In The Kitchen With Chef Richard
By Kathy Striggow
The Landings’ Executive Chef, Richard Schultz, was on the front burner in the Main Deck before 45 guests on June 26th when he presented a feast for the senses at the In the Kitchen with Chef Richard cooking demonstration and luncheon.
While most Landings diners are familiar with the delectable meals that are served from the Compass Rose’s kitchen, it is rare to see the face behind the culinary delights. Those who know Chef Richard are aware that he enjoys the opportunity to leave the kitchen and loves interacting with an audience while demonstrating his talent and sharing his culinary expertise.
Attendees at the demonstration observed the Chef’s enthusiasm from the moment they arrived as he greeted the guests when they signed in at the registration table.
Chef Richard, a native of Detroit, MI, has over 30 years of experience. At the Landings, even with a small kitchen staff, he states that “it’s a controlled chaos.” He enjoys getting his “hands in the mix of preparing and cooking the daily fare served to The Landings,” and the Landings diners certainly enjoy the variety
Toads Raising Cane!
By Sherrie LorenzSchooner Village
It’s that time of year again when humidity and temperatures are on the rise. We’re also into the rainy season. And, Cane Toads are back!
The invasive Cane Toad (also known as a Bufo Toad because of the Bufotoxin they produce) is making its presence known in the Landings. While most of these toads are about the size of a large bullfrog, some can grow quite large. There was one spotted in Schooner Village last year that looked like a baseball catcher’s mitt laying on the pavement!
Aside from them being large, startling and unattractive, the big problem is that these toads produce poison. It’s a white sticky toxin on
their skin that looks like Elmer’s Glue when they feel threatened. This toxin is highly poisonous to any attacker, or a curious innocent dog that bites or licks the toad’s skin. It can make your pet very sick and can even be fatal to small breeds. All dogs should always be kept well away from these toads, and humans should wear protective gloves when handling them, even if they are no longer alive.
As these toads get older and larger, some will get so bold they will not even try to run when confronted. They’ll just sit still and let a dog put their mouth on them. These dangerous toads are nocturnal and have amazing camouflage making them difficult to spot in the dark.
What can be done to keep our pets safe? Yes, these toads are an invasive species, so it is legal to kill them. Douse the toad heavily with wasp spray, or maybe even flatten it with a 7-iron. An advised ‘humane’ way is to stick them into
of meals that are delivered from that chaotic kitchen!
At the demonstration, the menu included roasted salmon, herbed couscous, and grilled summer vegetables. The audience paid close attention as the Chef chopped herbs, and sliced and diced vegetables and other ingredients while he shared cooking tips and techniques. After taking in the fragrant aromas emanating from the food preparation, the audience was “chomping at the bit to taste the meal that had been prepared,” according to one attendee.
Members of the audience stated that they thoroughly enjoyed the demonstration and the opportunity to interact with Chef Richard. Joan Zerolis, Sunset Cove resident and attending member, stated that she “thoroughly enjoyed the event. Chef Richard’s demonstration showed a simple preparation for a delightful lunch or dinner. I hope there are more of these events as I would definitely attend.”
A Schooner resident in attendance was Chris Dixon. She stated the event was “Super! He even gave us ideas for ways to incorporate the
leftover salmon into other meals, including breakfast and lunch.” Forever learning, Chef Richard is always seeking a new menu, and developing new recipes. Chef Richard is truly a Landings gem. Based on the overwhelmingly favorable response to this first cooking demonstration, members are hopeful that there will be more of Chef Richard’s cooking demonstrations in the upcoming season. They are an excellent way to see him in action!
Golf Corner: Letter From Rocky Ford
At the time of this writing, we would have just completed our July 15 – 22 aerification with only our August 19 – 26 remaining. Our third closure consisted of wall-to-wall aerification, verticutting of the greens, tees & fairways, topdressing tees and greens and a wall-to-wall fertilization of the entire course. The only difference in this closer and our first one is the depth of our aerification. This time we did a deep tine aerification, 8” to 10” deep to help prevent the greens from sealing off at the 3” to 4” depth which is the depth of most normal aerifications.
