The Mullet Rapper, June 22, 2024 Issue #456

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Year of the Skunk Ape Is Real

By Kelly J Farrell

It’s a big year for the smaller Bigfoot— the Everglades’ Skunk Ape.

“This is the Year of the Skunk Ape,” proclaimed David Shealy — and he seems to be correct. Everywhere one looks, from the Everglades, to the big screen and national news— there it is— a large man-like ape. Even if the name changes, the shape of the large primate is much the same, whether Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Yeti, Bardin Booger, Grassman, Fouke Monster, Abominable Snowman— or the legendary Godzilla gracing theaters nationwide once again.

Sparking even more interest, Shealy’s Skunk Ape Headquarters in Ochopee was voted second best in the U.S. and the No. 1 best roadside attraction in Florida. Top 10 winners of the USA Today readers’ poll were announced in midMay, increasing visits to the Skunk Ape store, research center, boat tours and Trail Lakes Campground, all located at the Headquarters on U.S. 41 southeast of SR 29.

“People are looking for authentic Florida and this is it,” said Jack Shealy, known for his southern rock and soul music in The Jack Shealy Band.

Jack’s grandparents started the Campground and each generation has found a niche at their site in the Everglades.

Jack’s father, David Shealy, has been tracking the Skunk Ape since David was about age 10. That’s when David and his older brother, also named Jack, saw a Skunk Ape not far from

Above: Jack Shealy and father David Shealy at Shealy’s Skunk Ape Headquarters on U.S. 41 in Ochopee in May following national headlines of Skunk Ape HQ being named No. 2 roadside attraction in the U.S. and No. 1 in Florida by the USA Today readers’ poll, catapulting the proclaimed ‘Year of the Skunk Ape’ into reality. See Skunk Ape, p4

Student Submissions Celebrated

By Thomas Lockyear Museum of the Everglades

Every year Museum of the Everglades collaborates with our local school to create an exhibit that celebrates a specific aspect of this unique community. In recent years, students have submitted drawings, paintings, photos, videos, stories, and more to help us share a part of the character and history of the area with visitors from around the world.

This year we have challenged the students to celebrate military veterans from the greater Everglades City area. Submissions ranged from artistic responses honoring all veterans to personal presentations of family members and ancestors who served in our nation’s armed conflicts.

Top prize of “Historian In Training”

went to 5th grader Thomas Ace Mitchell who shared images and information he collected about a

Photos by Kelly J Farrell

Triad Seafood Market

Events

June 29

Spammy Jammy

Put on your PJ’s and join us the evening of June 29 at Little Bar, in Goodland. We will be celebrating at Spammy Jammy an eclectic bash celebrating the end of the season and the beginning of hurricane season. Don’t miss the strange but cool Spam Mold competition. Who will be the 2024 winner this year?

June 29 | 10 am Parade & Fireworks

Celebrate Independence Day in Everglades City. Join the parade at 10 am, then come to McLeod Park for kiddies’ best-dressed contests, free hot dogs, raffles, and prizes. Fireworks start at 9 pm when it gets dark. For more information, phone Karen at City Hall (239) 695-4299

July 5 | 5 pm

July 4th Celebration

Join us at the Parkway Motel & Marina’s annual 4th of July Celebration on Friday, July 5th, starting at 5 pm. We’ll have a community BBQ with delicious shish-kebobs, refreshing drinks, and an inflatable water slide for all ages. Plus, enjoy live music, games, and

at 9

Local Event Calendar

June 23, 2024 to August 3, 2024

Community

Food Pantry

Wednesdays | 9:30 am - Noon

Food is distributed from the rear of Everglades Community Church located at 101 S. Copeland Ave., Everglades City. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Praise Night

Last Saturday | 6:30 pm

On the last Saturday of each month, First Baptist Church of Everglades City will have a Praise Night with a light supper at 6:30 pm, followed by praise music and fellowship.

Ladies Coffee

Thursdays | 8:30 am

Ladies Coffee is a casual weekly gathering for women every Thursday at different local breakfast spots or homes.

No rules or fees, just a welcoming space to connect and forge friendships in a relaxed atmosphere.

Everglades Area Information

Daily | 10 am - 3:30 pm

The Everglades Area Visitor Center is located at 207 Broadway W., Everglades City. The Visitor Center is open daily 10 am to 3:30 pm.

Planning & Zoning Meeting

Third Tuesdays | 6 pm

P&Z Board meetings are held monthly on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. City Council room, 2nd floor City Hall. Info: https://www.cityofeverglades.org

City Council Meeting

First Tuesdays | 7 pm

City Council meetings are held every 1st Tuesday of the month @ 7 pm in the City Council room, 2nd floor City Hall.

The public is invited to attend. Info: https://www.cityofeverglades.org

Entertainment

Gator Hole Bar (Everglades City) has live music on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays!! Matrassa Lynn 7 - 10 pm.

Joanie’s Blue Crab Cafe (Ochopee) has live music on weekends.

Little Bar (Goodland) has live music every night.

Crabby Lady (Goodland) has live music every weekend.

Stans (Goodland) has music TuesSundays. Shows start at 1 & 5.

Save The Date

September 28

Blessing of the Stone Crab Fleet

Mark your calendar for the 14th annual Blessing of the Stone Crab Fleet to be held on September 28th in Everglades City at Camellia Street Grill. Come enjoy live music, free food, great company and local vendor booths!

November 8 & 9 Hook’em in the Glades

The 7th Annual Hook’em in the Glades fishing fundraiser supporting Everglades City Schools is scheduled for November 8-9, 2024! Teams will fish the 10,000 islands for a chance to catch the biggest Snook, Redfish, and Seatrout while supporting our school. Find out more: https:// hookemintheglades.com

Help Save the Everglades - Python Challenge

Registration Now Open

Registration is officially open for the 2024 Florida Python Challenge®, your chance to help remove invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades while competing for exciting prizes.

This 10-day competition runs from August 9th to 18th, 2024, and is open to both experienced and novice participants. By removing these nonnative predators, you’ll be directly contributing to the health of the Everglades ecosystem and its native wildlife.

Key points to remember:

Registration and Training: Sign up and complete the mandatory online

training course before August 9th.

Prizes: Compete for a share of over $25,000 in prizes across professional, novice, and military categories.

Impact: In 2023, the challenge removed over 200 pythons, bringing the total to nearly 1,000 since its inception.

Join the Fight! Head over to https://flpythonchallenge.org/ to register, learn more about the competition, and become a part of this critical conservation effort. Let’s work together to protect the Everglades, a natural wonder unlike any other!

Independence Celebration

In Historic Everglades City

Join us June 29 for this year’s Independence Day celebration and parade in Everglades City!

Our theme, “Flying the Flag,” promises a patriotic extravaganza.

Starting with a “Bang” at 10 am, everyone is invited to decorate their vehicles and join the fun. Trophies await the most creative entries. From the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard to hot-rods and antique cars, there’s something for everyone.

To enter the parade, call Karen at (239) 695-4299 or email KCochran@ CityofEverglades.org

After the parade join us for an actionpacked day at McLeod Park. Kids can bounce in the Bounce House, strike poses in the Photo Booth, get their faces painted, and compete in fun costume contests with great prizes.

Plus, the Everglades Lions Club will be serving up delicious hot dogs, chips, and beverages. Don’t forget to browse through the unique artworks at the vendor booths.

Schedule:

10:00 am Opening Ceremony

10:30 am Parade - Best Entry Wins

11:00 am Booths, Food, Contests

11:30 am Parade & Kiddie’s Contest Winners Announced

12:30 pm Raffle Winners Announced

9:00 pm FIREWORKS

Every year, we rely on donations from local businesses or individuals like you to fund the fireworks for our celebration. Unfortunately, the cost for fireworks has risen significantly. We need your support!

If you’d like to contribute, you can drop your donation in a collection box placed in local businesses around town or send a check to the City of Everglades City. Just remember to write “fireworks” in the memo section and mail it to PO Box 110, Everglades City, 34139.

