100825 Fort Myers Beach Observer/The Beach Bulletin
VOLUME 41, NUMBER 41
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CORNER LOT ZONED WEEKLY RENTAL, on Estero Blvd. directly across from Hercules Dr. beach access. Enjoy beautiful sunsets from a new elevated single or multi-family home (formerly a duplex). Mid-island location w/Gulf views & neighborhood pier on the bayside. Close to Publix, waterfront restaurants, marina, Newton Park & Mound House. Just a crosswalk away from the white sandy beach & Gulf waters. Just a bike ride to Times Square & Old San Carlos at the north end. $750,000
GATED COMMUNITY WEST OF 41 offers this 3BD/3BA pool home with lake and pool views. French doors open from a gorgeous granite breakfast bar onto the pool deck for al fresco dining. A formal dining room and split floorplan allow you to be a gracious host. Expansive vaulted ceilings and plantation shutters. South of Bonita Beach Rd., west of US41, north of Naples and only minutes to the Gulf beaches or RSW. Furnishings are included. $839,000
UPDATED TURNKEY 1BD/1BA HOME w/open floor plan, vinyl plank flooring, updated plumbing. Quartz counter, new cabinets & sink in kitchen. Newly installed vapor barrier & ductwork. Outdoor storage area. Only 3 miles from Fort Myers Beach & walking/biking distance to Publix, Super Target & more! Low fees, pet friendly community w/2 Community Rec. Halls, ball courts, library, 2 heated pools, Jacuzzi, shuffleboard, horseshoes, bocce, playground, picnic areas, dog park & more! $159,000
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DIRECTLY-ON-THE-BEACH LOT, cleared & zoned single family on the newly restored beachfront at the southern end of Estero Island, where construction of luxury homes is continuing apace. The established Laguna Shores neighborhood offers a beachfront property that extends all the way to the glistening Gulf waters stretching out well beyond your future pool deck. Not far from Santini Plaza, w/convenient access to Bonita Beach & Naples via the new Big Carlos Pass bridge, to be completed early next year. $2,900,000
Chris Loffreno Allie Henry Charlie Smith Rita M. Oben Tracey Gore Summer Stockton Ronald Coveleski Dennis Boback Fran Canario Diane LaCorte
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Council approves 50% pay hike for law firm
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
The Town of Fort Myers Beach Council unanimously approved increasing the amount of the town’s contract with Vose Law Firm from $25,000 a month to $37,500 a month during Monday’s council meeting.
The contract will increase the annual contract for the law firm by 50% from $300,000 to $450,000.
Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said he fully supported the new contract.
“It’s difficult for the public to see what we see behind the scenes,” Atterholt said. “Not only have they more than covered their fees in terms of various litigation they have been involved in on behalf of the town. I think what the public doesn’t see is their dedication to Fort Myers Beach.”
Mayor Dan Allers said he supported the increase in the contract for Vose Law Firm, citing the amount of time the firm has spent on “unwinding contracts” and handling mediation matters.
“You get what you pay for,” Councilman Scott Safford said. “I think what we are getting is a Ferrari.” Safford said “I think it’s money well spent.”
Councilman John King said he had no questions about the increase in the
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers
rustrated by the inaction of the School District of Lee County in repairing and reopening the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School, the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council passed a resolution on Monday to initiate mediation proceedings with the district over what the town considers the district’s failure to honor the interlocal agreement that governs the operation of the school.
Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said he considered
The Town of Fort Myers Beach Council has voted to call on the School District of Lee County to engage in mediation over the district’s failure to repair and reopen the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School and honor an interlocal agreement.
contract and said he can’t thank the firm enough for their work. Addressing the town’s legal representation directly, King said “It’s very apparent to me how important this is to you as much so, if not more so, than we sitting here ourselves.”
Vose Law Firm partner Becky Vose said “I couldn’t ask for a better town council to work with.” Vose said she and law firm partner Nancy Stuparich have
Council moves Beach Baptist Church home plan forward
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
The Town of Fort Myers Beach Council voted unanimously to move a proposed development order forward for the rebuild of the Beach Baptist Church along with 12 single-family homes on their Connecticut Street property.
The council approved a first reading of the ordinance, which will move the plans to a second hearing and review on Nov. 3. The church was destroyed by Hurricane Ian and later demolished.
The plans for the phased development of the homes and rebuild of the church call for a 4,343-square-foot church on 1.1 acres while splitting its lot on Connecticut Street in order to sell 2.1 acres of land fronting Estero Boulevard to finance the reconstruction of the church.
The development agreement would rezone one of the parcels from institutional to residential conservation for the construction of the 12 homes developed by SJ Collins Enterprises.
While the approval of the plans passed unanimously, councilmembers Scott Safford and Karen Woodson expressed reservations during their votes and asked that the legal representatives of the church and the construction planners address issues raised by the council and town staff.
Safford said he wants language in the development order that would allow for the neighborhood to be consulted before special events or services.
Safford said “there is a vagueness here about how we are going to coordinate things with the church.”
Safford said he was worried that if there aren’t enough safeguards “they can do whatever they want.”
Mayor Dan Allers said there was al-
NATHAN MAYBERG
Bay Oaks to hold grand reopening
STAFF REPORT
The Town of Fort Myers Beach will hold a grand reopening for Bay Oaks Recreational Campus on Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The campus partially reopened in August with its gymnasium being opened for use for pickleball, and its weigh room reopened with all new equipment.
The pickleball and tennis courts on the campus are free and open to the public from dawn until dusk.
The campus was also the home for the town’s summer camp over the summer.
The events scheduled for the grand opening will include:
∫ Guided tours of our new weight room
∫ Opportunities to learn about upcoming programs
∫ A chance to meet campus instructors and staff
∫ Community information tables to connect with local resources and see how you can get involved
∫ Light refreshments
Hours of operation
∫ Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
∫ Saturday/Sunday: Closed
Indoor pickleball
∫ Daily from 10 a.m. to noon
∫ Residents: $5
∫ Non-Resident: $10
Open Gym Basketball
∫ Daily from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
∫ Free with membership
∫ Resident: $4 child, $7 adult
∫ Non-Resident: $7 child, $10 adult
American Sand Sculpting Championship returning to Fort Myers Beach
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
The 35th American Sand Sculpting Championship, one of the most eye-catching annual events on Fort Myers Beach, returns Nov. 20-24 to the DiamondHead Beach Resort.
Fort Myers Beach will host the nation’s top master and advanced amateur sand sculptors in a dazzling display of artistry and creativity. The event is expected to draw more than 20 artists from around the world in an expanded site this year.
The American Sand Sculpting Championship moved to the DiamondHead Beach Resort last year after going on hiatus from Fort Myers Beach for two years due to Hurricane Ian.
The event was a huge success, “surpassing attendance expectations,” DiamondHead Beach Resort General Manager Neil Hopgood said.
“We have doubled the space this year to allow for more sculptors and vendors on site, and doubled the size of our demonstration, presentation and entertainment tent,” Hopgood said.
“With over 20 sculptors from more than 10 countries, the return of this beloved signature event to Fort Myers Beach is a testament to the resilience and perseverance of this small island community,” Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jacki Liszak said. “The Fort Myers Beach community is ready to welcome back its most devoted fans.”
Liszak said the American Sand Sculpting Championship is an opportunity for the public “to witness breathtaking sand sculptures and experience the vibrant atmosphere that defines Fort Myers Beach. With limited hotel rooms and vacation rentals available, early reservations are highly recommended.” Liszak said
those visiting the island should make sure to check out the “stay and play” deals at local resorts.
The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce is also helping to coordinate vendors and sponsors around the event. For more information on that, email events@fmbchamber.com for more information.
The American Sand Sculpting Championship is presented by the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with The Sand Lovers, LLC,
and DiamondHead Beach Resort. Reservations at the DiamondHead Beach Resort can be made at www.diamondheadfl.com.
There will be live music under the big tent each night featuring Gashouse Gorillas on Friday, Nov. 21, from 5-8pm, Chasing Denver on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 5-8 p.m. and High Voltage on Sunday, Nov. 23, from 5-8 p.m.
“We still have beachfront one-bedroom suites overlooking the event area available to rent and both Coste Island Cuisine and
Cabanas Beach Bar will be open through the duration of the event. We are excited to invite everyone back for our second year of hosting this incredible event.”
For more information and to sign up for event updates, visit www.fmbsandsculpting.com.
Tickets and info can be found through the following link: https://www.fortmyersbeach.org/sandsculpting-championship/
Bay Oaks Recreational Campus
FILE PHOTO
Live Music BEACHFRONT
Check out our October entertainment at CabaÑas Beach Bar + Grille and CŌste Island Cuisine
Production manager Rob Braitling rbraitling@breezenewspapers.com
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Web Poll
Previous Question
Should there be more fines for those violating the town’s turtle lighting ordinance?
