July
Catch The Action
On The Water
By Capt. Bill Russell
July is the month summer weather settles in bringing hot humid days, often with little wind until early afternoon as a sea breeze kicks in, followed by thunderstorms. Most anglers opt for an early start to take advantage of calm seas and avoid the mid-afternoon heat and storms.
For those looking to bring home fish dinner, mangrove snapper is a good choice through the summer. No need to make a long run offshore, as snapper are caught throughout the inshore and nearshore waters. Fish for snapper under docks, bridges, piers, or about any type of structure. Many anglers do very well from shore without the expense of a boat. After Ian, shore fishing locations are limited, but there are piers and bridges open to fishing. From boat, fish under deeper mangrove shorelines, oyster bars, sand potholes and rock ledges or structure in and near the gulf passes. Mangrove snapper is one of our tastier fish and fight hard for their size. They make a great summer target. Often leader and hook shy if the water is clear, it’s often necessary to lighten the tackle. Inshore, I go with 3 or more feet of 12- to 20-pound fluorocarbon leader and a 1/0 circle hook.
Redfish and sea trout are caught throughout the summer. High tides give the best opportunity for redfish as they are foraging under the shade of mangrove shorelines. Sea trout often run in schools with the best bite often coming over the morning incoming tides as cooler water moves over grass flats. Grass flats with clear or clean water in 4- to 8-foot depths are favored areas.
Calm summer mornings give good opportunities to run offshore. American red snapper season is open in gulf waters for recreational anglers through the month of July for those
Alliance For The Arts
Shorts Of The Fort
Join us at the Alliance for the Arts for the inaugural Shorts of the Fort where the captivating landscapes and vibrant communities of Lee County, Florida take center stage. This unique film festival invites you to submit your short films, ranging from a quick 30-second snapshot to an immersive five-minute narrative, showcasing the islands, beaches and neighborhoods of Fort Myers. Whether you are a seasoned director or a budding storyteller, this is your opportunity to capture the essence of what Lee County is to you in film. Get creative with your visuals and storytelling to explore the rich tapestry of local life and nature. Share your vision, connect with fellow filmmakers and gain exposure in a dynamic setting. Don’t miss your chance to be part of a festival that celebrates the diverse beauty of greater Fort Myers through the power of film. Submit your work and make every frame count at the Shorts of the Fort and contribute to a festival that cherishes the power of film and the allure of local culture. Make every frame impactful – join us and let your creativity shine! All film submissions must be between 30 seconds and five minutes in length.
Fees/ Deadlines: $15 regular fee, July 31
$25 late fee, Aug. 26
Metamorphosis: Member Exhibition
July 5 to July 27
We invite our current members to submit one work following the theme “Metamorphosis” to be displayed in the main gallery during this monthlong group exhibition. As an artist and an Alliance member, this is your annual opportunity
to exhibit your work in our main gallery!
No online submission process, no jury notification – simply the opportunity to celebrate the artists that make our artistic community so unique.
The theme “Metamorphosis” calls to mind concepts of transformation and change, it can explore how people, nature and society undergo metamorphoses over time. Artists could interpret this theme through depictions of personal evolution, environmental shifts, societal upheavals, or even the lifecycle of creatures undergoing metamorphosis, such as butterflies or frogs. It could evoke feelings of transition, adaptation and renewal, encouraging viewers to reflect on the cyclical nature of transformation and the beauty found within the process of change.
Wednesday Night Market
July 10, 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. Members Only – Book Club
July 16, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Join fellow Alliance members in the Main Gallery to explore literature – both fiction and nonfiction – revolving around art, artists, art history and art appreciation.
willing to spend the fuel money for a long run offshore. Not sure of the reason but both gag and red grouper seasons are closed. To get updated grouper, snapper, and fishing regulations go to www.myfwc.com or download the Fish Rules app. Closer in, within sight of land, reefs and wrecks can be productive with everything from snapper to goliath grouper. You will not hook any big red snapper, but you can fill a cooler with tasty filets and save a lot of fuel money. Anchoring up current of structure with a fresh chum bag is preferred. A variety of baits is a good idea as well as an arsenal of rods rigged and ready from light to heavy action.
Keep a lookout for speedsters such as bonito, Spanish mackerel and king mackerel harassing bait schools in depths from 20 to 90 feet. Small spoons or Tuna Jets in various colors can bring instant hookups when trolled around feeding activity. Watch for birds and surface commotion to locate the fish. If you have a live well full of baitfish, a little chumming may quickly get the action started. Artificial reefs are a natural attractant for baitfish followed by predators.
Catch and release snook fishing is strong through the summer. Large females are up and down the coast surrounded
Catch The Action on page 6
President Chris Cope’s granddaughter, advertising Gulf Harbour
Gulf Harbour Book Club Review
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Submitted by Joan Kaplan
The Gulf Harbour Book Club met on Jan. 3 to discuss Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.
Bunny Sher did a remarkably right author review. Very little is available for the author.
