Alyssa
Justein
Selina
Production
Elaine
Ruth
Dianne
Located off Rio Togas near Burnt Store Road. Sunday, February 16, 2025 1 to 3 p.m.
The menu has yet to be determined but is guaranteed to be delicious!
Come for the food and stay for the fellowship and fun. We hope to see EVERYONE there!
There were four Single-Family Home Applications reviewed by ARC in December. Three of these were recommended for approval. Twelve other applications were reviewed. Six were recommended for approval, three were held for additional information and three were cancelled.
Three new homes received Certificates of Occupancy in November.
Effective December 23, 2024, there were sixty-nine new homes in the construction process. A total of seventeen new homes have received Certificates of Occupancy this fiscal year (October 2024 to September 2025).
The following architectural projects were either approved or conditionally approved by the Burnt Store Lakes Board of Directors during the December 10, 2024 Board Meeting:
17051 Torreon Ln.
24302 Santa Inez Rd.
17082 Thyme Ct.
24226 Santa Inez Rd.
16464 Belo Ct.
24327 Contra Costa Ln.
24172 Cuman Ct.
17296 Cape Horn Blvd.
HOME: 3,544 Sq Ft (2,158 AC), 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, paver driveway color White/Charcoal, metal roof color Ash Gray. Home color Olympus White, trim Morning Fog by Avant Construction. Includes Lake Source Irrigation. Pool to be submitted later.
HOME: 2,799 Sq Ft (1,775 AC). 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, paver driveway, tile roof color Bel Air Viera Blend by Don Riggs Concrete and Construction. Home Color Modern Gray, trim Pure White. Includes pool and irrigation well.
EXTERIOR PAINT & TRIM: Repaint home from Tan with White trim to Soft Green with white trim by Simple and Elegant Landscapes.
ROOF: Tile-to-Tile, color Stone Mountain Blend of Grays by Green Coast Roofing.
ROOF: Tile-to-Metal, color Dark Bronze by CMM Roofing.
ENCLOSURE SHIELD: White PVC/Vinyl enclosure shield for garbage and equipment by owner. 6 Ft high by 12 Ft long, 46 Inches wide with one side gate.
SHORELINE EROSION CONTROL: Installation of a Geosox erosion control system along 130 Ft of shoreline with installation of native littoral water plants by Cross Creek Environmental. Shoreline will be resodded.
CONCRETE SLAB PATIO: 21 Ft by 31 Ft concrete patio behind home by owner.
While traversing the community, we have noticed that several property owners are not in compliance with BSL Deed Restriction, Section 6.16, regarding parking. Specifically, we refer to trailers, recreational vehicles, and boats, which may only be temporarily parked in driveways and never on adjacent property.
We understand that on occasion it may be necessary to park one of these in your driveway in preparation for traveling, repairing, etc. Therefore, the Deed
Restriction allows you to request a Temporary Waiver from the Association. The form may be obtained by contacting the office or from our website (www. bslpoa.org).
On occasion, it has been noted that cars and trucks have been parked on vacant lots. We remind everyone that the vacant lots are private property.
Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.
Sandy Funk, President
Rob Hancik, Vice President
David Todd, Treasurer
Betty Ingerson, Secretary
Richard Hefright, Director at Large
Edie Johnson, Director at Large
Jeanie Jordan, Director at Large
Architectural Review
Betty Ingerson
Communications Betty Ingerson
Mechanical and Maintenance
Richard Hefright
Long Range Planning Jeanie Jordan
Beautification Jeanie Jordan
Lakes Quality David Todd
Drainage Edie Johnson
County Liaison Rob Hancik
MSBU’s and Coalition
County Commissioners, etc.
Deed Restrictions Sandy Funk
Enforcement
Document Revisions
Board of Directors meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 3 p.m.
Meetings are hybrid meetings held in the Community Center and available by Zoom.
16500 Burnt Store Road, Suite 102 (941) 639-5881
Those born in February exhibit a wide range of personality traits that make them stand out from the crowd. Here are some of the most common characteristics:
• Independent: February-born individuals value their autonomy and strive for self-reliance. They are not easily swayed by others’ opinions and prefer to forge their own path in life.
• Intuitive: People born in this month are gifted with heightened intuition and can often perceive things that others may not be aware of.
• Original thinkers: February-born people are known for their innovative and unconventional thinking. They are not afraid to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of what is possible.
• Compassionate: Individuals born in February are empathetic and caring, often putting the needs of others before their own.
• Romantic: February-born individuals are passionate and romantic, making them great partners in relationships.
• Socially conscious: People born in February are often concerned with social issues and strive to make a positive impact on their communities.
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Houseplants and gardens are good additions to most homes. They can elevate your aesthetic, improve the quality of indoor air, and may even help reduce stress and improve focus, studies show. Some may carry toxic substances that are unsafe for pets, though. Here are 12 to stay away from if you have furry pals at home.