∫ Yes, 39%
∫ No, 57%
∫ No opinion/unsure, 4%
Current Poll
Should the town pay a 50% increase for the contract of its legal representation, Vose Law Firm?
∫ Yes.
∫ No.
∫ No opinion/unsure. Visit fortmyersbeachtalk.com
Gynecological cancers, knowing your risk
Each year, approximately 110,000 new cases of gynecologic cancers are diagnosed in the United States.
In recognition of the recent Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month in September and as part of our ongoing effort to help reduce these numbers, we want to use this opportunity to educate and inform the community about prevention and early detection.
Regular checkups, cancer screenings and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are important steps to reducing risk. Being informed about gynecological cancers, knowing your body and noticing any changes early can also make a big difference.
Gynecological cancers
Gynecological cancers are types of cancers that affect a woman’s reproductive system. There are five types:
∫ Cervical
∫ Ovarian
∫ Uterine
∫ Vaginal
∫ Vulvar
Treatment for these cancers depends on the type and how far the disease has progressed. Early detection is the key to successful treatment and survival.
Gynecological cancers can develop in various parts of the female reproductive system. Cervical cancer starts in the cervix, the narrow lower part of the uterus.
Ovarian cancer originates in the ovaries, located on either side of the uterus, and can also begin in the fallopian tubes or peritoneum.
Uterine cancer begins in the uterus, the pear-shaped organ where a baby grows during pregnancy.
Vaginal cancer develops in the vagina, the tube-like passage connecting the uterus to the outside of the body.
Vulvar cancer is a rare cancer that forms in the external female genital organs called the vulva.
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer usually develops slowly over time. Early detection through a Pap smear screening test can reveal abnormal cells in the cervical tissue. Your gynecologist will determine if the abnormal cells need to be treated. In rare situations untreated cells may eventually become cancer cells.
Most of these cervical cancers are caused by various high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread through sexual contact. When the body is exposed to HPV, the immune system recognizes the
virus as a foreign invader and produces an immune response to destroy the virus. However, in some individuals, the virus can persist and eventually lead to the development of cervical cancer cells.
The risk of cervical cancer can be reduced through regular screening tests and by getting the HPV vaccine, which helps protect against HPV infection.
Ovarian cancer
The ovaries are almond-shaped organs in the female reproductive system that produce eggs and certain hormones.
Ovarian cancer can be caused in three ways:
∫ Ovarian epithelial cancer forms in the tissue covering the ovary; in the thin, smooth tissue membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and covers most of the organs in the abdomen, called the peritoneum, or in the lining of the fallopian tube, which delivers eggs from the ovaries to the uterus.
∫ Ovarian germ cell tumors begin in the eggs, which are also known as germ cells or reproductive cells that develop into eggs in females and sperm in males.
∫ Ovarian low-malignant potential tumors can start in the tissues covering and within the ovary.
Ovarian cancer can cause nonspecific symptoms, such as abdominal swelling or pain, but for some patients, no symptoms at all are experienced. Since it can be difficult to diagnose and symptoms can seem vague or like common issues, it’s vital to see a physician for regular checkups or if anything in the body feels abnormal. It is better to get checked than to brush off persistent symptoms.
Five percent to 10% of cancers are related to disease-causing gene mutations passed down through family members. It’s also important to know your family history and whether you carry any of these mutations. The BRCA 1 or 2 mutation can significantly increase the risk of developing breast, ovarian and other cancers.
If you’re concerned about the risk of developing hereditary cancer, experts with the Cancer Genetic Risk Assessment Program at the Lee Health Cancer Institute can help you understand your options. Pre-test counseling is available free of charge.
For more information on genetic counseling at Lee Health, call 239-343-9512.
Uterine cancer
Uterine cancer can refer to endometrial cancer or uterine sarcoma. Endometrial can-
cer develops in the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. It is one of the most common gynecologic cancers and normally develops in women after menopause.
Uterine sarcoma forms in the myometrium, the muscle wall of the uterus, and is very rare.
Risk factors for uterine cancer include:
∫ Having obesity
∫ Having diabetes
∫ Having untreated polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
∫ Taking estrogen without progesterone. If the uterus is still present, birth control pills have both estrogen and progesterone.
∫ Having Lynch syndrome (a genetic predisposition to certain groups of cancers)
∫ Being over 50 years old
If there is unusual pain or irregular vaginal bleeding, it’s important to discuss these symptoms with your provider. Abnormal uterine bleeding and any postmenopausal bleeding is a reason to see your gynecologist.
Vaginal cancer
This is a rare cancer that forms in the vaginal lining. Those who are older than 60 years old, smokers, or individuals who have HPV are at a higher risk of developing vaginal cancer.
Like ovarian cancer, vaginal cancer does not always show symptoms, making regular Pap smears and pelvic exams crucial for early detection.
It is rare for cancer to begin in the vagina. Most often, cancer will form in other areas of the reproductive system, like the cervix or uterus, and then spread to the vagina if it is not caught early enough.
Vulvar cancer
Vulvar cancer starts as a growth of cells on the vulva, the area of skin that surrounds the urethra and vagina.
This type of cancer is often presented as an itchy lump or sore and is usually diagnosed in older adults.
Some types of vulvar cancer include:
∫ Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, which is associated with an HPV infection
∫ Vulvar melanoma that starts in the pigment-producing cells called melanocytes
∫ Extramammary Paget’s disease of the vulva, which begins near sweat glands in the skin. Sometimes, it happens at the same time as another kind of cancer, like cancer in the breast, colon, urinary system, or other parts of the reproductive system.
Gynecological cancer symptoms
This list includes symptoms for all types of gynecological cancers:
∫ Vaginal bleeding after sex
CANCERS, page 12
Dr. Cherrie Morris Guest Column
BUSINESS
Snug Harbor Waterfront celebrating reopening
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
Snug Harbor Waterfront is celebrating its reopening today and throughout this week on Fort Myers Beach with a number of specials after closing for a couple days to splash on new coats of paint and to remodel.
Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant co-owner Peter Ennis has planned a big day, week and season for the open-air restaurant tucked under the cool protection of shade, bamboo and fans along the waterfront looking out over an idyllic, expansive view of Matanzas Pass.
The popular restaurant, where views of dolphins, pelicans and boats abound, will celebrate its reopening tonight with live music from Ragady Lapsey, a reggae
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank sponsors film festival
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank announced its sponsorship of BIG ARTS’ 2025 Documentary Film Festival. The festival is a two-day event taking place Friday, Nov. 14, and Saturday, Nov. 15, that will feature the documentary filmmaker, Molly O’Brien.
The event kicks off with an opening reception, followed by screenings of four of O’Brien’s films, including The Disappearance of Shere Hite, Every Body, A Pig with Hair and The Only Girl in the Orchestra.
O’Brien, a Primetime Emmy Award recipient and the 2025 Academy Award winner for Best Documentary Short for her film The Only Girl in the Orchestra, currently serves as Head of Documentary at NBC News Studios.
BIG ARTS, formally known as the Barrier Island Group for the Arts, was founded more than 40 years ago. Its mission is to experience and celebrate artists and remind the community of our shared humanity. BIG ARTS offers a vibrant cultural palette of performing and fine arts, workshops and lectures. For more information, visit bigarts.org.
Founded in 2003, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank has nine locations open throughout Lee County. In Fort Myers, the bank’s McGregor Branch, located at 15975 McGregor Blvd., has temporarily closed to allow for final construction on a new permanent building expected to open later this summer. On Fort Myers Beach, the bank is operating a temporary office open on Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., while its permanent full-service branch is under development.
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank is nationally ranked as a top performing community bank by S&P Global Market Intelligence and is consistently rated a 4- to 5-star institution by Bauer Financial, a trusted independent bank rating firm. With more than $1 billion in total assets, the bank is well-capitalized and generates one of the highest returns on equity of all Florida banks. The bank employs more than 120 employees, and more than 60% are current shareholders. Since 2003, the bank has contributed well over $4.5 million to over 400 local, charitable causes and employees volunteer close to 1,000 hours annually.
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank’s team members provide customized individual and business banking services and specialize in residential and commercial lending. The bank offers personal and business checking, residential and commercial lending services, instant issue debit cards and a full array of digital banking products and services, including mobile banking apps, Card Hub, online bill pay, Zelle®, Positive Pay and ACH Manager. To learn more, visit sancapbank.com.
group, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.
Those who stop by to eat today will get a $5 off card for any future visit. The restaurant is also offering halfprice appetizers through Sunday with the purchase of two meals.
