From player to coach
Canterbury scores with Tommy Bohanon
Pioneer Club Picnic set for April 26
The Pioneer Club of Lee County is set to celebrate the 76th anniversary of its founding in 1949 by R. A. Henderson, Jr.
This year’s annual picnic will take place on Saturday, April 26, at the Lee County Civic Center –Tinsley Pavilion, in North Fort Myers.
The Pioneers Club was formed to honor those living persons who have been residents of Lee County for 50 or more years with the initial meeting held in 1950 at the Lions Park on Cleveland Avenue in Fort Myers.
It is a social organization comprised of many of the old families who get together annually to catch up on one another’s lives and share a lunch together. The Pioneer Picnic traditionally is held the last Saturday in April of each year.
Registration and visiting for this year’s gathering will begin at 10 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon followed by presentations and a raffle at 1 p.m.
The 2025 high school of recognition this year will be Dunbar High school. Also recognized at the picnic will be the eldest pioneer man and woman born in Lee County; the couple married the longest (both spouses need to be in attendance); pioneer who traveled the longest distance to the picnic; and the eldest person in attendance.
Approximately 1,500 invitations are mailed out for the picnic of which two-thirds are sent to residents and the remainder to people who live out of the area. There are normally 600-700 people in attendance. Barbecue chicken or pork, baked beans, coleslaw, rolls, chocolate chip cookies and iced tea or lemonade is available to the members for $10 per plate thanks to the generosity of sponsors.
The eligibility requirement for membership is based on the person living in Lee County for at least 50 years. Those years do not have to be consecutive.
A new website, https://www. pioneerclubofleecounty.com/, went live on March 10. Those attending or interested in joining can now register or submit a membership form online, making it easier than ever to become a member. Those approved will be officially added to their list.
The new website also offers an opportunity to learn more about the club’s history and see photos of past picnics and activities.
Through the generosity of the Edison and Ford
If You Go:
What: Pioneer Club Picnic
Where:
Lee County Civic Center, 11831 Bayshore Rd., North Fort Myers
When: Saturday, April 26
Registration and visiting for this year’s gathering will begin at 10 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon followed by presentations and a raffle at 1 p.m.
More information:
For more information visit, https://www.pioneerclubofleecounty.com/
Winter Estates, free admission on that weekend is given to the members of the Pioneer Club who present their Pioneer membership card to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates (General Admission) on Friday, April 25, Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27. An invitation has also been extended to the members of the Pioneer Club to visit The IMAG History & Science Center (General Admission) by also presenting their Pioneer membership card on those same days.
The Lee County Civic Center is at 11831 Bayshore Road.
Back on the gridiron
8 Blueberry Bunch Farm offers sweet U-pick opportunity as season peaks
Tommy Bohanon, North Fort Myers High grad, former NFL fullback turned community foundation leader, comes full circle — He will coach and serve as offensive coordinator at Canterbury. 6 11
Workforce housing project breaks ground in North Fort Myers The
Hiring process gears up at Brightwater lagoon 12
It’s nice to be recognized - and to recognize others
The NFMCA has been recognizing the residents of North Fort Myers with our Community Service Awards for five years now. We would like to think that the residents who receive them feel appreciated for what they do no matter how big or small.
The NFMCA celebrated our third year in a row for The Breeze and North Fort Myers Neighbor “Best of Award” for Community Organization.
I want to tell you about the award I received recently on behalf of the North Fort Myers Civic Association.
We were invited to the Nations Choice Church and WorshipCiti Church Double Impact Conference to accept the 2025 Impact Award. After being escorted to my front row seat by Overseer Patrick Miller, I was reminded of all the wonderful things the NFMCA does for our great community and presented with a beautiful award for our efforts and successes. Thank you so much for your
acknowledgment of all we do and try to do.
It IS nice to be recognized!
So, in saying this let me remind you that you can nominate your person or business all year to be recognized and be a Community Service Award recipient. It is a great feeling for the giver as well as the receiver.
Check our Facebook and Website for more information on the Summer Splash Saturdays which will be coming up once school is out for the summer. I look forward to seeing all of you poolside.
I invite you to attend our meetings, held on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the North Fort Myers Recreation Center located behind the North Fort Myers Library.
We will welcome Noelle Branning, Lee County’s chief deputy tax collector, and Matt Caldwell, Lee County property appraiser and former state representative, to our next monthly meeting on
May 13 . This presentation is intended to help community members better understand property assessments, tax services and other essential resources that impact homeowners, businesses and residents. This will be a great opportunity to gain insights and help ensure we are all informed about process that affect us directly.
Toni
Hill, President North Fort Myers Civic Association
Safety & security tip: The value of lighting
The list of proactive security measures that can be taken to protect your home and/or business is lengthy. Some are more effective than others.