1)
Known for healing properties that help soothe burns and reduce inflammation, aloe
is also great for promoting healthy skin and hair in humans. The plant does not have the same benefits for pets: The saponins in aloe vera can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and tremors in dogs and cats.
2)
These star-shaped flowers are beautiful to look at and emit a pleasant fragrant reminiscent of vanilla and jasmine tea. Lilies are unfortunately also highly toxic for pets (particularly cats) and can cause liver or kidney damage even if tiny amounts are ingested.
Part of the rhododendron’s floral family, azaleas are highly toxic to pets when ingested. Eating even a few leaves can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive drooling; without immediate veterinary intervention, the pet could start seizing, fall into a coma, or even die.
Commonly sold in supermarkets, cyclamen is a beautiful houseplant also known as the Persian violet or Sowbread. The tubes and roots of the plants contain high amounts of saponins — highly toxic to cats and dogs when chewed or ingested.
Kalanchoe is a common houseplant known for abundant flowers that come in many shades of yellow, orange, pink, and red. But its leaves and stems contain a toxin called bufadienolides (also known as cardiac toxins) that can cause gastrointestinal upset in cats and dogs; large amounts can cause damage to the heart.
Though most known as an outdoor shrub, the oleander is popular for its evergreen qualities and delicate, colorful flowers. They are most commonly found in warmer climates — and are poisonous not just to dogs and cats but larger animals such as horses and cattle. All parts of the plant can cause heart problems in animals due to its high concentration of toxins called cardenolides. S en ior L i v i n g
A common houseplant, dieffenbachia contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause gastrointestinal distress in pets when ingested. In very rare cases, biting or chewing into the plant can cause inflammation of the upper airway that requires immediate medical attention.
Daffodil flowers contain lycorine, which triggers vomiting when ingested. The bulbs, in particular, contain crystals that can cause gastrointestinal irritation and drooling in dogs, horses, and cats. Ingestion of any part of the plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even cardiac and respiratory problems.
9) Lily of the Valley
Lily of the Valley, or Convallaria majalis, contains cardiac glycosides that can cause acute kidney failure when ingested by cats and dogs. The main symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and a drop or increase
in heart rate. Seek immediate veterinary attention if your pet ingests this plant; it is highly dangerous.
Part of the Liliaceae family, tulips are beautiful and come in many different colors, making them popular and commonly sold in supermarkets. They also contain allergenic lactones and alkaloids that are highly poisonous to dogs. The bulbs contain the highest amount of lactones and can cause tissue irritation to the mouth and esophagus when chewed or ingested.
Like tulips, hyacinths are part of the Liliaceae family and should be kept away from pets. If you suspect your cat or dog has ingested hyacinths or tulips (particularly the bulbs), contact your veterinarian right away. Vomiting, diarrhea are common results, and excessive drooling is a symptom.
Found growing in tropical climates, sago palms are a good choice for ornamental houseplants because they are easy to care for. All parts of the plant are considered poisonous to animals, though
STROLLING DOWN THE SIDEWALK ON A SUNNY AFTERNOON AT MY AVERAGE SPEED OF 2 MPH.
EDIE JOHNSON
— with the seeds being the most toxic. Sago palm contains cycasin, a toxic agent that can cause liver failure in dogs. Symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea may appear within 15 minutes after ingestion.
Several obvious features distinguish Burmese pythons from the equally invasive, highly successful cane toads (Rhinella marina), also known as bufo, giant, or marine toads, now emerging in seemingly larger numbers than ever following a summer of favorably wet conditions.
For example, one’s a reptile and one’s an amphibian. One can reach an astounding 20 feet in length, and one can reach an equally astounding 1 foot in length, which happened in July on Marco Island, where a wildlife removal company captured (and euthanized) a massive 12-inch cane toad. Typically, they range in size from about 4 to 9 inches, depending on sex — males are larger — or maturity.
One originates in Asia in its native Burma and the other, the toad, hails from the Amazon basin in South America to as far north as Mexico and the southernmost portions of Texas.
Unfortunately, they also have a couple of similarities in Florida. Unchecked by natural predators, both are spreading rapidly across the southern part of the peninsula from east to west, eating the food sources of native reptiles and amphibians or eating those natives themselves, the experts note.
Both can and will kill your pets, especially your dogs. Although pythons will eat any dogs they kill, they rarely kill them because they tend not to live near pets. However, cane toads are much more likely to kill a dog, although they have no
interest in it as food, probably for a very simple reason --- they can’t fit dogs in their mouths, unlike pythons. “They basically eat anything they can fit in their mouths,” says Seth Brattain, a wildlife biologist who opened his Naples based business, SlethReptiles Animal & Wildlife Removal, almost 12 years ago. He’s the one who found the huge cane toad on Marco. Even that one couldn’t fit a dog in its mouth.
