Latin Dance With Angela
Wednesday, April 3, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Dance Lesson, 8 to 11 p.m., Dance Party, Entry: donations
The first Wednesday of each month, SBDAC celebrates the art of movement with Latin dance with Angela. Popular local singer and dancer Angela Hicks will lead attendees with pointers in popular dance styles such as rumba and salsa. Doors open at 6 p.m. to the 6:30 to 7:30 class in the Grand Atrium, followed by dancing until 11 p.m. where everyone can practice their new moves.
No dance experience required! No cover and open to the public!
D.J. Julz
Wednesday, April 3, 8 to 11 p.m., Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture
Garden, Rooftop bar open from 6 to 11 p.m., Donation entry
Julio Osegueda with the stage name of D.J. Julz (Hoolz) was born in Long Island, N.Y. Of Dominican Republic descent and currently residing in Southwest Florida, he became a D.J. in 2007. Accommodating so many styles and cultures of music, Julio’s love for music is second to none! His résumé includes providing music in international waters through Carnival Cruise Lines. D.J. Julz (Hoolz) specializes in being able to mix multiple genres of music to ensure his crowds are experiencing top notch times.
An evening of music, comedy, food and fun on behalf of youth scholarships is on tap at the 2024 Playmakers Tailgate Party (PTP), presented by the Tommy Bohanon Foundation (TBF).
The annual event is slated for Friday, April 12, from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Ranch Concert Hall and Saloon in Fort Myers. The event kicks off with a comedy show by R.C. Smith and will feature live music along with the scholarship award presentation. Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in silent and live auctions to benefit local youth athletes.
Sponsors include Extreme Florida Roofing, Extreme Painting and Contracting and Extreme Demolition and Land Clearing. Sponsorships are still available at the following levels and benefits:
• Hall of Fame sponsor – $5,000
￮ Private table for eight
￮ Full-page ad
￮ VIP cocktail party
￮ Logo displayed at event
￮ Logo table display
￮ Premier sponsor for all TBF 2024 events
• Player of the Year sponsor – $3,000
￮ Semi-private table for four
￮ Half-page ad
￮ Logo displayed at event
￮ Logo table display
￮ Sponsor for all TBF 2024 events
• All Pro Sponsor – $1,500
￮ Tickets for two guests
￮ Quarter-page ad
￮ Corporate logo display at PTP
Cinematic Impressions
Artist: Reynier llanes
Opens: April 5, 6 p.m., closes: April 25, 5 p.m., Grand Atrium, Entry: donations
Reynier Llanes is a Cuban-American artist devoted to painting different techniques from a very young age. For years, he has been passionate about exploring the intricacies of brushes, textures, and the build-on over a variety of supports. He has demonstrated a mastery of either watercolors or oils on canvas or paper. His immense talents as a realist painter can be appreciated in the bigger formats as well as the small, detailed ones. The last were selected for this exhibition.
foundation with the resources needed to support local youth between the ages of 5 and 18.
Tickets can be purchased at tommybohanonfoundation. org/playmakers/.
About The Tommy Bohanon Foundation
All proceeds from the tailgate party will go towards helping young athletes in Southwest Florida reach their full potential – both on and off the playing field. Ticket purchases, along with the auctions and raffles, provide the nonprofit
The Tommy Bohanon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting young athletes reach their highest potential on and off the playing field. Former NFL fullback Tommy Bohanon returned to his hometown in Southwest Florida to pursue his vision of ending generational poverty for at-risk youth. The foundation funds annual scholarships, sports equipment grants to local high schools, youth football camps, seminars and programs, as well as funding other local nonprofits. For more information about the Tommy Bohanon Foundation, visit TommyBohanonFoundation.org or call (239) 671-0441.
By Debbie Hughes, Horticulture Director
When I first moved to Florida more than 30 years ago, I didn’t know anything about gardening in this climate. The soil, heat, and lack of a real winter created new challenges. While I loved gardening in the other states that I lived in, I was truly blown away with the diversity of plants that can be grown here all year long.
In the rural area that I grew up in, gardens weren’t that impressive to me. They were nice in their own right, but with such a short-lived experience, what was I to do the rest of the year? Our garden endeavors included growing vegetables and fruits in the summer months so they could be canned or frozen for use during the rest of the year. Summer months were also when my grandma and mother grew their favorite flowers and when we mowed the grass.
Does a year-round garden require a lot of work? It sure does! Anything worth doing usually takes some extra effort to be successful. It didn’t take me long to realize how different gardening in Florida is and I was thoroughly impressed when I visited my first botanical garden here. All of the plants and trees
Several begonias are featured in the new begonia garden just outside the Moonlight Garden and Edison’s study.
Submitted by Joan Kaplan
The Gulf Harbour Book Club met on March 4 to discuss We Should Not Be Friends by William Schwalbe. There were 34 in attendance.
William Schwalbe was on Zoom with us. He has a big personality, a great sense of humor, is an attentive friend and is very outgoing. He is articulate and honest to a fault or not! This is not how he describes himself. He is being very modest. Having Will on Zoom was an absolute delight. He was born in New York in 1962; grew up in Cambridge, Mass., went to boarding school in New Hampshire and to college in New Haven, Conn. He worked as a journalist, in the television business, and even (briefly, in college) as a substitute teacher. He spent most of his life in publishing at William Morrow, and then at Hyperion, as editor in chief. In January 2008, he founded a startup called Cookstr.co and ran that for six years. It’s now part of Macmillan Publishers, where he’s worked since 2014.
Books have been the constant in his life. From those his mother read to him when he was too young to read, to those his father read when he could read but still liked to be read to. From books he read under the covers long after he was supposed to be asleep – including every single thriller by the magnificent
Alistair Maclean – to books that he found in his teens that helped him imagine all different kinds of lives, and see the world through others’ eyes.
He has written four books. The first was Send: Why People Email So Badly and How to Do it Better. The second was The End of Your Life Book Club, which is about the books he read with his mother when she was dying. The third was Books For Living, which is about the role books can play in our lives and how they can show us how to live each day more fully and with more meaning. And the fourth is We Should Not Be Friends, which is about the power of friendships –especially unlikely ones – to change our lives.
He lives in New York City with his husband, David Cheng. They have been together since way back when he first moved to Hong Kong in 1984. They have five godchildren, one niece, and four nephews.
He loves meeting fellow readers and hearing from readers about all different kinds of books. His favorite question to ask or be asked is a simple one, “What are you reading?” He answered this question by telling us of a book that has 2,000 pages.
Since this was a memoir, he went to every person he wanted to include in the book and sent them their
portion for permission to be included in the book and for the honesty of what he wrote. The other main character, Maxey, asked for one change … not to mention how much drinking was involved with their activities.
Will and Maxey met at Yale where they were invited to join a secret society. Maxey was a boisterous jock. Will is a shy gay man who does not want to be exposed in the society as gay. When they say you should not judge a book by its cover, Will says when you meet someone new, you should get to know the person before applying your own prejudices. After 40 years they are still friends. Will told us these friends are even closer today than when they were in college. Please look up The Island School in Eleuthera which is run by Chris and Pam Maxey.
We gave him a huge round of applause and decided to read The End of Your Life Book Club so we can have him back next season.