Surprisingly, few of these measures are more effective than efficient lighting.
Bright lights deter criminal activity. Thieves, burglars and vandals search for low-risk targets… locations at which their movements and methods are easily concealed.
Many security experts agree that lighting is the most cost-effective and efficient way to protect your property.
Decisions must be made, following careful consideration, regarding the type of lighting, how it is activated (full-time, motion-activated, timeractivated), height and location.
Lighting positioned too high will diffuse the light and be less effective. Conversely, lighting placed at lower heights will greatly reduce the area of coverage.
Lighting used in conjunction with a video security system, if positioned correctly, will greatly enhance the quality of the captured video.
To begin, observe your home or business from the exterior, as if you were a prospective intruder. Where would you seek entry? What entry point appears to be easiest to penetrate? Where would your activity be unseen?
Now, go indoors looking outward. Where would you need lighting in order to best see movement? What darkened areas seem most vulnerable?
Following this exercise, you will likely be prepared to select lighting locations.
Final thoughts…
It is also important to be mindful of your neighbors and the glare of your lighting. Ensure that your lighting does not adversely affect those living next door or nearby.
Consider motion lighting. When motion is detected and the light comes on, your vigilance
generally increases.
Speak with lighting experts regarding the use of solar-powered lighting. Solar-powered lighting continues to work when the power grid is down and is easily wired.
In addition to preventing and hindering illegal actions, well-lit areas allow first responders… law enforcement, fire and ambulatory services… to respond more efficiently.
Carmine Marceno is the sheriff of Lee County.
Bohanon to coach at Canterbury
Story by Chuck Ballaro
Since retiring from the NFL after the 2020 season, Tommy Bohanon has mostly concentrated on his foundation to help youth athletes reach their potential on and off the field.
As far as football goes, the North Fort Myers High graduate and pro fullback and special teamer has limited himself to his annual summer youth football camp and preparing running backs for the NFL combine at a local training facility in Fort Myers.
Until now, with Bohanon back in the game with a new role.
Bohanon has agreed to become the running backs coach and offensive coordinator at Canterbury, a private school in Fort
Myers. The Cougars are looking to improve upon a 4-7 season in 2024.
Bohanon said he has always wanted to coach kids and be a positive influence on them, even though he wasn’t really looking to become a coach right now.
“It happened to be a perfect situation to walk in and mentor these young men,” Bohanon said. “Talking to the administration and staff it seemed to be a good situation for me and my family.”
Bohanon said he discussed it with his wife and decided it would be the “right time to take that step to jump into the coaching world.”
Bohanon said the team has some good athletes to build around. His job will be to install an offense that can put points on the board and win games. He believes the team will be competitive this coming year.
As far as the foundation, Bohanon believes the new gig won’t impact it at all.
The foundation has strong support from his wife, Katie and many volunteers. It will, though, make his life more busy than it already is.
“Me and Katie have run on three jobs now. What’s adding one more?” Bohanon said. “I’m
really excited to jump in with these boys and make an impact with them.”
Everything the Tommy Bohanon Foundation — which strives to mentor and support at-risk youths in Southwest Florida — offers isn’t going to change.
The annual Playmakers Tailgate Party at The Ranch funds all the programs the foundation runs throughout the year.
Bohanon will begin coaching at Canterbury during spring practice later this month.
Bohanon was a star running back at North Fort Myers High School and played in college at Wake Forest.
He was drafted by the New York Jets in 2013 and spent three season there before being cut before the 2016 season.
A year later, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and played two seasons there.
In 2019 he signed with the Green Bay Packers but was waived.
In 2020 he was briefly on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad but was released.
Tommy Bohanon
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE TOMMY BOHANON FOUNDATION
Red Sox Foundation awards scholarships
For the 10th consecutive year, the Boston Red Sox presented local public high-school seniors each with a $5,000 college scholarship by the Red Sox Foundation.
All Lee County charter and ALS schools were added with one $5,000 scholarship also being awarded to a student from this category for a total of 16 scholarships worth $80,000.
The scholarships are for academically talented students who have shown a commitment to community service and are pursuing a two- or four- year degree at any college or university.
The 16 students plan to attend universities ranging from FGCU, Embry Riddle, UF, Duke, UCF, FSU, Dartmouth and more and will major in subjects including marketing, psychology, engineering, biology, aeronautics, nursing, education, finance, among others.
“This is always one of our favorite games of the year because we get to celebrate these local students and their accomplishments on the field in front of all our Spring Training fans,” said Brennan Whitley, director, Florida Events and Operations, Boston Red Sox, in a prepared statement. “These students have obviously worked incredibly hard and our Red Sox Foundation members that review the applications each year say it’s not an easy process to pick just one recipient because so many are deserving. We are extremely proud to celebrate our 10th year of providing these scholarships and we look forward to many more.”
