Report from Your Master POA
By Fred Thompson, Master POA President
Fall has arrived in SWFL! After the sweltering temps and humidity of the summer, the cooler and dryer weather arrived about mid -month October. We are also approaching the end of the hurricane season peak period! It appears that we may be bypassed by the Big Winds this year! Once we reach the end of October the weather in the Gulf and southern Atlantic becomes less supportive for hurricanes. The Weather Tiger reports that only 3% of the Florida hurricane activity occurs after October 25th. Let us hope that we don’t see more activity in November! We need some time for our HOA/COAs to rebuild their reserves for the next big storm.
Have you noticed the difference in the amount of rain between the summer and winter? According to the Naples News, the average annual rainfall in Ft Myers is about 72 inches while the average in Naples is 50 inches. The Naples rain is measured at Naples airport while the Ft Myers rain is measured at Page Field. I cannot see any significant geographic difference between the two airports which are about the same distance from the Gulf.
So far this year, both reporting stations are running significant deficits from “normal” and the local fire districts are concerned about brush fires. Looking at the average monthly rainfalls, there is a big change between the summer months which average about 7 to 9 inches and less than 2 inches monthly from November through March. October is a transitional month with under 4 inches compared to 8.6 inches in September and 1.4 inches in November. By the way, are you aware that Comcast Channel 207 provides 24/7 local weather radar scans?
So much for the weather…the Master Board POA in October approved its 2024 annual budget keeping the Master quarterly assessment at $540 which is included in your neighborhood’s quarterly assessment. Our Master POA Treasurer, Mickey Wheeler, will use some of our accumulated Surplus to augment the assessment income to meet the 2024 contractual increases in our Comcast and other contracts and give the neighborhoods an opportunity to recoup their losses from the Ian cleanup. He did alert the Board that we will probably have to increase the assessment in 2025 to fund the contract increases.
Grandezza GirlFriends
By Cindy Fitzpatrick, Social Media Committee
Lions & tigers & bears, oh my! Our October guest speaker, Marci Seamples, is the director of development at the 100+ year old Naples Zoo. Marci shared the zoo’s fascinating history. We also learned about the many animals that call the zoo home, including capybaras and tapirs. You may have to google them, I did. Many exciting things are happening at the zoo. If you haven’t visited recently, you’ll want check it out. A special thank you to Laine Hamill who arranges our programs.
Birthday wishes to girlfriends, Peggy Dempsey, Connie Hauge, Mary Jo Mack and Nancy Reilly. Hope all your wishes come true! It was a lucky day for Shelia Hague! Not only was she the winner of the bracelet, but a raffle winner as well.
For Girlfriends on Facebook, we have a newly created Facebook group, Grandezza Girlfriends Inc. This is a private group for members of Grandezza Girlfriends only. If you’re interested, please submit your request to join the group via Facebook. It’s another resource for upcoming events and a place to see photos from luncheons and interest groups.
They will share tips for decorating for the holidays. This is one you won’t want
Registration has begun for 2024. There is a $15 renewal fee for current members and $25 fee for new members. We currently have over 20 interest groups, so there’s something for everyone.
Exploring Membership…One
By Sally Watts, Director of Membership, The Club at
Grandézza Season has arrived! What makes Grandèzza so special is our warm and welcoming membership. The sense of community is evident not only among our members but also in the interactions between our members and the Grandèzza staff. It is a wonderful feeling to be part of the Grandèzza family.
Whether you have spent the summer with us or just now returning to your home, we offer you a warm welcome with an exciting season of events and experiences planned for all to enjoy! Under our new ownership, Heritage Golf Group, new projects have already started and are nearing completion. Golf course bunkers and sand traps have been
Day At A Time
getting a facelift while the Clubhouse and Studio parking lots are being milled and repaved.
Our old Hollywood-themed Membership Welcome Back celebration officially kicked off the season on November 3rd followed by our golf team hosting our Men’s and Ladies’ Opening Days. Throughout the season, our Director of Fitness and Wellness, Yvette Bernosky, has a schedule packed full of classes, workshops, special events and fun experiences for the entire family. Guest speakers and Grandèzza on the Go excursions will keep our membership busy with a variety of day trips and topics.
