Gateway AUG 2026

GATEWAY

Lifestyle

AUGUST 2026

A Look Inside GATEWAY WOMEN’S CLUB

FROM THE DESK OF SHERIFF CARMINE MARCENO

MONTAGE WOMEN’S CLUB

The Club At Gateway THE CLUB AT GATEWAY INVITES THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT UPCOMING BLOOD DRIVES The Club at Gateway is proud to partner with the Lee Health Blood Mobile to help make a difference in our community—one blood donation at a time.

Every blood donation can help save lives, and because blood cannot be manufactured, volunteer donors are always needed. Eligible donors can give whole blood every 56 days, making it easy to become a regular lifesaver.

patients throughout Southwest Florida when they need it most.

To make an appointment for an upcoming blood drive at The Club at Gateway, please call Angie at 239-561-1036.

Together, we can make a lasting impact right here in our community.

While The Club at Gateway is grateful for the continued support of its members, you do not have to be a member to donate blood.

Blood drives held at the Club are open to the community, and we warmly encourage Gateway residents, neighbors, friends, and local businesses to get involved.

Donations often slow down during the summer months, but the need for blood remains constant. Your generosity can help ensure lifesaving blood is available for

IMPORTANT NOTICE! Please submit all articles, photos, announcements and events for Gateway Lifestyle to lee@seabreezecommunications.com by the 4th of the month preceding the month of publication.

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August 2026

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RACQUET NEWS BEAT THE HEAT Beating the humid heat of Southwest Florida requires an aggressive, multi-layered approach to hydration, gear, and strategic play. Unlike dry climates where sweat evaporates to cool you down, the dense humidity of Fort Myers prevents sweat from evaporating efficiently. This traps heat against your body, spiking your core temperature and accelerating fatigue on the tennis or pickleball court. Safely managing this oppressive environment requires a specialized survival plan.

Travis Raque Director of Racquets at The Club at Gateway

The Southwest Florida Hydration Protocol In high humidity, relying purely on water can dilute your blood and lead to hyponatremia. Your hydration plan must actively replace lost sodium and minerals.

• Pre-load electrolytes: Drink an electrolyte-rich beverage the night before and two hours before hitting the courts.

• Double up your fluids: Bring two separate insulated flasks—one filled with ice water and the other with a dedicated electrolyte sports drink.

• Sip on changeovers: Take three to four large swallows of fluids at every single side switch, alternating between water and your electrolyte drink.

• Avoid diuretics: Skip the pre-match iced coffee or energy drinks, as caffeine accelerates dehydration in tropical climates.

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Humidity-Specific Gear Adjustments Standard summer workout gear will quickly become heavy and saturated when playing in Florida’s heavy air.

• Pack three shirts: Bring multiple lightweight, moisture-wicking synthetic shirts to swap out after every set or game rotation.

• Wear a mesh visor: Choose a highly ventilated mesh visor over a structured hat to allow heat to escape from the crown of your head.

• Deploy wristbands: Wear extra-wide wristbands to catch sweat before it runs down your arm and ruins your racquet or paddle grip.

• Use tacky overgrips: Swap standard grips for high-tack, perforated overgrips, or use liquid chalk to combat sweaty hands.

Aggressive On-Court Cooling When the heat index climbs past 100°F (38°C), you must use your rest periods to actively lower your core temperature.

• The “ice towel” method: Pack an insulated cooler with ice, water, and small towels. Wrap a freezing-cold towel around your neck and throat during every changeover.

• Ice in your hands: Hold ice cubes or cold bottles against your palms and inside wrists during breaks to rapidly cool blood moving back to your heart.

• Seek the breeze: Walk to the side of the court that catches any moving gulf breeze during short breaks, and stand rather than sitting on sun-baked plastic benches.

Tactical Play for Tropical Climates Playing long, grinding baseline rallies in Florida’s midday sun is a recipe for heat exhaustion. You must adjust your style of play to conserve energy.

• Shorten the points: Play aggressively by coming to the net early in tennis, or utilizing fast, decisive kitchen play in pickleball to avoid grueling endurance rallies.

• Emphasize placement over power: Let the humidity slow the ball down naturally,

and focus on deep, accurate placement that forces your opponent to do the running.

• Play the clock: Avoid the brutal midday sun entirely. Schedule your matches before 9:00 AM or after 6:30 PM, preferably on courts equipped with windscreens that offer shade.