David Doran, principal of ReRoute Americas, was the title sponsor of the Swings For The Sox for the 10th consecutive year. Doran has donated more than $100,000 to the Red Sox scholarship program.
Scholarship funds are raised annually from proceeds of the Red Sox annual Swings for the Sox Golf Tournament. To date, the Swings for the Sox has raised more than $683,000 for local charities and specifically $598,000 for the scholarship program.
“We are extremely proud of these students. High school is tough enough but these individuals kept on pushing and persevering,” said Angela Nader,
regional associate superintendent for the School District of Lee County. “The Lee County School District is also thankful to the Red Sox organization for continuing to provide these $5,000 scholarships to a student from each high school; it’s really quite an amazing thing they are doing for these students and our community.”
2025 Scholarship Recipients
• Amy Kollcinaku, Bonita Springs
• Haruna Mescallado, Cape Coral
• Danielle Barsheshet, Cypress Lake
• Jennifer Gonzalez, Dunbar
• Julian Gonzalez, East Lee County
• Meghan Lay, Estero
• Jaylinn Hinojosa, Fort Myers
• Jazmine Olivera-Morales, Gateway
• Alia Mercado-Lues, Ida Baker
• Alexandra Flores, Island Coast
• Anahy Gonzalez-Mata, Lehigh Senior
• Adrielle Costa, Mariner
• Katrina Placencia, North Fort Myers
• Sean De Andrade, Riverdale
• Ilenys Cabrera Rego, South Fort Myers
• Brayan Morejon, Charter/ALS
Katrina Placencia of North Fort Myers High School, the No. 1 student in Lee County who boasts a 5.86 GPA was among the deserving scholarship recipients.
“It’s such an honor,” Placencia said. “This scholarship means a lot to me, especially with how expensive college is.”
With her mother recently going back to school to get her master’s, and her sister also in college, Placencia said being able to lift some of the financial burden that comes along with secondary education has been a weight off of her shoulders.
“It feels like a big accomplishment for me, especially as I’m very much a ‘go-getter’ and an achiever,” she said. “I love that the principles for the scholarship is giving back to the community and really going for your academics, too. Being able to receive this scholarship, it’s like they see me and I’m doing what I need to do.”
Where she’ll be studying next year is still undecided, as she’s still waiting for some Ivy League responses, such as the University of Pennsylvania, and Vanderbilt. She is also thinking about attending Florida State University.
Placencia plans to major in either biology or exercise physiology with the goal to become an anesthesiologist.
“Most of my family is in the medical field, so seeing that and how I always want to give back,” Placencia said of why she wanted to pursue that path. “One of my gifts is math. As an anesthesiologist, you have to be really good at math, so that’s something I want to take with me into the medical field.”
Placencia, who will serve as North Fort Myers
continued on page 15
PHOTO BY CJ HADDAD
Red Sox Foundation awards 16 local high-school students each $5,000 college scholarships.
Ripe for the pickin:’ Blueberry Bunch Farm offers sweet U-pick opportunity as season peaks
Story by Meghan Bradbury
Blueberry Bunch Farm is ready for the community to come out and pick blueberries, as the weather has turned ideal for the sweet fruits to be picked.
U-Pick Manager Kris Velasco said this season’s blueberries are three weeks behind due to the cold weather late last year.
This season marks the sixth year Blueberry Bunch Farm has opened for U-Pick. It opened on the fourth Thursday of March this year, as they now have a great number of blueberries to pick.
“A lot of people are excited to come back,” Velasco said.
There is no entrance fee to visit the farm, which is at 2754 Howard Road, LaBelle. Blueberries are $7 a pound, or $30 for a full bucket. He said they provide buckets and plastic bags.
The U-pick is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays until the middle of May.
“We added on Thursday last year and it has been a great success,” he said. “Every year we try to see if we can improve something from season to season.”
April marks the peak of the blueberry season.
“The first five seasons it was the beginning of March to mid-May,” he said. “We hope we can extend the season. We will take it week by week.”
After May the weather becomes too warm, and blueberries begin to rot fast.
After Hurricane Ian, Velasco said they had to
replant 25,000 new plants – half of the farm – which includes four new varieties they did not have before. The good news – the plants that survived the hurricane are doing better than before.
“A lot of them are young. Some don’t have names. We will see how they do – if they produce more and are better for this climate,” he said.
Blueberry Bunch Farm typically has 50,000 blueberry plants on its acreage. The farm is currently concentrating on U-Pick and providing blueberries for farmer markets and local produce. The hope is to bring some of its commercial production back soon.