Other specials to look out for are stone crabs, with stone crab season beginning Oct. 15. Ennis said the stone crabs are popular with customers as only their claws are harvested, preserving the life of the crab. The claws regrow, providing a renewable delicacy for seafood eaters.
“Last year was a very good stone crab season,” he said. “Sometimes they can be hard to find.”
Snug Harbor Waterfront has benefited from its access to the freshest of seafood caught in the Gulf by co-owner Nick Ruland as well as the wild-caught pink Gulf shrimp from Fort Myers Beach shrimp kings Erickson & Jensen Seafood.
Its docks make it easy for boat deliveries as well as for boating customers. The restaurant has 180 square feet of docks and can accommodate between 16 and 20 average-size boats.
“We have the best seafood on Fort Myers Beach,” Ennis said.
Some of the most popular items on the menu are the grouper, shrimp salad, blue fin tuna, calamari, mussels, barbecue back ribs, cajun chicken, firecracker shrimp and flatbread pizza.
“Chef Jeff Rizzo does a lot of sauces and grouper sauces, mixing things up,” Rizzo said. The restaurant will switch up specials depending on the catch of fish that comes in, whether it be red snapper, tilefish or tripletail. Rizzo handpicks the fish the restaurant buys.
Ennis, who also runs Wahoo Willie’s and Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant, said he is working closely with the business group What’s Up FMB? to boost tourism and attract more visitors to the island as the town continues to recover from Hurricane Ian. A paper lantern parade is being planned for Nov. 15.
Business has been steady, growing each year since
Hurricane Ian, Ennis said. The business, along with their neighbors at Wahoo Willie’s, were able to bounce back relatively quickly after Ian. He said the restaurants have benefited from the Bayside Park concert series, where free concerts are held at the town’s Old San Carlos Boulevard park every Friday and Sunday.
“We’re so thankful to have a clean weather summer. We are really looking forward to a good fall, winter and spring season,” Ennis said. “Fort Myers Beach is coming back strong.”
Other specials Ennis recently announced is a “regulars day” for each Wednesday where customers with a Snug Harbor hat or shirt will get a free second drink.
Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant is at 645 Old San Carlos Boulevard and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
NATHAN MAYBERG
Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant will be offering specials today and throughout the week to celebrate a reopening after closing for a couple days for painting and remodeling.
Shane Welker (left to right), Sandra Welker, Debbie Witz and Jim Witz enjoy some drinks at Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant on Fort Myers Beach.
BEACH LIVING
The Fort Myers Beach Market at Times Square returned this past Friday. The market is open every Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Beach markets are back
By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com
The Fort Myers Beach Market is back at Times Square for the first time in two years, one of three markets organizer Linda Miller is bringing back to the island this fall.
The market at Times Square opened on Friday with more than a dozen vendors offering everything from natural fruit juices, jewelry booths, produce, artwork, muffins, sun shirts, Turkish beach towels, yoga mats and bamboo clothing among the items for sale.
“We’re really happy to be back,” Miller said.
The Times Square market is open each Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the town’s central tourism center. The businesses are diverse from the realty services of the Alex King Group to the jewelry of longtime beach favorite The Island Jewel to the arts and crafts of Treasures by Sea. Yogaz, whose yoga mats, bamboo clothing, tanktops and cooling materials was popular last year, is also back this year.
“We will be adding new vendors every week,” Miller said.
Miller said the first day of business went well. “Friday was a really good response,” she said. The market was unable to open at Times Square last year due to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
Miller hopes the market and the two other markets she is bringing back to the island this fall will help boost business and visitors across town.
Beginning this week, Miller is also bringing produce trailers to Santini Marina Plaza for the first time since before Hurricane Ian. The truck will be there each morning. In November, Miller will bring back the Santini Farmer’s Market to the plaza each Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We’re expecting a better year with the produce trailers,” Miller said. Miller said she expects the produce trailers and markets at Santini Marina Plaza to also help boost business there. The plaza reopened last year and has been steadily adding new businesses.
In November, Miller will be restarting the market near Moss Marina off Old San Carlos Boulevard. That market will be open each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
PHOTOS PROVIDED
BANKING IS BACK on Fort Myers Beach!
Fort Myers Beach, we're here!
Our new office is on the way ... in the meantime, our temporary office is open and we're ready to serve you.
For over 20 years, we've proudly served the Southwest Florida community. Now, we're thrilled to bring our trusted, community-first banking services to Fort Myers Beach. Stop in, grab a cookie and experience the SanCap Bank difference today. Visit us Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Inside Access Title Agency 100 Lovers Lane, Suite 205, Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers Beach Temporary Office
Open Wednesdays, 9:30 am to 3 pm 100 Lovers Lane, Fort Myers Beach (we're on the third floor of the Access Title Agency building)
Locally Owned and Operated
Wildlife biologist joins Mound House lecture series
STAFF REPORT
The Mound House will be holding a virtual discussion Thursday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. with Mike Mills, a wildlife biologist at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.
The 45-minute presentation, followed by a 15-minute Q&A, will highlight SCCF’s ongoing research on the bat populations of Pine Island Sound. Using acoustic monitoring devices, scientists can record and identify different
bat species by their unique echolocation calls. Attendees will learn about the fascinating species that inhabit our islands and the vital work being done to better understand and protect them.
The lecture will explore the hidden world of island bats and the conservation efforts protecting them.
To join the virtual lecture series, visit https://www. fortmyersbeachfl.gov//CivicAlerts.aspx?
Wildlife series spotlights gopher tortoises
Boasting more than 80 distinct ecosystems, Florida is a biodiversity hot spot. In fact, more than 4,000 animal species are native to the Sunshine State.
As the weather continues to warm, a growing number of species are on the move, meaning more interactions with humans. Through the University of Florida’s “Critter of the Month” series, we’re highlighting native animals that wildlife watchers are likely to encounter and providing bite-sized guides to their behavior.
Katie Mastenbrook Guest Column
Katie Mastenbrook is a Florida Sea Grant agent for UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Pinellas County. She’s based at Weedon Island Preserve, a well-known gopher tortoise habitat. Below, Mastenbrook provides some insight into the species, which originated about 60 million years ago.
Q. What are gopher tortoises up to this time of year?
A. Gopher tortoises tend to be solitary animals, but during the summer, they socialize because it’s mating season. Males can be territorial and engage in shoving matches. Females may lay eggs or have just created a fresh nest, and eggs may hatch. Mothers typically dig their nests near the entrance of their burrow, a spot called the apron. Otherwise, typical activity for both genders involves foraging in the mornings and evenings, when it’s cooler, and sunbathing in the afternoons, when it’s warmer. We’re also likely to see them burrowing or deepening burrows to escape the heat.
Q. How would you characterize the gopher tortoise life cycle?
A. Gopher tortoise eggs will typically hatch between 80 and 100 days after being laid. Just like marine turtles, gopher tortoise parents do not provide parental care for their nest or young, and hatchlings fend for themselves. They don’t reach sexual maturity until they are between 10 and 25 years old, with the rate dependent on the sex of the tortoise, food availability and environmental conditions; females typically reach sexual maturity later than males. In the wild, gopher tortoises live between 40 and 60 years, but they are known to live significantly longer in captivity.
Q. What do gopher tortoises eat?
A. Gopher tortoises are herbivores, and they typically eat a variety of low-growing plants, including grasses. On Weedon Island Preserve, we’ve seen them munch on prickly pear cactuses, sensitive briar, milk pea, silkgrass, blue-eyed grasses, groundcherries and cutleaf evening primrose. Through their herbaceous diet, gopher tortoises play an important role as seed dispersers, and their digging behavior
helps aerate soil, improving conditions for plant seeds to root.
Q. Gopher tortoises are well known for their burrows. What’s special about these earthen homes?
A. Burrows are engineering marvels that can reach up to 40 feet in length and up to 10 feet in depth. They provide a stable habitat for gopher tortoises by maintaining a more consistent temperature and humidity year round. They offer protection from wildfires and other environmental factors like predators. Sometimes, gopher tortoises will dig several burrows within their territory, a foraging area that ranges in size from 1 to 4 acres.
Q. Gopher tortoises are considered a threatened species. Why is it important to protect them?
A. Gopher tortoise burrows -- in addition to providing shelter for tortoises –provide homes to more than 350 different species. This makes the gopher tortoise a keystone species, or an organism that supports an entire ecosystem. By protecting gopher tortoises, we are protecting these other animals, some of which are endangered or threatened, like the Eastern indigo snake and gopher frogs. We are also protecting the surrounding natural spaces and larger parcels of land, parts of which can be used for recreation.
Q. What should people keep in mind when interacting with gopher tortoises?
A. Gopher tortoises are land animals and are unable to swim, so do not put them in saltwater or freshwater. They get all the water they need through the food they eat and the rain puddles they encounter in their habitat.