We highly recommend this book.
The Gulf Harbour Book Club usually meets on the first Monday of each month at noon in the club’s boardroom. If you want to join the book club email joankaplan@mac.com.
From December through May, Zoom will not be available as we are using Zoom for the authors. The selections going forward are April 1 – Evil Eye by Etaf Rum and May 6 – Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson.
Preference will be given to book club members on the dates the authors are joining us. There will be a deadline for book club members to sign up. After the deadline any member of the club is welcome.
Starting on April 3 through April 7, Pelican Preserve in Fort Myers, Fla., will be hosting the Second Annual 4 The Fallen Extravaganza benefitting 4 The Fallen. During the five-day extravaganza, events will be happening each day to include: a concert, a pickleball tournament, a cocktail party with an auction, a golf tournament with a luncheon and a two-day softball tournament featuring the USA Patriots, an all amputee softball team.
The extravaganza starts off with a Ben Allen Band concert Wednesday night. The amphitheater holds approximately 1,400 people and with tickets at $35 a ticket, these typically sell out quickly. Thursday looks to have a pickleball tournament. The Pickleball Club at Pelican Preserve, has well over 500 members to draw from. Thursday night there will be a cocktail party and an auction. Friday starts off with a golf tournament and numerous on-course and off-course contests. The day is completed with a banquet in the upstairs dining room. Hopefully the weekend will have an eight-person
team softball tournament featuring the USA Patriots Softball Amputee team. In total we anticipate bringing in 25-plus of our athletes.
Last March 2023, we had our inaugural 4 The Fallen event. During the week, our residents hosted all 25 of our veterans and amputees. We sold out both the cocktail party and the golf and softball tournaments. We raised over $120,000 during this first year event and we hope to increase that number this year.
About 4 The Fallen
4 The Fallen was created in 2011 as a 501(c)(19), veteran-based organization by armed forces veterans Jaime Fregozo (U.S. Army SFC) and Gregorio Zayas (U.S. Army Major) to raise awareness for fallen and injured heroes
throughout the country. By way of a softball team made up of service members and descendants of military veterans, the organization conducted flag ceremonies at softball tournaments and other sporting events throughout the country and publicly recognized injured and killed-in-action heroes.
4 the Fallen is a 100 percent volunteer, direct impact, nonprofit organization in support of our country’s heroes. Given a 501(c)(3) designation by the Internal Revenue Service in September 2015, the organization’s goal is to create funds necessary to operate critical programs and services. The high impact prosthetic, certified service dogs and adaptive sports programs were established to ensure that a direct impact was made upon the lives of injured American heroes who volunteered to serve our great nation.
By Sandy Kreatz
Our last luncheon of the season was a great success. We were treated to a fashion show with two different boutiques... Christina Maries’ Boutique and Marianne’s Boutique. Over 170 ladies shopped, enjoyed a great lunch and visited with friends. Thanks to our wonderful models
Blooming from
looked so different from what I was used to seeing. I wanted to learn everything I could, so I bought some books and went to any class on gardening that I could find. The more I learned, the more interested in horticulture I became.
After visiting many Florida gardens, I realized that each one has a different style and mission. Just like clothing stores and restaurants, each organization has something uniquely special. A garden can also represent a lifestyle or mission of the homeowner. Visiting multiple botanical gardens has many benefits. Some gardens wow visitors with a multitude of unusual plantings that many people have never seen before. Others are more of a sanctuary – providing a place to see wildlife and native plants.
When Thomas Edison was here, he researched plants with the goal of finding a natural source of rubber that could be produced in the United States. He planted specimens from all around the world and tested more than 17,000 plants. Today, the Edison and Ford Winter Estates botanical gardens showcases unique plants from six continents, but also has a native section to teach visitors about our indigenous species.
Our goal is to encourage you to dream big, as we hope you want to visit as often as you can, get inspired, and surround your home with beauty. One of our newest projects involves growing a dedicated begonia garden and using ferns and other Amazonian plants as companion plantings. During the planning phase, I conferred with another garden buddy and he told me I needed “yard floss.” I wasn’t familiar with this term, and a quick Google search brought up dental floss. I texted him, and the response was as follows: Yard floss refers to any mass-produced plants to fill in between rare things. I could do this, so I started researching what conditions begonias prefer to grow in.
I found several books recommending growing begonias as houseplants like African violets. For our purpose, I wanted to grow them in the ground. I could supplement in pots or hanging baskets, as this could be another option for those who live in Florida part-time. As I began my research, I found it isn’t always easy to find begonias for sale, except for the Begonia semperflorens cultivars often called wax begonias. These are used as common annual bedding plants, and I believe their floriferous flowers are the reasons for their popularity in many gated community entrances to wow us with their flowers. Since many of these begonias are native to areas which prefer an ideal
temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit, I knew that our summer wasn’t the season.
After the hurricane, we received a donation of begonias. They are typically considered winter season annuals and are thrown away and changed out once they no longer look their best. These are the most popular known begonias in a family of plants called Begoniaceae that has more than 2,000 species. While I like all begonias, I was interested in trying other varieties classified as thick stemmed (cane begonias) or rhizomatous in varying leaf colors, textures, and sizes.
Most of these species are native to moist (not wet) subtropical and tropical gardens (where it’s humid), and since we can control the water during our winter season, it is a perfect time to give other begonia species a try. We chose a southwest-facing area situated under a large lychee tree near the Moonlight Garden with partial or dappled sunlight. If you don’t have trees, it is best to choose a northern-facing location for the garden bed.
To get started, we literally dug right in and amended with peat moss and compost, working it into our Florida soil. Other amendments include fine pine bark, wood charcoal, and perlite. Begonias prefer an acid pH, similar to what azaleas and camelias crave. These types of begonias are grown mostly for their jazzy leaves. Colors are combined with various shades of burgundy, pink, red, white and green. For even more diversity, the veining or dots of white, silver, chartreuse, and burgundy make the leaves stand out greatly. Leaves can be frilly, indented, fuzzy, pointed, smooth, huge, tiny, palmate, kidney-shaped, elongated, round, and everywhere in between. With all these choices I find it difficult to limit my purchasing power.
I suggest you try several in your garden; you can probably find some at local independent garden centers. Hopefully, we’ll be able to propagate the ones we are growing and have them available for sale in the future. Some of my favorites include Begonia pigskin, Begonia rex, Angel wing begonias, and Begonia odorata. The next time you visit, be sure to ask where the new begonia garden is!
Since begonias like a shady garden spot, why not create your own Zen garden? Sitting amongst the beautiful leaves with such a tropical feel, I am immediately transferred to an island filled with chirping birds and balmy breezes. I envision spending a few minutes after a day at work, dreaming and relaxing among their calming affects. Take me away begonias!
Wednesday Night Market
Wednesday 4/10, 5/8, 6/12, 7/10, 8/14, 9/11, 10/9, 11/13, and 12/11, 5 to 8 p.m.
Join us every second Wednesday of the month from 5 to 8 p.m. for our monthly pop-up market. We feature a selection of fresh produce, art, live music, food trucks and beer and wine.
Open Mic At The Night Market
Wednesday, April 10, 5 to 8 p.m.