Fertilization, aerification, verticutting and topdressing are all integral parts of a successful golf course management plan. Golfers sometimes view these practices as an inconvenience that disrupts
and adversely affects their playing conditions throughout the summer months here in SWFL. For these reasons we want our members to be informed and understand why and how important all of these practices are for producing healthy turf. June was a very wet month with approximately 25” of rain causing us to be cart path only and keep the main part of the driving range closed most of the time. No report on July rainfall as article had to be submitted in early July for the August paper.
Thank you, Rocky A Ford, Golf Course & Property Maintenance Superintendent
The Fruits of the Cooking Demonstration
Photo courtesy of Chris Dixon
Executive Chef Richard Schultz
Photo courtesy of Chris Dixon
Your Dream • Your Vision ...
General Manager’s Report
June 25, 2024
• New website is now live. Please get back to Michele with questions or issues. She’s spent a tremendous amount of time over the months on this, so please tell her thanks.
• Wheelhouse progress is slow, but moving forward. As usual, hidden problems and issues on an older building that’s been closed for 2 years causes some slow going.
Summary Of May 2024
May 2024 was a challenging month for the Club, with several departments underperforming against their revenue budgets, but Marina and Tennis were better to budget. Despite some areas showing positive trends, the overall financial health for the period showed areas needing improvement. Below is a detailed breakdown of the Club’s financial performance for the month.
Financial Summary
• Total Club Revenue: $1,102,697 (Budget: $1,075,780; Variance: $26,917)
• Gross Operating Profit: $-55,393 (Budget: $33,277; Variance: -$88,670)
Departmental Performance
• Food and Beverage Revenue: $123,603 (Budget: $160,716; Variance: -$37,113)
• Golf Revenue: $39,592 (Budget: $49,833; Variance: -$10,241)
• Tennis Revenue: $21,427 (Budget: $19,871; Variance: +$1,556)
• Staff taking their hardearned vacation during June through August.
• Pool-side Food and Beverage service is going nicely. Please take advantage and tip those hard-working servers in the hot sun!
• New free weights in the gym have arrived!
• Improvements progressing in all areas as summer moves forward.
• Marina Revenue: $471,126 (Budget: $403,178; Variance: $67,948)
• Administration & General: Expenses: $56,016 (Budget: $26,176; Variance: -$29,840)
• Community Patrol: Expenses: $46,379 (Budget: $46,332; Variance: $47)
• Golf Course Maintenance: Expenses: $113,649 (Budget: $104,256; Variance: -$9,393)
• Property Maintenance: Expenses: $85,662 (Budget: $81,422; Variance: -$4,240)
Balance Sheet
• Infrastructure Reserve: $335,044
• Reserves Future Long Range: $64,648
• Operating Cash Balance: $3,160,578
Conclusion: May 2024 presented several financial challenges, primarily due to lower-than-expected revenues in some departments and higher operational costs in overhead departments. The Club must focus on aligning expenses with budget forecasts and enhancing revenue streams to mitigate these variances in the upcoming months.
Landings Fishing Club: Flipper And Fins
By Leroy Fleming
Many of us grew up with “Flipper.” As a kid, we loved the television series and how he/she saved the day from a sure-fire tragedy. Flipper was a dolphin. The first time I saw the menu at a seafood restaurant I cried, “they’re eating Flipper.” That was a tragedy. It took a trip to the aquarium and seafood market to calm my fears. No, they’re not eating Flipper, but they were buying dolphin to eat. As we live, we learn, and fears melt away to be replaced by knowledge. Whew! If I live long enough, I should be smart but there are no guarantees.
Flipper, aka: the dolphin mammal is an air breathing animal that swims and spends its life in the water. It must surface to take a gulp of air for it has lungs, like humans. They’re intelligent and can be trained to perform tasks, some for our entertainment. Other tasks are working and retrieving objects easily from the water. Their reward is usually a fish to eat. Dolphins are warm- blooded like humans. They have collapsible lungs which allows them to exchange 80% air whereas humans can only exchange 17% air. Another human trait - dolphins give birth to live young and nurse them while underwater. “Flipper” was a bottle-nose dolphin. Fins have many names: dolphin fish, Mahi-Mahi, or Dorado are the more common ones. These fish are equipped with gills to take their air from the water. Brilliant in the colors of green, blue, and yellow, they are found in tropical and sub-tropical waters. Mahi-Mahi is Hawaii’s name for this fish, while in Spanish they’re called Dorado. Dolphin fish grow very fast
and seldom live past four years. From birth, egg laying, they can grow upwards to 50 pounds in that period of time. Being carnivorous and feeding almost constantly, they’re a prized game fish for sportsmen. Delicious on the table makes them sought after and when found, they’re easy to catch.