Contributors

Patty Huff, Elaine Middelstaedt, Marya Repko, Rev. Dr. Bob Wallace, Captain Mike Merritt, Thomas Lockyear, Kelly J. Farrell, Jon Edward Edwards.

Advertising John Nipper

Publishers Emeritus

Kathleen Brock, K Bee Marketing, Inc. Patricia A. Huff, Snook Publications.

Publisher’s Statement

We cover news and events for Everglades City, Chokoloskee, Plantation Island, Port of the Islands, Copeland, Jerome, Ochopee, Goodland, Lee Cypress, Big Cypress, and the 10,000 Islands. Our aim is accurate and diverse reporting. Opinions expressed may differ from those of the editors or publisher.

©2024, Paradise Web All Rights Reserved

“The Everglades is a test. If we pass it, we may get to keep the planet.”

~ Marjory Stoneman Douglas

Photo Courtesy FWC, & Andy Wraithmell

Skunk Ape

From Page 1

the Headquarters. On three other occasions David reported seeing Skunk Apes, including a sighting that led to 27 photos, another that led to a 15-minute video and in recent years, he saw a mother and two young Skunk Apes.

“I didn’t get a photograph that time, but it was personally special to me,” David said of the Skunk Ape family sighting.

David is the foremost Skunk Ape researcher in his family and arguably in the world. However, the interest and intrigue began long before him. Local indigenous people, including the Miccosukee and Seminole tribes, have had a long history with the Skunk Ape. Additionally, David Shealy’s father, Jack, had found a Skunk Ape track not long before the two then-young brothers saw their first Skunk Ape, according to David’s report.

Most recently, David’s research has led him to finding Skunk Ape tracks. These tracks show that the Everglades Skunk Ape is different than the Bigfoot and Sasquatch of Northern America as well as similar man-like apes throughout the world. It is a bit smaller and stinkier, among some other distinguishing characteristics, according to Skunk Ape researchers.

“The Skunk Ape has four toes and a lot of Bigfoot researchers don’t like me for that,” said David.

Despite David’s relative fame, those four digits on the foot often keep him from the spotlight at Bigfoot conventions, including the 4th Annual Great Florida Bigfoot Conference on June 8 in Ocala, he said.

Though he wasn’t invited to speak, he was a hit with attendees looking for a bit of his time, knowledge and a photograph, he reported.

“I decided to be the bigger man and go there,” said David.

The tracks of Bigfoot and other similar creatures have five toes, he explained. Despite meeting what David described as an honorable skeptic from the Animal Planet show “Finding Bigfoot” at the Conference, many other people do accept that the Skunk Ape is an intriguing genetic offshoot of the Bigfoot.

David continues his research and the prominence of Skunk Ape as he travels to conferences in Washington and Oregon this summer, including one held by the Kalispel Tribe of Indians.

In addition to planning a Skunk Ape festival by the end of the year to celebrate all the success, David is working on filming so that people will see this littler Bigfoot, the Skunk Ape, on the small and big screens as soon as next year, he said. This could give Skunk Ape fame similar to other primates nabbing moviegoers attention, such as the “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” and “Godzilla X Kong.”

In the meantime, learn more by visiting the Skunk Ape Headquarters, 40904 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, visiting SkunkApe.info, reading “Everglades Skunk Ape Research Field Guide” by David Shealy or attending the lecture, “ The Skunk Ape – Florida’s Favorite Cryptid,” 2 - 3 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at Museum of the Everglades, 105 Broadway Avenue West Everglades City.

Kids Learn How Fun No-Frills Fishing Can Be at the 2nd Annual Cane Pole Classic

By Thomas Lockyear Museum of the Everglades

The Gladesmen Heritage Foundation is an organization dedicated to sharing not only the history of their recently recognized folk culture, but also to passing down the traditional knowledge and skills associated with living, working, and enjoying recreational activities in the Everglades.

To this end, the group often holds a number of Junior Gladesmen workshops throughout the year. One of the most well-attended events was last year’s inaugural Canepole Classic –a fishing tournament for kids using traditional bamboo cane poles with a hook and a worm. Not a high-tech reel or fancy lure in sight. This year, the completely free event, held at Trail Lakes Campground, was an even greater success. Kids of all ages converged on the fishing holes

By

created by the campground’s founders – the Shealy family – back in the 1960s. The Shealys first settled in the region during the 1890s, donating a plot of land to build a school on the island of Chokoloskee. Their generosity and community spirit remain family traits as they warmly welcomed the raucous herd of anglers to enjoy a day of rustic fishing and family fun.

Lunch was provided by members of the Everglades Conservation and Sportsmen’s Club, another group preserving and promoting the Gladesmen culture who will be holding their 75th Wild Hog BBQ this coming February at their headquarters on Loop Road.

Everyone who participated in the Canepole Classic caught fish, but most didn’t come anywhere near the sixty-nine fish caught by Kyla Clark, who walked

away with the trophy for Most Fish Caught. Young Glen Weeks, who won the award for Biggest Fish

last year, established a legacy by claiming that trophy again this year with an 11-and-a-half-inch bass.

The Canepole Classic is proof that kids don’t need video games or theme parks to have fun, and the Gladesmen Heritage Foundation is definitely fulfilling their mission of passing their love of the Everglades on to the next generation.

Jack

Campground owner and Gladesmen Heritage president

Shealy interviewing winner Glen Weeks.

Jackson Lockyear trying his luck at the fishing hole. 12 fish, largest was 7.5”

Photos

David Ardelean

Micro Wrestlers Take Gator Hole by Storm! Collier to Polk Regional Trail

The Gator Hole Bar witnessed a spectacle like no other as the Amazing Micro Wrestlers took center stage, delivering jaw-dropping performances to a packed house of 500 enthusiastic attendees. Known for their incredible talent and electrifying energy, the Micro Wrestlers captivated the audience with their gravity-defying moves and thrilling showdowns.

The event, hosted by owner Ervin Stokes, exceeded all expectations, leaving everyone buzzing with excitement. From ringside seats to cozy spots with lawn chairs, every corner of the venue was filled with anticipation and cheers. The atmosphere was electric as fans eagerly awaited the next epic clash in the ring.

By Patty Huff

Regional Trails have been popular throughout the United States for years, and north and central Florida have been active in securing funding and building trails ever since the SUN (Shared-Use Non-motorized) Trail Program was established in 2015.

Now our area is getting attention with the newly established Collier to Polk Regional Trail which will provide a continuous multi-use trail to include Collier, Hendry, Glades, Highlands, Hardee, and Polk counties. “The trail will connect small towns, natural areas, and working lands to help users experience the region’s culture, environment, and history. When completed, the Collier to Polk Regional Trail is expected to be over 200 miles and will connect to other regional trail systems such as the Florida Coast to Coast Trail and the Florida Gulf Coast Trail,” according to their website (https://colliertopolktrail.com/).

It will also encourage more towns to become Florida Trail Towns. In 2019 Everglades City was the 9th town to be designated in the State of Florida. Now there are 19, and we are still the only one south of Lake Okeechobee (https://floridadep.gov/parks/ogt/content/ trail-town-program).

This is an opportunity for other towns along the corridor to apply for designation. Projects like these take years to come to fruition, but we are now moving ahead with the rest of the State. For more information, visit https://floridadep.gov/parks/ogt/content/trail-town-program

But the excitement didn’t end with the final bell. Gator Nate and K&T Entertainment kept the party going long after the last pinfall, spinning all the favorite tunes and ensuring the celebration continued well into the night. With a fully stocked bar and a mouthwatering buffet offering an array of delicious choices, attendees were treated to an unforgettable experience from start to finish.

The overwhelming success of the Micro Wrestling event has prompted the Gator Hole Bar to announce an encore performance on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Mark your calendars and get ready for another round of heart-pounding action and non-stop fun. Whether you’re a die-hard wrestling fan or simply looking for a thrilling night out, this is one event you won’t want to miss!

