This stunning, newly built 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with a 3-car garage is perfectly located in the heart of Cape Coral. Designed with an open, airy oor plan, the home is lled with natural light streaming through its expansive windows, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The spacious living area is ideal for relaxing, entertaining, and hosting gatherings, while the modern kitchen boasts sleek appliances, granite countertops,
Additional highlights include a two-car garage for secure parking and storage, a brand-new Whirlpool washer and dryer, and window coverings scheduled for installation throughout the home. Situated on well and septic, you will also enjoy the added bene t of no monthly water bill. Take in peaceful canal views from your backyard and make the most of the outdoor space this home has to offer. Available for immediate occupancy, this property is ready to welcome its very rst residents.
County honors Greenwell with new legacy
Lee Civic Center renamed Mike Greenwell Regional Park; rural traditions to be nurtured
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com
Renaming the Lee County Civic Center Complex to honor Commissioner Mike Greenwell is a fitting memorial, county officials agreed this week,
The historic complex will now be called Mike Greenwell Regional Park.
“He cared so much about making sure that was a facility where the 4H’ers and community could come together. The Ag Expo has been amazing and that is due in part to the efforts he put into this. This is something we want to do to honor him.”
Commissioner David Mulicka moved to rename the Civic Center during this week’s meeting of the Lee County Board of County Commissioners.
— Commissioner Brian Hamman
The proposal received unanimous support. Mulicka said Greenwell loved the Lee
Anniversary celebration expected to be best fest yet
By CHUCK BALLARO news@breezenewspapers.com
Oktoberfest continues at the GermanAmerican Social Club this weekend with three more days of festivities beginning tonight.
The largest such event in Southwest Florida, the two-weekend heritage festival brings in tens of thousands of people from all over to drink beer, listen to music and raise their steins and say “Zicke, Zacke, Zicke, Zacke, Hoi, Hoi, Hoi.”
Opening weekend marking the event’s 40th anniversary was no exception, kicking off last Friday night with crowds of revelers who continued to flow in throughout the weekend to enjoy the Gemütlichkeit — that warm feeling of belonging and being a part of something special for those of us who are only German during the annual celebration.
The weather was a little warm, as it usually is this time of year, but that made whatever anyone was drinking a little more refreshing at the event that will continue for a second round this Friday,
Saturday and Sunday.
Susie Zimmer, former publicity chair of Oktoberfest and the club, said things have gone smoothly this year, not surprising since the club has hosted the celebration for four decades.
“We’ve had a great crowd and a lot of TV stations here. We’re happy to celebrate the 40th year of Oktoberfest and grateful to Teresa (Kohl) and her late husband (Klaus) who started all this,” said Zimmer on Saturday. “Who would have thought we would have such a huge crowd?”
Organizers on Saturday said things were going well and a record crowd is expected to attend the milestone anniversary celebration.
“It’s warm now, but we have beautiful evenings, a nice breeze and you can’t ask for anything better,” said Ed Freund, who chairs the event with John Wagenhoffer.“There’s plenty of food, plenty of drinks and a lot of things to do.”
Freund said he expects the biggest Oktoberfest to date with nearly 40,000 attending the six-day
See OKTOBERFEST, page 28
Civic Center and it was a place he wanted to see get better.
Mulicka added he is pleased to see he county is requesting more money from the state to improve the aging facility and so accomplish Greenwell’s mission.
“I am proud to have known him and miss him very much,” he said of Greenwell
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com
A major hospitality brand will receive $2.7 million in incentives to build a 112suite hotel in north Cape Coral. Cape Coral City Council approved a package for a TownePlace Suites by Marriott Hotel — a $29 million project — at 1475 N.E. 8th Terrace
According to the incentive agreement, the recipient is under contract to purchase the 2.36 site at the northwest corner of Del Prado Boulevard and NE Pine Island Road behind The Commons for a five-floor hotel with various amenities.
The economic incentives include $176,000 for impact fee reductions, $770,000 for the site improvement reimbursement grant, $350,000 for generator reimbursement and $1,487,270 for the enhanced property value recapture grant. The total incentive package is $2,793,270.
As part of the incentive package, the city will have 37 hotel rooms available for its emergency personnel during a hurricane on the first two floors of the hotel.
The city will pay the nightly government service rate if the city needs the rooms. Mayor John Gunter and Councilmember Keith Long voted against the resolution. Councilmember Jennifer Nelson-Lastra was excused from the meeting for a family emergency.
Long questioned getting two floors from the deal when the city is putting up $2.5 million. He said, essentially, the city is paying for the right to reserve the rooms, pointing out that the city will then pay $110 per room per a night at the current rate if and when the accommodations are needed.
“We are prepaying an amount in excess instead of renting at a local hotel,” Long said.
TownPlace Suites by Marriott to be built in north Cape Coral
City Council sunsets one permit fee discount; will take another look at discount for inspections
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com
Builders will lose one type of fee discount while another is pending more discussion by Cape Coral City Council.
The elected board approved the sunset of a 25% permit fee discount for new construction Wednesday while holding a decision on a separate and new 15% discount for projects that employ private inspectors.
The 25% discount applies to the Miscellaneous and New Construction building permit fee schedules, approved in 2009. Also establishes a flood plan fee of $55 and the 15% private provider discount.
Action on a second fee discount is pending.
City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said about 30 to 45 minutes before the 4 p.m. meeting began he had discussions with the CCCIA executive director and board, who shared some concerns about the proposed 15% private provider discount. The current discount is 33%.
According to the resolution, the discount is offered to
property owners and builders who use a “private provider for inspection and/or plan review services for building permit fees.”
He recommended that the council approve the resolution without the changed private provider discount, which will come back for consideration.
Mayor John Gunter said the now sun-setted 25% discount was implemented in 2020 because a state statute states that government entities were not allowed to have in reserves and building funds an excess of one-year’s budget averaged out over a four-year period. He said they city was not in compliance for a few years.
Gunter said the previous city manager did two things — recommended a reduction and set aside $10 million outside of the building fund for a future capital improvement project to relocate the city’s building department.
“Looking back, statutorily we had to invest that $10 million within a four-year period of time. This past September, staff added $8.2 million of that $10 million because some was expended back into the building fund,” he said.
Gunter said documentation showed that presently the building fund expense average out over the last four years at $15,284,207 and a balance of $11,252,500.
“We are at this time in compliance with the statutory requirements that we have less- than-average operating expenses over the last four years,” he said. “It is important for me to be able to support the repeal of the 25% discount knowing that is why we put it into place.”
Gunter said they are no longer building a new facility, as the city purchased a building on Santa Barbara Boulevard and in the near future the building department will move to the new facility.
“We know we are going to bear some expenses there in remodeling that building. It could be a $2-3 million dollar endeavor,” he said. “It is far less than building a new structure.”
Gunter said he is also glad to see further discussion is being held for the discount for private providers.
With the approval, the rates will go back to the 2009 building permit rates.
City releases Fourth Quarter reports
The city of Cape Coral has released its Fiscal Year 2025 Quarter 4 reports, now available online for public review.
“Regularly sharing these updates ensures transparency and keeps residents informed about major projects and key initiatives of public importance, offering valuable insight into the city’s progress, operations, and financial health,” the city of Cape Coral’s Communications Office said in a release.
Q4 highlights include:
n Five grants were awarded for a total of $237.9 mil-
lion, and there are 57 active grants citywide
n FY25 roadway resurfacing totals about 78.25 lane miles
n Future traffic signals are planned at the following locations:
l Santa Barbara Boulevard and Tropicana Parkway
l Chiquita Boulevard and Embers Parkway
l Andalusia Boulevard and Diplomat Parkway
l Chiquita Boulevard and Tropicana Parkway
l Andalusia Boulevard . and Kismet Parkway
l Pondella Road and N.E. 25th Ave./Hancock Creek S. Boulevard
n Completed, under construction, and upcoming sidewalks are located on Nelson Road, Embers Parkway, Skyline Boulevard , Diplomat Parkway, and Gator Circle
n Stormwater drainage improvements and water quality projects are underway
n North Water Reclamation Facility construction is expected to be complete in 2030, and the next steps include completing the design report
Thirteen economic development incentive applications are currently in progress, with 13 additional applications under
The city’s website refresh is underway and is expected to be complete by the end of the year
The reports may be viewed at capecoral.gov/
OpiniOns
cape cOral breeze
RAYMOND M. ECKENRODE, Publisher
VALARIE HARRING, Executive Editor
CHRIS STRINE, Editor
2510 Del Prado Blvd. • Cape Coral, FL, 33904
• Phone 239-574-1110 – Fax 239-574-5693
Member Florida Press Association
Fitting legacy
The Lee County Board of County Commissioners honored one of their own this week, renaming the Lee County Civic Center the Mike Greenwell Regional Park. It is a fitting legacy.
Commissioner Greenwell, who died Oct. 9 at age 62 after battling thyroid cancer, was more than a hometown boy who made good — he was a hometown boy who did good.
A Lee County native who was a two-sport standout at North Fort Myers High School, Mr. Greenwell went on to a 12-year career with the Boston Red Sox where he made a name for himself as Gator Mike.
He came back home, raced cars, competed as a pro bass angler and opened a pair of businesses, first the old Mike Greenwell’s Bat-A-Ball & Family Fun Park in Cape Coral, now Gator Mike’s; and then 31 Produce, a farmers market complete with U-pick field, country store and the popular Cracker Shack Cafe a few miles from the historic civic center where Bayshore Road terminates at SR 31.
He and his wife Tracy, together for 45 years, also raised a family here — kids and grandkids — who invited the community to a celebration of life held Saturday at what we locals call Fenway South, aka JetBlue Stadium.
Those who turned out ranged from natives “who knew him when” to relative newcomers who had followed his Red Sox career as a to-be-feared left fielder; from sports dignitaries to politicians; from Little Leaguers and high schoolers he coached, to 4-H families he supported.
If a life lived can be summed by photos and memorabilia, Saturday’s display at the stadium showed Mr. Greenwell lived a full life, indeed.
And if a life shared and accomplishments appreciated can be summed by the vast spectrum of those turning out to say goodbye, Mr. Greenwell left his mark on the community he loved.
His niece, Danielle Justice, a former pastor who officiated Saturday’s service, said it well:
“The sheer number of people here speaks volumes,” Ms. Justice said. “He gave people his time. He gave people his heart. He gave people his example.”
Godspeed, Gator Mike.
Our condolences to your family and to those who love you.
—Breeze editorial
This week’s poll question:
Does the city of Cape Coral’s vision for the Yacht Club rebuild meet what you would like to see at the riverfront park?
∫ Yes.
∫ For the most part.
∫ No. I just want what we had.
∫ It’s not whether I like the plan, it’s the cost. Vote at capecoralbreeze.com.
Previous poll question:
Should Cape Coral City Council members be paid more?
∫ Yes. 9%
∫ No. 91%
* Total votes at press time: 77 votes. Percentages are “rounded.”Poll results are not scientific and represent only the opinions of Internet users who have chosen to participate.
the breeze
OctOber 24, 2025
Residency and representation
To the Citizens of Cape Coral,
Under the current City Charter, any resident who has lived within the city of Cape Coral for the previous calendar year may qualify to run for City Council. The proposed amendment by the Charter Review Commission refines this requirement.
It states a candidate for City Council must have been a continuous, full-time resident of the district they seek for the entire calendar year immediately preceding their qualification for office.
Residency is defined not by convenience, but by domicile, one’s true and permanent home. Representation carries both privilege and responsibility. We on the Charter Review Commission, feel those who seek to serve the public must not only understand the issues of the city but must also share in the daily experiences of the neighbors they represent. For a city as large and diverse as ours, this principle of rooted representation is essential to maintaining both trust and accountability.
The current structure was once suitable when the city was smaller, when neighborhoods shared common challenges and proximity ensured familiarity. But as Cape Coral has grown, the need for representation that is local, personal, and grounded has become clear.
This change ensures that those who wish to serve as council members do so with genuine connection and understanding of the people and places they represent. It means when a candidate speaks for a district, they speak
Resident-desired elements missing from Yacht Club plan
To the editor:
as a neighbor, as someone who drives the same roads, attends the same schools and churches, and shares in the same triumphs and frustrations of daily life within that community.
It also reinforces accountability. When representatives live among those they serve, their decisions are shaped not by distance, but by shared experience. They see the impact of the policies they help craft.
This amendment is not about drawing lines between residents but about strengthening the bond between citizens and their representatives. By requiring council members to reside within their district the calendar year before running for office instead of anywhere in the city at large, we affirm that representation must come from within the community, not above it. It is a modest change, but one that strengthens the very roots of local democracy.
With faith in the people and neighborhoods that make up this great city,
Richard Leon is the chair of the Charter Review Commission.
Editor’s note: Mr. Leon plans to send a series of letters to the editor explaining the charter changes recommended for Cape Coral City Council consideration. This is the second contribution, covering the proposed charter amendment dealing with residency requirements for candidates for Cape Coral City Council.
Letters to the editor
some fun in the sun. Keep in mind that the median age of Cape Coral residents is 55 years old.
Your article regarding the “resort style” upgrades to the Cape Coral Yacht Club was very informative. It has, however, come three years too late (Hurricane Ian was in 2022) and City Council has been spending money foolishly on other projects.
This Yacht Club, Cape Coral’s only real beach, has languished and the community has been waiting for only a minimalistic renovation in order for residents to return to the enjoyment of spending time with family and friends on our beautiful beach. This has been made especially difficult given that many of the other local beaches in Lee County were also closed (or unable to access) due to damage from Hurricane Ian. Interestingly, many of those beaches have been restored… not the Cape Coral Yacht Club, though.
A few things caught my eye as soon as I looked at this (apparently approved) artist rendition of the new Yacht Club. It only takes a second to notice how very small the community center and Boathouse Bar and Grill are compared to the rest of the buildings.
Residents of Cape Coral are now aware that permits and construction companies have been approved and ready to start building. We have also been notified that our LCEC charge will increase from 7% to 10%, if the funding goes through as proposed.
The most important part of this picture is missing completely… the pier, beach, restrooms and picnic tables. Instead, the majority of this plan is a marina, a huge building (parking, boat storage?), and a swimming pool. Of note, the previous swimming pool was never a “centerpiece” fixture at the Yacht Club. Why? Because we live in a tropical climate and most residents have swimming pools at their homes. In addition to everything else that I have just stated, the manner in which this Yacht Club is to be built, it caters to the marina (boaters).
Residents that would like to spend time at the beach will spend most of their time and energy parking, walking a distance with all of their beach gear, and then looking for their small place in the sand to, hopefully, relax and enjoy
Finally, it is safe to say that the Cape Coral Yacht Club is now going to be a boaters paradise! For residents who are looking forward to beach time, I’d recommend looking for another place to go.
Don’t forget, this project isn’t supposed to begin until 2026 and construction will not end until 2029 (if everything goes smoothly).
What a shame.