Cane toads seem to be proliferating unstoppably, and they thrive in wet conditions around people — a lot of rainfall, full or overflowing canals, ponds, or even big puddles in neighborhoods, bright lights at night, and food sources such as cat food or dog food left outside, along with dog feces, the experts say.
“Since 2017,” adds Brattain, “I’ve noticed a huge influx from Marco Island to Cape Coral along the coast and out (east) to Immokalee.” And he’s not the only one.
“They’re not going away,” says Jeannine Tilford, whose company, Toad Busters, based in Martin
County, removes or reduces them in property dominated by homes and neighborhoods from Key West to Vero Beach and along the southwest coast, as well as in Tampa. “They’re creatures of habit and environment. All of us were creating little canals where everybody wants to live, but that’s their preferred environment, too. It’s easy for them to reproduce there. They like all the lights (which attract insects), so they hang around garages and homes. We do have a lot of South American tropical plants, which is their natural habitat, and they’re attracted to dog poop because there are often beetles on it.”
When they reproduce, they do so in large numbers, with an extremely high survivability rate for the 20,000 or so eggs a female can lay, adds Brattain. One significant problem with this is the highly
toxic secretions they deliver from sacs on their shoulders that often prove quickly fatal to dogs who tangle with cane toads.
In neighborhoods or on properties infested by cane toads, dogs more than cats are likely to attack them, whether in play or real aggression. When that happens, if a dog bites a toad or gets even a little of the toxic secretion on its tongue, its life is in danger, the experts warn.
Both Toad Busters and SlethReptiles offer a variety of defenses and solutions, including monthly removal services and special fencing — other companies do as well — and Tilford’s company now offers an emergency first aid kit for people with pets living in the vicinity of cane toads. “There’s a video link, all the
instructions and an indepth explanation of how to use the kit — how to treat your dog if it’s bitten a cane toad,” Tilford said.
The kit includes activated charcoal. If the dog has not begun a seizure or slipped into unconsciousness and can be made to lick or ingest the charcoal, it will bind with any toxin and prevent it from getting into the dog’s system.
“There are steps you take that can save the dog’s life,” she said. “First, immediately wipe out the dog’s mouth with a damp or wet paper towels or rags. That will get out as much toxin as possible. Don’t re-wipe with the same rag or towel. Try to get the dog to lick or swallow charcoal, but if you can’t, don’t spend time.
“Most importantly,” she added, “get hold of your emergency vet. Already know where to go in an emergency. Have the number on the refrigerator or someplace. The amount of time it takes to get there, that matters. Not having to scroll through your phone to find it will help.”
The cane toad problem is not provincial or parochial. Tilford and her boyfriend, Fabio Takakuwa, will be traveling to Australia soon to help with a cane toad problem there, and they’re doing the same thing in Hawaii and a couple of Caribbean locations. But the predominant work is here.
“The largest numbers I see here are between Boca Raton and West Palm Beach,” she said, “but they’re moving up the state and beyond. We’ve had calls from Jacksonville and Alabama. They’ve made it to Orlando.”
For residents destroying cane toads themselves, it’s important not to mistake the native southern toad for a cane toad, Brattain said. The southern toad only reaches a size of about 3 inches, and he describes it as “a tan or light brown with little circle markings on it.” The cane toad, on the other hand, is significantly bigger when it’s mature. “The females are a golden-yellow-green in color, and the males’ backs are completely black with green spots.” On its shoulders are two small glands that secrete a chalky-looking substance.
Where cane toads exist, they now exist in greater numbers than the native toads. “In one night, one house and property, we can collect from just one to as many as 50 of them,” Brattain said. “On golf courses, you can get 300 to 400 a night, and I was told that Bonita Bay, in one night, removed more than 1,500 from their golf course.”
No, it currently is not. However, the bald eagle is one step closer to receiving that designation.
Late one Monday evening back in July after most senators had already gone home for the day, a unanimous motion passed the Senate to slip the formal national bird designation into the U.S. code.
“Without objection, it is so ordered,” Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., said after Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., moved to pass the bill with no one else in the chamber. And just like that, it was off to the House.
The U.S. code already designates the oak tree as the national tree of the United States and the
rose as the national flower, and Congress even voted in 2016 to deem the bison the national mammal, but the bald eagle is not the national bird of the U.S.—yet.
After the omission was discovered, Congress set out to rectify it. The House recently passed the bill, sending it to President Joe Biden to sign into law and formalize the bald eagle’s national significance in one of Congress’ last acts of the year.
The omission came as a shock to the staff at the National Eagle Center, who thought the honor had already been bestowed on the bird that nests in the trees surrounding their headquarters. Minnesota
has the second-largest nesting population of bald eagles in the country, trailing only Alaska.
