children. And when they’re old and gray, they’ll recount the stories to all who will listen. To all the students who worked to complete the school year, to the seniors who made the best of a disappointing end to their grade school careers, to all the parents who nearly lost their minds trying to help their students, to all the young moms and dads struggling to keep their littles safe, healthy and happy, to the parents juggling child care and jobs within the same four walls of their homes and within the same 24 hours that a day has always had, and to all the grandparents, friends and neighbors who have pitched in to help out, all of us at SW FL Parent & Child congratulate you. You finished school under extremely tough circumstances. You did it!

32 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

Heather Howard, 18, left, and Lauren Howard, 18, right, seniors at Barron Collier High School, pose for a portrait in their caps and gowns at their home in Naples.

parenting »

DOUBLE, TRIPLE DUTY

Caregiver, teacher, camp director, entertainer: How parents are juggling their new roles brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. BY ANDREA STETSON he last school quarter came with quite a few challenges for Southwest Florida parents. Laura Mendicino started working full time from home while also helping her four children with virtual learning. It was a complicated act of jugging shared computers, time management and mixing schoolwork with free time. Jenni Caves found that while her only child worked well independently, keeping him entertained while she and her husband worked at home was a challenge. Margarita Dorsey worked away from home all day

and helped her three children with their virtual learning at night and on the weekends. Parents found many challenges and rewards as they combined full-time jobs with helping their children in virtual classrooms, while also providing meals and entertainment. Summer brings similar challenges as summer camp openings are few and many parents continue working from home. With this new normal, and as we face the unknown of a new school year, we spoke with five parents finding ways to make it work. They have tips to share, frustrations to admit and even some very happy stories of how it is bringing their families closer together.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 33

« parenting

(continued)

Four children, two computers Laura is the principal at Parkside Elementary School in Naples. Her day consists of Webex meetings, planning and overseeing her school virtually. While her husband works as a warehouse manager, Laura juggles her full-time job with overseeing her four children ages 7, 9, 14 and 15. A strong routine and planning work for the Mendicino family. During the school year, since there were only two computers for four children, the younger ones did schoolwork in the morning and the older ones worked in the afternoon. “The first thing we did was we set a routine,” Laura explains. By 8:30 the two youngest boys were sitting beside her at the kitchen counter doing virtual school. Laura says picking one subject a day and doing a week’s worth of that worked better than doing a little of each subject every day. Laura is also teaching her younger boys independence. “The beginning it was more challenging,” Laura admits. “They understand now that mom was here for a resource; mom was not their full-time teacher.” The boys also learned when they can interrupt their mother and when they can’t. “They have learned that when I have my Webex up and they can hear other people, they have to pretend mom is in her office,” she says. If the children were stuck on a problem and she was busy, they knew to go to the i-Ready reading or the Waggle math programs, which they can do by themselves. Taking breaks is also important for her younger children. When she sees them getting restless she suggests they go on the trampoline or for a short bike ride. “They would be really good for about 30 minutes and then they needed a break and I could tell that,” Laura says.

34 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

ABOVE: The four Mendicino siblings share two laptops. Here, it's Collin and Jacob's turn. LEFT: Heather Monda juggled her work as a first grade teacher with helping her sons with their schoolwork.

Her older children, who had 3.5 to 4 hours of schoolwork each day, are more independent. “For them it is just following up and making sure they are taking care of the things they need to take care of,” Laura says. Laura’s final tip is flexibility. “The biggest tip is be flexible and don’t let this whole thing upset you,” she says. “Your kids are used to having a teacher that is responsive to them. The frustration can grow when they are asking me questions and I am having to work. Stepping back and having a bit of a paradigm shift is important to me.”

Time management For Heather Monda, it seemed work never ceased. The first grade teacher at Sea Gate Elementary in Naples gave online lessons to her students while helping her children, Roman, 12, and Colton, 8, with their schoolwork. “The biggest challenge for me has been time management, figuring out how to get four people on devices working

parenting

independently at the same time,” she says. “One of the hardest things is the continuity of trying to teach a class when also being a mom.” Heather’s husband, John, is assistant director at Lorenzo Walker Technical College and also working from home. Both put in a lot of hours. “We are constantly being on call, even at 7 at night. If a child is chiming in with a question or a parent is calling, I feel obligated to answer it,” Heather says. Often students can’t work until evening when their parents get home from work. “We know some of the parents are working, so I want to be available to answer questions any time,” she says. For Heather that meant learning when to prioritize her work and when to prioritize her children’s needs. “It is really a lot of time management,” she explains. “It is hard to say I need to spend time with my family. I need to shut off for a while, so I can work on building those relationships with my own kids and my own husband. But there is that sense of guilt. They need me, so you are torn in a lot of ways.” Heather has been teaching her boys to try to solve things on their own when she is not available. “Sometimes it is really hard to manage,” she admits. “There is that frustration level as well. You hate to see your kids frustrated and upset, but it is great to see them come out of it and see they are successful.” Heather has been keeping an eye on the positive. “We are trying to savor this time,” she stresses. “This is time that is not replaced. I got to spend 60 school days with my family in my home. “One of the best things that has happened is our family is eating together. We are having conversations at the table three times daily. It is so wonderful waking up and my boys are so happy in the morning. There is no pressure. They don’t have to hurry up and get ready and eat breakfast in the car. There is a lot of pressure off. I think the cancellation of standardized tests was a relief for both of them.”

(continued)

Getting creative with an only child The Caves family of Fort Myers is also working from home. Jenni is a marketing consultant, Rob’s an attorney and Nate, 13, had his virtual lessons. “He is pretty structured, but we have to keep on top of him with ‘What do you have to do today,’ plus running our own businesses,” Jenni says. “My husband is in a room with a door, so when the door is closed he knows not to enter. My office is in the living room. There is no door.” Jenni says at first Nate would just come in and start chatting with her. “I have been trying really hard to have him focus on his things when I am doing work,” she says. It takes Nate only about two hours to finish his work each day. So Jenni came up with a solution to help keep Nate busy while she’s working. “He can look up science experiments or history stuff or cooking,” she says. “He does research on his own. He works on coding. So he is learning things he wants to learn.”

