The Forest Matters
FPOA President’s Update
Elections for representatives from the four phases of single-family homes were held in March. New members of our board of directors are as follows: Phase I has John Guagan representing it, along with Scott Razor for Phase II and with Laura Wimberly and Martin Sturm for Phase III. New representatives for the associations are: Fairway Woods II: Angela Bindi; Partridge Place: Janet Mazzocc; Quail Cove: Diana Philbrick.
The last FPOA board meeting of the 2023/24 year will be held on April 29. During the summer the Executive Committee will take over the duties of management of our community. It will meet from May through September. The first full board meeting for the 2024/25 year will occur on Sept. 30. As in the past the authority of the Executive Committee is limited to decisions regarding day-to-day operational duties.
The paving of those roads in our community which needed to be done has been completed. The speed humps have been replaced by speed calming tables and the pressure washing
of our sidewalks is ongoing as this letter is being written. Next on our list of road projects will be striping.
The stubborn problem of inoperative coach lights continues. There are still a dozen or so remaining out of 312 which are not operational. This is due to a problem with the connection between the home at which they are placed and the lamp itself. In some situations in which the home had to be completely renovated after the storm the connection was not remade. The electrician hired for this job is reconnecting the lamps where this service is needed. We hope to have this time consuming task done by the time you read this.
All but two of our streetlamps have been replaced. Florida Power and Light (FPL) informs us the final two are on their schedule and should be done by the end of this month.
We have cooperated with FPL in the past and intend to continue to have a good relationship with the utility. Bringing undue pressure on such an entity is never a good idea.
Soon many of our neighbors will be heading to more temperate climes for the summer. There is a form available on
our website and at our gates which needs to be filled out and turned into the Main Gate office before you leave. It asks for the dates of your absence and the contact information we will need should it become necessary to reach you. Individuals who will be visiting your home during your time away must be listed on DwellingLive or on the form. The absence of this information will necessitate contacting you for the missing permission. This is very important. Should the information be unavailable your guests will not be allowed to enter. Your correspondent was elected to a seventh term as president of the FPOA Board of Directors after the Annual Meeting of The Forest residents in March. It has been a pleasure and a privilege serving our community over the past years.
Stay well, Chuck Patten, President, FPOA Board of Directors
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Set For May 11
Saturday, May 11 marks the 32nd anniversary of one of America’s great days of giving – the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive.
Letter carriers travel through the communities daily, often coming face to face with a sad reality for too many, hunger. Each year on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers across the county collect nonperishable food donations from customers. These donations go directly to local food pantries to provide food to people in Lee County who need help.
Over the course of its 30-year history, the drive has collected well over 1.9 billion pounds of food, thanks to a postal service universal delivery network that spans the entire nation, including Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The need for food donations is great. Currently, more than 44 million Americans are unsure where their next meal will come from. More than 13 million are children who feel hunger’s impact on their overall health and ability to perform in school. Nearly 5.5 million seniors over age 60 are food insecure, with many who live on fixed incomes often too embarrassed to ask for help.
Our food drive’s timing is crucial. Food banks and pantries often receive the majority of their donations during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons. By springtime, many pantries are depleted, entering the summer low on supplies at a time when many school breakfast and lunch programs are not available to children in need.
Participating in this year’s Letter Carrier Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is simple. Just leave nonperishable food donations in a bag by your mailbox Saturday, May 11, and your letter carrier will do the rest.
Nonperishable food items include unopened, nonbreakable containers, such as peanut butter, pasta, tuna, rice, beans, canned meats, fruits, vegetables and soups. With your help, letter carriers and the U.S. Postal Service have collected over 1.9 billion pounds of food in the United States over the 30 years as a national food drive. Please help in the fight to Stamp Out Hunger.
Source: Coordinator’s Manual, National Association of Letter Carriers, Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive https://www.nalc.org/community-service/food-drive/ body/2024-NALC_Food_Drive_Manual-online.pdf
Volunteer Drivers Needed
We live in a generous community, so much so that many of the letter carrier trucks overflow with food. In order to assist with this situation, the Volunteer Center of the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades counties will be coordinating volunteers to assist with driving a carrier route and helping pick up food.
Volunteers will have a choice of four driving routes and two different shifts. All routes have a first shift of 11 a.m. to 2
p.m. For the remaining three routes volunteers will have a choice of two shifts.
• Six Mile (one shift – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
• Page Field (two shifts – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.)
• Cape Central (two shifts – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.)
