When you need more touch for that fifth shot drop or that angle volley, remember to loosen your grip. This will allow not only for the ball to bounce softly but will help create a little bit of underspin to make your former routine volley an outright winner.
RACQUET SPORTS NEWS
The Club at Gateway just completed our 2025 two-day Tennis and Pickleball “Gee Up” Wellness Bootcamp event over the first weekend of January. We brought in five different racquet and paddle professionals, including a player on the National Pickleball League tour and a touring professional on the Senior Pickleball Pro Tour. It was a smashing success and everyone had so much fun and learned so many new tricks of the trade.
In case you were wondering, the term Gee Up is an old English word meaning to work harder and perform better than thought possible. We used the Gryphon
to represent all the characteristics that we are striving for and they are listed below-
Enhanced flight: Griffins can fly through the air.
Enhanced agility: Griffins are able to go from one movement to another effortlessly.
Enhanced balance: Griffins innately possess extremely well-developed senses of balance. Enhanced flexibility: Griffins are able to effortlessly bend and twist their bodies beyond mortal limits.
Enhanced jump : Griffins are able to achieve rocket-like jumps, while having hassle-free landings.
Enhanced speed: Griffins are able to move at extraordinarily physical speed.
Enhanced stealth: Griffins possess extraordinarily skillful expertise in numerous ways and techniques of stealth.
Enhanced strength : Griffins are able to exert a great amount of strength from their muscles.
Enhanced vision : Griffins possess eyes that can see with amazing clarity, distance, and detail.
Enhanced communication : Griffins are able to communicate with griffins, lions, and eagles.
Thanks to all for the support and participation!
THREE TIPS IF YOU ARE NEW TO EXERCISE
If you are new to exercise, it’s essential to consider a few things before starting a new workout routine.
1. CHECK YOUR HEALTH
It’s important to consult your healthcare provider and get a physical medical examination before starting an exercise routine.
This is particularly important for those new to strenuous and vigorous physical activities.
An early checkup can detect any health problems or conditions that could put you at risk for an injury during exercise.
It can also help you optimize your workout, making it easier for you and your personal trainer, if you choose to work with one, to understand your limitations and create an exercise plan tailored to your particular needs.
2. MAKE A PLAN AND SET REALISTIC
GOALS
Once you decide to start exercising regularly, try to create a plan that includes attainable steps and goals.
One way to do this is to start with a plan of easy steps to follow. Then you can continue building on it as your fitness level improves.
For example, if your goal is to finish a 2-mile run you can start by building a plan that includes shorter runs.
Jennifer Cerulli
Once you can finish those short runs, increase the distance until you can run the whole 2 miles in one session. Starting with small achievable goals will increase your chances of success and keep you motivated every step of the way.
3. MAKE IT A HABIT
Another key component of exercise success is to stick to your routine.
It seems to be easier for people to maintain an exercise routine in the long term if they make it a habit and do it regularly.
All it takes is replacing an unhealthy behavior with a new healthier habit. It is an excellent approach to maintaining it in the long term.
Furthermore, making a schedule or exercising at the same time every day are good ways to sustain your routine and make it last.
For example, you can make exercise a habit by planning to work out right after work every day or first thing in the morning. It’s important to choose a time that works best for you.
Director of Golf at The Club at Gateway
GOLF TIP
WANT TO BE A BETTER CHIPPER?
There are some very important fundamentals when you are chipping. Use these fundamentals while practicing to improve your chipping in minutes.
Choose the club you want to use by imagining the shot you want to hit. If it’s a higher shot you need more loft. If it’s a lower running shot you need less loft. One of the most important parts of chipping is deciding where you want the ball to land. All the best players in the world are looking at the point they want to land the ball because they have decided how they think the ball will roll after it lands.
Make sure you preset your weight 60% on your leg closest to the target at address. If you do this correctly it will lock your lower body so your upper body can control the swing.
With your weight 60% on your leg make sure the end of the grip is pointing at your belt buckle and your ball position is just in front of the middle of your stance. (Your hands should be ahead of the ball). *If you want to hit a lower chip shot you can move the ball back in your stance.
To control the tempo of your swing and therefore the distance of your shots, try and make the club head travel as far back as it does through.