When you can’t work at home Margarita Dorsey’s challenges are quite different. She works full time as a nurse practitioner in a primary care office. Her husband also works full time as a mortician. Her three sons, ages 4, 5 and 8, attend Tanglewood Elementary and had to adjust to learning virtually. Her mother-in-law watches the children while she works, but during the school year, work didn’t stop when she got home around 5:30 or 6 p.m. She would make dinner and then start helping her children with schoolwork. “We literally have to do night

school every single day,” she told us while school was still underway. “I get home and have to change out of my scrubs and then start school. It’s hard.” She works with one child at a time. For her preschooler it is mostly videos from his teacher. “My 8-year-old is kind of selfguided, but I still have to go over it,” she said. “On the weekends I use that to do the major projects. The biggest challenge is managing hundreds of patients and trying to be a mom at the same time. There is really no in between. You’re either full-time this or full-time that.”

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 35

« parenting

(continued)

Sharing the load Kelly and David Hutcheson have also been working from home. Kelly is a life coach and her husband works for Toll Brothers. During school days, they juggled helping Lily, 12, and Grady, 9, with virtual lessons. “They are a little bit older, but my third grader was having a little bit of difficulty understanding the technical parts,” Kelly says. Kelly used to be a guidance counselor at Naples Park Elementary, so she had lots of knowledge about figuring out how to help her children adapt to the new normal. She and David take turns being the parent who is available when their children need something. “We work as a tag team,” she says.

“The more you can work together as a team the better. I have calls until 2:30 today so he is the floater. My kids know they can come in and say hello, but I can’t make them a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.” To help the children understand when they can interrupt their parents at work, Kelly created a sign with color coding and a paper clip to indicate what level of interruption is OK. The sign reads: » Come on in, we love your company. » I am busy, you can interrupt if you need something. » I am in a meeting, but these people know you exist and you can say hi real quick.

» I am in a meeting, don’t come in unless you are bleeding or on fire. “What is helpful is they have the same sign on their door,” Kelly says. Letting the children have control over how they spend their time works for the Hutcheson family. Their schoolwork took two to three hours each day. “My son likes to get it all done. My daughter likes to build breaks in,” Kelly says. “They like to have control over their time. It is great for teaching kids about time management. You give them a little in the beginning and then pull away. It is kind of like teaching them to ride a bike. You are always there when they need you. The goal is to make them independent.”

Keeping kids entertained It’s not just work that parents often have to oversee, it’s also entertainment, especially now that it’s summer. With no playdates, gatherings, parties and organized sports, some parents have also had to become the entertainment director. Other parents have found that their children have learned to entertain themselves. One thing Laura doesn’t have to worry too much about is entertainment. With four children they keep each other company. She says they enjoy swimming in the pool and playing in their large yard. “My older son has become like the older sports brother,” Laura says. “I have seen them grow closer together. We live out in the Estates, so we have a lot of land. My kids love being outdoors. They can spend 2 to 3 hours in the pool and where I have my set-up, I can see them. Definitely the outdoor play has increased.” The time together has taught Heather’s children to be playmates. “Thankfully my kids really get

36 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

along well,” she says. “They are best of friends. They ride their bikes together, they skateboard together, they swim in the neighbor’s pool. They are building their relationships together. They are learning how to cook. They love helping in the kitchen. My 8-year-old made nachos for lunch and did everything. He looked up seasonings on Pinterest. There is a lot more independence. I think that is really good for kids.” Kelly says she likes it when her kids are bored. She says it’s a good lesson in learning how to find something creative to do. “I think it is good for kids to be bored so their brain gets a time to rest from all the electronics,” she says. “When they say, ‘I am bored,’ I just say, ‘I know it is hard to be bored. I am bored, too. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.’” Kelly says her children are building with Legos, making slime, doing projects in their rooms and going in the pool. “The dog has been walked so many

times,” Kelly adds. Margarita has been finding lots of ways to keep her sons entertained, too. “I try to make sure we go outside. I take out the basketball,” she says. “My husband helps with that, too. We have been doing Pokémon hunts in our car. We do that every single day. I had the boys doing trick-or-treating around the house. They put on their costumes and went to the different doors in our house.” It is a bit harder for Nate, who is an only child. Jenni and Rob create some of the entertainment. “We are big into movies, so we have movie night,” Jenni says. “I try to carve out some of my time. We have a pool. We get out and go swimming. We go for walks in the neighborhood and bike ride. Today I am blessed that the new Minecraft came out, so he is doing that. There are a lot more videos. It is not what I want, but all of his friends are on these video games. He talks to them through PlayStation. They are all just chatting."

cover story »

BY JENNIFER THOMAS

GET AWAY CLOSE TO HOME Southwest Florida’s coastal resorts offer a dose of summer fun for families.

ravel is not canceled for summer; however, it might be different than what you had planned. Many cruises have been canceled, European trips postponed, Hawaii is still closed — yet, Florida is open. Southwest Florida families may want to consider a “nearcation” for their summer getaway and embrace the offerings of local resorts. As the state reopens from the height of the pandemic, the region’s island resorts welcome families for a staycation with special savings for residents. Here are seven Southwest Florida favorites, from Captiva to Marco Island.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 37

•

A CARIBBEAN FEEL ON CAPTIVA ISLAND The South Seas Island Resort is one of the closest Caribbean-like experiences you can have in Southwest Florida. Just in our backyard, so to speak, on Captiva island, 2½ miles of pristine beach, water sports, waterslides, multiple pools, fishing and more await guests. South Seas Director of Sales & Marketing Verdell Ekberg says that now more than ever, after being in a stay-at-home mode, families are looking to spend time together in anything other than their home. “They love the pool slides, hanging out at the beach looking for shells, swimming, and getting some vitamin 'sea.' Watching the sunset is always a family favorite especially when you can cap off the evening around the fire pit with s'mores,” he adds. “Those parents with older kids enjoy water