Red Flags: Know When to Walk Away The competitive drive in racquet sports can mask dangerous symptoms. Stop playing immediately if you experience heavy sweating paired with dizziness, muscle cramps, goosebumps in the heat, or sudden nausea.

No local ladder match or recreational pickleball game is worth a trip to the emergency room.

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GOLF NEWS As we head into August, I hope you’re finding time to enjoy Gyles Robin the game despite Director of Golf at the Florida heat.

The Club at Gateway While summer brings warmer temperatures, it also offers some of the best opportunities to play at a more relaxed pace, improve your game, and take advantage of seasonal golf conditions.

SUMMER PLAYING TIPS

• Stay hydrated before, during, and after your round.

• Take advantage of early morning tee times for cooler temperatures.

• Focus on your short game—just 20 minutes of practice around the green can make a noticeable difference in your scores.

INSTRUCTION SPOTLIGHT

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to shave a few strokes off your handicap, now is a great time to work on your game. Private lessons and on-course coaching are available, with personalized instruction tailored to your goals.

The Club at Gateway Performance Center has enhanced our ability to fit members and guests for the clubs they need, and has given us the opportunity to teach at a higher level with video analysis via Trackman. Even if you are not a

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member please feel to reach out to the golf shop to book a fitting or lesson with one our Golf Professionals.

LOOKING AHEAD

As we move toward the fall golf season, now is the perfect time to keep your swing sharp and be ready for the return of cooler weather. Consistent practice during the summer can make a big difference when tournament and league play picks back up.

GOLF TIP Add distance to your Drives!

Your grip must be in your fingers, not the palm. Your stance should be wide with your feet shoulder-width apart. The plane of your swing must be around your body, with the club coming from the inside for impact. An around-the-body swing is helped by a right-to-left (for righthanded players) weight shift, which in turn creates the release from the inside.

The club coming from the inside to impact creates maximum speed and distance.

Increasing your club head speed starts with the fundamentals - a good grip and a good posture. Once you are set up for success, it is easier for your body motion to move

freely behind the ball in the backswing, and into the ball on the way through. To make this easier, keep your head behind the ball to promote you swinging up on the ball.

A great drill is to swing a golf club three feet off the ground (sort of a baseball-type swing, but using your golf grip and posture). This will help you feel the right swing plane and release through impact.

Another great thought is to swing towards the bottom left side of the ball for right-handed players and the bottom right side of the ball for left-handed players.

Feel free to reach out to any of the golf pros here at the club for lessons to help you hit it farther!

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KRISSY BLIZZARD Director of Fitness at The Club at Gateway

NUTRITION & FITNESS TIPS FIVE FITNESS FALLACIES

When it comes to nutrition and fitness, there is no shortage of advice—but not all of it is accurate. This month, Krissy is clearing up a few common fitness fallacies to help you make smart, healthy choices.

• Carbohydrates make you gain weight.

No single nutrient makes anyone gain weight; the only thing that can make you gain weight is excess calories.

• Fat makes you gain weight.

While fat may contribute to heart disease and high cholesterol, it alone does not make you gain weight. Everything in moderation.

• If you eat late at night, you will gain weight.

Again, we are under the misconception that we have an internal clock and that it matters what time or what we eat. We do not, and it does not. Calories! Calories! Calories!

• If working out 3 times per week gives you great results, then working out 4 times per week will yield even greater results.

This is a very common misconception. While

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3 days in the instance yields good results, remember that you are not making progress while you are in the gym, but rather while you are resting, so by adding days, you are taking away the days when you are making progress.

Let me explain: when we work out, we break down muscle; when we are at rest, we heal and rebuild stronger muscle. Without the rest, we will just keep breaking down until WE break down!

• You have a maximum target heart rate that you should try to reach each time you exercise.

While we can determine a good target heart rate for any individual, I believe each person should take into account how they feel. If your target heart rate is 150 bpm and Monday afternoon you are at 155 bpm, and you feel great, that does not mean that Wednesday afternoon, when you are at 135 bpm, and you are feeling weak, you should blindly push to 150 bpm. Remember, your body will tell you everything you need to know; just listen.

Hope this helps with your fitness journey!

