The Forest Matters
FPOA President’s Update
About a third of the calls and emails I receive evince a misunderstanding of the governance of our community. The Forest Property Owners Association (FPOA) is the master association responsible for the infrastructure and services needed for all residents to enjoy their homes and prosper in their lives. Our community contains 14 separate and independent associations and four groups of single-family homes. Each of the associations has their own Board of Directors and president along with a representative on the master association Board of Directors. These entities are also responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of their buildings and surroundings. This responsibility is the same for each homeowner in the four phases of standalone homes.
Our community surrounds The Forest Country Club. Whether a member or not, it is a fact we are all involved in the operation of this institution in that all of our home values are affected by its success.
The U.S. Post Office has requested all foliage surrounding the mailboxes in our community be trimmed regularly so navigating to them is safe and no accidents happen because of their being obscured.
All of our canine pets must be on leashes when outside on your property or being walked on a sidewalk by you or a sitter. We have had incidents of dogs biting other dogs and residents. We have also had occasions where residents or guests not familiar with, or used to dogs, are being frightened by a pet which may only have the intention of just being friendly.
The Forest operating budget for 2024 has been approved by our Board of Directors. Invoices for the annual assessment will be mailed out in November or early December. The due date for payment is Jan. 1, 2024. The late payment date when late fees will be charged is Jan. 31.
A survey of our roads was taken recently with experts on the
subject of paving needs. It was determined two of our streets need the replacement of their pavement: Forest Boulevard and Bear Cub Court. We are in the process of getting three bids on the work and should have identified a vendor by the October board meeting. The FPOA places in a reserve account funds for this work each year.
Our community has a new vendor for our holiday decorations and lighting. Installation of same will commence in November, and the decorations and lights will be in place and operating by Thanksgiving.
Your Board of Directors will be considering several important issues over the next months. Because of constant intrusions by people attempting to fish our lakes we will decide whether to install a fence along our northern border. Just because someone has a fishing rod in their hand does not assure that person is just here to fish.
Speeding on our roads continues to be a problem. Road striping, the speed calming obstructions, or humps, if you prefer, are connected. The humps in place were never approved by Lee County. Therefore, until they are removed, we cannot obtain a permit for striping. We have received a presentation from a recommended speed control radar photo company. The reports we have obtained from other communities using these devices have been unanimous: Speeding stops.
Each of the separate single-family home phases has their own deed restrictions written and filed with the county. Included in these documents are rules pertaining to the size and placement of a home on its lot. In the past exceptions were provided to these rules. This became evident after the hurricane last year. The FPOA has determined this practice cannot continue mainly because we would be setting precedents we could not support or duplicate for others in the future. Copies of the deed restrictions are available on our website:
2023 Festival Of Trees
Thursday, Nov. 30
Through Sunday, Dec. 3
The 17th Annual Festival of Trees returns to the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (SBDAC)! Experience the beautiful trees decorated by local business to raise money for Goodwill of Southwest Florida and SBDAC. See these gorgeous creations beginning for just $2 per person, beginning on Nov. 30.
View trees, vote, and buy raffle tickets to win a tree!
Raffle tickets: $10; 3 for $25; 10 for $50; 25 for $100. Festival Of Trees Viewing Times
Thursday, Nov. 30 – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 1 – 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 2 – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 3 – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
2023 Festival Of Trees Event Information
Preview Party: Wednesday, Nov. 29, 6 To 8 p.m.
Come be one of the first to see the beautifully decorated trees for the 17th Annual Festival of Trees! You are cordially invited to attend the official Festival of Trees Preview Party on Wednesday, Nov. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Delectable hors d’oeuvres will be served alongside a cash bar. Check out all the goodies under the trees and pick your favorite while enjoying cheery holiday music! Only $50 per person!
Festival Of Trees on page 4
myfpoahome.com. Should this service not be available to you they may be obtained at the main gate office.
Several homes were sold immediately after the hurricane struck last year. Some were sold to investment companies who have shown little interest in their external upkeep. We have methods to have this remedied. If you are aware of a home which is not observing our rules pertaining to appearance, please contact our property manager at the main office: (239) 482-1109. Stay well, Chuck Patten, President, Board of Directors, Forest Property Owners Association
Holiday4Heroes
“We Give Because They Give”
Who Are We?
Holiday4Heroes was founded in 2007 by Jonette Kessack, who owned a postage and wine store.
This grassroots effort was started to fill a need to provide comfort and care to our deployed men and women all over the world. We are a group of team members, volunteers and business owners who had a desire to show our military that we remember them and appreciate their sacrifices for us.
What Do We Do?
What started as a holiday program, our first year sending 40 packages, became a year-round effort. We now send 100 to 200 comfort packages each month to our brave men and women, and 1,000 packages for our holiday mission. We have now sent almost a total of 20,000 packages.
To fill the need at home we have added more programs for our community to serve our in-need and homeless veterans and their families.
Additions To The Mission
In 2019, we started our Backpack for Homeless and In-Need Veterans Program partnering with the VA and various homeless coalitions. Our backpacks are filled with personal care items, high protein snacks and information on where to get help.
