Gateway JAN 2026

GATEWAY

JANUARY 2026

A Look Inside THE SPOT FOR GATEWAY GREENS

A NEW ERA OF VIP: ARTFEST FORT MYERS

POWDER PUFF POWER

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Gateway Lifestyle

IN THIS ISSUE 5 | The Club At Gateway 14 | Gateway Women’s Club 24 | The Spot For Gateway Greens 32 | Whispers Of God… 34 | A New Era Of VIP: ArtFest Fort Myers 36 | Powder Puff Power 39 | Montage Women’s Club 40 | Harry Chapin Food Bank Building Hunger Action Center 43 | Crossword Puzzle 44 | Catch The Action 46 | From The Desk Of Sheriff Carmine Marceno...

47 | Consumer Alerts 48 | 2026 Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival 49 | Continental Women’s Club

Production Directors Stephen Miller Elizabeth Miller Sales Department Tom English Margo Williams Laura Berrio Bret McCormick Miranda Ledbeter Alyssa Debban Justein Matthias Anissa Stender Webmaster Selina Koehler Production Manager Lee Nostrant Production Department Elaine Donholt Ruth Nekoranec Katie Heystek Dianne Strout Michelle Feeney Andie Reynolds

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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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Gateway Lifestyle

The Club At Gateway THE VETERANS DAY 5K WAS A HUGE SUCCESS! On behalf of everyone at Gateway Golf & Country Club, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for joining us at our first Veterans Day 5K. Your energy, enthusiasm, and generosity made the event a true celebration of community, compassion, and gratitude for those who have served our country.

Because of your participation, we were able to support Hearts and Homes for Veterans, a local charity that provides critical assistance to veterans in need across Lee, Charlotte,

Hendry, and Collier counties. Together, we demonstrated the power of coming together—not just to run, but to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Thank you again for being part of such a special day. We look forward to seeing you at future events as we continue to strengthen our community through fitness, friendship, and giving back.

Stay tuned for more fun events!

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GOLF NEWS Dear Gateway Residents, We hope you all had a great holiday season Director of Golf at with your families!

The Club at Gateway Going into the busy season, the golf course is in excellent shape and we are looking forward to all of our members being back in town! Lots of golf is being played and we are excited to host more of our major golf events in January and the rest of the season!

GOLF TIP … BUNKER PLAY If you end up in a greenside bunker here is a foolproof way to get you out!

A method called Thumbs up and Splash.

Two key fundamentals to this technique are ball position and length of swing.

Although this may seem obvious, use you sand wedge or lob wedge to get out of the greenside bunker.

The Performance Center has been a big hit with many of the members that have experienced it, either through lessons or club fittings. Many people are not using the best clubs for their game. It has been great to see so many people improving their game through just using the right clubs for them. We stock all the top brands and offer the best prices in town. The Performance Center also offers a unique teaching experience for all levels of players. We are able to take the players feel and combine that with video analysis to speed up the learning process. 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.

1. Vertical Swing Plane (Thumbs Up) is the first important part of this method.

Point your thumbs up to the sky on the backswing. You will create more of an up and down swing that utilizes the bounce of the wedge. The blade of the club will go through the sand and scoop the sand out of the bunker allowing the ball to float out on a pillow of sand.

Gyles Robin

See you at the club!

Gyles Robin, Director of Golf

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2. Speed (Splash) when trying to move the sand around the ball out of the bunker you will need to swing the club with speed in order to “splash” the sand.

Like all short game shots, your ball position in your stance will determine the height of the shots and length of your swing will determine the distance of your shots.

You will notice I didn’t mention anything about opening your stance and adding loft to the club.

In doing this you are changing the lie angle and therefore the bounce of the club causing other difficulties.

After practicing this and can successfully get out of any bunker in one swing, come and see me for a 30-minute lesson on how to get the ball closer to the hole.

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FITNESS NEWS WITH MARY MARGARET…

MARY MARGARET Director of Fitness at The Club at Gateway

WHY RUN WHEN YOU CAN WALK?

Why run when you can walk? Seriously—running and I have never been friends. Even after doing triathlons, 5Ks, and my all-time favorite, muddy obstacle races, I still can’t say I like running. But I stuck with it because of the amazing sense of community that comes with it. And honestly, that’s what so many of you mention after our club 5Ks—

the feeling of being part of something. A group of friends, neighbors, and fitness lovers all showing up for each other.

But let’s be real: injuries happen, joints get cranky, and suddenly the miles turn into … well, zero. And that can lead to weight gain, losing muscle, a drop in cardio fitness—and let’s not forget the grumpy mood that comes with it.

That’s when I found interval walking technique (IWT), a super simple and surprisingly powerful method from Japan that’s actually backed by science.

Research shows that IWT can boost heart and lung health, increase blood flow to your muscles, build strength and endurance, and burn more calories than a casual stroll. It even helps with fat loss and improves insulin sensitivity, which can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

And bonus—it’s weight-bearing, so your bones love it too.

How to do it: • Warm up with 10 minutes of easy walking • Walk briskly for 3 minutes (you should feel breathless!)

• Slow to a normal pace for 3 minutes • Repeat that cycle for 30 minutes That’s it. Simple, doable, and seriously effective. Let’s get walking!

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January 2026

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RACQUET NEWS

Travis Raque Director of Racquets at The Club at Gateway

BALANCING TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL ROUTINES DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

As the holiday season approaches, filled with festive gatherings, travel plans, and family commitments, it can be challenging to maintain a consistent routine, especially when it comes to sports like tennis and pickleball. However, staying active during this busy time not only helps maintain your physical fitness but also reduces stress and enhances your overall well-being. Here are some strategies to keep your tennis and pickleball routines on track while still enjoying the holiday cheer.

1. Plan Ahead With holiday events filling your calendar, proactive planning is key. Look at your schedule weekly and identify windows of time for your activities. Even if you can’t commit to your usual practice duration, shorter sessions can still be effective. Booking court times in advance can also help solidify your commitment.

2. Adapt Your Routine Flexibility is essential during the holidays. If you usually play for two hours but can only spare 45 minutes, focus on high-intensity drills or mini-games that maximize your time. Incorporate cross-training activities like quick cardio sessions or strength exercises to maintain your fitness when you can’t hit the court.

3. Make It Social The holidays are all about connections. Combine your love for tennis and pickleball with socializing by 10

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organizing friendly matches or doubles games with family and friends. This way, you stay active while enjoying quality time with loved ones.

4. Embrace Rest And Recovery Rest is just as important as activity, especially during a season that can be physically and emotionally demanding. Listen to your body and prioritize recovery with adequate sleep, hydration, and stretching.

This will help prevent burnout and injuries, ensuring you’re ready to jump back into your regular routine post-holidays.