“Last year we had a little bit more and this year we have a little bit more than last year,” Velasco said. “Everything is a little bit behind. The warm weather will start ripening them fast.”
Once the weather reaches the ‘60s at night, and the sun shines all day, the blueberries ripen faster.
The farm has been owned by his wife, Jessica Molzan’s family, for the past 15 years.
“It used to be only commercial, but just before COVID, in 2020, we started the U-Pick,” he said.
His wife makes blueberry popsicles and blueberry lemonade, and his mother-in-law, Leslie Ann, makes blueberry soap, blueberry jam, tea towels and pottery. This year they have added blueberry barbecue sauce.
Individuals can also purchase blueberry plants to bring home for their garden. They come with directions on how to care for them.
“We only sell the strongest. It is the one that survives the best,” Velasco said.
Another addition this year is an expanded parking area.
“We have a lot of return customers. A lot of customers coming two or three times during the
season. It’s a nice farm to have a good time, pick blueberries and get a little bit out of the city,” he said.
The great part about the farm is every age can pick blueberries, as there are lower bushes for younger kids and higher bushes for adults to pick the variety they choose.
“They have different flavors,” Velasco said. For more information, visit www. blueberrybunchfarm.com, or visit www.facebook. com/blueberrybunchfarm/.
PHOTOS PROVIDED
This season marks the sixth year Blueberry Bunch Farm has opened for U-Pick. It opened on the fourth Thursday of March this year, as they now have a great number of blueberries to pick.
Workforce housing project breaks ground in North Fort Myers
Bayshore Pines to offer 180 units in amenity-plentiful community
Story by Chuck Ballaro
Lee County has been striving to make housing more affordable. On March 31, another complex — one with a 99-year commitment to workforce housing — broke ground in North Fort Myers.
Onda Housing Group ceremoniously began work on Bayshore Pines, a 180-unit community at 5361 Bayshore Road.
Andrew Cribbs, CEO and co-founder of Onda Housing Group, said his group has more than 2,000 units in development.
“These developments are for working class people and families making under $65,000 per year. They will be one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, with plenty of room for the family,” Cribbs said. “I’m excited to bring this important project to North Fort Myers.”
Bayshore Pines will provide affordable housing for qualified Lee County residents, with rent on a two-bedroom set to be about $1,200 per month as opposed to $2,000 per month for a unit at the current market rate.
The complex will feature a clubhouse, fitness center, a pool, playground and other amenities. The complex also will be elevated an additional four feet above flood plain to reduce the risk of flooding and block construction.
“We’re building for the long term. We’re expecting it to be affordable for 99 years. We’ve committed to doing that with Florida housing,” Cribbs said. “This is going to be a real market driver to the community.”
The total construction cost is about $70 million.
Onda secured $17 million in disaster recovery funds from Lee County from Hurricane Ian. The
Onda Housing Group ceremoniously began work on March 31 for Bayshore Pines, a 180-unit community at 5361 Bayshore Road. The workforce housing initiative is projected to open some time next summer.
state added $3.2 million in tax credits.
In close partnership with Lee County, Florida Housing Finance Corporation delivered $33 million in bonds, Citi Community Capital and RBC Community Investments.
Ryan Benson, who is on the board of directors on the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, the state’s affordable housing agency, said this project will serve a much-in-need group.
“What’s exciting for me is having all these projects in my backyard in Lee County. It’s great. We have the problem being addressed right at home, which is an awesome place to see it come together,” Benson said. “Projects like this serve
people making $39,000 to $53,000, and it’s filling the biggest void in housing that we’ve got. What’s important is we get more units like this.”
The complex is expected to be completed some time next summer. Applications will be accepted in the months before opening. Benson said it is advisable that applications are put in ASAP, as previous affordable housing projects have seen applications exceed units as much as tenfold.
“We have a multi-billion-dollar problem as a state. The governor has filled the need to get us out of this hole. But it’s a big hole we got ourselves into and it’s going to take a while to get out,” Benson said.
PHOTOS PROVIDED
The Winslow expected to open by late summer
Story by Meghan Bradbury
Aproject that broke ground a year ago in North Fort Myers is set to open late this summer, offering 320 units in an upscale rental community called The Winslow.
The project, which broke ground in March 2024, has reached the “topped off” point of construction and the developers are looking forward to their introduction of contemporary residences to what they say is a rapidly developing neighborhood that is close to downtown Fort Myers.
