Eagle Ridge

BESTSELLING

AUTHORS

Headed to Fort Myers

“THROUGH THE EYE OF THE EAGLE”

EDISON AND FORD

Holiday Nights 2024

ARTFEST

Fort Myers High School

Art Competition

PAUL KOSIEK

JENNI CAVES

PAM JOHNSON

Eagle Ridge Bulletin Board

If you have an announcement, we will include it here.

Email newsletter@eagleridge33912.com with your request.

EAGLE RIDGE GOLF NEWS

Please, let us all remember the course is not for walking or kids to be playing on, regardless of the time of day. The course has access roads to be used only by golf course employees and equipment as well. Let us respect the golf course grounds and keep everyone safe!

Jim Lutsch, your golf liaison, can be reached at (239) 322-9588.

FORT MYERS CAMERA CLUB

Meetings are held twice monthly November through April at Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center, 16760 Bass Road from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Check the website at: www.fortmyerscc.com for information on meeting schedules, membership, competitions, exhibitions, speakers, outings, mentoring, updates and to join the fun. All levels of photographers are welcome to learn, share and enjoy. Contact at carolheff28@gmail.com for more information.

VOLUNTEER IN YOUR EAGLE RIDGE COMMUNITY

If you are interested in serving on the Eagle Ridge Board of Directors or would like to serve on one of the committees, please contact one of the following Board members: Chris Leslie, Joyce Johnson, Peggy Jermyn, Greg Lambrecht, Kathy Furlong or send an email to: Info@EagleRidge33912.com.

WAYS TO COMMUNICATE

Eagle Ridge has a Facebook page. This is a private group only for Eagle Ridge residents. To join, find “Eagle Ridge Community Fort Myers” on Facebook. Then click on request to join. You will be prompted to enter your address. This will be checked against property records to confirm you are a resident.

Eagle Ridge is also on NextDoor. com. You can join and select to communicate with only Eagle Ridge residents and/or our neighboring communities.

THE FLORIDA YARDS & NEIGHBORHOOD (FYN)

Join us at a Florida Yards & Neighborhoods class and learn the nine principles that guide Floridafriendly landscaping in Lee County. The class is given under the auspices of University of Florida IFAS Extension Lee County.

Each principle is explored in class, so you can apply what you learn to your own yard. Plant selection and placement, efficient irrigation, proper mulching, and techniques to obtain a beautiful and healthy yard will be discussed. To learn more, visit http://fyn.ifas.ufl. edu/. Basics of Florida-friendly gardening classes are offered locally in person and virtually on Zoom. For more information and to sign up visit Eventbrite.com.

YOUR EYE OF THE EAGLE

You may download this magazine from the Resources tab on the Eagle Ridge website: www.EagleRidge33912.com.

Bestselling Authors Headed To Fort Myers This March

MELISSA BAKER, FESTIVAL COORDINATOR

Lee County Library System will be bringing in more than two dozen authors for the 26th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival this March. Authors for all ages are coming to Fort Myers to showcase their books and meet fans from

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 1, 2025. The free event will be held on the beautiful outdoor campus of the Fort Myers Regional Library, located at 2450 First St. downtown.

The Southwest Florida Reading Festival is a time-honored tradition in the community, with attendees coming back year after year to hear author presentations and have their books signed. This outdoor celebration gives fans the opportunity to meet and greet a diverse lineup of bestselling

authors, participate in arts and crafts and discover the latest books and digital resources offered by the library. There will also be food truck vendors, storytelling programs, youth writing award presentations and a free book given away for every child and teen attending the event.

“The Lee County Library System is honored to share the power of reading with the community, and this year’s authors won’t disappoint!” states Melissa Baker, Festival Coordinator.

The lineup of award-winning talent includes a mix of authors from all genres, from crime thrillers and mysteries to cozy fiction and romance. Youth authors will feature teen fantasy, thrillers and rom coms, along with picture books, easy readers, chapter books and nonfiction.