5. Set Realistic Goals Adjust your expectations during the holidays. Instead of aiming for performance improvements, focus on maintenance. Setting achievable goals, such as playing twice a week or practicing specific skills, can provide structure without adding undue pressure.

6. Incorporate Mindfulness The mental aspect of sports is often overlooked but crucial. Use downtime to visualize gameplay strategies, review past matches, or engage in mindfulness practices

like meditation to enhance your mental resilience.

7. Stay Motivated With Challenges Create mini-challenges for yourself, such as improving your serve accuracy or mastering a new pickleball shot. Tracking small achievements keeps the motivation alive and adds a fun element to your routine.

Balancing your tennis and pickleball activities with holiday festivities is all about flexibility

and mindfulness. By planning ahead, adapting your routine, and embracing the season’s spirit, you can maintain your fitness, enjoy well-deserved rest, and start the new year feeling refreshed and energized both on and off the court.

The Club at Gateway tennis and pickleball programs will be kicking off the new year with their annual GEE UP. This January bootcamp will enable our members and their guests to get a jump start on improving their 2026 play by building new skills through direction led by members of the SWFL Pro League. For more information on these programs, members can access the club calendar and nonmembers can call the club to find out how to join.

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ANGEL TREE …

The Club at Gateway is proud to support the Guardian ad Litem Foundation, also known as A.N.A.’s Friends, which serves less fortunate children in Lee County. This remarkable organization advocates for children who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected, ensuring they receive the care, protection, and support they deserve.

Each year, our Wishing Tree Gift Project comes to life because of the extraordinary generosity of our Gateway members.

Through their kindness, several hundred children in the program receive meaningful holiday gifts annually—many for the very first time. Year after year, our members open their hearts to these children, helping to create unforgettable moments and truly brighten the season.

Just take a look at these photos to see the joy our members make possible!

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January 2026

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Gateway Women’s Club

JANICE EATON, LAUREL BORGIA, AND DONNA MARCHETTI

GATEWAY WOMEN’S CLUB PRESENTED AMY SHUMAKER STEPHANIE MENA

Amy Shumaker is Associate General Manager of Content for WGCU Public Media. In this role, she oversees the strategy, creation, and programming of content across radio, television, and digital platforms, ensuring WGCU delivers trusted, educational and informational content to the community.

AMY SHUMAKER, ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER OF CONTENT AT WGCU PUBLIC MEDIA

Previously, Shumaker served as Executive Producer for national television at South Carolina ETV, where she developed and produced a wide range of acclaimed series, documentaries, and specials. She also co-created and executive produced a nationally distributed independent film series showcasing diverse nonfiction stories from across the American South. A co-founding member of Executive Content Managers (ECM), Shumaker also served for 15 years as the U.S. National Coordinator for the International Public Television (INPUT) Conference, connecting producers and 14

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broadcasters worldwide. Her work has been recognized with multiple regional Emmys, as well as prestigious national honors including a George Foster Peabody Award and a National Emmy Award.

At WGCU, Shumaker oversees television production, TV programming and WGCU’s FM and HD radio stations as well as digital content at WGCU Public Media, the PBS and NPR stations serving Southwest Florida. WGCU Public Media GWC PRESIDENT is owned by Florida Gulf Coast CHARLOTTE STEWART University providing PBS and WITH AMY SHUMAKER NPR programming to Southwest Florida. It operates an FM station (90.1), an NPR radio station, and WGCU (channel 30), a PBS television station, offering educational and informational content. WGCU is supported by fundraising, membership and sponsorships.

WGCU Public Media is Southwest Florida’s source for PBS and NPR and is a member-supported service of Florida Gulf Coast University. The productions serve all or part of 12 counties in south and Southwest Florida. WGCU’S

mission is to: “Inspire, inform, educate, engage and entertain through the power of public media.”

PBS Television and NPR Radio have been in the news recently since the U.S. House of Representatives cut federal funding for The Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Resources already earmarked for 2026 and 2027 have been cut in Congress’ latest budget-trimming efforts.

Between state and federal funding, about 18 percent of WGCU’s budget was cut.

Smaller stations serving rural areas rely heavily on federal funding so some stations around the country may go dark.

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As a nationally recognized leader in emergency communications, the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (FPREN) delivers timely public safety information and emergency messaging to public radio and television stations across the state of Florida. FPREN reaches 99% of Florida’s population and stays on-air during public safety emergencies to broadcast real-time updates to provide critical severe weather, safety, and evacuation information to assist in protecting residents during storms, hurricanes and other emergency events. FPREN’s staff of meteorologists and content producers create content 24/7 for all

media platforms – TV, radio and digital.

Emergency information is also available on the Florida Storms mobile app.

For WGCU tours or volunteer opportunities, contact Amy Shumaker via email at: ashumaker@wgcu.org.

SPECIAL EVENT CHARLOTTE STEWART

The Gateway Women’s Club hosted a shoe drive from September 7 until November 7, 2025, where they teamed up with Funds2Org and collected slightly used, worn or new shoes that would be donated to undeveloped nations to help them support their families.

The Gateway Women’s Club sought the help of neighboring communities, The Club at Gateway and Gateway Trinity Lutheran Church along with Heritage Palms to help collect these shoes. In the two months that this drive took place the Gateway Women’s Club goal was to collect 100 bags of slightly worn shoes.

The drive ended on Friday, November 7, and the Women’s Club would like to thank everyone who participated in our shoe drive and helped us keep the landfill empty of shoes and helped families to be able to support themselves. The Gateway Women’s Club was able to collect 139 bags of slightly used shoes which equate to 3,475 pairs of shoes.

Again, thank you for all the donations,

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The Gateway Women’s Club really appreciates your support, and this money will definitely help out our charities.

VALERIE EMERSON, DEB AND BOB STEPHANO AND LINDA BIRKHEIMER HELP PACK THE TRUCK

Thanks to all our supporters who helped make our shoe drive fundraiser a success!

3,475

We collected ________ pairs of shoes!

We couldn't have done it without you!

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DINING OUT SUSAN ROBERTS

The Gateway Women’s Club recently gathered for an evening of dining at Tap 42. What began as a plan for an al fresco experience on Tap 42’s beautiful patio, quickly turned into a testament to the restaurant’s incredible hospitality when Florida’s seasonal weather threw an unexpected curveball with a sudden drop in temperature.

What could have been a logistical challenge for a large group became the first highlight of the night. The managers and staff at Tap 42 were incredibly gracious, seamlessly relocating our entire party from the chilly outdoors into their warm, comfortable interior. The indoor vibe

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CAROL AND GARY BROWN

DOROTHY FREDA

was energetic and fun, providing the perfect backdrop for the evening.