The bald eagle became the nation’s most prominent bird when it was placed on the great seal shortly after the country’s founding. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, who were originally tasked with the responsibility, were unable to agree on a seal to represent the country. So, in 1782, Secretary of the Continental Congress Charles Thomson submitted a version with the bald eagle, which was approved later that year.
The eagleemblazoned seal was first used on a document authorizing George Washington to negotiate a prisonerof-war exchange and has been a national symbol since.
But not all the Founding Fathers were fans of the eagle. Franklin famously wrote in a letter to his daughter that he wished the eagle had not been chosen as the representative for the United States, calling it “a bird of bad moral character” and adding, “He does not get his living honestly.”
Franklin went on to say in his letter that “… the turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original Native of America.”
But it’s a myth that Franklin led discussions about making the turkey the national bird; historians believe he was joking. “He never advocated for the turkey to be our great seal,” Scott said, though he admitted Franklin made some negative comments about the eagle.
American Cruise Lines adds Southwest Florida city as a stop on a “wildly popular” series of cruises.
Punta Gorda is reaping the tourism and economic benefits of having American Cruise Lines dock here as part of its itinerary on the cruise line’s Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises — which have been so successful that the cruise line is more than doubling the number of cruises in 2025.
While the benefits for tourism and the economy have yet to be quantified, the ships’ visits have been a definite boost, said Sean Doherty, tourism director at the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor and Convention Bureau.
“While we don’t have specific numbers as far as economic impact of what they generate,” he said, it’s something they’ll look into with their research company and see if they can get a statistically viable number in the future.
But what Doherty could say is the people the cruises bring in are of a higher income level.
“As you probably know, the starting price for these cruises is not cheap.”
A high percentage of the passengers probably have never been to Punta Gorda before, he said, “So it’s really kind of a free opportunity for us to expose the destination to a lot of potential future visitors.”
The number of tours is increasing, so the number of visits is increasing, and the Punta Gorda stop is extremely popular with
passengers, said Alexa Paolella, public relations manager for American Cruise Lines.
“We are always adding and including places where guests can enjoy a variety of shore excursions and experiences, and Punta Gorda checks all those boxes for sure,” she said. “Our guests love it.”
Paolella added that Punta Gorda was always on the list of stops from the beginning.
The remarkable thing is that the Visitor and Convention Bureau didn’t solicit the cruise line to stop here in the first place. It appears to be a gift from the tourism gods.
“I think it was my marketing director just kind of happened to be online, and came across it before they had started,” Doherty said of the cruises. “It was showing that they were going to be coming here, and we didn’t know anything about it at all.
“So, we reached out to them to say, ‘Hey, is there something we can do? How can we help you be successful here?’ And they were very appreciative of that outreach.
“And that’s when we got to talking about kind of setting them up with some of our local attractions. It was a nice, pleasant surprise to us, too, that they selected us without us really having to go solicit that at all.”
The Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruise is an eight-day, sevennight cruise that starts in St. Petersburg, with stops in Marco Island, the Florida Keys and Punta Gorda on the way back. The ship does not stay overnight in Punta Gorda. The passengers come from all over the United States, with some Floridians, as well as international guests, Paolella said. All their ships accommodate just 90 to 125 passengers.
“One thing that’s kind of interesting about this cruise especially is, first of all, it was like sold out — wildly popular as soon as we introduced it,” Paolella said.
American Cruise Lines often has a very high rebooking rate, and they cruise all over the United States, she said.
“So, guests who travel the Mississippi River with us and enjoy it will take 10 more cruises all over the country,” Paolella said. They might try cruising the Snake River, the Hudson River or Alaska. “You know, they might try a Florida cruise.”
The Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises began sailing at the end of 2023, with three cruises setting sail that December, Paolella said.
In 2024, there were 18 cruises (which included 18 stops in Punta Gorda). In 2025, they will have 39 cruises — including 39 stops in Punta Gorda, she said.
The ship can’t actually dock at Punta Gorda because the water is too shallow at the dock, Paolella said, so the ship drops anchor offshore, and a tender takes the passengers to the Fishermen’s Village shopping, dining and entertainment venue and drops them off.
“The accolades we heard regarding the village, the excursions offered, and the hospitality was remarkable,” said Kathy Burnam, village marketing/events manager. “These first-time visitors to our area have a very positive influence on the economic impact as they represent hundreds if not thousands of people that will hear about our destination once they have visited.”
The visits are particularly important as the Punta Gorda area continues to recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, she said.
“The cruise ship visits will help share our story with the world when guests witness that our area of Southwest Florida is very much open for business and thriving despite experiencing two major hurricanes.”
While in Punta Gorda, there are several places besides the village that the passengers can choose to visit.