Join us for Open Mic at the Night Market, celebrating local musicians. Enjoy live performances in a vibrant atmosphere. Register online to participate. Basic sound system provided. Limited to one song or five minutes per performer. Spread the word and join us for an evening of talent and community spirit!
The Future Of Art: Student Exhibit
April 4 to April 27
Our walls are doused in student imagination and talent this month. This is the 32nd year the Alliance has partnered with Lee Arts Educators Association and the show features artwork from Lee County elementary, middle and high schools with hundreds of works in a variety of mediums.
Rock The Arches – Two Days Of Music To Help Bring Back History
April 6 and 7, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Fourth Annual Rock The Arches Music Festival is a fundraiser for Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches, Inc. Every dollar raised will be matched by Arches Bayfront and Moss Marina up to our goal of achieving $94,217.50. This is a family-friendly event. No outside coolers, drinks, or food, will be allowed.
Razing Liberty Square – A Film Screening
April 17, 6 to 9 p.m.
Member’s price – $10, nonmember’s price – $12 Miami is ground zero for sea-level rise. When residents of the historic Liberty Square public housing project learn about a $300 million revitalization plan for their neighborhood, which has long suffered from disinvestment, they know that this sudden interest comes from the fact that their neighborhood is located on the highest and driest ground in the city. Now they must prepare to fight a new form of racial injustice – Climate Gentrification.
1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture – A Film Screening
May 8, 6 to 9 p.m.
Member’s price – $10, nonmember’s price – $12
1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture is a feature documentary that follows the story of tireless researchers who
When your officers change, be sure to notify us so that we can keep both www.GulfHarbour33908.com and the Soundings updated.
The Soundings is a newsletter published for the benefit of the residents of Gulf Harbour. Seabreeze Communications Group assists in providing publishing, printing and advertising services. The content is that of the authors which should not be construed to be representations, opinions or views of the Gulf Harbour Master Association Inc., or its management, officers or directors or Seabreeze Communications Group. Additionally, the paid advertising in the Soundings should not be construed as an endorsement of any advertised product or service. Finally, none of the content of the Soundings may be reproduced for any purpose nor can the name GHY&CC Homeowner’s Association or similar modification be used in any way without the express prior written consent of the GH Master Association Inc Board of Directors.
trace the origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians to a grave mistranslation of the Bible in 1946. It chronicles the discovery of never-before-seen archives at Yale University which unveil astonishing new revelations, and casts significant doubt on any biblical basis for LGBTQIA+ prejudice. Featuring commentary from prominent scholars as well as opposing pastors, including the personal stories of the film’s creators, 1946 is at once challenging, enlightening, and inspiring.
The Nostaljah Band
Friday, April 5, 7 to 11 p.m., Rooftop Sculpture Garden, Rooftop bar opens from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., Donations encouraged
Nostaljah is a dynamic reggae band that brings an authentic and soulful sound to the stage. The band is steeped in the rich tradition of reggae music, with a modern twist that reflects their diverse influences. Formed in 2015, Nostaljah has been captivating audiences with their unique blend of reggae, R&B, and neosoul. The band’s infectious energy and positive vibes have earned them a devoted following both at home and abroad. Famous Author Lecture And Lunch
Enjoy a lunch, lecture, question and answer, and booksigning with bestselling author Caren S. Neile.
Monday, April 8, 12 to 2 p.m., doors open: 11:30 a.m., Grand Atrium
Author: Caren S. Neile
General admission: $45, table of eight, $360 General admission is first come, first-served seating. Caren S. Neile, Ph.D., MFA, has taught storytelling studies for the School of Communication & Multimedia Studies at Florida Atlantic University since 2000.
A cofounder of the academic journal Storytelling, Self, Society (Wayne State University), Neile has published widely, including a chapter in the Oxford Handbook of American Folklore and Folk Life Studies, the book Florida Lore (History Press) and a biweekly storytelling column for the Florida Jewish Journal. Only in Florida was published in 2020 by the History Press. That was followed by Peninnah’s World: A Jewish Life in Stories in 2021.
Dr. Neile holds degrees from Columbia University (BA), the Jewish Theological Seminary (BA), Florida International University (MFA) and Florida Atlantic University (Ph.D.).
D.J. Don Fresh
Wednesday, April 10, 8 to 11 p.m., Rooftop Sculpture Garden, Rooftop bar open from 6 to 11 p.m., Donation entry
D.J. Don Fresh has been providing high energy, upscale entertainment in the Florida music scene for the last 12 years! With a Caribbean background, he excels in mixing fusion sounds of reggae/dancehall, afrobeats, soca, kompa, afrohouse, reggaeton, hip hop and many more genres.
Latin Night With D.J. JC
Thursday, April 11, 8 to 11 p.m., Rooftop Sculpture Garden, Rooftop bar open from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.
General admission: $10, 21 years and older only
Jean Carlo was born and raised in the city of Washington Heights, N.Y. From a young age Jean Carlo always aspired to be an entrepreneur and had a lot of love for the music industry. He started off learning how to play the guitar, then moved onto learning how to play piano. Last but certainly not least, he was always the D.J. at the family parties. In 2019 he decided to open up Fire Entertainment, LLC and from that point on the rest is history.
Michael Cleveland And Flamekeeper
Friday, April 12, 6:30 p.m. cocktails, 7:30 p.m. concert, Grand Atrium
Bluegrass Music Series
Cost: General admission: $45, general admission day of: $50, student tickets: $10. Student tickets must be purchased at the box office with student identification.
Widely considered the bluegrass fiddler of his generation, Cleveland has been recognized 12 times as the IBMA’s “Fiddler of the Year” and in 2018 was inducted into the National Fiddler’s Hall of Fame. In 2019, Cleveland’s amazing life of adversity and achievement was featured in the documentary film Flamekeeper: The Michael Cleveland Story.
Sheena Brook
Friday, April 12, 8 to 11 p.m., Rooftop bar open from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., Entry: donations Sancocho Sundays Family Brunch
Sunday, April 14, 12 to 5 p.m., Grand Atrium
This is a family-friendly brunch all you can eat buffet event, for all ages. There will be a full salsa band playing all the hits by Orquesta Tropikal Soundz, as well as music by D.J. JC on the mix. Entrance cover and buffet is $40 flat fee per person. Children 12 and under are $25. Drinks not included, water will be provided.
Alliance For The Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33919, (239) 939-2787, artinlee.
org. Please note the updated gallery and administrative office hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wine And Paint
Wednesday, April 17, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Rooftop karaoke directly following, 8:30 to 11 p.m., Rooftop Sculpture Garden, Rooftop bar open from 6 to 11 p.m.
Cost: $45
Wine and Paint occurs every third Wednesday and is led by some of the area’s most entertaining, talented and enthusiastic painters. It offers budding painters a chance to gather with friends to create their own masterpieces. Your ticket includes a canvas, all necessary materials, and two glasses of wine.
New Jazz Underground
Friday, April 19, 6:30 p.m. cocktails, 7:30 p.m. concert, Grand Atrium
Jazzy Nights Music Series
Cost: General admission, $45, general admission day of: $50, student tickets: $10, table of four: $225, table of eight: $450. Student tickets must be purchased at the box office with student identification.