A room for two, please
To the editor:
Thanks for telling us that the taxpayers of Cape Coral are gonna pony up $2.7 million for the Marriott Hotel that’s gonna be built in the Northeast Cape. Our share is gonna be 8.3 % of the total investment of $29.1 million. In case our City Council has forgotten, the government has utterly no right to spend our money this way. This project is a private venture for private profit.
FYI, the platform of my party (the Libertarian Party of Florida) says, “... VII Economy ... We reject favoritism in any form to any industries, companies or other organizations. We oppose all grants, loans, loan guarantees and investments in business by any state or local government and all regulatory schemes that create privileges for disadvantages to any business or industry ...”
However, I’m a reasonable guy, so let’s compromise. In return for 8.3 % of the profits every year, they can have our money. (We’re their co-investors, remember.) Additionally, we want our investment to be secured as a first lien on the property, ahead of all creditors and ahead of Marriott . Otherwise, they can borrow it from a bank, at current rates, the way the rest of us do.
Live Free or Die.
Larry Gillis, Cape Coral Director-at-Large, Libertarian Party of Florida
Debbie McDermott Cape Coral
Richard Leon Guest Commentary
Burnt Store Road: Urgent action needed to prevent more tragedies
The heartbreaking loss of three lives on Burnt Store Road Monday night has once again thrust this perilous stretch of roadway into the public eye, demanding immediate attention from our local leaders. As a Cape Coral resident deeply invested in the safety and well-being of our community, I am compelled to call for swift collaboration between Lee County and Cape Coral to finally widen the remaining 5.7 miles of this deadly corridor.
Burnt Store Road, under the ownership and jurisdiction of Lee County, has become a symbol of neglected infrastructure amid Southwest Florida’s rapid growth. The fatal crash occurred in the unwidened section, where narrow lanes and heavy traffic create hazardous conditions for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. This isn’t an isolated incident; the road’s history of accidents highlights a systemic failure to keep pace with development in North Cape Coral and surrounding areas.
At Tuesday’s Lee County Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Brian Hamman articulated the urgency many of us feel: “Burnt Store Road is a road that is critically needed to be widened. I know we want to get this last 5.7 miles of Burnt Store Road widened. This is a road I’d like us see us widen as soon as possible.” His words resonate, but words alone won’t save lives. The estimated cost to expand this final segment to a safer fourlane divided highway ranges from $150 to $190 million—a daunting figure that Lee County cannot shoulder alone.
The core issue is funding. With budgets already strained by other pressing needs, commissioners are wisely looking to Cape Coral for partnership, specifically through mobility fees generated by the explosive growth in the area. These fees, collected from new developments, are intended to offset the transportation impacts
of expansion. Redirecting a portion of them to this project would be a responsible investment in public safety, directly benefiting the residents who rely on Burnt Store Road daily.
Encouragingly, the commissioners have directed the county manager to schedule a meeting with the Cape Coral City Council to explore this collaboration. This is a critical step forward, but it must happen without delay. Cape Coral’s northward expansion has significantly increased traffic on this route, making it not just a county problem, but a shared regional challenge. By contributing to the widening, our city can demonstrate proactive leadership, ensuring that growth enhances rather than endangers our quality of life.
We cannot afford to wait for another tragedy to spur action. The human cost is too high, and the economic repercussions — from lost productivity to strained emergency services — are mounting. As someone who may soon announce a candidacy for Florida’s 19th Congressional District, I am committed to advocating for federal resources to support such vital infrastructure projects. But real change starts locally. I urge the Cape Coral City Council to engage promptly in these discussions, prioritize funding from mobility fees, and work hand-in-hand with Lee County to get shovels in the ground.
Our community deserves safe roads that match our ambitions for the future. Let’s honor the lives lost by turning grief into decisive action. Widen Burnt Store Road now — before it’s too late.
— Jack Lombardi is a Cape Coral resident considering a run for U.S. Congress in Florida’s 19th District.
The views expressed on the Opinions pages are just that — opinions. These pages are intended to convey a range of viewpoints; opinions printed on these pages do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper. Opposing views are welcome. Letters to the editor or guest columns may be e-mailed to vharring@breezenewspapers.com. All letters and guest opinions must be signed and must include a phone number for verification purposes. Readers are also invited to comment on any letter or editorial opinion online at: capecoralbreeze.com.
Lehmann will hold Town Hall on Nov. 1
District 2 Councilmember Laurie Lehmann will hold her next Town Hall on Saturday, Nov. 1.
The event is set from 10 a.m. to noon at the Cape Coral Lee County Public Library, 921 SW 39th Terr., in meeting room CC.
Residents are encouraged to share their concerns, ask questions, and discuss ideas for their district and the City of Cape Coral.
These community-focused events are an opportunity for residents to connect and engage directly with their council member.
Jack Lombardi Guest Commentary
Business leaders: An invitation to step up
Lee County has long thrived because of the vision, risk-taking, and perseverance of its business community. Entrepreneurs know what it means to weather setbacks, balance budgets, and seize opportunities turning struggles into success. Those same qualities are exactly what we need in local government today.
The Republican Party of Florida is built on principles familiar to every successful businessperson: freedom, personal responsibility, accountability, and fiscal discipline. These are the same values that guide entrepreneurs through sleepless nights, tough payroll decisions, and the determination to keep moving forward until success comes.
But these principles are under constant pressure. Local policies on taxes, regulations, zoning, and education can either empower businesses or stifle them. That’s why Lee County needs conservative leaders with business experience, grounded in faith, family, and community, to ensure prosperity continues for future generations.
The Lee County Republican Executive Committee invites like-minded business leaders to consider running for local office. Your experience turning challenges into opportunities is the best preparation for shaping policies that encourage growth and protect liberty.
Lee County stands at a crossroads. We can
From page 4
We, the People, are America’s last line of defense
To the editor:
On Oct. 18, 7 million lawful, peaceful American Patriots showed up for more than 2,700 No Kings Rallies across our country in support of reinstating Democracy and the rule of law that made our country already great! Just proud “anti-fascists” or “Antifas” protesting the current authoritarian regime’s efforts to dismantle our government Of For and By the People. Not paid by anyone. And, for the record, antifa is a sentiment — not in any way an organization.
Do you actually support well-paid ICE thugs with socialist benefits wearing plain clothes and masks, no badges, in unmarked cars taking even many Americans off our streets — transporting them to unknown locations — perhaps never again to be seen by their loved ones?
These actions dehumanize “others.” Did you vote for that?
Did you vote for our president to usurp control of our financial spending from Congress and grift taxpayers’ $20 BILLION to his friend of a friend in Argentina? So much for “America First!”
Our GOP political leaders and so called “guardrails” are failing us. The GOP closed down the federal government for political theater in an effort to take away healthcare for the most vulnerable among us — in order to give their “big money donor billionaires” more tax breaks. If “essential employees” have to work and not get paid… how about our representatives and senators? We need to not pay the accomplices if they don’t do their jobs and represent our interests — not their political party’s interests of staying in power. GOP goes on recess while a would-be dictator-in-chief is busy disregarding our laws, our Constitution and our Congress as he mocks American citizens by posting a bizarre AI-simulated crowned jet fighter dropping feces on protesting Americans. Meanwhile, our military flys with live-fire missiles over a busy highway during the protests. Yes. We have come to this.
But, MAGA is not the majority.
More than 7 million means that more than 2% of the total population of the U.S. was willing to take the time to expose transgressions publicly.
What have you done to improve on what we have before we lose it?
2024 was a landslide for “Did Not Vote.” Everyone can do something. Next time you drive by the protesters — and there will be a next time — at the very least honk your horn in support.
We, The People, are the last line of defense for our Democracy and Constitution.
Lynn A. Hagedorn Cape Coral
Grow up
To the editor:
This “no kings” nonsense is another example of the leftist Democrats displaying their underlying pre-adolescent psychology: Whiny, pouty, angry theater kids, acting out because they did not get their way and are now going to make the adults in America pay for it.
They are manipulated mental zombies who take packaged media snippets designed to stimulate emotion not cognition, and react without thinking or analyzing how they are being manipulated and for what purpose. They just feel, not think.
After four years of Biden and attacks on our sovereign borders, censorship of media and individuals, forcing
leave our future to chance, or we can rise to this moment. Business leaders, your community needs your voice, your vision, and your courage. Step forward and help preserve the promise of freedom and prosperity in Lee County for generations to come.
Those interested in learning more about candidacy or involvement with the Republican Party of Lee County are encouraged to visit www. LeeGOP.org and call me at the LCREC headquarters in Fort Myers at 239-936-8779.
— Mercedes Price Harry is the chairwoman for the Lee County Republican Executive Committee
Letters to the editor
people into taking a toxic shots and bizarre ineffective behavior (lockdowns, 6-foot distancing, ineffective masking, one- way aisles in stores, etc. etc.,) billions to support foreign wars and inflation, now they are angry that they can’t get more authoritarian behavior because Trump is reversing it?
So the Democrats project and transfer the anti-democratic actions they and their minions did under Biden, onto a president who is reversing these “undemocratic” abominations, so they order their virtue signaling theater groups to the streets to act out and feel like one of the cool kids, not knowing they are being used as props and not knowing exactly what they are protesting against, only that they are told to hate Trump and the America First agenda.
The minions who are either paid wannabe be Hollywood starlets and action figures, revolutionary wannabes or just decent people who have been lied to and gaslighted, are the true “useful idiots” and “fellow travelers” who can’t even articulate what it is they are protesting.
Is it following constitutional immigration law and deporting criminals?
Is it trying to stop wars and bring peace to the world?
Is it closing our borders to millions of unknown, unvetted illegals storming our towns and cities?
Is it holding those in power who have abused it to account for their criminal behavior (Comey, Brennen)?
Is it trying to streamline the highly-paid 3 million federal employees who are in hundreds of obscure agencies with functions that should not even be performed by the federal government?
What exactly is “the king” doing that has their pantaloons and petticoats in such a bundle?
All I hear is ridiculous platitudes like “save our democracy” (from what exactly???) and ludicrous name calling like racist, Nazi, fascist and every other “phobe” they can concoct to subvert the “democratic” election where 77 million Americans voted for this president.
So leftist Democrats, since you are so intellectually adolescent, like the spoiled little brats you are — take your ball and go home.
“We the people” are $38 trillion in debt and pay $1.2 trillion per year of interest payments on debt. This is the third largest expenditure behind Medicare and Social Security.
In 2023 $100 billion was identified as Medicare fraud. The current administration is trying to stop improper payments to ineligible recipients including the millions of illegals getting it through sanctuary states.
As of 2025, approximately 60.4% of U.S. households pay federal income tax. Conversely, about 39.6% of households pay no federal income tax and approximately 23 million eligible workers and families received a federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), costing $57 Billion. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) can be more than the income taxes you paid because it is a refundable tax credit — ie it’s another subsidy.
The U6 unemployment rate is 8.1% and the workforce participation rated is 62.3% which means 37.7% of people able and eligible to work are not in the labor force. This is before AI kicks in and eliminates many jobs.
Yet, Democrats (and complicit Republicans) allowed millions of unvetted, unskilled and uneducated illegals into America, ostensibly to “take the jobs” that the 37.7% of Americans not working won’t do and are content on living off dependency programs.
So, if you are in the 60.4% group of taxpayers you should be supporting these streamlining, cost-cutting and repatriation of illegals efforts, not protesting against them.
We have to stop being a personal piggy bank for corrupt politicians enriching themselves and those who feel that they are entitled to the earnings of others.
Where is Trump’s health care plan?
To the editor:
Obamacare is the last bit of the Obama legacy Trump has been unable to obliterate. He has been telling us for 10 years that he’s going to introduce a health care program that’s way better than Obamacare: Better coverage, more affordable, but after all this time we have yet to see the barest outlines of a Trump health care program.
The current government shutdown is about the healthcare crisis in our country. Democrats aren’t asking for something that’s not already on the books; they just want to keep in place subsidies under Obamacare that are allowing Americans to purchase health care coverage. If these subsidies are allowed to expire, as they soon will, millions will see their premiums skyrocket and health care will be unaffordable. Democrats also want cuts to Medicaid that have left many of our least fortunate citizens with no access to health care rescinded.
The Republican position is, of course, let’s open the government and we’ll talk about health care. But they aren’t willing to talk; if they were willing to negotiate, these cuts wouldn’t be there in the first place. The reason why, after 10 years, we’ve seen no Trump health care program is that he’s not interested in health care; his narrative is the lie that says Democrats want to give free healthcare to undocumented immigrants.
On Saturday, it’s reckoned that 7 million Americans demonstrated against Trump’s fear-based, authoritarian style of government. His reaction was to post a video depicting himself wearing a crown and piloting a jet aircraft over the demonstrators and dropping a payload of excrement upon them. As you well know, I’m not making this up. Have we ever in our history witnessed a president with so much disdain for so many of those he’s supposed to be governing? There’s no doubt he was hoping at least some of the demonstrations would devolve into violence and give him a pretext to send in troops to batter demonstrators.
Nixon was supposed to have had a secret list of enemies; Trump proclaims his list out loud and demands the DOJ find crimes with which to charge them. What we cannot do is allow Trump to normalize his outrages against the rule of law and our Constitution. We need a movement, led by our civic, university and corporate leaders, that will stand up for our democracy and reject authoritarian oligarchy.
Ray
Clasen North Fort Myers
Twenty brief history facts
To the editor:
By now, we have seen what Trump has done in his short second term. Either you are for him or against him based on what you have experienced. Despite any perceived or actual good he has done, a major problem remains with him, and it has been best described by the English moralist and literary critic, Samuel Johnson:
“The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.”
This is precisely who Trump is, his essence, and he admits it and it guides him. It must guide him because he does not have a moral compass. This is not complicated. He is grossly flawed in all attributes common to great men. Never forget what Trump is for one moment.
1. He is an authoritarian.
Tony Cosenza Cape Coral
Mercedes Price Harry Guest Commentary
Greenwell: Dedication marked
From page 1
miss him very much,” he said of Greenwell who died Oct. 9 following a battle with thyroid cancer. He was 62.
Commissioner Brian Hamman said he could not think of anything that Greenwell left a larger mark on than the Lee Civic Center.
“He cared so much about making sure that was a facility where the 4H’ers and community could come together,” he said. “The Ag Expo has been amazing and that is due in part to the efforts he put into this. This is something we want to do to honor him.”
Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass said with all the hours Greenwell spent building pens and going to the Lee Civic Center with his kids and grandkids for the last 35 years it makes sense to honor him in this way.
“This is an honor to rename it after him, so the family can see it for the rest of their lives,” he said.
One of Greenwell’s sons, Garrett Greenwell, thanked the commissioners for the gesture.
“The Lee County Civic Center was a massive item for my dad. He really wanted it to be big and grand and something the community could be proud of,” he said. “We couldn’t be more honored to have it named after him. Obviously, anything you need from us we are happy to help.”