38 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

sports including WaveRunners, kayaks, parasailing and paddleboarding.” Fishing either off the T-dock or with a captain remains one of the more iconic South Seas family activities. “Also, a day or evening cruise on Captiva Cruises remains wildly popular as the dolphins ride alongside you, whichever tour you take,” he recommends. Land sports include tennis and golf, which also appeal to kids of all ages. And there’s one other land activity the resort is known for. “Of course, all kids love to drive their parents’ golf carts around the resort (parents in tow),” Verdell says. South Seas provides many accommodations, including marina rooms, villas, beach homes, cottages and townhouses, giving families of all sizes

options for their island retreat in a variety of settings. For summer, South Seas offers its Sizzlin’ Summer Spectacular. Stay three nights at regular rates and get your fourth night free. In addition, reserve your Sizzlin’ Summer Spectacular package now for travel through September 30 and, with a minimum four-night stay, you receive a $200 resort spending credit, 15% off food and beverage at resort restaurants, and a coupon book with over $250 in savings in resort outlets, family activities, dining, golf, spa services and merchandise. Readers can redeem this rate by using promo code SWFL. • ONLINE: southseas.com • ADDRESS: 5400 Plantation Road, Captiva Island • PHONE: 239-472-5111

PHOTOS SPECIAL TO SW FL PARENT & CHILD

(continued) « spotlight cover story (continued)

RELAXATION COUPLED WITH ADVENTURE ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva is divine for the water enthusiast and for those seeking serenity. Nestled between the resort’s private Gulf of Mexico beach and the natural beauty of Pine Island Sound, families can take advantage of parasailing, boating, fishing, swimming, biking and just soaking in this Captiva treasure. Families love that the resort provides all this in one spot, according to resort spokesperson Ashley Shenk. “They have access to the beach and the bay. They love all of the outdoor activities that are available on property — from kayaking and fishing charters, to ecotours, pool days and of course, the beach,” she says. “They can walk to breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Old Captiva House, Crow’s Nest Bar & Grille and Oasis Pool Bar. There is a family pool for families and kids, and a Serenity Pool for those who want to relax.” The island accommodations are great for families, and their coastal-appointed cottages extend the vacation vibe. Nestled along the gulf front, bayside and courtyard areas, the cottages have one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts — each giving the comforts of home with the perks of a resort. When guests book direct through the resort, there are no resort fees (includes free resort bikes, kayaks, tennis, pickleball, use of rackets, and more). Additionally, ‘Tween Waters is featuring a special booking offer where guests who stay two nights or more receive a $250-value Island Rewards coupon book with discounts and freebies. There’s also a 4th Night Free offer through September 3 where guests can get their fourth night free when they stay three, plus they receive the coupon book. • ONLINE: tween-waters.com • ADDRESS: 15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva • PHONE: 800-223-5865

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 39

CONNECT WITH NATURE Sanibel Inn is part of The Inns of Sanibel collection, and among them, it’s the property perfect for family fun. This island destination is known for its connection to nature, its Gulf of Mexico views, long beach walks, shelling, biking, and water sports for the entire family. “As far as activities, our guests adore the fact that use of bicycles, kayaks and paddleboards are provided complimentary. Further, we offer bocce ball and other yard games free of charge,” says resort spokesperson Kelly Katz. “A unique and added benefit of staying with The Inns of Sanibel is the immersive experiences that highlight nature and our fabled island available via our fabulous guided beach walks, bike tours and kayak tours.” Guests at the Sanibel Inn may also enjoy the heated pools at its sister inns, including Song of the Sea, Seaside Inn and Sunset Beach Inn, which boasts one of the largest swimming pools on the island. The firepits are a family favorite at the Sanibel Inn. In addition to the standard guest rooms, the Sanibel Inn offers two-bedroom suites and condominiums perfect for spreading out in your private oasis. Summer offers include a 30% off Florida-resident rate

40 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

that includes a coupon book with exclusive discounts at Periwinkle Place Shops valued at more than $250 in savings and complimentary membership at the Dunes Golf & Tennis Club, which features an 18-hole championship course. Sanibel Inn’s No Strings Attached promotion also includes the 30% off rate, with free cancellation within 24-hours of arrival, and it’s valid for new reservations on stays through September 30. • ONLINE: theinnsofsanibel.com • ADDRESS: 937 E. Gulf Drive, Sanibel • PHONE: 866-717-2323

cover story (continued) »

SUNKISSED BEACH PARADISE Located on Fort Myers Beach less than a mile south of the pier, the DiamondHead Beach Resort stands tall on its gulf-front location, complete with jaw-dropping technicolor sunset views. DiamondHead offers families a spacious suite with separate bedroom and living room, providing a pull-out sofa for the children, as well as a kitchenette and a screened lanai with amazing views of the beach and gulf waters. Guests are advised to do as much or as little as they want. “Adults and children alike enjoy the summer beach activities, refreshing pool, and dining in the sand at Cabanas Beach Bar & Grille,” resort spokesperson Jennifer Ellis says.

Guests can take a short trolley ride to the quaint shops and restaurants in the island’s downtown area. Families also enjoy swimming in the beachfront pool. As a side note, water sport rentals, volleyball, beach chairs and umbrellas are a separate fee. The resort’s beach concierge can assist in making arrangements. The resort offers a Sunny Summer Special of 20% off best available rates through the summer and remainder of 2020; and a Florida resident discount promotion is offered year-round. • ONLINE: diamondheadfl.com • ADDRESS: 2000 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach • PHONE: 844-652-3696

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 41

WATERSLIDES AND A SECLUDED ISLAND A family favorite for locals seeking a staycation getaway is the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa. It’s known for its multiple waterslides, lazy river and beach on a secluded island. The resort’s poolscape area boasts three acres of water attractions including dueling speed waterslides, an inner tube waterslide, corkscrew waterslide and the Ciquala waterslide for the youngest guests. Note that some slides have height requirements. Pools galore for both families and adults-only are on property including the family-favorite Adventure pool, splashdown pool and the kid-friendly waterfall pool. Resort spokesperson Rhett P. Wilson says the water park is a big hit with families. “We have multiple slides, fun for