As we settled in, we realized our party consisted of exactly 42 members, spouses, and guests, which coincidentally is the

restaurant’s namesake! The founders of Tap 42, Sean and Blaise McMackin, named the restaurant, in part, as a nod to the sci-fi classic, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

In the novel, a supercomputer calculates that “42” is the “Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.”

For the Gateway Women’s Club, the “answer” to a perfect night out definitely involved great company surrounded by exceptional food and drink. The culinary experience received rave reviews across the board. Our group indulged in an array of exceptional wines, craft beers, and

creative cocktails while navigating a menu packed with flavor.

Appetizers set a high bar, with tables sharing the crisp Chicken Lettuce Wraps and the visually impressive Calamari Tower. The main courses were equally celebrated. Members enjoyed diverse selections ranging from options like the Southern Fried Chicken Salad, the Zen Bowl, and the California Chicken Bowl, to hearty favorites including savory Chimichurri Skirt Steak, Chicken Tender Platter, and the melt-inyour-mouth BBQ Baby Back Ribs. The burger aficionados in the group were thoroughly impressed by “The Big Smash.”

MARIA BEACHAM, DOM AND DONNA MARCHETTI, MICHAEL AND HELEN COTNER, AND ELEANOR STUART

BOB AND DONNA THAYER, GRACIE AND RON HRINDA

RUSSELL AND MARYANN SCHMIDT, ALEXIS ROOSA

DEBBIE AND BILL WOOD, DEBRA ROGGOW AND LOUIS SMITH January 2026

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It was an evening of fellowship along with impeccable service and delicious fare.

The Gateway Women’s Club extends a heartfelt thanks to the entire Tap 42 team for accommodating our large “group of 42” so graciously and ensuring our night was warm and memorable.

STEVE DRISCOLL AND KEN FREDA

DEBBY AND BOB STEPHANO

MICHAEL AND HELEN COTNER, ELEANOR STUART

PAM DWYER PATTI STEPHENS, PAULA KOSTYCZ, SHARON SMITH

JEFF GLEIXNER AND LEYNA HOFFER

JO AND TOM IWANSKI

SUSAN KITE, CONNIE AND BOB ROESSLER

STEPHEN AND JOANN MONTALBANO 20

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DOM AND DONNA MARCHETTI

BRIDGE

BOOK CLUB

LAUREL BORGIA

BARBARA HANLIN

Bridge 101 will meet January 6 and 20 at Hampton Park Amenity Center at 10 a.m. Please contact Susie Kravetz (her phone and email are in the directory) to let her know if you are attending. A number count is needed as she needs to give your name to the gate. They welcome anyone who plays bridge.

The GWC Book Club January meeting begins an exciting new year of reading! The annual book list will soon be available. The meeting will be on Tuesday, January 13, at 7 p.m. Claudia Polzer is the hostess with Judy Kading as the co-hostess. Please RSVP to Claudia if you plan to attend by January 11. Her contact information is in the Gateway Women’s Club Directory. If you have any questions, please contact Barb Hanlin.

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SIT AND STITCH KATHRYN FABISIAK

The next Sit and Stitch meeting will be hosted by Patti Whetstone on January 12 at 1 p.m. Please contact Patti 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.

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.

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January 2026

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The Spot For Gateway Greens MEET JOE GLUCK Like our neighborhoods within Gateway Greens, the neighborhood presidents share many common traits. Caring for a community and a willingness to help others without compensation combined with a genuine belief that people are good stand out as the predominant characteristics for this dedicated group of leaders.

However, they all have their own stories to tell!

Joe and his wife Paula moved to Florida from Rochester, N.Y., where he does NOT miss the snow!

He recalls one year when they still had a home there, they returned to find 7 feet of snow on the roof – and in the process of his time on said roof, he fell into a snow bank where he was lucky enough to be unhurt! His recollection of rolling around within that bank still makes him laugh, but it wasn’t funny at the time! What they do miss are the summer and fall seasons of New York, the Adirondack mountains and being close to their children and Joe’s identical twin brother. Joe and his brother were extremely close growing up: as twins they shared everything, but declining health issues are having a sad impact.

Joe’s story of moving to Gateway has a unique spin.

He and his wife kept watching the homes for sale, as they loved the trees, the overall attractiveness of the entire neighborhood, and just the “feel” when they drove through. They finally found their dream home, but were devastated when their offer was not accepted.

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One day while perusing the newspaper while relaxing in bed, Joe saw that their dream home property was up for sale as a foreclosed property! He then promptly fell out of bed in his haste to act. Sounds like Joe has a penchant for falling! Their offer was accepted and they are still very happy in their home.

Joe leads the Neighborhood Association for The Cottages, and although his role as president was unexpected, it occurred as the natural order of things, given his background.

Joe grew up and spent many years living in New York and was a volunteer for the Rochester fire department for 12 years and on the board for four years.

That experience ultimately provided him with the motivation to run for Fire Commissioner, where he campaigned door-to-door so that he could help to improve his community. When he and Paula moved to Southwest Florida, he joined the board in the Arborwood community for a few years. When they moved to Gateway Greens, he thought he would take a bit of a break with community service. However, as fate would have it, Joe soon realized that additional support was needed and responded positively when the then-president recruited him. Little did he know of her plans to move away, leaving an opening where he just couldn’t say “no.”

His policy and advice to others is: if you believe change is needed, get involved. If you get involved – stay involved. Don’t sit on the sidelines: learn about the issues and listen to and be respectful of others. Understand motivations, reasons, impacts and consequences. Communities need help and guidance. It takes time to understand the issues and personalities and where people are coming from, and why. Assumptions are dangerous. Joe most admires those who are honest, have a good heart, are loyal and friendly and are willing to help others.

Joe and Paula love Nokomis beach and often eat at Pop’s restaurant for lunch or early dinner. His favorite music is from the ’70s and ’80s – and he listens to it all the time. After all, the best music and the best cars were when he was growing up! The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Rod Stewart and the Eagles are his favorites.

Rock on, Joe – the neighborhood is lucky to have you as one of its leaders!

COTTAGES AT GATEWAY GREENS The Cottages is another charming neighborhood tucked-away inside the broader Gateway Greens subdivision. Like every neighborhood, the people within it are its heart. Neighbors become friends and connect at least biannually in their own private cul-de-sac. They enjoy the conversations, catching up on each other’s lives while sharing food, drinks and enjoying music!

It’s one thing to live in a neighborhood – but it’s another thing to actually “be” a neighborhood.

The Cottages fits that bill! They look out for each other, and are aware of health challenges so that they can support those in need with meals or just extending a hand to provide for any needs.

New residents are welcomed to make certain they know and feel comfortable with the great community available to them.