University of Florida IFAS extension Lee County 4H Agent Arielle Pierce said it meant a lot that the commissioners renamed the complex, as Greenwell was a very passionate and loud vocal supporter of 4H. She said in his position he recognized the youth and programs that meant a lot to the community, and expanded upon them.
“That is how we ended up at the Civic Center,” Pierce said, adding that Greenwell will be greatly missed, but she knows the Lee County commissioners will carry on his mission.
Pierce said it was a nice gesture to rename the complex as it reaffirms that Lee County government is truthful in its word – that they want it to be a community gathering place, a space that is functional in a different way than some of the traditional parks.
The renaming gives faith that it will be there for years to come as a dedicated safe space for the youth and community to grow, Pierce said.
After talking with others and attending his celebration of life service, it was evident that Greenwell wanted to make a better community for the youth by expanding opportunities and making sure they are not left behind, she said, adding that was accomplished through the offering programs – a home – and a safe place to grow.
“He definitely had a passion for 4H,” she said, for which she is incredibly grateful. “It was wonderful to work with him (and now) we will be working with him in spirit to carry on the same mission and idea for youth to grow and be workforce ready.”
Greenwell was a Lee County native who attended North Fort Myers High School where he was a baseball standout for the Red Knights.
He enjoyed a 12-year professional baseball career with the Boston Red Sox before returning home to raise his family and become a local business owner. He was appointed to the Board of County Commissioners by Gov. Ron DeSantis in July 2022 and reelected in 2024. He dedicated his life to 4-H and youth development in Lee County.
Lee County Commissioner Mike Greenwell at 31 Produce, his family business, off SR 31 near Babcock Ranch. The business has since been closed to make way for the new four-lane highway necessitated by the rapidly growing community that straddles the Charlotte/Lee County line.
The Greenwell family has requested that in lieu of flowers, community members who want to honor him make donations to support Lee County 4-H. Find details of how to donate at www.leegov.com/bocc/ celebration-of-life.
The landing page also offers community members a way to share memories and upload photos in a virtual guestbook, which will remain available until Oct. 31. Comments and images will be shared with Greenwell’s family.
The family, the Red Sox and Lee County hosted a Celebration of Life on Saturday, Oct. 18, at JetBlue Park. A video of the ceremony, which was livestreamed, is available at the county’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/@ LeeCountyFLBOCC/videos
Greenwell spent years at the Lee County Civic Center Complex as a boy and a father, and he made the Civic Center a central point during his service as a county commissioner. Lee County Commissioners said there was no better site in the Lee County Parks & Recreation system to name in his honor.
The acreage came into county ownership in 1975 after the Lee County Commission agreed to purchase the former Kickapoo Ranch from Clarence Duffala for $420,875.
It quickly became Lee County’s go-to site for concerts and major events.
“In November of 1978, the main building opened and has been home to concerts and events including Bob Hope, Ice Capades, Royal Lipizzaner Stallions, Harlem Globetrotters, Jimmy Buffet, U2, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Styx, Beach Boys, The Pointer Sisters, Foreigner, Bryan Adams and more,” the county website states.
The now-aging complex that sits on 96 acres off Bayshore Road at the approach to SR 31 also became the home to the Southwest Florida and Lee County Fair in 1979, an event the county took over in 2023.
Plans for a revision are underway however county officials stated last year that the county was “committed to maintaining activities for 4-H and the Southwest Florida Ag Expo.”
Greenwell, whose district included the largely rural area near the center, was the commission’s spokesperson after a proposal was made to possibly commercialize and develop the Civic Center’s acreage. Greenwell owned and operated with his family the nearby 31 Produce, a farmers market complete with U-pick field, country store and the popular Cracker Shack Cafe.
For more information about the renamed Mike Greenwell Regional Park, http:// www.leeparks.org, call 239-533-7275 or email leeparks@leegov.com.
NATHAN MAYBERG
Lee County hopes to partner with Cape Coral to expedite widening of Burnt Store Road
Officials request meeting; final 5.7 miles estimated to cost $185-$190 million
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com
Lee County is seeking a meeting with the city to discuss the widening of Burnt Store Road where a triple-fatality crash happened on Monday.
The discussion took place Tuesday at this week’s Lee County Board of County Commissioners meeting.
Commissioner Brian Hamman said at the recent Metropolitan Planning Association meeting, representatives from the city asked if the county would consider having a joint meeting to discuss Burnt Store Road and potentially other issues on which the county and city are currently overlapping.
“There was a fatal accident in this very section of Burnt Store Road last night and three people lost their lives on this stretch of Burnt Store Road,” Hamman said. “Obviously, the accident report will determine why and what happened there. This is a road I would like to see us widen as soon as possible.”
Three people died and one sustained minor injured in the three-vehicle crash near Janis Road.
The crash, which occurred at approximately 8:25 p.m., involved one truck driving south on Burnt Store Road. Another truck pulling a trailer, and an SUV driving directly behind the truck,
“Maybe we can come up with some interlocal agreement to expedite this project because this is an important evacuation route for the city of Cape Coral. I would think they would want to help us get this done as quickly as possible.”
Brian Hamman, Lee county commissioner
were heading north on Burnt Store Road.
According to the Cape Coral Police Department’s preliminary investigation, “as the two trucks approached each other, the southbound truck drifted across the center line into the northbound lane.”
The southbound truck then hit one of the northbound truck’s rear tires, which then lost control and spun before coming to rest off the roadway.
Directly after the first impact, the southbound truck then hit the SUV, which rolled over and left the roadway, where it stopped facing the opposite direction.
The southbound truck spun and stopped in the middle of the roadway.
The driver of the southbound truck, as well as both occupants of the SUV were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The northbound truck driver sustained minor injuries.
Speed did not appear to be a factor of
the accident, according to the CCPD. Hamman said the commission already has done a tremendous amount of work to widen the first three phases of Burnt Store Road.
The next phase needs to be prioritized, he said.
“I know we want to get this last 5.7 miles of Burnt Store Road widened. If you look at the way the impact fee districts are shaped in the north district, the city of Cape Coral obviously collects the impact fee districts, but those impact fees do not go towards Burnt Store Road because it is a county-owned road,” Hamman said. “It will go towards whatever the city wants to spend them on — it could be sidewalks, or could be neighborhood streets.”
He said when looking at the rest of the north impact fee district, it is not generating enough money to cover anything necessary to widen Burnt Store Road.
“I would like to have a conversation with them (the city) about them helping to share in some of the cost widening Burnt Store Road. It’s potentially a $185 (million) to $190 million expansion. If they are seeing development to drive the need to widen the road and add capacity to the road, then the fees you collect for capacity and infrastructure — the impact fees could probably help us out,” Hamman said. “Maybe we can come up with some interlocal agreement to expedite this project because this is an important evacuation route for the city of Cape Coral. I would think they would want to help us get this done as quickly as possible.”
The county manager was asked to reach out to City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn and get back to the commissioners about scheduling the meeting.
According to the county, the only remaining segment to complete on Burnt Store Road is subject to the current PD&E study, which is anticipated to be completed by the end of this calendar year. Once completed the funding needs to be identified for Lee Department of Transportation to be able to move forward.
The study is based on traffic volume projections, transportation system linkage and safety. The study begins at Van Buren Parkway and extends to the Charlotte County line.
South West Florida Horse Rescue a recovery haven for equines in need
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com
When people think of animal rescues, they often think of the Cape Coral Animal Shelter or ARC in North Fort Myers
But animals in need come in all sizes from the small to the tall and horses are too often among those needing rescue and South West Florida Horse Rescue, Inc. serves as “the home for rehabilitating abandoned horses of Southwest Florida.”
The rescue was founded by Tina Garrett and Matt Venaleck.
They were horse owners who saw a need to save the lives of local horses in need.
What became their passion in 2010 was first funded from their own pockets.
A feature in the Fort Myers NewsPress in 2012 and a $450,000 grant from the president of a foundation for the purchase the now 40-acre property from which the rescue operates off SR 31 near Babcock Ranch took things to a whole new level.
“We work with the sheriff’s department for seizures,” she said. “When the sheriff department gets involved for a horse that is neglected and abandoned, they seize the horse and contact us. We will make room for the horses. We don’t want to see them go the livestock auction.”
The rescue takes in some of the “worst cases — walking skeletons.” With their big support system and a fabulous veterinarian, they are able to save most horses.
“I am not saying we can save them all,
PHOTO PROVIDED
South West Florida Horse Rescue co-founder Tina Garrett with Ellie, formerly Sally. Ellie came to the rescue from the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office last October. Ellie was severely emaciated, dehydrated, with poor teeth, and in need of a place to “get healthy and live out her golden years surrounded by love and the best of care,” which she is now enjoying.
but God knows we will try. We will do anything we can possibly do to save the lives of local horses,” Garrett said. “Some don’t reach out soon enough or weren’t caught soon enough. There are some situations that are very sad. You just wish people had reached out for help. These horses – they don’t ask to be owned by someone that isn’t going to feed them.
Why would you own something that you can’t take care of?”
The rescue has been able to adopt numerous horses that were saved, which she said is fabulous. Those who adopt are well aware of the commitment they are making to owning a horse.
“You will not walk out of here not knowing how much it is going to cost you
to take care of this horse for the rest of its life. You are going to know that. There is no surprise,” Garrett said.
Sharing the education of knowing how to take care of a horse has been a constant for the rescue, as has coming up with innovative ways to raise money to support the horses in their care. A seizure from Collier County that found its way to the rescue is one of those examples. The horse, renamed Titan, escaped his enclosure and started walking around a rural part of the county. The sheriff’s office was called, the owners were tracked down and arrested, as the horse was “purely a skeleton with skin stretched across him.”
“We did a name game. The intake expense is the most costly for the rescue because when they first come to us we have to get them up to date on everything. It is not cheap,” she said.
The name game, which runs for seven days, allows the public to vote on their favorite name – a dollar a vote.
“Titan was the winning name, and I think we raised $1,500. That money goes into their intake expenses,” Garrett said.
There are other ways the community can help support the rescue — a recent addition is through the Horse Angel Program, a sponsorship opportunity for their senior sanctuary horses – the horses that will never leave the rescue.
“Those horses cost just as much if not more than a healthy rideable horse,” she said.
See RESCUE, page 13
Rescue: Donations and fundraisers are a literal lifesaver
From page 12
The great thing about this sponsorship opportunity is an individual can decide how much, how often and which horse they would like to sponsor.
“We have probably up to 30 horse angels so far. Everybody loves it because on your birthday you get a birthday card from your horse. At Christmas you get a Christmas card from your horse,” Garrett said.
The hope is to have angel wing plaques made for outside of the horse’s stall, so individuals can see how many, if any, are for each horse.
Another way to give back is through volunteerism — an opportunity needed year-round. Those interested can visit swfhr.org and sign up for orientation, visit the rescue and fill out the volunteer form.
“We want to make sure this is something they can do, something they want to do,” Garrett said of why the orientation is required.
If still interested, the volunteer will shadow a seasoned volunteer until they are ready to work on their own.
“Some of the parents bring their kids out. They all volunteer. It’s like a family day. What better way to spend time with kids,” she said.
A message shared among all the volunteers is that the horses belong to everyone.
“They need all of us to take care of them, not just Tina and Matt. We encourage our volunteers when they talk about this rescue – call it yours, it is,” Garrett said.
Donations — monetary, in-kind, select goods and wish list items — are always welcome. Visit swfhr.org/donate/ .
Fundraisers help make rescues possible
There are a number of fundraisers planned to help raise money for a horse rescue in Charlotte County over the next few months.
Tina Garrett and Matt Venaleck, who co-founded Southwest Florida Horse Rescue in 2010 in North Fort Myers, kicked off a slew of fundraisers with a Babcock Ranch sponsored charity golf tournament on Oct. 14.
“This is our first one. We have always wanted to do a golf tournament,” Garrett said, adding that they got together with some of their board members, as well as people from Babcock Ranch to make it happen.
“It should be a very good turnout and hopefully we raise lots of money for horses for the Southwest Florida Horse Rescue,” she said before the event, adding that the money will benefit the horses.
“We have 21 horses in our care. Basic care for 21 horses as of right now is quite substantial.”
The golf charity event raised $18,700.
The fundraising will continue in December at the American Legion, Post 336 in North Fort Myers for their quarter auction. A date has yet to be set for the 15-year fundraiser.
A Chili Cook Off will be held in March, and a wine tasting fundraiser with the Rotary Club of Babcock Ranch is in the works with a date to be determined.
Titan, previously known as Monarcas, came to the rescue from Collier County Animal Services last August. At top, Titan today.
PHOTO BY
DAVID SUSSMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Left, Titian as he arrived at Collier County Animal Services.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Letters to the editor
page 6
1. He is an authoritarian.
2. He is a convicted criminal. The charges stemmed from a scandal involving “hush money” payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. He cheated on his wife with her.
3. He is a person who has been legally determined (by conviction or court ruling) to have committed a sexual assault against E. Jean Carroll.
4. He was the instigator of the precisely documented January 6th Insurrection. House January 6 Committee (2022 final report): The bipartisan committee concluded that Trump was “the central cause of January 6” and that the attack “would not have happened without him.” It detailed how he and his allies pressured state officials, the Department of Justice, and Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election, and then summoned supporters to Washington and encouraged them to march on the Capitol.
5. He reacted coldly when Mike Pence’s life was threatened. There is strong, multisource evidence that Pence’s life was in danger on January 6 and that Trump both pressured Pence beforehand and responded inadequately as the attack unfolded.
6. He tried to overturn the 2020 election. He is a sore loser and a cheater.
7. He cheated on his wives.
8. Trump is not formally or self-declared a white Christian nationalist. His messaging, coalition, and political strategy strongly overlap with white Christian nationalist ideology, and scholars widely agree that he has mobilized that movement, even if he doesn’t theologically belong to it.
9. He claims to be a Christian yet does
not adhere to the fundamental tenets of Christianity.
10. He does not believe in or abide by the Constitution.
11. He has no coherent economic plan or any semblance of a Universal Health Care plan that he has shared with the voters.
12. He wastes your time wondering if he’s going to a mythical heaven.
13. He whines about his loss of the Nobel Peace Prize. He is a champion whiner.
14. He is increasingly delusional. He quickly forgets how many countries and leaders dislike him.
15. He wastes taxpayer money on tacky White House upgrades.
16. He claims to be a peacemaker while invading Democratic cities to fight the apparitions of his distorted imagination.
17. He cannot be trusted. Trust erodes in him daily.
18. Trump is like a prisoner trying to do good deeds for an early release.
19. He is thoroughly inconsiderate and inconsistent. He’s good at these.
20. Across the ten most frequently cited national polling sources — including Reuters/Ipsos, YouGov/Economist, Gallup, Quinnipiac, Morning Consult, Emerson, Fox News, ABC/Washington Post, Pew, and RealClearPolitics aggregates— Donald Trump’s current average approval rating (as of mid-October 2025) is approximately:
Approval: ≈ 44%
Disapproval: ≈ 52%
Paul Kiefner St. Augustine, formerly of Cape Coral
Weekly B reeze Recap
800 students take part in ‘Build My Future Lee County’
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com
Eight hundred students were set to have a hands-on experience at JetBlue Park Thursday as they experienced different construction careers available in the area.