Shelby was born and raised in Tacoma, Wash. She graduated summa cum laude from Claremont McKenna College where she studied politics, philosophy and economics. She currently lives with her husband Drew and their two children. Back in 2015 there was a video about an octopus trying to get out of his tank. That and other octopi showed determination to outsmart their human captures. Her novel tackles the ideas of grief, friendship, home, letting go and the variety of meanings of love with a little bit of mystery and a lot of humor.
This is a wonderful read!
I found this review by Rebecca Monro. I could not have written it better. This book is magical. We highly recommend it for young adults as well as adults.
Remarkably Bright Creatures
By Shelby Van Pelt
Every so often, a debut novel comes along that is so perfectly polished and emotionally resonant that it seems impossible you don’t already own several of the author’s previous works. I have no doubt that newcomer Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures will be that book for many this summer.
As Marcellus, the primary narrator, informs readers, the average giant Pacific octopus lives for four years. Brought to the Sowell Bay Aquarium 1,299 days ago (but who’s counting?), Marcellus knows this means that his own lifespan, his captivity, has 160 days remaining at most. A remarkably bright creature himself – so says the plaque that adorns his tank – Marcellus has spent the past three years observing the sticky-fingered, gum-chewing humans who frequent the aquarium, learning about their tastes and patterns through their fingerprints, squeals of delight and marine life education programs.
Humans are not the brightest species, and they are inarguably terrible at communication. But some, like Tova Lindgren Sullivan, the 70-year-old woman who cleans the aquarium at night, are quite special. And even better, they distract Marcellus from his fate, his hunger for the decadent foods of the deep sea, and the secrets he left on the ocean floor.
“Shelby Van Pelt has written the debut of the year – an absorbing, uplifting novel populated by a cast of perfectly
imperfect characters who you will want to root, sob and risk everything for.”
Tova is Sowell Bay Aquarium’s oldest and most dedicated employee. And why shouldn’t she be? She lost her beloved husband, Will, to cancer, and her only son, Erik, years before that to a mysterious late-night boating disappearance that the police have labeled a suicide. With nothing but her gossipy cohort of old friends – the Knit-Wits – to keep her occupied outside of work, Tova’s dedication to the deep-sea creatures she spends every night with knows no bounds. So one can understand why she’d take a special shine to Marcellus, even after she catches him raiding the break room one evening, having escaped through an impossibly small vent in his tank. As the two strike up a quiet, species-crossing friendship, she starts to reckon with her own lifespan, the increasing attention of her handsome Scottish grocer, Ethan, and the recent loss of her estranged brother.
Farther down the coast, in sunny California, feckless Cameron Cassmore has burned through most of his opportunities for love, friendship and employment. Orphaned by his addicted mother and left to his somewhat eccentric aunt, Cameron suffers from a case of “but it’s not my fault,” jumping from failed opportunity to failed opportunity in an attempt to both find and avoid contentment – after all, having nothing also means having nothing to lose. But when his aunt bequeaths him a ratty old box of his mother’s personal effects, he finds the first clue to his father’s identity, one that takes him up to Puget Sound, where a run-down aquarium has recently lost its cleaner to a sprained ankle. (At her age, Tova really shouldn’t have been using a shoddy step stool to reach into Marcellus’ tank. But how else was she to thank him for returning her lost house key?)
As fate and circumstance draw Marcellus, Tova, Cameron and even Ethan together, Marcellus reveals his biggest secret of all: He knows what happened to Tova’s son, having used his impeccable brain and memory to draw up fingerprints, patterns and clues to solve the mystery. But with his captivity and life drawing to a close, he will have to employ every ounce of skill, inventiveness and hope in his possession to help Tova find closure, the best and only gift he can give to his remarkable friend. This results in a hilarious, transformative and charming adventure that will change everything you believe about grief and acceptance.
Whimsical, immersive and vibrantly written, Remarkably Bright Creatures is a truly tender masterpiece about grief, letting go of the past and giving yourself the permission to dream of a future. Character-driven with a propulsive mystery
at its heart, it is also a poignant examination of a small-town community, aging and loneliness. Each subject is handled carefully and compassionately, but what truly elevates the narrative is the courageous thrust into the fantastical. Not every book can be narrated by a snobby, grouchy cephalopod, but Van Pelt voices Marcellus’ observations, lamentations and hunger so successfully that you’ll wonder why he isn’t narrating all the books you read.
While Marcellus is, of course, the star of the show, Van Pelt demonstrates a talent for voice and characterization in her portrayals of Tova and Cameron, both at wildly different places in their lives and yet shockingly similar in their searches for contentment and peace. While their journeys are somewhat predictable, they are no less compelling, heart-rending or satisfying. The thrill of reading this book comes not only in the plot, but in the sheer whimsy and tenderness with which Van Pelt infuses it. This is a story that will leave you teary-eyed and with a lump in your throat, but it also will make you feel as if, like Marcellus, you have three full hearts of emotion and compassion for its characters.
With a soaring, surprising style that calls to mind Colleen Oakes and Annie Hartnett, and a tenderness worthy of Jodi Picoult or Fredrik Backman, Shelby Van Pelt has written the debut of the year – an absorbing, uplifting novel populated by a cast of perfectly imperfect characters who you will want to root, sob and risk everything for.