These are just a few of the highly anticipated writers that will be a part of the event:

Reed Farrel Coleman is The New York Times bestselling author of over 30 novels, including six in the Jesse Stone series for the estate of the late Robert B. Parker. He

is a four-time recipient of the Shamus Award for Best P.I. Novel of the Year and a four-time Edgar Award nominee in three different categories. He has also received the Authors on the Air Book of the Year Award, the Scribe, Audie, Macavity, Barry and Anthony Awards.

Lisa Genova is a Harvard educated neuroscientist and The New York Times bestselling author of numerous books, including Still Alice which was adapted into an Oscar–winning film starring Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin and Kristen Stewart. Her TED talks on Alzheimer’s disease and memory have been viewed over eleven million times.

Jean Kwok is the award-winning, New York Times and international bestselling author of The Leftover Woman, Searching for Sylvie Lee, Girl in Translation and Mambo in Chinatown . Her work has been published in more than 20 countries and taught in schools across the world. All of her novels are in development for film and television.

Returning festival author and fan favorite Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. Macomber’s novels have spent more than 1,000 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list, with 15 hitting the #1 spot. Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas,” Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies.

The Lee County Library System is honored to share the power of reading with the community, and this year’s authors won’t disappoint!

YOUTH AUTHORS

Renée Ahdieh is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling young adult author of The Wrath & the Dawn series, the Flame in the Mist series and The Beautiful quartet. Emilio Sloth’s Modern Manners is her debut children’s picture book.

Molly Idle is the Caldecott Honorwinning creator of the picture book Flora and the Flamingo and a flock of books featuring Flora and her Feathered Friends. She is also the author and illustrator of the mermaid tales Pearl and Coral. Her most recent picture books are Witch Hazel and I Don’t Care

Megan McDonald is the creator of the widely popular and awardwinning Judy Moody and Stink series for older readers. She is also the author of three Sisters Club stories, two books about Ant and Honey Bee and many other books for children, including her brandnew series for young readers, The Fairy Door Diaries.

The full list of authors can be viewed on the festival’s website at www.ReadFest.org or by downloading the festival’s mobile app “SWFL Reads” at the App Store or Google Play. Anyone with the app already downloaded from last year will need to perform a software update to see the newly loaded content.

Attendees who want more exclusive access to meet and mingle with this year’s festival authors can do so at An Evening with the Authors, a fundraising dinner scheduled to take place at the waterfront Burroughs Home and Gardens on the evening of Friday, February 28. Tickets will be available by mid-November on the festival website.

The Lee County Library System has 13 branches to serve Lee County residents. Library programs are always free and open to the public. For more information about other library services and programs offered, visit www.leelibrary.net or call (239) 479-4636.

Christine Leslie, President

Joyce Johnson, Vice President

Peggy Jermyn, Secretary/Treasurer

RESOURCE HUB

Greg Lambrecht, Director

Kathy Furlong, Director

Board members may be contacted using the Eagle Ridge phone directory or by emailing info@EagleRidge33912.com.

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Arbitration Board:

Jim Lutsch, Chairperson

Architectural Control: Rick Jermyn, Chairperson

Communications:

Email: info@EagleRidge33912.com

Website: Scott Fowler

Email: Joyce Johnson

Newsletter (Eye of the Eagle): Pam Johnson, Editor

To submit news/photos: Newsletter@EagleRidge33912.com

Deed of Restrictions:

Kathy Furlong, Chairperson

Email: DOR@EagleRidge33912.com

Election/Mailing Committee:

Jim and Janet Lutsch, Chairpersons

Golf Committee:

Jim Lutsch, Chairperson for Men

Kathy Furlong, Chairperson for Women

BOARD LIAISON

Christine Leslie

Joyce Johnson

Kathy Furlong

TBA

Kathy Furlong

EAGLE RIDGE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MARCH ‘24–’25

EAGLE RIDGE ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION

Replacement of Lamppost Bulbs and Light Sensors:

Contact Joe Foster, (239) 218-7714 and leave your name, address and phone number.