The Cottages neighborhood board is actively involved, ensuring that the services they offer are relevant and what the residents want and need. A

change in their landscape provider became necessary as their previous vendor did not meet their standards. Each member of the board participated in interviewing several companies and then selecting a replacement. The changes they’ve made and the results achieved have already made a huge difference, including the addition of a new service: monthly wet checks for the irrigation systems. The irrigation systems are now repaired and operating effectively. The volunteer board members take their jobs seriously, and are much appreciated.

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The Spot For Gateway Greens MEET OUR NEIGHBORS MEET THE CHASE FAMILY!

If you’ve traveled down Westlinks Drive during the last few months of the year, you’ve probably noticed a certain home that refuses to go unnoticed. Whether it’s towering skeletons in October or a sleigh sailing across the rooftop in December, one thing is clear—Gateway Greens resident Ched Chase is passionate about bringing joy to the community.

“My wife, daughter and I love decorating the home for my family and for the entire community,” Ched shared. “I’m thrilled my yard has inspired neighbors to decorate as well.”

And inspired they are—because Ched’s displays are anything but simple. For Halloween, his yard features three 12-foot skeletons, a dozen 6-foot skeletons, four goblins, a 10-foot witch, and an array of spooky lighting.

When Christmas arrives, the scene transforms with a 10-foot reindeer, Santa’s sleigh, an 8-foot Santa and lights throughout the home and yard.

Storage for such a collection is no small feat, so Ched fills the attic and stores 26

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the overflow at his entrepreneurial sideline business, Chuck it Axes.

Ched’s love for holiday decorating began in childhood, inspired by his grandmother’s beautifully decorated home in Vermont. That spirit followed him south to Florida Atlantic University, where he became known for decking out his dorm room each year. His Halloween enthusiasm grew thanks to his daughter, Finley, who has always adored the holiday and never shied away from scary fun.

After Hurricane Ian flooded their previous home near Alico Road, Ched and his wife Stephanie chose to start fresh in Gateway Greens. They settled on Grand Isles Lane, drawn by the family-friendly environment, community growth, reasonable home prices, lack of flooding and proximity to Fenway South—perfect for cheering on the Red Sox. Their displays not only bring joy to their own family but also brighten the days of neighbors and visitors. One couple shared that during a difficult time, as a young family member was in hospice care, walking past the Chase home offered a moment of cheer.

Stories like these motivate Ched to expand his displays year after year.

Originally from Vermont, Ched graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy, where he played nearly every sport. He met Stephanie—originally from Buffalo—through mutual friends while she was teaching first grade in Broward County. Married for 15

years, they are parents to 8-year-old Finley, who attends Evangelical Christian School. The family enjoys exploring the neighborhood, attending events at JetBlue Park, and dining at local favorites like The Saucy Meatball and Fort Myers Brewery.

Professionally, Ched serves as Director of Sales for FlexPoint, an online education leader serving students from pre-K through 12th grade. FlexPoint supports learners of all kinds—from families sailing the Bahamas to aspiring dancers in full-day ballet programs.

The holiday season may have passed, but the Chase family’s warm, welcoming spirit is present all year long. If you’re nearby, feel free to stop by and say hello—just don’t worry, they won’t spook you!

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The Spot For Gateway Greens GATEWAY GREENS NEIGHBORHOOD NEW RESIDENT WELCOME The Gateway Greens community consists of over 1,400 homeowners, and generally welcomes up to 100 new residents every year.

For some, the move is an easy one – they are familiar with the area, they already know some of the people, or intend to be full-time residents where the “onboarding” time is sustained and absolutely critical. For others, the unknown can be daunting! Questions around “what is an HOA and why do we have one?”, “who do I contact when I have this problem or question?” and “where is the closest urgent care facility?” are common.

A new process to welcome our new residents is now in place – a “New Resident Welcome Package” was developed to provide these residents with a handy binder that contains the information they need on a range of topics, including: • “First Things First” – a handy list of things to do right away, including how to access our community portal and website where they can find Frequently Asked Questions, getting their transponder for easy access through the gates, and who to contact for what • A full list and map of all of the neighborhoods within Gateway Greens • A description of the Gateway Greens Community Development District and 28

Gateway Lifestyle

how that differs in terms of responsibility from the Gateway Greens Homeowners Association • Local businesses in and around Gateway – including some discount coupons for new residents!

• And much more All of our new residents for the past several months will be sent an email to advise them of the availability of this binder, and an offer for us to hand-deliver it to them so we can meet and welcome them into our community.

Welcome to the Gateway Greens Community!

Moving into a new community can be overwhelming – especially if you are new to the area. Your Gateway Greens Community Association gathered information across a range of topics to help ease your transition. We hope you find this information useful!

Within this binder you will find the following content: 1 First Things First!

1.

2.

2 Homeowner Associations – Why are They Necessary?

3.

3 Gateway Greens Community Association (GGCA) and Neighborhoods 4 Alliant Association Management 4.

5.

5 GGCA Covenants – What You Need to Know 6 Neighborhood Associations 6.

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7 GGCA Access Control 8.

8 Managing Our Infrastructure 9.

9 Gateway Services Community Development District (GSCDD) 10.

10 Gateway Amenities 11.

11 Local Businesses In and Around Gateway 12.

12 Parks and Trails 13 Medical Facilities 13.

14.

14 Theaters and Museums 15.

15 Sports Venues 16.

16 Lifestyle Magazine 17.

17 The Club at Gateway

GATEWAY GREENS COMMUNITY-WIDE GARAGE SALE Do any of these statements describe you?

1. I love digging through boxes in a stranger’s garage and getting excited about finding an old T-shirt, a record album or an “almost new” blender, as I believe that one person’s junk is another person’s treasure!

2. Nothing haunts me more than the things I didn’t buy at a garage sale.

3. I may be a beginner at some things, but I’ve got a black belt in garage sale shopping.

4. Whoever said “less is more” clearly has never been to a good garage sale.

5. I do not simply pass by a garage sale without stopping.

6. Life is like a garage sale – you never know what you are going to get!

The Gateway Greens community can be accessed via four different entrances: • Main Entrance off Gateway Boulevard • Rear Entrance off Westlinks Drive • Walden Lakes off Gateway Boulevard • Hidden Links off Gateway Boulevard Hope to see you there!

If any, or ALL OF THE ABOVE, describe you, please join us at our community-wide garage sale at Gateway Greens on Saturday, February 21, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. This is the first ever Gateway Greens Garage Sale so we’re anticipating lots of wonderful “treasures.”

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The Spot For Gateway Greens A WELCOME REFRESH TO LANDSCAPING AND MAINTENANCE! Keeping the Gateway Greens community spaces in great shape is a top priority, and the recent landscaping efforts highlight the dedication to making these areas beautiful and welcoming for everyone. Here’s a look at the key activities that have been completed or are currently underway.