In 2020, we began distributing bulk food drops to our in-need veterans and their families through the VA food pantry.
In 2021 our local VA Clinic asked us if we could help fill a need in our community. We were asked if we could provide tents and water filtration bottles for our veterans who are losing their homes during the current housing crisis.
In 2022 we realized that some of our Mission Make Merry Families, sometimes, need a little extra help for emergencies. When funds are available, we provide what we can to help our families get through these difficult times with a little less stress. Please read about some of the things we are doing for our families.
Love the trees and all the presents beneath them? You can’t buy one, but you can try to win one! The first of the raffle tickets will be available to purchase during the Preview Party!
Also come for the one night only silent auction! Winners take their prizes home at the end of the evening. Proceeds go toward programs for SBDAC and Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida.
Wine And Paint: Thursday, Nov. 30, 6 To 9 p.m.
’Tis the season to get creative with one of our favorite local artists, Dharma Lefevre! This talented and quirky elf is going to show you how to create a gorgeous wintery landscape in acrylic. This is not like other paint parties. Dharma will be teaching color theory, how to translate landscapes and simplify what you see to produce scenery with depth and soul!
Dharma is a self-taught local artist; she has had various solo, and group shows and has worked on both charity and live painting for local events … and did we mention she’s a ton of fun! She can’t wait to create alongside of you!
Each artist will be supplied with canvas, paint, paint brushes, and of course … wine.
Tickets: $45
Wreath Lighting Featuring Rosaline: Friday, Dec. 1, 6 To 10 p.m.
Another beautiful holiday tradition bringing Christmas to the River District.
At 7 p.m. join the mayor and Santa as they lead the stroll down First Street to the Art Center to light the giant wreath and pick the winner of the Mayor’s Choice tree at the festival.
Rosaline will be playing from 7:30 to 10 p.m. and is a free concert. Some chairs will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own.
Santa’s Block Party: Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m. To 2 p.m.
Join Santa for fun, food, and holiday festivities! Santa’s Block Party offers workshops including many fun holiday activities for children to enjoy with cookie decorating, a train ride, and many different kinds of arts and crafts. Kids Workshop bags will be available to purchase during the event. $6 a bag.
Several different performances will be happening throughout the day. Touch a Firetruck and hang out with the Fort Myers Fire Department’s mascot, Sparky the Dog! Scoops on First will have their amazing ice cream available for purchase.
Catch A Live Band (To Be Determined): Saturday, Dec. 2, 7:30 To 9:30 p.m.
Come enjoy the free concert on the front steps!
Tree Raffle Drawing: Sunday, Dec. 3, 5 p.m.
Proceeds benefit the Southwest Florida Goodwill Foundation, 5100 Tice St., Fort Myers, FL 33905, and the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center.
Winner selection to be held via random drawing on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. Each Festival of Trees raffle winner will receive one of the fully decorated raffle trees, each valued at a minimum of $500.
Each prize tree will have a separate raffle entry box which corresponds to that prize tree only. Prize selection is determined by the ticket holder by depositing entry ticket in the selected tree’s entry box. Prize selection cannot be changed once raffle entry ticket has been deposited. Prizes are provided by the Southwest Florida Goodwill Foundation and in-kind tree sponsors.
From The Desk Of Sheriff Carmine Marceno
Pedestrian Safety
Our county is growing and, with that growth comes an increase in the number of vehicles, more pedestrians, additional cyclists, and construction to alter, repair and improve roadways.
All of the aforementioned variables are capable of compromising pedestrian safety … especially for children walking to and from school and/or bus stops. As part of my “Safe Kids, Safe Schools” initiative, a safe walk to school, and back home later in the day, is a nonnegotiable component.
Everyone is seemingly rushing to get somewhere … school, work, appointments. All too many of us have our eyes focused on our cellular devices, have headphones/ earphones and are simply not paying appropriate attention to all that is occurring around them.
While most reading this message are adults, we believe that our many years of street crossing and neighborhood walking makes us immune to these types of accidents.
This couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Let’s begin by remaining alert. If there is no sidewalk,
Mission Make Merry
As the mission evolves, Holiday4Heroes supports our military families at home by giving them a Christmas filled with joy and less worries.
Every year we provide a merrier Christmas for local military families, who may be going through some difficult times. These families are recommended to us through the VA. The first year we started with three families. Last year we were able to help 23 families.
Fast forward to 2023, we are currently seeking donations and all the necessary trimmings to help our veterans’ families make their holiday season a little bit brighter.
This year, through the tremendous generosity of our community, we are hoping to be able to include gift certificates for food to help out with Thanksgiving dinner too.
How You Can Help
We are always being asked “what can we buy” or “what do you need.” Each and every donation is needed and appreciated!
There are many ways to help: Attend events, purchase monthly raffle tickets, pick up a box and fill it with supplies, volunteer to help pack boxes, make a monetary donation to
please walk on the left side of the road facing traffic. Walk as far from the roadway as possible and reasonable. Stop signs and red lights do not guarantee that a vehicle will stop. Do not assume that a vehicle will abide by traffic laws/signs. Attempt to make eye contact with the driver and, in an abundance of safety, always yield to oncoming vehicles.
