The Forest Matters
FPOA President’s Update
Our property manager, John Paul Siervo, has begun employment at a new community. Replacing him is Heather Donaldson. She is an experienced and certified association manager. Her employment began in mid-October and John Paul supervised her training in preparation for her assumption of his duties and responsibilities on November 1.
We will have one more Forest Property Owners Association board meeting this year on November 25. Traditionally we do not have one in December, because so many residents are away for the holidays and usually a quorum is not possible. Our first meeting next year will be on January 27, 2025.
We weathered two hurricanes recently with little or no damage to residences or other structures. There was storm surge caused by both which brought seawater into our lakes and some properties including the golf courses. The situation regarding our drainage canals is being studied to find out if there is any way we can lessen the impact of the heavy rain accompanying these storms by making these canals more efficient.
We are all aware our roads are narrow. Landscaping trucks and trailers take almost half of the width of them when parked. Please be careful
when passing them. Be aware of oncoming traffic and slow down. Please be extra careful as a machine or a landscaper can pop out from behind them without notice.
Our rules and regulations along with deed restrictions for single family homes in the four phases and our bylaws are all available on our community website myfpoahome.com. The question about hours for vendors to do work in The Forest is asked repeatedly of our gate access control officials and our property management team. To save you the trouble of looking them up they are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. No work is allowed on Sundays and certain holidays. They are: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Emergencies are always considered and will be accommodated if possible. Just contact the Main Gate office or an Access Control officer for service. Either our property manager or an officer of the FPOA will be contacted to obtain permission.
Best wishes to all for safe and joyful holidays.
Stay well,
Chuck Patten, President, Board of Directors, Forest Property Owners Association
Alliance For The Arts
SPECIAL EVENTS
NORTH PUTNAM -A FILM SCREENING
Date and Time: Dec. 4, 6 to 9 p.m.
Cost: Member’s price, $10; Nonmembers price, $12
This is a film screening from the Southern Circuit tour of Independent Filmmakers.
North Putnam depicts a year in the life of a rural Indiana school district and the community it serves. Crafted with empathy, a hyper-real
reporting lens and skillfully lush cinematography, the film aims to reach across divides and to spark action-oriented conversations about the interdependence between public schools and community development.
View the trailer here.
Date and Time: Dec. 6 and 7, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Dec. 8, 2 p.m.
A gender-bending, patriarchysmashing, hilarious new take on the classic tale. Robin Hood is (and has always been) Maid Marian in disguise and leads a motley group of Merry Men (few of whom are actually men) against the greedy Prince John. As the poor get poorer and the
MARIAN, OR THE TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD BY ADAM SZYMKOWICZ
rich get richer, who will stand for the vulnerable if not Robin? What is the cost of revealing your true self in a time of trouble?
CLOWN BAR 2 BY ADAM
SZYMKOWICZ, DIRECTED BY BILL TAYLOR
Date and Time: Dec. 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Dec. 22, 2 p.m.
Cost: Member’s price, $27; Nonmembers price, $32
A murder has once again rocked the Clown Bar, a notorious lair where underground clown crime dominates.
BILL METTS AND FRANK CORSO INDOOR BLUEGRASS
Date and Time: Dec. 15, 3 to 5 p.m.
Cost: Member’s price, $18, Nonmembers price, $20
Join fellow bluegrass lovers in our Foulds Theatre as the Bluegrass series continues with two amazing performers!
Lee Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33919, (239) 939-2787
Emergency (Fire, Life or Death)........................................................ 911
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
Communications, Inc. Forest Assistance (Who To Call)
Sheriff (Noise, Trespassing, etc.) 477-1000 Gatehouse (Authorizing Guest) 482-6666
FPOA Office (Rules, Lighting, etc.) 482-1109 Mosquito Problems 694-2174
Animal Services (Unleashed dogs) ....................................... 432-2083
FL Fish & Game (Gators, Raccoons) (888) 404-3922
Forest Country Club 482-8378
does not endorse any advertising as it relates to the communities. Advertising is not screened by
Holiday Events
HOLIDAY CAR SHOW, PARADE AND MORE AT COCONUT POINT
December 7
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Car and Truck Show
3 p.m. Community Performances
5 p.m. Polynesian Dance
6 p.m. Parade, Santa Claus and Annual Tree Lighting
Enjoy a day of tropical fun and festive cheer! The excitement starts with a Car and Truck Show from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. where you can check out amazing vehicles and meet other car fans. Enjoy browsing vendors for tasty tropical food and unique crafts. Then at 3 p.m. enjoy lively community performances. At 5 p.m., Fashion Drive comes alive with Polynesian and tropical dance performances, live steel drum music and hula dancers. Don’t miss the colorful parade at 6 p.m. featuring local high school bands, bright floats and lots of holiday spirit. Then join
Santa Claus for the annual tree lighting ceremony! Come and enjoy the celebration! Free Location: Coconut Point Mall, 23106 Fashion Drive, Estero, FL 33928
HOLIDAY LIGHTS
December 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 29 and 30, 6 to 9 p.m.