We Are Looking Good With Our New Service Provider GreatView Lawn Care is continuing to keep our community looking terrific, as they bring fresh energy and a coordinated approach in managing the

landscaping needs at Gateway Greens. It’s their goal to continue to make improvements that enhance our shared spaces.

What’s Changed Lately?

The annual flower rotation at all monument entrances is now complete. The new plantings have been fertilized and are already thriving, bringing fresh color and curb appeal to the community.

GreatView also completed several landscape upgrade installations for our Gateway homeowners and continues to maintain all Gateway common areas to keep everything looking healthy, green, and well-kept.

In addition, their team has been repairing irrigation lines damaged during recent construction along the curbing. They have identified

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and replaced aging solenoids as they fail.

Their overall goal is to stay ahead of issues and ensure the property continues to receive reliable, consistent watering.

Wrapping Up These ongoing efforts to enhance Gateway Green’s common areas show the dedication to creating spaces that are not only functional but also a joy to experience. From fixing irrigation systems to planting beautiful flowers, each step is a move toward a greener, more welcoming environment. Residents can look forward to our community continuing to thrive and shine in the months and years ahead, as GreatView Lawn Care is committed to keeping Gateway looking its best year-round.

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Whispers Of God… DR. MARK P. GONZALES, PASTORAL ENCOURAGER, BROADCASTER, WRITER, SPEAKER

GOOD GRIEF? I love the start of a brand-new year!

To me, it’s kind of like setting out on a visionary expedition through a range of majestic mountains through crisp, fresh air with breathtaking views, the intoxicating fragrance of mountain pines, and sunrise breakfasts with tons of bacon over a nice warm fire. Ahhh…

That’s the feel of a new year of fresh starts, hopeful reboots, reachable resolutions, and many more hopeful things, right?

But where is the best place to start in approaching these things? How can we enter these thoughtful changes in a way that will spawn the greatest possibilities of being successful and sustainable?

Well, the older I get the more I am discovering a deeper starting place for the greatest possibility of success than most people think about. This is why it may surprise you.

It is not a strong will, as most would imagine.

It is not creative thinking or strategic planning.

Nor is it even loyal partnerships. Those are very important, to be sure. But they will not be very useful and sustainable approaches unless you start at a much deeper place…

Soul care.

How kind are you to your own soul or heart?

How much attention do you give it? How healthy and strong, or wounded and broken is it? Do you have a clue? This is soul care, my friends. This is where the real you springs from, or gets clogged up. So—how does soul care work? Well, let’s take a peek.

First, you have to be honest with yourself.

How far can you get with fresh starts, reboots, and resolutions with halfhearted, wounded efforts, rather than wholehearted, healthy efforts?

Not too far, right?

Second, start answering the questions I introduced above: How

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heavy, hard, wounded, stressed, splintered and/ or broken is your heart?

What kind of experiences, memories, losses and narratives keep spinning around your mind and heart that keep you up at night, weary throughout the day, angry about the past, discouraged in the present, and desperate about the future? This is where our soul grieves.

I know that most of us don’t like to talk about this, but we need to. With someone we trust who can help us work through a third thing.

Grieve your losses. This is where God can use our dearest family, a close friend, a trusted pastor, or insightful counselor to rescue us out of bad grief and lead us through “good grief.”

Bad grief is when we shut down and isolate ourselves in a dark fog of negative, hopeless narratives plaguing our mind and soul.

He doesn’t do so if we’re standing at a distance in anger, irritation, and/or despair until He gets with the program and heals our uncooperative heart.

No, He does it when we are brave and honest enough to own, admit, and stand in our own pain, and humbly ask Him to come and heal our ravaged heart … slowly … gently … and lovingly. But that takes time. That’s why I pray that you will not put this off. Jesus is waiting, and He is listening.

Good grief is when we let one or two of those people I mentioned above help us literally list, genuinely feel, emotionally vent, slowly release, and progressively forgive what has hurt us, and continually abide in the Lord to let Him restore and heal our shattered souls or broken hearts.

This is why the Scripture says:

After the dark of the night, joy can come in the morning, and in the new year, my friends. And it is just on the other side of “good grief.”

A happy (healed) heart is good medicine, but a broken (still grieving) spirit dries up the bones. I love that promise. Only God can heal our souls or hearts. However …

Broadcasts/articles/videos at markpg.org. Hear me every Saturday at 8 a.m. on 91.5 FM!

Healing in Him with you, Pastor Mark

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A New Era Of VIP: Why 2026 Is The Year You Must Join The ArtFest VIP Club

This year, ArtFest Fort Myers is launching a VIP experience unlike anything we’ve ever done before – a fully curated, multi-destination adventure designed to immerse you in the very best of art, flavor, and sound. This first-of-itskind concept transforms the VIP weekend into A Vibe Voyage – a progressive journey through three iconic riverfront destinations, each offering its own atmosphere, entertainment, and exclusive surprises.

FRIDAY NIGHT: YOUR PASSPORT TO THE EXTRAORDINARY Your VIP Passport – yes, an actual custom passport – guides you through an elevated, progressive evening crafted only for VIP guests.

OXBOW BAR & GRILL – MEET THE ARTIST RECEPTION The journey begins with curated bites, handcrafted cocktails, live saxophone, and an intimate welcome reception with the 2026 Poster Artist, Anthony Murrill. It’s elegant, warm, and the perfect first stamp on your weekend experience.

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LUMINARY POOL DECK – THE VIBE VOYAGE Next, you’re whisked to a rooftop celebration where panoramic river views meet D.J. beats, live painting, premium tastings, and the signature “Calypso” cocktail – an immersive hour of energy and artistry.

CALOOSA SOUND AMPHITHEATER – UNDER THE STARS CONCERT The night crescendos with a private outdoor concert by the Gulf Coast Symphony’s High School Jazz Ensemble – a magical, open-air finale beneath the stars.

This three-stop, multi-experience Friday night is brand-new, completely reimagined, and exclusive to 2026 VIPs.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY: YOUR WEEKEND RETREAT For the rest of the festival, VIPs enjoy a relaxed, elevated home base at Oxbow Bar & Grill, featuring: • Bottomless mimosas, coffee and scones (10 to 11 a.m.)

• Chef-driven brunch and all-day beverage bar (11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

• Afternoon snacks to recharge between festival strolls VIP parking is included all weekend – effortless access, no crowds, no stress.

WHY GO VIP THIS YEAR? BECAUSE THIS EXPERIENCE HAS NEVER EXISTED BEFORE. This isn’t a lounge. It isn’t a tent. It’s a curated journey – a progressive, immersive, and beautifully designed weekend created just for our VIP community.