Flagpole Holders and Damaged Mailbox Repairs, Painting of Mailboxes and Light Poles

Contact Tim Townsend, (740) 403-0983.

ERPOA Web Maintenance

Contact Ed Schuler, (267) 513-0800.

Eagle Ridge Residents

Jogging, bicycling, walking and other nongolfing activities or unregistered golf play are not permitted on the golf course.

Architectural Control Information

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

REMINDER

Please remember that any exterior changes you plan to make to your home need to be approved by the Architectural Control Committee.

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Golf Liaison:

Jim Lutsch, Chairperson

Holiday Decorating:

Rick Jermyn, Chairperson

Legal:

TBA, Chairperson

Maintenance and Beautification:

Joyce Johnson, Chairperson

Security/Safety: Connie Hope, Chairperson

Social:

Kelly Lambrecht, Chairperson

Surface Water Drainage: Christine Leslie, Chairperson

Welcoming:

Kathy Furlong, Chairperson

For example, this includes reroofing, exterior painting, landscape changes, swing set installations, etc. We live in a deed-restricted community and these controls have been put into place for the good of each homeowner so as to maintain our beautiful community.

Please contact Rick Jermyn (701) 388-0419 or RAJermyn1@gmail. com so that your changes can be reviewed and approved.

BOARD LIAISON

Kathy Furlong

TBA

Joyce Johnson

Peggy Jermyn

TBA

Peggy Jermyn

A form is available for download from the Eagle Ridge website: www.EagleRidge33912.com on the Resources tab.

We plan to work hard for you to keep our community – the one you all moved into – please help us do that!

Each month the Eagle Ridge Property Owners Association sends out an email with reminders of activities at the Ridge. If this image looks unfamiliar to you, you are not on our email list.

To correct this, send an email to info@EagleRidge33912.com along with your name and street address.

We will add your name to the list, which you may opt out of at any time. We are stressing the use of email as it is faster, easier and cheaper than USPS. You may send email addresses for all members of your household.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Continental Women’s Club

The Continental Women’s Club will hold its monthly luncheon meeting on Thursday, December 12 at 11:30 a.m. at The Hideaway Country Club. Our December program will feature Holiday Tunes from TAG – The A Cappella Group – the award-winning vocal group from Cypress Lake High School, Center for the Arts. Please join us to listen to this amazing group of young people provide an entertaining start to the holiday season.

Continental Women’s Club is a social, cultural, and philanthropic organization established in 1975, and membership is open to women living in Lee County. We have many special events and interest groups within our club that you can participate in for social and educational purposes throughout the month and the year. In addition, we contribute to many local charities and award two scholarships each year to senior high school girls who plan on furthering their education.

Notice: Advertisements for the newsletter must be placed through Seabreeze Communications. Call (239) 278-4222 for information. I have no role or pricing information on the placement of ads and/or inserts.

Reservation deadline for December 12 is Tuesday, December 3. Please call Liz Paul at (239) 691-7561 for meal selection and to make a reservation.

Deadline: Submission of articles for the Eye Of The Eagle must be received no later than the sixth of each month. Email articles, pictures or information for the Bulletin Board, to newsletter@eagleridge33912.com.

Articles can be submitted attached to or contained in an email. Photos should also be emailed as attachments.

Edison And Ford Holiday Nights 2024

Don’t miss The 49th Annual Edison And Ford Holiday Nights! Thousands of lights, hundreds of historic decorations, and one unique holiday experience await you nightly! Holiday Nights will run from November 29 through December 23, and December 26 through January 5, 2025, from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Nights has been revamped with new light displays and much more. Don’t miss the Children’s Holiday Tree Trail with handmade

ornaments created by students from local schools and shopping in the Museum Store and Garden Shoppe for unique holiday gifts. Plus, on select nights, there will be refreshments available for purchase, Santa visits, and carolers!

Nightly guided holiday tradition tours are at 6 and 7 p.m. (sold at the ticket office on a first-come first-served basis daily). Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

See website for more information.

