The Forest Matters
FPOA President’s Update
At our board meeting on Oct. 30 the plans for road repaving were explained along with the plan for the speed hump removal, their replacement with speed calming tables and, last but not least, the restriping of our roads. The latter of these projects was delayed because we could not obtain a permit from Lee County. The speed humps in place now were installed without a permit years ago and were illegal.
The paving will be done on Forest Boulevard from the main gate to Bobcat Court. Bear Cub Court, Cotton Tail Court and Pheasant Court will be repaved as well.
A tour of our roads was taken a few weeks ago. Attending were two experts from the paving industry, our property manager and your correspondent. The four roads chosen were those which had indications that showed the need for the repaving work to be done. In the past we repaved on a time schedule rather than as we do now when a road needs the service.
The aforementioned speed tables have a height lower than the humps, but are more efficient in slowing traffic. Our board tabled the idea of photo radar controlled speed cameras. It is hoped these new devices will negate the need for them.
Once the paving is done the striping of our roads will commence. Headlight reflective paint will be applied to curves to make them easier to navigate.
You may have heard we were considering having an 8-foot fence erected along our northern border to prevent intrusions of nonresidents trying to fish on our lakes. In no way am I averse to fishing. It is my favorite avocation. The problems with these trespassers include the possibility some are not here to fish, the liabilities involved with their presence and just the fact they are trespassing. The cost of the fence was prohibitive. In its place we will be erecting signs stating “No Trespassing” and the fact those who do will be prosecuted. We will obtain these signs from the Lee County Sheriff. Hurricane Ian was the “gift” that keeps on giving. We have recently discovered much of our underground electrical system that provides power to the lighting systems along and in medians of our roads has been damaged or rendered unusable by the salt water which inundated our community. This is being repaired and will be ready for the holiday lighting later in November.
At the ends of our cul-de-sacs are circles whose landscaping is the responsibility of the FPOA. When The Forest was young one home was chosen at each circle to provide the irrigation for the landscaping. We thank those homeowners for their generosity.
The FPOA board meeting on Nov. 27 will be the last meeting of 2023. This is not because its date would coincide with Christmas Day. In the past we have found the quota of board members required for holding a meeting in December could not be met. Therefore, the next board meeting will be held on Jan. 29, 2024.
While this letter arrives with The Forest Matters in early December it is not too early to wish everyone “Happy Holidays” with your family and friends. Be safe, be well and have a wonderful time.
Chuck Patten, President, Board of Directors, Forest Property Owners Association
Holiday Nights At Edison And Ford Winter Estates
On Friday, Nov. 24 at 6 p.m., the Edison and Ford Winter Estates kicked off the 48th annual Holiday Nights celebration with a tree lighting ceremony. Guests had the opportunity to participate in the countdown with Dave Elias from NBC-2 when the Christmas tree on the Ford property was lit with thousands of animated lights choreographed to holiday music. Female vocalists, the American Sirens, performed shortly after the tree lighting. The event was sponsored by Florida Power & Light, Bob Dean Supply, Sunbelt Rentals, and TriCircle Pavers.
This year’s theme is “Holidays on Wheels” and will incorporate many different types of wheels, especially car wheels because of the connection to Henry Ford, and also wagon wheels, bicycle tires, ships’ steering wheels, and train wheelsets. Holiday Nights will run nightly through Dec. 31 (will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas night). Guided Holiday Tradition Tours will be offered at 6 and 7 p.m. or visitors can choose to meander at their own pace on a self-guided tour. Inside-the-Homes tours will be offered on Dec. 6, 13, and 20 at 6:30 p.m., for a special up close look at the homes’ decorated interiors. Additional lights with new technology are being installed this year. Throughout the property, many of the displays will have more lights than ever before. The palms will have animated “magic lights” that will change colors, and for the first time, the historic pond near the river pavilion will
be lighted and there will be lights on the waterfall that are animated and choreographed to music.
The family-oriented event includes the Children’s Tree Trail, which features 50 trees decorated with handmade ornaments from Lee County school children. On Sunday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting, and on Dec. 3 and 10, children can get their face painted (additional charge for face painting). Then, on Dec. 16 and 23, there will be a teddy bear booth, where children can make a bear (additional charge).
There will be music on several nights, including strolling carolers, a pianist, and tenor saxophone and trumpet players. In addition, the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers will perform on Dec. 13. An antique circus car (a calliope) with a built-in pipe organ will be played at 6 p.m. on Dec. 12. Curators will be on hand to answer questions about the car, which is a modified 1914 Model T Ford.