Do not disturb gopher tortoise burrows. Digging, filling or walking near burrows can harm tortoises and other species inside. Instead, enjoy gopher tortoises from a safe distance and observe them foraging or digging.
If walking near a gopher tortoise habitat, keep pets on a leash and close by. Dogs especially have been known to destroy burrows or chase after tortoises when they’re off their leash.
If you suspect a tortoise is injured, contact your local wildlife agency or wildlife rehabilitation facility. Do not move a tortoise because they typically have an established territory.
Lastly, follow wildlife signage along roadways and stay vigilant while driving near gopher tortoise habitats.
Katie Mastenbrook is a Florida Sea Grant agent for the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Pinellas County
About the Speaker: Mike Mills grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and earned his B.S. in Wildlife Biology from Southeast Missouri State University and his M.S. in Conservation Biology from the University of South Florida. At SCCF, he oversees fieldwork for the Wildlife and Habitat Management Department and launched the Sanibel Island Bat Project in 2023, continuing to monitor local bat populations today.
Mobile health clinic today
STAFF REPORT
Premier Mobile Health Services, a nonprofit health clinic that brings essential medical care to those in need across Southwest Florida, will hold a mobile medical clinic on Connecticut St. in Fort Myers Beach today.
The clinic will take place at the Beach Baptist Church property on 130 Connecticut St. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Premier Mobile Health Services provides quality health care services to the medically vulnerable and those most at risk of developing and experiencing longterm illnesses and hospitalization.
Services include early-detection health screenings, blood pressure and diabetes
checks, drug screenings, basic metabolic profiles, nutrition counseling, basic vaccinations, health education, school and sports physicals for children, as well as acute and chronic disease management.
Patients without insurance and those who provide proof of income below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines are provided care at no costs; others in need pay on a sliding scale based on income..
The mobile clinic includes an onsite pharmacy and point-in-care laboratory for immediate analysis of test results. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 239-288-7949. Additional information, the monthly mobile clinic schedule, can be found online at PremierMobileHealth.org.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites community to Trunk or Treat at W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area
STAFF REPORT
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District is seeking vendors and invites the community to Trunk or Treat at the W.P. Franklin South Lock and Dam Recreation Area near Alva. The event will take place in the Visitor Center parking lot on the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 25, from 3 to 5 p.m.
“We are excited to host our very own Trunk or Treat at the W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area this year,” said Megan Parsons, Natural Resources Specialist. “We welcome the community to come out and join us for some Halloween fun! You can volunteer to decorate your car trunk or truck, and give out candy, or bring your children to join in the festivities. This event will be fun for the whole family!”
Vendors are welcome to join in on the fun by decorating your ‘trunk’ or just handing out candy to the trick-ortreaters. A few of our partners will be joining in on the fun. Riverdale Library will be bringing the library bookmobile, Natives of Corkscrew Nursery, Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Myers Shore Fire Department have confirmed participation as well.
Bobber, the Water Safety Dog, will be making an appearance, be available for photo ops with the kids and will be handing out water safety goodies.
The Trunk or Treat event will be held at the Visitor Center parking lot on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 25, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area, 1661 S. Franklin Lock Road, Alva, Florida 33920. Note: the event is on the south side of the Caloosahatchee River.
Please RSVP to Natural Resources Specialist Megan Parsons at 863-8408598 or Megan.L.Parsons@usace.army. mil if you would like to decorate your trunk and give out treats to Trunk or Treaters.
Trick or Treaters do not need to RSVP.
DIRECTIONS (access to the W.P. Franklin South Recreation Area is on the SOUTH side of the Caloosahatchee River): From I-75, take Exit 141 (Highway 80-Ft. Myers/LaBelle). Travel east 2.4 miles past Highway 31 to Old Olga Road. Turn left on Old Olga Road and travel 2.2 miles to the W.P. Franklin Lock Recreation Area entrance road, turn left and follow to recreation area.
Coast Guard Auxiliary, Lee County Sheriff’s Office to host boating safety seminar
Imagine a beautiful day on the water when suddenly the boat’s captain becomes incapacitated. Would you know what to do?
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, in partnership with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, will host a “Suddenly in Command”seminar from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Sheriff’s Community Outreach Center at Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Suite 190, Estero.
The event is part of the Sheriff’s “Lunch and Learn” series and will provide participants with practical knowledge on
Cancers
From page 4
∫ Vaginal bleeding or spotting after menopause
∫ Vaginal bleeding between periods or periods that are heavier or longer than normal, especially if older than 40 years old
∫ Watery vaginal discharge that has a strong odor or contains blood
∫ Pelvic pain or pain during sex
∫ Lower abdominal pain or cramping in the pelvis
∫ A noticeable mass in the vagina
∫ A lump or sore on the vulva, especially if it is an open sore or wart-like
∫ Itching of the skin of the vulva that does not go away
∫ Changes in the skin or thickening of the skin of the vulva
∫ Pain and tenderness of the skin of the vulva
∫ Painful urination or feeling like you frequently need to urinate
∫ Black-colored stools or constipation
what to do in an emergency if the skipper cannot operate the boat. Seating is limited. To register, email glevine@sheriffleefl. org.
The seminar is designed for boaters, non-boaters and passengers alike. Participants will learn how to:
∫ Recover a person who falls overboard
∫ Determine the vessel’s location
∫ Call for help using a marine radio
∫ top, maneuver and anchor a vessel
∫ Start and operate an engine safely
“Preparation is key,” said Daniel Eaton, Coast Guard Auxiliary public af-
∫ Feeling the urge to poop even though your bowels are empty
∫ Feeling a pelvic mass when pressure is put on the pelvic area
If you experience any of these symptoms, please promptly discuss them with your physician and follow their recommended next steps.
Trusting your instincts and following up when something feels off is essential — because we are our first line of defense. When it comes to our health, peace of mind is powerful, and early action can make all the difference.
Care available close to home
If you or a loved one receives a cancer diagnosis, state-of-the-art care is available close to home at the Lee Health Cancer Institute in Fort Myers and Bonita Springs.
A compassionate team of medical pro-
OUTDOOR CONCERT
fairs officer, Fort Myers Beach. “This class empowers passengers with the skills and confidence they need to take control in an emergency and summon help before a bad situation turns worse.”
The Coast Guard Auxiliary emphasizes that the ability to stabilize a chaotic situation can mean the difference between a safe rescue and a tragic outcome.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Community Outreach Centers serve as hubs for community engagement, providing opportunities for law enforcement and residents to connect through safety education, training and outreach.
fessionals will guide you through the process, explain the next steps, and ensure you receive the treatment and support you need.
Nurse Navigation starts as soon as a diagnosis is made. Nurse navigators meet with patients to educate them about their disease and treatment options, while also connecting them to vital emotional, medical, spiritual and financial resources.
“My job is to make sure patients have everything they need to navigate their cancer journey,” nurse navigator Frances Hutchinson said. “A diagnosis can be overwhelming, so we work to simplify
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed, all-volunteer component of the Coast Guard. Established by Congress in 1939, the Auxiliary supports Coast Guard missions ranging from search and rescue to boating safety education and vessel safety checks.
Auxiliarists act as a force multiplier for the active-duty Coast Guard, enhancing safety and security on America’s waterways.
For more information about the Coast Guard Auxiliary Fort Myers Beach, visit www.Aux91FMB.org or call 239690-6780.
the process and make sure no one feels alone. We’re part of their team, fighting alongside them. It truly makes a difference when patients feel supported and can access care close to home.”
If you or someone you know is facing a cancer diagnosis, help is available nearby. For more information on gynecological cancers or to schedule an appointment with a physician, visit www.leehealth.org.
Dr. Cherrie Morris is chief physician executive for the Lee Health Women’s Health Institute. For more information, visit https://www.leehealth.org/.
Mound House Calendar
The Mound House is the oldest standing structure on Fort Myers Beach dating back to 1906, sitting on top of a 2,000-year-old shell mound that was constructed by the native Calusa tribe who lived throughout the region for centuries. The Mound House is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Mound House is located at 451 Connecticut St on Fort Myers Beach and features a museum, tours, gift shop and serves as a public park for picnics and fishing.
Mound House schedule for October
Park Hours: Daily 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Museum Hours: WednesdaySaturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
∫ Calusa Tours: WednesdaySaturday 11 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 1:30 p.m.
∫ Kayak Tours: WednesdaySaturday 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
∫ Sunset Kayak Tours: Fridays, two hours before sunset.
Check MoundHouse.org for times
and availability.
Lecture series
The Mound House will be holding a virtual discussion Thursday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. with Mike Mills, a wildlife biologist at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF).