So, join us once again at the Gator Hole Bar for an evening of excitement, camaraderie, and unforgettable memories. Let’s make March 2, 2025, another date to remember as the Micro Wrestlers return with a brand new lineup of talent, ready to take the stage and leave us all in awe once more. See you there!

Big Cypress Gallery Hosts Successful Exotic Plant Removal Event

Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery held its 1st Annual Exotic Plant Removal event, a resounding success according to the gallery.

The event focused on removing invasive plant species that threaten the delicate balance of the Everglades ecosystem. By removing these plants, native species have a better chance to thrive. The combined efforts of the volunteers helped to reclaim habitat for native animals and plants, which are often choked out by the unchecked growth of invasive species.

The event proved productive, with volunteers removing over 35 gallons of papyrus prolifer and a significant amount (between 33 and 45 gallons) of invasive syngonium podophyllum.

Thank you to all the amazing volunteers.

To get involved email Conny at bcg@clydebutcher.com

Collier to Polk Regional Trail Study Area

Photo By David Ardelean

Photo By David Ardelean

EVG Class of 2024 Senior Spotlight

Katie Collins, the star of Everglades City School’s Senior Spotlight, is truly a shining example of purpose and passion! Her senior year was a whirlwind of excitement, complexity, and challenges, but she tackled them all with grace and enthusiasm. As she sets her sights on studying political science at the University of Florida and eventually pursuing a law degree, Katie’s future is as bright as her spirit!

From her early days attending a congressional debate camp to her

time as a student ambassador for Incubate Debate and a Washington, DC, fellowship participant, Katie’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her most cherished moment of speaking to Neil Gorsuch from the Supreme Court is a testament to her drive and ambition. As she looks ahead to the future, Katie is eager to continue blazing her unique path, staying involved, and using her education as a tool for greater things. The world better watch out for this future leader!

EVG District All-Star | May

We’re thrilled to share that one of our very own EVG School students has been selected as this month’s CCPS District All-Star! Join us in celebrating their outstanding achievement as they shine among the best student-athletes in the Collier County Public Schools District.

Jalen Mayberry is a freshman outfielder on the Everglades City School varsity softball team. Defense is Jalen’s specialty, where she posts an efficient .800 fielding percentage. Coaches say Jalen is also solid on the offense, earning a .471 on-base percentage with 12 runs scored, 3 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases so far this season. Jalen demonstrates a strong work ethic and sound leadership skills, which are valued by her Lady Gator teammates.

Hook’em in the Glades 7th Year!

We are gearing up for the 7th Annual Hook’em in the Glades Fishing Fundraiser! This exciting event, run by the Everglades Lion Club, takes place on November 8th-9th, 2024

Get ready for some friendly competition! Teams will be battling it out in the legendary 10,000 Islands, vying for bragging rights for the biggest Snook, Redfish, and Sea Trout. But the real win is for our kids! All the proceeds from this event go directly to supporting the athletic programs and student activities at EVG.

We’re looking for sponsors to join this awesome cause! Sponsorship levels range from $50 to $2,000, so everyone can make a difference. By becoming a sponsor, you’ll be directly supporting our students and fostering a love of fishing right here in our own backyard. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Become A Sponsor

Online

https://hookemintheglades. com/become-a-sponsor By Mail

Sponsorship checks can be made payable to Lions Foundation of Everglades, Inc. Send to: PO Box 48, Everglades City, FL 34139

Questions

Contact Jill Whitcomb whitcj2@collierschools.com or (239)777-2011

Thank you for your unwavering support!

Summer Resources for Parents

Parents, staying informed and prepared for the upcoming school year is easier than ever. The Everglades School Home Page (https://www. collierschools.com/Domain/24) is your go-to resource for a wealth of important information.

Here’s what you’ll find

• School Supply Lists: Find detailed lists of required materials for all grades, from notebooks to calculators, to ensure your child is prepared on the first day.

• Graduation Ceremony Videos (2024): Relive the special moments of the recent graduation ceremony with these video links. Share them with family and friends who couldn’t be there!

• Summer Reading Program: Keep your child engaged and foster a love of reading with the CCPS summer reading program. Find a variety of reading materials and activities designed for all ages.

Be sure to visit often.

Attention Artists

Submit your design for the 2024 Naples International Film Festival poster!

Open Call for Emerging and Established Florida Resident Artists. The winning design will be featured on the NIFF poster, website, and program book cover, with the artist receiving an honorarium, tickets to select NIFF activities, and a chance to lead a public program with Artis—Naples.

Deadline: June 24, 2024, 11:59 PM.

More Info: https://artisnaples. org/naples-international-filmfestival/call-for-entries/

305 Collier Avenue

Everglades City, FL 34139

Monday - Sunday 6:00 am - 9:00 pm

Breakfast Served 6:00 am - 11:00 am

Phone: (239) 695-0003

IslandCafeECity.com

The Everglades Society for Historic Preservation installed new banners around the Circle in preparation of our Independence Day celebration on Saturday, June 29.

Vacation Bible School

July 15-19th, 6 - 8pm

Ages 5-11

This is a free event. Each night you attend, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win two Nintendo Switch consoles.

Awards

From Page 1

number of relatives from Everglades founding families who had served dating back to the Civil War – among them legendary gladesman Totch Brown and his older brother Peg.

6th grader Turner Shealy won the “Most Artifacts Shared” award for providing a plethora of scrapbooks, official documents and even a uniform from his cousin Scott Greenwell’s service overseas.

9th and 10th graders

Essa Harris and Josey Ryder won prizes for “Most Creative” and “Most Patriotic” with original paintings that demonstrated the level of artistic talent of EVG

3rd grader Piper Foss won the “Tales

of Two Locals” award for sharing the stories of veterans Gary McMillan and Eric Weldon while Aria Mitchell won “Greatest Graphic” for her artistic response to the insignia worn by ancestor Ira Dennis Hancock.

6th grader

Nikki Stalter won the “Heartfelt Award” for her tribute to a family member in the service.

As always, the student contributions to the exhibit add not only another layer of images and information that might otherwise have been left out, but also a warm and genuine hometown feel that makes a profound impression on visitors from around the world. It’s a small town with a big history that continues to speak to everyone who takes a moment to stop by and experience it.

students that continues to be nurtured under longtime art teacher Mr. Tribble.

You’re Being Tracked

By Denise Wauters

I know you’ve heard of a credit score, but how about a driving score? This new concept is quietly emerging, with your driving habits being monitored and judged without your knowledge. Some seemingly harmless smartphone apps might be tracking your driving. These apps, like Life360 (popular for family location tracking) or MyRadar (weather app), can stealthily collect data through opt-in features. This data is then analyzed by Arity, a company that sells driver scores to insurance companies.

Car manufacturers are also getting in on the act. Modern cars with internet connections can transmit data about your driving behavior back to the automaker. For instance a Texas resident was surprised to learn that Toyota had compiled a detailed record of his driving habits (speeding, braking, etc.) and used it to offer him a discount on insurance based on his “safe driver” status.

There are potential benefits to this monitoring. Experts suggest that basing insurance rates on actual driving habits, rather than factors like credit score or marital status, could be fairer and potentially lead to safer roads. Drivers who are aware of being monitored might be more cautious, reducing accidents.

However, concerns exist. Firstly, many drivers are unaware of this data collection. Secondly, the way this data is used raises questions. For instance, how do insurers differentiate between a driver and a passenger?

Thirdly, potential discrimination arises. Someone who works a night shift and drives home late might be penalized for poorer visibility and higher drunk driving statistics, even if they themselves are a safe driver.

What Can You Do? Be informed! Check the privacy settings on your car’s dashboard and smartphone apps. Look for features related to “driving analysis” or connecting to your car.

While this is a new frontier, understanding how your driving data is being used empowers you to make informed choices.

Florida Clerks Notification Programs Now Exempt from Public Records

The Collier Risk Alert Notification Program is now exempt from public records disclosure. We are once again extending our invitation to the community to sign up for this free service.

