The Forest Matters
FPOA President’s Update
Responsible, knowledgeable and effective committee chairs and those who serve on their committees are essential to the operation of our community. In the past month we have lost two important chairmen. That we have replacements to take over the offices speaks well for The Forest. It is essential for everyone who has a pool on their property to understand the importance of having it protected. A pool cage or fence is essential to keep out unwanted intrusions.
The Forest Property Owners Association annual assessment payment and, for those who have Hotwire services, the payment of the annual cost of this service, are due Jan. 1, 2024. Invoices have been mailed recently and there is a grace period which ends on Jan. 31. Late payment penalties will be assessed after that date.
The cleaning of sidewalks will commence as soon as we have decided on a vendor to do the work. We will obtain a service which uses only high pressure water to do the cleaning. Chemicals used in the past tend to kill the grass and other plantings along the walks.
Road resurfacing will commence sometime in January or early February. There are four projects planned: Bear Cub Court, Pheasant Court, Cottontail Court and Forest Boulevard from the main gate to Bobcat Drive. Residents on these four streets will be inconvenienced for 24 to 36 hours in that usage of these thoroughfares will not be allowed once the work commences. This work will be repeated every 25 years, or, for the more romantic, every quarter century. The starting date for each job will be scheduled two or more weeks in advance, so planning for the inconvenience can be made.
Enjoy The Arts In Style As An ArtFest Fort Myers VIP Club Member
Experience ArtFest Fort Myers As A Very Important Patron
On Friday, Feb. 2, join us in the VIP Club at Caloosa Sound for the opening night party and savor delectable culinary delights from some of the finest restaurants in our area, complemented by great wine and ice-cold beer.
The evening will also showcase 75 festival artists and a free pops concert, “Symphony on the Sound,” performed by the Gulf Coast Symphony and presented by Publix.
As a VIP, you will also enjoy VIP Club parking, which is reserved exclusively for you adjacent to the art festival. Throughout the festival weekend, luxuriate in the VIP Club, an exclusive retreat reserved for ticket holders that offers a serene oasis amidst your artful shopping. The VIP Club provides culinary indulgences, beverages, and the convenience of reserved parking throughout the day.
This exclusive experience is priced at $135 per person. To relish the ArtFest Fort Myers VIP Club and bask in the creativity of over 200 artists as a very important patron, visit ArtFestFortMyers.com and click on the VIP Club button or contact us at (239) 768-3602.
ArtFest Fort Myers, an annual juried fine art festival, unfolds on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and continues on Sunday, Feb. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the grand opening night event on Friday, Feb. 2, from 6 to 9 p.m., in the vibrant Fort Myers River District.
Immerse yourself in an unparalleled experience featuring over 200 professional artists from around the country and worldwide, including the largest high school art exhibit and competition in Southwest Florida and a diverse range of interactive art experiences designed for children of all ages.
For further information, please visit ArtFestFortMyers. com or contact us at (239) 768-3602 or info@ ArtFestFortMyers.com. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #artfestfm.
Once the paving is finished the removal of the speed humps and their replacement by speed calming tables will commence. The place where the speed hump is now on Bobcat Drive will change to be further from the curve just to the south.
Finally, road striping will start once all the work described above is completed. Reflective white paint will be used to help designate the sides of the more dangerous curves. By the time you read this, the Christmas holiday will have passed and planning for the New Year observance will have begun. It is hoped everyone has had a wonderful time with friends and family during the holiday season. Chuck Patten, President, Board of Directors, Forest Property Owners Association
Garden Council To Present ‘Awesome Blossoms’
Save The Date, Feb. 13 For Strolling Flower Show
The annual Strolling Flower Show, presented by the Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council, will be held on Feb. 13, at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First Street, Fort Myers, FL, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
“Awesome Blossoms,” this year’s theme, is free to the public; donations will be accepted to help defray show expenses. The public will serve as the judges for the three entry categories – most tropical, best interpretation of the theme, and my favorite design. The three winners will be announced at a future thank you luncheon. The featured artist for the show is Heidi Love Larranz.
The Strolling Flower Show has a long history of being presented annually by the Periwinkle Garden Club, a member of the Garden Council. Space for show arrangements is limited; designers from the various Garden Council affiliates should request a space from Anina Bachrach, aninabach@aol.com, no later than Jan. 15. Sponsors for the show are being sought and should contact aninabach@aol.com.
The Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council was formed in 1957 and now comprises various clubs, societies, and affiliate members in the area. The council assists in educating and beautifying the community and improving the environment. The council is a member of the National Garden Clubs, the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, and American Public Gardens.
For additional information about the council and the strolling flower show contact Susan Fero, SDF40@aol.com.
From The Desk Of Sheriff Carmine Marceno
Annual Homeowners Association Presidents Council
Working cohesively with our county homeowners’ associations requires the appropriation of an array of resources, the commitment of Lee County Sheriff’s Office staff and ongoing communication.
While these efforts have produced extraordinary results, I am of the mindset that the application of the newest technologies and enhanced community policing strategies will assist us in our efforts to keep Lee County among the safest counties in the nation.
On Feb. 6, I will be hosting my “Annual Homeowners Association Presidents Council” at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall from 9:30 a.m. until noon.
from page 1
If You Go
What: Southwest Florida’s premier art festival featuring over 200 national artists, a high school art competition, a street chalk art competition, children’s art activities, exquisite cuisine, and captivating entertainment.
When: Feb. 3, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Feb. 4, Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Friday, Feb. 2, grand opening night, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Downtown Fort Myers River District on Edwards Drive
VIP Club: Priced at $125 per person, purchase tickets on ArtFestFortMyers.com by clicking on the VIP Club.