The Gulf Harbour Book Club usually meets on the first Monday of each month at noon in the club’s board room. If you want to join the book club email joankaplan@mac.com. Zoom will be available for members during the off season from June to November. June is Remarkably Bright Creatures. We already have six authors lined up for the 2024/25 season. There is no book club in July. August is The Frozen River. September is The Women and October is The Paris Bookseller
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.
Fourth Of July Events In Southwest Florida
2024 Fort Myers Beach – Fourth Of July Festivities
The Fourth of July parade and fireworks are back for the first time since Hurricane Ian! Come celebrate our great nation and town pride as the Fort Myers Beach Fourth of July parade makes it way down Estero Boulevard with its colorful floats and costumed participants! The parade starts at Bay Oaks Recreation Center at 10 a.m. and continues down the boulevard to Times Square. Don’t miss this Fort Myers Beach tradition! Be aware that Estero Boulevard will be closed from 9 a.m. until noon for the parade.
The Fort Myers Beach Fourth of July fireworks show begins at approximately 9 p.m. at Times Square. You can
Alliance For The Arts from page 1
Participate in thoughtful group discussions and expand your appreciation and knowledge of the world of art!
Reading: The First Actress: A Novel of Sarah Bernhardt Classes
Constructive Painting: Creating Content From Process
July 8, 6 to 9 p.m.
Member’s price: $125, nonmember’s price: $150
Instructor: Julio Julio González Batista
Instructed Life Drawing – Gestural And Structural Approach To The Figure (18-Plus) Beginner-Pro Level
July 10, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
July 10 to July 31
Four Wednesdays
Member’s price: $180, nonmember’s price: $220
Instructor: Francesco Gillia
Painting with Francesco (Ages 18-Plus Beginner-Pro)
July 11, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
July 11 to Aug. 1
Four Thursdays
Member’s price: $180, nonmember’s price: $220
Instructor: Francesco Gillia
Sip And Sew With Fashion First (Ages 21-Plus)
July 12, 6 to 8 p.m.
Member’s price: $65, nonmember’s price: $78
Instructor: Renee NesbittBaird
Step By Step Batik: Blue Pots
July 14, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Member’s price: $100, nonmember’s price: $125
Instructor: Pat Smelkoff
Mixed Media Portraits With Terry Lynn (Ages 16-Plus) Beginner-Advanced
July 15, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Member’s price: $75, nonmember’s price: $90
Instructor: Terry Lynn Spry
Painting With Terry Lynn AM (16-Plus) Beginner-Pro
July 16, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Member’s price: $150, nonmember’s price: $180
Instructor: Terry Lynn Spry
Painting With Terry Lynn PM (Ages 16-Plus, BeginnerAdvanced)
July 16, 1 to 4 p.m.
Member’s price: $150, nonmember’s price: $180
Instructor: Terry Lynn Spry
Painting Studio With Terry Lynn (Ages 16-Plus BeginnerAdvanced)
July 16, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Member’s price: $150, nonmember’s price: $180
Instructor: Terry Lynn Spry
Character Concept Creation Using Procreate/Photoshop (16-Plus)
July 17, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Member’s price: $30, nonmember’s price: $36
Instructor: Damon Hall
bring a beach chair and enjoy the show as the beautiful fireworks light up the night sky! Starting at 8:30 p.m. the Matanzas Pass Bridge will be closed until approximately 11 p.m. Consider taking the Beach Trolley to Fort Myers Beach to enjoy Independence Day! Paid parking is available in the Times Square area. You can also park at one of the Town’s beach accesses. The accesses are in various states of repair post Hurricane Ian
Cape Coral – Red White And Boom
The City of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department is proud to bring you the largest single-day event in Southwest Florida. Thursday, July 4 from 5 to 10 p.m. “Red, White, and Boom” is a free event for attendees.
Sip And Grow With Tangled Root Potting Bar (21-Plus)
July 19, 6 to 8 p.m.
Member’s price: $35, nonmember’s price: $45
Instructor: Michelle Langlois, Tangled Root Potting Bar
Watercolor Painting (Beginner-Advanced)
July 20, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Member’s price: $150, nonmember’s price: $180
Instructor: Linda Benson
Acrylic Painting With Pat Smelkoff: Tiki Huts
July 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Member’s price: $45, nonmember’s price: $55
Instructor: Pat Smelkoff
Fluid Art Master Class: Thin Paints
July 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Member’s price: $150, nonmember’s price: $180
Instructor: Tammy Decaro
Beginner Bonsai
July 25, 6 to 9 p.m.
Member’s price: $55, nonmember’s price: $66
Instructor: Michael Lane
BYOBonsai
July 26, 6 to 9 p.m.
Member’s price: $55, nonmember’s price: $66
Instructor: Michael Lane
AJoin us for Southwest Florida’s best fireworks display, national entertainment and fun for the whole family!
The event takes place on Cape Coral Parkway at the foot of Cape Coral Bridge.
To ensure everyone’s safety, please remember; no pets (service animals okay), no fireworks and no outside alcohol will be allowed.
Lawn chairs are highly encouraged! For more information, go to capeboom.com.
Sip And Create: A Mermaid’s Wish
July 26, 6 to 8 p.m.