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year in nature’s wonderland, brimming with holiday cheer! Our 1/3-mile trail will be illuminated with twinkling lights. After walking the trail, cozy up to the fire and enjoy roasting a marshmallow with hot chocolate!
Location: Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33905
Members: Free Adults: $10
Kids ages 3 to 12: $5
HOLIDAY HOUSE CHRISTMAS STROLL
November 29 through December 31
The ladies of the Fort Myers Woman’s Community Club invite you to join us in 2024 for our second iteration of the Holiday House Christmas Stroll – a fun new take on a treasured Southwest Florida tradition. Christmas Stories Through the Eyes of a Child will feature a unique Christmas story, both traditional and modern, in every display. Free
Location: Beautiful Downtown Fort Myers
CAPE CORAL HOLIDAY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
December 7, 4 to 10 p.m.
For more than 30 years, this holiday celebration has been a shining example of community support, holiday spirit and fun for the whole family! All attractions are free to the public, including pictures with Santa, Snow Drift Slide, Tiny Tots Train around Snowcap Square and more!
Location: Cape Coral Parkway
CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE
December 7
For 36 years, locals have celebrated the holidays Southwest Florida style — by boat! Watch the Christmas Boat Parade, full of brightly festooned vessels sailing from Salty Sam’s Marina under the Matanzas Pass Bridge to Bowditch Point Park. Vote for your favorite and enjoy food and drinks while watching the parade from several restaurants along the route, including Parrot Key Caribbean Grill, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, and Bonita Bill’s Waterfront Café. Free.
Location: Fort Myers Beach
LIGHTING OF THE LIGHTHOUSE
December 14
Join the countdown and let out a cheer as Port Boca Grande Lighthouse is decked out for the holidays. Not only will its
beacon of light shine across the water, but thousands of lights come to life during this special event on Gasparilla Island. Free.
Location: Boca Grande
HOLIDAY BOAT-A-LONG
December 21, 4 to 9 p.m.
Grab a seat by the water and wait for sunset to fall as boats take over Bimini Basin in a festive floating parade. Once the Holiday Boat-A-Long procession is over, sit back for a free viewing of Polar Express in the park. Live entertainment, food trucks, crafts, and a visit from Santa complete this celebratory night on the water. Free.
Location: Four Freedoms Park, Cape Coral
ArtFest Fort Myers 2025 –Let Art Elevate YOUR Everyday!
ArtFest Fort Myers celebrates it 25th anniversary at the 2025 art festival.
Spend a few hours, all day or a weekend being surrounded by imagination, inspiration and incredible talent. ArtFest Fort Myers brings over 200 exceptional professional artists to the heart of downtown Fort Myers, encourages 300 talented local high school artists to pursue their artistic dreams while providing an opportunity for thousands of children, their parents and grandparents to try their hand at creating a masterpiece. Join the fun on February 1 and 2 with an Opening Night on Friday, January 31.
Meet the stars of the show –the artists! These incredibly creative folks, travel from 39 states to share their work with us. Amazing ceramics, gorgeous jewelry, remarkable glass, unique paintings, wearable art and so much more await you at ArtFest Fort Myers. This family-friendly
festival connects art and artists together with our community in a way that is so much fun – this is an art experience that delights every sense!
Attendees often ask, “How do the 200 festival artists get chosen?” These artists are the best-of-the-best as a jury panel of five professional artists
spends days selecting them from the 700 artists who apply.
Be sure to bring the entire family to this free outdoor fine art festival. Take time to enjoy our talented high school artists’ work at the Art Under 20 Exhibit and Competition and prepare to be astonished as the students create large street paintings in the Chalk Block. Always a crowd pleaser, the Publix Art Yard and Community Stage are full of
opportunities for people of all ages. The Dining Galleries with tasty food and fun beverages provide a relaxing break.
Join our VIP Club and take advantage of reserved weekend parking, admission to
FAST FACTS
WHAT
Southwest Florida’s premier art festival featuring over 200 national artists, high school art competition, street chalk art competition, children’s art activities, fine food and entertainment
WHEN
February 1 and 2, 2025 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. January 31, 2025, Friday, Opening Night, 6 to 9 p.m.