Now in its fifth year, high school students from Southwest Florida high schools were set to participate in Build My Future Lee County.
“We are happy this is our second year back,” Lee BIA Executive Vice President Phillip Ford said about having to take a two-year break. “We are excited to keep rolling on, and it is our largest so far.”
The event was presented by Fallsafe Walls and Ceilings and Wright Construction Group and hosted in partnership with the Lee County School District and the American Subcontractors Association of Southwest Florida.
Ford said he learned about the event while attending a breakout session where
people share ideas during a conference. This is where he heard a woman explain the Build My Future event she started in Springfield, Missouri. The idea fell in line with what he wanted to do in this area – enhance participation with the school district and grow curriculum and programs to get kids out in the field and working.
“I saw this as a way to enhance this effort. If we can introduce them to construction at Build My Future, let’s work on making sure the school district has programs and classes in place for training,” Ford said, adding they can then further their education at a technical college, or college, or go straight into the field.
Ford said the woman who started the event has allowed anybody in the national federation to use it and grow it locally in their community. He said they were the first to start Build My Future in Florida.
“It was fantastic she was willing to share it,” Ford said.
Now there are Build My Future programs all over the country.
“It is working. To see it is actually helping – kids are getting hired. They are making contacts. That is what it is all about,” Ford said. “It is probably one of the best things I have done. “We just want to get them into careers – there is opportunity for you, and you can make a very good living.”
The event in Lee County has grown from 400 students to 800 students, which now includes students from Hendry County for the second year.
The membership of Lee BIA is primarily Lee County, but their territory covers both Hendry County and Glades County, as well. When a former plumbing teacher left South Fort Myers High School and went to the Hendry County School District, the high school attendees expanded to another county.
On Thursday students were set to begin
arriving at 9 a.m. in different phases, providing them several hours to walk around and converse with vendors, while also enjoying lunch. The event was scheduled to end at 1 p.m.
In addition to Lee BIA industry partners, they also planned to have plumbing and electrical booths, as well as Lee County bringing their permitting department and the Department of Transportation.
“We didn’t want to have it where you just walk around. The idea is they want to get their hands dirty,” Ford said.
Some of the opportunities include putting scaffolding up, hanging sheet rock and stucco, as well as how to lay block and weld.
“We have 40 companies participating this year,” he said.
He said the kids have been amazing –they are engaged, walking around talking to vendors and getting their hands dirty.
Mike Greenwell remembered
By CASEY BRADLEY GENT news@breezenewspapers.com
Friends, family and hundreds of community members gathered at JetBlue Stadium Saturday afternoon — many wearing Boston Red Sox jerseys — to celebrate the life of Mike Greenwell, baseball hero turned Lee County Commissioner.
Danielle Justice, a former pastor and Green-well’s niece, officiated Saturday’s Celebration of Life for the North Fort Myers High School graduate who went on to spend 12 years in the Major League as a left fielder, all of them with the Red Sox where he was known as Gator Mike.
“The sheer number of people here speaks volumes,” Justice began. “He gave people his time. He gave people his heart. He gave people his example.”
Greenwell, 62, a Red Sox Hall of Famer, died Oct. 9 following a battle with thyroid cancer.
Saturday’s service was open to the public, and nearly every part of the day’s event was either a nod to Mike’s life in baseball, or to his life as a dad and public servant.
Greenwell and his wife Tracy were together for 45 years. When Tracy and the family entered JetBlue Stadium, they symbolically entered from left field. Tracy entered the stadium first, accompanied by two of her grandsons, Brooks and Gage. Tracy was followed by the couple’s sons, Bo and Garrett Greenwell. Bo’s wife, Brittany, the couple’s son, Brady, and Garrett’s wife, Paige, and the couple’s daughter, Paizlee. The two oldest grandsons, each holding one of Grandma Tracy’s hands, jumped over the white chalk-line leading from home base to third base. This show of respect for the white chalk line seemed to simply be part of growing-up as a Greenwell.
Following Justice’s introduction, a collection of four current and one former Lee County commissioner spoke on the impact of Mike Greenwell and their col-
BRADLEY GENT
Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane addresses the crowd gathered for Mike Greenwell’s Celebration of Life Saturday at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers. He is flanked by, from left, fellow Commissioners Cecil Pendergrass and Brian Hamman, former Commissioner Ray Sandelli and current Commissioner David Mulicka.
lective leadership. Vice Chairman Cecil Pendergrass thanked the Greenwell family for sharing Mike with the community.
“We are better people because of him. We are better commissioners. We are a better Lee County,” Pendergrass said.
Commissioner Brian Hamman said that Mike Greenwell literally “lived every little boy’s dream.” He played with the Red Sox from 1985 to 1996. Following his career with the Red Sox, Greenwell became a professional angler.
Red Sox General Manager Shawn Smith also spoke.
He said it was an honor to be there,
and to celebrate Mike Greenwell’s love and respect for the game of baseball.
As a baseball player, Greenwell was the runner-up in the 1988 American League Most Valuable Player vote and was on the 1986 Red Sox team that faced the New York Mets in a thrilling seven-game World Series match which the Mets won.
He batted over .300 for his career, a rare feat among hitters, ending his career with a .303 batting average. He was also one of the toughest players to strike out of his era. In six seasons, he ranked among the top 10 in most at-bats per strikeout
amongst all major leaguers.
After Greenwell retired from the Red Sox, he coached Little League baseball, and was a devoted high school football and baseball coach for Riverdale High School.
Among the groups represented at Saturday’s gathering were former athletes Greenwell coached, former employees of 31 Produce and even Greenwell’s personal physician. Each attendee agreed that Mike and Tracy Greenwell made everyone who knew the couple feel like family.
Before closing Saturday’s Celebration of Life, Justice reminded the audience, “This community cheered for Mike long before Fenway ever did.”
Along the stadium corridors, North Fort Myers High School and Red Sox sports memorabilia lined several fences. In the collection of photographs on display, Mike Greenwell’s smile appeared big and bright — much like the legacy he leaves behind with wife Tracy, their sons and grandchildren here in Lee County and beyond.
After Greenwell returned to Southwest Florida, he opened and operated several local businesses including the old Mike Greenwell’s Bat-A-Ball & Family Fun Park in Cape Coral and 31 Produce, a farmers market complete with U-pick field, country store and the popular Cracker Shack Cafe.
Greenwell’s political service began in 2022, after he was appointed the Lee County Commissioner for District 5 by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Greenwell won a Republican Party primary a month later and then a special election that November to retain his seat and fill out the remainder of the seat’s term.
Greenwell was re-elected in 2024 to a new term in office and also served as a past chair of the county commissioners.
Editor’s Note: CJ Haddad contributed to this report
CASEY
Celebration of a life well lived
Fond farewell to Mike Greenwell
“Gator Mike” Greenwell — North Fort Myers High School standout, Red Sox Hall of Famer, family man, entrepreneur and Lee County commissioner — is remembered at a celebration of life held at JetBlue Stadium Saturday afternoon. The stadium was embellished with photos, memorabilia and more as Lee County remembered one of its own for contributions to the sport that was his passion and to the community he loved and served.
Top and above: The public ceremony included an Honor Guard from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and various dignitaries, including Boston Red Sox General Manager Shawn Smith, who gave an animated recollection of Mike Greenwell’s outstanding career. / PHOTOS BY
CASEY BRADLEY GENT
“Fenway South” was bedecked with memorabilia, marking Greenwell’s career from local star to his 12 years in the Major Leagues as the Red Sox “Gator Tough” left fielder. Also heralded was his life as a family man and dedicated community leader. / PHOTOS COURTESY OF LEE COUNTY.
The
a
County Board of County Commissioners this week
LCEC DELIVERS MORE THAN POWER
In collaboration with the National Theatre for Children and the LCEC Zap Free Zone high-voltage demonstration, we help educate local students about electricity and the importance of electrical safety. This is one example of why…
Membership Matters
From
two-sport standout at North Fort Myers High to a Major League career to full circle as a devoted high school football and baseball coach, Mike Greenwell “lived every little boy’s dream,” according to fellow Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman.
Lee
renamed the Lee County Civic Center Mike Greenwell Regional Park in his honor.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF LEE COUNTY
Incentives: City to get rooms guarantee for times of emergency
From page 1
He questioned why the city could not just go to the Fairfield Inn and buy them a $350,000 generator.
Gunter said he appreciated Long’s remarks. He said when taking the inventive package and dividing that by 37 rooms, it would equate to the city paying about $75,203 a night.
“We don’t know how many times we are going to use it,” he said. “We need rooms for our employees when we activate during a hurricane. Being part of the Emergency Operation Center, I can understand that.”
Gunter said for arguments sake, if the city could partner with four hotels and provide $350,000 for a generator for 37 rooms at each, that would total 148 rooms the city could use if needed.
“I think I would want to explore possibly doing that first before I would approve one incentive program and one generator for $2.8 million. Are we incentivizing the hotel because we want the hotel, or incentivizing the project for 37 rooms?” he said. “For me, if we are trying to get hotel rooms for emergency activation, I would rather partner with a couple other hotels to see if they would allow us to install the generators with the understanding we can use those rooms.”
City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said staff was recommending an incentive package for a hotel developer because they are getting all of the space, operations, upkeep, amenities and secondary power for $2.4 million. He said if the city had to build the space it would be more than $30 million.
The incentive to a private entity is the first of its kind for the business.
“We were able to offset over $30 mil-
“We were able to offset over $30 million in expenses in providing this incentive. It provides a tax benefit as opposed to an asset unused during blue skies,”
— Michael Ilczyszyn, city manager
lion in expenses in providing this incentive. It provides a tax benefit as opposed to an asset unused during blue skies,” Ilczyszyn said.
Councilmember Bill Steinke was among those in favor of the incentive, as he said the city needs to provide incentives to bring in hotels, so they can receive bed taxes generated from hotels.
“We need to encourage these hotels to come and provide these rooms for us. We are way short of hotel rooms. Forget the emergency management piece, I think it is a great incentive package to bring a high-quality hotel in the Marriott family in the city,” he said.
Steinke said the city cannot partner with four hotels in the city because all but one of those is in a floodplain area.
Ilczyszyn said he appreciated the discussion, but he cannot tell them how many times they have tried to find rooms, as when a hurricane is nearing as every resident in the state is calling hotels trying to find a place to go. He said they won’t say they will take a government service rate over a free market rate.
“The availability of rooms when a storm is pending is near zero –— that is fact. We are shoving people in closets, it is just what happens,” Ilczyszyn said. “The ability to have 37 rooms in perpetuity for the rest of the city, at this cost, I stand behind this analysis.”
He also addressed providing $350,000
to other standing hotels, which he said would surpass that amount as there would need to be design and engineering to retrofit the space, get a permit, business loss during construction, and change in distribution and service line.
“I cannot put first responders in harm’s way,” Ilczyszyn said.
Eric Thom, Continental Properties senior development director, said they analyzed their existing property in Cape Coral, Fairfield Inn, which would entail more room for a generator and tank, as well as the cost to retrofit items, as well as rewiring the floors and ripping out everything to make sure a generator would operate proficiently.
“The problem comes down to the electrical room that is big enough,” Thom said, adding that when they plan ahead they can make it happen.
Ilczyszyn said they are partnering with a company that is seeking to build a hotel in the city, which will also solve a lot of issues emergency management has when needing emergency activation.
“In my 24 years we scramble every time there is hurricane season trying to enter into agreements with Army Reserve, Lee County School District and anybody they can find in order to have a place that is safe and remains operational for emergency staff,” Ilczyszyn said. “I am grateful the developer is willing to work with us and that issue is resolved for my tenure in the
seat and all future administration and council as well.”
City Emergency Management Resiliency Director Ryan Lamb said the project is really important with the threat of hurricanes and getting required staff outside of flood areas in the city. He said there are 800 employees that are required to work, such as code officers, building inspectors, police officers and firefighters.
“If we have some of our consultants and recovery folks after the fact – in the longer recovery phase,” Lamb said could stay there too.
Economic Development Manager
Sharon Woodberry said Continental Properties Company, Inc. is a national multi-family, retail and hospitality development company. One of their properties is Fairfield Inn & Suites Cape Coral/North Fort Myers.
She said the project will be managed by Schulte Hospitality Group, a professional hotel management and development company that manages hotels under the brands from Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt.
Project TownPlace Suites by Marriott Hotel has a total investment of $29.1 million for the 13,500-square-foot facility, which will include an outdoor pool, a fitness room and a welcoming breakfast area.
Woodberry said the project has a total economic impact of hotel operations of $6.5 million for indirect, direct and induced output. The impact for one time construction has a value of $39.7 million for indirect, direct and induced output. She said the site plan has been submitted and is under review with a proposed project commencement next month and anticipated construction completion of April 2027.
*FLORIDA HAS THE HIGHEST INSURANCE RATES IN THE COUNTRY
Are you tired of: Flashy Ads promising “Cheap” Insurance only to learn what was taken away to make it cheap?
Are you tired of: Finding out your Insurance Agency is out of Miami or Orlando?
Are you tired of: Calling your Agency for service and talking to another country?
Are you tired of: Sales and Service reps that don’t know Insurance any better than you do?
Are you tired of: Binding a policy at one price, and have it skyrocket or get cancelled after the Credit Report or Property Inspection is done?
Emily Feichthaler named Coca-Cola scholarship semi-finalist
Oasis High senior among the 1% of applicants to clear first round for $20,000 achievement-based award
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com
Oasis High School’s Emily Feichthaler has been named a 2026 Coca-Cola Scholars Program Semi-Finalist, the only student from Cape Coral.
The students were selected based on leadership, service, impact and academics. More than 107,000 high school seniors applied and 1,230 students selected.
“To me being chosen as a 2026 CocaCola Semi Finalist means that I can demonstrate my service for my community, as well as my country, by sharing my accomplishments and goals with other selected high schoolers to improve our cities’ everyday lives and to learn more about community,” Feichthaler, a senior, said.
She said the first-round application was online where she had to list every club,
organization, volunteer activity, sports team and performing arts organization with which she was involved during high school. The application also touched upon honor societies, student government, performing arts, student media, debate, visual arts, athletics, community activities and employment.
“Phase two of the application entails submitting a brand-new application which includes academic information from my school counselor, a transcript, SAT scores, and a recommendation letter,” Feichthaler said. “None of the information I previously submitted carries over, so I have completed a much more in-depth application answering questions about my activities, leadership, and awards.”
She has about a month to finish and then a panel of judges will review the submissions and choose the 250 finalists.
“Service and advocacy, especially for hurricane preparedness and recovery in my community are very important to me. I am excited to have the opportunity to share my work in these areas with the Coca-Cola Foundation. Being selected as a winner of the competition would be amazing as I would have the opportunity to meet the other winners to build relationships with students from around the country who are passionate about service and advocacy and learn more about how I can better my community and make a difference,” Feichthaler said.