42 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

both kids and parents. Oversized yard games, ping pong and corn hole games are also popular family activities,” he adds. “Lastly, the climbing wall and the boat trip out to our private island are also family favorites.” Property guests can walk the nature trail or ride the trolley (temporarily closed due to COVID-19) to the resort’s marina and board the ferry for a ride across Estero Bay to Big Hickory Island for a beach day, complete with shelling, a boardwalk and covered picnic area. During the boat ride, travelers can spot dolphins, an American bald eagle, brown pelicans and more. “Wrap up your busy day with some ice cream from our Cool Beans Marketplace or grab a s’mores kit there and head over to one of our three fire pits,”

Rhett recommends. The Hyatt offers both a Florida resident promotion and a first responder and essential workers’ rate for its guests. The Florida resident rate provides 20% off the prevailing rates, particularly for Sunday through Thursday night stays. To book, use code CPFLR. The first responders/essential workers rate is a $179 special promotion available through summer and can be booked by calling the hotel sales department directly at 239-444-1234. Best availability to book this rate is also Sunday through Thursday nights. • ONLINE: hyattregencycoconut point.com • ADDRESS: 5001 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs • PHONE: 239-444-1234

cover story (continued) »

THRILLS AND PEACEFUL QUIET At the Naples Grande Beach Resort, guests can have a blissful beach retreat and water and sport thrills. In addition to 3 miles of beachfront sand and ocean views, the property also offers ecotours in the adjoining 200-acre mangrove preserve and estuary. Plus get your game on with golf and tennis lessons for parents and kids alike. The resort features an 18-hole championship golf course and 15 tournamentgrade tennis courts. Squeals of joy are bound to be heard from kids (and parents) sliding down a 100-foot twisting waterslide. Parents can retreat poolside with a rented cabana for a bit of serenity. Resort spokesperson Briana Ciraulo says families love the water features. “The mangrove pool with the slide is definitely a fun one for them,” she says. “The trolley that goes through the mangrove estuary to the beach is a favorite as well.” Ideal for families, the resort offers spacious accommodations, suites and villas. The villas are separate from the tower and provide additional space and privacy. Travelers looking to explore the serene west coast while remaining socially distant can book the resort’s Sweet Suite Deal. Available on all 2020 bookings, this package includes the spacious accommodations of the resort’s remote Garden

Villa one-bedroom suites. Garden Villas offer an oasis away from the main tower, featuring 700 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space, two patios or balconies that overlook private gardens and ponds. Starting at $279 per night, guests who book this package also receive daily breakfast for up to four. Naples Grande Beach Resort also has several signature food and beverage outlets open for take-out and all three pools remain open for guests, with proper 6-foot distancing. In addition, Florida resident rates through 2020 offer 20% off plus breakfast for two and free self-parking for one vehicle. • ONLINE: naplesgrande.com • ADDRESS: 475 Seagate Drive, Naples • PHONE: 239-227 2182

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 43

« cover story (continued)

LUXURY BEACHFRONT AND MARINE LIFE HAVEN Rejuvenate and elevate your summer beach vacation at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, which sits on 3 miles of coastline. More than just a beach resort, this Marriott property is a marine and sea life wonderland. From renting a sailboat, kayak or paddleboard, to an Everglades tour and exploring the Ten Thousand Islands via a personal watercraft excursion, or taking the sailing and shelling cruise to view dolphins, turtles and manatees, guests are connected with the water. Tours also include a visit to a wildlife sanctuary — home to rescued creatures, including more than 100 alligators, crocodiles, lions and more. Families enjoy and take advantage of the 10-acre private beach, says resort spokesperson Amanda Cox. “Family fun possibilities are endless! Whether it’s beach volleyball, shell walks, water sports or just simply soaking up the sun and fun, there’s something for everyone,” she says.

44 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

On property, guests can rent a beach chickee hut or a poolside cabana. Two family pools are on property and one includes a waterslide. But the fun doesn’t end when the sun goes down. Returning in July is the nightly fire dancer Sunset Celebration show, making you feel like you are in Hawaii or Tahiti. “If your stay includes a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night, a visit to 10K Alley, our indoor virtual entertainment center, complete with indoor mini-golf and bowling is a one-of-a-kind resort experience,” Amanda says. “Parents will enjoy the craft cocktails and local brews to accompany game time, and it’s the perfect way to enjoy inside family fun after a day in the sun.” The JW Marriott Marco Island’s Tiki Tribe Discovery Day Camp (separate fee required) invites its young guests to become nature explorers complete with beach and pool time, arts and crafts, and a sea animal fact of the day lesson and project.

The resort offers two promotional opportunities. The Experience Local resort credit promotion runs Sundays through Thursdays through September 30, offering guests a $50 resort credit per night of their stay. This credit can be used to maximize the resort experience in any way. Food and beverage, activities — the possibilities to build your custom vacation or staycation are limitless. The resort also offers a late checkout (based on availability) with this stay so you can make the most of your time in paradise. The Stay Longer, Save More promotion is available seven days per week and is for stays booked before September 30, but travel can take place any time prior to December 20. The resort is offering a 15% off discount for stays of four nights, or 20% discount for five nights or longer. • ONLINE: jwmarriottmarcoisland.com • ADDRESS: 400 S. Collier Blvd., Marco Island • PHONE: 239-394-2511

safety corner » A DA M BROW N

4 steps to safer boating

Advice from a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer who is also a boater and parent.

he summer in Southwest Florida can be a wonderful time to get out on the water and enjoy our own blue paradise. We are fortunate to have many opportunities to enjoy water-related activities both in freshwater and saltwater, so it’s no wonder Florida is considered by many as the boating capital of the world. There are nearly 1 million registered vessels statewide, and Florida consistently leads the nation in boating activities each year. Sadly because of this, officers from around the state have had to respond to far too many boating accidents, many of which could have been avoided if the proper steps had been taken. As a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer, a boater, and a parent of two young children, I recognize the important role preparation and safety can play when boating. That’s why I always follow these simple steps, which can help ensure my family enjoys the water and returns safely back to shore.

1. Use life jackets — they save lives Be certain to have the proper number, size and type of U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets on your vessel for each passenger on board. When operating a vessel less than 26 feet in length, children

younger than 6 are required to wear a life jacket while the vessel is underway. Everyone is highly encouraged to wear one regardless of age, as you never know when you may find yourself in the water unexpectedly.