An itinerary can include venues such as the Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Garden, Artisan Village at Punta Gorda History Park, the Punta Gorda Military Heritage Museum, an “Iguana Island adventure,” Sunseeker Charlotte Harbor for a “resort pool experience,” or a visit to the Visual Arts Center.
This season began in December 2024 and will operate until mid-March 2025, Paolella said. They will visit Punta Gorda most Wednesdays into Thursdays, as well as Fridays into Saturdays (depending on the boat and its specific departure date).
The cruises will start again in November and December 2025 and continue into 2026.
American Cruise Lines has a fleet of 21 small ships and riverboats, Paolella said.
“We have two more new boats coming out in 2025 that are going to sail this cruise specifically.” You can see them in November 2025 when they come online, she said. Beginning at the end of 2025, American has
also added a new, longer cruise, the 15-Day Grand Florida Coast & Keys cruise, which will start on the east coast of Florida in Jacksonville and come all the way around to the Gulf Coast up to St. Petersburg, also stopping in Punta Gorda, Paolella said.
“I can tell you that those are all basically being added because people have loved the Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruise.”
A third cruise has already been offered in Florida for a long time, she said: the 8-Day Great Florida River cruise. It’s a roundtrip from Jacksonville, visits Green Cove Springs and Ocala National Forest, sails along the St. Johns River and stops in St. Augustine.
1) Cupid started out as a Greek god. Cupid, with his cherubic looks and angel wings, was originally the Greek god, Eros. Eros was the son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and procreation. Cupid is known to shoot two types of arrows – one to make people fall in love and one to make them hate each other.
2) “X” was originally not a symbol for a kiss. Although we sign letters and texts with an X as a symbol for a kiss, this was not the letter’s original purpose. In medieval times, when people did not know how to sign their names, they would simply sign off with an X. To show their loyalty and affection, they would
then kiss the X before sending the letter. Ergo, X came to represent a kiss.
3) Candy hearts started out as medical lozenges.
The popular Valentine’s Day candy, candy hearts, started out as medical lozenges for the throat. Boston-based pharmacist Oliver Chase invented the machine that produced small, medical, heart-shaped lozenges. When he saw the popularity of these small pop-in medicines, he turned them into candy with cute messages on them.
4) Roses symbolize love.
Roses are said to be the flowers of love. Venus, the Roman goddess of love, was said to adore red roses. This story made people start spreading love by giving roses to the object of their affection. The gift of a rose either on stems or in clusters of petals is an artful expression of love.
5) Different places celebrate Valentine’s Day in different ways.
Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many different ways around the world. In Japan, women give chocolates to men. Men reciprocate this gesture a month later on March 14, i.e., White Day. In Finland, February 14 is celebrated as Ystävänpäivä, which translates to Friends Day. Valentine’s Day is an expression of love in many different forms.
6) Alexander Graham Bell applied for a patent for the telephone on Valentine’s Day. It was on this romantic holiday that Alexander Graham Bell applied for a patent
for his revolutionary invention – the telephone! Now, the telephone is the biggest medium for sending and receiving Valentine’s Day greetings.
7) Valentine’s Day is the second most popular day for sending cards.
Valentine’s Day is a day when people all around the world send and receive cards. A greeting card with a personalized message makes for great memories, especially as you grow older. It is second only to Christmas in this regard. Valentine cards are mass-produced and most of the stock is sold out by the time the holiday rolls around.
Esther A. Howland, entrepreneur and considered to be the “Mother of the American Valentine Card,” mass-produced the first Valentine’s Day card in the USA.
8) It’s the day that penicillin was introduced. Penicillin, the world’s first antibiotic and one of the greatest scientific discoveries, was introduced to the world on Valentine’s Day.
9) Lace is commonly used in Valentine’s Day gifts. Lace is commonly used in making bouquets of roses and in other items during Valentine’s Day. The word “lace” comes from the Latin word “laques” which means to snare or trap a person’s heart.
10) The first valentine was sent from prison. The first valentine ever sent was by Charles, The Duke of Orleans. When he was imprisoned after a war, he sent a love poem to his wife, who he would meet only 15 years later.
11) “Wear your heart on your sleeve” is quite a literal idea.
Many years ago, people would pick out a name from a bowl to find out who their Valentine would be. The chit they picked would then be pinned on their sleeve for the world to see.
12) There is a sad reason behind giving chocolates on Valentine’s Day. Physicians in days gone by would recommend chocolate to people who were suffering from a broken heart or pining after a lost love.
13) Thank Richard Cadbury for chocolate boxes. In 1861, Richard Cadbury invented the first chocolate box. Always the businessman, he realized that he could capitalize on Valentine’s Day by producing chocolate boxes and marketing them as something to be given to your sweetheart.