“Reaching this milestone in the construction of this exceptional rental community is a significant achievement for our team and a testament to our commitment to delivering high-quality, amenityrich communities that meet the growing demand for housing across Florida,” said Camilo Miguel, Jr., CEO and Founder of Mast Capital in a prepared statement. “As we approach the final stages of this project, we are excited to offer residents in the North Fort Myers area a vibrant and highly designed residential community in one of Southwest Florida’s most dynamic neighborhoods. We look forward to welcoming our first residents by late summer and contributing to the continued economic growth and development of Fort Myers.”
Jordan Kornberg, chief investment officer at Mast Capital, said they saw the growth in the area and an opportunity to deliver quality housing that is in demand and fill a need in the market.
PHOTOS PROVIDED
The Winslow, a 320-unit multi-amenity complex in North Fort Myers, has reached the “top off” point of construction and expects to be open by late summer. The community will feature a garden-style residential community of three- and four-story apartment buildings at 13370 Magnolia Oak Circle.
Hiring process gears up at Brightwater lagoon
Story by Chuck Ballaro
The saltwater lagoon at the Brightwater development continues to move toward its official opening since the preview opening at the end of last year.
That process came into full focus recently when they started to fill full- and part-time job openings for the resort-style facility and start a new chapter in the history of the development and the community at large.
Jimmy Cruz, general manager at Brightwater, said they are looking for outgoing, friendly and hospitality-driven people to join its team this spring.
“We’re looking for lifeguards, bartenders, cashiers and cooks. We also have some opening in
admissions,” Cruz said.
At the start of the process they were looking for about 50 more employees at press time.
Brightwater Lagoon, meanwhile, is getting ready for its official opening to the public very soon, officials said.
The six-acre lagoon opened in September to those who live in the community. It’s also been open to the public, but they haven’t gone full blast with marketing, wanting to wait a bit as construction was finalized.
Cruz said the lagoon is an amenity for Brightwater residents, in the community that currently has 300 homes but is set to expand to nearly 1,000 when completed.
“We want an amenity for the community, but also bring the outside public in for admission. It’s a very unique property. There is nothing like this in the area,” Cruz said. “It’s like a day at the beach with loungers and a place for drinks and a swim-
up bar.”
There will be food trucks that they operate and those from the outside.
“It’s a great way to have a day at the beach without having to go to the beach,” Cruz said. “We’re now in a position where we can fully staff up for the summer. We wanted to be able to accommodate the crowds.”
Those applying for a lifeguard position must attend an interview, pass a swimming test and complete on-site American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification training.
Lifeguard compensation starts at $14 an hour. Other positions, such as water quality technician supervisor, start at $21.65/hour.
Interested applicants may also apply online at MetroLagoons.com/Careers.
The office is at 8630 Sunny Page Lane in North Fort Myers.
Four Star Homes offers expertise to manufactured home clients
Story by Meghan Bradbury
Anew office has opened in North Fort Myers to offer an option for manufactured home leased landowners.
Elizabeth Williamson has lived in North Fort Myers since 2001, the same year she became a real estate agent. She is with Realty One Group MVP.
“I love North Fort Myers. I breathe it and live it,” she said. “North Fort Myers is my happy place. I have been doing anything from manufactured home to acreage properties.”
She recently became licensed with Four Star Homes, Inc., which focuses on leased land manufactured homes. Previously, those buying in this type of community often had to go through the parks’s sales office as there was a lack of independent licensed sales agents for these transactions.
“I recently joined Four Star Homes LLC, Florida’s largest and most experienced fullservice mobile and manufactured home brokerage company, to address a real need for leased landowners seeking strong representation,” Williamson said.
With leased land, an individual owns the manufactured home, but not the land on which it sits.
“Each park will be different, some are both, or one or the other,” she said of leased and deeded land. “We thought it was important to get licensed to do both. We found the lease-land communities have very limited hours for sales. We are available seven days a week. We are doing real estate as early as 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.”
With leased land an individual needs specific financing.
“Not all companies will do mortgages,” she said, adding that it’s almost more of a personal loan than a mortgage.
Williamson said if a home is on leased land, she can only point buyers to certain lenders.
“There are some specific manufactured home lenders, and they understand the process,” she said.
Concerning deeded land, an individual will pay a monthly HOA fee to pay for some of the amenities within the park. She said it’s a straight real estate transaction, as opposed to leased land where the manufactured home is sold through a title, similar to a car.
“The manufactured home comes with a title,” Williamson said.
A deeded land transaction goes through a title company, or attorney’s office.
“The deeded land you can go through normal mortgage panels. Sometimes, depending on age,
we have to seek a secondary option like a personal loan,” she said. “Anything newer than 1978 that is attached to a land, you can get a mortgage on.”
She said deeded land is a more stable market because HOA fees are more manageable.