From your first passport stamp to your final toast, the 2026 VIP Experience is a story you step into … and one you’ll remember long after the festival ends.

This is the year to become VIP – because nothing like this has ever been done, and once the inaugural voyage is gone, it won’t happen exactly this way again.

VIP Club presented by B&I Contractors

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Powder Puff Power

KAREN M. MAXWELL, INTERIM DIRECTOR OF HORTICULTURE

Despite its delicate appearance, the Powder Puff shrub, genus Calliandra, is a rugged perennial that deserves a place in most South Florida gardens for a variety of reasons. Available in several colors and with the option of some compact species, these evergreens can enhance a landscape with delicate foliage and dainty blooms that last for several days.

Beyond its pretty flowers, Calliandra is an agricultural powerhouse in rural areas of the tropical world.

Native to the New World tropics, Calliandra was introduced to Indonesia in the 1930s and nearly 150 species are now found throughout pantropical regions.

Powder Puffs, if allowed to grow naturally, can encompass an area as wide as their height of 15 feet. Pruning is recommended if space is limited because they will sucker and spread, but fortunately this is easily done and encouraged if you want to use them to create a hedge or train as a standard or tree form. The lacy but dense foliage creates a protective habitat for nesting birds.

Weather in Southwest Florida is simply perfect for growing Calliandra, which loves wet, humid summers and dry winters with full sun. Calliandra haematocephala, meaning blood red head, is the most popular species found throughout the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. Near the 36

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Moonlight Garden, a white flowered varietal called “Alba” arches gracefully from below the Cliff Date Palm over the lawn. When the resident Moonlight Garden bunnies are around, they love to snack on the fallen flowers which, come to think of it, look like cotton tails themselves. A sprawling red Calliandra has been growing for years along the riverside of the Ford property, where it has survived hurricane surges despite the fact that it is not a salt tolerant plant.

While the red and white species have solid color stamens, C. surinamensis produces more than 100 stamens that are white on the bottom and finish to a rosy pink, giving the overall impression of a pink ball and is commonly called the Pink Powder Puff. These white and pink flowers are sticky and typically open after rain and will close in the hottest afternoon heat to protect their pollen and then reopen for cool evenings to allow moths to pollinate their flowers.

Many species of insects and butterflies rely on Calliandra nectar, which is said to produce very tasty honey. A Calliandra surinamensis grows on the McGregor side of the Edison main house, where it rises above its garden neighbors.

Beyond its ornamental value, Calliandra has important economic benefits to many rural communities around the world. A member of the Fabaceae family, Calliandras, are nitrogen-fixing shrubs and trees. Many gardeners are already familiar with growing beans or legumes and their ability to intake nitrogen from the air through their leaves and return nitrogen to the soil via

THE COMBRETUM CONSTRICTUM (THAILAND POWDERPUFF) GROWS NEAR THE EDISON CARETAKER’S COTTAGE.

their roots, making it readily available for other plants to take up. In areas where synthetic fertilizers are unavailable or too expensive, the Calliandras, which grow easily on most any well drained soil, help to keep soils fertile and their spreading roots can stabilize soils thereby preventing erosion. It is important to note that the use of nitrogen fixing plants is a sustainable alternative to the use of synthetic nitrogen found in fertilizers where unused

fertilizer, high in nitrogen can leach into waterways and groundwater.

Hardy and long-lived perennials, the branches can break easily but Calliandras quickly regrow and if a standard form (single trunk) is desired, regularly pruning to shape and discourage new growth along the primary trunk is necessary. They do not require additional fertilizer and do not seem to be January 2026

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susceptible to any major pest. I would like to note that the only plant on which I have ever seen the colorful thorn bugs is the Calliandra.

Thorn bugs are sucking insects that make a colorful lineup on a branch while draining the sap of the tree. To date, I have never seen an infestation so bad as to kill a Calliandra, at least not here.

The usefulness of Calliandra was not discovered in its indigenous land, but farmers in Indonesia discovered that its wood has a low moisture content, burns very hot and is a reliable source of quality charcoal. Though requiring good water to become established, these plants can survive up to 100 inches of annual rainfall (Southwest Florida averages 54 inches per year) and turn around and survive up to seven months of drought. They are not fussy about the soil, but it must be well drained at all times, something we love about our sandy substrate.

According to Feedipedia, an online encyclopedia of animal feeds, the leaves and seed pods of Calliandra are high in proteins for quality fresh fodder eaten by ruminating animals such as goats, sheep and cattle with the additional benefit of producing 24 percent less methane exhaust over grass fed animals.

Calliandras produce tight little raspberrylooking buds that open to a multitude of stamens, delicate filaments topped with an anther, or pollen patch. While they can be grown in a planter, keep them pruned, and once a year, root prune them, if you wish to maintain them as a container grown specimen.

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COMBRETUM HAEMATOCEPHALA “ALBA” GROWS NEAR THE MOONLIGHT GARDEN, ALONG WITH OTHER WHITEFLOWERED PLANTS.

Calliandras are evergreen, another excellent characteristic for a hedge, and their bipinnate or twice-divided, leaves will close up at night. They are closely related to mimosa and Albizia trees which are both invasive in Southwest Florida.

Calliandra tweedii, which grows along the pedestrian walkway near Edison’s laboratory is an American native Calliandra that is sometimes called the Mexican Fairy Duster.

A smaller, more compact Calliandra, its beautiful foliage is very fine and almost fernlike. It grows naturally in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and northern Mexico.

Growing behind the Edison Caretaker Cottage is the Thailand Powder Puff

Montage Women’s Club

POWDER PUFF FLOWER BUDS LOOK LIKE MINI RASPBERRIES AS DEMONSTRATED IN THIS PHOTO OF A RED COMBRETUM HAEMATOCEPHALA.

(Combretum constrictum). While the flowers strongly resemble the Calliandras, it is a member of the Combretum family, which includes tropical plants native to Africa, including the spectacular Rangoon Creeper. When one takes a closer look at the leaves of Combretum constrictum compared to Calliandra, the distinction will be obvious.

Visitors can see these plants and more when they visit the more than 20 acres of botanical gardens at the Estates.

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 December 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, January 22, 2026. Our featured speaker will be Joyce Thomas, a former Montage President, who is a retired home economics teacher. Joyce will be sharing her extensive knowledge regarding how to live a healthy plant-based lifestyle.

Luncheon fee is $30 per person. There is always a choice of either a regular entree and/or a vegan/ plant-based option. The January regular entree will be chicken bruschetta. The vegan/plant-based entree will be announced later.

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) 7037787. Reservations cutoff to attend this meeting is noon, Thursday, January 15.