14) St. Valentine was a rebel. St. Valentine, to whom this romantic holiday is dedicated, was a rebel. Emperor Claudius of Rome outlawed marriage because he believed that single men made better soldiers. St. Valentine went against his decree and performed wedding ceremonies in secret.
15) The oldest Valentine’s Day card is 600 years older than you.
The oldest Valentine’s Day card was written in the 1400s. It has been preserved in the British Museum for all to see.
16) Valentine’s Day was declared by the pope. Pope Gelasius declared the Valentine’s Day holiday around 498 A.D.
17) Roses and baby’s breath make quite the combination.
For years now, florists have been selling the “signature rose” which is comprised of a single red rose with a tuft of baby’s breath. This signature rose is particularly popular on Valentine’s Day.
18) The most popular valentine card recipients are teachers.
According to a survey, the most popular recipients of Valentine’s Day gifts and cards are teachers, followed by children, mothers, wives, sweethearts, and pets.
19) Hallmark did not make the first known Valentine’s Day card.
Hallmark, then known then as Hall Brothers, introduced the Valentine’s Day card as we know it at the beginning of the last century. The first Valentine’s Day card is said to have been given way before that in 1477. The lucky recipient is believed to be a man named John Paston, whose fiancé Margery Brews wrote him a love letter.
20) The “death” of St. Valentine. Legend has it that St. Valentine was killed for helping Christians escape a Roman prison. It is believed he was the first person to write a letter from prison, signing it, “From your Valentine.”
Inhabitants of Burnt Store Lakes and nearby areas have encountered alligators from time to time.
If you cross paths with an alligator that …
a. is in a place considered unacceptable, such as a swimming pool, lanai, garage, etc.,
b. you consider a threat to people, pets, or property,
c. approaches people, or d. doesn’t retreat if approached,
… please call the BSL POA office at (941) 639-5881.
Do not feed or harass it. Doing so is dangerous and illegal.
Visit the Burnt Store Lakes Property Owners Association website for more information.
FLORIDA IS HOME TO TWO OF THE BIGGEST AMUSEMENT PARKS
These two gigantic theme parks include the renowned Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios. And here’s an extra fact: Walt Disney World Resort is the most visited theme park worldwide. Both parks are located in Orlando, allowing you to have some of the most thrilling and memorable times of your life.
Think magical experiences with your favorite Disney and Universal characters, water slides, adrenalinepushing rides, and festivities galore. These two attractions are some of the biggest reasons why people are so eager to make their way to sunny Florida.
In December, PRWC admitted 119 animals, bringing the total number of admissions for 2024 to 2,381. Our rehabilitation team successfully released 12 animals back into the wild and transferred five others to different wildlife facilities.
THE MISSION OF THE PEACE RIVER WILDLIFE CENTER IS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SURVIVAL OF NATIVE FLORIDA WILDLIFE THROUGH RESCUE, REHABILITATION, AND EDUCATION.
Our education center and gift shop at Ponce Park remain closed for hurricane recovery and repairs. For the latest updates on our reopening date, please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.
If you encounter an injured or orphaned native Florida wildlife species in need of care, please bring it to our wildlife hospital at 223 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. in Punta Gorda. Our hospital is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call us for any wildlife-related questions or concerns at (941) 637-3830. For after-hours emergencies, visit our website at prwildlife.org for additional information.
Recently, we’ve seen a significant increase in gopher tortoise admissions. While we occasionally treat gopher tortoises for upper
Please note that while our education center is an outdoor facility, pets and emotional support animals are not permitted. Only ADA service dogs are allowed. Although we love dogs, our wildlife residents may perceive them as predators, which can cause stress and agitation. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
respiratory infections, the majority come to us after being hit by motor vehicles. As traffic increases, so does our intake of injured tortoises. Fortunately, we often succeed in helping these patients recover.
Thanks to Dr. Joe Parr and Multi-Radiance Medical, we now have access to laser therapy
as a noninvasive treatment to aid in their healing. Laser therapy helps improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain. While currently we use it primarily for our gopher tortoise patients, it has proven beneficial for other patients as well, including a fish crow and a red-tailed hawk.
If the last three months of the year taught us anything, it was resilience. Like many in our community, the damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton nearly took the wind out of our sails. But when faced with the challenge, we pressed on and kept going. When it’s a calling, there really isn’t a choice.
A word that can’t fully capture the depth of thankfulness we feel for the lifeline you, our patrons and partners, have provided. We are humbled and thankful for the support we’ve received from near and far.
Your generosity has allowed us to keep going, keep the lights on, and care for those without a voice. Because of you, we continue to be PRWC.
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.”
~Mary Anne Radmacher~
Our hospital at 223 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. continues to provide excellent care for injured and orphaned wildlife. As we turn the page on our calendars, we enter baby raptor season. Love is in the air for hawks, eagles, and owls, bringing with it mishaps, renests, orphans, and injuries from territorial behavior. Our rehab team is gearing up for a busy season.