EDISON & FORD WINTER ESTATES

2350 MCGREGOR BLVD., FORT MYERS, FL 33901

Deed of Restrictions

Section A-15:

Pets must be on a leash at all times when being walked outside of the owner’s property boundaries. The pet owner is responsible for picking up all animal waste from their pet at all times. This includes the common areas! Violators are subject to fining.

Please do not leave trash containers, ladders, etc., where they are visible from the street.

Also do not place containers or yard waste out to the curb more than 24 hours before the scheduled weekly pickups.

Production Directors

Stephen Miller

Elizabeth Miller

Sales Department

Margo Williams

Becky Pruitt

Miranda Ledbeter

Alyssa Debban

Accounting and Sales Support

Selina Koehler

Production Manager

Lee Nostrant

Production Department

Elaine Donholt

Ruth Nekoranec

Katie Heystek

Dianne Strout

Karen Kalisz

Michelle Feeney

Andie Reynolds

www.seabreezecommunications.com

Seabreeze

REMINDER

Eagle Ridge Job Spot

Non-businesses only please! All business owners should contact Seabreeze Communications to place an ad. Are you looking for an odd job? Want to be included in the Eagle Ridge Job Spot? Email your information to Pam Whitenight at Newsletter@ eagleridge33912.com. Baby-sitters, pet sitters, yard work and more.

Note: All work performed based on the postings below become the sole responsibility/liability of the person hiring for the job and the worker. This publication and the Eagle Ridge Community bear no endorsement, accountability nor liability.

Carol Gulledge, (317) 908-8001. An art teacher offering lessons in oil, acrylic and watercolor. Teaching for 45 years and retiring here in Eagle Ridge full time. Classes will be Monday through Saturday. Bring a friend or group to have fun, relax and be creative. Classes are two hours. Call now or email rmxcar@aol.com to reserve a time.

Karleen Halfmann, (239) 292-6302. Karleen’s Coastal Home Watch. Licensed Realtor and competitive pricing. Eagle Ridge resident. Email: karleensellsswfl@ aol.com. Call or email for information.

Connie Hope, (215) 527-1217. Absentee Homeowner Services: “While you’re away” I can check your home or condo. (Weekly/biweekly/monthly). I can validate yard maintenance and irrigation, pick up parcels and mail, check water, check appliances, arrange for repairs and services and much more. I am in the community. Call or email conniehope@comcast.net.

Connie Hope, (215) 527-1217. Secretarial work, outreach office work, write your letters, answer your

email, also light accounting, prepare things for taxes. I have been a Florida notary for the last 10 years.

Tom Jackson, (919) 414-5017. I have over 33 years of carpentry/cabinet making experience and worked as a full-time handyman in North Carolina for the past two years. I can install cabinets/doors, tile backsplashes, hang TVs/lights/fans, small electrical/plumbing jobs and more. Just ask and I’ll let you know if I can do it!

John Kincaid, (239) 286-7010. Home Watch for snowbirds or travelers. I am a full-time Eagle Ridge resident insured and bonded. Comprehensive reports with pictures and GPS verification are provided after every visit. Check for leaks, temp/humidity, intrusions, pests and much more. Verify lawn and pool maintenance. Don’t have a nasty surprise when you get into town. Your insurance company may not cover a claim without this service. Weekly/biweekly/ monthly. Call or email john@fmhomewatch.com.

Kathie McDonough, (239) 478-0060. A resident on Triple Eagle Court, Kathie does pet sitting and home watch.

Michael Messina, (631) 357-1016. We are new residents of Eagle Ridge on Twin Eagle Lane and would like to offer professional pressure washing services to the community at discounted prices. I specialize in all flat work such as driveways, walkways, pool decking surfaces, etc. Call or text me for a free estimate.

Diane Nichols, (239) 825-5861. Notary public state of Florida since 1986. I will pet sit, house sit, and babysit.