When not in the gym or studio, David DeKeersmaker, our Director of Tennis, provides a great workout out on the tennis courts with individual or private lessons. While, Chef Javier
One expense that did increase is the annual provision for our pooled reserves which will be $114K compared to $71K in 2023. We received the 2024 reserve study from our outside reserve consultants which incorporated the recent increases for local repairs and parts, etc. This review is a Master Board policy to insure that our pooled reserves keep current with capital asset prices by having the study updated every 3 years. The largest reserved asset is the repaving of our Master roads and the pooled reserve assets provided the funding for the 2023 road work which cost about $140K.
We visited our Primary Care doctor in October and asked about the fall vaccinations. Of course, he mentioned the usual (but updated) flu shot and strongly recommended the RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) serum. Apparently, RSV is a relatively new vaccine to lower respiratory tract disease which can be sourced from direct or indirect contact with others. It usually causes mild cold like symptoms but can be more dangerous to senior citizens… in case you happen to know any. It is free under Medicare insurance. He also recommends the new versions of the Covid vaccination but mentioned that this is not as important as in the last few years since they now have new drugs that can cure most of the Covid symptoms and have significantly reduced the number of victims of the disease. We were able to get our vaccinations at Publix without an appointment. But that may change when the seasonal visitors arrive.
Did you know…there is small retail center planned just east of Grandezza at the entrance to Wild Blue? I understand that it will have a convenience store, gasoline and perhaps Starbucks. It will be accessed from Corkscrew Rd. The zoning for this center was included in the master zoning for Wild Blue. Another possible Estero change…Walmart has asked the village for permission to build a free-standing building in its US 41 parking lot to facilitate delivery of online orders. A sign that retail shopping is constantly changing.
As we get to know Florida. Let’s discuss legal services, which appear, based on TV ads, to be a major industry in FL. Florida has the 4th largest number of licensed attorneys in the USA at 92,000. About 13,000 of those are domiciled out of state and about 60% are male. Morgan & Morgan advertises that they are the largest “tort” law firm in the world. Of course, they do not mention that the US is the only large country that has a tort industry.
We look forward to seeing our seasonal friends over the next few weeks!
As we move into season there are many fun things happening. Each season brings new and exciting choices for entertainment and cuisine for families and friends. There are several new restaurants and bar venues opening this season. The Backyard Social in Fort Myers had a grand opening. This venue offers fun seating stations inside and out, delicious cuisine choices from eight food truck vendors along with live entertainment, and fun games for the family like shuffleboard, duck pin bowling, etc. In addition this December Margaritaville will open its resort at Fort Myers Beach. These are some of the fun places you can bring your family and friends.
The best part of beginning the season is welcoming new residents that have moved to our Grandezza neighborhoods this past year. Welcome new neighbors to our wonderful community!
Enjoy and be safe.
Susan D. Baker, Ph.D., suzbake1@gmail.com
Mark your calendars for our next luncheon on November 9 with designers Shirley Cook and Liz Flowers.
to miss.
lanai w/solar & electric heated pool w/spa in the lovely & popular “Paloma” great room floor plan by Empire Builders - over 2,600 sq. ft. under air of luxury!
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Attention Grande Estates Owners:
I have a customer for a 4 BR + den home with gorgeous views-also-discreet and you will save some $.
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I have a customer wanting a 3 BR + den/bonus room end unit or possibly middle - again with the bonus room - all confidential and again - you would save $ on the transaction - ask me for details.
Reader’s Corner
By Susan Sherwin
There are long-held secrets in Chicken Hill in the town of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. It is June 1972 and construction workers have found a skeleton at the bottom of an old farmer’s well as they dig the foundations of a new townhouse development. A skeleton! Who exactly is the skeleton and how did it get there? This writer offers no spoilers but it is not until the last chapters that we learn the telling details in James McBride’s newest novel. And so, the mystery begins as the reader is taken back forty-seven years in time. Chicken Hill is an area of beatup houses and dirt roads where immigrant Jews from Eastern Europe, African Americans and other denizens manage to live side by side in harmony most of the time. The community is rich with myriad cultural dialects including Yiddish, Hebrew, German, Polish, Italian, Hungarian, and Gaelic. The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store is a meeting place for all.