On May 6, 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 285, amending state statutes regarding the free notification programs offered by Florida Clerks. This amendment exempts from public record personal information, such as names, phone numbers, parcel ID numbers, and emails, that are used for the Risk Alert program. This new law protects the privacy of the citizens who sign up for the notification service.

During many of our community outreach programs, Collier citizens

have expressed concerns about protecting their contact information from public records searches. It has been a significant challenge in advancing our Risk Alert Notification Program. This new law will protect their information and help combat fraud for all our residents.

The Risk Alert Notification Program is our free anti-fraud program that allows registered users to easily monitor their property records and report suspicious activities that may lead to fraud. To register, visit cor.collierclerk.com/ coraccess/alerts and enter your email address to receive an email from the “Collier Clerk of Courts: Risk Alert” account that will include a link where you can complete your registration

Chamber of Commerce Needed?

By Patty Huff

On June 3, several area business owners got together to hear about the benefits from the Immokalee Eastern Chamber of Commerce. There was a lot of discussion about establishing an Everglades Area Chamber of Commerce similar to the one we had for approximately 50 years which included the Welcome Center at the corner of SR29 / US41 in Carnestown.

As you know, after Hurricane Irma, our Welcome Center was closed and deemed uninhabitable by Big Cypress who owns the property and the building.

The Chamber did not have the funds to repair the building; and eventually, the Everglades Area Chamber of Commerce was dissolved.

To fill the void of welcoming visitors to our area, the Everglades Society for Historic Preservation (ESHP) opened a new Visitor Center in the Glades Building in 2021.

Since then ESHP has welcomed thousands of tourists from around the world. It is important to have a place in town for our visitors to come in and talk to locals who can provide them with the

information they are seeking.

A Chamber doesn’t have to operate a Welcome Center (our historical society is doing that and will be even more visible once the Bank Building is renovated). So, why do we need a Chamber of Commerce here?

It is really up to the business owners, but I think (based on my experience as a Chamber Board member 20 years ago) that our area businesses would benefit from re-establishing an Everglades Area Chamber of Commerce.

I believe there is a great opportunity to partner with the Immokalee Eastern Chamber of Commerce.

There will be another meeting in July to discuss this further.

If you are interested in coming, email me at snookcity@gmail.com and I will notify you of the date and time.

We will also pass out flyers around town and announce on FaceBook. https://www.facebook.com/ESHP.org

by adding party names and Official Records that you want to monitor. Once done with the registration, you will receive an email notification every time a new deed, lien, mortgage, or other land record is recorded that matches your selected criteria.

Although this service may not prevent the actual fraudulent activity from occurring, it provides the subscriber an opportunity to verify whether the activity was initiated by them or by a scammer committing fraud. We hope to combat fraudulent activities and safeguard the community with this program.

https://collierclerk.com/florida-clerksnotification-programs-now-exemptfrom-public-records/

Night Blooming Cereus & Royal Poinciana

Some people wonder why we live here all year round! Moments like this make the heat and mosquitoes bearable.

~Patty Huff

ENP Clarifies Confusion Over Commercial Use Authorization Fees

Everglades National Park recently caused some concern among business owners with a Zoom meeting that mentioned a potential tiered fee system based on gross revenue. Superintendent Pedro Ramos has reached out to clarify that the Park has no plans to implement such a system.

“The park team and I are very comfortable with the current fee amount and we have not been planning, or intend to plan for another increase.”

- Pedro M. Ramos

The current Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) fee will remain at $850 annually. This fee helps cover the cost of administering the CUA program, which allows businesses to operate within the Park.

The Park acknowledges there may have been confusion due to previous information shared, and they apologize for any inconvenience caused. They are committed to clear communication with CUA holders moving forward.

Be Bear Aware!

What to Do if You See a Bear in Your Neighborhood

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is issuing its annual reminder that juvenile black bears may appear in unexpected areas as they leave their mothers’ home ranges to establish new territories. Spring also brings increased activity for bears after the limited movements of winter.

“Juvenile or yearling bears – aged between 1½ to 2½ years – start dispersing in spring and summer each year,” explained Mike Orlando, Bear Management Program Coordinator

at FWC. “If you encounter a bear in an unexpected area, give it plenty of space and do not approach or feed it. Typically, they will move along on their own.”

During this time, black bear sightings increase in suburban and urban areas, including cities like Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville. Seeing a bear in a neighborhood is not necessarily a cause for alarm. It’s crucial to secure food attractants to prevent bears from lingering. Generally, if a bear doesn’t find food and is given space, it will move on. Feeding bears can cause them to lose their natural fear of humans, which is dangerous. In Florida, it is illegal to intentionally feed bears or leave out food or garbage that attracts them.

Black bears are usually not aggressive but can become defensive if they feel threatened. Over half of bear-related injuries to people in Florida involve dogs. When walking dogs, keep them close on a non-retractable leash and be aware of your surroundings to avoid wildlife conflicts. Before letting your dog out at night, turn lights on and off and make noise to give wildlife a chance to leave the area.

As bears become more active, they cross more roadways. For safety and to avoid hitting wildlife, slow down when

driving, especially on rural highways at dawn or dusk. Look for bear crossing signs. Each year, an average of 300 bears are killed by vehicles in Florida.

If bears are in your area, follow these BearWise® tips to prevent conflicts:

Secure food and garbage:

• Store garbage in a sturdy shed or garage and put it out on the morning of pickup.

• Use bear-resistant containers or modify existing cans.

• Secure commercial garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters.

• Protect gardens, beehives, compost, and livestock with electric fencing.

• Pick ripe fruit and remove fallen fruit from the ground.

Remove or secure bird and wildlife feeders:

• Remove wildlife feeders.

• If keeping feeders, put out only enough food for wildlife to finish before dark and make them bear-resistant.

Never leave pet food outdoors:

• Feed pets indoors.

• If feeding outdoors, only leave food out for short periods and bring in leftovers and dishes after each feeding.

Clean and store grills:

• Clean and degrease grills and smokers after each use.

• If possible, store them in a secure shed or garage.

Alert neighbors to bear activity:

• Inform neighbors if you see a bear.

• Share tips to avoid conflicts with bears.

For assistance with bear conflicts, contact the nearest FWC regional office. Phone numbers are available at MyFWC.com/Contact under “Contact Regional Offices.”

To report injured, orphaned, or dead bears, bear threats, or illegal feeding or harming of bears, call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404FWCC (3922).

For more information, visit MyFWC. com/Bear and access the “Guide to Living in Bear Country” brochure. Additional BearWise tips are available at BearWise.org. Thirty-nine states, including Florida, support BearWise®, a program promoting responsible living around bears.

Support wildlife conservation by purchasing the Conserve Wildlife license plate at WildlifeFlorida.org/ CWT

• Encourage homeowner associations or local governments to require secure trash practices.

Captain Morgan’s Seafood Grill

Located On The Circle

Photos Courtesy FWC

The Ten Thousand Islands of Florida

By Reverend Dr Bob N. Wallace Everglades Community Church

Have you ever heard of the Ten Thousand Islands? They’re a captivating archipelago located near the southern end of Marco Island in southwest Florida, extending southward toward Lostman’s River located in Everglades National Park, Monroe County, Florida. That river’s pristine waters begin in the Big Cypress National Preserve and wander 26 miles west through the unique ecosystem of the Florida Everglades out into the Gulf of Mexico.

These islands along the Gulf Coast of Florida west of the Everglades consist of hundreds of deserted islands and keys. Some of the islands are elevated remnants of a submerged coastline, while others were formed due to mangroves growing on oyster bars. Rather than the literal thousands implied by their title, the actual number of islets in the chain is in the hundreds, not ten thousand!

People come from all over the world to fish the Ten Thousand Islands. It’s exciting and varied for anglers. And the fresh brackish marshes of the Ten Thousand Islands are open during daylight hours. Anglers can fish for Redfish, Snook, Gray Snapper, Spotted Seatrout, and Sheepshead to name a few. Furthermore, freshwater fishing is made accessible from U.S. Route 41, approximately 2.5 miles east of the intersection of Florida Hwy. 92 and U.S. 41. There you can find freshwater species like Bream, Gar, and Largemouth Bass.