Make sure you accelerate the club through impact (this can be scary for some people). If you have the correct fundamentals this won’t be as scary because you will create spin and ultimately have more control of the golf ball. When these fundamentals are correct you will make the club bounce into the ball and brush the top of the grass.
In this tip I didn’t mention anything about opening stance or adding loft to your club. These are used for
different shots, not a basic chip shot. If you would like to learn more about different types of chip shots and the techniques we use to hit them please contact me at golfpro@gatewaygcc.com or go onto foretees to book a lesson.
GOLF NEWS…
It was great to get all 18 holes open in January and start hosting our major events. We kicked off the opening of our 18 holes with the Bloody Mary Open on January 1st. The event had a full field and was a great way to start the New Year with our new course. We also had a very successful January Member/Member tournament with many new faces competing. We are looking forward to a fun-filled
rest of the season starting in February including our Ladies’ Invitational, Little Green Jug Men’s Guest Day and our Fazio/Whitacre Matchplay knockout tournament.
The Performance Center has been busy with the release of new products from Taylor Made, Callaway, Srixon/ Cleveland, XXIO, Titleist, Cobra and Mizuno. We have been doing many fittings on these new clubs with great success in gaining distance and consistency for our members. Even if you are not a member please feel to reach out to the golf shop to book a fitting with myself or Michael Dodson.
Join us as we embark on an exciting new chapter at The Club at Gateway. Become a member today and experience all that our club has to offer. We can’t wait to see you out on the course!
See you at the club!
Gyles Robin, Director of Golf
THE NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY/CASINO NIGHT AT THE CLUB AT GATEWAY
Gateway Women’s Club
JANICE EATON, LAUREL BORGIA, MARIANNE KOLLASCH AND DONNA MARCHETTI
GATEWAY WOMEN’S CLUB CELEBRATES THE YEAR’S END STEPHANIE MENA
The Gateway Women’s Club motto is: Where friends meet for fun, learning and giving. This motto came to life at the end-of-the-year celebration when the GWC delivered friendship with times to remember, smiles, and prizes to the over 130 attendees. Gifts ranged from gift cards to restaurants within Gateway, centerpieces, poinsettias, roses, handcrafted holiday characters, oil paintings and more.
Charlotte Stewart, president, thanked the members and all of the many committees for their hard work throughout the year making Gateway Women’s Club the success it is. Two new officers were inducted. Linda Steele will serve as Treasurer. Michelle Karnes will serve as Vice President. Both terms run from 2025 to 2027.
Along with laughter and prizes, food always makes it a party. Sarah Yanovich, Food and Beverage Director of The Club at Gateway, presented delightful dining options.
Choice Of Entrée
Shrimp Scampi: Sauteed shrimp with a lemongarlic-butter sauce, Parmesan orzo and roasted asparagus.
Mediterranean Chicken: Grilled chicken breast
OUTGOING GWC OFFICERS: CLAUDIA POLZER, PAST PRESIDENT; ROBIN CONNELLY, VICE PRESIDENT; NORMA BARR, TREASURER
with artichoke-sundried tomato beurre blanc, Parmesan orzo and roasted asparagus.
Eggplant Parmesan: Crispy Pankobreaded eggplant with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese over bowtie pasta
And Don’t Forget Dessert: Italian Limoncello Cake
Gateway Women’s Club offers more than camaraderie for its membership. The
LINDA STEELE, 2025 GWC TREASURER
MICHELLE KARNES, 2025 GWC VICE PRESIDENT
CHARLOTTE STEWART, 2025 GWC PRESIDENT
MEMBERS OF THE HOLIDAY LUNCHEON COMMITTEE: JO IWANSKI, DIANE SARSFIELD, JUDY BICKERSTAFF, YVONNE CRIBBS
MEMBERS OF THE HOLIDAY LUNCHEON COMMITTEE: VIOLA MURPHY, CAROL LUCE, KATHY CRAIG, PAM DWYER
club reaches out to others through the Charitable Giving Committee that awards scholarships to high school seniors, as well as benefiting many local not-for-profit concerns. At each meeting a new speaker presents details about his/her organization. Speakers come from unlimited groups and interests such as FSW Airport to the value of bees to our lives and so much more. The women in this club work tirelessly to share information with one another and come together building lifelong friendships.