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Harry Chapin Food Bank Building Hunger Action Center To Address Food Insecurity In Southwest Florida NONPROFIT ANNOUNCES $30 MILLION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO BUILD NEW DISTRIBUTION CENTER Harry Chapin Food Bank has unveiled unprecedented plans to relieve Southwest Florida’s deepening hunger crisis by building a Hunger Action Center, a massive warehouse and distribution facility that will safeguard the community against hunger for generations to come.

More than 125 community leaders, donors, business partners and elected officials gathered Nov. 19 for an announcement and groundbreaking event in which Harry Chapin Food Bank publicly revealed plans to build a 110 x 175-square-foot, state-of-the-art center in Fort Myers. The event coincided with the nonprofit’s transition from a private to public phase of its $30 million capital campaign, Feeding the Future, which is funding the initiative. The food bank is relying on public support to conclude the capital campaign.

“Construction of our new Hunger Action Center marks a transformational step forward for Harry Chapin Food Bank,” said Richard LeBer, president and CEO. “As our region grows, so does the need. This modern, purpose-built facility will expand 40

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our capacity, strengthen our operations and help us reach more children, families, seniors and veterans than ever before. It’s an investment in the future of Southwest Florida, and in every neighbor who depends on us.”

Currently, Harry Chapin Food Bank serves approximately 300,000 neighbors annually through a robust feeding network of up to 175 agency partners. In 2024, the food bank provided 39.5 million pounds of food, but that figure is expected to jump to 50 million pounds by 2030 and 100 million pounds by 2050. LeBer noted the surge in demand is being fueled by what he calls the “new hungry,” individuals who are working and never anticipated needing help to put food on the table.

“They are hospitality and tourism workers, health care professionals, first responders and educators – essentially, the people who keep our community running,” LeBer said.

“Hurricanes, the pandemic, inflation, cuts to federal government programs and other setbacks have affected them deeply. Many are just one or two unanticipated bills away from needing help.”

Located at the southwest corner of I-75 and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

GROUNDBREAKING OF HARRY CHAPIN FOOD BANK’S HUNGER ACTION CENTER IN FORT MYERS.

in Fort Myers, the Hunger Action Center will more than double the size of the nonprofit’s current warehouse in Lee County while doubling the organization’s capacity to feed neighbors experiencing hunger. It will complement the organization’s existing distribution center in Naples.

Operationally, the new building will feature expanded storage space for dry, refrigerated and frozen foods, and 10 truck bays to accommodate inbound and outbound deliveries. Its sophisticated inventory tracking system will allow staff to monitor food supplies in real time using a computerized barcode system that categorizes

inventory by product type, expiration date, origin, destination and other factors.

Additionally, the Hunger Action Center will offer a food pantry where neighbors experiencing hunger can shop for fresh produce and groceries, an element of hunger relief not available in tight quarters at the current warehouse. Community meeting rooms will allow Harry Chapin Food Bank and its agency partners to host seminars and classes covering nutrition, health, how to access food, budgeting for groceries and other educational topics, empowering neighbors and agency partners to address the root causes of hunger.

The facility also includes air-conditioned spaces for volunteers and staff.

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The ambitious project is the largest in Harry Chapin Food Bank’s 42-year history and is being made possible largely through private philanthropy. At the Nov. 19 celebratory event, the food bank announced lead gifts through the Feeding the Future capital campaign, including The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation and Lipman Family Farms.

“Harry Chapin’s humanitarian work was founded on the idea that ‘to know is to care, to care is to act, to act is to make a difference,’” said Ann Prifrel, chief development officer for Harry Chapin Food Bank. “Thank you all for being here, for standing with Harry Chapin Food Bank and for helping us ‘Feed the Future’ one bold act at a time.”

“As a fourth-generation family farming company based in Southwest Florida, the sentiment of providing fresh food that is accessible to all is deeply personal for us,” added Jaime Weisinger, director of community relations for Lipman Family Farms. “We are honored to support Harry Chapin Food Bank in the stride towards hunger relief, one of our core pillars at Lipman, with the opening of the Lipman Family Volunteer Center.”

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Site clearing for the Hunger Action Center began this summer and construction is expected to run through fall 2026.

DeAngelis Diamond is the general contractor leading the project.

The Feeding the Future capital campaign has raised half of its $30 million goal.

To learn more about the Hunger Action Center or to support Feeding the Future, please visit HarryChapinFoodBank.org/ FeedingTheFuture.

About Harry Chapin Food Bank Harry Chapin Food Bank, a Feeding America partner food bank, is the largest hungerrelief organization in Southwest Florida and serves 250,000 neighbors monthly through its feeding network of 175 agency partners. In 2024, the nonprofit distributed 39.5 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 32 million meals, at food banks and mobile pantries across Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties. Harry Chapin Food Bank is an Agency Partner of United Way and a Blueprint Partner of the Naples Children Foundation, rated as a Four-Star Charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum-rated by Candid’s GuideStar. For more information, please visit HarryChapinFoodBank.org or call (239) 3347007.

Crossword Puzzle ACROSS 1. Fire 6. A flat float 10. Complain 14. Protective covering 15. Beige 16. Balm ingredient 17. Fragrance 18. Cicatrix 19. Violent disturbance 20. One billionth of a second 22. Strong fiber 23. Be extant 24. Out of practice 63. Devotees 25. Drift 64. Affirmatives 29. Immune response trigger 31. Green gem 33. Fireplace sound DOWN 37. Most recent 1. Custard dessert 38. Cream-filled pastry 2. Former Italian currency 39. Movie house 3. Any minute 41. Kneecap 4. Office message 42. Lures 5. Delete 44. Adjusts 6. Cancel officially 45. Interior layout and furnishings 7. Buttonhole 48. Reveals 8. Frenzied 50. Withdraw gradually 9. Feces 51. In a contemptuous manner 10. Severe abscesses 11. Assumed name 56. Therefore 12. Perch 57. Margarine 13. Trifling 58. Red Sea peninsula 21. Revered 59. In place of 24. Respond 60. Ran 25. Whip mark 61. Economic down time 26. Asian nurse 62. Not more

27. Celebration 28. Fomenting subversion 30. Lubricated 32. Daisy-like bloom 34. Cabbage-like vegetable 35. Jaunty rhythm 36. Ages 40. German measles 41. Amounts of time 43. Swerve wildly 45. Inhabit 46. Spooky 47. Pens 49. Pantywaist 51. Remove, as a hat 52. Egyptian river 53. Wildebeests 54. Hardly believable 55. Puppy sounds

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Catch The Action CAPT. BILL RUSSELL

JANUARY ON THE WATER January is our coolest month with water temperature the lowest of the year around Southwest Florida. Just how cold often determines how and where to fish.

Over cold and windy days fish head for protected areas like canals, creeks, and deep water on the leeward side of islands. Fishing these areas is a good way to comfortably fish in a chilly north wind. Often, fish may be found ganged up in a deep hole, along a shoreline, or sunning in areas protected from the wind.