The best way to explore and fish the Ten Thousand Islands is by kayaking or canoeing. Either is an excellent way to navigate the backwaters of the Ten Thousand Islands. And the changing water levels allow anglers to enjoy the backcountry. However, be sure to check water levels in advance with a tidal chart, as some areas may be unreachable due to changing weather conditions. And there are no refuge facilities specifically for anglers in the Ten Thousand Islands area.

The Ten Thousand Islands are a pristine environment, so respect the natural surroundings and enjoy the solitude of this unique fishing destination. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner, the Ten Thousand Islands offer you a remarkable fishing experience surrounded by untouched beauty undisturbed by others. These pristine islands are largely uninhabited and offer a true wilderness experience.

The northern part of the Ten Thousand Islands is between Cape Romano and Everglades City within the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. The southern portion south of Everglades City is part of

USPS Pauses Closure of Post Office in Chokoloskee

Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), a senior member of the House Committee on Appropriations, issued the following statement after the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced it would pause the discontinuance process for the Postal Office serving Chokoloskee, Florida:

Everglades National Park. The area is packed with mangrove forests, crystalclear waters, and abundant wildlife.

Native Americans inhabited and used the Ten Thousand Islands for thousands of years. Evidence of former living sites are submerged under as much as four feet (1.2 meters) of water. Archaeological sites, including shell rings and other shell complexes, have been identified in, or near, the islands. The Horr’s Island archaeological site, located just south of Marco Island, is at the northern end of the Ten Thousand Islands and was occupied 3,500 years ago. The culture of the Indigenous people in this area was distinctive enough to be classified as a sub-area of the Glades culture.

Most of the Ten Thousand Islands remain uninhabited; however, the largest island, Chokoloskee Island, is connected to Everglades City by a 3-mile-long causeway built in 1955. That island itself has a rich history of human habitation, dating back much further than the causeway’s construction and today has approximately 400 permanent residents.

You can explore some of the islands by canoeing, sea kayaking, and camping. But if you do, you should be prepared for the wilderness conditions. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service recommends that only seasoned canoeists and kayakers attempt this due to factors like wind, weather, and the lack of fresh water.

The Ten Thousand Islands is waiting to be explored if you are seeking adventure and serenity. They offer you a unique blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and untouched wilderness.

“After months of persistent and constant communication with the USPS and following the active engagement of the community, including a public meeting on May 8th, 2024, and the release of the USPS Office of Inspector General Audit Report, which my office requested, I am pleased to share that we received an official update from the USPS regarding a pause in the discontinuance process for the Postal Office servicing Chokoloskee. Additionally, they stated: ‘Officials at Postal Service headquarters have authorized our real estate specialists to investigate a potential location to (1) determine if the location is available; (2) if a commercially viable lease can be negotiated; and (3) if the potential location meets our standards and operational needs, among other considerations.’ We have made significant progress and this is a positive step in the right direction but more needs to be done to ensure that people receive their mail in a timely fashion. This includes veterans in Chokoloskee who rely directly on the USPS for the delivery of critical medication, as well as individuals who have lost important documents such as U.S. passports and money orders.

As my team and I continue our work and advocate to ensure that the Chokoloskee Postal Office returns to its previous standard of operation, know that I remain committed to holding the U.S. Postal Service accountable in its service of our community.”

Heavy rains bring unexpected fun to Chokoloskee! Kids on N. Lopez Lane make the most of the downpour, transforming their kneedeep flooded street into a watery playground. This photo captures them enjoying a canoe ride on what was once their asphalt road.

(Photo

by Helen Bryan)

Courtesy of Joey Waves

Museum of the Everglades

105 West Broadway Avenue

Everglades City, FL

Originally a 1927 commercial laundry, the Museum of the Everglades building testifies to the town’s history as a bustling business center and the region’s first county seat. Now a museum, it’s open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm with free admission. Certain events may require reservations. Book your reservation at colliermuseums.com or call (239) 252-5026. Come explore Everglades heritage today!

Exhibits

Thank You for Your Service – A Salute to Everglades Veterans May 14 – Sept 14

This year’s annual collaboration between the museum and local students will be a tribute to veterans from the greater Everglades area – from the distant (back to the Civil War) and recent past up to present day. Students will submit a creative response to the topic in a medium of their choice (painting, drawing, writing, video, photographs, etc.). Their contributions will consist of both tributes to specific veterans – friends, family, ancestors – and more general pieces honoring all veterans. For their part, the museum will present profiles of area residents who have served and information about the ways in which local people and businesses supported the war efforts in many of our country’s armed conflicts.

Third Thursday Talk Series

The Skunk Ape – Florida’s Favorite Cryptid July 18 | 2 – 3 pm

On July 8th, 2000, Ochopee resident Dave Shealy caught an ape-like bipedal humanoid with long brown fur running through the sawgrass behind Trail Lakes Campground on video. Since that time, the tape has been featured on everything from the Daily Show to National Geographic and the Smithsonian Channel. Over the years, the legend of the Skunk Ape has grown exponentially — becoming the foremost facet of Florida folklore now firmly rooted in popular culture. Whether you are a believer or non-believer, you’ll enjoy this discussion of the Florida Skunk Ape: its history, recent sightings, its origins in the beliefs of our region’s indigenous people, and more.

Thank You For Your Service

By Thomas Lockyear Museum of the Everglades

The new exhibit at Museum of the Everglades, “Thank You For Your Service – a Tribute to Everglades Veterans”, opened on May 14th in advance of the Memorial Day Weekend holiday.

Museum staff collaborated with local students and other residents to gather stories of veterans past and present from the greater Everglades area. Historian extraordinaire Kenny Brown at the Chokoloskee Marina generously placed his personal collection of military uniforms on loan to augment the exhibit’s artifacts.

The result is a unique window into the region’s past that reveals that the courage and tenacity of the area’s early pioneers were traits that many carried with them onto the battlefield.

The WWII heroism of Chokoloskee natives Peg & Totch Brown are celebrated alongside that of E.A. “Doug” Hendry, who would become Collier County’s 4th Sheriff when Everglades was still the county seat.

Ancestors of the towns’ founding families fought on both sides of the Civil War, with “Daddy of Chokoloskee” C.G. McKinney and Boggess family patriarch Francis Calvin Morgan both riding in the Confederate Cow Cavalry led by Hendry’s grandfather.

The exhibit also explores the area’s contributions made to our nation’s armed conflicts made in the form of natural resources (massive amounts of lumber) and the role of local fishermen conscripted into the Coast Guard Auxiliary during WWII – with both the Everglades Inn and Rod & Gun Club serving as barracks and bases of operation.

The exhibit was created with the intention of learning more about local veterans with the ultimate goal of creating a permanent military memorial for the town. With this in mind, there is opportunity to add veterans that might have been overlooked to the wall for the duration of the exhibit.

Stop by to learn a few of the fascinating service stories of the people who have called this town their home – or to add one to the historic record. Don’t forget to grab a free “Thank You For Your Service” bumper sticker while you are there.

The exhibit will remain on display through September 14th.

Adventures of the Saltwater Cowboy - Forward

By Jon Edward Edwards

I got shock treatment, did a stint in rehab, got divorced, and started writing. I haven’t stopped. Besides two brief “girlfriends” who only furthered my soured stance on sanctity, I’ve had nothing to distract me. I believe in the 10,000-hour rule. If my math is correct, I’ll be a master at my craft by the time I’m 56. Keep in mind that I hadn’t picked a pen up until 2009.

My life and imagination are wild, and some say I have a unique ability to tell stories and make them up with my fingers. These stories have graced the pages of the Coastal Breeze and the Mullet Rapper since 2020. The Breeze, that local rag you see in every resort community in the restaurants, drugstores, convenience stores, parks, and bus stops – they’re everywhere. Yet, I do not know how many people pick up and read them. I get no response from the online versions as well. But Lynn, Val, and Kathy keep printing them.