LORRINE TOBIN, MEMBER OF THE HOLIDAY LUNCHEON COMMITTEE PICTURED WITH COCHAIRS SUE WOOLFORD AND MARILYN KELLY
BOOK CLUB
BARBARA HANLIN
The GWC Book Club will meet on Tuesday, February 11th at 7 p.m. in the home of Joyce Mullikin with Barb Hanlin as co-hostess. Penny Messerknecht will lead the discussion of First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston, a Reese’s Book Club pick. “This fast paced read has everything you would want in a thriller: secret identities, a mysterious boss and a cat and mouse game that kept me guessing the whole way through.” - Reese Witherspoon
Please RSVP to Joyce Mullikin by February 9th. Her contact information is in the Gateway Women’s Club Directory.
DINING OUT
SUSAN ROBERTS
A night out at Ford’s Garage in Estero magically transformed a mundane Monday for members of Gateway Women’s Club into an evening of fellowship, fun, and flavorful foods. Savoring every bite, the extensive menu at Ford’s Garage presented GWC diners with an array of options ranging from burgers, salads and the infamous French onion soup to salmon, ribs, ribeye steaks, and fish and chips.
The casual yet quirky ambiance of the 1920s service station-
themed restaurant with vintage Ford vehicles, gas pumps, and fixtures provided the backdrop for lively conversation and memorable moments, all served with a side of laughter. Before long, the evening had come to an end, and the GWC group was reminded that time flies when you’re having fun, but our memories last forever.
SUSAN KITE AND CANDIE STEINMAN
JOANN AND STEPHEN MONTALBANO
BOB AND CONNIE ROESSLER
MARK AND CLAUDIA POLZER
RUSSELL AND MARYANN SCHMIDT
SUSAN ROBERTS AND MARIA BEACHAM
JEAN MARTIN, SUSIE KRAVETZ, AND JUDY JONES
NORMA AND ARNOLD BARR
MARK AND JANET COMERFORD, LEE AND DAVID GOBEIL
TOM AND JO IWANSKI, DONNA AND BOB THAYER
BRIDGE
LAUREL BORGIA
Bridge 101 will meet on Tuesday, February 4th, and Tuesday, February 18th at 10 a.m. at the Hampton Park Amenity Center. There is no fee. Anyone who wants to learn or enjoys playing bridge is welcome. The ladies are a lowkey, fun-loving group!
Contact: Susie Kravetz (her information is in the GWC Directory). Email or call her if you are planning to attend so she can give your name at the gate.
GATEWAY GALS ON THE GO
VALERIE EMERSON
December 13th found the Gateway Girls on the Go once again volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. Although they were a smaller group this
time, they accomplished a lot! Walls, ceilings, window trim and the garage were given a fresh new coat of paint just in time for the single mom of six to move in before Christmas. The brand-new house was built in a neighborhood created
by Humanity for Humanity in North Fort Myers. This is the fifth time members have worked with this wonderful group, and it is a rewarding challenge each and every time!
SIT AND STITCH
ELEANOR STUART
The next Sit and Stitch meeting will be hosted by Mickey Lyman on February 10th at 1 p.m. Please contact Mickey if you plan to attend. Her information can be found in the GWC Directory. The group includes many GWC members working on different projects. The
members are still working on projects for Hospice and scarves for college-attending students who were in foster care. Any GWC member is welcome to join.
VALERIE EMERSON, MARY DESILVA, COLLEEN COYER, DIANE SARSFIELD, PRUDI FOURNIER, CHARLOTTE STEWART, ELSIE RIVARD
TAPING THE WINDOWS
PAINTING THE WALLS
SPECIAL EVENT
KATHY FLAHERTY
Members of the Gateway Women’s Club enjoyed another special event. The following people strolled through the Edison/Ford Estates enjoying the beautiful Christmas lights there; Mary Mills, Claudia and Mark Polzer, Norma and Arnold Barr, Helen and Michael Cotner, Eleanor and Randy Stuart, Debra Stephano, Jill Lorfing, Barbara Hanlin, Judy Kading, Kathy and Jeff Fabisiak, Judy and Bob Jones, Sharyl and Richard Tutela, Linda and Frank Graham, Patti Whetstone, Ronnie Hayes, Delphina Pinto and Kathy Flaherty. The lights were spectacular decorating the outside and inside of the homes. The group walked into the Estates under an archway of lights. There were many unique and different decorations throughout the walkway. Santa was even sitting in one of Ford’s old cars. It was wonderful to walk along the Children’s Tree Decoration path. Each tree the children decorated had a theme.