2. Announce boat rules Be sure to fully explain the rules of your boat to your children before leaving the dock. This might include being aware of your surroundings including other vessels and the wakes they can create, keeping all hands and feet inside the vessel at all times and keeping their life jacket on while underway.

3. Educate yourself and your family Taking a boating safety course is a great idea regardless of age. Parents and children alike can benefit greatly from taking the time to learn regulations, signage, right-of-way and etiquette when it comes to recreational boating. Nearly 8 out of 10 operators involved in a fatal boating accident in 2019 had no formal boating education. An educated boater is a safer boater. For a summary of Florida’s regulations and available courses, visit myfwc.com/boating.

Senior Officer Adam Brown is the public information officer for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Southwest Region/Fort Myers Field Office.

4. Stay responsible As the captain of the vessel, you are ultimately responsible for the precious cargo on board. Take this job seriously. Always be aware of your surroundings. Do not allow yourself to be distracted and be sure to keep your focus on the safe operation of your vessel. Know the location and condition of your safety equipment. When an emergency arises, this knowledge can be critical in saving lives. Be sure to keep an eye on the weather, as conditions can change quickly. Leave a float plan with friends or family. Informing someone of where you intend to go, with whom, and when you intend to return can be critical in the unfortunate case that a search and rescue becomes necessary. Do not operate your vessel while impaired by drugs or alcohol. This is dangerous and illegal and can have lasting negative effects toward all those on the water around you. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the beautiful boating opportunities we are afforded here. You can create wonderful memories for your children and shape a unique childhood that they could get nowhere else. Just don’t forget that your No. 1 responsibility as an operator and as a parent is the safety of your family and your fellow boaters.

Safe Kids is a nonprofit coalition of agencies and organizations dedicated to eliminating preventable childhood injuries. Visit safekidsswfl.org.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 45

Splash of fun »

Makara Custer, 7, of Fort Myers plays in the splash pad area of Sun Splash in Cape Coral. The waterpark reopened for the summer season in early June. Photo by Andrea Melendez.

46 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

family album »

Brighter Bites »

Brighter Bites members Austin Farah, 8, and Rosmery Garcia gather boxes of fruit and vegetables for community members June 4 at the Greater Naples YMCA in North Naples. Photo by Jon Austria

School Nurse of the Year » The School District of Lee County named Wally Colon the 2020 Nurse of the Year. She was nominated by the administration at Veterans Park Academy. “Wally provides a calm, rational answer to teachers and parents when there is a medical issue which means the world to the school because that calm helps others calm down in crisis situations,” Veterans Park Principal Mary Blackmon says in a news release. “She went above and beyond her responsibilities by reaching out and helping the community during this COVID event. She is a wonderful nurse, an amazing co-worker, and an all-around genuinely kind person.”

Boehner visit »

Before COVID-19 interrupted Naples’ social season, U.S. Congressman and former Ambassador Francis Rooney and his wife, Kathleen, opened their home to former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner, center, and the leadership team of The Immokalee Foundation for a reception to share information and hear testimonials about TIF’s career-oriented educational programs. TIF graduate Joel Garcia, now a professional engineer in Miami, shared his personal journey from Immokalee to Florida Gulf Coast University with the support of the foundation, a mentor and his parents. Garcia was joined at the reception by his mother and three of his four siblings, all of whom are participants in The Immokalee Foundation’s programs. With the speaker, from left: Immokalee Foundation graduate Joel Garcia, his mother Juana Lopez Reynoso, and siblings Sandra and Eric. Photo by John Casagrande, special to SW FL Parent & Child

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 47

Car parade welcomes summer »

St. Andrew Catholic School in Cape Coral wished students and parents a happy summer with a themed carline parade. Families were invited to return to school on the last day for a drive-thu carline as teachers and staff waved and cheered for them. Families joined the fun with cars decorated with balloons, signs of appreciation, bubbles, silly string, and loads of smiles and laughter. Photos courtesy of St. Andrew Catholic School

New shelter »

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children cut the ribbon on the new Shelly Stayer Shelter on May 26 in Immokalee. The residential wings are now open to residents in need of safe shelter. From left: Patricia and Craig Jilk, benefactors of the Jilk Family Center for Domestic Violence Wings 1 & 2, Shelter CEO Linda Oberhaus, and lead benefactors Shelly and Ralph Stayer. Anyone in need of emergency shelter is encouraged to call the 24-hour Crisis Line at 239-775-1101. Photo by Nick Shirghio, special to SW FL Parent & Child

48 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

family album »

Back to the beach » Clair, 10, of Naples, catches a wave on her board at Naples beach. Photo by Jon Austria

Send Us Your Snapshots

Send your images with a brief description and names of the people in them to editor@swflparentchild.com

Round Up for Kids » Customers at

Sunshine Ace Hardware and Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware raised more than $25,000 for local Children’s Miracle Network hospitals through the “Round Up for the Kids” charitable campaign. Here, John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Foundation’s Waleska Lozada and Sunshine Ace Hardware store manager Jeffrey Gawel are joined by Ace associates as they present the proceeds. A check was also presented to Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. Photo special to SW FL Parent & Child

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 49

« family album

Birthday wishes » Cape Coral resident Adyn Pickett celebrated his eighth birthday June 11 in style. Over 50

vehicles, including members of an off-road Jeep club visited him at home for an impromptu celebratory parade. He received numerous gifts and supportive messages from the visitors. Adyn, who is a pediatric cancer survivor, recently found out that he will need a second bone marrow transplant scheduled at the end of July. His mom Erica had the idea to celebrate his birthday in a special way and made an announcement through social media for the event. Photo by Ricardo Rolon

Sharing his travels » STEM on the go »

The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and the Naples Children & Education Foundation distributed 656 at-home science, technology, engineering and mathematics kits and 180 fitness kits to children at the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County Bolch Campus in Immokalee to help the kids continue learning over the summer. 50 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

Eric Feichthaler published his first e-book on Amazon in May. “A Junior Ranger’s Guide to the US National Parks: My Observations from my Visits to US National Parks during 2015 through 2018” chronicles his travels to 34 national parks. The book is available on Amazon.com.

travel »

PHOTO BY JASON DIXSON | COURTESY OF WASHINGTON.ORG

Fourth of July fireworks by the Washington Monument

EXPLORE D.C. Celebrate patriotism with a trip to the nation’s capital, where new memorials are set to open to pay tribute to President Eisenhower and Native American veterans. BY JENNIFER THOMAS

DC Duck Tours passes by the United States Capitol.