Our current education center and gift shop at Ponce Park are still undergoing hurricane recovery and repairs. We’re just a few steps away from reopening a “slightly modified” version of the center. The Ponce Park boat dock, playground, and pavilion remain closed until the City of Punta Gorda completes necessary safety repairs.
Many of you have inquired about the need for restoration at this site with the new education center being built on Henry Street. We expect that project to take at least another year to complete. To accommodate the over 70 permanent residents under our care and permits, these repairs were necessary to bring them home. Currently, our permanent residents are being housed off-site at other licensed wildlife facilities across Florida.
City of Punta Gorda Parks and Recreation staff are working closely with us to ensure the wildlife center can open before the park repairs are finished. Stay tuned for updates in the days ahead!
If you haven’t driven by the new education center site, you’re missing the action! Construction of our new education center on Henry Street is progressing well. The elevation has been raised to nine feet, and the City of Punta Gorda parking lot, which will be shared with the Hounds on Henry dog park, is nearly complete.
Our new facility will provide a safe haven for our non-releasable wildlife and a fantastic place for
you to bring your family and friends. You’ll be able to attend educational programs and special events on the beautiful grounds while supporting the care and conservation of native Florida wildlife. It is sure to become one of your top destination day trips!
Let us know if you would like to be connected with a neighbor. Neighborhood Watch is accepting resident profiles as a community service for those who may need assistance from time to time, particularly in the event of a severe storm or hurricane.
To obtain a copy of the profile and/or to obtain additional information, contact Louise Barrett at (508) 728-8002 or at lbarrett10@comcast.net. The BSL website (bslpoa.org) also has the profile forms and information available.
Furthermore, you can register online at the State of Florida Special Needs registry for “special needs” status if you have a physical, mental, or sensory disability and require assistance during an emergency. Charlotte County Emergency Management, along with the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County, will strive to provide special needs sheltering and/or transportation to a general shelter.
All vehicles are welcome!
Please join us from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2025, at FRIENDSHIP UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, located at 12275 PARAMOUNT DR., PUNTA GORDA.
Admission is FREE for spectators; ENTRY FEE for participants is $15.
REGISTRATION begins at 8:30 a.m.
TROPHIES will be awarded at Noon in the following categories:
*Participants Choice
*People’s Choice
*Youth Choice (<18)
For additional information, please contact Mel at (972) 689-3071 or Pastor Schoolcraft at (941) 268-7355.
We look forward to seeing you there!!!!
Date: Saturday, February 1 and Sunday, February 2
Time: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. / Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Website: http://www.mypromotions.com
Event Description: Explore a vibrant selection of 60plus vendors showcasing unique arts and crafts, all in the beautiful setting of Gilchrist Park. Enjoy live music, delicious food from a variety of vendors, and stunning water views. Whether you’re looking for handcrafted gifts, amazing art, supporting local businesses, or just a fun day out with family and friends, this event is for everyone. Don’t miss out on one of Punta Gorda’s most beloved annual events! See you there for a weekend of creativity, community, and fun!
Location: Gilchrist Park, 400 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Contact Information: jessie@mypromotions.com or (302) 384-1116 (text only)
Fees/Admission: FREE admission
Date: Saturday, February 1
Time: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Website: http://prwildlife.org
Event Description: Looking for a chance to connect with wildlife? Our Peace River Wildlife Center (PRWC) ambassadors will be at Fishermen’s Village every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., now through spring 2025! Come learn from the experts about the unique stories of our wildlife ambassadors and discover the important conservation projects with which PRWC is involved. It’s a fun and educational experience for all ages! Please note: Days and times are subject to change, so be sure to check the PRWC Facebook page for updates and more details. We can’t wait to see you there!
Location: 400 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Contact Information: PRWC@prwildlife.org
Fees/Admission: FREE
Date: Saturday, February 8
Time: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Website: http://pgica.org
Event Description : Shop at this popular Flea Market series, hosted by the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association (PGICA) and held the second Saturday of every month, through March. Included is a Nautical Flea Market section with boating, fishing, and diving supplies.
Location: Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association (PGICA), 2001 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda
Fees/Admission: FREE
Date: Saturday, February 8
Time: 8 to 9:30 p.m. / Doors open at 7 p.m. Website: https://casino.hardrock.com /immokalee/event-calendar#d_ venue=Outdoor||Seminole%20Center
Event Description: Hosted by Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee. Attendees must be 21 and older. Parking is free.
Location: Seminole Center, 506 South 1st St., Immokalee
Contact Information: Call (239) 658-1313
Fees/Admission: Tickets start at $68 and are available from Ticketmaster or at www.moreinparadise.com.
Date: Wednesday, February 12
Time: 8 to 9:30 p.m. / Doors open at 7 p.m.