There was a pirate theme, a butterfly theme, a flower theme, and different sea animal themes. What a most enjoyable evening and would enjoy doing it again.
SPECIAL ARTICLE
Membership in Gateway Women’s Club is open to any woman residing in a Gateway community neighborhood, whether a full-time or seasonal resident. Gateway Women’s Club is not affiliated with the Club at Gateway and applicants do not need to be a member of the club to join Gateway Women’s Club. For more information or to obtain an application to join Gateway Women’s Club, please contact Susan Roberts, GWC Membership Chair, at skroberts77@yahoo.com.
LOVE WAVES
Whispers Of God…
DR. MARK P. GONZALES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ROYAL PALM ASSOCIATION OF CHURCHES, SBC
With love becoming a focal point this month on Valentine’s Day as a highlight for some but a lowlight for others, I thought we’d chat a bit about that.
First, I’m sure you’ve noticed that most of us tend to use the word “love” in all kinds of ways with differing meanings and in varying degrees, right? We use it in reference to our favorite foods, desserts, movies, songs, events, sports, cars, books, stories, pets, clothes, jewelry, accessories, and oh yeah, people. And in using it with people, the meaning of love varies in reference to our mate, children, parents, relatives, neighbors, friends and a host of others in general, but also factors in the state of those relationships at any given time. Confusing, right? I mean how do we determine what kind of love is being referenced or offered? Is it . . .
Faithful protection? Loyal support? Enduring partnership? And of course, there are far more expressions of love that you can add to the list.
So, what can we do with all the confusion and misperceptions that our overuse of the word “love” can engender?
Change our vocabulary? Not going to happen. Don’t take the phrases seriously? That would be sad at many levels. Ignore it and build a wall around our fragile hearts to fend off assumptions, expectations, and inevitable disappointments in all things love? Well, self-imposed imprisonment like that is simply tragic. But we all tend to slide into that a bit, don’t we? We just
don’t want to get hurt again. But there’s a better way.
Rather than lament the overuse of the word “love” in all its creative forms, why don’t we just embrace it? Why don’t we just receive and savor the many types of love that are always around us, if we have eyes and hearts to see it— and share it? Maybe see them like the endless waves of the sea, some small, some large, and some huge just waiting to be captured and surfed by any adventurous soul nearby. You know, as I’m writing this, I am liking this metaphor more and more.
Small waves of churning waters and love are gentle, safe and pleasant with very little risk. So,
go ahead and love your food, hobbies, pets, greetings, smiles, courtesies, movies, trips, casual friends and more.
Larger waves of rushing seas and love are fuller, stronger and therefore more impactful. So, keep your balance and love the longer hugs, frequent texts, more invitations, heartfelt gifts, thoughtful notes, offers to help, deeper conversations, wise cautions, and more.
Huge waves of towering surf and love are daunting, majestic, and even frightening. And yet, for the stout of heart, those waves are ready to be the platforms of the most exhilarating and even dangerous
rides this life has to offer. Of course there will be dramatic ups, downs, and crashes into the sea. Of course there will be cuts, bruises, and breaks along the way. It’s okay. That’s surfing. And that’s life. Is it safer on the shore? Sure. Far fewer chances of nausea and injury? Absolutely. But do you really want to live your life sitting on the sand where there is so much more . . . out there?
Be encouraged, my friend. Be brave! Get out there and enjoy every kind and size of love wave you can, especially the huge opportunities of dating, engagement, marriage, parenting, grandparenting, serving others, giving back,
Continental Women’s Club
The Continental Women’s Club will hold its monthly luncheon meeting on Thursday, March 6 at 11:30 a.m. A special celebration is planned as 2025 is our 50th Anniversary year. Our March program will feature a dance presentation by Heart and Soles, a local dance team, who will help us with the celebration. Our very first luncheon meeting was held on March 6, 1975!