New Jazz Underground is a trio composed of three Juilliard School alumni in jazz at Lincoln Center’s inner circle of young artists who have worked closely with jazz masters ranging from Wynton Marsalis, Victor Lewis and ELEW.
Chris Bepko
Friday, April 19, 8 to 11 p.m., Rooftop Sculpture Garden, Rooftop bar open from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., Donations encouraged
When asked to describe what kind of music he makes, Chris Bepko quips, “It’s as if soul met reggae, funk, and jazz one night, and they made a multicultural lovechild.” Chris started playing music when a battle with cancer compelled him to add color to his life. After playing for several years in Connecticut, he relocated to Florida in 2019. Musicians and friends over the years have taught him that music is not just playing notes, but transposing feelings to melody. Lately, his greatest composition came to life off the stage, with the birth of his twin girls.
Movie Mondays
Monday, April 22, 6:30 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. film, Grand Atrium
Cost: General admission: $10, senior discount: $8 Come out on the third Monday of every month for a movie from the Fort Myers Film Festival at SBDAC. Film TBA. The Kelly Neff Band
Friday, April 26, 8 to 11 p.m., Rooftop Sculpture Garden, Rooftop bar open 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., Donations encouraged
Fort Myers Film Festival
May 22 to 26, Grand Atrium
The Fort Myers Film Festival was awarded the prestigious 2015 Chrysalis Award for Cultural Achievement by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau and the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Inc. at their annual Celebration of Business & Tourism Awards Luncheon and Trade Show at the Harborside Event Center in downtown Fort Myers. The Fort Myers Film Festival was founded by Eric Raddatz, the award-winning presentation editor of Florida Weekly, regular contributor for ABC7 and NBC-2 in Fort Myers, as well as host of Fort Myers Film Festival’s indie film show, T.G.I.M. Guests of the Fort Myers Film Festival have two hotel partners this year, The Luminary and The Banyan. To book at The Banyan simply call (239) 337-3446 and use the code “FFF” for the discounted rate from May 17 to 21.
Rooftop Fun
Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden Visit www.sbdac.com for events and details.
Wednesday and Friday night atop Sidney’s is fun for everyone with a panoramic 360-degree view of the city and the sunset over the Caloosahatchee River! The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center invites the public to come learn, sip, create, celebrate, listen to music and dance the night away! Sidney’s sculpture garden and reception area is now open to the public on Wednesday night from 6 to 11 p.m. and Friday night from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Note: Some nights will carry a nominal cover charge. Enjoy painting, dance, yoga or live music on the rooftop. All ages welcome.
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (SBDAC), 2301 First St., Fort Myers, FL 33901, (239) 333-1933, www.sbdac.com.
Dear friend,
“I Just Don’t Believe That…”
When I meet people in town, they usually say, “Oh, yeah, I know you, you’re that doctor with the beard on TV.” Well, perhaps I should tell you a little more about myself, the picture from television and why I use it in my ads.
Let’s start with me, the guy with the beard. Ten years ago I was living here in Florida. At that time my mother was down visiting from New Jersey for the season when she showed up in my clinic with a frozen shoulder. She was desperate and in pain having lost practically all use of her dominant arm. She could hardly fix her hair, reach for a coffee cup or even fasten her brassiere. Basic hygiene had become extremely difficult for her. She was afraid, because the two orthopedic surgeons that she had consulted told her, “Your only option is to have your shoulder replaced.” I remember saying to my mother, “I just don’t believe that.”
Now at that time I was a chiropractor who worked primarily on the spine. Frankly… I didn’t know how I was going to help her. I just knew there was a nonsurgical solution out there and I was going to find it.
And boy did I find it! I found the answer to my mother’s shoulder problem and much, much more. And where did I find it? Of all places, I found it at the birthplace of Elvis Presley, Tupelo, Mississippi. Immediately I hopped on a plane and flew into Memphis, rented a car and drove out to a chiropractic neurologist who was willing to teach me how to fix my mother’s frozen shoulder. I spent three days in his clinic shadowing him, learning a new technique I had never even heard about before. Eager to help my mother, I developed this new skill set quickly. When I returned to Florida I wanted to be able to immediately fix my mother’s shoulder.
And that’s exactly what happened. After I performed the first Non-Surgical Operation on her shoulder, her pain went away significantly and she recovered to nearly full range of motion. She was so happy that she avoided surgery and got her life back.
It’s strange how life is, because that same doctor who showed me how to fix my mother’s shoulder opened up his treasure chest of knowledge and showed me how to help people with chronic knee, neck, low back pain and those suffering with neuropathy in their hands and feet, all without the use of Drugs, Surgery or Injections.
I spent the next several months flying back and forth to Mississippi learning all that I could.
Many years later we now have over one thousand successful patient testimonials. Many of them were told by their doctors that their only option was to have their knee or shoulder replaced or to take toxic drugs for the rest of their lives to mask their neuropathy symptoms.
Al was one of those patients who was told he had ‘bone on bone’ degeneration. His knee stopped unlocking properly, similar to what I’m describing in the photo, and he was facing knee replacement surgery. He was suffering from chronic degenerative knee pain, couldn’t walk properly and was easily holding onto 60 pounds of excess body weight. His doctors would have eagerly scheduled him for a knee replacement surgery had he decided to go in that direction.
Immediately after the Non-Surgical Operation I performed on Al’s knee, he was squatting and walking up and down the stairs normally without pain.
Al is now in his early 70s touring Alaska in his RV. He has dropped over 60 pounds and is biking 15 - 20 miles per day and loving life. He regularly sends me great pictures from his adventures.
Joyce was told by her oncologist, “There’s nothing that can be done.” She would have to live with the chemo-induced neuropathy in her hands and feet. Hot and cold were indistinguishable and the numbness and tingling made it impossible for her to walk any distance.
Joyce was a cancer survivor only to have come out on the other side with another debilitating condition. She and her husband showed up in my clinic and told me what their medical doctor had said. I told her the same thing I told my mother, “I just don’t believe that.”
After a thorough neurological examination and report of findings she trusted me enough to follow my protocols. Within two weeks her numbness and tingling in her feet subsided and the feeling was coming back.. After 12 weeks she was feeling the sand between her toes as she walked along the beach again. At her one year checkup Joyce’s sensory loss had improved over 80% overall to within the normal range… She is all smiles these days!
You should know that I don’t heal anyone of anything. What I do is perform a specific non-surgical operation that resets the communication between the brain and knee or shoulder, instantly decreasing pain and inflammation, increasing strength and flexibility and helping with tissue healing. For our neuropathy patients we have a 4 step, proven approach that heals your nerves and reverses your symptoms. We get tremendous results. It’s as simple as that! –We get tremendous results. It’s as simple as that!
Today in the United States medical doctors are prescribing more drugs than ever before. These drugs are designed to cover up symptoms as your condition gets worse underneath the surface. The toxicity from the daily use of these chemicals ultimately leads to nasty side-effects and more drugs to treat the new symptoms. The current “healthcare” system was built to maintain your condition, not fix it. It’s a brilliant business model for the pharmaceutical industry and the hospitals, but a horrible strategy to follow if one is looking to age gracefully.