While many of the numerous characters are shallowly drawn and appear stereotypical, in the aggregate they create a forceful backdrop of this satisfying time period mystery. Moshe Ludlow is the impresario of the All-American Dance Hall that features klezmer dance and old-time musicians like Mickey Katz. Chona, crippled from polio has a limp, a heart of gold but sorrow about not being able to bear a child. Color-blind, she is loved by the citizens of Chicken Hill for her kindness and humanity. Also, Chona’s erstwhile childhood best friend and next-door neighbor Bernice Davis is a woman with multiple children who is related to just about every black person on the Hill. Other characters
include: Nate, an ex-con with a mysterious history whose controlled rage simmers right below the surface and who helps at the grocery store with his wife Addie; Big Soap aka Enzo Carissimi, is a six foot six Italian always ready to do heavy work; Dodo is a deaf child who is taken under wing by Chona when his mother dies; Monkey Pants is a severely disabled child whose ability to communicate with Dodo is a life saver; Fatty Davis, is Bernice’s brother and a hustler who owns the Hill’s only jook joint; the gruff Skrupskelis twins from Lithuania run the local shoe store. Additionally, there is the incompetent Doc, the town’s bigoted doctor and leader of the annual parade.
As these characters’ stories overlap and deepen, it becomes clear how they are interconnected in their struggles and in their efforts to help each other survive life’s unfairness.
Award-winning author James McBride’s is a musician, screenwriter, and author of eight books, including his best-selling memoir The Color of Water. His four summers working as a counselor at the Variety Club Club Camp for Handicapped Children in Worcester, Pennsylvania made a lasting impression on the author and became the foundation for The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store . Poignant are McBride’s themes of inclusivity, love and acceptance. His attention to the inclusion of the disabled and his portrayal of people living on the margins who band together to work for a better life and justice in spite of differences of ethnicities, education and capabilities make this a soul-lifting story.
Exploring Membership from page 1
Vasquez is back with “Cooking with Chef” tasting sessions and a new lineup of culinary experiences at all of Grandèzza’s dining outlets, including curated menus for special events such as our bountiful Thanksgiving Feast.
As our membership continues to expand, please join me in welcoming new members, Cindy & Alfred Karniewicz, Armando & Olga Delgado, Derrick & Justine Layser, Samuel & Franca Costa, Ryan & Kelley Zampogna and Mr. & Mrs. Barry Wold to the Grandèzza community.
As we settle into season, if you need to add any amenities to your existing membership or want to learn more about taking full advantage of all Grandèzza has to offer, I am always happy to chat. And, thank you for your continued member referrals as they are not only greatly appreciated but speak volumes about our beautiful club and membership. We look forward to seeing you around the Clubhouse and wish everyone a wonderful season to come!
Don’t Take That Fall
By Yvette Bernosky, B.Ms., Director of Fitness & Wellness, The Club at Grandézza
Stuck on the floor, unable to get up, I leaned over and said, “Clasp your hands around my back as I help lift you up.” It is a helpless and scary feeling to have fallen and lay there for hours, not knowing when help will arrive and if you are gravely injured. Although the fear of losing one’s independence is universal, as we age, our eyesight, hearing and reflexes might not be as sharp as they once were, and the realization that a fall may occur can become unsettling.
Many things may cause a fall. Accidents like tripping on a curb or a wet floor can impact one’s livelihood. It
is crucial to remember the importance balance has in preventing falls. A few tips to help lessen the risks of falling and breaking bones include:
Strength: Even at an advanced age, we can increase our strength with training to improve balance. When a person has more strength, they are more likely to get back up if they do fall. Resistance training can also improve bone density, reducing the risk of fractures.
Posture: Posture affects balance. A forward-hunched posture can shift one’s center of gravity and increase the susceptibility to fall. Adversely, good posture aligns with the center of gravity and stabilizes the body.
Stance: Equally as important to posture is how we stand. A wider stance provides a better base for balance, while a narrower one demands more balance control. For example, an individual with weakened strength, poor posture and a narrow stance will inevitably struggle with maintaining balance.
Flexibility & Range of Motion: Flexibility and range of motion significantly influence our balance. As we
The Shaman and the Santa Claus
A Siberian Christmas Story
By Sandy Krolick, Ph.D.
It was not a month past Christmas, and all through the streets, people were gathering round for a feast. They awaited a man called the QAnon shaman, otherwise known as Jacob Marley, oops, I mean Chansley, the Brahmin; when all of a sudden there arose such a clatter; was it the wild mob gathering or just reindeer chatter.