Member’s price: $60, nonmember’s price: $72
Instructor: Kaitie Kunsman Grippo
Fluid Art Landscape 101 With Cathleen Ozmore
July 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Member’s price: $150, nonmember’s price: $180
Instructor: Cathleen Ozmore
Zentangle: Underwater Oasis (Ages 13-Plus)
July 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Member’s price: $40, nonmember’s price: $50
Instructor: Pamela Signorelli
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. Call for any questions about events or classes.
t Compass Rose Management, our Certified Managers hold the highest designations in the industry - CMCA, AMS and PCAM.
Dedicated to advocating on your behalf and committed to performance excellence, education and training as an organization offering over 35 years of industry experience.
Our team of qualified professionals is looking forward to working with your Community Boards and Homeowners!
What’s Blooming At Edison And Ford Winter Estates?
By Karen M. Maxwell, Horticultural Specialist
While trying to find a source of latex to produce a natural source of rubber, Thomas Edison experimented with more than 17,000 different plants. He kept a “best in my index” list of plants during this research. In January of 1929, he noted: Rudbeckia laciniata “Very stiff viscous rubber, good plant.” Indeed, the rubber content was listed as 3.6 percent, higher than some of the goldenrods he tested. The Rudbeckia genus has 20 species including popular perennials, such as the Black-eyed Susan which multiplies by underground rhizomes and Brown-eyed
by smaller males as they are in their summer mating rituals. Often the best fishing happens in the surf along the gulf beaches. Snook will swim parallel to the beach, often just a few feet from shore in search of their next meal. This offers great sight fishing possibilities for both conventional and fly anglers. They can be located anywhere along the beaches, but if they find some type of structure in the water, such as a tree branch or rocks, they often congregate near it.
Sharks are another summertime favorite. Varieties of species both large and small are common catches both inshore and off. While they are a nuisance for some, many anglers target them for their fighting ability. Sharks play an important role in our ecosystem; please make every effort to quickly release them unharmed. Every kid loves to catch a shark of any size, now is a good time, just make sure and do it safely for both the angler and the shark. Keep up to date with fishing regulations and seasons in the area you fish, as they change often. You can visit www. myfwc.com for all current state and federal regulations.
For charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service and “Catch the Action” with Capt. Bill Russell, call or text (239) 410-8576, website: www. fishpineisland.com, email: gcl2fish@live.com.
Susan which is a biennial and reproduces by selfseeding. At the Estates, we grow Black-eyed Susan vines in pots around the property; however, these plants are not Rudbeckia, they are Thunbergia alata.
Edison rarely, if ever, used common names for plants. Rudbeckia laciniata is known by North American wildflower enthusiasts as cutleaf coneflower. The cutleaf coneflower looks very much like its cousin, the coneflower, or Echinacea purpurea, another American native wildflower. Both are perennials in the Asteraceae family, but that is about all they have in common. Let’s take a quick look at the coneflowers or echinacea. Historically, echinacea was grown for its medicinal value. Today, they have been hybridized to include more than 100 varietals, many of which are sterile or have a dense, but beautiful double flowerhead which renders the nectar unavailable to pollinators, as seen in E. purpurea “Double Scoop.”
If you would like to attract pollinators, stick with a plant that is not a hybrid, such as the Echinacea purpurea. The inclusion of wildflowers in the garden is encouraged to benefit our pollinators, both insect and avian, and attracting songbirds is most rewarding.
The name “cutleaf coneflower” is indicative of the foliage having cuts or deep lobes, usually three to five, where echinacea leaves are never lobed. The center of echinacea flowers is typically dark colored and quite bristly to the touch with R. laciniata being soft and yellowish, earning it another common name: green-headed coneflower.
In the garden, R. laciniata can grow in clumps up to 3 feet tall and can be deadheaded regularly to prolong flowering. Provide support such as a fence or trellis for these heavy bloomers, especially during rainy season. As the plant diminishes, keep the seed heads to attract a charm (group of goldfinches) to your garden.
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.”
Practically speaking, most of our readership (Zones 9 to10) should only consider growing echinacea as an annual or short-lived perennial. Should you wish to give it a go, I would recommend sticking with the Echinacea purpurea and not a hybrid, to provide a benefit to pollinators if this is your gardening goal. The inclusion of wildflowers in the garden is encouraged to benefit our pollinators, both insect and avian, and attracting songbirds is most rewarding. If Thomas Edison were growing Rudbeckia laciniata in any quantity, it surely would have been to the delight of his wife, Mina who loved birds. Personally, I cannot brag about any success in attracting butterflies and birds to my Black-eyed Susan or Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta and Rudbeckia triloba respectively).
Rudbeckia laciniata or cutleaf coneflower, produces great seedheads of thistle-sized seed, loved by finches – goldfinches and house finches alike, which are both common winter residents in Florida. Rudbeckias are not grown for their health properties but have always been enjoyed as a staple in a cut flower garden, and this one is an underutilized stunner. The plant has a single row of yellow petals surrounding a greenish to yellow nubby center and the variety “Hortensia” or “Goldquelle” looks like a double yellow pom-pom. Grow R. laciniata in rich, well-drained soil – these native plants would naturally be found in wetland areas in partial shade.