Krissy Blizzard, Fitness Director

August 2026

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Gateway Women’s Club DONNA MARCHETTI, JANICE EATON, FRAN YUNGHER, LAUREL BORGIA, AND LEYNA HOFFER

GATEWAY WOMEN’S CLUB WELCOMED FLORIDA AUTHOR MARTY AMBROSE STEPHANIE MENA

Award-winning Florida author Marty Ambrose captivated Gateway Women’s Club members as she shared the inspiration behind her newest historical novel, The Lost Dresses of Italy. Marty Ambrose admits she has been a writer for most of her life and has always been absorbed by the world of literature.

She teaches English, creative writing, and 19thcentury British literature at Florida Southwestern State College. Ambrose is also a historical fiction and mystery writer. During her nearly fifteen-year professional writing career, she has published eight novels. She believes everyone has a story to tell.

When traveling in Italy, Ambrose was inspired to write her latest novel, The Lost Dresses of Italy. This story is full of intrigue, fashion, art, and passion.

Kirkus Reviews summarized The Lost Dresses of Italy as a story about a 19th-century poet and a 20th-century fashion curator, both creative women, whose MARY AMBROSE WITH CHARLOTTE lives intertwine 10

Gateway Lifestyle

in this mix of fact and fiction.

While this novel’s two engaging storylines take place in different time periods, the similarities between Marianne and Christina enrich both narratives as each woman confronts threats, danger, and violence during her travels.

Marty Ambrose is an awardwinning author. The Lost Dresses of Italy recently won a gold medal for historical fiction with the Florida Writers Association.

Ambrose is also the winner of the 2024 Florida Writers Association Literary Palm Gold Medal in Historical Fiction and runner-up for FWA Best Published Book of the Year. Her new novel, The Secret Diary of Rome will be published by Joffe Books in early fall 2026.

Ambrose commented, “As a writer, I have been committed to passing on my love of literature through my teaching. Truly, it is an inspiration to see my students grasp the meaning of a poem or convey an interpretation of a story through one of their own essays. It gives me a feeling of

being a conduit through which literature moves from one generation to the next. The names and faces may change, but I never forget those moments of thought and reflection in the classroom. And when my students begin to master telling their own stories, I am filled with satisfaction. Writing and teaching are two of the greatest joys in the world.”

AUTHOR AT PODIUM WITH BOOK COVER ON SCREEN

Members left inspired by Marty Ambrose’s passion for literature, history, and storytelling, with a renewed appreciation for the power of a great story.

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BOOK CLUB LAUREL BORGIA

Book Club meets on Tuesday, August 4th at 7:00 PM. Mary Mills will be the hostess with Jan Hartzell as co-hostess. Mary Mills and Kathy Flaherty will be the discussion leaders. Mary’s contact information is located in the Women’s Club Directory. Please contact her if you plan to attend, as gate access is needed.

Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai is a historical fiction novel about the lives of Amerasians (children of Vietnamese mothers and American soldiers)

during and after the Vietnam War, exploring themes of identity, trauma, and forgiveness through the intersecting stories of a Black Amerasian man searching for his parents, two Vietnamese sisters working in a Saigon bar, and a returning American veteran with PTSD. Published in 2023/2024, the book is based on extensive research and real-life stories, aiming to give voice to the “children of the dust” (bụi đời) and challenge stereotypes, showing their resilience and humanity.

Book Club questions or concerns can be directed to Barb Hanlin or Laurel Borgia. Their information is in the directory.

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SHOE DONATIONS FUNDRAISING EFFORT CONTINUES ANOTHER YEAR! The Gateway Women’s Club will once again be collecting new and gently used shoes.

Donations may include any type of footwear, including flip-flops, sandals, boots, tennis shoes, dress shoes, Crocs, and more. We welcome men’s, women’s, children’s, toddler, and baby shoes.

SIT AND STITCH KATHRYN FABISIAK

The next Sit and Stitch meeting will be hosted by Robin Beatty on August 10th, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Please call or email her for gate access. Robin’s information is in the directory. The group includes many GWC members working on different projects.

The members continue to work on projects for hospice and scarves for college-attending students who were in foster care. Any GWC member is welcome to join.

Collection boxes have been placed throughout the Gateway community for your convenience. You can drop off your donations at SanibelCaptiva Bank, Hampton Park, or The Club at Gateway. You may also call Charlotte Stewart at 239-340-1354 to arrange for pickup.

Once collected, the shoes will be distributed to developing countries, where they help individuals become entrepreneurs and support their families. Proceeds from the program will also benefit the Gateway Women’s Club charities.