WHERE
Downtown Fort Myers River District on Edwards Drive
COST
FREE general admission
VIP CLUB
$135 per person; ArtFestFortMyers.com and click on VIP Club for tickets
PARKING
Look for bright Event Parking signs and flags. Trolleys available from remote lots. Parking lots adjacent to festival, street parking and City Garages are open. VIP Club has reserved parking.
the Friday Night Opening VIP Club with delicious food and drinks, plus unlimited access to the VIP Club with breakfast treats, a delightful lunch and beverages all weekend long. The elite VIP Club is $135 per person and your support contributes to the year-round art education outreach programs of ArtFest Fort Myers.
For more information visit ArtFestFortMyers.com – Like Us on Facebook – Follow us on Instagram – Tag us #artfestfm.
Catch The Action
CAPT. BILL RUSSELL
DECEMBER ON THE WATER
December brings cooler days around Southwest Florida and a change in the way many of us fish. As temperatures drop it will push small baitfish offshore and south to warmer waters. As this occurs, shrimp will become the primary diet for most fish through the winter months. There are not many fish in our coastal waters that won’t eat a shrimp; in fact, shrimp is the mainstay for most inshore species diet, especially through the cold months.
We are getting to that time for targeting sheepsheads as big pre-spawn fish move inshore and nearshore as water temperatures drop. Unlike the northern species with the same name, our saltwater sheepshead are excellent on the table. Look for fish, with many scaling over 5 pounds hanging around structure, including dock and bridge pilings, rock jetties along the beach, and on oyster bars. If you don’t mind fishing in the cold, then this is your fish, the colder the better for sheepsheads.
Pompano are similar to sheepsheads in the fact that they will not eat any type of baitfish, but feed primarily on small crustaceans including shrimp, crabs, sand fleas, etc. Quarter- or eighth-ounce nylon jigs tipped with a small piece of shrimp can be deadly on pompano when properly bounced across the bottom. Popular colors are white, pink, and yellow. Silly Willy or Crazy style jigs have gained a lot of popularity since introduced and are a good option if you like casting. Live shrimp suspended near the bottom under a bobbing cork is also a great offering. Both sheepsheads and pompano have relatively small mouths, so it is important not to use a large hook; if you are unsure of the size, stop in at your local tackle shop and let them hook you up. I prefer a 1/0 or smaller circle hook.
Sea trout season is open and provides good catching opportunities as we close out the year. Look for fish moving off the shallow grass flats to deeper protected areas as temperatures drop. Deep areas around oyster bars, creeks, canals, channel edges and sand holes are good areas to target. Live shrimp and soft plastic baits mimicking shrimp are top baits.
Snook are catch and release only. Snook will transition to deeper protected waters over the month where they spend the winter. In season or not, snook are always a blast to catch, just make sure and release them quickly.
Redfish season remains open for those interested in a fish dinner. Extreme low tides over the winter months offer good sight fishing opportunities for redfish throughout the inshore grass flats. Smaller reds are numerous in creeks with hard shell or oyster bottoms and hanging around
oyster bars. Anglers hunting sheepsheads will score with redfish plus black drum fishing around structure such as docks, piers, and bridges.
Many anglers look to take advantage of nearshore reefs on good weather days. Many of the snapper that frequented the inshore waters through the warmer months relocated offshore and have grown larger. Bottom fishing with a shrimp/jig combination or shrimp on a knocker rig will get attention from many tasty fish including mangrove and lane snapper, sheepsheads, grunts, and possible hogfish, permit, tripletail, and more. Larger fish including cobia, king mackerel, barracuda, sharks, and others could show up at any time offshore. Bottom fish with light tackle but keep a heavier rod at the ready.
As the holiday season gets near, there is no place like a day on the water to get away from the crowds. There will be good fishing opportunities as we end the year, plus if you enjoy wildlife and nature, this is as good as it gets. Even if the fish aren’t biting, I can’t think of a better place to spend the day than on the water with nature and tranquility, and away from the crowds.
Stay up to date with fishing regulations by visiting Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission at www.myfwc.com. Also, upload the Fish Rules app on your phone. It has current regulations with pictures to help identify fish.
Thanks for taking the time to read our column. Everyone have a safe and Happy Holiday season as we look forward to the New Year.
For charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service and “Catch the Action” with Capt. Bill Russell, call or text (239) 410-8576, website: www.fishpineisland.com, email: gcl2fish@live.com.
Capt. Bill Russell is a native and lifelong resident of Pine Island who has spent his entire life fishing the waters surrounding Pine Island and Southwest Florida. For the past 28 years, Bill has been a professional fishing guide who takes pride in customizing each trip to ensure everyone on board has a great time and will return again. Come join us and “Catch the Action.”
Artfest Fort Myers – Volunteers Welcome! Be Part Of The Arts!