While R. laciniata looks similar to the multitude of hybridized echinacea, here is how to distinguish them:
Consumer Alert
Hurricane Season 2024: How To Avoid Scams Before And After A Weather Emergency
By Colleen Tressler, FTC, Division of Consumer and Business Education
Weather forecasters are predicting an active hurricane season, but if you live in large parts of the country — including those hit by tornadoes over Memorial Day weekend — you’ve probably noticed more active storms of all types. To get started preparing for hurricane season or any storm, while avoiding scams, check ftc.gov/ WeatherEmergencies for new information to help you spot, avoid and report scams as you prepare for, deal with and recover from extreme weather and natural disasters.
Like all the FTC’s free resources, the site is mobilefriendly — giving you ready access to information when and where you need it. When it comes to planning for a possible weather emergency, the more you know — and the earlier you know it — the better prepared you’ll be to avoid weather-related scams and frauds.
To stay ahead of weather-related scammers, here are steps you can take now.
Realizing that July is a brutal month in Southwest Florida for gardening, here’s a couple of quick housekeeping tips to do early in the morning: Check your palms for any signs of significant yellowing. Yellowing throughout the fronds, not just on one or two aging fronds. An even disbursement of yellow speckling along the fronds indicates a potassium deficiency – and this is especially true for non-native palms. The heavy rains of summer can easily leach potassium from the soil, thereby starving the palms of this necessary nutrient. Apply an 8-0-12 fertilizer per instructions based on the size of your palm(s) this month, while they are still in active growth mode.
To learn more about gardening in Florida, sign up for the gardening classes and talks, which are offered during the fall, winter and spring seasons. Check for upcoming events at EdisonFord.org. This summer, there will be a farmers’ market offered on Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. I hope to see you there!
• Update your insurance policy. To avoid surprises later, check to make sure your insurance policy is current and find out what is covered and what isn’t.
• Check out contractors before you need one. Ask people you know and trust for recommendations. Then search online for the company’s name with words like “scam” or “complaint.”
• Research online sellers before you buy. Unusually low prices are a sign of a scam. If you see an ad for what seems like a familiar company but you’re not sure the ad is real, check it out. But go to the company’s website using a page you know is real — not the link in the ad.
Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia laciniata was one of Edison’s favorites and a plant that he experimented with during his rubber research.
Catch The Action from page 1
Crossword Puzzle
From The Desk Of Sheriff Carmine Marceno
School Is Out – Drive Cautiously
The Southwest Florida school year has come to an end.
The dynamics of our streets and roadways change dramatically as children play on sidewalks, chase one another and run haphazardly in all directions. These conditions place an additional and significant burden on those operating motor vehicles.
As always, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office requests that all drivers obey speed limits, comply with traffic signals and avoid using electronic devices that serve as distractions. We have all, to varying degrees, become dependent upon our smart devices and cell phones. Much like other addictions, we compulsively reach for our cell phones and struggle when we are unable to do so.
While many believe that they have become somewhat “proficient” at using their phones while driving, this practice has become one of society’s prevailing perils.
When we consider risky and unhealthy behaviors, we, as humans, have a tendency to believe that the consequences only happen to others … until it happens to us or to a loved one. While Florida Statute 316.305 allows law enforcement officers to stop motor vehicles using wireless communication devices and issue citations for drivers who are “manually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers, symbols, or other characters into a wireless communications device or while sending or reading data on such a device for the purpose of non-voice interpersonal communication, including, but not limited to, communication methods known as texting, emailing, and instant messaging,” this means little following a catastrophic incident.
Exercise additional caution when driving on sidestreets and residential roadways. Younger children rarely consider the hazards around them and outdoor games often result in unanticipated darting into the roadway.
Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to discuss the potential dangers with their children. Younger children should always be supervised while playing outdoors. Please … the safety of our children is dependent upon our responsible driving.
Attention Association Board Members
When your officers change, be sure to notify us so that we can keep both www.GulfHarbour33908.com and the Soundings updated.
Golf Cart Rules Reminder
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 activities other than golf 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.
31 Years And Counting United Way Surpasses Annual Fundraising Goal
Campaign’s Message Of “Uniting Heroes, Inspiring Hope” Resonates With Supporters
United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades met its $11 million annual campaign goal, marking the 31st consecutive year that supporters have rallied to support United Way and its partner agencies.
United Way President and CEO Jeannine Joy, along with Campaign Cochairs Kevin Karnes (Lee County Clerk of the Court) and Jay Santos (an associate relationship manager with Key Private Bank), announced May 30 that this year’s campaign – Uniting Heroes, Inspiring Hope – had raised $11 million through pledges from employees of local pacesetter companies, businesses, and generous individuals.
“Our annual fundraising goal reflects the needs of our network of partner agencies, and that need increases nearly every year,” Joy said. “To continue reaching or exceeding that target annually is nothing short of phenomenal. We are fortunate to live in a community where those who have the means to help are ready and willing to lend a hand to those who need our support.”
Disclaimer
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.