Exit vehicles, whenever possible, from the passenger side. Pedestrians and cyclists should exercise additional caution in areas of road construction as traffic patterns change during the course of the construction and drivers may become confused or disoriented.
Crossing major roadways can be perilous. Vehicles are moving at higher speeds, may have blind spots created by large trucks and, when turning, may not see a pedestrian jutting out from behind a parked vehicle or landscaping. These hazards increase exponentially during the dark of night.
Time spent discussing these matters with school-aged children is time well spent. While they may feel insulted when you broach this subject as they are “grown up” and “know how to cross a street,” please remind them that even adults are susceptible to these sorts of tragedies. “Season” will soon be upon us; more people, more vehicles, more congestion. Let’s all be alert and cautious as we approach the holiday season.
help with costs, become a sponsor, donate gift cards and much more.
If you would like to help, please send your contact information to triciah4h@gmail.com.
Tricia has taken over volunteer services and is an amazing addition to our committee. Packing dates are set and you will be able to sign up in advance!
Visit our website www. holiday4heroes.com for a list of supplies needed and for more information.
Holiday4Heroes, 3990 Wholesale Court, Suite 2, North Fort Myers, FL 33903, www.holiday4heroes.com, holiday4heroes@outlook.com, (239) 677-9923. (We are only open on certain days, please call to see when we are available.)
2023 Festival Of Trees from
Holiday4Heroes from page 1
Catch The Action
November On The Water
By Capt. Bill Russell
This month we combine summer and winter fishing together in Southwest Florida. As cool fronts drop down the state our coastal waters are cooling down. With the change, fish are transitioning from summer to winter patterns. November brings a mix of warm and cool weather.
Fishing for sea trout is a great option as the weather cools, they’re often plentiful and feeding heavily on small baitfish. As we near the end of the month and water temperature continues to drop, shrimp and shrimp-type artificial lures could become the top baits. As we switch to shrimp, pompano catches increase as they feed on crustaceans and mollusks. Small bucktail and pompano-style jigs work great when slowly bounced across a sandy bottom. When under power, if you notice one or several silver fish skip off your wake, it is most likely pompano. Not sure why they do it, but it’s a great way to locate them, and they run in schools. Circle back around and fish the area and you’re often rewarded.
It can be a great month for targeting redfish and snook if it doesn’t get too cold too quickly. Redfish can tolerate a sudden drop in temperature, but snook not so much. Snook are on the move from their summer homes around the beaches and relocating throughout the inshore waters. If it remains relatively warm, they are feeding over inshore flats, oyster bars, shorelines, and sand holes. If it turns cold quickly, they will seek shelter from the cold in protected areas like canals, rivers, and shorelines with deep water. Schools of redfish that
prowled the inshore waters over the last few months move offshore or break up. It’s still possible to run into a school, but most reds will be in pairs or small bunches. Look for reds tailing over shallow flats on the lowest tides and in the same areas as previously mentioned for snook.
For fun and action, mackerel, bluefish, small sharks, ladyfish, and jack crevalle are foraging on bait schools inshore and off the beaches. A short distance offshore bait pods get harassed by both Spanish and king mackerel, plus bonito, and an occasional blackfin tuna. Expect some big sharks and possibly tarpon hanging around the feeding activity as well.
As the month wears on and the water gets cooler, sheepsheads are on the move and make home around structure in nearshore gulf waters and inshore. Fish them inshore along the beaches and passes, and around deeper oyster bars, creeks, and docks or bridges.
Our first run of sheepshead generally shows on nearshore reefs and hard bottom or ledges. Nearshore reefs are a good place to run into everything from tasty snapper to giant goliath
@thefonsecagroupsells.com
grouper. Coordinates for all man-made artificial reefs are available to the public and make a great day trip on a calm day. Some of the most productive reefs are well within sight of land in 30- to 50-foot depths.
As the busy holiday seasons kick in, our weather is often great. On the water is a great way to spend time, avoid the crowds, and catch a fish or two.
Keep up to date with fishing regulations by visiting Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) at www.myfwc.com. Also, upload the Fish Rules app on your phone. It has current regulations with pictures to help identify fish.
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 27 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.”
Alliance For The Arts
Clown Bar By Adam Szymkowicz
Directed By Bill Taylor
Nov. 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 24, 25, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 19 and 26, 2 p.m.
Bar Opens 45 Minutes Prior To Show
Join us for this immersive experience as we transform the Alliance theatre into the Clown Bar (an actual functioning bar!), plunging you into the dark and secret world of these hilarious, yet frightening, gangster clowns.
Happy’s brother Timmy is found dead. Now Happy must return to his former life as a clown to ask a few questions. But will Happy be able to go home again without getting sucked into the seedy clown underbelly of vice and violence?
Alliance For The Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33919, (239) 939-2787, artinlee.org.