Mailbox Maintenance And Repair

Edith Weber, (651) 410-6596. CNA with over 35 years’ experience, I can help with daily living activities such as bathing, hair and nail care, cooking, shopping, etc. I am licensed and CPR certified.

Doug Wyatt, (618) 558-8176. I am a full-time resident at The Fairways and have over 25 years of experience doing interior painting in extremely nice homes. I am very meticulous, accommodating, neat, and tidy. I can also help out with light handyman work like replacing faucets, light fixtures, door locks, etc., as well as trimming bushes, cleaning gutters, house sitting, or anything you need that I am able to do.

For mailbox and lamppost repairs, please contact Tim Townsend, (740) 403-0983 or email timtownsend72@yahoo.com. Mailbox doors have a closure spring that eventually breaks after thousands of openings. It is important to replace them as soon as they are discovered as they usually result in a broken door, which is a much more expensive repair. The cost of repairing/replacing the various parts for mailboxes and lampposts is as follows:

• Mailbox spring repair is $40.

• If the mailbox door casting breaks the cost to replace the door is $179.

• Mailbox and lamp post can be repainted for $70 for both.

ArtFest Fort Myers High School Art Competition – Art Under 20

In this rapidly evolving world, it is more important than ever to keep challenging opportunities available to our community’s students. Their education needs to create skills and knowledge that connect in evolving ways. The arts – visual and performing –fulfill that need.

Art Under 20 was created through ArtFest Fort Myers’ dedication to the fact the arts are essential to the complete education of our youth. The arts teach students innumerable lessons – that are critical to success in the everevolving creative economy that lies ahead. The arts teach youth that there are several paths to take when approaching problems and that all problems can have more than one solution.

DID YOU KNOW?*

Youth who participate in the arts are

• 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement

• 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools

• 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair

• 3 times more likely to be awarded for school attendance

• 2 times more likely to read for pleasure

Continue the conversation! What is your passion for the arts as part of a complete education for youth?

*Americans for the Arts

Accepted research shows impressive benefits of arts in education – encouraging students to stay in school, succeed in school, succeed in life and succeed in work. Art Under 20 Sponsor Suncoast Credit Union supports the belief that arts in education is a vibrant part of our community and everyone benefits from it.

Art Under 20 exhibit and competition at ArtFest Fort Myers the first weekend in February provides a professional setting for students to display their artwork and compete for $10,000 in annual cash awards. Over the past 24 years, 5,500-plus students have participated from all Lee County high schools and have won $175,000 in total awards.

All Lee County high school students (public, private and home-schooled) are invited to participate in Art Under 20. Entries are accepted in seven categories: digital, drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, 3-dimensional and art created using recycled materials.

People and organizations that believe in supporting art opportunities for our youth can support Art Under 20 in a variety of ways. Some include creating additional award categories, providing scholarship funds for winners, or

hosting art experiences for participants. Contact ArtFest Fort Myers for more information.

Art Under 20 Entry Forms and more information are available through all Lee County high school art departments or at ArtFestFortMyers.com/au20. The deadline to enter for the 2025 Art Under 20 is December 4, 2024.

ArtFest Fort Myers, Southwest Florida’s premier art festival, takes place February 1 and 2, 2025 in the Fort Myers River District. Join 200 artists from across the

county: the largest high school art exhibit and competition in south Florida with free interactive art experiences for children of all ages and a community stage with continual performances and fine food and entertainment.

QUICK FACTS

WHAT

Southwest Florida’s premier art festival featuring 200 national artists, high school art competition, street chalk art competition, children’s art activities, fine food and entertainment

ART

UNDER 20

Located in the 3,000-square-foot tent at the west end of the art festival under the U.S. 41 bridge.

WHEN AND WHERE AND PARKING

• February 1 and 2, 2025, Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Downtown Fort Myers River District on Edwards Drive

• Look for bright Event Parking signs and flags.

• Parking lots adjacent to festival, remote parking with trolley service, street parking and city garages are open.