That’s where my practice comes in. I have found a way so that more people are able to afford the treatment they need, even those on a fixed income with or without health insurance coverage. One Non-Surgical Operation in my clinic could cost what you’d pay for just the deductible of a joint replacement surgery.
You Benefit from a Unique Offer…When you bring in this article, you will receive a FREE CONSULTATION with me to determine whether you are a good candidate for our Non-Surgical Knee or Shoulder Operation. If you’re being seen for Neuropathy we will take a thermal image of your feet at no charge to you. This will give me enough information to know whether I can help you. Once we determine you’re a good candidate and you feel comfortable in my clinic the complete examination is only $197. That’s it, for the entire neurological examination & report of findings. This examination & report could cost you over $500 elsewhere. But, please
call right away because this offer expires on April 30, 2024, and I don’t want you to miss out. By the way, further care is very affordable and you’ll be happy to know that the non-surgical, drug free therapies and procedures performed in my clinic can cost as little as $300 per month. You see, I’m not trying to seduce you to come see me with this low start up fee, then to only make it up with high fees after that. Further care is very important to consider when making your choice of doctor because higher costs can add up very quickly.
“You shouldn’t be forced to choose drugs and surgery just because that’s the only treatment medicare and your insurance company will cover.”
You should know a little about my qualifications. That’s important so that there’s no misunderstanding about the quality of care. I’m the bestselling author of Breaking The Cycle - how to take control of your life when traditional medicine has failed. An amazon #1 new release in three categories. I’m a graduate of Life University School of Chiropractic practicing since 1998. I am a licensed chiropractic physician certified in functional neurology. I’ve been entrusted to take care of avid morning walkers, pro-athletes and business tycoons you may have heard of.
My office is called Active Health Brain & Body and it is located at 6710 Winkler Road, Suite #1. It’s the gray Key West-style building at the corner of Cypress Lake Drive and Winkler Road behind the Bank of America. The phone number is 239-482-8686. Please call my wonderful assistants Megan or Silvia today to make an appointment.
I wish you the Very Best in Health and Life!
P.S. When accompanied by the first, I am also offering the second family member this same examination for only $97.
P.P.S. Your time is as valuable to you as mine is to me. That’s why I have a “no wait” policy. It is highly unusual to wait more than a few minutes in my office.
his story of how he avoided a total knee replacement surgery.
My mother and I featured in a local publication for nonsurgical shoulder solutions.
Joyce is all smiles at her one year checkup. No more neuropathy!
Members, we are excited to announce our wonderful addition to the new amenity of Gulf Harbour … pickleball. By teaming up with DNA Pickleball which is located at 1900 Trailwinds Drive, Fort Myers FL 33907, you now have the incredible opportunity to enjoy this rapidly growing sport.
Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Feb. 1 through July 1, $5 per player per day (charged to your club account).
Clinics held on Thursday, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12 to 1 p.m. You may sign up on the Gulf Harbour app for these.
While it may require a short seven-mile hike to DNA Pickleball, the moment you arrive, you will have access to three indoor courts exclusively for Gulf Harbour
Bellavista • Coronado • Courtyard Homes
• Crooked Pond • Edgewater • Grande Cay
• Harbour Landings I • Harbour Landings II
• Harbour Links • Long Pond • Marblehead Manor • Mariposa • Mill Pond • Osprey Landing • Osprey Point • Palmas Del Sol
• Paramount • Rivers Edge
Estates
Tamarind Cay
Sagamore
The Shores
The Shores II
The Shores
members. This opportunity will allow you to embrace the fastest growing sport while spending time with your fellow club members. No sunscreen needed or bug spray. It is airconditioned and you do not even have to worry about the wind. They provide water, bathrooms, showers and a friendly experience. Remember, pickleball is known for being easy to learn and gentle on the body. It is a smaller court than tennis and there’s not as much running. It’s a fantastic way to socialize and connect with old and new friends.
To sign in you must download the Playbypoint app. Go into the tennis shop and ask for help or just go to DNA Pickleball and they will help you get signed in. See the facility.
Members, bring your member friends and play pickleball now. Dtsamas@gulfharbour.com will help you out. I am very enthusiastic about this and anticipate it becoming a resounding success.
Sandy Dube’Messerich
Admiral’s Isle Jeff McGinty Bellavista Rick McCurdy Coronado Geoff Smith
Courtyard Homes Tiffany Gaede
Crescent Cove Sam Schiphorst
Crooked Pond Carol Tsilimos
Edgewater
Grande Cay
Mariposa Mike McConnell
Mill Pond
Osprey Landing
Dave Knust
David Lein
Gulf Harbour Master Chris Cope
Gulf Harbour Marina Dana Snyder
Harbour Landings I Megan Martin
Harbour Landings II Thomas Broadie
Harbour Links Joe Pierce
Long Pond Michael Pohl
Maureen Herold
Steve Hunter
Osprey Point Jay Ducharme
Palmas Del Sol Bill Aarons
Rivers Edge Ron Harrington
Sagamore
George Sorensen
Seaside Estates Richard Edelman
Tamarind Cay Harvey Gordon
The Shores I Gene Marshall
The Shores II Dan Montgomery
The Shores III
Dave Reimer
The Shores IV John Albano
The Federal Trade Commission works diligently, throughout the year, to both document consumer fraud incidents, as well as to notify law enforcement of current trends and activities.
The information is stored in a secure database called the “Consumer Sentinel Network” and is available to law enforcement agencies only. This information is extremely valuable and we pass on much of what we learn regarding trending practices to our residents.
The 2023 numbers are in and while there has been a decrease in reported incidents from 2022 to 2023 (6.12 million reports in 2022 reduced to 5.39 million reports in 2023), the volume of fraudulent activity remains disturbing. With the advent of the Internet and social media, the numbers have ballooned. For this reason, I constantly remind our residents and guests, here in Lee County, to exercise extreme caution when utilizing the Internet, email, cellular text and social media.
If you are not receiving your monthly issues of Gulf Harbour Soundings by mail, please email mailroom@ seabreezecommunications.com with your name, address and community to ensure your information is correct.
Below, please find a list of the most commonly reported fraud categories across the United States and, when encountering these subjects/topics online, please exercise discretion and approach them with skepticism and caution:
1. Identity theft 1,036,903 reports
2. Imposter scams 853,935 reports
3. Credit bureaus, information furnishers and report users 711,802 reports
4. Online shopping and negative reviews 369,469 reports
5. Banks and lenders 230,224 reports
6. Auto related 178,100 reports
7. Prizes, sweepstakes and lotteries 157,520 reports
8. Internet services 125,118 reports
9. Debt collection 124,450 reports
10. Business and job opportunities 110,364 reports
The financial losses that were the result of the reported frauds and scams reached $10,021,305,005 … well over 10 billion dollars!
If you’re in the checkout line with a gift card (or several) in your hand, ask yourself: is the gift card you’re buying for a gift? Or is someone on the phone with you as you’re checking out telling you what to do – like buy a gift card to pay for something and give them the numbers? Gift cards are only for gifts. That means if the gift card isn’t for someone’s birthday, anniversary, or for any other gift giving reason, it’s a scam.