“It’s so difficult to sell the property and then tell someone they will be paying $800 to $1,000 because lot rent and usage of amenities. The numbers are so askew. That is where it becomes difficult because the fees are much larger,” Williamson said.
Williamson can be reached at (239) 728-8313, or email elizabethw@fourstarhomes.com. The satellite office is at 390 Pondella Road, Suite 5, which allows them to conduct both companies.
“We are open to explain the differences to folks,” she said.
FILE PHOTO
Del Tura is a 55+ manufactured home community in North Fort Myers.
The Institute for Medical Aesthetics and Laser now open
Story by Meghan Bradbury
Anew institute offering facial and nail specialist programs has opened its doors in North Fort Myers.
The Institute for Medical Aesthetics and Laser held its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at its new facility on March 26, in the Merchants Crossing Shopping Plaza, Unit 450.
The school is licensed by the Florida Independent Commission for Education.
Emily Tichy, licensed esthetician, electrologist, and founder of IMAGE, said the idea to start a school began brewing three years ago with her husband. They own a med spa and spent a great deal of time training new hires.
Their thoughts then turned to starting their own school as they saw a need in the community.
“We started that process; just with the build out with the facility took a year and with the state of Florida it took nine months. We have a couple additional programs that the independent commission has approved, but are waiting on the Department of Health,” Tichy said.
The first set of classes began earlier this month for facial specialists, nail specialists, and full specialist – both facial and nail.
Tichy said their programs are hybrid.
“All of that boring book work, lecturing, sitting in class like you are in elementary school, is gone,” she said.
Students will receive physical books, as well as access to all the chapters, curriculum, and theory online. There also will be quizzes and videos online.
“They do those hours at home,” Tichy said. “They have to come in for four hours, three times a week for hands-on clinical.”
The facial specialist program is eight weeks, while the nail specialist program is six weeks.
“They are really focused on hands-on learning skills that they need,” she said.
The hybrid option is offered, as Tichy believes that flexibility is important, as most people cannot quit their job to go to school. There are morning, afternoon and night classes offered, so students can go to school and have their life at the same time.
Tichy said when the students finish the class, and make their application with the State of Florida, they will receive their license within days.
“These beauty industries and service industries have huge opportunities,” she said.
The minimum age for the classes is 16 years old.
Students will receive a kit with high quality products, as well as social media and business marketing training, she said.
“They are going to be hands-on promoting themselves, so they can build a portfolio and build clientele while at school,” Tichy said. “They will know how to market themselves and have a jump start. What sets you apart today is knowing how to connect with your potential clients, how to market yourself, and how to create that portfolio.”
The goal of the school is for students to really learn what they need to know to be successful. To accomplish this, they will offer continued education courses because they want to be a resource long-term.
“We are so blessed to be able to provide ethical, quality education to students, so they can set off on the right foot from the beginning,” Tichy said.
She completed a nail technician program in Minnesota when she was 19 and used it to get her degree in mass communication and advertising. Tichy said she was a pharmaceutical tech for 16 years before going back to school for the esthetician program.
She said she never thought what she learned at 19 she would be using again.
“Never let your license lapse because you never know,” Tichy said.
In the near future, she said they will offer spa services at IMAGE providing students with the opportunity to work with the public with discount service prices. Information will be provided on the website of when this service will be available.
The Institute for Medical Aesthetics and Laser is at Merchants Crossing is at 15201 N. Cleveland Ave.
For more information visit www. instituteimage.com. Course pricing will be emailed to those interested. Tours are also offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school and there are $500 scholarship opportunities available for students.
North Fort Myers High wins voter registration challenge
Story by Meghan Bradbury
North Fort Myers High School took home the win for the 2024-2025 High School Voter Registration Challenge, an annual challenge put on by Lee County Elections Center to encourage eligible Lee County high school students to register to vote.
“It was a successful school year of voter registration drives and educational presentations,” Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle said in a prepared statement. “Our team could not have achieved this without the support of the schools. As a result of this partnership, many students are now prepared to vote for the first time in next year’s election cycle.”
The first place was earned by North Fort Myers High School with 18% of eligible students registered to vote. Mariner High School took second place with 14% and Cypress Lake High School earned third place with 10%.
North Fort Myers High School also won first place in 2020.
“Our Florida DOE is committed to preparing students to become civically engaged and knowledgeable adults who make positive contributions to their communities,” North Fort Myers High School Principal Debbie Diggs said. “Winning provides reinforcement that we are doing our part to support North students in meeting this goal.”
North had 213 new registrations and another 114 who updated their existing accounts.
AICE Geography and U.S. Government Honors teacher Danielle Correia said with the support of administration, they were able to have the Lee County Elections come into the school and explain the process of registering.
“Watching the students engage with the community members and increase their civics literacy at the same time was a great opportunity and ensures that they will become great assets to our community in the future,” she said.