The 45-minute presentation, followed by a 15-minute Q&A, will highlight SCCF’s ongoing research on the bat populations of Pine Island Sound. Using acoustic monitoring devices, scientists can record and identify different bat species by their unique echolocation calls. Attendees will learn about the fascinating species that inhabit our islands and the vital work being done to better understand and protect them.
The lecture will explore the hidden world of island bats and the conservation efforts protecting them.
To join the virtual lecture series, visit https://www.fortmyersbeachfl. gov//CivicAlerts.aspx?
FILE PHOTO
Fort Myers Beach sunset
Beach Elementary
The agreement requires that the school be opened through at least 2027.
“The administration, for whatever reason, sort of fails to appreciate what this school means to Fort Myers Beach,” Atterholt said.
Atterholt addressed School District of Lee County Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin directly in his comments. “I would just say to the superintendent of Lee County Schools: Really? Is this necessary? We have met in good faith since right after the storm for the last three years. We established a decent working relationship with the ILA (interlocal agreement),” he said. “Hurricane Milton hit and it feels as if all of our input has fallen on deaf ears since then,” Atterholt said.
“The kids are obviously not back at the school. There is no plan to have them back at the school. There is no plan at the school,” Atterholt said.
Atterholt said the town’s contribution to the coffers of the School District of Lee County, more than covers what it will cost to repair and reopen the school.
Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers said town taxpayers contribute $29 million annually to the district.
“We generate a lot of revenue for Lee County,” Atterholt said. “The people of Lee County I believe are good people. They have seen what Fort Myers Beach has been through the last three years,
From
page 1
“The administration, for whatever reason, sort of fails to appreciate what this school means to Fort Myers Beach.”
- —Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt
they have seen it firsthand. Many of them experienced similar impacts.”
Atterholt called on School District of Lee County Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin to “lead or follow the elected school board and get out of the way. We need your help. We need our school back.”
Asked for comment from Dr. Carlin on Tuesday, school district spokesman Rob Spicker said he was expecting “conversation amongst board members” at Tuesday night’s school board meeting regarding the subject.
Parents who were involved in an adhoc committee for dealing with the administration over the reopening of the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School, have complained of what they saw as the administration’s foot dragging over the Fort Myers Beach Elementary School. They feel the school, which had a budget of less than $1.5 million at the time of Hurricane Milton, was being singled out for budget cuts in a district with a $2.9 billion budget.
The delays in reopening the school has led to less enrollment in the school’s
classrooms, which now operate out of Heights Elementary School. After reopening Fort Myers Beach Elementary School in December of 2023, it closed after Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton in the fall of 2024, sending students to San Carlos Park Elementary.
The school’s administration estimated it would cost $1.3 million to make repairs to reopen Beach Elementary School though after asking for a consultant’s report, the estimates grew to $7 million. Those figures have faced scrutiny in the Fort Myers Beach community, particularly since the entire repairs and demolition of buildings after Hurricane Ian at the school’s campus cost $6 million and the damage from Hurricane Milton was much smaller and limited.
According to figures provided by the school district in June, Hurricane Helene resulted in more than $163,000 in damage to the school, while Hurricane Milton resulted in $641,000 in remediation and stabilization costs. Insurance has reimbursed the school district $414,000 as of June.
The council’s resolution calls for me-
diation at Fort Myers Beach Town Hall on Nov. 5.
The school district has 10 days to respond to the town’s request for mediation and can also respond to make their own request for conflict resolution, town attorney Nancy Stuparich said.
The meeting date could potentially change based on the district’s response, Stuparich said.
“They will have to participate,” town attorney Becky Vose said. “They are under an obligation to take this seriously and go through the process.”
Vose said the first meeting will be a negotiation, which would be followed by a meeting with a certified mediator if the dispute is not settled.
It is not yet clear what type of public participation there could be, though the meeting would be held in public.
In May, the town council voted to call on the town attorney and town manager to meet with the school superintendent to communicate the town council’s desire for the school to be reopened though that meeting did not appear to be quite effective. The school board subsequently heard from the school district’s consultant in a report that effectively recommended the closure of the elementary school and has declined to take any action regarding the school ever since.
NATHAN MAYBERG
SCCF: Future of Conservation 20/20 uncertain
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that the future of the popular and successful Lee County Conservation 20/20 program is uncertain.
On Sept. 16, after community members sent hundreds of letters and dozens of citizens attended two meetings to support the conservation land-acquisition program, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners did not include funding for the program in their 2025-26 budget.
The SCCF reported that Conservation 20/20 has conserved 31,700 acres since it was first passed by voter referendum in 1996, and it was reauthorized in 2016 by an overwhelming 84% vote. This year, it will continue to operate on its dwindling funds — currently $19 million — which is far less than the Lee County Conservation 20/20 ordinance-required minimum of $40 million.
“The Acquisition Fund should maintain a fund balance not more than $100 million and not less than $40 million. Once the fund balance drops below this amount, the county will replenish the fund,” the ordinance states.
Currently, the program has $47 million worth of property nominations in the queue.
“In addition to the budget with no new funding, the commissioners passed a new tiered acquisition process that will move forward with pursuing nine properties deemed most appropriate for the program,” SCCF Policy Associate Holly Schwartz said. “The rest of the nominations will wait in a holding pattern until they are reevaluated once the acquisition process for the Tier 1 properties has been fully completed.”
The SCCF reported that the Sanibel Community Church property landed on the Tier 2 list, making a timely purchase of the property by the Conservation 20/20 program unlikely.
“This accomplishment should be celebrated, and the program should be funded into the future. Lee County ranks among the fastest growing communities in the state, with a University of Florida population estimate for 2030 of 918,000 people,” she said. “With 86,000 homes currently in the development pipeline, growth
A Florida red-shouldered hawk in the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) Flint Pen Strand, which contains several land parcels acquired by Lee County’s Conservation 20/20 program.
continues to permanently change our landscape. For the sake of our water quality, storm protection and wildlife habitat, Lee County must continue to acquire conservation lands to balance the explosive growth Southwest Florida continues to experience.”
Due to outpouring support for the program, the com-
mission committed to holding a workshop to discuss the future of Conservation 20/20.
To view the list of Tier 1 and 2 properties, visit https://docsearch.leegov.com/Home/DownloadFile/ KT0000598924. SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
to “pinch ourselves that we are the town attorney here.”
The Vose Law Firm was chosen in 2023 by the town council to replace Fox Rothschild LLP. The firm was chosen by the town council after former town managers Chris Holley and Keith Wilkins secured the services of the law firm of Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson for $25,000 to review the credentials of the law firms seeking to provide the town legal counsel after the town sought proposals from law firms to represent the town. The only two firms that applied were Fox Rothschild LLP, represented by former town attorney John Herin Jr., and Vose Law Firm. King and Councilwoman Karen Woodson sought to hire the firm of Nabors, Giblin & Nickerson to be the town’s attorney to replace Herin despite a request for proposals process already in place to secure
the town’s new legal representation. That was the second failed attempt by King and Woodson to replace the town’s legal counsel, following an earlier attempt in January in which King and Woodson both reached out to a Fort Myers law firm to represent the town. The firm of Boy Agnew Potonovic Miller then sent a letter to the town offering their services though ultimately pulled back their offer. Former Fort Myers Beach Councilman Bill Veach said the move by King and Woodson to attempt to hire that law firm violated the town’s policies and procedures and is one of three allegations King and Woodson are facing in their Nov. 4 recall. The town’s policies and procedures require a competitive procurement process through a request for proposals when replacing the town’s attorney.
FILE PHOTO
Becky Vose, one of the partners at Vose Law Firm, said she and fellow Fort Myers Beach counsel Nancy Stuparich have to “pinch ourselves that we are the town attorney here.”
Bayside
Bongo’s
Cabanas
Doc
Coastal
Coastal
Distinctive
Diamondhead
Edison
Gulf
Gullwing
Hilton
Cruisin
Estero
Everglades
Excursions
LeeAnn’s
Eagles, eagle cam set to kick off season 14
By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers.com
Season prep for the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam is underway.
International web stars M15 and F23, a mating pair, have returned to their nest on the Pritchett Farm off Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers.
The American bald eagles returned from their summer vacation a few weeks ago and are preparing to nest, and the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam is ready to bring season 14 and all the doings of the famous family starting in early October.
Southwest Florida Eagle Cam founder Virginia Pritchett-McSpadden said things ended on a sad note last year when both of the pair’s eaglets succumbed to avian flu.
But things look promising this year.
“There was a lot of uncertainty with the passing of the eaglets and the adults (maybe) getting the flu. We were holding our breath they would pull through,” she said. “To see them back at the nest and doing the restorations is pointing towards good signs.”