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DINING OUT SUSAN ROBERTS

The Gateway Women’s Club Dining Out group recently enjoyed a fiesta of a time at Clase Azul at Gulf Coast Town Center. We had a “Mexcellent” night out with good friends, big plates, and bottomless laughs!

From the moment we arrived, the margaritas and the conversations were flowing and the tone for a festive and lively evening was set.

When the food arrived, our jaws dropped. The portions were generous and the burritos were literally as big as our heads! The table was a colorful fiesta of sizzling fajitas, crispy flautas,

JOANN & STEPHEN MONTALBANO

Gateway Lifestyle

DEBRA ROGGOW, MARIA BEACHAM, AND ELEANOR STUART

BOB & CONNIE ROESSLER

ARNOLD BARR, MARK POLZER, AND NORMA BARR 14

piled-high taco salads, and perfectly sauced enchiladas and tacos. Nobody left hungry, though a few of us might have needed a siesta afterward!

LOUIS SMITH & DEBRA ROGGOW

ELEANOR STUART AND PAM THOMAS

JOYCE & RICH MULLIKIN

CHARLENE GERA AND JOYCE MULLIKIN

DOROTHY & KEN FREDA

Handling a group of our size is no small feat, but the Clase Azul team executed it flawlessly. From the warm welcome by the hostess to our fantastic waitstaff, the service was incredibly prompt, smooth, and seamless. Even the kitchen staff deserves a massive shout-out—dishes came out hot, fresh, and perfectly timed, keeping our big party perfectly happy.

BILL & DEBBIE WOOD, AND SUSAN ROBERTS

But, the absolute best part of the evening was the chance to connect, catch up, and celebrate the wonderful community we share. After all, life is always a little sweeter, and a lot more fun, when you’re building lifelong friendships, one great meal at a time!

A huge thank you to everyone who came out and made the night so special. And a tip of the sombrero to the entire staff at Clase Azul for taking such wonderful care of us.

Until our next dining adventure, keep your spirits high and your salsa spicy!

DOROTHY FREDA, NORMA BARR AND KEN FREDA August 2026

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CHARITABLE GIVING DIANE SARSFIELD & STEPHANIE MENA

For the past 3 years, the Gateway Women’s Club has awarded a $2,500 scholarship to a female student at Gateway High School.

This past year, the Women’s Club was able to award two $2,500 scholarships due to robust fundraising efforts. The scholarship program was initiated three years ago as a way to support young women in Gateway.

The scholarship program is open to all female applicants who reside in Lee County and are students at Gateway High School for both junior and senior years and are U.S. citizens. The applicants must be accepted for enrollment as a full-time student in an accredited college, university, vocational, technical or trade school, and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5. Additionally, applicants must write a 500-750 word essay on select topics, include one reference letter from a teacher and a second letter from a nonrelated community member.

CHARLOTTE AND CRYSTALL AT PODIUM

Members were also pleased to meet the winner of the 2026 Gateway Women’s Club Scholarship, Crystall Triguero-Casanola.

As a student at Gateway High School, Crystall demonstrated a consistent record of outstanding dedication and drive throughout her high school career. Her academic achievements are exceptional.

said, ‘Since I was 6, I was asked what I wanted to do when I grew up. I loved this question because I always had an answer.

My answer hasn’t changed for 12 years.

I aspire to pursue a career in medicine, and eventually establish and lead my own practice. To me, medicine means lifelong learning for others to entrust you with their lives. While science and technology continue to advance and change, physicians need to adapt while keeping one thing constant: personability and humility. I am drawn to this path not only because of my interest in human sciences, but also because it allows me to combine my compassion with leadership.’

An original essay is required of all scholarship applicants. In her essay, Crystall

‘My leadership and initiative in DECA built a foundation of entrepreneurship

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and business administration. I developed a passion for leading a team while simultaneously aiding my knowledge by competing in business environments. These competitions taught me entrepreneurial thinking, planning, financial literacy, and most importantly effective communication.

I quickly adopted these skills which led me to competing at the international level and meeting students from the whole world.

DECA has taught me to identify problems, find the best solution, and work under pressure. All skills that are essential both in medicine and life in general.’

All members of the Women’s Club congratulate Olivia and Crystall and wish them continued success in their educational programs.

The Gateway Women’s Club Scholarship Committee had to choose only two scholarship winners from all the applications received. Olivia Mason (highlighted in Lifestyles last month) and Crystall Triguero-Casanola are outstanding scholarship recipients.