The coldest days yield some of the best sheepsheads fishing of the year. They thrive and aggressively feed during adverse cold weather. If the weather is mild for several days, fish may be more widespread out on shallower flats, bars, and structures.

Shrimp are top baits for winter fishing.

Shrimp are user-friendly, readily available to purchase, and everything eats them.

If it’s cold, low and slow is the way to go.

Meaning fish the bait at or near the bottom, either stationary or with a slow retrieve.

It’s difficult for a cold fish to exert energy chasing fast moving food. One of the best ways to cover bottom and catch fish on a cold day is with a live shrimp/jig head combination. Take a live shrimp, bite or pinch off the tail and thread the shrimp, tail 44

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first on a jig head. Now you have the best of both worlds, live bait that you can cover ground with like an artificial. This combination will entice everything from big snook to pompano.

On warmer days, the same combination still works; however the fish are likely spread out over shallower depths, so a change of technique is often necessary. Look for fish in areas that are a short distance from the deeper protected areas; they often hold in areas where they can quickly get back to shelter when the next front arrives. Fish these areas with shrimp or shrimp imitations in soft plastic, rigged the same method described above with a little quicker retrieve, or suspended under a popping or rattling cork. Sometimes if you are looking for trout, redfish, or pompano, it’s all about covering as much area as possible. Scented soft baits like Gulp shrimp are another great option.

Between cold fronts are days with light wind and calm seas, allowing boats to venture into gulf waters. Bottom structure including artificial reefs, ledges, and hard bottom within sight of land holds a variety of fish. Again, live, or fresh shrimp is the top bait. Two popular bait rigs include knocker rigs with an egg sinker free to slide above a small hook and previously mentioned bare jigs heads rigged with shrimp.

Both combinations work great nearshore. Make sure and use enough weight to keep your bait on the bottom. Sheepsheads become the target for many anglers in nearshore gulf waters over

winter, but you will hook into other fish that may include snapper, grouper, grunts, and permit to name a few. When fishing offshore, it’s a good idea to drop down a live bait if you catch baitfish like a pinfish, grunt, or sand perch. This is a great way to hook into a big grouper, cobia, king mackerel, and of course, sharks. Deeper in gulf waters, large red grouper, snapper, and a mix of tasty bottom fish are possible on a calm day.

Before hitting the water make sure you are up on current fishing regulations as they change often. You can go to www.myfwc.com or download the Fish Rules app. It updates every time you open it. It’s free, and has all local fish species, regulations, and pictures of each.

January will bring some cold days on the water, (at least what we consider cold in Florida) but also plenty of sunny warm days. Like the weather fishing can change quickly this month, to be successful you need to monitor the conditions and adapt your fishing strategy accordingly. Good luck!

Wishing all a safe and happy New Year.

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 30 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.”

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From The Desk Of Sheriff Carmine Marceno...

IMPAIRED DRIVING As we reach the tail end of this holiday season, we prepare to welcome in a new year, and I am hopeful that all of our Lee County residents and guests have a wonderful, healthy and safe holiday!

Impaired driving deaths are preventable.

It is our responsibility as drivers, as party hosts, as friends and family to ensure that no one gets behind the wheel having consumed intoxicants. No one.

Holiday get-togethers, office parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations are the norm and, often, these gatherings involve the use of intoxicants.

“I’m fine” and “I can drive” are often the last words that we hear prior to fatal crashes.

While we share this message annually, as do other law enforcement agencies and media outlets, it is a critical issue and we would be remiss if we did not discuss it.

Last year, over 13,000 traffic-related deaths occurred as a result of driver impairment.

Statistics are subjective and sometimes vary, however, it is believed that 62% of New Year’s Eve/Day traffic deaths are the result of impairment. Please read that sentence again. …

At perhaps the most joyous time of year, law enforcement responsibilities often require the ringing of a doorbell, followed by notification of the traffic death of a loved one.

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I need not mention the options available to impaired individuals as they have been shared time and again. There are many transportation choices available to impaired individuals needing to travel.

Be a hero. Save lives. Ensure that no one gets behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated.

Consumer Alerts ALVARO PUIG, CONSUMER EDUCATION SPECIALIST

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU UPGRADE YOUR PHONE AND HOW TO PROTECT YOUR NEW ONE It’s that time of year when ads enticing you to upgrade your mobile phone seem to be everywhere you turn. If you’re thinking about upgrading your phone, here are four easy steps to remove your personal information from your phone before you trade it in.

1. Save your information. Whether you’re going to trade in, sell, or donate your phone, start by backing up your data. You’ll need this copy when you set up a new phone.

2. Remove SIM and SD cards. If your phone has a SIM card, remove it because it may have your personal information on it. If you’re keeping your phone number, ask if you can transfer your SIM card to the new phone. If you’re not going to reuse the SIM card, destroy it. If your phone has an SD storage card, remove it, too.

3. Unlink accounts connected to the device. If you use multifactor authentication to log in to any accounts, remove your phone from the list of trusted devices for those accounts. And double check that your phone is no longer connected to your online accounts. Here’s how to unlink the phone from your Microsoft, Apple, and Google 4. Erase your personal information.

Finally, restore your phone to the factory settings. That’ll erase all your personal information, like your account numbers, passwords, messages, videos, and photos.

Once you set up your new device, set it to automatically lock when you’re not using it, keep it up to date, and back up your data. Check out Three ways to protect the personal info on your phone for details on how to do that.

If you use an authenticator app to log into your accounts, set up the app on your new phone. And finally, if you’re not trading in or selling your phone, learn about where you can recycle it.

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2026 Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival JANUARY 24 TO JANUARY 25, 11 AM TO 6 PM Get ready to don your kilts and embrace the magic of Celtic tradition at the much-anticipated 2026 Caloosahatchee Celtic Festival. Please join us in the heart of downtown Fort Myers for a full weekend of Celtic vibes and brews, January 24 to 25. Don’t miss out – shop here for exceptional accommodations.

The 22nd anniversary event will feature captivating performances by a stellar lineup of musical talent at the Caloosa Sound Amphitheater located at 2101 Edwards Drive, Fort Myers 33901.

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Continental Women’s Club The Continental Women’s Club will hold its monthly luncheon meeting on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. Our program will be a presentation

by Lisa Stanick who represents Partners for Breast Cancer Care, Inc., a unique organization that provides no-cost services to uninsured women and men with breast cancer. Over the past 12 years, the organization has assisted more than 13,000 women and men with breast screening, diagnosis and treatment.

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.

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

The deadline to reserve for this event is Tuesday, January 27. 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) 6917561 by January 27 for meal selection and to make a reservation.

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

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