• Cape North (two shifts – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.)
Volunteer driver routes will start later in the morning to coincide with residents placing their food at mailboxes and the peak times when mail carriers are on their routes. The second shift will collect items from residents who put out their donations later.
Any driver signing up is encouraged (not required) to have a driving buddy. However this volunteer opportunity works best when volunteers team up in pairs, a driver and a navigator.
To sign up to volunteer please visit https://bit.ly/3PQ3dlG
History Of The Letter Carrier Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive
Letter carriers, who go into neighborhoods in every town six days a week, have always gotten involved when something needs to be done. Whether it is collecting funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA); watching over the elderly through the Carrier Alert Program; delivering needed antibiotics (if called upon); assisting victims of natural disasters, or rescuing victims of fires, crime, and other mishaps, letter carriers are the eyes and ears in every neighborhood and often lifesavers in the community.
Over history, a number of branches collected food for those in need as part of their community service effort. Discussions were held by the NALC, USPS, and AFL-CIO to explore a more coordinated effort. A pilot drive was held in October 1991. It proved so successful, the parties worked to make it a nationwide effort. Food banks and pantries suggested that late spring would be the best time for the drive, since most of their food donations are received over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday periods, leaving the food shelves depleted by spring. Making matters even Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on page 5
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center 2024 Fort Myers Film Festival
May 22 To 26, Grand Atrium
Southwest Florida’s Cinematic Celebration: Fort Myers Film Festival Set To Dazzle Audiences In 14th Year, Benefit Multiple Nonprofits
The Fort Myers Film Festival’s 14th annual soiree is set to take place from May 22 to 26 in and around Southwest Florida at venues including the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (SBDAC), IMAG, Alliance for the Arts, BIG ARTS, Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, Luminary Hotel and more.
The film Hellbent on Boogie will kick off this year’s festivities at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center with a star-studded red carpet rollout reception on Wednesday, May 22. The event will include high fashion, drinks, dancing, music and filmmakers attending from around the world.
May 12
May 22 –The event will begin with a red carpet opening night and will be celebrated with excitement and style at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center at 7 p.m. Guests will enjoy drinks and treats with an opportunity to meet with the stars of the evening’s film, other filmmakers and event VIPs. The event will provide the delicious foods and beverages. Watch a video of the previous year’s event at www.vimeo. com/552417263.
May 23 to 26 – Then join us for all of the films with official programming at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center and other event centers around town.
May 26 – Finish off the weeklong celebration with an awards ceremony. Join all of the local and international filmmakers as we celebrate the winners of the Fort Myers Film Festival. Champagne and dessert will be shared, short award-winning films will be played and toasts will be deservedly pronounced and after parties will commence.
The Fort Myers Film Festival is an intelligent independent filmmaker’s preferred event to create, unite and showcase the finest artistic cinematic works. The Fort Myers Film Festival is known for world-class swagger and support of local filmmakers. The festival event offers “the most vibrant intellectual and edgy crowd to grace Lee County in decades.” The event has featured hundreds of local filmmakers and is a must attend for cineasts who love indie film and film festivals living in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties. That’s right, Fort Myers has a film festival now, so come out for the excitement! For more information go to www.fortmyersfilmfestival.com or join www.facebook.com/fortmyersfilmfestival for updates and events.
The film Hellbent on Boogie was completely shot in Florida and is directed and produced by Vito Trupiano, executive produced by K.C. Schulberg, and stars Shiloh Fernandez, Emily Tremaine Fernandez, Ryan Ramirez and John Farley. Stars from the event will attend a private reception before the screening and will be present for a Q&A afterward. The night will feature champagne toasts, paparazzi, delicious treats for VIP attendees, and an after party on the roof of the SBDAC with fun, dancing and a night never to forget.
In the opening night film, Ian returns to his small Floridian
hometown to find his sister Quinn all grown up. But when he discovers that their overbearing mother is sheltering Quinn because of her autism, he hatches a plan for them to run away together so that Quinn can pursue her dream of becoming a professional dancer.
The Fort Myers Film Festival will be benefiting several nonprofits this year including Florida Arts Inc., #KindLee, Raddatz Foundation, FODASA and Kimmie’s Recovery Zone.