Grandezza Directory
Gatehouse (239) 498-8895
Gatehouse (DwellingLIVE Automated # to register guests) (239) 986-8627
Address 11450 Grande Oak
Clubhouse (239) 948-3569
Grandezza Express - Take Out Food (239) 738-7113
Golf Pro Shop (239) 948-2900
Tennis Pro Shop (239) 738-7111
Wellness Director (941) 999-1331
Golf Maintenance (239) 947-6296
Vesta Property Services cmcfarland@vestapropertyservices.com (239) 947-4552 x 932
Gazzette Editor for HOA
Susan Baker (585) 615-5961 suzbakgranmb@gmail.com
GRANDEZZA MASTER WEBSITE www.GrandezzaMaster.com
November 10 – December 25
Based on the popular film, this hilarious musical comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity. Raised in the North Pole, Buddy is unaware that he is human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. Buddy embarks on a journey to New York. This holiday classic is sure to bring out the true spirit of Christmas...after all, the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear!
Dec. 30, 2023 - Feb. 17, 2024
This official Elvis Presley biomusical takes a closer look at the rock star and cultural icon whose impact shaped the history of music. Spanning from his childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi to his triumphant 1968 “Comeback Special” and his ascent to be “The King.” You’ll hear iconic hits including All Shook Up, Heartbreak Hotel, Burning Love, Hound Dog, Don’t Be Cruel, Jailhouse Rock, Blue Suede Shoes and more!
Dates may be subject to change.
YOU may not know this, but January 6 was not the first outing of a shaman in our midst. Nor, most likely, will it be the last. Perhaps what follows will provide some context on the place shamanism has occupied within our world and, not the least, in our own storied wintery mythology of Saint Nick.
SINCE the early twentieth century anthropologists have used the words ‘shaman,’ ‘sorcerer,’ and ‘medicine man’ interchangeably. Such terms have ordinarily been applied to persons in pre-urban or ‘primitive’ societies who possess magical or healing powers.
THE ARCHEOLOGICAL record of shamanism dates back more than 30,000 years with some of the earliest evidence found in Russian Siberia. So shamanism may be understood as a genuinely Siberian phenomenon. In fact, the word “shaman” comes from the language of the Evenk , a group of reindeer herders in the Baikal region of Siberia.
ABOVE ALL, the shaman is a specialist in ecstatic trance. In altered states of consciousness, he can visit with ‘other-than-human’ powers animating the world of everyday experience. This ability provides the shaman with the special status as ‘technician of the sacred’. There is also a secret language that shamans possess — a means of communicating with the forces animating nature. This makes him a crucial figure, a messenger of lost mysteries and the bearer of an emergent concept of the sacred. But, it is the shaman’s drum that lay at the heart of his mission, his worldview, and the ecstatic trance he enters. It is in drum-induced trances that the shaman is able to fulfill his role as spiritual guide to the living as well as the dead. Yet, is the drumming, the dancing, and the chanting all there is to ecstatic trance and magical flight?
IT’S no secret that Siberians love hunting mushrooms. We might say their love of mushrooms proves a visceral attachment to the Earth. Siberian shamans share this love of mushrooms, and exercise this affinity in teasing open that doorway to ecstatic trance.
AMANITA MUSCARIA or the magic mushroom
step, our hips and spine rotate naturally, and this unrestricted movement aids in balance. Flexibility training stretches the muscles and joints, improving the range of motion and reducing stiffness.
Vestibular System: Our balance also heavily depends on our vestibular system, as it helps orient us in space to maintain balance. Comprised of the inner ear, eyes and sensations in the legs and feet, vestibular specialists can conduct assessments to identify problems in these areas and suggest appropriate treatments.
More than one in four older adults falls each year. Numerous proactive steps to improve balance and prevent falls include developing a suitable workout plan matched to the individual›s skills and capabilities. As we age, the value of confidently stepping into the future and maintaining independence can never be underestimated.
boasts a long history as a hallucinogen in Siberia and elsewhere. This mushroom has hypnotic and dissociative effects, creating a feeling of ‘being-beside-oneself’ or ‘outside-of-oneself,’ providing the experience of literally traversing cosmic realms. This mushroom is the shaman’s key for achieving spiritual flight — a trance-like state enabling him to reach other worlds and obtain fantastic visions. Scholars agree, it is through mushroom-induced visions that a gateway to nature’s power was revealed. SO WHAT do we really know about Santa Claus or Saint Nick — you know, that jolly old bearded fellow dressed in red and white (like the Amanita mushroom), living in the North Pole (Siberia), traveling by sleigh on the heels of flying reindeer delivering gifts and good tidings to all?