I’ve lived a high-octane life, residing in every coastal state along the Gulf of Mexico Rim by the time I was fifteen, aside from Alabama, which, let’s face it, was shafted when the U.S. government delved out the original Florida counties to make the state.

Let there be no mistake: Florida is my adopted home. I knew I belonged here since I was seventeen years old. That said, my heart will always belong to the Sportsman’s Paradise—the only state in the union with a completely different set of laws - the Napoleonic Code. We don’t have counties - we have parishes. We like our politicians shady, our levees substandard, and our food spicy. Hailing from Louisiana inflates my outdoor pedigree. For Rednecks, Louisiana is the Outdoorsman’s Harvard.

Regarding shady politicians and Louisiana, one cold winter’s morning in 74’, sitting in a steel pit blind sunken in a levee between two flooded rice fields, thousands of decoys shaking in the breeze, Ronnie, my dad, told a friend of then Governor Edwin Edwards, that he named his only son after the infamous Louisiana politician. He didn’t. Mom named me after my uncle, renowned archeologist and

author Dr. Jon Gibson.

Word got back to the Governor, and a few months later, I was on the steps of the Homer, Louisiana courthouse receiving an honor – Master Jon Edward Edwards, Colonel on the Governor’s Staff. I got my picture in the paper and a plaque and everything. All over a ruse that Governor Edwards, finally going down in 2002 for racketeering, would have appreciated more than anyone.

The event with Governor Edwards is a testament to the uniqueness of our state and an example of the message in many of these stories, fraudulent nature notwithstanding. Relationships built on the water and in the field forge bonds that transcend typical interaction.

My life was destined to be interesting, and I hit the water swimming. Like a Labrador Retriever, I just knew how. “The next thing he will say is that he has webbed feet,” one may say. No, I don’t, but two friends from North Louisiana have webbed toes. And here go the inbred jokes.

We moved to Texas shortly after I was born until I was five years old, where I caught a ten-pound carp on a Mickey Mouse Zebco on Lake Texoma and rode dirt bikes in the hills and dunes around Grapevine. In 1980, we relocated to Louisiana, the northeast part of the state, Monroe. For the next two years, I could be found somewhere along the Ouachita River on a yellow Yamaha GT 80. A washed-out section of Indian mounds called Ooga Ooga Land comes to mind.

Aside from living with Ronnie in Mississippi for two years and Tampa for half of a year, the Chauvin River Basin on the north side of Monroe, Louisiana, would become my playground until I graduated college and left North Louisiana for good in ‘96. But not without a heavy heart.

There can’t be many places left that offer such outdoor freedom. A sportsman’s nirvana: Bayou Desaird, the Ouachita River, the river basin, and its bar pits, my friends and I engaged in a lifetime of adventure within approximately four square miles.

Thomas and I wakeboarding at first

light on the Bayou during summertime was like skating on black ice. Water dead calm and dark from the alluvial soil of the river delta, spray erupts like shattered glass as you cut across the wake.

In chest waders, we hunted wood ducks in the flooded timber behind Ned’s house, fog rising off the water, trying to shield our faces from the freshly migrated blue and green wing teal and native wood ducks. Ole’ Ned taught me two valuable lessons among sportsmen after I returned his Browning BPS in a condition lesser than I’d borrowed it - a story itself. It involves falling into the pit blind at the LA-Ark Hilton - Big Sperry’s camp in Jones.

Moving around as a kid sucked, and I dealt with the anxiety by attracting attention. I come from a long line of gifted, funny people, and I discovered I had a knack for making people laugh early on, telling jokes, flinging movie quotes with impeccable timing, and making impressions. Unbeknownst to me, l was writing bits. Every instance required creative thought and focus through execution, pass or fail, crickets or kill.

Such as the legend at Louisiana Tech University (Kappa Sigma – Epsilon Gamma) about a man they called “Porkchop,” a physical comedian who would show up at random in various stages of undress, primarily complete. Aside from his trademark pull-on Redwing Work Boots and a hat – sometimes.

Eyewitness accounts say this character exhibited no inhibitions, performing a routine that had the crowd on the floor every time. Sometimes, he’d walk into a party and mingle, order a drink, turn around, and face the public while he waited as if he wasn’t al-fresco.

I’ve heard bits and pieces – rumors - over the years that this person is me. I can neither confirm nor deny these accusations. However, should there be any truth to it, let it be known that I own creative license.

I’ve caught ten-pound bass on Lake Fork, Texas, jerked white perch from run-offs on Davis Island with cane poles, caught Opelousas catfish on trot-lines in the Mississippi River, pulled Spiney Tail Lobster from haunts shared with moray eels in the Keys, and hunted quail on horseback in the Plains of North, Texas. Following the noses of bird dogs along a ridge overlooking the Peace River, I could hear the lyrics of a George Strait song in my head.

When that sun is high in that Texas sky, I’ll be bucking it to County Fair

Paducah, Texas, a place near and dear to my heart, where Boone and Crockett Trophy whitetail deer roamed the natural gulleys, and wild Eastern and Rio-Grande gobblers roosted in the buttonwoods on the edge of the river pasture. Home of the Running R Ranch, where I watched Ronnie ride a bucking quarter horse from one stable to another, separated by an iron header bar that would have decapitated him if not for his rodeo skills. When he ducked under it at the last minute, I remember thinking, Damn, he IS a cowboy. He said he was and showed me a check for $150 with “cow punchy” written in the Memo that he saved in a scrapbook with other mementos of a life stranger than fiction – Ronnie’s. A check from Warner Brothers for $200 gets an honorable mention. If you ask him, it’s his silver-screen debut, not ½ a second of screen time as an extra in the Sean Connery “non-classic,” Just Cause Fast forward a couple of decades, and I stumble upon what some say is an ability to spin a yarn, and here we are. I am your ambassador to the outdoors, the Sportsman’s consigliere representing our interests to the masses of uninformed and confused who think Southern Outdoorsmen are ignorant to the environment’s plight by default. May these stories provide clarity to those confused about the meaning of sportsmanship and how it relates to conservation.

From the mountains to the sea, I roam by whatever means necessary –technical poling skiff or little bateau (jon boat), foot or hoof, wheels or wings. A free-range outdoor nomad, I live for the experience. I must because I lose more than I win, yet I keep showing up. I keep taking risks, physical and legal, in search of adventure.

I have put in my 10,000 hours as a sportsman, and I’m here to tell you that if everyone would get outside, the world would be a better place. Mother Nature is gender-neutral and can’t see color. Come one, come all, laissez les bon temps rouler (let the good times roll). I speak my mind, stand my ground, and stick up for the little guy. I wear flip-flops and a cowboy hat and run a backwater ghost named the Honey Badger. I am the Saltwater Cowboy.

Books Available: Sunshine Booksellers on Marco Island and soon on Amazon.

Share The Shore With Sea Turtles and Shorebirds

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the reminder that nesting season is underway for our state’s imperiled sea turtles and shorebirds along our coasts. Beachgoers can help ensure nesting success for both sea turtles and beach-nesting birds by giving them space, removing beach furniture and trash before leaving for the day, keeping beaches clean and dark, and never disturbing their nests.

Our beaches are also important habitat for imperiled beach-nesting birds, including black skimmers, least terns, snowy plovers and American oystercatchers.

“Getting too close (50 feet or less) to nesting sea turtles can cause them to leave the beach before they complete the nesting process,” said Dr. Robbin Trindell, lead of the FWC’s Sea Turtle Management Program. “By always giving nesting turtles space, you can help marine turtles have another successful nesting season in Florida this year.”

“People can help with nesting success of waterbirds by keeping at least 300 feet from nesting shorebirds, seabirds and wading birds,” said Florencia Morales, the FWC coordinator for the Florida Shorebird Alliance. “By giving nesting waterbirds plenty of space, you can help avoid causing them to flush from their nesting sites, which would leave vulnerable eggs and chicks exposed to the elements and predators.”