ArtFest Fort Myers, Southwest Florida’s premier fine art festival is recruiting volunteers to join our dynamic team supporting this award-winning festival. “Our volunteer team comes from all walks of life,” explains Sharon McAllister, executive director, “and they have fun working together festival weekend, to ensure that festival attendees, professional artists, our generous sponsors and VIPs all have a great experience at ArtFest Fort Myers.”
The arts are a vital part of a complete community enhancing everyone’s quality of life and creating significant economic impact. Dedicated volunteers who make all the magic happen sustain the arts’ vitality. ArtFest Fort Myers welcomes diverse volunteers – those who are with us on festival weekend for four hours and those looking for more year-round involvement.
Festival weekend volunteers work a minimum four-hour shift at the festival February 1 and 2 or Opening Night January 31. Volunteers can
choose to interact with the professional artists, sell commemorative shirts and posters, assist in the children’s Art Yard, staff the VIP Club, get our Publix Run to the Arts 5K off to a great start or select one of dozens of other volunteer assignments.
But wait – what if you want to attend ArtFest Fort Myers and not be tied down as a volunteer? We have a great option for you, volunteer prefestival being involved with the festival setup days. Join us Thursday, January 30 or Friday, January 31 in roles such as site decorating or artist/ volunteer hospitality. We hire professional labor crews for the heavy lifting but you will be out and about decorating the art festival site and supporting setup crews but no heavy lifting.
Volunteer perks include reserved parking, ArtFest Fort Myers Volunteer T-shirt based on 2025 Commemorative Artist, snacks and water, enjoying talented artists from across the country and meeting more great volunteers!
Do you and your friends want to have an amazing opportunity to make a difference in our community? Sign up to volunteer over ArtFest Fort Myers weekend –
required – your smiling face, fun attitude, mask and some good walking shoes are all that is needed!
Plan now to join ArtFest Fort Myers in the downtown Fort Myers River District as we make art come to life on February 1 and 2, 2025. Enjoy the experience with over 200 artists from across the county, the largest high school art exhibit and competition in south Florida and free interactive art experiences for children of all ages.
FAST FACTS
WHAT Volunteer with Southwest Florida’s premier art festival WHEN 4-hour shifts February 1 and 2, 2025 and Opening Night January 31, 2025 or pre-festival shifts January 30 and 31
WHERE Downtown Fort Myers River District on Edwards Drive
HOW ArtFestFortMyers.com and click Volunteer button
PERKS
T-shirt; reserved parking; snacks and water; great artists; fun volunteers
PARKING
Reserved just for volunteers –best perk of all!
For more information visit ArtFestFortMyers.com or contact us at (239)768-3602 or info@ArtFestFortMyers. com – Like us on Facebook –Follow us on Instagram –Tag us #artfestfm.
Lee County Parks & Recreation To Host 2025 Lee County Senior Games
Event registration is open now.
Lee County Parks & Recreation welcomes all senior athletes to participate in the 2025 Lee County Senior Games, which feature social, recreational and competitive activities.
Registration is open. Register at www.leeparks.org/register or call (239) 533-7275. Registration is $15 per event. Participants must be 50 years or older by Dec. 31, 2025,
and qualifying event top finishers will be eligible to compete at the state level in the 2025 Florida Senior Games.
The games will be held Jan. 24 through March 9, 2025, with eight sports in various locations throughout the county.
The Florida Games Series Qualifier Events include:
• Table Tennis
• Archery
• Pickleball
• Basketball Shooting
• Basketball 3V3
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Billiards
Participants will receive one shirt that will be distributed at event site. Medals will be presented to the first-, second- and thirdplace finishers of each event. For event schedule and more information about Lee County Senior Games visit www.leeparks.org.
For additional details about Lee County Parks & Recreation locations, amenities and upcoming events, visit www.leeparks.org, call (239) 533-7275, or email leeparks@leegov. com. Stay connected on social media by following Lee County Parks & Recreation on Facebook and Instagram.
To receive the latest updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter at www.leegov.com/resources/ newsletters and follow Lee County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.
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
Around The Town
MONTHLY ART WALK
Date and Time: Friday, Dec. 6, and Jan. 3, 2025, 6 to 10 p.m.
The River District Alliance lights up downtown Fort Myers artistically the first Friday of every month. The streets will be lined with local and regional artists selling and displaying their one of a kind works of art, with many styles represented.
MONTHLY MUSIC WALK
Date and Time: Friday, Dec. 20, and Jan. 17, 2025, 6 to 10 p.m.
From jazz and blues to rock and roll, local and regional musicians line the streets of downtown Fort Myers, and the lineups vary each month, 6 to 10 p.m.
As always, Art Walk and Music Walk are free to attend. Find us on First Street, in Downtown Fort Myers. To help plan your parking, visit https://denisonparking.com/fort-myers/.
Explore Fort Myers at https://www.myriverdistrict.com/.