The birds should be ready to mate and produce offspring very soon, and the multi-camera eagle cam — which attracts hundreds of thousands of views worldwide — will share all the activities, from the laying of the eggs, to their hatching, to watching the eaglets grow and eventually fledge from the nest.
Entering their third season as mating pair, M15 and F23 have raised one chick to the fledgling stage so far.
Their first season two years ago produced two eggs. One cracked days before its scheduled hatching and the eaglet did not survive. The other hatched and E23 successfully took wing.
Last year, two of two eggs hatched successfully, but E24 and E25 died of bird flu six weeks later after, it is believed, they consumed an infected bird carcass.
Pritchett-McSpadden said things have gone full circle at the nest since the eagle cam started in 2012.
“In the beginning we had Ozzie and Harriet, two seasoned parents. When M15 came around, Harriet had to get him up to speed,” she said. “Now, we’re seeing F23 learn to deal with things, survive and hopefully thrive as a mom.”
The 2025-26 season will again catch all the action using four cameras that stream the eagles live.
Pritchett-McSpadden said the cameras have been refreshed so people will be better able to see the action, barring an act of nature.
“F23 landed on one of the cameras last year and knocked it out of view. We fixed that and we’ll have this cool view of the pasture,” she said. “Our fingers are crossed that things will go according to plan.”
Camera 1 is positioned 7 feet above the nest and is equipped with night vision.
Camera 2 is located at nest level capturing the side view.
Camera 3 is in the nest tree and the first-ever live camera in history to capture a 360-degree look into a bald eagle’s daily activity. The cam allows viewers to click and drag to any viewing area for a fully immersive experience.
Camera 4 is installed closer to the pond to capture activity happening around the pasture and in the pond area.
To follow the action, visit https://dickpritchettrealestate.com/southwest-florida-eagle-cam/.
Baptist church
ready a town process for special events.
Woodson mentioned the food pantry that the church has long operated on the property.
“I don’t want to just clamp down on everything that you can’t do anything but at the same time I don’t want the wild, wild West,” Safford said.
Woodson expressed reservations about
Fort Myers Beach Nests: 113
False crawls: 313
Relocated nests: 44
Hatched nests: 82
Disorientation of nests: 30
Bonita Beach Nests: 187
False crawls: 384
Hatched nests: 166
—Nesting data source: Turtle Time
Editor’s note: Loggerhead sea turtles are threatened in the United States and protected under the Endangered Species Act. The sea turtle nesting season on Fort Myers Beach runs through Oct. 31 and a town ordinance requires that all outdoor lights be turned off from 9 p.m. through 7 a.m. except for shielded amber, downward-directed lights. All blinds and curtains must also be shut from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Beach furniture should be removed from the beach before dusk and holes should be filled in on the beach.
From page 1
approving the plans while code violations were outstanding.
“This has been an ongoing issue with this property and I have a problem with it,” Woodson said.
The property has faced code enforcement issues over trailers on the property the town wants removed to be in compliance with FEMA regulations. The
property owners are scheduled to have a magistrate hearing this month based on the structures being noncompliant with the town’s flood regulations.
Town attorney Nancy Stuparich said the church could be facing fines if the trailers aren’t removed by Oct. 19.
The project requires five deviations from the town’s Land Development Code,
mainly for setbacks. The plans were unanimously approved previously by the Local Planning Agency with conditions.
Originally, the church was working with a developer on a condo tower plan though that faced opposition from the community.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA EAGLE CAM
Sea turtle nesting numbers
Cape hospital to launch new OBGYN residency program
By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com
A new residency program will be instituted at Cape Coral Hospital next summer.
Lee Health, in collaboration with Florida State University’s College of Medicine, recently announced the launch of a brand-new obstetrics and gynecology residency program at Cape Coral Hospital.
Lee Health officials said the program will welcome six new residents each year for an “intensive” four-year training experience, with the first residents joining Lee Health in summer 2026. Currently, senior medical students are applying to the program. In March, the annual Match Day event will reveal which six residents will call Southwest Florida home.
“We are thrilled to grow and expand our residency program to include OBGYN medicine,” Chief Physician Executive of the Women’s Health Institute Dr. Cherrie Morris said. “This will help increase our services and provide more access to care for the Southwest Florida community. As we see our population rapidly continue to grow, we want to ensure all patients receive the high-quality care they’ve come to expect from Lee Health, and training the future doctors in our community is an important part of that mission.”
OBGYN physicians specialize in comprehensive care for women, guiding them through pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery. Officials said residents will also receive a full scope of training focused on gynecological surgery and managing the full spectrum of reproductive health needs throughout a woman’s life.
The program aims to address a national shortage of OBGYN physicians while strengthening care in the expanding Southwest Florida region. Cape Coral Hospital will serve as the home base, with FSU’s College of Medicine as the official institutional sponsor.
“I am thrilled to lead this new program at Lee Health
and empower the next generation of OBGYN physicians,” Dr. Carrie Johnson, program director physician of OBGYN Residency, said. “Lee Health already has a compassionate and dedicated team for women’s and children’s services, and the residency program will expand on their already fantastic work. Not only will this program help address the national physician shortage, but it will also introduce new physicians and community members to Southwest Florida.”
Lee Health officials said medical school graduates are required to complete residency training in their chosen specialty to become independent practicing physicians. Officials added that training programs like this bring new doctors to the community, learning from the experience of Lee Health medical team members while also improving access to care to everyone in the community.
Lee Health’s most recent data from its family med-
Explore and win prizes with Parks, Perks & Points
The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau and Lee County Parks & Recreation have partnered to give visitors new ways to have some summer fun and win great prizes.
Parks, Points & Perks encourages exploration of area parks, beaches, preserves, recreation centers, events and more throughout the islands, beaches and neighborhoods. Running now through May 2026, the free pass makes it easy to visit favorite spots or discover new adventures.
Participants have a range of family-friendly locations to visit, including the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve and Lakes Park in Fort Myers, Dog Beach in Bonita Springs, Phillips Park in Bokeelia, and Bowditch Point Park in Fort Myers Beach.
∫ Go to visitfortmyers.com/ ParksPass and sign up.
∫ Pass will be instantly delivered to your phone via text and email.
∫ Select your location, plan a visit and start having fun.
∫ Visit any location in the pass and earn 20 points when you check in.
∫ Special monthly events give you the chance to add up even more points.
∫ Earn rewards, like a drawstring backpack, and unlock choices for memberships, parking passes or rec -
reation center access.
∫ Check in at 20 locations on the pass and you will be entered for a chance to win a grand prize, a twonight stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops and Family Fun Day at Lakes Park with train tickets and gift cards for bikes, boat rentals and concessions.
For more information, visit visitfortmyers.com/ParksPass.
icine and internal medicine residency programs shows that half of the graduates stay local after completing their residency.
This is the third physician residency program with Lee Health and FSU’s College of Medicine. The family medicine residency program was established in 2011, and the internal medicine residency program in 2022.
“Our continued partnership with Lee Health is essential in our efforts to build high quality residency programs that promote academic excellence, drive enhanced quality of care and address the critical physician workforce needs of our Florida communities,” William C. Boyer, DHSc, associate dean for Graduate Medical Education and Designated Institutional Official for all sponsored GME programs at the College of Medicine, said.
To learn more, visit leehealth.org and med.fsu.edu.
Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District to
celebrate 75 years
STAFF REPORT
The Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District will be celebrating 75 as a district with a celebration this Saturday at the district’s campus on 300 Lazy Way.
The event will take place from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. featuring a food truck, games, and community fun at the district’s campus on Fort Myers Beach.
The district began in 1946 as the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control Association, using community donations and subscriptions to fund its first equipment—an old Army jeep and orchard sprayer. By July 12, 1949, with overwhelming support from residents, the Florida Legislature authorized the district as an independent taxing authority serving Estero and San Carlos Islands.
Over the decades, the district has marked significant milestones:
n 1957: Residents voted to remain independent rather than join a countywide system.
n 1959: District boundaries expanded by thousands of acres, later forming part of the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve.
n 1983: Citizens again voted for independence, rejecting a merger with Lee County Mosquito Control.
n 2001: The Governor of Florida signed the recodification of the district, reinforcing its authority.
Throughout its history, the district has embraced innovation and environmental stewardship, evolving from DDT spraying and fogging boats to highly regulated, modern practices. Today, it responds directly to community needs with trucks, 4-wheelers, and backpack sprayers, using specialized techniques in parks, preserves, and state waters.
“Our District is unique because it has always belonged to the people of Fort Myers Beach”, said Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District Chair Joanne Semmer. “For 75 years, we’ve provided personalized service, stayed financially independent, and adapted to protect both residents and the environment. We look forward to continuing that commitment for another 75 years”.
The Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District maintains the lowest tax rate of any mosquito control district in Florida, Semmer said,
That tax rate, Semmer said, reflects “our commitment to fiscal responsibility and supporting the financial well-being of our residents. Through efficient resource management and strategic budgeting, we ensure high-quality services while keeping the tax burden as light as possible for our community.”
The campus incurred significant damage after Hurricane Ian. A new campus rebuild, including service and equipment facilities and a future community space, is underway.
Next year, voters in Fort Myers Beach and Lee County will vote on a referendum on whether to merge with the Lee County Mosquito Control District. The millage rate in the Lee County Mosquito Control District is twice as high as the Fort Myers Beach Mosquito Control District. The referendum was pushed for by State Rep. Adam Botana, R-Bonita Springs, over objections by Semmer and Lee County Mosquito Control District board member Steve Johnson. Voters in Fort Myers Beach would need to approve the merger, as would voters in Lee County, for the merger to take effect.
FILE PHOTO
Cape Coral Hospital
New partnership aims to improve weather coverage and monitoring
Lee County entered into a public-private partnership on Sept. 2 that will help fill in the gap in National Weather Service radar coverage in the county and allow for improved monitoring of severe weather.
The Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve a site license agreement that authorizes Kentucky-based Climavision to install weather radar equipment on the roof of the county’s recently opened Public Safety Center.
The county reported that the partnership will fill a known gap in radar coverage for the NWS and will improve access to data and the ability to predict and forecast severe weather in the region.
Lee County sits in a gap between weather radars located in Tampa, Key West, Miami and Melbourne. The gap means that the NWS cannot see certain weather phenomena below 6,000 feet, including waterspouts and tornadoes. The issue was illustrated in a 2020 report, titled “Gaps in NEXRAD Radar Coverage,” from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Climavision will reimburse the county $27,813 for the cost of constructing the platform and will pay $2,400 annually for the estimated cost of electricity consumed by its equipment. The initial term of the agreement is for three years, with a three-year renewal period. In lieu of base rent under the agreement, Climavision will share weather data with the county at no cost.
Climavision has an agreement with the NWS to provide data from the devices to its Weather Forecast Offices. The systems are integrated to allow rapid access to the data during weather emergencies.The X-Band weather radar is a proprietary system that covers 60 miles from the radar site and licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Lee County has constructed a platform on the roof of the Public Safety Center to support Climavision’s weather radar tower and equipment. The center officially opened in May; it is a 36,873 square-foot, $38.5 million two-story addition to the Emergency Operations Center.
During blue-sky normal operations, the expanded building houses the Public Safety Administration, Emergency Medical Services and new Emergency Communications Center, with space for Public Safety’s Division of Emergency Communications, Lee County Sheriff’s Office Communications and Lee County Department of Transportation’s Traffic Operations Center. Lee County Emergency Management remains in its existing location.
When activated for an emergency such as a hurricane, the center will be staffed with key personnel from first-responder agencies, emergency relief organizations, county departments, municipalities, utility companies and other essential agencies.
The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted on Sept. 2 to approve a site license agreement that authorizes Kentucky-based Climavision to install weather radar equipment on the roof of Lee County’s recently opened Public Safety Center. Pictured is equipment from previous installs.
CLIMAVISION
WHERE TO GO WHAT TO DO WHO TO SEE
Refuge opens annual photo contest Page 22
Art Association opens new show celebrating outdoor painting
The Fort Myers Beach Art Association’s new “Plein Air Show” is running now at the association’s gallery at Cypress Square Shopping Plaza in Fort Myers through Oct. 24.
The show features works of art based outdoors, that is painted outdoors.
This exhibition brings together a diverse group of artists who all paint directly from life, creating works that are both vibrant and deeply rooted in place. Plein air describes the act of painting outdoors with the artist’s subject in full view. Plein air artists capture the spirit and essence
of a landscape or subject by incorporating natural light, color, and movement into their works. While plein air painting is rooted in direct observation, it also involves artistic interpretation and personal expression. For Plein Air Show, all featured works were created with a commitment to authenticity: at least 80% of each painting was completed outdoors and from direct observation. The result is a dynamic collection of landscapes, urban scenes, and moments in time that reflect the immediacy and energy of painting on location.
Featured artwork is by artist Dana Enders who is one
of the leaders of the Plein Air Painting group run through the Fort Myers Beach Art Association. Artist Tamara Culp also leads the group who meet on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The Fort Myers Beach Art Association gallery is at 13451 McGregor Boulevard next to the Prawnbroker Restaurant and Fish Market. Exhibiting artists may be present, and there may be plein air demonstrations taking place during the run of the show.
For more information, visit the association’s website at www.fortmyersbeachart.com.
“Dana’s Dean Park” by Dana Enders
Refuge opens annual contest for high schoolers
The 14th annual “Ding” Darling-Theodore Cross High School Photography Contest kicked off on Oct. 1, with a deadline of Jan. 15. It invites high school students in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades and Hendry counties to compete for cash, gift bags and other prizes, including $1,000 for first place.
Contest namesake Cross, who lived part-time on Sanibel, marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; advised the Johnson and Nixon administrations on anti-poverty programs; wrote the influential book “Black Capitalism,” among others; played a prominent role in President Barack Obama’s election; and created Birders United — a birding website that ranked legislators according to their record of bird protection support.
Late in life, Cross indulged his love for birds and photography and traveled the world to collect stunning portraits and stories to chronicle his adventures. He shot often at the refuge on Sanibel and a number of the images in his book, “Waterbirds,” reflect his love for the refuge. Cross published the photographic book in 2009 at age 85; he passed away shortly after that in 2010.
“The Theodore Cross Family Charitable Foundation has made possible this contest with a generous grant to the ‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge,” DDWS Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman said. “We couldn’t be more thrilled they want their donation used in this way for its 14th year.”
“We are so happy to be supporting a contest in my father’s name, a contest that will get our youth involved with nature by looking at it — as my father so loved doing — through a camera lens,” daughter Amanda Cross said.
Digital image entries can be shot from any outdoor venue in Florida. A writing component to the contest requires entrants grades 9-12 to submit a 100-word description of the “moment” captured and how it reflects what nature and wildlife mean to the photographer.
The entry rules and guidelines are as follows:
All entries and personal information must be submitted in digital format to ddhsphotocontest@dingdarlingsociety.org. Submit your full name, high school, grade and an original photograph that you took of nature and/or wildlife in the open outdoors. Include a title for the photograph and a written description (minimum 100 words) of the “moment” captured and how it reflects what nature and wildlife mean to you. You and your entry must comply with the following requirements:
∫ Students attending schools in Lee, Collier, Hendry, Glades and Charlotte (Florida) counties in grades 9 through 12 may enter the contest.
∫ Only digital images are accepted and may be taken with any camera, including smartphones.
∫ Images must be submitted in JPEG/JPG format and must have a size of at least 2000-by-1500 pixels or resolution of 2 megabytes.
∫ The photograph must be taken of nature and/or wildlife in the open outdoors in the state of Florida, which may include parks, refuges, backyards and other open spaces.
∫ Panoramic photos are not allowed.
∫ Filters, cropping, enhancements and boarders are permitted. However, adding any elements not existing in the original scene will not be allowed. Judges, at their discretion, will disqualify any photos that appear to be manipulated beyond these guidelines.
∫ Each participant may enter up to two photos but is eligible to win only one award.
∫ Judging will be anonymous. Do not put your name or anything that will identify you or your photograph.
∫ There are three judges: a refuge staff person, professional photographer and resident of the five-county region.
∫ Judging criteria: technical excellence (sharpness, lighting, composition, exposure); creativity; and explanation of photograph (minimum of 100 words).
∫ All photos will become the property of the DDWS. Photos may be used by the society in any way with appropriate credit.
For more information,
Last year, third place was awarded
Patton for “Calm as a Butterfly.
visit www.dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/photo-contests. For questions, contact ddhsphotocontest@dingdarlingsociety.org.
Community Foundation to hold haunted carnival pub crawl
STAFF REPORT
The Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation will hold its inaugural haunted carnival pub crawl on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 5 to 8 p.m.
The carnival will feature games, costumes and community spirit — all in support of local initiatives.
Attendees who complete the game card by collecting stamps at each stop can turn in their tickets at the official afterparty at The Whale for prize drawings.
The evening’s highlight is the costume contest, where one participant will take home a $500 cash prize for best costume. Guests are encouraged to get creative and come dressed in their most thrilling carnival-inspired or Halloween attire.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on
the day of the event at participating venues. Advance tickets are available now through the Foundation’s website: www.fmbcommunityfoundation.com.
This lively fundraiser is proudly hosted by the Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation and made possible by the generous support of local sponsors and participating venues.