Gift card scammers only want your money. First they’ll call, text, email, or send a social media message. Then
While many assume that seniors are the most frequentlytargeted individuals, 44 percent of victims were between the ages of 20 and 29 years of age … seniors ages 70 to 79 represented only 25 percent of the reports.
While this may partially be true as many seniors fail to report their victimization, I share this to remind our residents that anyone can be victimized if not careful … even “tech-savvy” adults.
Regrettably, one of the most victimized states is Florida. There are no easy solutions or foolproof tips to protect you from these criminal activities. Certainly, basic measures such as using strong passwords, keeping devices up to date with the most current updates and guarding your personal information will prove to be helpful, however, intense scrutiny of any and all online opportunities should be performed and, whenever uncertain, reach out for assistance prior to making hasty decisions online.
All fraudulent activity needs to be reported. These incidents should be reported to local law enforcement as well as to the Federal Trade Commission at https:// reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/.
Stay alert. Be cautious. Ask for assistance when uncertain.
comes a made-up story: They’re from the government (pay taxes or a fine), tech support (something’s wrong with your computer – pay to fix it), or you’ve won a prize (but pay for it first). Other scammers might use AI voice cloning to sound like a family member in trouble. It’s always urgent. They always want you to act fast or something bad will happen. And it’s always a scam.
Think you gave gift card numbers to a scammer? Act fast. Grab your gift card and the gift card receipt.
• Report the gift card scam to the gift card company. It doesn’t matter when the scam happened. Use this link – bit.ly/48GKNdF – which will take you to the How To Contact Gift Card Companies section of the Avoiding and Reporting Gift Card Scams web page. There is a list of specific companies that sell gift cards and instructions on how to contact the company to report a gift card scam.
• Ask for your money back. Some companies are helping stop gift card scams and might give your money back. Always ask.
• Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report makes a difference and helps protect people in your community from fraud and scams.
• Remember: gift cards are only for gifts. If it’s for anything else, like to pay to fix any problem for any reason, it’s a scam.
Visit ftc.gov/gift cards to learn more. Share this information with your friends, family and community to help stop gift card scams.
The Craig Scott Memorial Golf Tournament, Tee It Up FORE Kids, benefiting The Heights Center Early Learning program, will take place on Friday, April 12 at The Shell Point Golf Club, 17500 On Par Blvd., Fort Myers. The tournament honors Scott, a longtime board member and supporter of Heights Early Learning (formerly GLAD Kids). The event’s proceeds benefit The Heights Center Early Learning, which serves more than 80 children from birth through age 4. A part of The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center family, The Heights Center Early Learning strives to ensure low-income families have quality, affordable childcare. Children read, learn and play in a safe environment while their parents provide for their families. The Early Learning program has a five-star rating from The Early Learning Coalition.
Last year’s event raised $57,500.
Event sponsors include Owen-Ames-Kimball, RG Architects, FineMark National Bank & Trust, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, Green Schoenfeld & Kyle LLP, and The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company.
Registration is from 7:30 until 8:30 a.m. The shotgun start is at 8:30 a.m., with lunch and awards at St. Charles Yacht Club following the tournament.
“The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average,” said Kathryn Kelly, founder, president and CEO of The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center. The Heights Center Early Learning provides a stable, nurturing environment and enables parents to work while their kids are cared for and safe.”
Tournament registration is now available. The registration deadline is Friday, April 5.
Registration is $175 per golfer or $650 for a foursome. In addition, sponsorships that include golf packages and recognition are available. For more information, visit www. heightsfoundation.org/forthekids or call Annie Campbell at (239) 482-7706 or email annie@heightsfoundation.org.
About The Heights Foundation And The Heights Center
The Heights Foundation works to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. Our mission is to support education and wellness, promote family and community development, and provide the benefits of enrichment and the arts. The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, is a place for education, opportunity, and enrichment.
Heights Early Learning serves more than 80 babies through 4 years old. The Heights Center serves 155 children in the afterschool program and 153 children in summer camp. The Harlem Heights Community Charter School serves 200 children from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community. Approximately 923 children live in a mixture of singlefamily homes and multi-family apartments. Demographically, the population is approximately 81 percent Hispanic, 15 percent African-American, and 4 percent Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40 percent below the county average. As a result, families cannot easily access family support services in downtown Fort Myers and benefit greatly from programs within the neighborhood.
To contribute to your Gulf Harbour Soundings newspaper, please send articles, announcements, photos, events or any issues to GulfHarbourReport@gmail.com.
Gulf Harbour has had several incidents and issues involving golf carts. Reports have included underage driving, wrong-way driving, driving on pedestrian and bike paths, and driving under the influence.
Some excerpts from our Rules and Regulations:
Any member, family member, or guest may operate a motorized vehicle (i.e. cars, trucks, golf carts, motorized scooters, etc.) on Master Association property as long as the driver is at least 16 years of age, has a valid driver’s license, and has proof of vehicle insurance.
All golfers with golf carts should refrain from using pedestrian and bicycle pathways, if at all possible, especially if a golf cart path is available in that area and the golf cart driver is playing golf at the time. When use of a Gulf Harbour road is necessary, ATVs, and golf carts utilized for other than golf activities should be driven in the same direction as vehicle traffic and comply with all rules that apply to vehicles. All Florida rules of the road must be followed when driving motor vehicles within Gulf Harbour.
Please consider the above when driving your golf cart at Gulf Harbour.
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has launched an easy way to encourage the public to make every day take back day by utilizing year-round collection sites to dispose of unneeded and unwanted medications.
For more than a decade, DEA has worked with state and local law enforcement partners to host National Prescription Drug Take Back Days each year to help Americans rid their homes of unneeded medications. The Take Back program has received an overwhelming response from communities across the country. In 2023, DEA collected more than 1.2 million pounds of unneeded medications at more than 4,600 sites nationwide during their two, one-day events.
DEA has now registered a record 17,000 pharmacies as authorized collectors to help Americans dispose of unused prescription drugs any day of the year. These safe disposal receptacles, in addition to DEA’s annual Take Back Day events, provide the public with an easy,
Do you have an interesting story to share?
The Soundings is always looking for new and talented writers to submit articles on events, the social scene, restaurants, movies, family matters, village life, etc… Now is your chance to share your interests with the community. You can contribute each month, just once, or once in a while.
• Are you involved in any particular activities in Gulf Harbour or around town?
• Can you share your knowledge about a specific topic or hobby?
• Do you have (or did you retire from) an interesting career?
• Are you the person who always knows what to do/ where to go in our area?
• Do you like to take pictures or draw cartoons?
• Can you pass along a favorite recipe?
If you answered yes to any of the above or have an idea of your own, you can submit your articles (and photos) at GulfHarbourReport@gmail.com.
no-cost opportunity to anonymously dispose of medications that are no longer needed. Unneeded medications can be a gateway to addiction and have helped fuel the opioid epidemic. According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a majority of people who use a prescription medication for a nonmedical purpose obtained that medication from a family member or friend. Removing unnecessary medications from the home can help prevent situations involving not taking medication as intended or dosed; taking someone else’s
prescription; and taking the medicine for euphoric effects rather than medicinal purposes.