SIBERIAN Reindeer are sacred among indigenous peoples throughout Russia. Further, the reindeer has long been a helpmate to Siberian shamans. Now, it is no secret that these reindeer are fond of the psychedelic Amanita mushroom, seeking out this brightly colored fungus as a tasty treat under an early snowfall. For their part, shamans have been known to then swallow the snow-soaked urine of the reindeer and thereby attain a state of ecstatic trance while avoiding the ill effects of ingesting the mushroom itself.
THE sense of flight induced by this hallucinogeniccharged urine could very well account for legends of flying reindeer in our own Santa fable. In fact, the flying reindeer, the sleigh, and the entire foundation of our Santa mythology may have had its roots in those psychedelic, mushroom-induced shamanic trances of Siberia where Saint Nicholas is still regarded as patron saint of travel (shamanic flight included). It may be that this Christian symbol and its iconography have simply supplanted the magical flight of the ecstatic indigenous Siberian shaman, his dancing reindeer, and their magic mushrooms.
Traveling To Croatia
By Paul LeBlanc
It started as a golf trip to Bordeaux, France involving a larger group that included the Savas, Polyschuks, Platts and us. But in this article, I am writing about the back end of that trip. Dar Polyschuk had suggested we (the LeBlancs and the Polyschuks) extend our stay in Europe and go to Croatia. I must confess Croatia was not on my list of places to visit. I am so glad we accepted. It was beyond expectations.
The tour was booked through Kensington Tours. Our adventure started by flying from Bordeaux (6:30am departure) to Amsterdam and then Amsterdam to Split (arrival shortly after noon). Over the next 9 days we travelled by boat, car and foot. We sampled about 30 Croatian wines while eating great meals. We stayed in palaces, a converted monastery, and other fine hotels. We saw local folk festival performers. We even visited a mussel and oyster farm.
Our adventure took us from Split to Plitvice Lakes, Hvar, Vis, Bisevo Island (be sure to visit the Blue Caves), Korcula, and finally Dubrovnik.
We ate at some very interesting places. The most unusual was Nostromo in Split. It is an outdoor fish market by day and a beautiful airy restaurant by night.
The country has an interesting history and architectural beauty. The people are very welcoming to visitors. Say a word or two in their language (thanks to Google Translate) and they quickly switch to English.
Trip To Switzerland
By Al and Nancy Meyer
We didn’t hear any yodeling or cuckoo clocks, see any Edelweiss or meet Heidi; nonetheless we had a fantastic time for 17 days touring the land of lakes, mountains, chocolates, cheese and watches. We spent the first day learning the ins and outs of the trams and trains, both of which are some of the best in the world. Our daughter Stacy lives and works in Zurich, so we had a master instructor and tour guide.
Switzerland is surrounded by Italy on the south, Austria and Liechtenstein on the east, Germany on the north and France on the west. Adjectives and photos just don’t seem adequate to describe the beauty and uniqueness of this wonderful country. The majestic scenery of the countryside, Alps, lakes and historic cities seemed endless. Most of the 8.5 million people live in Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern and Lucerne. Zurich is the hub for most of the trains, banks and almost every upscale retailer in the world. It’s located in the city center on the north end of Lake Zurich which stretches 20 miles with prestigious lakefront homes lining both sides. Cruises of 2-4 hours leave all day similar to a hop on hop off tour bus.
During our time in Zurich, we enjoyed an amazing tour of the Lindt Chocolate factory, took a couple of lake cruises, sampled the many fabulous restaurants and strolled their shopping street (Bahnhofstrasse) which is a combination of 5th Ave., Rodeo drive and Michigan Ave.
SIDE TRIPS:
LOCARNO: A beautiful renaissance town on Lake Maggiore on the Italian border across from Lake Como. It is recognized worldwide for its International Film Festival, which was in full swing during our visit. The open-air theatre is the largest in the world where ten world premieres have been held. The historic Plaza Grande is one of the most famous squares in Switzerland. It’s an easy one-day excursion from almost anywhere in Switzerland.