Crossword Solution from page 7
All money raised through the campaign stays in the local community to support United Way’s human service network of partner agencies, which include Harry Chapin Food Bank, Community Cooperative, Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Children’s Advocacy Center, Literacy Council Gulf Coast, Boys & Girls Clubs and dozens of additional organizations that serve a diverse range of needs in the community.
The 2023/24 campaign had a superhero theme, and Karnes said supporters took that message to heart.
“They may not always wear capes, but we saw many heroes step forward to donate this year, and their actions have inspired hope for every partner agency that relies on the community’s support to achieve their mission and vision,” Karnes said.
“The foundation of our community is built on the strength of those who live and work here,” Santos added. “Whether it’s education, health care, the arts, hunger or any other social services, our partner agencies are working diligently every day to provide our friends and neighbors with access to the services and programs that will improve their quality of life.”
Nearly 52 percent of donations during the 2023/24 campaign originated through United Way’s Pacesetter program, which consisted of 175 businesses and organizations that launched internal fundraising campaigns last fall.
This year, United Way recognized 185 individuals as Alexis de Tocqueville Society members, a designation awarded to supporters whose philanthropic gifts make the biggest impact on local nonprofits. Tocqueville Society members contribute a minimum of $10,000 to United Way during the campaign.
To learn more about Uniting Heroes, Inspiring Hope, please visit UnitedWayLee.org/current-campaign. About United Way
In addition to raising funds for human service organizations in our community, United Way promotes partnerships and collaborations among agencies, helping them to
work together focusing on issues that continue to improve lives. United Way’s mission as a volunteer-driven organization is dedication to improving the quality of life for all people in our community. United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades was established in 1957 and over $232 million has now been raised and distributed since that time. For more information, please call (239) 433-2000 or visit UnitedWayLee.org.
Community News
Karen Turcotte, Madison Mitchell, Patrice Cunningham, Toni Rozelle-Rosio and Jeannine Joy
Kevin Karnes and Jay Santos
Jay Santos and Toni RozelleRosio
Edelyn Castellon and Jim Sanger
Daniel Benzing and Karen Turcotte
Kevin Karnes and Matt Humphreys
Marissa Crawford and Angela Hernandez
United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades reached its goal of raising $11 million.
Lee Association For Remarkable Citizens (LARC)
To Host Career Camps For Students With
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities
Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens (LARC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support and opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is excited to announce its upcoming Career Camps for students aged 14 to 21. These camps will take place in June and July and are designed to help students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan explore career opportunities and develop essential job skills.
“Many students are interested in jobs but don’t know where to start,” said Angela Katz, LARC’s executive director. “Participants will learn about competitive employment, identify career interests, strengths and skills through job exploration. Students will participate in business and college tours to get a real-world perspective on different career paths. They will develop a resumé, prepare for interviews, and more. Plus, they will receive a reward for their hard work.”
Students can choose to attend up to three weeks of the 30-hour camps, which will be held on the following dates:
• July 8 to 12
• July 29 to Aug. 2
Camps will run Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a 30-minute break for lunch. Students are required to bring their own lunch, but snacks will be provided. All camps will be
hosted at LARC’s Fort Myers campus, located at 2570 Hanson St. Enrollment is free of charge for qualifying participants. Every student who successfully completes all five days of Career Camp will receive a $75 gift card, lunch, and a certificate of completion on the last day of camp.
This program is an affiliate of the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and is part of pre-employment transition services. These services include job exploration, workplace readiness, work-based learning (job shadowing) with a local business, and post-secondary counseling and tours.
Interested individuals should contact their Vocational Rehabilitation counselor or their local VR office for a referral. For more information, visit rehabworks.org/student-youth/ student-youth.html or call (239) 278-7150.
Established in 1954, LARC serves more than 300 individuals annually, ranging in age from 14 to 81. LARC offers vocational training, community residential services, and a wide array of other state-of-the-art community inclusion services on a fulltime, year-round basis. LARC’s main campus is located at 2570 Hanson St., Fort Myers, and the organization also operates two residential group homes.
To learn more about LARC, visit larcleecounty.org or contact Angela Katz, executive director, at (239) 334-6285 x210
or via email at angelakatz@ larcleecounty.org.
About LARC
Established in 1954, LARC is a training center for success for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. LARC serves more than 300 individuals annually, ranging in age from 14 to 80. LARC offers vocational training, youth programs, community residential and employment services, and a vast array of other state-of-theart community inclusion services on a full-time, year-round basis. LARC’s main campus is located at 2570 Hanson St., Fort Myers, and LARC also operates two residential group homes.
To learn more about LARC, visit larcleecounty.org or contact Angela Katz, executive director, at (239) 334-6285, Ext. 210 or angelakatz@larcleecounty.org.
Students participating in LARC’s Career Camp
Habitat For Humanity Raises Record $534,000 During 2024 Women Build
Donations Support Home Building Projects For FemaleLed Households
Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties recently concluded its most successful season of Women Build. Fundraising teams, local companies and individual donors raised a record $534,000 to support Habitat’s home building efforts for female-led households, the largest single-year fundraising total in Women Build history for Lee and Hendry counties.