Congressional App Challenge submissions are due Oct. 30 for students in Florida’s 19th Congressional District.
The challenge was established in 2013 to engage students from across the country in a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics academic competition as a bipartisan effort. The skills of students are showcased through their efforts of both creating and exhibiting their software application (app) for their platform of choice
The challenge was established in 2013 to engage students from across the country in a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics academic competition as a bipartisan effort.
— mobile, tablet or computer device.
To participate students must be either a middle school, or high school student and can either register as an individual, or teams of up to four. Students can only
compete in the congressional district where they reside, or the congressional district where they attend school. For teams, at least half of the teammates must be eligible to compete in the district in which they
participate.
All students must also be U.S. residents at the time of submission and there are no citizen requirements for students.
To register, visit https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/students/student-registration/.
The judging period will be in November and the winners will be announced in December.
For additional information, email FL19General@mail.house.gov, or call (239) 599-6033, or (239) 252-6225.
Emily Feichthaler
PHOTO PROVIDED
the breeze business
OctOber 24, 2025
Business Briefs
Marcus & Millichap Capital Corporation arranges $14 million financing for Cape storage facility
Marcus & Millichap Capital Corporation, a provider of commercial real estate capital markets financing solutions, arranged $14 million in financing for a 137,900-square-foot self-storage property located at 1111 S.W. Pine Island Road in Cape Coral.
Doug Brooks, managing director in MMCC’s Columbus office, secured the financing with a local bank on behalf of Island Estate Group, an investment company that operates in Florida, New York, Georgia and South Carolina.
“The strong sponsorship, desirable location, and stable tenancy with CubeSmart made this an attractive opportunity for our lending partner,” said Brooks. “This transaction demonstrates our commitment to securing optimal capital solutions for our clients in today’s evolving market.”
The loan features a 5-year term with a 25-year amortization schedule at 60% loan-to-value and a competitive interest rate with 18 months of interest-only payments.
The property offers a wide range of climate-controlled storage units as well as moving supplies.
Coffee Rush drive-thru enters local market
MK Architecture has been awarded the architectural design services for the new corporate prototype for Coffee Rush of Portland, Oregon. Coffee Rush has a more than 30-year history of fine coffees in the Portland area. The stores are to be located at out parcel locations with double drive-thrus and will be located in Fort Myers and Cape Coral with at least six new stores being planned. They offer a variety of high-quality coffees sourced from the Northwest, and locally sourced pastries and other breakfast items. The first location at the Forum in Fort Myers will be open this month.
MK Architecture specializes in hospitality, commercial and multi-family architecture with offices in Fort Myers, Naples, and Lexington, Kentucky.
RSW,
Page Field
numbers for September
During September, 550,259 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers. This was an increase of 5.2% compared to September 2024. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 0.1%.
The traffic leader in September was Delta with 132,318 passengers. Rounding out the top five airlines were Southwest (100,318), American (87,250), United (82,316) and JetBlue (52,459). Southwest Florida International Airport had 5,342 aircraft operations, a decrease of 4.6 % compared to September 2024.
Page Field saw 14,000 operations, which was a 5.4% increase compared to September 2024.
Southwest Florida International Airport served more than 11 million passengers in 2024 and is one of the top 50 U.S. airports for passenger traffic. No ad valorem (property) taxes are used for airport operation or construction. For more information, visit flylcpa. com or facebook.com/flyRSW.
Property appraiser to speak at REIS meeting
The Real Estate Investment Society will meet Wednesday, Nov. 12, with a presentation on Valuation Insights from Lee County Property Appraiser, Matt Caldwell. The meeting is sponsored by Markham Norton and will begin promptly at 11:45 a.m. in the Osprey Room at Pelican Preserve’s Clubhouse, on Treeline Avenue at Colonial Boulevard, in Fort Myers.
Tickets are $30 form members and $45 for non-members. Reservations are required by Monday, Nov. 10. Please note that the meeting date was changed to Wednesday due to Veterans Day on Tuesday.
Caldwell is a 7th generation Floridian and has a bachelor of arts degree in history from FGCU and a master of science in geomatics from the University of Florida. He served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2010-2018 and was elected to serve as Property Appraiser in 2020.
Seed and Bean Market to open at The Cove at 47th in Cape
The Seed and Bean Market has announces that its third location will be in Cape Coral at The Cove at 47th, a luxury apartment destination in downtown. Seed & Bean Market was founded in 2018 and is Florida’s first Cannabis Café and CBD marketplace with locations in Fort Myers and Venice. It was also the second cannabis café to open in the United States.
With construction underway, a soft opening is expected later in October with a major grand opening to follow, according to business officials. This 2,800-square-foot location will feature 128 seats indoors and up to 70 more seats for outdoor patio and breezeway bar dining.
The new Cape Coral restaurant will be much larger than the other two locations and will feature sit-down dining, its signature bar and grab & go counter. The Seed and Bean Market will be the only dining destination that will feature breakfast, lunch and dinner at The Cove, and one of the first in the downtown.
The owners of Seed & Bean Market will soon announce a date in October for a Job Fair on location that will hire up to 45 positions including managers, cooks, servers, hostesses, bussers and bartenders.
“With our immediate success and acceptance into Fort Myers and Venice, we knew that our next expansion was into the burgeoning Cape Coral market. Not only is this city one of the fastest growing in the state of Florida, but we have been impressed with its great leadership from its elected officials. We look forward to bringing over 40 new jobs to the area and quickly becoming a staple of
The owners of Seed & Bean Market will soon announce a date in October for a Job Fair on location that will hire up to 45 positions including managers, cooks, servers, hostesses, bussers and bartenders.
the downtown community,” said Cole Peacock, co-founder of Seed and Bean Market and C3 Investments.
Collaborating on this project are KDL Interior Design, Chris-Tel Construction and Zachary Smith with GMA Architects & Planners.
We are thrilled to be partnering with Seed and Bean for a third time on what may be a flagship location for them. Having worked with the C3 team over the years, we have come to understand their passion and professionalism not only for this space, but also for the impact they have on the community. Building upon their brand has been a game changer in their industry and we are honored to help make their vision a reality once again,” said Howard Wheeler, President with Chris-Tel Construction.
Seed and Bean Market’s leadership team’s philosophy is giving back and becoming part of the fabric of the communities it calls home. This includes support and volunteering with organizations like Community Cooperative Soup Kitchen, Venice Walk and Ride, Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida, Suncoast Humane Society, and Florida Gulf Coast University.
Peacock is considered a pioneer in the Florida cannabis industry and was appointed vice chair of the inaugural Florida Hemp Advisory Committee by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried. Peacock is also co-founder of C3 Investments and its innovative ventures include Seed and Bean Markets (Florida’s First Cannabis Café and CBD Marketplace), Pure Native Premium Hemp/Cannabis Lifestyle Brand, and Caloosahatchee Beverage Company, which created first federally approved Hemp Beer.
“Our family friendly concept takes the stigma out of the cannabis café perception. We have created an atmosphere where everyone feels at home whether they are ordering delicious food, coffee, hemp protein shake, CBD Seltzer, or a craft beer. Seed and Bean Market is a proven model of success and we are so excited to bring it to Cape Coral,” added Peacock.
About Seed and Bean Market Seed and Bean Market was founded in 2018 in Fort Myers after four founding members with industry roots cultivated their passion for great coffee, unique beer and delicious food into a comfortable lifestyle destination. As the first marketplace of its kind, it is dedicated to offering only the highest quality foods and beverages, thoroughly tested products, and the chillest atmosphere in the region. Its locations are downtown Fort Myers at 1520 Broadway and in Venice at 116 W. Venice Ave. For more about the business, visit https://seedandbeanmarket.com/
Kids in costume eat free at Hooters on Halloween, and a future visit
Children wearing their Halloween costume at any of the South Florida, Southwest Florida, Bradenton and Sarasota Hooters restaurants on Friday, Oct. 31 will receive a free kid’s meal on Halloween.
In addition, they will also be given a voucher for a free kid’s meal on their next visit too.
Kids meal choices include grilled cheese, wings, boneless wings, burger sliders and mac & cheese.
Kids meals also include a side and beverage.
This deal is for children 10 and under wearing a Halloween costume on Oct. 31. The offer is for one free kids’ meal per paying adult, for dine-in only.
South Florida Hooters locations:
n Hooters of Beach Place, 17 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Suite 305, Fort Lauderdale; 954-7670014
n Hooters of Boca Raton, 2240
N.W. 19 St., Suite 1101-A, Boca Raton; 561 -391-8903
n Hooters of Miami on Coral Way, 3301 Coral Way, Miami; 305873-6166
n Hooters of Doral, 8695 N.W. 13TH Terrace, Miami; 305-5935088
n Hooters of Hialeah, 680 w. 49TH St., Hialeah; 305-827-8000
n Hooters of Fort Lauderdale, 6345 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 954-928-0026
n Hooters of Pembroke Pines, 7990 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines; 954-962-6330
n Hooters of Sunrise, 3805 N. University Drive, Sunrise; 954-7481000
n Hooters of Weston, 2282 Weston Road, Weston; 954-9907047
n Hooters of Bradenton, 4908 14TH St., W., Bradenton; 941-7581175
n Hooters of Cape Coral, 3120 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral; 239945-4700
n Hooters of Fort Myers, 4411 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers; 239 275-4666
n Hooters of Naples, 3625 Gateway Lane, Naples; 239-5139964
n Hooters of Port Charlotte, 1360 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte; 941625-0200
n Hooters of Sarasota, 6507 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941923-4666
Hooters of South Florida owns and operates 15 locations. For additional information about South Florida Hooters please visit www.HootersFlorida.com or follow us at Twitter @HootersFlorida, Instagram @SouthFLHooters and Facebook https://www.facebook. com/hootersflorida/.
the breeze
OctOber 24, 2025
cOmmunity Lee County Community Band to kick off season Nov. 9 with Armed Forces Salute
PHOTO PROVIDED
The blooms on an Epiphyllum oxypetalum, or Night Blooming Cereus.
The mysterious
‘Queen of the Night’
By SYLVIA SWARTZ news@breezenewspapers.com
The Night Blooming Cereus, scientifically known as Epiphyllum oxypetalum, is one of nature’s most enchanting and mysterious plants. Often referred to as the “Queen of the Night,” this remarkable cactus is prized for its stunning, fragrant flowers that bloom only once a year, and for just one night. The fleeting beauty and intoxicating scent of these blossoms have captured the imagination of gardeners, botanists and flower enthusiasts around the world.
Garden Club of Cape Coral
Epiphyllum oxypetalum is a member of the Cactaceae family and is native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. Unlike many other cacti, this species is an epiphyte, meaning it grows on other plants, often high in the branches of trees, rather than rooting itself in the ground. Its stems are long, flat and leaf-like, with a tendency to cascade, making it a popular choice for hanging baskets or as a striking specimen in greenhouses.
The most remarkable feature of the Night Blooming Cereus is its enormous, pure white flower. Measuring up to 12 inches across, the blossoms open after sunset and wither by dawn. The petals are delicate and layered, creating a starburst effect that glows in the moonlight. The flowers emit a powerful and sweet fragrance, attracting nocturnal pollinators such as moths and bats. The anticipation of the bloom is so great that some gardeners host “Cereus parties” to witness the spectacle together.
Caring for the plant is relatively straightforward, making it attractive to both experienced gardeners and beginners. It thrives in indirect sunlight and requires well-draining soil, such as a mix designed for orchids or succulents. It prefers high humidity and should be watered regularly. But be careful not to overwater — it can cause root rot.
Fertilize with a balanced, diluted fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season to encourage healthy growth and flower production. Prune leggy stems and provide support for heavy branches to maintain the plant’s shape and vigor. While it can be grown outdoors in our warm, frost-free climates, it also adapts well to life indoors, provided it receives sufficient light and humidity.
The Night Blooming Cereus is steeped in symbolism. Its rare and fleeting bloom is often seen as a metaphor for the transience of beauty and the importance of cherishing special moments. In some cultures, the plant is associated with good fortune and is given as a gift to mark significant occasions. Literature and art frequently reference the Queen of the Night for its elusive splendor and mystical qualities.
Lee County Community Band brings the curtains up for veterans, and its season, with Band Director Gil Peltola leading the over 60-member band as Stars, Stripes & Spotlights celebrates America’s soundtrack—from Broadway showstoppers to timeless marches, from Copland’s quiet lanes to stadium fanfare.
On Veterans Day weekend, Nov. 9, at 3 p,m,, the band invites and honors service members with Armed Forces Salute and unite the hall in a patriotic sing-along. Featuring trombone fireworks in Tailgate Concerto and classics like National Emblem, this family-friendly concert shines a spotlight on the music that
has lifted stages, parades and communities across the nation.
Concerts will be performed in the auditorium at Mariner High School, 701 Chiquita Blvd., Cape Coral. All concerts are free and open to the public. Con-cert dates are Nov. 9, Dec. 7, Jan. 11, Feb. 15, March 15 and April 12, all at 3 p.m.
The Lee County Community Band was originally formed on Nov. 21,1885, under the name of the Fort Myers Brass Band. The band that is known today as the Lee County Community Band was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profIt organization in 1982. There have been many changes along the way, but one thing has been kept constant -- the band’s
commitment to bring quality musical entertainment to the Lee County Community and to never charge a fee to attend our concerts. The band performs six concerts during any given season, which runs from November of the current year to April of the following year.
The band’s 60-plus members are amateurs, semi-professional and professional musicians who volunteer their time and talent to share their love of music with concert attendees, just as the original members of the Fort Myers Brass Band did over 130 years ago, making the band one of the oldest surviving community bands in the USA.
November programs, activities set at Cape Coral
November’s roster of activities at Cape Coral Lee County Public Library offers topics for all ages. The following activities are free to the public:
Adult Programs
English Café
6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4, 18
10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 7, 21
Free, informal conversation sessions for adult ESOL/ESL students.
Book Discussion: “The Book of Charlie” by David Von Drehle
11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5
When journalist David Von Drehle moved to Kansas, he met a neighbor who was over a century old and discovered a remarkable story of resilience, adventure and wisdom. From surviving early tragedy to racing through gangster wars, pioneering medicine and exploring the Amazon, Charlie White’s life spanned an era of incredible change. “The Book of
Cape First United Methodist to hold Fall Festival Saturday
A Fall Festival will be held from 2-4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25, at Cape Coral First Methodist Church, 4118 Coronado Parkway, in Cape Coral. The festival will feature a bounce house, trunk or treat, carnival games, a cake walk, cotton candy, popcorn, sno-cones, music and more!
For additional information, call (239) 542-4051.
Faith Generation Church
Family Fun Festival Nov. 9
Faith Generation Church invites families to a special Sunday Service and Family Fun Festival Sunday, Nov. 9, at 10 a.m., held at the William “Bill” Austen Youth Center, 315 SW 2nd Ave, Cape Coral.