Make every day take back day by visiting the DEA website at bit.ly/49Qo2Fd . Enter your zip code or your city and state, and click one of the five-, 10-, 20- or 50mile radio buttons. You will find a list of pharmacies, hospitals or businesses where you can drop unneeded prescription medication any day of the year. In addition, many local police departments provide year-round drug disposal boxes.
How easy was that?
Source: https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2024/01/24/ dea-encourages-communities-make-every-day-take-back-day.
Please join the Montage Women’s Club at their fundraising event “Fashions for a Cause” to be held Saturday April 27 at The Club at Pelican Preserve, 9802 Pelican Preserve Blvd., Fort Myers. Doors open at 10 a.m. Tickets to the event are $50, and must be prepurchased. The event will feature a fashion show by Accessories and More and there will be an opportunity to purchase the clothing. You will also have a chance to bid on some great baskets and silent auction items. A buffet lunch is included in the price.
The Montage Women’s Club is a 125-member local organization that has supported nonprofit organizations in Lee County for more than 13 years. Since 2011, we have donated more than $92,500 to local nonprofits.
The proceeds from our event will benefit Wings of Shelter, a local 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the intervention and prevention of child sex trafficking. For more information on Wings of Shelter, visit wingsofshelter.com.
We hope you will join us on Saturday, April 27 at 10 a.m, at The Club at Pelican Preserve. Together, we will make a difference.
For more information and to purchase tickets, contact Sheryl Block, sbteach48@ gmail.com, (502) 645-1140; or Hedy Knight, hedyknight@gmail.com, (530) 513-7996. Checks payable to Montage Women’s Club.
Invitesyou to Fashion for � Caus� to benefit
Wings of Shelter, a non-profit
SaturdayApril27, 2024 10:00 am -3:00pm The Club at Pelican Preserve 9802PelicanPreserveBlvd. FortMyers,Fl
Tickets:$50
To request tickets, contact sbteach48@gmail.com; 502-645-1140 Include thefollowinginformation: Name: Phone: Email:
There are multiple organizations in Southwest Florida that contribute to the greater good. One such organization is the Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club. Joining a club can contribute to personal growth, skill development, and a sense of belonging. It provides a structured and supportive environment for individuals to pursue their interests and connect with others who share similar passions. By joining a ham radio club it can offer several benefits, including:
1. Learning Opportunities. Ham radio clubs often provide educational resources and opportunities to learn more about amateur radio. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced operator, you can enhance your knowledge and skills.
2. Community And Networking. Joining a club allows you to connect with like-minded individuals who share an interest in amateur radio. You can exchange ideas, experiences, and advice, building a supportive community of fellow enthusiasts.
3. Access To Resources. Clubs may have access to shared resources such as equipment, antennas and testing facilities. This can be especially helpful for those who are new to ham radio or have limited resources on their own.
4. License Assistance. If you’re interested in obtaining an amateur radio license, many clubs offer licensing classes and assistance with the FCC exam preparation. Joining a club can be a valuable resource for those looking to get licensed.
5. Public Service Opportunities. Ham radio operators often play a crucial role in providing communication support during
emergencies and public events. Joining a club may give you the opportunity to contribute to your community by participating in public service events.
6. Field Days And Contests. Ham radio clubs frequently organize field days, contests, and other events that allow members to test their skills and enjoy the hobby in a social setting. These activities can be both educational and fun.
7. Technical Support. If you encounter technical challenges or have questions about equipment, a ham radio club can provide a pool of experienced individuals who may be able to offer assistance and guidance.
8. Fun And Social Interaction. Being a part of a ham radio club is not just about the technical aspects; it’s also about having fun and enjoying the social interactions with fellow enthusiasts. Clubs often organize social events, meetings, and gatherings.
Ultimately, if you find ham radio interesting, joining a ham radio club can enrich your experience in amateur radio by providing a supportive community, access to resources and opportunities for both learning and socializing.
About The Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club, Inc.
Established in 1957, the Fort Myers Amateur Radio Club, Inc., has been dedicated to fostering camaraderie among individuals with a shared passion for amateur radio. With a commitment to facilitating the exchange of information, promoting electronics and amateur radio knowledge, advocating for good radio operating practices, and advancing the art of
Gulf Harbour Master Association • www.GulfHarbour33908.com
Grande Cay • www.grandecay.com
Harbour Landings I • www.harbourlandings.org
Harbour Links • www.harbourlinks.net
Mariposa • http://detaliassociates.com/secure/login.aspx
Palmas Del Sol • www.palmasdelsol.net
Paramount • http://www.athomenet.com/theparamount
Tamarind Cay • https://smca.cincwebaxis.com/cinc/home/ Gulf Harbour Country Club • www.gulfharbour.com
Marina • www.gulfharbourmarina.com Yacht Club • www.gulfharbouryachtclub.org
amateur radio, the club strives to create a vibrant community. Additionally, the club actively sponsors and promotes various activities related to amateur radio, provides crucial public service during emergencies and actively engages in other community initiatives. FMARC is affiliated with and sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), which is the national association for amateur radio, connecting hams around the United States with news, information, and resources.
The club meets at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of the month at the Lee County Emergency Operations Center. Call (941) 275-9145 to attend.
Learn more about ham radio and the club at www.fmarc.net or by email at membership@ fmarc.net.
Master Association Board Of Directors
President Chris Cope
Vice President David J. Urban
Secretary Dave Van Namee
Treasurer Carl Pecko
Director Carol Gillespie
Director John Wilson
Director Sam Schiphorst
will now be routinely held at Suitor Middleton Cox & Associates offices, 15751 San Carlos Blvd #8, Fort Myers, FL 33908. Meeting date and times will continue to be posted on the signs at the north and south entrances.
On April 23 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the Lee County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting “Securing The Seas,” to be held at DiamondHead Resort, 2000 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach.
The event aims to shed light on the crucial role of law enforcement in detecting and disrupting illegal activities such as drugs, human trafficking, new laws, safety regulations, burglary and theft prevention.
We have assembled a panel consisting of the Lee County Sheriff’s Marine Unit, U.S. Coast Guard and the Lee County Sheriff’s Crime Prevention Unit. Each member of the panel will present their insights and expertise on the topics. Following the presentations there will be an interactive session where the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with the panelists.
We believe that this event will provide valuable information and foster a better understanding of the efforts being made to ensure the safety of our community.
To help us determine the number of attendees, we kindly request an R.S.V.P. to bkurtz@ sheriffleefl.org so that we can finalize the attendee count for the event.
Hope to see you there!
• Lakes: No boating, fishing or swimming in any lake within Gulf Harbour.
• Eagle Perch Island: No fishing.
• Marina: No recreational swimming or fishing in the marina. No fish or other marine life of any kind shall be cleaned, prepared or processed in any manner on the property.