Beachgoers can help with nesting success every time they visit the shore: Clear the way at the end of the day!

Properly dispose of all trash, fill in human-made holes in the sand, and remove all beach toys and furniture from the beach before sunset. Obstacles on the beach can prevent sea turtles from nesting. Trash and other obstacles can also prevent sea turtle hatchlings from reaching the water once they emerge from their nests, as well as entangle shorebirds, turtles and other wildlife. Food scraps attract predators, such as raccoons and crows, that can prey on sea turtle hatchlings, as well as shorebird eggs and chicks.

Do the flock walk!

Steer clear of flocks of birds on the beach and keep an eye out for shorebird eggs and chicks to avoid stepping on them. Shorebirds and seabirds also nest

in shallow scrapes in the sand and their eggs and chicks are well-camouflaged, making them vulnerable to being stepped on.

Lights out!

Turn off lights or close curtains after dark to ensure nesting turtles are not disturbed or disoriented as they come ashore and hatchlings do not become disoriented when they emerge from their nests. Make sure exterior lighting adjacent to nesting beaches is long, low and shielded. Avoid using flashlights or cell phone lights and taking flash photos after dark on the beach.

Pet owners can also help by keeping dogs at home or on a short leash and far away from wildlife when bringing dogs to pet-friendly beaches.

For more information about nesting waterbirds, go to MyFWC.com

Win-Car Hardware has gotten a fresh look with a new sign that proudly declares their hardware expertise!

To gear up for summer, they’re also adjusting their hours: MonThurs 8:30-5, Fri & Sat 7-5, Sun 8:30-1. Stop by and check it out. Visit online at WinCarInc.com

FWC 2024

Everyone’s favorite conservation event of the year is underway!

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is excited to announce the 2024 Lionfish Challenge.

The Lionfish Challenge is a free summer-long Lionfish tournament open to recreational and commercial competitors of all ages around the state of Florida. More than 195,000 Lionfish have been removed as a part of this challenge since it began in 2016. As we kick off the nineth year of the Lionfish Challenge, our goal remains the same: remove as many Lionfish as we can in just three months. Are you up for the Challenge?

Tournament details:

Timeline: May 24 to Sept. 2.

Categories: Participants will compete in either the commercial or the recreational division with grand prizes to the top competitors in each division.

Prizes will be awarded in tiers as follows:

Tier 1 - Harvest 25 Lionfish (recreational category) or 50 pounds of Lionfish (commercial category).

Tier 2 - Harvest 75 Lionfish (recreational category) or 100 pounds of Lionfish (commercial category).

Tier 3 - Harvest 150 Lionfish (recreational category) or 200 pounds of Lionfish (commercial category).

Tier 4 - Harvest 300 Lionfish (recreational category) or 400 pounds of Lionfish (commercial category).

Tier 5 - Harvest 600 Lionfish (recreational category) or 800 pounds of Lionfish (commercial category).

To read the full tournament rules and register, visit FWCreefrangers.com/ lionfish-challenge

Keep up with the challenge: Facebook. com/fwcreefrangers.

Have you ever thought about going to the Amazon? Now you can! Capt. Mike Merritt's lodge in Brazil's Amazon. Fishing and Ecotour packages available.

3,4, & 5 Day Trips

Jungle Treks, River Tours, Pink River Dolphin Tours

4,5, & 6 Day Trips

Peacock Bass, Redtail Catfish, & More

5 room floating jungle lodge, with electricity, A/C, hot water, wifi, private bathrooms, & local cuisine. All fishing tackle, hotels, and transportation provided. Float plane trips available.

Nice Cream

Submitted by Elaine Middelstaedt

Ingredients:

• 2-3 very ripe bananas

Directions:

1. Freeze the Bananas: Peel and chop the bananas into small, even pieces. Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight.

2. Blend Until Creamy: Transfer the frozen banana pieces to a small food processor or high-speed blender. Pulse until the bananas are broken up and resemble crumbs. Keep pulsing and scraping down the sides as needed.

3. From Crumble to Cream: The mixture will progress from crumbly to mushy to a

consistency like oatmeal. Continue blending until it becomes smooth with a few remaining chunks of banana.

4. The Magic Happens! Watch closely as the last bits smooth out. The mixture will transform from blended banana to a soft-serve ice cream texture. Blend for a few extra seconds to incorporate air.

5. Mix-Ins (Optional): If desired, now is the time to add mix-ins like peanut butter, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts.

6. Freeze & Enjoy: Transfer the nice cream to an airtight container and freeze until solid. You can enjoy it immediately for a soft-serve consistency, or freeze for longer for a firmer texture like traditional ice cream.

Pets of the Everglades

Jack | Everglades local for almost a decade.

MULLET RAPPER CROSSWORD

Be a Florida Friendly Angler This Summer!

Calling all anglers, both seasoned and new! The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wants to help you become a Florida Friendly Angler (FFA). This free, online course is available in English and Spanish, and it’s a great way to learn how to fish responsibly and protect our valuable marine resources.

The course covers important topics like best fishing practices, fish habitat protection, and fisheries management. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to ensure healthy fish populations for future generations.

Benefits for Everyone:

Individuals: Learn how to be a more mindful and sustainable angler.

Clubs: Great educational resource for groups focused on the outdoors, fishing, and conservation. Families: Get everyone involved in learning responsible fishing practices.

What Anglers are Saying:

The FFA course is already gaining positive feedback. Anglers appreciate it as a refresher course for themselves and a valuable learning tool for younger generations.

Become a Florida Friendly Angler Today!

Upon completing the course, you’ll receive a certificate and a weatherproof decal to showcase your commitment to sustainable fishing.

Sign up today at

https://www.flseagrant.org/fisheries/ florida-friendly-angler-certification-program.

Owners: Scott & Carla Marsh

Guitar accessories

Donnybrook

Annual high school dance

Photo Courtesy Mike Sipos

May 25, 2024 Puzzle Solution

Photo Courtesy FWC

Red Grouper Season Closes

Summer Time Fishing

By Captain Mike Merritt

When it comes to fishing here in the summer months, the best plan is to get out early and come in early! I love the early morning bite before it gets too hot. The Snook love to feed early especially on a rising tide. If you can be fishing as the sun comes up at your favorite Snook hole and the tide is rising then you will have some great action. I especially love to throw topwater lures like the Zara Spook over oyster bars where the Snook will lay in ambush on the other side. There is nothing like that explosion on the top water to get your heart rate up!

After the tide gets up a little then I go to the sub surface lures or jigs for the rest of the morning. And of course if you are bait fishing then this will work all the time. I will change up how I hook a bait to get different action from it. This depends on how much current we have or the water depth. But the summer Snook bite always produces some of the biggest Snook of the year!

Redfish are a different story. They are more scarce

in the summer and will not be as plentiful until the fall again. That’s not to say you won’t catch any as we have them all year round. It’s just the schools will show back up in fall. But a big Red can be lurking anywhere you Snook fish and will take all the same baits and lures. If I am targeting Reds then a jig is my go to bait. And a scented tail like Gulps are hard to beat. But the DOA Cal tails tipped with shrimp will catch just as many. Rising tides are always best for these guys and the shallower you are the better. Sight fishing the shallows is a fun way to find these fish but being an accurate caster will be required to be successful.

Trout are still around but due to warmer water temps in the summer they are not always easy to find on the flats. The drops and around bars are areas where you will find bigger Trout. But sometimes out in deeper water will produce some great action. Even some near shore wrecks will hold trout in the summer months. I never liked to fish for them in the summer as they tend to be smaller fish and the keepers will have more worms when the water is warmer.

Permit and Cobia are both being caught close to shore right now. Calmer days will make these guys easier to find. You may find small groups or you may get lucky and come across large schools. Either way it is a fun way to spend part of your day. Running in the boat on a hot summer day and seeing fish to cast at makes for a great day! Even going out for some Grouper and Snapper in the deeper water during these low wind days of summer is a great idea. Be prepared to get in early ahead of the rains that are sure to start soon! Enjoy this summer with the family with some great summer fishing! Stay hydrated and bring your rain gear! Enjoy Summer!