Lee County Public
Charlie” is both history and inspiration, showing how one man’s grit and adaptability can teach us all about living meaningfully through times of upheaval.
Download Drop-In
11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 6, 20
Receive personalized help downloading eBooks, eAudioBooks, movies, music and more from Libby/ OverDrive and hoopla, two of Lee County Library System’s popular online content providers. Support also will be available to registered users of the National Library Service’s Braille and Audio Reading Download service (BARD) which is provided through Home Borrower Services and Lee County Talking Books. Note: Attendees should bring their favorite tablet, e-reader or phone. Be sure it’s fully charged and have your passwords for downloading apps available. Kindle users also must have an Amazon account and password.
Community Calendar
After a powerful and uplifting message, children ages 0–12 are invited to enjoy an afternoon of fun, prizes and free activities designed just for them. From a string maze and treasure hunt to face painting, crafts, hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy and more— this is a Sunday your family won’t want to miss!
All first-time guests will receive a free gift, and the event is 100% free to attend. To reserve your spot and help us prepare a great experience for your family, please Plan Your Visit in advance at www.MyFaithGeneration. com/family
Faith Generation is a new non-denominational Christian church in Cape Coral offering contemporary worship and relevant teaching every Sunday at 10 a.m. Children’s ministry is available during service.
Library
Patrons interested in BARD should contact Talking Books at 239-5334780 before attending to ensure they have an active account or find out how to set one up.
Crafts at Cape: Quilling
10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 8 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 12 The holidays are coming. This month we will be quilling greeting
See NOVEMBER, page 35
For additional information, contact John Solaroli at (239) 687-3161 or e-mail info@myfaithgen.com
Epiphany Episcopal Church to present Brass Elements celebration of veterans
Epiphany Episcopal Church is hosting a concert by Brass Elements, A Tribute to Our Veterans, Friday Nov. 14. Doors open at 6 p.m. and concert begins at 6:30 p.m. The special eventing of music will be followed by a light reception. Tickets are $25 per person. Call Arlene (239) 770-4468 or Lori 239-218-7556 for tickets or more information.
Epiphany Episcopal Church is at 2507 Del Prado Blvd., S., in Cape Coral.
American Legion Post 90 Youth and Children Committee to participate in Halloween Boo Bash at Big John’s Plaza
The members of American Legion Post 90 Youth and Children committee will participate in the annual Halloween Boo Bash held at Big John’s Plaza at 1331 Cape Coral Parkway, this Saturday, Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The event includes free games and activities, exciting prizes, delicious food and treats in a great community atmosphere. Everyone’s welcome — bring
‘Young
your kids, enjoy, and make new friends.
The Post 90 Legion members of the American Legion National Commission on Children & Youth have been entrusted with the responsibility of upholding and supporting our nation’s veterans by caring for their children, and our community’s children.
The American Legion is located at 1401 S.E .47th St., in Cape Coral.
For further information on attending
or volunteering, please contact Michelle Moore, Co-Chair of Children and Youth, at moorem1518@gmail.com or (954) 461-4817, or Tammy Gillhouse, co-chair of Children and Youth, at Babbles66@verizon.net or (410) 9612848.
Alternatively, you can call (239) 540-8128. Post 90 is open every day at 11 a.m. You can also visit Post 90 on Facebook.
Frankenstein’ brings laughter, mayhem to The Belle Theatre
Get ready to laugh yourself silly as “Young Frankenstein” lumbers its way onto the stage at The Belle Theatre! Onstage now running through Oct. 31, this monstrously funny musical comedy promises a frightfully good time for audiences of all ages.
Based on the legendary comedy film by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder, “Young Frankenstein” follows the story of Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced “Fronkensteen”) as he inherits his infamous grandfather’s castle in Transylvania. With the help of his
quirky sidekicks Igor, Inga, and Frau Blücher (cue the horses!), Frederick can’t resist bringing a creature to life — with hilariously disastrous results.
Featuring unforgettable songs like “Transylvania Mania,” “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” and “Please Don’t Touch Me,” the musical blends clever wordplay, physical comedy, and spectacular production numbers.
Matinee performances are at 2 p.m. with evening performances at 7:30 p.m.
The Belle Theatre is at 2708 Santa Barbara Blvd., Suite
135, Cape Coral,.
Tickets, $25 for adults and $25 for students, are available at www.TheBelleTheatre.com or via the phone at (239) 323-5533.
About The Belle Theatre
The Belle Theatre is committed to bringing high-quality, community-driven live performances to Southwest Florida. Through its productions, educational programs and special events, The Belle Theatre fosters a love of the arts for audiences of all ages.
‘Queen of the Night:’ Large white blossoms appear for just one day
From page 24
I hope you enjoyed learning about this beautiful plant. This article is dedicated to our dear friend Debbie Cooper, whose life was cut short by a motor vehicle accident. Debbie was the main source of this plant in our club and was always willing to share it with her friends. She was
much more than just a great member of our club –- she was a friend to everyone and a uniquely beautiful person. Like this spectacular plant, she inspired love and admiration. Debbie – forever in our hearts.
Plan to join us at our first ever Holiday Bazaar, Debbie’s brainchild, on Saturday, Nov. 15, at The Museum of History, 544 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. Lots of
beautiful, handcrafted holiday decorations and gifts.
Sylvia Swartz is president of the Garden Club of Cape Coral. Visit www.gardenclubofcapecoral.com. Like us on Facebook and Instagram.
Tommy Lee Cook’s built a blues mecca in Buckingham
By ED ZUMAR news@breezenewspapers.com
It began as a general store and local hangout in the 1950s and eventually transformed into a biker bar in the ‘70s. It’s now considered one of the premiere destinations for live blues in Florida. And it’s located right in Lee County, Buckingham to be exact.
The list of performers who have appeared at the Buckingham Blues Bar reads like a Who’s Who of blues. It includes four-time Grammy winner Delbert McClinton, two-time Grammy nominee guitarist Lee Roy Parnell and rising blues star Selwyn Birchwood.
The bar is the fulfillment of a lifetime of the love of music, and particularly the blues, of local builder and avid blues fan Tommy Lee Cook, who purchased the bar in 2002.
“I’ve been a builder my whole life which gives me the ability to do this,” he said. “We started 24 years ago and we’ve done over 4,000 shows. I called it the World Famous Buckingham Blues Bar.”
Cook began playing at the bar along with other local acts. But it was a call from a blues legend that put the Buckingham Blues Bar on the map.
“After I opened it and was playing a lit-
tle bit, I got a phone call from a guy named Pat Ramsey, who is a world-renowned harmonica player. He had played with Johnny Winter on his “White Hot & Blue” album and also the Allman Brothers. At the time he was living in Tallahassee.”
Ramsey heard about the new blues joint and wondered what Cook was playing at the bar.
“He asked, ‘What are you all doing down there with that blues sound, playing ZZ Top, Stevie Ray Vaughn?’” Cook recalled. “I told him I played a lot of original music. He said if you ever want a lesson pay me what I want and I’ll come show you.”
Cook agreed and Ramsey kept his word.
“He came down here and blew the roof off this place. He was a great harmonica player, singer and a great man. Within a couple weeks, Albert Castiglia, a great blues guitarist, called. He said, ‘I’m an original act on the East Coast and can’t get anybody to book me. Will you book me?’”
Of course, Cook booked Castiglia and quickly learned a lesson about the blues legend from Castiglia’s aunt.
“Albert has these shirts that say, ‘It’s
See BLUES, page 27
Medicare coverage you can count on every step of the way
UnitedHealthcare offers Medicare Advantage plans you can count on for your whole life ahead. If your current plan doesn’t offer the benefits and features that you’re looking for, or if your health needs have changed, you can rely on us to help you find the right plan for your needs.
Learn more by attending a UnitedHealthcare Medicare plan meeting.
Cape Coral
10/29/2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Cape Coral
11/5/2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Jungle Bird Tiki 1520 Lafayette st Cape Coral FL 33904
Jungle Bird Tiki 1520 Lafayette st Cape Coral FL 33904 Call to RSVP today
Cape Coral 11/12/2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Jungle Bird Tiki 1520 Lafayette st Cape Coral FL 33904
The Cape Coral City Council will be accepting applications for the following Board: CAPE CORAL CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORITY GOVERNING BOARD
Business Community-1
Education Community* -1 Community at Large - 2
MEMBER ELIGIBILITY: Applicants must meet each of the following requirements:
(1) Citizen of the United States
(2) Full-time resident of Cape Coral, Florida
Cape Coral
11/19/2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Jungle Bird Tiki 1520 Lafayette st Cape Coral FL 33904
Thomas Rusinowski Licensed Sales Agent 210-385-5388, TTY711 tomjrusinowski@gmail.com
For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings call 210-385-5388 TTY 711, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. local times, 7 days a week
(3) Education Member* must be certified or retired educator and/or education services professional.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, October 24, 2025, by 4:30p.m. EST
APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE: PLEASE ATTACH A RESUME WITH YOUR APPLICATION
On-Line: https://www.capecoral.gov/department/clerk/boards and committees2.php
GO TO "Boards and Committees-Vacancies" CLICK "Current Boards" CLICK "Board Application and Exempt Form" CLICK "Boards that Require a Form 1"
In-Person: City Hall-City Clerk's Office, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral, FL, Monday-Friday 7:30a.m. - 4:30p.m. EST
By Mail: Please contact the City Clerk's Office at (239) 57 4-0411.
The Cape Coral Charter School Authority Governing Board oversees the operations of the municipal charter school system. The eleven-member board includes seven voting members, and four nonvoting parent representatives. CSA Governing Board Members are certified and appointed to a two-year term by the Cape Coral City Council.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Rising star Selwyn Birchwood is among the notable blues men who have played the Buckingham Blues Bar.
Blues: Buckingham is home to a bar that showcases blues music
From page 26
Ka-Steel-Ya Dammit!’ because when I introduced him that night I introduced him as Albert CaSTIGlia. And his aunt was here and she goes, ‘It’s KA-Steel-Ya Dammit,’ and I said you ought to put that on a shirt. You still see ‘em all over the world and that was 24 years ago! He still sells ’em!”
Word quickly spread about the little blues establishment in Buckingham that was now attracting a growing list of prominent artists. This also meant it was beginning to build a loyal clientele, such as Scott and Judy Miller, who’ve been regulars since the late ’90s.
“We moved down here in 1995 and began looking for live music,” said Judy. “This was the place we found. It’s just great music. Even the house band is great.”
That house band is the Buckingham Blues Band, headlined by none other than Cook himself.
The Buckingham Blues Band are regular performers, often opening for the major acts he books and sometimes includes guest performers such as Bobby Capps, keyboardist for .38 Special.
“He came in one night and played with us and I said, ‘You’re pretty good.’ He said, ‘Well, I’ve been practicing.’ Then they told me who he was. We laughed and have become great friends.”
Cook says he has been playing music ever since The Beatles first invaded the U.S. He was 9 at the time and recounted how hearing the group sparked his interest in music.
“When The Beatles came, that’s when you begged your momma to buy you a
The Buckingham Blues Bar has attracted a local crowd of followers who come out for the camaraderie and the music. The bar is owned by avid blues fan and musician Tommy Lee Cook, above right. The list of performers who have appeared at the Buckingham Blues Bar includes four-time Grammy winner Delbert McClinton, twotime Grammy nominee guitarist Lee Roy Parnell and rising blues star Selwyn Birchwood.
cheap guitar, a $39 guitar and a p*ss-ant amp and you got electric!” Cook said.
“I played talent shows in ninth grade, played a bassoon in a concert band. That was kinda crazy. I had to teach myself to play. ”
His interest in the blues began in the ’80s when a guy he grew up with was playing the harp and singing the blues.
Cook had begun recording music in his makeshift studio he built in his house which led to recording a country vinyl album at a recording studio in his town. It got some play on the radio in the mid ’80s. But Cook’s love of the blues contin-
ued to grow so he formed the Buckingham Blues Band in ’86.
By then, he had moved to Lee County. Six CDs later, the band is now as popular as many of the acts that Cook books.
“We played around the area in different clubs and I had different guys playing with me that were Blues guys. They turned me onto Albert Collins, all these different Blues guys I never knew or listened to,” said Cook. “When I discovered Delbert McClinton, that was like meeting St Peter you know? That was a whole world change for me.”
The band has opened twice for 38
Special among others and often does gigs around Lee County in addition to regular shows at his Blues Bar in Buckingham, which took some hard work before it became the go to Blues establishment it is today.
The Buckingham Blues Bar is at 5641 Buckingham Road in Fort Myers. It is open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
More information and band appearances, visit buckinghambar.com
They come for the beverages, cold and on tap; they come for the food — schnitzel, sausages, potato pancakes!; and the come for the music, both imported and home-grown.
Oktoberfest brings in some of the best bands from Germany. Knappenkapelle comes every year to perform (it’s their fourth trip to Cape Coral). The 40-piece band plays everything from ballads to the ever-popular Chicken Dance.
There is also the house band Hafenkapelle, Kabegl from Switzerland, The Manny Daum Trio, as well as rock bands such as Soapy Tuna and School of Rock which play American rock favorites.
And what would Oktoberfest be without Ms. Oktoberfest?
Sara Skorak won the crown this past July and will represent the club and the event this year. Her job is very important as she is the face of the event.
“I’ll make my rounds, greet everyone and take photos. I do a lot of news interviews and will help with the sign contest, make some announcements and be the ambassador of the club,” Skorak said as she greeted attendees last Saturday.
Many of the previous Ms. Oktoberfests come for the weekend to help out. Angela Telewick was the 1998 Ms. Oktoberfest and is an annual fixture. She said the event has changed so much in that time.
“It’s getting busier and it’s more fun. I see people who I haven’t seen in years and I’ve made many friends,” Telewick said. “The food is great, the music is great and there’s a variety of it.”
But it’s the experience that really matters.
If You Go:
What: 40th Oktoberfest
When: Friday, Oct. 24, from 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Oct. 25. from noon to midnight and Sunday, Oct. 26 from noon to 8 p.m.
Where:
German-American Social Club, 2101 SW Pine Island Road (SR 78)
Sunday
Whether it’s their first time or 20th visit, it’s always a great experience and a great reason to party.
Andrea Graener, who has come on and off since 2006, said her favorite thing is the potato pancakes, to which one of her friends asked where she could find them.
“And the beer is very important. It’s from Germany, so yeah.” Graener said. “I’ve been to five of these. I like these round tables where the ladies come and meet.”
Graener added that, unlike many who brought out the lederhosen and fancy dresses, she didn’t.
“I wouldn’t wear those in Germany. Why would I do it here?” Graener said.
Gabrielle Starrach, her friend, was attending for the first time. Allison Kummery and her husband Kyle came from Sarasota.
“We came down for a soccer tournament and this was happening, and (Mike and Many Davis) invited us and they said they would already be there,” Kummery said. “We had the soccer tournament, the hotel room and I was like I’m there.”