Meetings are being held at The Hideaway Country Club, 5670 Trailwinds Drive, Fort Myers 33907. The cost to attend the luncheon is $26. Please call Liz Paul at (239) 691-7561 by Tuesday, February 25 for meal selection and to make a reservation for our March 6 meeting.
Continental Women’s Club is a social, cultural, and philanthropic organization
sharing grief, building up, staying together, pressing on, and living well! Receive the love that God has provided all around you and share as much of it as you possible can. Listen for His whispers. Love and serve each other. After all, surf’s up, and sitting on the s and all the time just sets you up for sunburn!
Riding the waves with you, Pastor Mark
Articles, videos and podcasts: markpg.org. Write and share at mark@quillpress.org. Hear me every Saturday, 8 a.m. on 91.5 FM.
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.
Dozens Of Bestselling Authors Coming To Lee County
Twenty-five acclaimed and bestselling authors are coming to Lee County to talk to fans and sign books at the 26th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 1. The festival takes place at the Fort Myers Regional Library, 2450 First Street, and brings in internationally recognized authors for adults, teens and children to celebrate the power of reading, promote literacy and library services and encourage a communitywide culture of reading for recreation and personal development.
The festival is a daylong event filled with diverse and dynamic author presentations, book signings, lively activities for teens and children, the latest library technology, youth writing award presentations, food trucks and more. Plus, every child and teen attending the event will receive a free book of their choosing, made possible by funding from festival sponsor Suncoast Credit Union.
“Seeing all the excitement centered around reading is such a rewarding experience,” Lee County Library System Director Mindi Simon said.
“Kids have grown up with the annual tradition of attending the Southwest Florida Reading Festival and the Lee County Library System is honored to be part of their literacy journey.”
An Evening with the Authors, the reading festival’s featured fundraiser, takes place Friday evening, Feb. 28. This ticketed event gives attendees a chance to meet and mingle with the authors as part of an unforgettable dining experience at the Burroughs Home and Gardens. The evening also includes a silent auction with proceeds supporting the festival and giving guests the chance to snag spring training baseball game tickets, weekend getaway hotel packages and more. Tickets are available on the festival website, readfest.org.
This year’s impressive lineup brings in festival favorite Debbie Macomber and other stellar adult authors like Reed Farrel Coleman and Lisa Genova. Featured youth authors include Molly Idle and Renée Ahdieh. From mystery and suspense to crime thrillers, fiction, nonfiction, romance, fantasy, humor and memoirs, there will be something for every reader.
The full list of scheduled authors, list of related festival events, directions and more is available on the latest version of the festival’s mobile app “SWFL Reads,” the festival website or by calling (239) 479-4636. Attendees also can sign up for the new festival e-newsletter on the website to receive monthly updates.
BUCKLEY, MARTIN AND CUEVAS
The Southwest Florida Reading Festival is free and communitysupported through generous donations, sponsorships and grants. To help ensure the continuation of this amazing, annual event visit the festival website to make a secure online donation. Funding is provided in part through a Florida Humanities Book Festival Grant with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities and in partnership with Lee County Library System.
To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for
the newsletter here: www.leegov. com/resources/newsletters. Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook. com/leecountyflbocc.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lee County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in its services, programs or activities. To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a reasonable modification to participate, contact Raphaela Morais-
Peroba, (239) 533-8782, Florida Relay Service 711, or rperoba@ leegov.com. Accommodation will be provided at no cost to the requester. Requests should be made at least five business days in advance.
Click here for the complete author list with short biographies.
Special note: There was a lastminute youth author cancellation and Megan McDonald will not be in attendance.
JOE POSNANSKI AT A BOOK SIGNING CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
MARY KAY ANDREWS PRESENTING
LOIS THOME AT STORYTIME
ELISE BRYANT AT A BOOK SIGNING
Catch The Action
CAPT. BILL RUSSELL
FEBRUARY ON THE WATER
Waters around Southwest Florida affords us a choice of fishing opportunities as we move towards the close of winter with spring in sight. While some fish are completing their spawning duties, others are just beginning. February will bring us cold days followed with a warming trend. By the later part of the month, cold days should become less numerous, followed by a rise in water temperature.