Event details:
∫ What: Haunted Carnival Pub Crawl
∫ When: Saturday, Oct. 25, 5 – 8 p.m.
∫ Where: Participating venues along Fort Myers Beach, with the afterparty at The Whale
∫ Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 day-of
For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.fmbcommunityfoundation.com.
JULIANN DAVIS
JuliAnn Davis won first place last year with “Great Blue Heron on the Lake Side.”
LEIA BUSBY
In second place, Leia Busby submitted “Sunset.”
SAVANNAH PATTON
to Savannah
FORT MYERS
Community Thrift Store
15501 Old McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
Fort Myers CVS
15550 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
Gavin’s ACE Hardware
16025 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
Gulf Point Square
15660 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
Love Boat Ice Cream
16475 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
McGregor Bar & Grill
15675 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
Pickles Pub
15455 Old McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
Walgreen’s
15601 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
Walters Automotive
15135 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33908
FORT MYERS BEACH
Chamber of Commerce
100 Lovers Lane, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
CVS Store
7001 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Bonita Bill’s
702 Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Diamond Head (Lobby)
2000 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Doc Ford’s
708 Fisherman’s Wharf Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
FMB City Hall
2731 Oak St. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Lahaina Realty
6035 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Lani Kai
1400 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Lighthouse Restaurant/Bar
1051 5th St. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Loffreno Real Estate Inc,
7317 Estero Blvd. C1, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Matanzas Inn
414 Crescent St. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Nervous Nellies
1131 1st St. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Parrot Key
2500 Main St. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Pincher’s Crab Shack
18100 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Pink Shell Resort
275 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Post Office
200 Carolina Ave. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Santini (Marina) Plaza
7205 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Sea Gypsy
1698 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Snook Bight Marina/Junkanoo’s
4765 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Summerlin Café
11370 Summerlin Square Drive, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Sunflower Café
11410 Summerlin Square Drive, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Sunset Grill
1028 Estero Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
(News box out front)
Snug Harbor
645 San Old Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Parking Lot BOX
Tina’s Dive Bar
19051 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Wahoo Willie’s
645 San Old Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Wal-Mart
17105 San Carlos Blvd. Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
7/11
7120 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Surrendering pets
By ISABELLE WELLS Co-founder of
Over the last few weeks, we’ve been working directly with owners before they surrender their pets to the shelter. It’s always emotional and never easy. What used to be the occasional call has now become three to five calls
Meet Freckles!
and emails every week.
Please don’t buy a pet. Why? Nothing has been done to improve our community shelter, Domestic Animal Services.
Freckles is still looking for his forever home — and what a character he is! This adorable 1.5-year-old Pomeranian is full of life and personality. He loves trips to the dog park, making new friends, and even enjoys splashing around in the pool. His favorite game? Running up and down the stairs, zooming around like it’s his own personal playground!
Freckles is super friendly, loves other dogs, and would do best with a smaller doggy companion to play with. His foster family can’t get enough of his fun-loving spirit and sweet personality.
Call or text 239-281-0739 if you’d like to give this little guy the loving home he deserves!
Between breeders, backyard breeders, and pet stores, the ones who truly suffer are the animals. It’s a very sad situation, and one that desperately needs change.
In need of fosters
By Jo Knobloch
Need fosters as we currently have NONE. Also need kitten lovers to come play with the kittens an hour or
Buffy is a 7-month-old light orange male kitten who loves to play and chase toys and play with his sibling Lola as well as other kittens. He and Lola can be adopted separately or as a pair which would be the best since they are siblings and are bonded. Buffy is very affectionate and loves attention.
Lola is a calico female kitten with lots of white on her body along with calico spots. She is very unique. Lola is 7 months old and is very playful and affectionate. Plays and runs with Buffy as well as other kittens at our rescue. Please call 239-851-3485 to schedule a time to meet these two beauties as well as other kittens in rescue.
PHOTOS PROVIDED
From little to huge –
Meet This black beauty
This stunning 6-month-old Great Dane is as sweet as she is gorgeous. She’s a gentle giant in the making — friendly with dogs, kids, and even cats. Truly the perfect lady, just waiting for her forever home.
Sadly, her current pet dad is moving into a home that only allows two dogs, so she needs a new family who understands and appreciates the Great Dane breed.
If you’re ready to open your heart and home to this beautiful girl, call or text 239-281-0739 today.
not afraid when see new faces.
Our facebook page was hacked. Do not respond to any of the high end kittens that are on our facebook page as not put there by us. Facebook so far is not getting it taken off. It is very maddening to say the least. They could be taking deposits from people for those high end kittens that they put on our facebook page.
UPCOMING EVENTS
‘Enter the World of Wizarding’ presented by IMAG At Night Oct. 17
The IMAG History & Science Center invites families, friends, and kids of all ages to “IMAG At Night” as it presents “Enter the World of Wizarding” on Friday, Oct. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. Bringing inspiration to life, “IMAG At Night” evenings are fun-filled, family-friendly programs that feature the science, technology, engineering, and math of various select topics. During “IMAG At Night” evenings, guests participate in hands-on activities, work on special take-home projects, get engaged in interactive displays, and enjoy learning about the evening’s topic while having fun.
Come dressed in your costumes for an evening of Potions and Charms. As you “Enter the World of Wizarding,” you will learn how to make a wand and a potion book to take home at the end of the evening. In addition, you can make invisible ink maps and a Snitch Catapult and meet up with some IMAG “mythical creatures.”
For our Harry Potter fans, we will play trivia, Sort House Trait Cards, and have fun on this magical adventure evening.
The IMAG is at 2000 Cranford Avenue, Fort Myers. For more information, please call: 239-243-0043 or visit: theIMAG.org.
Annual Fall Festival at Edison and Ford Winter Estates Oct. 18
On Oct. 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.,
Edison and Ford Winter Estates will celebrate fall with it’s fourth annual Fall Festival. This family-friendly event will include craft vendors, food trucks, music, and several fun activities for children. The event is sponsored by the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association.
For more information, visit EdisonFord. org.
Seminole Casino Hotel to host free Southern Fried Swamp Jam Festival Jan. 17
Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee presents the Southern Fried Swamp Jam Festival on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 with gates opening at 2 p.m. The free festival will feature outdoor concerts by The Marshall Tucker Band, Molly Hatchet, Bellamy Brothers, and Pure Prairie League, as well as merchants and food trucks. Parking and admission are free and attendees should bring their own chairs for concert viewing. For full details, visit moreinparadise.com.
CROW seeking volunteers
The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel reported that it is looking for committed volunteers to work in its baby room and in rehab. The hands-on roles require consistency, physical stamina and efficiency. Baby season is the busiest time of year at CROW, and it relies on volunteers who can commit to regular shifts and thrive in a fast-paced environment. While it always welcome volunteers for projects
Religious Services
Services at Beach Baptist Church
Beach Baptist church at 130 Connecticut St., Fort Myers Beach Service at 10:30 every Sunday
All are welcome, we are pet friendly! 239-463-6452 https://beachbaptist.org
Services at St. Peter Lutheran Church
St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at 3751 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach. Services 9 a.m.
All services now inside the sanctuary.
All are welcome, we are pet friendly 239-463-4251 stpeterfmb@gmail.com www.stpeterfmb.com
YouTube - St Peter Lutheran Church Fort Myers Beach FL
In cooperation with former Chapel by the Sea and Beach United Methodist Church.
Services at St. Raphael’s Episcopal Church
St. Raphael’s Episcopal Church welcomes the public each Sunday at 10 a.m. for services in its parish hall at 5601 Williams Drive in Fort Myers Beach.
For more information regarding services, contact 239-463-6057 or email office@ straphaelschurch.org
and patient transport, its greatest need right now is for those ready to dive into daily animal care — feeding baby animals, following treatment schedules, and assisting in rehab. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and are required to attend an orientation. For more information about volunteering, visit https:// crowclinic.org/get-involved/volunteer/.
Al-Anon, Al-Ateen meetings
Are you concerned with a friend or family member’s drinking? Let us help. Call our 24-hour helpline at 941-5645098 or visit www.SouthFloridaAl-Anon. org. Meetings are held every day in Lee County.
Al-Ateen meetings are also offered for ages 10-18.
WATERFRONT PRIVATE EVENTS
AT BONITA FISH COMPANY
Bayside Private Events at Bonita Fish Company offers a space that blends laid-back atmosphere with legendary service. Whether you’re planning a casual get-together or a big celebration, we’ve got the space, the flavor and the team members to make your event memorable.
Book Bayside Private Events at Bonita Fish Company today! Contact Private Events Manager Joe Sletten at joesletten@hmrestaurantgroup.com or 239-788-4067 to start planning an unforgettable event.