“I love it. It’s everything I think it should be and more. It’s the people like (Andrea) who make it special,” Kummery said. “We’ve met so many great people while we’ve been here.”
Oktoberfest continues Friday from 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from noon to midnight and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
Advance tickets are $8, and $10 at the gate. Children 12 and under are admitted free. All event dates are rain or shine. VIP tickets that start at $100 can be purchased online. For more information, visit https://capecoraloktoberfest.com.
The GASC is at 2101 Southwest Pine Island Road, west of Chiquita Boulevard.
Even good deeds can have ramifications
Dear Mr. Feichthaler:
Four years ago, my wife and I decided to sell our rental property to our daughter, at a slightly lower-than-market price. To protect our interests, we had her sign a mortgage and note, and the mortgage was recorded. Although she did pay the taxes and insurance, she never made payments to us as required by the note. Last year, she stopped paying taxes and insurance, too. Recently, she left town without telling us, and we have no idea where she is. We have a feeling she may not return soon, if ever. We do have a document from her giving us authority to take care of the house when she is out of town, and we wondered if we could rent or sell the house to get our money back.
Real Estate Law
- Robert M.
Dear Robert: First, you made a good decision when you decided to record the mortgage and make it official. If you had simply given the house to your daughter, you would have no recourse. The document you have giving permission to take care of the house is likely not sufficient to rent or sell the house, but you can maintain it. Your note also empowers you to take actions needed to preserve the home. You would need a power of attorney that was specific to allow you to sell or rent the property from her, and if you have this, then it is possible you could rent the property. If you did sell the property on her behalf, you would be required to send her the funds over the amount you are owed. Your note and mortgage likely allows you to pay for items like insurance, taxes, and maintenance if your daughter failed to do so, and to recoup these costs at sale.
This brings us to your options. First, if you could make contact with your daughter, you could obtain a deed in lieu of foreclosure, which would eliminate the need to go through the court process. If she cannot be found, or will not cooperate, you may proceed with foreclosure. If the highest bid is sufficient, your note, as well as many expenses you have made, will be collected at the sale. If you are the highest bidder at the foreclosure sale, you would take possession of the property. The costs of the foreclosure may also be recouped through the foreclosure sale, if there is sufficient equity. These issues can become complicated, and professional guidance should be sought.
Eric P. Feichthaler has lived in Cape Coral for over 37 years and graduated from Mariner High School in Cape Coral. After completing law school at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., he returned to Cape Coral to practice law and raise a family. He served as mayor of Cape Coral from 2005-2008, and continues his service to the community through the Cape Coral Caring Center, and Cape Coral Kiwanis where he serves as president. He has been married to his wife, Mary, for 24 years, and they have four children. He earned his board certification in Real Estate Law from the Florida Bar, and primarily practices in real estate law and wills and trusts. He is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell for professional ethics and legal ability, and is a Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator. He can be reached at eric@ capecoralattorney .com, or 239-542-4733. This article is general in nature and not intended as legal advice to anyone. Individuals should seek legal counsel before acting on any matter of legal rights and obligations.
Eric P. Feichthaler
PROPERTY TRANSFERS
Source: Lee County Property Appraiser
ADOLFO ZARA MENESES BRYAN +
JULIETA N +
Third quarter home prices remain under pressure
Third quarter home prices remain under pressure
This week we are reviewing the sales data for the Cape Coral single-family home market for the month of September and for the third quarter of this year. The number of homes listed for sale in the MLS has been edging higher to 2,463 on Oct. 21, from the recent low of 2,406 listings on Oct. 12, while the number of pending sales dropped 15% to 526 homes under contract from 619 on Sept. 19. One year ago, there were 2,598 Cape Coral homes listed for sale in the MLS, with 559 pending sales in the pipeline. Compared to one year ago, median sales prices for Cape Coral single-family homes are down across the board, and we continue to see indications that the downward pressure on home prices is likely to continue.
Closed home sales and median sales prices
In the overall Cape Coral single-family home market, there were 402 closed home sales in September, up 3.9% from 387 sales in September 2024, but down 7.8% from 436 sales in August of this year. In the third quarter, there were 1,272 home sales in our overall market, down 5.9% from 1,352 sales in the third quarter of 2024, and 14.6% below the 1,490 sales in the second quarter of this year. In the first nine months of 2025, a total of 3,892 homes were sold in the Cape, down 6.3% versus 4,154 sales in the first nine months of 2024.
The median sales price in the Cape’s overall single-family home market was $365,000 in September, down 3.7% from $379,000 in September 2024, and 0.9% below the $368,500 in August of this year. In the third quarter, the median sales price averaged $366,167 per month, down 5.2% from the average of $386,333 per month in the third quarter of 2024, and 2.1% below the average of $373,962 per month in the second quarter of this year. In the first nine months of 2025, the Cape’s overall median home sales price averaged $375,099 per month, down 6.1% from the average of $399,386 per month in the first nine months of 2024.
Indirect gulf access canal homes
In the Cape’s single-family indirect gulf access canal home segment (homes with bridges in the canal system), there were 35 closed sales in September. This was up 52.2% from 23 sales in September 2024, but 16.7% below the 42 sales in August of this year. In the third quarter, there were 111 sales in this segment, which was up 24.7% from the 89 sales in the third quarter of 2024, but 20.1% below the 139 sales in the second quarter of this year. In the first nine months of 2025, there were 348 sales in this segment, down 9.4% from 384 sales in the first nine months of 2024.
The median sales price in the Cape’s indirect gulf access canal home segment was $610,000 in September, down 12.9% from $700,000 in September 2024, and 5.6% below the $646,500 in August of this year. In the third quarter, the median sales price averaged $635,167 per month, or 13.8% below the average of $736,667 per month in the third quarter of 2024, and 8.7% less than the average of $695,500 per month in the second quarter of this year. In the first nine months of 2025, the median sales price averaged $692,111 per month, or 10.1% below the average of $769,583 per month in the first nine months of 2024.
Direct sailboat access canal homes
includes landlocked canals and lakes with no boating access to open water, there were 59 closed sales in September. This was 31.1% above the 45 sales in September 2024, but 15.7% below the 70 sales in August of this year. In the third quarter, there were 182 closed sales in this segment, up 15.9% from 157 sales in the third quarter of 2024, but 12.5% below the 208 sales in the second quarter of this year. In the first nine months of 2025, there were a total of 536 homes sold in this segment, up 15.5% from 464 sales in the first nine months of 2024.
The median sales price in the Cape’s single-family freshwater canal and lake home segment came in at $433,000 in September, down 13.4% from $499,900 in September 2024, but up 6.9% from $404,950 in August of this year. In the third quarter, the median sales price in this segment averaged $414,317 per month, or 14.7% less than the average of $485,800 per month in the third quarter of 2024, and it was 1.5% below the average median sales price of $420,833 per month in the second quarter of this year. In the first nine months of 2025, the median sales price averaged $429,701 per month in this segment, which was 10.3% below the average median sales price of $478,872 per month in the first nine months of 2024.
Dry Lot Homes
In the Cape’s single-family dry lot (non-canal) home segment, there were 278 closed sales in September, which was 4.1% lower than the 290 sales in September 2024, and 7.6% below the 301 sales in August of this year. There were a total of 889 sales in this segment during the third quarter, which was 12% below the 1,010 sales in the third quarter of 2024, and 11.8% less than the 1,008 sales in the second quarter of this year. In the first nine months of 2025, a total of 2,686 dry lot homes were sold in the Cape, down 9.9% from the 2,981 sales in the first nine months of 2024.
The median sales price in the Cape’s dry lot home segment was $340,000 in September, down 3.5% from $352,250 in September 2024, and 1.3% below the $344,500 in August of this year. In the third quarter, the median sales price in this segment averaged $339,833 per month, or 5.9% below the average of $361,192 per month in the third quarter of 2024, and 0.5% less than the average of $341,626 per month in the second quarter of this year. In the first nine months of 2025, the median sales price averaged $345,169 per month in this segment, for a 6.3% decrease versus the average median sales price of $368,284 per month in the first nine months of 2024.
(The sales data for this article was obtained from the Florida Realtors Multiple Listing Service Matrix for Lee County, Fla., as of Oct. 18, 2025, unless otherwise noted. It was compiled by Bob and Geri Quinn and it includes information specifically for Cape Coral single-family homes, and does not include condominiums, short sales or foreclosures. The data and statistics are believed to be reliable, however, they could be updated and revised periodically, and are subject to change without notice. The Quinns are a husband and wife real estate team with the RE/MAX Realty Team office in Cape Coral. They have lived in Cape Coral for over 46 years. Geri has been a full-time Realtor since 2005, and Bob joined with Geri as a fulltime Realtor in 2014. Their real estate practice is mainly focused on Cape Coral residential property and vacant lots.)
In the Cape Coral single-family direct sailboat access canal home segment (meaning no bridges in the canals to get out to open water), there were 28 closed sales in September. This was 3.4% below the 29 sales in September 2024, but 27.3% above the 22 sales in August of this year. In the third quarter, there were 84 closed sales in this segment, down 7.7% from the 91 sales in the third quarter of 2024, and 38.2% below the 136 sales in the second quarter of this year. In the first nine months of 2025, there were a total of 315 homes sold in this segment, or 1.3% more than the 311 sales in the first nine months of 2024.
The median sales price in the direct sailboat access canal home segment was $693,750 in September, down 1.6% from $705,000 in September 2024, and 8.4% below the $757,500 in August of this year. In the third quarter, the median sales price averaged $722,917 per month, down 4.8% from the average of $759,667 per month in the third quarter of 2024, and 2.5% below the average of $741,500 per month in the second quarter of this year. In the first nine months of 2025, the median sales price averaged $750,361 per month in this segment, down 7.9% from the average of $814,611 per month in the first nine months of 2024.
Freshwater canal and lake homes
In the Cape’s single-family freshwater canal and lake home segment, which
OctOber 24, 2025
Sharks are a top target for anglers
Southwest Florida flats fall anglers love the hard runs and bulldog fight of a big redfish, as well as the power and acrobatics of a good snook in a foot of water. I do as well but a 5-foot suddenly unhappy shark with a mouthful of my plug or fly throwing a big surface bulging torpedo-like wake as it burns through a hundred yards of braid or deep into the fly reel’s backing is still pretty darn exciting.
Tarpon, some still seen and caught in the passes, along the beaches and in the river systems, as well as deep spots in Charlotte Harbor, but they, too, will soon head south to follow those that have already left leaving their golden, tannin-stained Cape Coral loving cousins behind till next year. A good many sharks will follow this migration southward.
Capt. George Tunison
“It’s understood that shark populations worldwide are suffering and the species continues to be decimated in many parts of the oceans where long line fishing with their thousands of baited hooks per line and barbaric ‘finning’ (the practice of catching the shark, removing the fins and shoveling or kicking the helpless living animal now considered ‘bycatch’ back into the sea to die) kill untold thousands each year mostly to satisfy the huge seafood demands of Asia. In Japan a bowl of shark fin soup can cost as much as 100 dollars. You can enjoy the soup with a whale entrée which are still brutally killed with harpoon cannons from their whaling fleets, hunter ships.” — Since I wrote that a decade ago nothing has changed.
For the responsible catch-and-release angler fishing from a boat or land-based, sharks are a top target. Recently located here and have always wanted to challenge “Jaws?” You’ve come to the right location as Southwest Florida has way more than its fair share of sharks. Many charter captains and lifelong anglers from all over Florida have been complaining of too many sharks as well as too many goliath grouper making it hard to get a fish to the boat without being eaten on the way top side.
Want big sharks as in “Big?” No problem. Head over to Boca Grande during tarpon season. Sharks over 1,500 pounds swim there snacking on tarpon or anything else that looks or smells good.
I’ve caught sharks in deep to knee deep water but for me nothing beats light tackle sharking from a small skiff
See SHARKS, page 35
Tide CharT
‘Golfing
for good’ Guardian Angels
for Special
Populations’
annual classic to be held Nov. 1 at Cape Royal
By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers.com
Golfers are being sought to participate in the Guardian Angels for Special Populations annual golf classic next month, which will benefit the programs at Freida B. Smith Special Populations Center.
The 19th annual Golf Classic will be held from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 1, at Cape Royal Golf Club, 11460 Royal Tee Circle in Cape Coral. Registration is $155 per person and includes a continental breakfast, complimentary beverages and a buffet.
Registration can be done online at www.myspecialpops.org, or by calling (239) 574-0574.
Those interested in participating are asked to register by Tuesday, Oct. 28.
“We usually don’t run short of golfers, which is wonderful. We like to keep that large number” of players, Guardian Angels for Special Populations President Mick Sheldrake said.
He said the golf outing is one of their two main fundraisers each year.
“We are really blessed in that we have a lot of support for our organization. What I like about it is, it is easy for our participants. We like to have them out at the golf outing. We have them riding along in the (golf) carts. Everyone knows the who and what
for that day – it is really about them. The money we raise for this golf outing goes to help run the programs at Freida B. Smith Special Populations Center,” Sheldrake said.
The golf classic also includes a ball drop for prize money; a 50/25/25 raffle; first, second, third and last place trophy winners; auction items; and a hole-in-one competition.
Sheldrake said the two hole-inone competitions include a $20,000 shootout, where the winner receives $10,000 and Guardian Angels receives the second half, and the other offers a $5,000 shootout, which will also be split in half.
“It’s a golf game that matters. We call it golfing for good. It’s really an amazing day. We have our board of directors, volunteers and participants out there and everybody is working for the common goal – to raise money for programs,” he said.
Sheldrake said the city of Cape Coral has given them a pretty good facility to work from and they work closely with the city.
“We buy the buses and donate them to the city. They manage them and maintain them,” he said of the 12-passenger, $130,000 buses that hold two to four wheelchairs. “It’s an awesome investment.”
Another joint venture was with the city, Incredible Bank and Golisano Foundation to install new exercise equipment that is all-capable at Lake Kennedy Park.
“Our participants have the ability to actually go over and utilize that apparatus because it is for everybody,” Sheldrake said of the handicap accessible equipment.
There are ample programs at the center, as well as activities, some of which include an outdoor learning center, tiki bar, koi pond, butterfly garden, a vegetable garden, yoga, Pilates, ballroom dancing, evening socials, sports nights, creative arts, shopping leisure and dining, after-school for high school students and Pops Café, which is run by the Special Pops participants
There are about 80 participants every day at the center.
“As the city continues to grow, we are exponentially growing in participants in the program,” he said.
Verot volleyball players named region’s 3A Players of Year
Bishop Verot’s Caroline Hathaway and Carley Himschoot have been named the region’s co-Players of the Year in 3A, according to the Florida Athletic Coaches Association.
Wednesday
Volleyball
Region 5A-3 playoffs First round
St. Petersburg 3, North Fort Myers 1: The Red Knights finished 16-8 after a 25-8, 24-18, 25-15 loss at second-seeded St. Petersburg.