Capt. Mike Merritt

Guide | (561)252-4324 | SnookFishing1@juno.com

Barron River Tides

6/22/2024 Sat 4:43 AM 2.2 H

6/22/2024 Sat 10:13 AM 0.96 L 6/22/2024 Sat 2:38 PM 3.2 H

6/22/2024 Sat 11:26 PM -0.38 L 6/23/2024 Sun 5:31 AM 2.24 H

6/23/2024 Sun 10:58 AM 0.95 L 6/23/2024 Sun 3:16 PM 3.25 H

6/24/2024 Mon 12:11 AM -0.37 L 6/24/2024 Mon 6:17 AM 2.28 H

6/24/2024 Mon 11:47 AM 0.92 L 6/24/2024 Mon 4:04 PM 3.22 H

6/25/2024 Tue 12:55 AM -0.29 L 6/25/2024 Tue 7:00 AM 2.33 H

6/25/2024 Tue 12:40 PM 0.88 L 6/25/2024 Tue 5:03 PM 3.1 H

6/26/2024 Wed 1:41 AM -0.15 L 6/26/2024 Wed 7:42 AM 2.39 H

6/26/2024 Wed 1:39 PM 0.81 L 6/26/2024 Wed 6:15 PM 2.9 H 6/27/2024 Thu 2:30 AM 0.04 L 6/27/2024 Thu 8:23 AM 2.46 H 6/27/2024 Thu 2:48 PM 0.7 L

6/27/2024 Thu 7:37 PM 2.66 H

6/28/2024 Fri 3:23 AM 0.26 L

6/28/2024 Fri 9:03 AM 2.55 H 6/28/2024 Fri 4:05 PM 0.55 L

6/28/2024 Fri 9:05 PM 2.42 H

6/29/2024 Sat 4:20 AM 0.48 L

6/29/2024 Sat 9:43 AM 2.66 H

6/29/2024 Sat 5:16 PM 0.35 L

6/29/2024 Sat 10:31 PM 2.23 H

6/30/2024 Sun 5:17 AM 0.67 L 6/30/2024 Sun 10:25 AM 2.77 H

6/30/2024 Sun 6:21 PM 0.14 L

7/1/2024 Mon 12:05 AM 2.13 H

7/1/2024 Mon 6:13 AM 0.82 L 7/1/2024 Mon 11:11 AM 2.89 H

7/1/2024 Mon 7:21 PM -0.05 L 7/2/2024 Tue 1:42 AM 2.13 H

7/2/2024 Tue 7:10 AM 0.92 L 7/2/2024 Tue 12:02 PM 3 H

7/2/2024 Tue 8:17 PM -0.19 L 7/3/2024 Wed 2:50 AM 2.15 H

7/3/2024 Wed 8:04 AM 0.96 L 7/3/2024 Wed 12:54 PM 3.1 H 7/3/2024 Wed 9:08 PM -0.28 L 7/4/2024 Thu 3:40 AM 2.16 H

7/4/2024 Thu 8:55 AM 0.96 L 7/4/2024 Thu 1:41 PM 3.18 H 7/4/2024 Thu 9:56 PM -0.32 L 7/5/2024 Fri 4:18 AM 2.15 H 7/5/2024 Fri 9:41 AM 0.93

Everglades City

Camellia Street Grill

Daily 11 am – 8 pm (239) 695-2003

Captain Morgan’s Seafood Grill Corp

Thur-Sat 11 am – 8 pm Sun 12 pm-8 pm

Closed on Holidays (239) 232-0041

City Seafood

Mon-Fri 8 am – 3 pm

Sat & Sun 8 am – 4 pm (239) 695-4700

Diving Pelican Sun-Thur 11 am – 8 pm

Fri-Sat 11 am – 8:30 pm (Outside bar to ll pm) (239) 232-0475

Everglades Cafe

Wed-Sat 7 am – 3:30 pm (239) 351-4875

Island Cafe

Daily 6 am – 9 pm (239) 695-0003

Nely’s Corner (Inside EFC)

Fri-Sun 6:30 am – 4 pm (239) 695-4222

Rod & Gun

Daily 11:30 am - 7:30 pm (239) 695-2101

Triad Seafood Market & Cafe Opens October (239) 695-2662

Wildman’s Pizza Pasta & Pythons

Mon-Thur 11:30 am – 8 pm

Fri-Sat 11:30 am – 9 pm (239) 426-9453

Chokoloskee

HavAnnA Cafe Opens October (239) 695-2214

Goodland

Crabby Lady

Tues-Sat 11 am – 6 pm Sun 11 am – 5 pm (239) 394-5663

Kirks Fish House

Opens October (239) 394-8616

Little Bar

Mon-Sat 11:30 am – 12 am

Closed Sundays (239) 394-5663

Paradise Found

Wed-Mon 11 am – 8 pm

Closed Tuesday (239) 330-7773

Stans Idle Hour

Tue-Sat 11 am – 9 pm Sun 11 am – 6:30 pm Closed Monday (239) 394-3041

Ochopee

Joanie’s Blue Crab Cafe Closed Wednesdays Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri 10:30 am – 4 pm Sat & Sun 10:30 am to 5 pm (239) 695-2682

Cove (Closed for Maintenance)

& US41 (Naples)

Gator’s Crossing Daily 11 am – 11 pm (239) 394-0288

Markets

Right Choice Supermarket Daily 9 am – 7 pm (239) 695-4535

Grimm’s Stone Crab Mon-Sat 8 am – 5 pm (239) 695-3222

Worship

Chokoloskee Family Church Sun: 10 am School & Worship, 6 pm Service Wed: Youth 7 pm 1236 Demere Ln, Chokoloskee

Everglades Community Church Sun: 11 am Worship 101 Copeland Ave, Everglades City

First Baptist Church Sun: 9:45 am School, 11 am Worship & 6 pm Service Wed: 6 pm Bible Study 416 E School Dr, Everglades City

Holy Family Catholic Church Opens December 200 Datura St E, Everglades City

Goodland Baptist Church 410 Mango Ave. Goodland Sunday: 10 am Worship Wed 6 pm Bible Study

HELP WANTED: The Mullet Rapper is seeking photographs of happenings in Everglades City and surrounding areas. If you like to attend local events, have a camera (phones work) and you have the desire to share your imagery with the community please contact me or send your photos with a brief description to: MulletRapper@gmail.com

Helpful Numbers

EC Airport: (239) 695-2778

EC City Hall: (239) 695-3781

ECPublic Library: (239) 695-2511

EC Trash Pickup: (239) 252-2380

EC Visitor Center: (239) 232-0473

Carnestown Recycle: (239) 695-4331

Goodland Recycle: (239)252-2380

Post Office

Everglades City & Chokolosee: (239) 695-2174

Services

Mike’s Outboard Service Servicing Mercury - Yamaha - Suzuki Anything Electric Installs and Repairs (305) 619-3774

Showcase your skills and offerings in the Services section of our classifieds! Our community is eager to discover your services. List your service today and let the Mullet Rapper help you grow your business! MulletRapper@gmail.com (941) 999-1237

Clubs

AA

Wednesday | 5 pm

First Baptist Church 416 School Drive, Everglades City

Everglades Lions Club

2nd Thursday of the month | 6 pm September - May

Jinkins Fellowship Hall behind Everglades Community Church 101 S. Copeland Ave, Everglades City evergladeslionsclub@gmail.com

Ladies Coffee

Thursdays | 8:30 am

Rotates Everglades City Restaurants snookcity@gmail.com (239) 719-0020

Goodland Civic Association

3rd Tuesday of the month | 6:30 pm

Goodland Community Center 417 Mango Ave, Goodland (239) 776-1372

Copeland: (239) 695-2202

Ochopee: (239) 695-2099

Goodland: (239) 394-7387

Local Parks

Big Cypress: (239) 695-2000

EVG National Park: (239) 695-3311

Fakahatchee Preserve: (239) 961-1925