Regulations are fully supported by:
Gate Access and Community Patrol
Pre-Call Gate Access Line
239-935-5179
North Gatehouse 239-482-5039
South Gatehouse 239-433-0110 Patrol 239-340-8994
Assistance
Police/Fire/EMS-EMERGENCY 911
EMS-NON-EMERGENCY 239-335-1660
Poison Control 800-282-3171
Lee County Sheriff
- NON-EMERGENCY
239-477-1000
Iona McGregor Fire Station 239-433-0660 Highway Patrol 239-278-7100
Marine Patrol 239-332-6966 Coast Guard 239-463-5754
Property Management
Suitor, Middleton, Cox & Associates 239-437-0340
Gulf Harbour Marina Harbor Master 239-437-0881
Gulf Harbour Yacht & Country Club Clubhouse 239-433-5111
Lee County Contacts
Comcast 239-432-9277
Florida Power & Light 239-694-0183
Lee County Utilities-Water & Sewer 239-936-0247
Veolia - Trash & Recycling 239-334-1224
CenturyLink - Telephone 239-335-3111
TECO - Natural Gas 877-832-6747
Government Agencies
Motor Vehicle Registration 239-339-6000 Taxes 239-335-2283
Voter Registration 239-339-6300 Social Security 800-772-1213
It has been a journey! The new Sanibel Captiva Trust Company office is NOW OPEN ON SANIBEL and ready to welcome our
Stop in any time, or join us at our monthly events:
● Coffee and Croissants –Investment Round Table First Thursday of every month | 11 AM
● Moving to Florida? - Domicile Discussion Third Thursday of every month | 11 AM Call 239.472.8300 to reserve.
Jeffrey A. Muddell, MBA, CFP® Sanibel Office President
The 26th Annual Minnesota Twins Golf Classic Feb. 15 raised $58,000 for the Lee Health Cancer Institute’s lifesaving programs.
The tournament at Topgolf in Fort Myers included competitions and prizes for all ages and skill levels, along with interactions with Minnesota Twins celebrities. Participants enjoyed food and beverages, a gift bag, a silent auction, team prizes and various games throughout the afternoon.
“Participants and sponsors of the Minnesota Twins Celebrity Golf Classic have helped us improve the lives of patients and their families with comprehensive programs and services that ensure that no one has to fight cancer alone,” said Lee Health Cancer Institute Vice President of Oncology Debra Wilson. “With this support, we are committed to breaking down financial barriers to care, furthering cancer research, and investing in state-of-the-art technology and training to provide the best possible care to patients throughout their cancer journey.”
Minnesota Twins annual golf events to benefit Lee Health have raised more than $2.1 million in 26 years to help enhance and expand world-class care in Southwest Florida.
Presenting Sponsor was Twins Fantasy Camp and Digital Event Media Sponsor was Minnesota Twins Baseball.
To learn more about Lee Health Cancer Institute and to support cancer care in the community, visit LeeHealthFoundation.org/Cancer.
About Lee Health Foundation
Lee Health Foundation raises philanthropic dollars on behalf of Lee Health to establish, expand and enhance innovative, lifesaving and preventative programs. The foundation provides financial support for all five Lee Health hospitals including Golisano Children’s Hospital as well as many service areas including Lee Health Cancer Institute, Lee Health Coconut Point, The Rehabilitation Hospital, Lee Health Heart Institute, Community Health Clinics and Golisano Children’s Health Center in Naples. Over the last year, the foundation has distributed more than $27 million to support Lee Health’s mission. Please visit LeeHealthFoundation.org or call (239) 343-6950 for more information about the role of Lee Health philanthropy in Southwest Florida.
By Capt. Bill Russell
April may be our top month fishing the coastal waters of Southwest Florida. As we transition into spring, our waters are warming, bait have moved in, and fish are hungry. Weather, with exception, is stable for the month with light winds and mild sunny days, plus not much threat of daily thunderstorms. Also, until the summer rains begin, inshore waters are the clearest we see all year.
April brings our largest sea trout of the year with many measuring over 20 inches, and some much larger. Sea trout have a slot size of 15 to 19 inches to keep and one over 19 inches may be kept per boat. Spanish mackerel are running large and are often schooled up across our inshore waters, around gulf passes, and a short distance offshore. Bluefish, ladyfish, jack crevalle, and sharks often are mixed with the mackerel. You get into this mix of fish and it’s a blast as all are fast drag screamers. Spanish mackerel are also very tasty when prepared and eaten fresh.
In gulf waters, king mackerel, often large, follow the Spanish mackerel. If you want to tug on something larger, toss a larger bait out for a big cobia, shark, or king mackerel when you get Spanish or other fish biting.
Anglers fishing deeper in gulf waters will find red grouper, mixed with a variety of snapper and other tasty fish. Live and cut bait fished in depths from 70 to 120 feet over hard live bottom and ledges will produce fish. April should bring many days with light winds to comfortably make the run into gulf waters.
Sharks of all sizes are making their way into our waters. A lot of sharks showed up last month and more will continue. Tarpon fishing kicks off this month throughout Southwest Florida. It’s possible to hook into a big silver king if you are fishing for them or not. They are just as likely to gulp down a live shrimp or small lure as anything. On calm days, look for schools of fish a short distance off the beach, early morning is the best time to toss a small live crab or Atlantic thread herring ahead of the school. Tarpon numbers will increase inshore, in the passes, and off the beaches as the month progresses.
After months of winter lows, we get high (spring) tides during the day. This is the time to target redfish under the bushes or mangroves shorelines as they use the higher water to get under the tree overhangs to root out their next meal. Redfish are a scent feeder, while live bait and lures work, many believe fishing cut shrimp, cut baitfish, and crabs is the best option. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the month will hold mornings with ultra-low tides, just the ticket for sight-fishing reds over the shallow flats and around oyster bars. Hit the flats at first light for the best results. Snook fishing heats up this month as the warmer water gets them active and hungry. Snook are ambush feeders; they like to sit stationary with their nose into the current. And they like structure. Fish shorelines, oyster bars, pilings, etc., with a good tide flow for best results. Snook aren’t like many other fish that allow you to pull them for structure. A snook once hooked will do its best to get to the safety of any type structure and break off. And they are good at it, especially
The Continental Women’s Club will hold its monthly luncheon meeting on Thursday, May 2 at 11:30 a.m. at The Hideaway Country Club.
You can go a different direction fishing each day from inshore to offshore and not cover all the possibilities. If there is one month that just doesn’t have enough days to take advantage of all the great fishing opportunities, April is it.
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, bring up the website www. fishpineisland.com, or 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 28 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.
Our May program will include the installation of our new executive officers for 2024/25, the recognition and celebration of the contribution of our past presidents and a May Day hat contest. This will be a chance to show off your prettiest or most creative hat. Please call Liz Paul at (239) 691-7561 for additional information, 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 interest groups within our club that you can participate in for social and educational purposes throughout the month and year. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at The Hideaway Country Club, 5670 Trailwinds Drive, Fort Myers 33907. The cost to attend the luncheon is $25. Reservation deadline for May 2 is Tuesday, April 23.
Rising above the shores of the Caloosahatchee River is Vista Cay, a collection of sophisticated waterfront residences featuring awe-inspiring vistas. For a limited time, future residents can choose their views and enjoy Shell Point’s resort amenities and award-winning lifecare while building is underway. This rare opportunity to select a new construction residence in Shell Point’s most renowned neighborhood won’t last long. Take a virtual tour, register for a seminar, or request an appointment by visiting MeetVistaCay.org.