Mariner High School Principal Dr. Thomas Michel said they participate for education on voting rights.
“Participating in voter registration challenges provides an opportunity to educate MHS students about their rights, the importance of voting, and how the electoral process works. This knowledge is vital for informed citizenship,” he said.
scholarships from page 7
High’s valedictorian, said she plans on her GPA increasing to a 6 before the school year is over.
“That’s something I never thought I could achieve,” she said. “I want to make my parents proud. I decided to not take it easy my senior year, and to relax when I get to summer.”
Her advice to students still on their educational path?
“Just keep dreaming,” Placencia said. “Just keep pushing yourself. Don’t give up. Don’t feel like anything can hold you back, if
“It was a successful school year of voter registration drives and educational presentations. Our team could not have achieved this without the support of the schools. As a result of this partnership, many students are now prepared to vote for the first time in next year’s election cycle.”
—Tommy Doyle, Supervisor of
Elections
There were 150 registered students at Mariner.
“All our schools that participated did a great job. By enabling our students to register and preregister to vote, we empower students to take control of their future and voice their opinions on issues that matter to them,” Michel said.
An awards ceremony will be held at the May 6 school board meeting for the first, second and third place winners.
The challenge began in 1999.
This year 12 high schools participated in the challenge from Aug. 21, 2024, through Feb. 28, 2025. Lehigh Senior High School and Estero High School did not participate. The Community Education Services Department registered 869 students who are 16 years old and older and helped 384 students update their existing voter registration records.
Last year the center began the Charter School Voter Registration Challenge, which will take place every other year. Oasis High School took first place.
“We are going to do it again for the 2026-2027 high school period,” Lee County Elections Center Community Education Services Director Juan Diez said.
He said they try to visit all the high schools every year to work with juniors and seniors.
“We send an invitation to the principals. They designate one teacher or assistant principal
anything, it will be yourself and your doubts. If you have a clear mind you can achieve your goals, so keep going.”
The Red Sox Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official team charity of the Boston Red Sox. The foundation’s primary focus locally is in serving the health, education, recreation and social service needs of children and families across Southwest Florida. The Red Sox Foundation is one of the most successful in all of Major League Baseball.
to organize this. We offer them cafeteria voter registration drive during lunch breaks, classroom orientation, or auditorium orientation,” he said. “They pick whatever is more convenient for them depending on their time.”
The challenge is important because it provides students with information about how elections work – the 101 on voting – in Florida with the rules, locations, and how primary and general elections work, Diez said.
“It’s basic information on voting, so when they turn 18 and can vote they know how it works and know what to do,” he said. “They can preregister, or register and don’t have to worry and (then) go to the polls to vote.”
Students who are 16 and 17 can preregister to vote in Florida. When they turn 18, the elections office mails the student their voter card. Students can then update any information, such as address, or party affiliation.
“We try to complement the high school challenge with an invitation to run their student government elections,” Diez said, which resulted in three high schools participating this year. “That way they can use the real equipment we use in elections, and they can see how elections work.”
Donated not Wasted – Lee County’s eighth annual food-rescue campaign underway
Donations to be accepted through April 21
Lee County Solid Waste’s eighth annual “Donated not Wasted” food rescue campaign is wrapping up.
The program encourages seasonal residents and visitors to donate unopened pantry items before returning north. Since the program’s inception, more than 38,700 pounds of food has been diverted from potential disposal and sent to the Harry Chapin Food Bank – enough food to provide more than 32,200 meals to residents.
Join Lee County Solid Waste, Harry Chapin Food Bank, Waste Pro, the Lee County Library System, the Sanibel Public Library and Lee County Parks & Recreation in this effort to help route food that might otherwise end up in the waste stream to the county’s population of people in need.
To help, drop off unopened canned or dry goods through Monday, April 21, at participating libraries or Lee County parks facilities and recreation centers. Additional collection containers are available Lee County Solid Waste’s Topaz Court Facility, 6441 Topaz Court, Fort Myers. Visit www.leegov.com/
solidwaste/donated-not-wasted or call 239-533-8000 for more information.
Drop off locations include:
Parks facilities/ recreation centers
• Estero Recreation Center – 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero, FL 33928
• North Fort Myers Recreation Center – 2000 N. Recreation Park Way, North Fort Myers, FL 33903
• Six Mile Cypress Slough Interpretive Center –7791 Penzance Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33966
• Veterans Park Recreation Center – 55 Homestead Road S., Lehigh Acres, FL 33936
• Wa-Ke-Hatchee Recreation Center – 16760 Bass Road, Fort Myers, FL 33908
Library locations
• Bonita Springs Public Library – 10560 Reynolds
Winslow
from page 11
“I think for us it is very clear that the jobs are moving into the market and it’s very clear that this location has great proximity to downtown,” Kornberg said.