COURTESY OF WASHINGTON.ORG

ne of the most patriotic vacations an American family can take is to Washington, D.C. It’s not only our nation’s capital, it’s also home to numerous historic sites and cultural attractions. For me, the city is even more special. I spent 15 years of my adult life living in the D.C. area and made countless visits to the monuments, memorials and museums surrounding the National Mall, the 2-mile stretch from the Capitol building to the Lincoln Memorial.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 51

D.C. for families The Destination DC website, washington.org, has curated 100 free things to do for various times of year and different types of travelers, including families. A visit to D.C. is not complete without a photo of the kids on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial or in front of the 19-foot statue of the 16th president of

52 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

National Children’s Museum

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial

Jason Dixson Photography

One of the most spectacular experiences was my annual pilgrimage to downtown on the Fourth of July. I’d spend the entire day exploring museums, playing ball on the mall, picnicking and awaiting the grand finale of the evening — the unparalleled fireworks display behind the Washington Monument. The district is also a very familyfriendly destination with free things to explore, photo opportunities, landmarks and educational experiences. The Smithsonian Institution is a family favorite (and it’s free). While the museums closed due to COVID-19, check online, si.edu, for updates when they’re ready to reopen to the public. In the meantime, traversing the D.C. grounds and touring the outdoor memorials along the National Mall is still an option. In fact, the National Mall is America’s most-visited national park. “We know that the pandemic means that family budgets have taken a hit, and Washington, D.C., provides an incredible value, with so many free things to do and lots of outdoor activities and green space,” says Elliott L. Ferguson II, president and CEO of Destination DC. “I always hear from families that their kids were surprised at how cool museums could be after an afternoon looking at dinosaur fossils at the National Museum of Natural History or espionage objects at the International Spy Museum. While closures may or may not be in effect, families can count on walking around the National Mall, picnicking in Rock Creek Park and enjoying the outdoors along D.C.’s Potomac or Anacostia rivers.”

Jason Dixson Photography

« travel (continued)

the United States. The famous “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is the inspiration of the memorial honoring the civil rights leader. It depicts him as the “stone of hope” with two pieces of granite placed near him as the “mountain of despair,” according to the Destination DC site. Other than the Fourth of July fireworks bonanza, the next most beautiful sight I personally experienced was the annual blooming of the cherry blossoms along the Jefferson Memorial basin. I highly recommend adding this visual pageantry of pink beauty to your bucket list. To catch the trees in bloom, plan to take your trip in the spring. It is also worth the trek to the free Smithsonian National Zoo, which features pandas and more than 1,500 other animals.

What’s new In this cultural gem, rich with history, there are always new things to experience. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, which honors the legacy of the World War II supreme commander and nation’s 34th president, is slated to open to the public September 17. Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, the memorial is in a newly created 4-acre public park adjacent to the National Mall and across the street from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Three bronze statues of Eisenhower by sculptor Sergey Eylanbekov are featured in the memorial. One of the sculptures is based on a photo from World War II in which Eisenhower is

travel (continued) » World War II Memorial

March press release about the memorial nearing completion. “It is a place to remember the heart and soul required to take such a risk and the daring and brilliance of Eisenhower.” In addition to the Eisenhower Memorial, the National Native American Veterans Memorial is expected to be dedicated on Veterans Day 2020, according to Destination DC spokesperson Danielle Davis. “It’s described as a simple and powerful tribute dedicated to the fallen Native American servicemen and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces,” she says.

The White House

Evolving, improving PHOTOS COURTESY OF WASHINGTON.ORG

The Lincoln Memorial

with troops from the 101st Airborne the day before the invasion of Normandy. Another sculpture depicts the president in the White House surrounded by civilian and military advisors. The third portrays him in childhood. Framing the entire park and memorial is a first-of-its-kind stainless steel woven tapestry by artist Tomas Osinski. It depicts the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc on the Normandy coastline. “The tapestry, with the drawing of Pont du Hoc, is meant to represent a memory, the memory of the monumental task that the brave Allied soldiers faced, staring up at those rocks as they landed on the beaches of France, and how difficult it must have been for them to scale those heights with the full force of the Nazi forces pushing against them,” the architect says in a

For a panoramic view of the city, the Washington Monument’s new observation deck reopened last fall after a three-year closure. It closed again March 14 due to COVID-19. “A new state-of-the-art elevator efficiently moves hundreds of visitors up to the observation deck daily. The minute-long ride up 50 stories to the top of the world’s tallest free-standing stone structure includes a video from the National Park Service about what to expect,” Destination DC explains on its website. “From the observation deck, you can see nearly 25 miles into the horizon in every direction, including landmarks like the U.S. Capitol, the White House, Arlington National Cemetery and the Washington National Cathedral.” The National Children’s Museum is in a new home. The museum and science center celebrated its reopening February 24 and temporarily closed in March due to the pandemic. It’s on Pennsylvania Avenue adjacent to the Ronald Reagan Building, just steps from the National Mall. “As a next generation institution, it is a unique hybrid children’s museum and science center. Exhibits are entirely STEAM-focused (science, tech,

engineering, arts and math) targeting children under the age of 12,” says museum spokesperson Meredith Hamme. “Upon entry, guests will experience The Dream Machine, a three-story climber and slide. Other exhibits include Innovation Sandbox with rotating digital interactives, Art + Technology, Data Science Alley, two dedicated toddler spaces, and Engineering Games + Play.” While closed, the museum offered digital opportunities. “Since March 17, the museum has created more than 75 daily videos with science activities and story times on its social media, YouTube channel, and website,” Meredith says. “The museum adapted its Climate Action Heroes exhibit into a website (climate-heroes.org) where children can discover challenges related to each superhero persona: Community Captain, Pollinator Patrol, Arbor Avenger, Water Warrior and Mighty Meteorologist.” The museum also has a new podcast, which starts with children interviewing STEM innovators. While last summer celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, last month Americans celebrated the return of U.S. astronauts to space via a U.S. spacecraft for the first-time in nearly a decade. To further build on this curiosity of space, a family favorite is the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Relatively new to the National Mall lineup of free museums is the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, a fourlevel museum that opened September 24, 2016, becoming the only national museum solely dedicated to the documentation of African American life, history and culture. While reopening dates for museums and other attractions may remain elusive, the rich history and culture in our nation’s capital remains a top attraction for families. It’s a way to explore and connect with our nation. So don your red, white and blue and soak in everything Washington, D.C., has to offer.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 53