VADUZ, LICKTENSTEIN: This tiny country of 40,000 is located in the alps between Switzerland and Austria. We made it up to the Vaduz castle only to find it closed for renovation. The castle is the residence to the ruling prince. We had a great time walking the “main drag” in a light rain, touring an ancient church and taking in the sights from up high. After our tour, we drove to Feldkirch, Austria for an unbelievable Wiener Schnitzel dinner at Gasthaus Zur Eide. The best we have ever had.
SCHAFFHAUSEN: This quaint Medieval town on the banks of the Rhine is 40 miles north of Zurich on the German border. The long winding touristy street is filled with ornate frescos, bay windows and pastel-colored houses decorated with beautiful flower boxes. The famous Rhein falls is a few miles south of town and is the largest waterfall in Europe. Not as big as Niagara, but stunning, nonetheless.
LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA : A small country in the Balkans known for its mountains, ski resorts and lakes that for a century was part of Yugoslavia until 1991. Ljubljana (spelling quiz later) is the capital with 300,000 of the 2.1 million people. It’s the only country in the world with LOVE contained within its name. The national symbol is the shape of the heart representing love. The symbol was coined in 1991 as part of their independence from Yugoslavia. Ljubljana is a fascinating city filled with all of the European charm and tourist sites like the famous three bridges area and fun filled streets that take your mind off everything. In 2022 Ljubljana was named Europe’s best destination. We would agree.
The highlight of our entire trip was the one-day trip and tour of Lake Bled…one of the most beautiful places in the world. The boat trip to Europe’s only island and the tour of the castle were beyond any expectation. The whole experience was like a dream.
COLMAR, FRANCE: We traveled about 125 miles NW of Zurich via Basel to Colmar. Colmar is known as “Little Venice” with its canals that run through the city. Once you travel the cobblestone streets with unbelievable pastel buildings decorated with flowers, it becomes easy to understand why it was the inspiration that inspired the 1991 Disney film, Beauty and the Beast. I might add we shared the streets of this “fairytale city” with about 25K tourists on our Saturday visit.
EMMENTAL: Another day trip to visit the famous cheese factory known for the best Swiss cheese in the world. The tour was fabulous and quite educational as you learn why this region produces the milk that makes this cheese so special.
On our way, we stopped in Zofingen another unique and quaint walled city and the home of the ancient settlement of the Celtic Helvetii. Focaccia for lunch was very special.
Special thanks to our daughter Stacy for hosting and guiding us. It was a great opportunity to visit her new home/ surroundings, and also very educational. It is really hard to find much to not like in Switzerland.
Do you have a travel story to share?
Travel Stories From Grandezza Residents....
Now that the Covid cases have diminished here at home and in many countries around the world, our Grandezza friends and neighbors are beginning to travel again. Hopefully you noticed we have started a “Travel Corner” in The Grandezza Gazette with the help of our traveling residents. We would like to invite you and your traveling friends to share your travel experiences and tell us about any interesting, or unusual destinations and experiences along the way. We would love to hear about your best stories/logs from your past, or present travels. Have you visited an “off the beaten path” place, or discovered a new or special attraction nearby? What was the most interesting/memorable, or the least interesting? Do you have any special/personal tips or advice that would help others planning to visit the
same places? Would you recommend your trip to others? If not, why not? You get the idea! We’re looking for our Grandezza residents to write a short recap of your highlights (200-600 words) in any direction you wish to pursue. There are no ground-rules except they must be personal resident experiences and not travel tips etc. from commercial travel agents. Virtually everyone loves to travel, so we expect the readership to be very high.
Hopefully, you have some travel experiences you would like to share. If so, please send them to Al Meyer at meyer815@aol.com and we’ll get them printed as soon as possible.
all since been consumed, but the memories of the wine and our trip will last a lifetime.
We’ll end this with a few interesting things we learned about Switzerland.
• Trust and honesty are sacred…virtually no crime.
• The Internet and Einstein’s theory of relativity were invented there.
• Debt is a 4-letter word for both people and governments.
• Recycling is unbelievable. Garbage bags are $1.85 and grocery bags are similar.
• 3rd most expensive country in the world behind Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.
• No war for 167 years. Totally neutral.
• If you’re late, you are not riding a train or wearing a Swiss watch.
Nancy and I are happy to provide more detailed information if you are interested in making the trip.