The construction for the project is led by general contractor Kaufman Lynn and will feature a garden-style residential community of three- and four-story apartment buildings at 13370 Magnolia Oak Circle.
The rental housing includes 116 units for affordable housing; the rest will be market rate.
He said the project is in an area of the county that has a Revitalization Pilot Program.
“That is exciting and interesting,” Kornberg said. “In terms of Mast, we are hoping this is the first of
St., Bonita Springs, FL 34135
• Cape Coral Lee County Public Library – 921 SW 39th Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33914
• Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Public Library – 3095 Blount St., Fort Myers, FL 33916
• East County Regional Library – 881 Gunnery Road N., Lehigh Acres, FL 33971
• Fort Myers Regional Library (South Building) –1651 Lee St., Fort Myers, FL 33901
• Lakes Regional Library – 15290 Bass Road, Fort Myers, FL 33919
• North Fort Myers Public Library – 2001 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers, FL 33903
• Northwest Regional Library – 519 Chiquita Blvd. N., Cape Coral, FL 33993
• Pine Island Public Library – 10701 Russell Road, Bokeelia, FL 33922
• Riverdale Public Library – 2421 Buckingham Road, Fort Myers, FL 33905
• Sanibel Public Library – 770 Dunlop Road,
many projects for us in Southwest Florida.”
The project, designed by Humphrey’s & Partners Architects, will feature modern apartments.
Units have high end finishings such as quartz countertops, vinyl plank floorings, full- size washer and dryer and stainless steel appliances. Bathroom will have backlit mirrors and soaking tubs. There are also large balconies.
An abundance of amenities will also be offered.
“The amenities create senses of place more than a unit to live in – a real community that has an experiential component,” Kornberg said.
There will be a full-service fitness center, resident lounge, a large entertainment kitchen, marketplace, a dog spa, and a dedicated workspace
Sanibel, FL 33957
Harry Chapin Food Bank, a Feeding America partner food bank, is the largest hunger-relief organization in Southwest Florida and serves 250,000 neighbors monthly through its Feeding Network of 175 agency partners. In 2024, the nonprofit distributed 39.5 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 32 million meals, at food banks and mobile pantries across Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties. The Food Bank is privately funded and receives support from individuals, businesses, foundations, grocery stores and food distributors. Harry Chapin Food Bank is an Agency Partner of United Way and a Blueprint Partner of the Naples Children & Education Foundation, rated as a FourStar Charity by Charity Navigator and Platinumrated by Candid’s GuideStar. For more information, please HarryChapinFoodBank.org or call 239-3347007.
for people who work remotely and want something out of their unit. A resort style pool with sundeck cabanas, fireplaces and grill stations, dog park and activity and fitness lawns.
“All the amenities will create a great sense of place and engaging community atmosphere,” he said.
Mast Capital is a real estate investment and development firm that does residential and hospitality projects primarily across the state of Florida. The company has $4 billion in total capitalization with 4,000 units from Miami to Palm Beach County, down to the Keys and up into Fort Myers and Tampa.
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Lakewood Condo. UF 2/2 close to shopping,,, beaches etc. Gated complex. $1800/mo Sanibel UF 2/2. Stilt home. Nice, 1 block of property, privacy, updated, screened pool. Must See! $4500/mo Sanibel UF 2/2. Lg. Family room, 2 car gar., dockage, direct access. $6000/mo Gulf Beach Properties, Inc., Paul Zimmerman, Realtor. 239-472-6747. Serving the Islands for 50 years.
Waterfront Homes
Open House
April 6, 2025 11 am-2 pm 538 SE 4th Street
Waterfront property, 2855 sqft under roof, 4 bedroom / 2 bath, assessments fully paid. Screen enclosure 26’x13’ inground saltwater South facing, autofill, overflow pool 2021. Many new mechanics...roof 2023, HVAC 2024. All LG kitchen appliances, dovetail drawers, Corian counter, disposal, cathedral ceilings, 5 1/2’ baseboard, tray ceiling in master suite, mstr bath equipped with 8” spread faucets, jetted tub. Extra storage racks in 20’x21’ garage, newly paved driveway 2022. Landscaping freshly finished with classy concrete edging. Firepit & side patio 15’X13’ (2024) to watch the sunset with a view down the canal that leads to Lake Saratoga and adjoining freshwater lakes. Sellers assist available. Call 412-657-2840, Owner $524,500 SE Cape Coral high/dry Sailboat access. Long view canals. No HOA, 3/2/2 pool home w/
Sprinkler Systems & Irrigation