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SPECIAL EVENTS KATHY FLAHERTY

On Saturday, June 27th, over 30 GWC members, family, and friends attended the Jersey Beat show at Cape Cabaret in Cape Coral. Everyone enjoyed the great food and drink. They enjoyed dancing to different songs and had a great time.

The GWC will be returning to Cape Cabaret on Thursday, July 30th, for the Queen tribute.

Here are the specifics: The Queen Tribute Show at Cape Cabaret on Thursday, July 30th, from 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM. There is a $25.00 cover charge with a minimum purchase of $10 per person. If you are a member of the GWC, please reach out to Kathy to be part of the event!

Contact Kathy. Her info is in the GWC Directory.

BRIDGE LAUREL BORGIA

Bridge 101 meets on Tuesday, August 4th and Tuesday, August 18th at 9:45 AM at the Hampton Park Amenity Center. There is no fee. Anyone who wants to learn or enjoys playing bridge is welcome. This is a low-key, fun-loving group!

Contact: Susie Kravetz (her info is in the directory). Email or call her if you are attending so she can give your name to the gate.

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Whispers Of God… DR. MARK P. GONZALES, SOUL CARE CONSULTANT/CHAPLAIN, ABWE GLOBAL MISSION AGENCY

BREATHABLE MARGINS While every summer is supposed to be a restful break, for most of us it gets as busy as the rest of the year—just different, right? And as the school year kicks off this month, it’s already time to buckle up and get into gear for the next nine- or ten-month cycle of frenetic chaos! Especially in the context of so much activity, scheduling, responsibility, pressure, and busyness – in addition to the emotionally draining challenges and controversies over tons of issues in our lives and culture.

So, yeah. Right. Okay. Mount up. Lock and load.

Sound the trumpets! Tallyho! Charge!!!!!

(Oh man, do I have to? Uggg.)

I know the feeling, my friend. But wait. There’s hope.

There are ways to navigate all this. And the first way is to realize, admit, and embrace the reality that: Our hearts simply need more breaks; we just don’t take them, right?

(That’s the admission part)

Like wider margins in our totally jammed do lists, vision boards, frantic schedules, or guilt-driven expectations. I love the classic adage that says we tend to overestimate what we can do in a day and underestimate what we can do in a week. The same can be said for a week and a month...and for a month and a year.

So, there is plenty of space for wider margins throughout the year. Really.

Like breathing space from suffocating social media, news streams, and excessive projects, events, and obligations. Maybe our need to feel socially and globally informed is hugely overrated. Those feeds are usually exaggerated, misleading, and just plain wrong anyway. And maybe our activities can be transformed from a lung burning race to a fresh air stroll.

As a side note, one of our sons- who is a fitness and health trainer- tells me walking for forty minutes or so is way better than running or jogging. Wow! Great for our bodies, and our lives.

Like white space in our cluttered view of life. Gifted graphic designers instinctively know that the value of white space in an ad or cover is as important as the fonts, photos, and graphics. Edge to edge content is abrasive graffiti on paper, on screen, and in our brains. Do some

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to take in the beauty of nature and the wonder of wildlife. It’s amazing what a literal panoramic view can do for our souls and mental health.

So, there it is, my friend. A gentle reminder and several ways to give yourself a break, a real break… regularly…deeply…gently… and gratefully. Life is too short to let mind numbing graffiti strangle your tender heart.

Busyness is not a badge of honor or proof of our importance and value in this life.

It is toxic. light reading, laugh more, and take regular breaks from the mind-bending obligations of real life. One of my mentors put it this way: Divert daily.

Withdraw weekly.

Abandon annually.

In my world that would be a daily quiet time with the Lord, a weekly time of worship with a church family, and an annual getaway to let Him debrief the past year and prepare me for the new one.

It poisons hearts, steals peace, and rips relationships—every day that we give in to it. So don’t be seduced. Say NO and breathe more – daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. Ahhhhh…

Breathing in wider margins with you, Pastor Mark Articles, videos & podcasts: markpg.org Write & share at mark@quillpress.org.

Hear me every Sat., 8 a.m. on 91.5 FM.