Website : https://casino.hardrock. com/immokalee/event-calendar#d_ venue=Outdoor||Seminole%20Center
Event Description: Las Vegas’ favorite magician brings “The Magic of Jen Kramer” to Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee. Attendees must be 21 and older. Parking is free.
Location: Seminole Center, 506 South 1st St., Immokalee
Contact Information: Call (239) 658-1313
Fees/Admission: Tickets start at $48 and are available from Ticketmaster or at www.moreinparadise.com.
Date: Thursday, February 13
Time: 5 to 7 p.m.
Website: https://puntagordamurals.org/ events/
Event Description: Join us as we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Punta Gorda Historic Mural Society. Enjoy complimentary food and drinks, a special book launch, and a live painting by local artist Marki Raposa. The painting will be auctioned off in a silent auction. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you!
Location: Visual Arts Center, 210 Maud Street, Punta Gorda
Contact Information: Call Cristin Beverley at (941) 875-4691.
Fees/Admission: FREE
Date: Thursday, February 20
Time: 7 to 9 p.m. / Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Event Description: Experience an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling with My Castle’s Rockin’, a special adaptation of Larry Parr’s acclaimed play, starring the talented Stella Lewis as the legendary blues singer Alberta Hunter. In this captivating performance, Lewis brings to life Hunter’s extraordinary journey— her rise from humble beginnings to become one of the most iconic voices in jazz and blues. With her powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence, Lewis channels the spirit of Alberta Hunter, transporting the audience to the heart of early 20th-century Harlem, where Hunter’s music was a defining force. Through song and story, My Castle’s Rockin’ pays tribute to Hunter’s resilience, talent, and indomitable spirit, celebrating her remarkable legacy both on and off the stage. This performance is especially meaningful as all proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Peace River Wildlife Center, an organization committed to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of local wildlife. By attending, you are not only enjoying a vibrant tribute to one of America’s most beloved musical icons but also supporting the vital work of preserving and caring for wildlife in our community. My Castle’s Rockin’ is more than just a concert—it’s an opportunity to celebrate the arts while making a tangible difference in the lives of animals in need. Don’t miss this chance to enjoy an evening of music, history, and compassion, all for a cause that matters.
Location: Gulf Theater at the Military Heritage Museum, 900 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda Contact Information: PRWC@prwildlife.org
Fees/Admission: Tickets can be purchased through the Gulf Theater at https://ci.ovationtix.com/35397/ production/1219831?performanceId=11554842.
General admission: $49.99
VIP and After-Party: $79.99 – Guests will receive reserved seating in the first three rows, along with an invitation to the after-party and two free drink tickets at UnWined, where there will be a meet and greet with the singer and playwright. Prices include fees.
Date: Friday, February 21
Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
Website: http://pgica.org
Event Description: Mark your calendars! Join the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association (PGICA) for a Neil Diamond Tribute Concert. Bring your own food and beverage to enjoy during the show.
Location: Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association (PGICA), 2001 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda
Contact Information: Call (941) 637-1655, visit our website at www.pgica.org, or stop by the PGICA office, located at 2001 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda.
Date: Friday, February 28
Time: 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Fees/Admission: Tickets: $35 for PGICA members and $45 for the general public
Event Description: From the awesome feeling you get when you see a rainbow to the sadness you experience when you lose someone to cancer, or the thrill you get from a Broadway musical to the energy of a major symphonic work, your emotions will be stimulated through this musical journey.
Location: Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 701 Carmalita St., Punta Gorda
Contact Information: www.symphonicwindscc.com, (941) 218-0022 (Voice mail only)
Fees/Admission: Online purchase, $23; At the door, $25; Students, $5
Trivia Night At Coastal Expressions & Wine
Every Thursday, 6 to 8 p.m. 1133 Bal Harbor, Suite 1135, Punta Gorda
Contact information: Lori Sandage at (941) 214-8599 or at loriscoastal-expressions.com
Dance Fusion Class
Every Tuesday and Friday 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, 2001 Shreve St., Punta Gorda or by Zoom
Contact information: Carla Peralta, (941) 276-1887 or at carlap@hotmail.com.
Wine-O Bingo At Coastal Expressions & Wine
Every Friday, 6 to 8 p.m. 1133 Bal Harbor, Suite 1135, Punta Gorda
Contact information: Lori Sandage at (941) 214-8599 or at loriscoastal-expressions.com
Live Music At Fishermen’s Village
Every Friday and Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m. 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda
Contact information at kathyb@fishville.com
Punta Gorda Farmers’ Market
Every Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Downtown corner of Taylor and Olympia
History Park Sunday Market
Every Sunday
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
History Park, 501 Shreve St., Punta Gorda
Email: 118pghs@gmail.com
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FEBRUARY 14
FEBRUARY 17