Women Build is an annual initiative to engage women in the effort to provide safe and decent homes for families in need of affordable housing. During the 2024 season, 180 volunteers contributed 1,216 hours on 16 different homes for female-led families. Habitat also celebrated the support of 158 SuperPeople, each pledging at least $250 annually for five years to support Women Build’s mission in Lee and Hendry counties.
A portion of funds raised during this year’s Women Build will cover the construction costs of a new affordable home for a local mom, her two young children and fully disabled mother. Through her partnership with Habitat, the future homeowner will put in 300 hours of sweat equity, attend more than 20 hours of homeownership classes, contribute to their closing costs and pay an affordable mortgage set at no more than 30 percent of their monthly income.
“We are so grateful that our supporters recognize the increasing need to provide safe, decent and affordable housing for families in our community,” says Elisha Baird, vice president of strategic partnerships for Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties. “The overwhelming support from the community, along with the hard work of our volunteers, has set a new standard for what we can accomplish together for female-led families through Women Build.”
On May 16, Habitat for Humanity celebrated the successful completion of its 14th Women Build season with a thank you party at the Habitat ReStore on McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers. Each year, Habitat’s coveted High
Gulf Harbour
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
Heel Award is given to the captain of the top-earning fundraising team to honor their commitment to Women Build. The winning team, led by Dede D’Arcy and Donna Aldrich, raised a recordbreaking $74,275 during this year’s Women Build.
Since 2011, Women Build has partnered with 29 femaleheaded families to build strength and stability through local fundraising and volunteer efforts. This year, Habitat is set to build 68 affordable homes, with female-headed households making up 75 percent of its future homeowners.
Women Build 2024 was generously sponsored by Title Sponsor FineMark National Bank & Trust, Aubuchon Team of Companies, Edison National Bank, Royal Palm Coast Realtors Association, Habitat ReStores of Lee and Hendry Counties,
Suffolk Construction, Suncoast Credit Union, Victory Layne Chevrolet, Zonta Foundation of Southwest Florida, Inc., Legends Golf & Country Club, Mark Loren Designs, Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club, Sun Country Homes of Florida, The Landings Yacht, Golf and Tennis Club, Alan Einhorn and Vicki Cooper, John and Lesley Hill, Robert and Ann Arnall, George Byam, Cundall Family Fund, Ed and Connie Lizak and Schenian Family Foundation, Inc.
To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties or to get involved, visit Habitat4Humanity.org.
Habitat For Humanity on page 13
Association Presidents
Admiral’s Isle Jeff McGinty
Bellavista Rick McCurdy
Coronado Geoff Smith
Courtyard Homes Tiffany Gaede
Crescent Cove Sam Schiphorst
Crooked Pond Carol Tsilimos
Edgewater Dave Knust
Grande Cay David Lein
Gulf Harbour Master Chris Cope
Gulf Harbour Marina
Harbour Landings I
Harbour Landings II
Harbour Links
Joe Pierce
Long Pond Millie
Mariposa
Mill Pond
Osprey Landing
Osprey Point
Steve Perseo
Maureen Herold
Bill Crouch
Jay Ducharme
Palmas Del Sol Bill Aarons
Rivers Edge Ron Harrington
Sagamore
George Sorensen
Seaside Estates Richard Edelman
Tamarind Cay
The Shores I
The Shores II
The Shores III
The Shores IV
Harvey Gordon
Gene Marshall
Dan Montgomery
Dave Reimer
John Albano
Women Build High Heel Award – Donna Aldrich, Women Build 2024 Homebuyer Melissa C., Dede D’Arcy
Brian Lucas, Sky Sanders, Becky Lucas, Sage Sanders Amanda Lokhorst, Tiffany Williams, Elisha Baird, Candi Roberts
Diana Giraldo, Oksana Sherman Deb Penuel, Tammy Moran
Stephanie Lofaro Gerlach, Amanda Strickland, Megan Kohan, Christy McHenry
Taryn Manning, Melissa C., Joanne Marriott, Karen Pati
Joanne Benson, Kathleen Loula, Fran Wilson, Melissa C., Jude Falango, Lena Schafheimer, Eileen Leary
Dede D’Arcy, Becky Lucas, Donna Aldrich, Mary Wright, Katherine Caldwell
Cindy Cross, Mariela Mueller, Tamie Malanga
Habitat For Humanity from page 12
About Habitat For Humanity Of Lee And Hendry Counties
A faith-based, private nonprofit organization, Habitat for Humanity is one of the leading affordable housing builders and developers in Lee and Hendry counties. Habitat partners with families to realize their housing
and financial goals through HUD-approved housing counseling services. The organization offers pathways to affordable homeownership, serves as a mortgage lender and restores homes to safe and whole conditions through repair services. Since 1982, Habitat has built more than
1,800 homes, repaired over 350 homes and counseled more than 2,300 families to achieve their housing and financial goals. Everyone who engages with Habitat’s mission is working to address the critical need for affordable housing in Lee and Hendry counties. For more information, visit Habitat4Humanity.org.
Gulf Harbour Country Club Board Of Governors
Bill Lambert President
Scott Bassett Vice President
Jack Bourget Treasurer
George Johnson Secretary
Hoist the Jolly Roger there be treasure out there.