FILE PHOTO

« around town

THE BIG BACKPACK EVENT IS BACK

Even the coronavirus couldn’t stop the annual Big Backpack Event, where more than 2,000 students ages 5-12 get free school supplies and an entertaining celebration of the return to school. This year’s event is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, July 26 at the Fort Myers Skatium, 2250 Broadway. To maintain social distancing, families are asked to stay in their vehicles and slowly drive up to get the backpacks and supplies. There’ll also be live music and street performances to keep the celebratory vibe going. Note that children must accompany parents or guardians in the vehicle to get their backpacks. For details, visit multicultural-centre.org.

‘Sound of Music’ returns to Broadway Palm The Broadway Palm dinner theater in Fort Myers raised the curtain once again on family theater productions with “The Sound of Music,” which runs through August 8. The theater announced it is taking precautions outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: operating at 50% capacity, spaced private tables and plated meals instead of the buffet. Performances are Wednesday through Sunday evenings with select matinees. Tickets are $48 to $73 for adults, $20 for ages 18 and younger. For details, visit broadwaypalm.com or call the box office at 239-278-4422.

54 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

Meet Santa Yes, Santa is coming to Florida in the middle of July. It’s part of the Shell Factory & Nature Park’s annual Christmas in July celebration, when the North Fort Myers attraction runs specials and promotions — and hosts a pancake breakfast with Santa. The breakfast is 9 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, July 12 inside the Southern Grill on property. Breakfast is $4.50 for kids ages 12 and younger, $7.95 for adults. Families are asked to make reservations by July 11 to Mary at 239-995-2141 ext. 110.

things to do »

PRESCHOOL & VPK

Charity for Change launches GiverTV The Collier County nonprofit Charity for Change launched an interactive video series in May that teaches children character and service learning. The program previously had been in after-school and in-school settings. With the help of the program’s mascots, Giver and U2Can, the videos give families activities to do together to help their community. Videos so far are about kindness, perseverance and citizenship. Find new episodes at charityforchange.org and on the organization’s YouTube channel.

Cape Coral teens to have prom Students graduating in Cape Coral get a prom after all. Cape Coral businesses and community members rallied together to host proms for each of the city’s high schools plus North Fort Myers High. Each high school has its own event — July 26 for Oasis, July 27 for North, July 28 for Ida S. Baker, July 29 for Island Coast, July 30 for Mariner and July 31 for Cape Coral High. Those who attend must pass a temperature check and they’ll be given a mask to wear for the night. Graduates will receive an invite in the mail and must RSVP online as capacity is capped to 340.

DANCE

Celebrating Since 1951

All Ages

Classical Ballet Pointe Tap Jazz Hip Hop Modern Acrobatics Children’s Work

(239)334-3274 www.dancebochette.com

Monday, July 6 Florida Summers Bring the Heat Learn How to Be Safe » 2-3 p.m. Online only. Lee Health’s Healthy Life Center

and Safe Kids Southwest Florida coordinator Sally Kreuscher explain how to play in the heat and cool off safely. To reserve your spot and get a link to the event, call 239-468-0050.

Wednesday, July 8 ‘The Sound of Music’ » Through August 8. Broadway

Palm, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. The theater is operating at 50% capacity with spaced private tables and plated meals instead of the buffet. Performances are Wednesday through Sunday evenings with select matinees. Tickets are $48 to $73 for adults, $20 for ages 18 and younger. 239-278-4422. broadwaypalm.com

Thursday, July 9 Fourth Trimester Club Virtual Meet Up » 10:30 a.m.-

noon. Join the Fourth Trimester Club virtually every other Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to noon with Lee Health’s Healthy Life Center to meet other moms in the same stage of life and learn more about infant and women’s health topics specific to the postpartum stage. A variety of Lee Health and community specialists will be there to offer their expertise. Suitable for both infants and toddlers. To register for this WebEx program, call 239-468-0050.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 55

« things to do (continued)

Friday, July 10 Kids Free Fridays » 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Rookery Bay

NERR and Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Road, Naples. This popular education and hands-on program is back. Beginning Friday, July 10 environmental educators put the spotlight on a different bird with hands-on activities, crafts and games in the air-conditioned, state-of-the-art learning center. $8 for adults, free for kids younger than 12. 239-530-5940. rookerybay.org

Saturday, July 11 Inventioneer’s Lab Grand Opening » 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, 15080 Livingston Road, Naples. On June 17, C’mon announced the grand opening of its new Inventioneer’s Lab. Visitors are invited to the museum for a special celebration. Makers of all ages are encouraged to build and experiment in the lab. While it caters to ages 7-14, it’s open to all ages (younger children may need assistance). C’mon is open 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-5:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday-Saturday. Admission is $10 for adults, $12 for children, free for members. cmon.org

Sunday, July 12 Breakfast with Santa » 9-11:30 a.m. Southern Grll at Shell Factory & Nature Park, 2787 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers. Santa is coming to Florida as part of the Shell Factory & Nature Park’s annual Christmas in July celebration. The breakfast is at Shell Factory’s Southern Grill. Breakfast is $4.50 for kids ages 12 and younger, $7.95 for adults. Families are asked to make reservations by July 11 to Mary at 239-995-2141 ext. 110.

Sunday, July 26 Big Backpack Event » 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Fort Myers Skatium, 2250 Broadway, Fort Myers. Students ages 5-12 get a free backpack and school supplies while supplies last. Plus, as parents and guardians drive up to the building to receive the supplies, they can also enjoy live entertainment. Children must be present with parent or guardian. For details, visit multicultural-centre.org or email info@ multicultural-centre.org.