The winter run of sheepsheads will peak as the larger fish complete their spawning duties. Sheepshead school around structure with a good tidal flow inshore, around the beaches, and nearshore. They are the one fish that thrive in the cold with the best bite often coming over the coldest days. Sheepshead are one of Florida’s tastiest fish and get a good deal of attention from anglers fishing from boat and land. Public docks, piers, and bridges offer excellent sheepshead fishing for shore bound anglers; however, many were damaged or destroyed from recent hurricanes.
Fishing the same areas inshore and along the beaches plus sandy bar and channel edges is the best way to hook a few pompano. They feed off the bottom and love shrimp. While a live shrimp is hard to beat and works great, those that target pompano often throw artificials to cover more ground. Small pompano jigs with white, pink, and yellow, the most common colors have been catching pompano forever. You can really enhance these jigs with a small piece of fresh shrimp.
Hard bodied crazy style jig in various colors have also become a pompano favorite. With these jigstyle baits a moderately slow retrieve with a jigging motion to bounce the bait off the bottom and simulate a fleeing crustacean is the key to success. Pompano are one of Florida’s tastiest fish.
As the month passes, warming waters and the return of schooling baitfish will mark the beginning to some of the largest sea trout of the year. Large trout are locally known as “gators” or “gator trout” and exceed well over twenty inches, often pushing thirty inches. They are moving onto the inshore grass flats, as well as oyster bars, and deeper holes. Sea trout are sight feeders and prefer water with good clarity. These larger fish are often egg laden as we approach their spawning season and should be managed with care and released after a good battle. Sea trout are in season.
The snook bite is determined by the water temperature. If winter cold continues then snook aren’t highly active; if we get a stretch of warm days later in the month, look for them to become aggressive and hungry. Snook are ambush feeders that are found around island points, oyster bars, sand holes near islands, and structures such as dock, bridge, and pier pilings and riprap. If the water is cold, they are seeking sheltered areas like canals and deeper water protected from the wind. Snook season remains closed through February,
While redfish tolerate the cold, their numbers and appetite increase as winter nears its end. They range in size from little guys barely a foot long to well over thirty inches. While snook have fast blazing runs, dramatic leaps from the water, and head for the nearest structure, redfish are in a different category. They fight like a bull, not fast but super strong and don’t know the word quit. They will fight hard from start to finish. Redfish are found in the areas previously mentioned for sheepshead, sea trout, and snook, as well as under mangrove overhangs on the higher stages of tides. Anglers also choose to sight fish reds as they are tailing and pushing a wake as they hunt for prey over the shallow flats. Negative low tides offer the best opportunities, particularly early morning, and late afternoon. Redfish season is open.
In the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, fish are on the move as they follow the rising water temperature north. Often just a few miles off the beach King and Spanish mackerel plus bonito or false albacore are off the coast and often in large schools. Watch for feeding birds to locate the hungry fish. Cobia, a local favorite, which is often mistaken for a shark due to its similar appearance, may show up at any time around your boat offshore or inshore.
Bottom fishing around reefs, ledges, and hard bottom could yield a variety including sheepsheads, various snappers, grouper, permit, and flounder to name a few. Also, keep an eye open for triple tail sunning on their side around floating objects.
The transition from late winter into early spring can offer some of the best fishing the area offers as days get longer and water temperatures rise. Of course, we can expect a couple more cool fronts before months end that will affect the bite and fishing conditions, but spring is just around the corner.
Stay up to date with fishing regulations by visiting the 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. If you turn on your GPS location the Fish Rules app updates to your location. In my opinion, it is more accurate and up to date than FWC’s website.
Hope to see you on the water.
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 29 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.”
Two Performances Planned Of Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing
Celebrate the Edison Festival of Light and help feed the hungry by attending Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing, Tuesday, Feb. 4, at The First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fort Myers at the corner of Second Street and Lee Street.
It’s the 35th anniversary of the hymn sing, which is an official sanctioned event of the Edison Festival of Light. Sponsors are the Galloway Family of Dealerships and Susan Bennett Marketing & Media.