Come on board starting June 1st to enter for a chance to win an authentic
Eight Treasure coins* will be given away starting Friday, July 5th, with one LUCKY Scalawag every Friday, for eight weeks.
Eight coin giveaways from Friday, July 5th until August 23rd. (*Authentic silver 2 reale coin per winner, no purchase necessary, In-store only)
Join us to look over all the jewels and sparkling treasures while sipping a bit of grog and enjoying special offers throughout the store.
Kim Bauman ............................ Governor
Patti Buckingham Governor
Bruce Jasurda Governor
Chris Moore Governor
Nata Munk Governor
Seeking Soundings Writers
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.
Christina Schwinn, Elisa Miller-Burda, Vicki Cooper, Joy Corbo
Keishla Dejesus, Angela Damiano, Sharon Salazar, Danieyi Ortiz
Ann Arnall, Melissa C., Robert Arnall
Melissa C., Rachel Tritaik
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
Latin Dance With Angela
Wednesday, July 3
Dance Lesson: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Dance Party: 8 to 11 p.m.
Entry: Donations
No dance experience required! No cover and open to the public!
DJ Julz
Wednesday, July 3
8 to 11 p.m.
Rooftop Bar open 6 to 11 p.m.
Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden Entry: Donations
Fourth Of July Rooftop Bash
Thursday, July 4
7 to 11 p.m.
Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden
General admission, $99
General admission includes unlimited beer and wine, food, swag gifts and live entertainment.
VIP Lounge section, $1,000
Limited VIP Lounge sections available.
Each section seats up to six guests and includes a cocktail server, premium open bar, food, swag gifts and live entertainment.
The Art Of Cosplay
Artist: Group Show
Opens: July 5, 6 p.m.
Closes: July 25, 5 p.m.
SBDAC’s Grand Atrium
Entry: Donations
Menagerie
Artist: Julie Obney
Opens: July 5, 6 p.m.
Closes: July 25, 5 p.m.
SBDAC’s Capital Gallery
Entry: Donations
Gulf Harbour Websites
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
Gulf Harbour Master Association Board Meetings
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.
DJ Selecta AJ
Friday, July 5
7 to 11 p.m.
Rooftop Bar open 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden
Entry: Donations
DJ Don Fresh
Wednesday, July 10
8 to 11 p.m.
Rooftop Bar open 6 to 11 p.m.
21-plus only
Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden
$5 Entry
Latin Night With DJ JC
Thursday, July 11
Rooftop Bar open 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Music: 8 to 11 p.m.
Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden
General Admission: $10
21-plus only
Friday Nights At Sidney’s Presents:
DJ Skubii
Friday, July 12
Rooftop Bar open 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Music: 8 to 11 p.m.
Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden
Donations encouraged
The Motown Ball
Saturday, July 13
6 to 11 p.m.
Early bird tickets: $25
Movie Mondays
Monday, July 15
Doors: 6:30 p.m.
Film: 7 p.m.
SBDAC’s Grand Atrium
General admission: $10
Senior discount: $8
Wine And Paint
Wednesday, July 17
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Rooftop Karaoke directly following,
8:30 to 11 p.m.
Karaoke free to the public
Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden
$45
Rooftop Karaoke
Wednesday, July 17, 24
Karaoke: 8:30 to 11 p.m.
Rooftop Bar open 6 to 11 p.m.
Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden
Entry: Donations
Art And Poetry Networking Event
Thursday, July 18
Event starts at 8 p.m.
SBDAC’s Grand Atrium
$10 at the door
$15 after 8:30 p.m.
The Sounds Of Summer Showcase
With Sheena Brook
Friday, July 19
6:30 p.m. cocktails, 7:30 p.m. concert
SBDAC’s Grand Atrium
General admission: $10
Week of concert: $15
General admission, first come, first served seating
DJ Julz
Friday, July 19
8 to 11 p.m.
Rooftop Bar open 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden
Donation Entry
DJ Selecta AJ
Friday, July 26
8 to 11 p.m.
Rooftop Bar open 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden Entry: Donations
Wine And Charcuterie
Wednesday, July 31
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Rooftop Bar open 6 to 11 p.m.
First Floor Grand Atrium
$55
Cinematic Devotion
Open Call To Artists
Submission Deadline: July 19
Opens: Aug. 2, 6 p.m.
Closes: Aug. 29, 5 p.m.
SBDAC’s Capital Gallery Entry: Donations
These are the movies that define generations. There is a veritable laundry list of the most essential transgressive, bizarre and understatedly genius films that have impacted pop culture to this very day. They’ve permeated our ideas, infiltrated our vocabulary, and forever altered the way we create. Artists are invited to take from their favorite cult classics and make works of art in any medium to pay homage to the movies that changed our lives. From Pulp Fiction to A Clockwork Orange; from Bladerunner to The Evil Dead; from The Rocky Horror Picture Show to Hedwig and the Angry Inch; from Fight Club to The Big Lebowski – the list is endless, and their influence is timeless.
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (SBDAC), 2301 First St., Fort Myers, FL 33901, (239) 333-1933, www.sbdac. com.
Call Box Office for more information, (239) 333-1933.
Regulations Reminder
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.