Cost: General admission is free.
Parking: Seek out prominent event parking signs and flags, with trolleys available from remote lots. Multiple parking lots, on-street parking, and city garages are accessible near the festival. VIPs are entitled to reserved parking.
HOME WATCH
The event will include a display of Lee County Sheriff’s Office assets, incorporate HOA vendor displays, as well as include a presentation/discussion of the innovative technologies that the Lee County Sheriff’s Office is and will be using to protect our communities. Additionally, I will participate in a “Question and Answer” segment at the conclusion of the forum.
Photo Corner
The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall is located at 13350 FSW Parkway in Fort Myers. Complimentary food and beverages will be provided. I encourage interested HOA presidents, HOA Board members and community residents to attend. As seating is limited, please register as soon as possible by calling (239) 477-1CRU (1278) or by visiting www.sheriffleefl.org/hoapresidentscouncil.
MNMW Hosting Annual FREE Shred Day Event To Benefit United Way
Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co., P.A. (MNMW) will partner with All Points Mobile Shredding to host its seventh annual free Community Shred Day event on Friday, Jan. 26, from 9 a.m. until noon. A Secure Shred truck, which is part of the All Points Mobile Company, will be on site at the Fort Myers MNMW location, 8961 Conference Drive. There will be a two-box maximum per person for shredding.
This is a free event; however, MNMW encourages participants to consider a donation to the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties when bringing their items to be shredded. Donations to the United Way can be in monetary form, canned or nonperishable goods, or new/gently used clothing. A representative from United Way will be on site to accept your donations and answer any questions.
“Our free Community Shred Day is a popular event here at MNMW. Our clients and the public are always eager to find out when they can safely dispose of their sensitive documents and personal information,” said Jessica Walker, MA, APR, CPRC, marketing and PR manager for MNMW. “We hope that this service is helpful to those using it and brings a greater awareness to the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties and its partner agencies.”
Items that can be shredded are bank statements, tax records, contracts, blank checks, etc. A good rule to determine
if an item is “shreddable” is “if it tears, it can be destroyed.” Items not suitable for shredding include hard drives, cell phones, batteries, etc. All shredded material will be recycled to support an eco-friendly environment.
About Markam Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A. Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A. is a public accounting and consulting firm with offices in Fort Myers and Naples. Along with traditional tax and accounting services, the firm offers a wide range of other services, including general business consulting, construction business consulting, medical practice consulting, not-for-profit services, family mediation services, forensic accounting, and litigation support. Call (239) 433-5554 or visit www.Markham-Norton.com for more information.
About All Points Mobile Shredding
All Points Mobile Shredding is a local family-owned and operated business with a 25-year history in the industry. They are NAID AAA certified and have more than 250 5-star Google reviews. For more information, please check out their website, www.allpointsprotects.com.
About United Way Of Lee, Hendry, And Glades Counties United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades is a volunteer organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people in our area. All the money raised stays local, with over 95.5 percent of every dollar given going back into the community. Gifts to United Way go directly to meet the needs of the counties we serve, making it a better place to live and work. For more information, please call (239) 433-2000 or visit www. UnitedWayLee.org.
ArtFest
Fairway Woods I and II got together to make and hang stars to decorate our entrance.
Florida Repertory Theatre
The Mountaintop
Florida Repertory Theatre’s 26th season continues with The Mountaintop by Katori Hall. The production runs in the ArtStage Studio Theatre now through Jan. 14. Tickets start at $65 and may be purchased online at www.floridarep.org or by calling the box office at (239) 332-4488 or toll-free at (877) 787-8053.
The Mountaintop reimagines the night before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. The play is set in the Lorraine Motel in Memphis where Dr. King stayed after delivering his most memorable speech. The story opens with an exhausted King calling room service for a cup of coffee as he struggles to write his next powerful speech. When a hotel maid arrives with his order, the two begin a conversation that prompts King to confront his life, his past, his legacy, and the plight and future of the people he represents.
Playwright Katori Hall’s play examines “what if” and applies magical realism to move the characters – and audience – through unexpected twists and turns. The dialog is reflective, touching, and humorous at times.
Hall won an Olivier Best New Play Award for The Mountaintop in 2010, and more recently, a Pulitzer Prize for her play The Hot Wing King. Hall also wrote the book for the Tina Turner Musical “ The Mountaintop is an electrifying drama full of theatricality and engaging
dialog,” said producing artistic director Greg Longenhagen. “The play challenges audiences to consider Dr. King – the man – as he faces his humanity, addressing his fears, his frailties, and his passions.”
Florida Rep’s cast features returning artist, Daniel Morgan Shelley (August Wilson’s Fences), and fellow New York-based actor, Hope Ward, making her Florida Rep debut.
Director Ansley Valentine (Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill) will be joined by an expert creative team including Richard Crowell (Alabaster), costume designer Alice Neff (On Golden Pond), lighting designer Eli Carnahan (Native Gardens ), sound designer Katie Lowe (The Legend of Georgia McBride), and stage manager Phill Madore (Ripcord).
The Mountaintop is sponsored by Bruce and Janet Bunch. Single ticket prices for The Mountaintop are $65 for regular performances. Curtain times are Tuesday through Saturday at 7 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. 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
as $234 for six shows. Discounted previews are selling out fast in the ArtStage Studio, 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) 332-4488 or toll-free at (877) 787-8053. Follow the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for updates, behind-the-scenes insight, special
Daniel Morgan Shelley as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Hope Ward as Camae
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