Because of the overwhelming popularity of the event, two performances are planned at 1
p.m. and 4 p.m. The doors will open 30 minutes prior to each performance.
Admission is free, but because of the increased need for food for the hungry, organizers are requesting that those who attend bring cans of nonperishable food and a voluntary cash donation, if possible, to benefit Sam’s Community Kitchen and Cafe of Community Cooperative.
“We need to help the soup kitchen by donating as much canned goods and cash as we can to help families who most need it in our community,” said the Rev. Dr. Paul deJong of First Presbyterian Church.
Community Cooperative is an innovative nonprofit organization made up of social service entrepreneurs fighting to end homelessness and hunger in our community. It provides more than 26,000 meals each month through Sam’s Community Café, Meals on Wheels programs and school programs, distributes more than 2.1 million pounds of groceries through its mobile food pantries, and serves 14,000 individuals and families with homeless and comprehensive
case management services through its Social and Education Resource Centers. A proud United Way partner, Community Cooperative serves Lee and Collier counties.
The church has been a strong supporter of the agency from the beginning and continues to support its ministry there by providing volunteers and other support for Sam’s Community Café and Kitchen and the Meals on Wheels program.
“The need has never been greater with so many people struggling after the devastation caused by Hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton. The food that is donated will go immediately to those in our community who desperately need it,” said Dr. deJong.
Cash donations are especially valuable because Community Cooperative can buy five times as much food for the same amount of money that residents spend at local grocery stores. “However, there is great satisfaction in contributing a tangible item you know will be a blessing to someone in need. Both forms of donations will
do good work in our community and will be most welcomed,” said Dr. deJong.
This year’s event will feature the First Presbyterian Sanctuary Choir and many other singers, along with a piano-organ combination.
In addition to Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing, First Presbyterian Church annually presents the very popular Christmas Carol Sing in December. Both events benefit Sam’s Community Café and Kitchen of Community Cooperative.
For more information or directions to the church, call 334-2261 or visit www.fpcfortmyers. org. For more information about Community Cooperative, call (239) 332-SOUP or visit www.communitycooperative.com.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH STAINED GLASS
About First Presbyterian Church Of Fort Myers
First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers, located at 2438 Second St. in downtown Fort Myers, is a community of faith, celebrating a loving God. First Presbyterian Church was founded in 1901 and continues to be an integral part of Lee County by presenting some of the area’s most well-attended events, such as Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing in February as part of the Edison Festival of Light and the Christmas Carol Sing in December. Both events benefit Sam’s Community Café and Kitchen of Community Cooperative, which also was founded by First Presbyterian Church and other downtown churches in 1984. Services are offered Sundays at 11 a.m. with Sunday Adult Education from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. A nursery is available from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Hearing assistive equipment also is available.
MRS. MINA EDISON
MRS. EDISON AT THE PIANO
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 February 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 year-round and seasonal residents. We welcome you to visit Montage for a luncheon.
Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 27. Our speaker will be Jan Farrington who will be sharing details of her “Be Kind” project. She truly believes there is a lot of good in this world, and she always wants to believe that it starts with kindness. Farrington, a retired high school special education teacher, has been
recognized in conjunction with this project on National TV.
Luncheon fee will be $30 per person, and you always have a choice of either a regular menu entree and/or a vegan/plantbased entree.
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, February 20.
Snowbirds Can Get Free Or Low Cost Library Cards In Lee County
HERE’S HOW
If you own a home/condo in Lee County:
• Stop by the library front desk (at any of the 13 libraries in Lee County).
• Give the library staff your outof-state driver’s license or state identification card.
• The staff will confirm property ownership by looking up your name in the property appraiser’s database. For you to get a free
card your name must be listed on the property.
• You get a free library card –ta! da!
If you are renting in Lee County for a few weeks or a few months:
• Stop by the library front desk and request a visitor’s card.
• Give the library staff your outof-state driver’s license or state identification card.
• Pay $15 for a three-month visitor’s card (three months is the minimum).
• The staff will issue you a library card good for three months– ta! da!
And … if you are renting for only two months for example, you can still view the library’s databases and download books and music remotely when you go back up north, for that last month that you paid for.