Guests can shop for gift items during Market Mondays, when multiple craft and holiday vendors will have booths around the banyan tree from 4 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 4, 11, and 18. In
addition, the Museum Store and Garden Shoppe will be open until 9 p.m. every night of Holiday Nights and will be stocked with unique gift items for that hard-to-buy-for loved one. Refreshments will be available for purchase on select nights. Holiday Nights tickets for adults are $20; teens (ages 13 to 19) are $10; children (6 to 12) are $2; and $10 for Edison Ford members. Guided Holiday Tradition Tours are $30 for adults, teens are $25, children are $18, and $15 for Edison Ford members. Inside-the-Homes Holiday Tours are $50 per person. Lee County residents with identification will receive $5 off regular-priced Holiday Nights admission on Monday nights. To purchase tickets or view the nightly schedule, visit the website at EdisonFord.org.
About Edison And Ford Winter Estates
Edison and Ford Winter Estates is the internationally known winter homesite of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. More than 220,000 visitors walk through the location each year from all around the globe. The organization has received many awards, including the National Stewardship Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Garden Clubs’ Historic Preservation Award. The property is an official project of “Save America’s Treasures,” a Florida Historic Landmark and a National Register Historic Site. The Edison Botanic Laboratory is a National Historic Chemical Landmark. The site is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and until 9 p.m. during the month of December for Holiday Nights.
The homes and gardens at Edison and Ford Winter Estates are decorated with thousands of lights for the Holiday Nights celebration.
ArtFest Fort Myers Volunteers Welcome. Be Part Of The Arts
ArtFest Fort Myers, the premier fine art festival in Southwest Florida, actively seeks volunteers to join our dynamic team to support this acclaimed event.
The 2024 edition of ArtFest Fort Myers unfolds in the heart of the downtown Fort Myers River District, commencing at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3, and concluding at 5 p.m. On Sunday, Feb. 4, the festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the grand opening scheduled for Friday, Feb. 2. This extraordinary event offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in the arts, featuring over 200 artists from across the county, the largest high school art exhibit and competition in South Florida, and a range of interactive art experiences designed for children of all ages.
“Our volunteer team represents a diverse cross-section of the community,” remarks Kathryn Robinson Kinsey, ArtFest Fort Myers executive director. “They come together with enthusiasm to work harmoniously during the festival weekend, ensuring attendees, professional artists, our generous sponsors, and VIP guests all have a memorable experience.”
ArtFest Fort Myers welcomes volunteers from all walks of life, whether for the festival weekend or those seeking more sustained, year-round involvement. Weekend volunteers are required to commit to a minimum fourhour shift, with a choice of roles such as interacting with professional artists, vending commemorative shirts, posters, and other festival merchandise, assisting in the children’s Art Yard, staffing the VIP Club, contributing to the success of the Publix Run To The Arts 5K, or selecting from numerous other volunteer assignments.
For those planning to attend the festival yet wishing to contribute their time, opportunities exist on Thursday and
Friday in prefestival roles. These roles may encompass site decorating or artist/volunteer hospitality. It’s important to note that professional labor crews handle all the heavy lifting, leaving you to actively participate in decorating the area and supporting the setup teams.
Volunteer benefits include reserved parking, an ArtFest Fort Myers volunteer T-shirt featuring the 2024 commemorative artist, complimentary snacks and water, the chance to interact with talented artists from across the country and worldwide, and the opportunity to connect with fellow dedicated volunteers like yourself.
The arts are pivotal in our community, enhancing our quality of life and delivering a substantial economic impact. The dedicated volunteers who help orchestrate this magic play an indispensable part in sustaining the vitality of the arts. You and your friends can leave a lasting mark on our community by signing up.
To register as a volunteer, visit ArtFestFortMyers.com and click the “Volunteer” button. Select a role that piques your interest – sign up early, as assignments are given on a first-come, first-served basis. No prior experience is necessary – your smiling face, positive attitude, and a comfortable pair of walking shoes are the only prerequisites.
Florida Repertory Theatre
New Holiday Whodunit, A Sherlock Carol
Florida Repertory Theatre rings in the holiday season with an inventive whodunit, A Sherlock Carol, by Mark Shanahan. The production runs in the Historic Arcade Theatre, Dec. 1 to 17. Tickets start at $65 and may be purchased online at www. floridarep.org or by calling the box office at (239) 332-4488 or tollfree at (877) 787-8053. A family holiday pass may be purchased by phone or at the box office for $150 and includes tickets for two adults and two children plus four house concessions.
A Sherlock Carol is a mash-up of the worlds of Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The story begins on Christmas Eve when a grown-up Tiny Tim makes a visit to the world’s foremost consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes. Timothy Cratchit, now a doctor, tries to enlist Holmes’ help to solve a mystery involving Ebenezer Scrooge. Holmes, however, is in no mood for an investigation so it takes some convincing for the great
detective to face the spirits of the past, present, and future, in order to get to the bottom of the crime.
“The play is a blend of two beloved classic tales,” said producing artistic director Greg Longenhagen. “Audiences will be reunited with familiar characters freshly intertwined in a plot filled with intrigue, suspense, and holiday cheer.”