Fort Myers Film Festival Opening Night Wednesday, May 22 Tickets
• Sipping with the Stars Donor Reception benefitting Florida Arts Inc., Raddatz Foundation, KindLee and FODASA, 5 to 6 p.m., $250
• VIP experience red carpet, beer, wine champagne and movie, 6 to 7 p.m., $100
• Movie only, 7 to 8:30 p.m., $25
About The Fort Myers Film Festival
The Fort Myers Film Festival was founded by Eric Raddatz, the award-winning presentation editor of Florida Weekly, regular contributor for ABC7 and NBC-2 in Fort Myers, as well as host of Fort Myers Film Festival’s indie film show, T.G.I.M. Guests of the Fort Myers Film Festival have two hotel partners this year, The Luminary and The Banyan. To book at The Banyan simply call (239) 337-3446 and use the code “FFF” for the discounted rate from May 17 to 21.
The Fort Myers Film Festival was awarded the prestigious 2015 Chrysalis Award for Cultural Achievement by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau and the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Inc. at their annual Celebration of Business & Tourism Awards Luncheon and Trade Show at the Harborside Event Center in downtown Fort Myers.
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (SBDAC), 2301 First St., Fort Myers, FL 33901, (239) 333-1933, www.sbdac.com or www. fortmyersfilmfestival.com.
Cinco De Mayo
We celebrate Cinco de Mayo (May 5) based on the misconception that it is the Mexican day of independence. The actual Mexican day of independence is Sept. 16.
Cinco de Mayo was the culmination of the Battle of the Puebla, which occurred when the grossly outnumbered Mexican army defeated the French on May 5, 1862 in the city of Puebla. Then Mexican president Benito Juárez had cancelled the debt repayments owed to several European countries in order to protect the fragile Mexican economy. In retaliation Napoleon III brought his army to overthrow the Mexican government.
Had Mexico not been the victor in this battle, the French would have continued their march north where they most
likely would have taken the side of the Confederacy in the U.S. Civil War.
Despite the fact that Mexico was later defeated by the French, the battle in Puebla sent a powerful message that the new Mexican government was a formidable opponent. President Juárez declared May 5 a national holiday.
During the 1980s and ’90s the commercialization of May 5 was created sparked by the growing Chicano movement in the mid-20th century.
Currently, some celebrate Cinco de Mayo as a commemoration of the Mexican culture. Some Mexican-Americans have mixed feelings. And some use it as an excuse to party.
However you decide to acknowledge this holiday, knowing the history can provide recognition of our complicated past.
Source: Americans might love cinco de mayo, but few know what they’re celebrating (July 2019), www.theconversation. com/americans-might-love-cinco-de-mayo-but-few-knowwhat-theyre-celebrating-115780
Property is MOVING! New Inventory for May Flowers!
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive from page 1
worse for many, school breakfast and lunch programs are not available during the summer, placing an even greater responsibility on local food pantries and food shelves.
A revamped drive was organized for the second Saturday in May 1993, with a goal of at least one NALC local branch participating in each of the 50 states. The results were astounding. Over 11 million pounds of food were collected by over 220 union branches – a one-day record in the United States. From Alaska to Florida and Maine to Hawaii, letter carriers did double duty by delivering the mail and picking up donations. In 2022, we celebrated the return of the in-person food drive which was our 30th annual Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger food drive. Our branches have collected a total of approximately 1.9 billion pounds of food over the history of the drive – an awesome achievement.
Each year, groups, businesses and organizations join the NALC at the local, regional, and national levels, to help grow a campaign of hunger awareness and community action in conducting this one-day, record making food drive. From the beginning, at the national level, we have had the steadfast support of the USPS, United Way and AFL-CIO. United Food and Commercial Workers union (UFCW) is the national premiere partner, adding the largest food union in the country to our efforts. Locally, the Letter Carrier Stamp Out Hunger food drive enjoys partnerships with many church and faith groups, Rotary and Lions Clubs, grocers and youth groups and those who work to provide help and hope to those in need.
We look forward to another awesome year, as we continue our fight to Stamp Out Hunger!
Source: Coordinator’s Manual, National Association of Letter Carriers, Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Day FAQS
What Is Special About Nonperishable Food?
Nonperishable foods, such as canned goods and dried fruit, have a long shelf life and don’t require refrigeration to keep them from spoiling.
What Percentage Of Americans Use Food Banks? One in seven people in our nation utilizes our network of food banks.
Who Refers You To A Food Bank?
Professionals such as social workers, healthcare practitioners, and doctors must refer people to a food bank for them to receive a voucher that can then be exchanged for food.
For more statistics on food insecurity visit https:// www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/foodinsecurity.
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