Like panoramic views of the in-our-face challenges that all of us are confronted with throughout the year. Take a few big steps away from the fray to talk to a pastor, counselor, therapist, and trusted friends and family to help you get perspective on a longer timeline for those things. And literally get away from it all for a few days August 2026

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Crossword Puzzle ACROSS 1. Unable to hear 5. Fixed gaze 10. Big party 14. Mine entrance 15. Sea eagles 16. Put ____ words 17. Inflammation of body tissue 19. Wildebeests 20. An uncle 21. Featureless 60. Plateau 22. Rock 61. Countercurrent 23. Burdened (with) 62. Donkeys 25. Storehouse 63. Pretentious 27. What we breathe 28. Mind reader 31. Brute DOWN 34. Great fear 1. Freshwater fishes 35. Anagram of “eat” 2. Swelling 36. Carve in stone 3. Was laid up 37. Long for 4. Faster Than Light 38. Net 5. Vendor 39. East northeast 6. Threesome 40. Haven 7. Against 41. Noodles 8. Caribou 9. S 42. Side-by-side 10. Circus 44. Tavern 11. Footnotes 45. Mass of prickly plants 12. Render senseless 46. Cuckoo 13. Tube 50. Muse of poetry 18. Illuminated from below 52. Brusque 22. Didn’t dillydally 54. Excluding 24. Short run 55. Fretted instrument 26. Distinctive flair 56. Lawmaker 28. Hiker’s path 58. Fortune teller 29. Exam 59. Wear away

30. Laugh 31. Toot 32. Europe’s highest volcano 33. Embittered 34. Defectors 37. Harvard rival 38. Grade 40. Hodgepodge 41. Committee 43. Blood vessel 44. Supervisors 46. Wife-to-be 47. Go inside 48. Settle down for the night 49. Drift 50. Apart from this 51. Lamented 53. Freudian topics 56. Grassland 57. American Medical Association

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Consumer Alerts BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT IMPERSONATORS GO AFTER OLDER ADULTS’ LIFE SAVINGS Scammers posing as government agencies or well-known businesses are increasingly going after retirees’ life savings. They weave a web of lies about some bogus crisis. Then they trick older adults into giving them tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The scams start with lies designed to create a sense of urgency and fear.

• Lie #1: Someone is using your accounts.

Scammers pretend to be a bank employee with a warning about suspicious account activity.

Or claim to be an Amazon rep following up on potentially fraudulent purchases.

• Lie #2: Your information is being used to commit crimes. Scammers might say they’re with the government and tell their target that their Social Security number is linked to serious crimes.

• Lie #3: There’s a security problem with your computer. This lie might start with a computer security alert that warns of a hacked computer with a phone number to call for help.

Once they’ve convinced their mark that this crisis is real, they make empty promises and offer fake “help.” They say the only way to get out of the situation is to follow their very specific instructions—which always involve moving money. They tell their target that doing so will protect the money in their accounts or clear their name. Some say they’re helping catch the “real” criminals.

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BCP STAFF

A new FTC data spotlight report, False alarm, real scam: how scammers are stealing older adults’ life savings, shows that reports of losses to business and government imposters filed by older adults (60+) are soaring.

Many reported losing tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars. In fact, reported losses of over $100,000 increased nearly sevenfold from 2020 to 2024.

How can you protect yourself from a business or government imposter scam?

• Never transfer or send money to anyone in response to an unexpected call or message.

Even if they claim you’re moving your money to “protect it.”

• Talk about it with someone you trust.

Especially if the stranger on the phone says it’s serious, involves a crime, or claims to be from the government.

• If you think the message could be real, verify the story. Contact the organization in question using a phone number, website, or email address you know is real. Don’t use the contact information in the unexpected message.

Government agencies will never threaten you, and they’ll never tell you to transfer your money to “protect it,” deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs, or hand off stacks of cash or gold to a courier. That’s a scam. Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

For more advice, check out How To Avoid Imposter Scams.

Montage Women’s Club The Montage Women’s Club is a social and philanthropic club open to all women residing in Lee County.

We normally meet on the fourth Thursday of each month. Our August meeting will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn (Captiva Ballroom), 12600 University Drive, Fort Myers 33908, corner of College Parkway at the Summerlin Road overpass.

Meetings begin at 11:30 a.m. with a short social period followed by lunch at noon followed by an informative speaker program and a short business meeting. Within the organization are various interest groups for members’ participation.

Membership is open to both yearround and seasonal residents. We welcome you to visit Montage for a luncheon.

with broccoli, onion and Julian carrots over white rice followed by fresh fruit.