Thanks in advance for helping to make The Grandezza Gazzette more interesting for our readers.
Now back to the wines. My favourite winery was Frano Milos in Peljesac Peninsula. We had a case from there shipped to our home in Grandezza. My favourite was the 2007 Stagnum. Unfortunately, it has
Protecting Our Water And Environment
Engage Estero’s November Community Meeting will be held at Estero Park and Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero, FL 33928 on Nov. 15, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
This critical meeting is open to the public and our members. There will be two very experienced speakers on water quality issues and problems.
Captain Chris Wittman – Captains For Clean Water
Captain Wittman will discuss the impact of the threats to the Everglades and why that is important for Estero. He is a lifelong outdoors person, spending over 20 years as a fishing and hunting guide, nationally renowned tournament angler, on-camera host, and TV show producer. As a fourth-generation Florida native, Capt. Chris witnessed firsthand the destruction caused by Florida’s water mismanagement, leading him to cofound Captains for Clean Water.
Captain Codty Pierce –Calusa Waterkeeper
Captain Pierce will discuss the urbanization of greater Estero: the threats to our water quality and what can be done to minimize the impact. He is a lifelong resident of the Caloosahatchee watershed.
Growing up along one of its tributaries helped shape his passion, love, and admiration for the area’s history and biodiversity.
Codty’s early background in reptiles, wetland restoration, and native plant landscaping, coupled with a career as a professional fishing guide, has created a unique collage of his in-the-field experience across local uplands, wetlands, estuaries, and nearshore Gulf waters. As a Waterkeeper, Codty’s mission is “To Protect and Restore the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to the Coastal Waters” and he has a passion for uniting and protecting this unique watershed.
Jim Gilmartin will deliver the President’s Report, providing an update on other vital initiatives Engage Estero plans and addresses.
The event is free and open to the public. Because seating is limited, reservations are requested at https://www. esterotoday.com/event/nov2023.
The Future Of Schools In Greater Estero
Engage Estero’s December Community Meeting will be held at Estero High School Auditorium, 21900 River Ranch Road, Estero, FL 33928 on Dec. 7, 6 to 7:30 a.m.
You cannot afford to miss this meeting. You’ll learn what plans are in place to increase the number of schools and educational standards in greater Estero as the number of residents grows within and outside the current Estero Village boundary.
Estero on page 7
Grandezza Classified Ads
To place a classified ad e-mail Susan Baker suzbake1@ gmail.com. An ad will run for THREE [3] MONTHS after first submission (except for Service Offerings). Please notify us when the item has been sold or if you wish to have it deleted from the column so that you do not continue to receive phone calls. You must notify us to continue an ad for an additional cycle after the initial 3-month period has expired or it will be deleted. Submission month is noted at the end of each ad.
Service Offerings
Cat Sitting: Cats only! Mature Grandezza resident will lovingly care for your cat(s) in your own home. Cat Sitting by Jen is registered and insured. Reasonable rates. Many references available. Call (239) 947-8486.
Concierge Service: Assists by Comer. Grandezza resident offering 5-star concierge and home watch services. For assistance call 407-928-4646.
Home Automation Services: Tyler’s Technology & Automation Services including iPad/iPhone/Laptop Assistance & Tutorials. Call or Text (239) 887-5049 for free estimates.
Home Health Care: Fox Private Home Healthcare is a family owned and operated service for in-home
healthcare. Custom care options. Experienced, caring, and flexible with overnights and light housekeeping as options. Contact Donna Fox at 424-8968 or (mobile) 607-483-4428.
Nanny & Pet Sitter: Nanny/ light housekeeper/ house manager/ pet sitter with 20+ years of experience. Available evenings and weekends. Newborn through school aged children. CPR First Aid certified. Contact Jessica Ward at 203-556-6130.
Pet Sitting: Planning to travel and cannot take your 4-legged family member with you? Call Kathie Karp at 561-715-7868 or kthka8@gmail.com to stay at your home and watch over the welfare of your dog.
Travel Concierge: Retired full time resident, over 35 years travel experience offering the best prices & service for cruises, tours, packages, all-inclusive safaris...The advice is free, the planning priceless. Contact Larry @ Ljackman1@ aol.com.