Friday, July 31 ‘The Adams Family’ » July 31-August 8. The

Norris Center, 75 Eighth Ave. S., Naples. Gulfshore Playhouse’s STAR Academy for ages 13-18 is producing “The Adams Family,” a comical feast that celebrates the wackiness in every family. Performances, at 50% capacity, are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. July 30 and 31 and August 1, 5, 6 and 8, then 3 p.m. August 2, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. August 7. All tickets are $20. gulfshoreplayhouse.org

56 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

Online Learn with Rookery Bay » Find a slew of things to do on the Rookery Bay Research Reserve’s family activities page online. In July, families “Fly Through July” with bird-themed activities. It’s the Kids Free Friday program online. There are downloadable crafts, videos, story time and a naturalist presentation each week. Free. Visit rookerybay.org/family-activities. IMAG adds virtual camp » The IMAG History & Science Center announced in June that it not only would be hosting in-person camps but also virtual camps via the magic of Zoom. Get information on all its science camps at theIMAG.org/camp. Stay at Home Storytime » Kids can catch a new story, favorite rhymes and songs at 10 a.m. every Wednesday on the Lee County Library System’s YouTube channel. Notifications for Stay at Home Storytime are also posted on Facebook. youtube.com/channel/ UCsaYb5V_cGMkibFCJf-BAbg Hodges University Virtual Summer Camps » Tweens and teens ages 10-14 learn how to create games and apps in this online summer camp by Hodges University. The camps take place 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Cost is $175. Campers need a computer or laptop, Zoom and Google Chrome. The software to build the games and apps is free. The camp on July 6-10 focuses on creating games. In the one on July 13-17, students create apps. Register at hodgesconnect.catalog.instructure.com/browse/ technology/summer-camps. Get details by calling 239-938-7747. #DingAtHome » Sanibel’s famous wildlife refuge, the J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge, and the “Ding” Darling Wildlife SocietyFriends of the Refuge host an array of educational experiences for all ages at dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/ding-at-home. There are downloadable activity books and coloring pages, virtual story times, an outdoor scavenger hunt, yoga, crafts and at-home experiments. “Learning about nature is always important for kids and adults alike,” says supervisory refuge ranger Toni Westland in a news release. “During this challenging climate of social distancing and self-isolation, it becomes crucial that we nourish our souls with the beauty and wonder of wildlife and its habitat.” Conservancy of Southwest Florida » Families and schools often turn to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida to learn about nature and how to protect the local environment. The nature center staff takes that mission online with lesson plans, hands-on activities, videos, scavenger hunts, guided virtual walks and resources at conservancy.org/virtual-learning. C’mon » The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples created Play & Learn, a free online program to help families continue to learn and have fun while the museum temporarily closed. You can access it through C’mon’s YouTube channel, Facebook page, Instagram TV and the museum’s website, cmon.org. Naples Zoo » The Naples Zoo was one of the first attractions to offer free online learning options. Staff takes viewers on virtual tours of the Naples Zoo and provides numerous educational videos and activities. Access them via the zoo’s Facebook page or YouTube channel. Learn more at napleszoo.org.

voices »

Ana Vlad, of Naples, turns 13 years old this August. As holder of the Miss Pre Teen Florida International 2020 title, she is determined to turn her pageant platform into a local youth movement.

GUEST COLUMN

A CROWN WITH A PURPOSE

resses, makeup, shoes, and beauty. These are all main things that come to people’s minds when talking about pageants. However, this is a misconception. Pageants are no longer about beauty, but about empowering girls while teaching them life skills that will help them grow into strong and confident women. My name is Ana Vlad. I’m almost 13 years old and a rising eighth-grader at the Community School of Naples. Last fall, I was awarded the Miss Pre Teen Florida International 2020 title. The Miss International organization has been developed to promote today’s young women and their accomplishments. Girls are finding this system to be the opportunity to work with others to become positive role models in their communities. Each state delegate to the national pageant, held on July 29 in Kingsport, Tennessee, must prepare and run on a platform. I then decided that, instead of joining an existing movement, I would rather start my own platform. I chose to do this because I want this be a learning and growing experience, where I can acquire various skills. As I started to brainstorm my platform, I remembered a story I read in elementary school: “The Starfish Story.” The message of this story reflected the importance of making a difference, no matter how small. I knew right away that this inspiring story was exactly how I felt about staying involved and making a difference in my community, so I named my platform “Power of One.” Over the years, I have taken part in all

kinds of charity and community events, such as donating food and clothes to children in need, entertaining residents in retirement homes, volunteering at the Humane Society, welcoming veterans with Honor Flights, and cleaning beaches. During the pandemic, I have connected to classrooms via Zoom to speak to students about acts of kindness and volunteerism. In the coming school year, I plan on visiting schools and libraries to speak to and inspire even more children. Although “Power of One” began as a pageant platform, I am positive that it will not stop here. During the preparation for this project, I have learned so many new things. From graphic design and building a website and learning how to create short movies, these skills will stick with me for a lifetime. This project has also helped me understand that the desire to make a difference must be instilled in children early on. This will help them feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment while helping with character building traits of courage, caring and achievement. All these traits are taught through the simple rules: Be positive, be kind and do good. Even at my young age, I want to be involved in my community in multiple ways. I want to spread the message that, although I am only one person, I can make a difference. No matter how small one’s acts of kindness are, each one will create a ripple with no end. In the words of Max Stossel, “I pledge to be fearless and kind, to be inclusive, to stand up for those who need my help, and to make a difference whenever I can, wherever I can, because I can!”

Power of One Follow Ana Vlad’s platform for getting involved and making a difference at powerofone.club. SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 57

» last look

COMMENCEMENT Forty-seven students, including 15 lifers, students who have been with Seacrest Country Day School since kindergarten, participated in the school’s commencement ceremony June 5 at Elite Jets Hangar #125 at the Naples Airport.

PHOTO BY JON AUSTRIA

58 » JULY 2020 » SWFLPARENTCHILD.COM

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PARENT & CHILD » JULY 2020 » 59

Your heart care heroes.

Dedicated to saving little lives every day. leehealth.org/pediatric-cardiology

Because every child is special.