The play was featured at Florida Rep’s 2020 PlayLab Festival of New Works and is fresh off successful fully staged runs in London and New York.
Florida Rep’s cast features New York-based actors, Matt Lytle and Nicholas Wilder, making their Florida Rep debuts alongside ensemble members Jason Parrish (Santaland Diaries) and William McNulty (The Legend of Georgia McBride) plus returning guest artist Chrissy Albanese (A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love & Murder) and Jackie Schram (Cabaret).
Director Jeffrey Binder (New York-based with Southwest Florida roots) is joined by an expert creative team including musical director/pianist Gary Stroh (A Grand Night for Singing), set designer Robert F. Wolin (On Golden Pond), costume designer Stefanie Genda (Ripcord), sound designer Katie Lowe (The Legend of Georgia McBride), lighting designer Abby May, and stage manager Janine Wochna (Beguiled Again).
A Sherlock Carol is sponsored by Naomi Bloom, The Luminary Hotel & Co., with media sponsorship by WGCU Public Radio.
Evening performances are offered at 7 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, and Saturday, with an opening night performance
For further information, please visit ArtFestFortMyers.com or contact us at (239) 768-3602 or info@ArtFestFortMyers. com. Please stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #artfestfm.
If You Go
What: Volunteer with Southwest Florida’s premier art festival.
When: Four-hour shifts are available on Feb. 3 and 4. Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pre-festival shifts are available on Feb. 1 and 2.
Where: Downtown Fort Myers River District on Edwards Drive
How: Visit ArtFestFortMyers.com and click the “Volunteer” button.
Perks: An ArtFest Fort Myers T-shirt; reserved volunteer parking; complimentary snacks and water; the chance to interact with great artists and fellow volunteers Parking: Reserved parking spaces exclusively for volunteers – a prized perk indeed
beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1. Matinee performances are offered at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Plus, all new this season, 2 p.m. matinees are offered on the second and third Friday (Arcade Theatre productions only). Florida Rep’s parking lot opens two hours before each performance and offers guests free parking across the street from the Arcade Theatre. About Florida Repertory Theatre
Founded in 1998, Florida Repertory Theatre is a fully professional, live theatre in the Fort Myers River District. Performances are held in the Historic Arcade Theatre and the ArtStage Studio Theatre on Bay Street between Jackson Street and Hendry Street.
Subscriptions for the 2023/24 season are on sale now for 6, 7, 8, or 9 shows and start as low as $234 for six shows. Discounted previews are selling out fast in the Historic Arcade Theatre, and popular Flex Passes allow patrons to lock into $59 tickets before prices go up with demand. Tickets and information are available through the box office at (239) 3324488 or toll-free at (877) 787-8053.
Visit Florida Rep online at FloridaRep.org to view the full season lineup of comedies, dramas, musicals, and new works. Follow the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for updates, behind-thescenes insight, special offers, and more.
From The Desk Of Sheriff Carmine Marceno
Civilian Support Unit
The prodigious and esteemed Lee County Sheriff’s Office Civilian Support Unit (CSU) is a diverse entity comprised of volunteers from all professions, callings and backgrounds.
Since the unit’s inception in 1988, Civilian Support Unit members have donated hundreds of thousands of hours assisting our agency in areas related to traffic control, parking enforcement, Marine auxiliary, vacation home checks, bike patrol, neighborhood canvassing and so much more.
The supplemental services provided by our CSU members have become an integral component of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Their efforts assist certified deputies when additional eyes, ears and hands are essential.
Our county’s population continues to grow and with such growth comes additional obligations to our community. At this time, I am reaching out to our residents in an effort to grow our Civilian Support Unit. Your desire to
serve your Lee County neighbors, combined with our assets and resources, become an extraordinary alliance. Our ceaseless commitment to this community, coupled with your lifeexperience, help enhance and support the quality of life that we have come to know in Lee County! Together, and only together, can we meet the county’s expanding needs.
For additional information, please call (239) 477-1422, email csu@sheriffleefl.org or visit us at www.sheriffleefl. org/civilian-support-unit.
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Continental Women’s Club
The Continental Women’s Club will hold its monthly luncheon meeting on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at The Hideaway Country Club. Our January program will feature a presentation by Haley Volcy, membership and community outreach organizer for The Alliance for the Arts. You are invited to attend and learn how this vibrant nonprofit visual and performing arts center is fulfilling its mission to transform lives and improve our community through the arts. 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. Our monthly meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at The Hideaway Country Club, 5670 Trailwinds Drive, Fort Myers 33907. The cost to attend the luncheon is $25. Reservation deadline for Jan. 4 is Tuesday, Dec. 26. Please call Liz Paul at (239) 691-7561 for additional information or to make a reservation.
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