If you would like to attend a Montage meeting, need further information, or would like to make a reservation, please call Rita Artwohl at (239) 703-7787. Reservations cutoff to attend this meeting is noon, Thursday, August 20.

Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, August 27, 2026. There will be an informative speaker that is not yet identified. Luncheon fee is $30.00 per person. The regular menu will be Asian beef stir fry (thinly sliced beef with broccoli, onion, mushroom and Julian carrots) over white rice with key lime pie for dessert. The vegan/plant-based menu will be a large diced portobello mushroom marinated in soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, black pepper and smoked paprika August 2026

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From The Desk Of Sheriff Carmine Marceno Dear Lee County Families, Students, Educators, and Community Members, As another school year begins, I want to extend my best wishes to every student, teacher, administrator, and parent across Lee County. The first day of school is an exciting time filled with new opportunities, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring that every child has a safe and secure learning environment from the moment they leave home until they return each afternoon.

School safety remains one of our highest priorities. Our deputies work year-round to prepare for the start of each school year, partnering closely with the School District, school administrators, and community stakeholders to provide a comprehensive approach to campus security.

Our dedicated School Resource Officers (SROs) are more than law enforcement officers—they are mentors, protectors, and trusted members of each school community. Every public school campus in Lee County is staffed with a highly trained deputy whose mission is to build positive relationships while remaining prepared to respond immediately to any emergency.

The Sheriff’s Office also maintains a specialized School Threat Enforcement Team (STET) that investigates every reported school threat 26

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thoroughly and without exception.

Whether a threat is made in person, online, through social media, or as a joke, we will investigate it. Threats against our schools are taken seriously, and individuals who make them will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. There is no such thing as “just a joke” when it comes to the safety of our children.

Transportation safety is another critical component of our mission. Through our Bus Patrol initiative, we work alongside Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin and her incredible team at the School District of Lee County, to educate motorists and enforce traffic laws designed to protect students entering and exiting school buses. Drivers must remain alert, eliminate distractions, and always stop for school buses displaying a stop arm and flashing red lights. These laws exist for one reason, to save lives.

Parents also play an essential role in keeping our schools safe. I encourage you to have ongoing conversations with your children about responsible social media use, reporting suspicious behavior, and speaking up if they see or hear something concerning. If you see something, say something. Prompt reporting allows law enforcement to investigate concerns before they become emergencies.

As students return to school, I also ask every driver to slow down in school zones, obey crossing guards, watch carefully for children walking or riding bicycles, and exercise patience during morning and afternoon traffic. A few extra moments of caution can make all the difference.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to providing the highest level of service and protection to our schools and our community. Together, through vigilance, partnership, and shared responsibility, we can ensure that every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed in a safe environment.

continued support. We wish everyone a safe, successful, and rewarding school year.

Stay safe, and God bless.

Sheriff Carmine Marceno Lee County Sheriff’s Office

On behalf of the men and women of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, thank you for your

Finding Resources For Older Adults To help the growing numbers of older adults who have questions or need support, the Eldercare Locator stands ready to connect people with nearby aging resources available in their communities. Older adults, concerned family members, caregivers and professionals can contact the Eldercare Locator to find information about local aging programs and services that can help address a variety of needs during this national health crisis.

One call to the Eldercare Locator at (800) 677-1116, or a visit to the website at eldercare.acl.gov, can connect you to aging

services that can help ensure that older adults can continue to live safely at home.

For more than 20 years, the Eldercare Locator has connected older adults, caregivers and the professionals who work with them to local programs that can help meet their needs.

The Eldercare Locator is a free public service of the U.S. Administration for Community Living and is administered by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Find the Eldercare Locator online at eldercare.acl.gov or at (800) 677-1116.

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Continental Women’s Club The Continental Women’s Club will hold its monthly luncheon meeting on Thursday, September 3rd, at 11:30 a.m. Our September program has been rescheduled from August and will feature a representative from AAA Travel.

The meetings are being held at The Hideaway Country Club, 5670 Trailwinds Drive, Fort Myers 33907. The cost to attend the luncheon is $28. Please call Liz Paul at (239) 691-7561

by Tuesday, August 25th for meal selection and to make a reservation.

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Gateway Lifestyle

Continental Women’s Club is a social, cultural, and philanthropic organization established in 1975, with membership 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 throughout the month and the year. In addition, we contribute to many local charities and award two scholarships each year to senior high school girls who plan on furthering their education.

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