Tutoring and Pet Sitting: Dog walker/caretaker and K-12 Certified English and Reading Tutor: Grandezza resident who will care for your family. 30 years of experience with pets and 20 years of experience with students. For more information call Shannon at (561) 808-4040 or email: shannonleaschwartz@gmail.com
Neighborhood Watch Coordinators
Grandezza is a safer community because of Neighborhood Watch.
Cove A (Buttermere)
Cove B
Estates
Oakwood I (bldg 1-8 & 23-29)
II (bldg 9-22)
Remember-
• Call 911 for a crime-in-progress (emergency) or
• Call the police at 239-477-1000 to report suspicious activity/behavior (non-emergency)
• Call the Grandezza Gate at 239-498-8895 to inform them that the police may be coming and why.
• Notify your Neighborhood Watch Coordinator
Engage Estero’s management is pleased to announce our speakers for the meeting will be Dr. Adam Molloy, Lee County School District Director of Planning, Growth, and Capacity, and Chris Patricca, Lee County School Board member, District 3. Molloy, our first speaker, will address how the increasing population, especially younger residents, within the Village of Estero and along East Corkscrew will impact the requirement for suitable schools in our area. Adam will provide the latest plans and be available to answer your questions on this subject.
Molloy is a transformative educational leader working as director of Planning, Growth, and Capacity at the School District of Lee County. He is focused on improving educational systems by strategically addressing the structures that cause disruptions and inefficiencies. He is ethos-driven by the need to advance the success and sustainability of Lee County’s school district.
Chris Patricca, our second speaker, will talk about her passion for improving educational standards with regard to:
• The need to attract more teachers and provide suitable homes to encourage them to stay in our community based on the “workforce housing” concept
• The value of volunteers in regard to Junior Achievement and other potential programs
• Encouraging greater parental involvement
• Other educational initiatives that should be considered.
In addition to her position as a Lee County’s Schools District 3 member, Chris is the chief operations officer for TLP Financial Services, Inc., a company she owns with her husband. Her professional experience includes being a paraprofessional at Pinewoods Elementary School, a fulltime and adjunct professor at the State University of New York, and a staff attorney at The Ayco Company, L.P., a division of Goldman Sachs.
Chris’ educational background includes Juris Doctor, Seton Hall University School of Law, Newark, N.J., B.A., Government, Clark University, Worcester, Mass., and A.A., Criminal Justice, Quinsigamond College, Worcester, Mass.
Chris’ daughter is a graduate of Dunbar High School. She has two sons who are seniors at Bonita Springs High School and another son who is a junior at South Fort Myers High School. Chris is incredibly proud of her children’s education in our schools.
Jim Gilmartin will provide the President’s Report for Engage Estero.
The event is free and open to the public. Because seating is limited, reservations are requested at https://www. esterotoday.com/event/dec2023.
For additional information, please contact Jim Gilmartin at (630) 337-9900 or EngageEsteroPres@gmail.com.
About Engage Estero
Engage Estero is an all-volunteer, nonpolitical, nonprofit community engagement association. We exist to inform citizens of significant community issues and encourage citizen engagement to impact the quality of life in greater Estero favorably. Meetings like this are one way we inform citizens using local experts. Visit our website www. esterotoday.com for more information.
New Florida Law Affects Golf Cart Operators
A new Florida law went into effect on October 1st that imposes certain restrictions on persons under 18 years of age from operating golf carts on public roads. The new legislation requires that all golf cart operators carry a government issued I.D. such as a driver’s license even if they are 18 years old or older.
A 15 year old may still operate a golf cart with a valid driver’s permit and teens 16 years of age and older will need a valid driver’s license. Previously, Florida law allowed a 14 year old to drive a golf cart. Now no one under 15 years of age is legally permitted to operate a golf cart in Florida.
Poison Control (800) 222-1222
Alligator Hotline (866) 392-4286
Animal Control (239) 432-2083
Mosquito Control (239) 694-2174 Florida Power & Light (239) 334-7754
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 6,500 children are injured in golf cart accidents each year. Just more than half those injured are children under 12. Recently, a 3 year old driving a golf cart struck and killed a 7 year old in Fort Myers, according to a news release from the Florida Highway Patrol.
In the interest of safety we encourage all Grandezza golf cart owners to exercise good judgement by not allowing under age drivers to operate golf carts in the community and to follow the guidelines set forth in the new Florida law.
Mike Patricelli
Sunshine Before You Dig (800) 432-4770
Grandezza Gazzette