Tuesday
Girls Bowling
LCAC/District 11 Championships
At Lightning Strikes, Fort Myers
The Cape Coral Seahawks are heading to the FHSAA state bowling tournament with a second-place finish in District 1A-11. The scores for the Seahawks were: Cape Coral (2266) — Regan Taylor 526, Elise Bissinger 504, Kylie Volentine 495, Carlee Traff 402, Isabello Adorno 339.
Kaylee Marburger of Ida Baker also earned her way into the state
The two helped lead the Vikings to the District 3A-10 title with a win over Oasis and an overall record of 20-8 on the season.
Verot’s Sidney Blackwood was
PreP rePorT
tournament, coming in first in the individual scoring Tuesday.
Cypress Lake won the tournament, which doubled as the Lee County Athletic Conference championship. The state tournament is Oct. 28-30 at Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center in Orlando.
Volleyball
Region 3A-3 playoffs
First round
King’s Academy 3, Bishop Verot 0: The Vikings end their season 20-8 after a 25-12, 25-8, 25-21 loss.
Calvary Christian 3, Oasis 0: Calvary Christian (26-1), ranked No. 16 in the country by MaxPreps, swept the Sharks (21-7) by scores of 25-8, 25-10, 25-10.
Girls
Golf
Ida Baker v. Gateway, NTS
At Palmetto-Pine Country Club Par 35
Gateway: Sarah Yohros 68.
also selected as a 3A All-Star.
In addition, Vikings Coach Christy Curtis was named the 3A Coach of the Year by the FACA.
Evangelical Christian: Amelia Farag 52, Eva Villarreal 58.
Boys Golf
ECS 173, Oasis 176, Seacrest Country Day NTS At Eastwood Golf Course Par 35
Oasis: Job Woodby 40, Rhys Skillrud 40, Vance Davis 43, Aiden Pietras 53, Tanner Goff 53, Henry Teter 56.
Seacrest: Mack Brown 44, Dominic Raess 64.
Evangelical Christian: Adam Jenkins 40, Hunter Hayes 44, Ty Williams 44, Nolan Herward 45, Ben Koebel 53, Landon Enderby 64.
Cape Sail and Power Squadron to man booth at upcoming Fort Myers Boat Show
The 53rd Fort Myers Boat Show will be held Nov. 13–16 at downtown Fort Myers at Centennial Park. Members of the four local United States Power Squadrons | America’s Boating Clubs from Cape Coral, San Carlos, Sanibel/Captiva and Fort Myers will be staffing booths T2 & T3 in the Caloosa Sound Convention Center during the show.
The Cape Coral Sail and Power Squadron | America’s Boating Club Cape Coral will be there on Thursday Nov. 13. This squadron has been a member of the Lee County community since 1964, and its members have a wealth of local knowledge to share with attendees.
Members of America’s Boating Club throughout the country engage in social activities, community service projects and teach a variety of boating classes and seminars.
Cape Coral’s Southwest Florida Boa-
ing seminar is a popular session for boaters new to Lee County. The seminar is based on the book by local author Thomas E. Dawson, “Barret Bonden’s Local Knowledge Recommended - Things You Wish Someone Had Told You About Boating Here!” In addition to covering need-to-know items the seminar shows attendees the safest ways to get to popular destinations throughout the county.
America’s Boating Course is offered by all the local squadrons and is a good way to learn the rules and regulations that govern our waterways. Under the Florida Freedom Boater law all boaters must attest, “I understand that it is my legal responsibility as the owner and/or operator of this vessel to ensure compliance with all applicable maritime safety laws and regulations.”
Graduates of America’s Boating Course earn a Florida Boater Education
I.D. Card signifying that have taken a course that covers the basics of federal and state boating regulations.
The Florida Freedom Boater law also requires attesting, “I, the undersigned, hereby affirm and attest that the vessel described above is equipped with all safety equipment required by the United States Coast Guard and applicable federal regulations for legal operation on state and federal waters.”
If you are unsure whether you have all the required safety equipment our members provide a free Vessel Safety Check conducted where you keep your boat. These annual checkups are recognized by the United Sates Coast Guard as a sign that your boat is in current compliance with federal safety equipment requirements.
The squadron’s vessel examiners can help you find any items missing or in need
of replacement. Vessel examiners will also keep boaters informed of any recent changes in the requirements. Visitors to the booth will be able to sign up for a free vessel safety check and obtain information on our currently offered courses and seminars.
Boaters can request a vessel safety check online and find a list of all currently offered courses and seminars at www. ccsaps.org. If you are new to Lee County, be sure to download our free Cape Coral Boater’s Relocation Guide.
The Cape squadron’s offices are located at 917 S.E. 47th Terrace, Cape Coral, and are open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. There you will also find a Ship’s Store with other valuable boating information along with some items for sale, like local charts, guides and books.
Sharks: Fishing for ‘Jaws’ is always an exciting angling adventure
From page 34
in yard-deep water. Using your anchor and float rig, anchor the boat with a quick release knot so you can untie almost instantly to chase the fish during the fight. (Check YouTube.)
Start chumming! Hang a block of chum over the side and have a crew member slowly toss out cut bait pieces behind the boat but within the chum slick. If you have
them, hang bonito, ladyfish or, the best, a barracuda that’s been opened up off the boats for added flavor. With the tide moving the scents, it’s not usually long before there are customers in the chow line right off the transom. Dead baits on bottom with circle hooks? Live ladyfish under floats or hit them right on the nose with lures or big colorful flies? Pick your method and prepare to fight. Before going make sure to have all re-
lease tools needed and be aware of harvest rules.
Fall is not only about catching the last tarpon of the season and the best of the year local redfishing, but also about intercepting a trophy class snook as they move inland to their cold water hangouts.
This is a good time of the year to be on the river running snook docks. Skip-casting soft plastics far back and under will often result in an epic snook battle. Picking a
long stretch of docks, I fish them facing into the moving tide, quietly using the electric motor. Hang on!
Capt. George Tunison is a Cape Coral resident fishing guide. You can contact him at (239) 579-0461 or via email at captgeorget3@aol.com.
November: Programs and activities scheduled at Cape Coral Library
From page 24
cards with a snowflake motif. Each class has a maximum seating of 20. Participants may only register for one class in the series. Registration is guaranteed until the start of the program.
Beginner Spanish Class
2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 12
This course is designed for those new to the Spanish language. Learn fundamental vocabulary, essential phrases and basic grammar in a fun, informal and interactive environment. Join us and learn the basics to start a conversation. Registration is required.
Adult Coloring
2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 18
Gone are the days when coloring was just for kids. Adult coloring is a fun way to relax, spark your creativity and meet new people. Join us for a laid-back session where you can unwind and bring a picture to life with color. No need to be an artist. All skill levels are welcome. Coloring pages designed especially for adults and colored pencils will be provided. Registration is required.
Children’s Programs
Kids Read Down Fines
1-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1
5:15-6:15 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19
Children and teens can earn a $2 credit for every 15 minutes they read in the designated area for a total of $8 in one session. Please bring your library card. Please check in at the Youth Services Reference Desk.
Baby Rhyme Time
9:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4, 18
For babies through age 18 months with caregiver. Wiggle and giggle to bond with your baby through books, rhymes and songs in this lap-sit program that introduces early literacy skills and encourages language, motor and social skills. Each
program offers literacy tips and strategies to stimulate your baby’s brain development and enhance future reading success. Space is limited. Please pick up your ticket for your baby and each person attending at the YS desk the morning of the program. Late admittance is not permitted.
Family Storytime
10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4, 18
10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5, 12, 19
For children through age 5 years with a caregiver. Enjoy books, rhymes, songs and activities. This fun and engaging program offers kids a chance to make friends and build skills through stories, music and movement. Caregivers participate with their children while learning helpful early literacy strategies and tips to continue at home. Space is limited. Please pick up your ticket for your child(ren) and each person attending at the Youth Desk the morning of the program. Late admittance is not permitted.
Preschool Storytime
9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5, 12, 19
For children ages 3-5 years. Your preschooler will build relationships, meet new friends and develop school readiness skills. This fun and interactive storytime fosters independent thinking and a lifelong love of learning through reading, talking, singing, writing and playing. Children attend this program independently while parents and caregivers wait nearby. Space is limited to 15 preschool-aged children. Please pick up your ticket for your 3-5 year old child or children attending at the Youth Desk the morning of the program. Late admittance is not permitted. Please speak with staff if caregiver assistance is needed.
Pokémon Meet-Up
4:15 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6
Level up your afternoon with a Pokémon meet-up packed with trading, battling and connecting with other fans - because even Ash needed a squad. Registration is re-
quired and is only guaranteed until the start of the program. All materials and snacks provided, while supplies last. This program is for ages 10-15 years to attend independently while caregivers wait nearby. Please speak with staff if caregiver assistance is needed during the program.
Family Build It
10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 8
For all ages. Drop in for building challenges the whole family will enjoy. No registration required. All materials are provided.
STEAM Club
4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13
Be ready for fun experiments and projects as we explore the world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math). This month’s theme is Planes, Trains, & Automobiles. This program is intended for ages 5-11 years. Registration is required and is only guaranteed until the start of the program. Dress for mess. All materials provided.
Teen Programs
Kids Read Down Fines
1-2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1
5:15-6:15 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19
Children and teens can earn a $2 credit for every 15 minutes they read in the designated area for a total of $8 in one session. Please bring your library card. Please check in at the Youth Desk.
Pokémon Meet-Up
4:15 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 6
Level up your afternoon with a Pokémon meet-up packed with trading, battling and connecting with other fans - because even Ash needed a squad. Registration is required and is only guaranteed until the start of the program. All materials and snacks provided, while supplies last. This program is for ages 10-15 years to attend independently while caregivers wait nearby. Please speak with staff if caregiver assis-
tance is needed during the program.
Family Build It
10 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 8
For all ages. Drop in for building challenges the whole family will enjoy. No registration required. All materials are provided.
Teen Dungeon Hangout
4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 20
Where magic stirs and legends begin. Forge your character and explore arcane stations worthy of any adventurer. No campaign is needed, just plenty of imagination. Registration required. Snacks provided. This program is intended for attendees ages 11-18 years to attend independently. Please speak with staff if caregiver assistance is needed.
The Cape Coral Lee County Public Library is located at 921 S.W. 39th Terrace in Cape Coral. For more information about a program or to register, please call the library at (239) 533-4500. Check the Lee County Library System’s website at www. leelibrary.net to find out about programs at other locations. Call the host library, or Telephone Reference at (239) 479-INFO (4636), for more information about a specific program.
To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter at www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lee County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in its services, programs or activities. To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a reasonable modification to participate, contact Ranice E. Monroe, ADA Coordinator, 239-533-0255, Florida Relay Service 711, or ADArequests@leegov.com. Accommodation will be provided at no cost to the requester. Requests should be made at least five business days in advance.
Breeze
Athletes of the Week
(Selected
Cape Coral
by The Breeze Sports Staff)
Cape Bulk Waste Collection set for Nov. 1 at City Hall
Cape Coral will hold its next Household Chemical and Bulk Waste Collection Event Saturday, Nov. 1, from 7-11 a.m., in the City Hall parking lot, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.
This event gives residents a safe and easy way to dispose of unwanted household chemical waste and bulky items that don’t fit in your regular garbage pickup.
When you arrive, please enter through the main City Hall entrance on Cultural Park Boulevard. Just pop your trunk or lower your truck bed, and city staff will unload for you. For everyone’s safety, please remain in your vehicle during drop-off.
To verify residency, please bring a photo ID with a Cape Coral address or a current Cape Coral utility bill. For a complete list of accepted items, click here.
Don’t forget, you can also place bulk items at the curb each week on your regular solid waste, recycling, and yard waste collection day. The next collection event is May 2.
In between events, residents can use the Bulk Waste Drop Off Site at 1200 Kismet Parkway for horticulture waste, bulk items, and white goods. Household chemical waste can be taken to the Topaz Court Solid Waste Annex at 6441 Topaz Court in Fort Myers.
CCPD to host DEA Drug Takeback Saturday
The Cape Coral Police Department is hosting a DEA Drug Takeback this Saturday, Oct.. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the CCPD at 1100 Cultural Park Blvd., near Cape Coral City Hall.
The purpose of the event is to provide a safe and convenient way for residents to safely dispose of unused prescription drugs.
For more about the Cape Police Department, visit capecops.com.
Car Fests return at museum
Car Fest 2025-2026 is back!
Presented by the Cape Coral Museum of History, the Car Fests will be held at Cape Coral Cultural Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays Nov. 29, Jan. 24, Feb. 14, March 21 and April 18.
Over 100 classic cars and motorcycles will be featured along with food vendors and merchants.
For additional information, contact Mark Fleming at 732-742-0802.
Merchants and vendors spaces are still available.
Death Notices
Cape Coral
CAPE CORAL – Robert A. Young, 83, passed away October 18, 2025. Arrangements are by Lee County Cremation Services of Cape Coral.
Ronald Charles Dunwody, 75, of Cape Coral, FL. passed away October 15, 2025. Arrangements entrusted to Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral Services. www.fullermetz.com
Richard Leslie Gibbs, Jr., 74, of Cape Coral, passed away Monday, October 20, 2025. Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.
Mark Arlin Soholt, 76, of Cape Coral, passed away Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.
Fort Myers
Geraldine Thurman, 86, of Fort Myers FL, passed away October 17, 2025. Arrangements entrusted to Harvey Engelhardt Funeral Home.
Charles F. Bell, Jr., 76, of Fort Myers FL, passed away October 18, 2025. Arrangements entrusted to Harvey Engelhardt Funeral Home.
Socks donated to school
local group recently donated
SUDOKU SHEFFER CROSSWORD
PHOTO PROVIDED
A
Puma socks to Tropic Isles Elementary. Pictured from left are Richard Leon and Donna Moore from Kiwanis along with Miss Bess and Susan (counselor).
Religious
Thanksgiving Novena to St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special partonage in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St Jude pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen. Say three Our Fathers, three Hail Marys, and Glorias. Publication must be promised. This Novena has never been known to fail. I have had my request granted. Publication promised.
- Cremation
now: Two (2) abutting cemetery niches located at Coral Ridge Funeral Home, Cape Coral FL, $3400—-call (603)-926-4656
UNLOCK YOUR CREATIVITY AND LEARN THE TIMELESS CRAFT OF STAINED GLASS IN A FUN, HANDS-ON
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refresh your skills, this class will guide you step-by-step through the entire process—from selecting one of five festive Christmas ornament designs to foiling and soldering your beautiful glass art creation. Re-MADE is bringing in Candy Kesser, owner of Thecraftyartists.com, and well-known stained-glass artist Sylvia Ford to be your guides.
2 class dates available: November 28 or 29th from 1-3pm. Located at Cape Coral re:MADE, 1327 Cape Coral Pkwy, E, Suite A, Cape Coral, Fl. 33904 Come for the art, Come for the fun! $50 per person and you take home a piece of true craftsmanship, made by you for the holidays! Register online at www.capecoralremade.com