The thrill of watching the brilliant colors and sky-jumping fish dance across the water for you might have a tall tale trophy. The growth rate is fast, but the birth rate is staggering. Females mature in their first year, usually at four to five months. Spawning when body length is a mere eight inches. Females may spawn two to five times a year and produce between 80,000 to 1,000,000 eggs per spawn.
Dolphin fish are also caught commercially. Check the seafood counter at your grocery store for those of you who don’t want to catch them the hard way.
Flipper is a remote for TV - Fins are for the dining table.
Chess And Checkers Club News
By John Winters
We meet during the summer months in our usual place (Bridge Room) and at our usual time (Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon).
I recently heard a chess joke on the Stephen Colbert Show. Many of his jokes are based on the news of the day. The Pope apparently said a naughty word in Italian at a formal function. The word must have been similar to a Spanish word which isn’t considered naughty. (The Pope is from Argentina where they speak Spanish.) He was about to say this same word again. There were two Italian bishops close to him. They rushed to his side to whisper in his ear, but they didn’t get there in time. The Pope uttered the naughty word again. The two bishops couldn’t get to him in time because they could only move on the diagonal.
I was surprised that the audience laughed at the joke. There must be more chess players out there than we realize. If you have a chess joke or interesting story about chess, pass
it along to me. The news is slow here in the summer, so I’m looking for things to write about.
A strong player in our club frequently plays “c5” in response to my opening of “e4.” His move hasn’t bothered me because it seems to be weak. I just play my usual moves trying to control the center, develop my pieces, and castle early. I figured he routinely beats me because he is a stronger player and has nothing to do with his “c5” move. (I still believe this.)
I did some research on his “c5” move. It is called the “Sicilian Defense.” Some commentators recommend that only strong players should use it. It has many complications and seems designed to confuse weaker players. The success rate is higher for the “c5” move than using the more common “e5.” (This success rate could be explained because it is used by strong players.) It is interesting that Bobby Fischer almost always used the response “c5” against “e4.” I’m going to continue to study Sicilian Defense. Perhaps I’ll find a surprise for our strongest club member next time he moves “c5” against me.
Don’t forget to protect your king!
Head Editor: Sheryl Winters sherylwinters@comcast.net
Linda Tucker tuckerllo@comcast.net
Barb June junefamily@sbcglobal.net
Joan Davison Davisonjoana@gmail.com
Kathy Striggow kathleenstriggow@gmail.com
Hazel Jones, hazelwhitejones.hl@gmail.com
Copy Editor: Karen Reitan
Process: Happy Landings™ is a newsletter published for the benefit of the residents of The Landings Yacht, Golf and Tennis Club Inc., which has hired Seabreeze Communications Group as publisher to provide content and sell advertising consistent with the editorial and advertising policies of the Board of Directors of The Landings Yacht, Golf and Tennis Club Inc. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and, unless otherwise noted, should not be construed to be those of The Landings Yacht, Golf and Tennis Club Inc. or its officers, directors or members. Paid advertising does not represent an endorsement by this publication. Content cannot be reproduced without written consent from The Landings Yacht, Golf and Tennis Club Inc. Happy Landings is a registered trademark which cannot be used without the express written permission of the holder of the mark, The Landings Yacht, Golf and Tennis Club Inc. The Happy Landings ™ does not accept letters to the editor. All members of the LYG&TC have the right to express their concerns to the Board of Administrators, after following these steps: First, bring your problem/complaint to the attention of, in order, the editor; the Communications Committee; and finally, the general manager. If dissatisfied with the result, you must then fill out a “Member Problem/Complaint” form (available in the general manager’s office). The completed form will be given to the Board of Administrators, who will decide if the problem/complaint warrants its review or action.
Flipper
Fin
Landings Duplicate Bridge Club
2024-25 Season Begins Before We Know It This Fall!
By Bill Ferris
Many LDBC members have been away from The Landings playing at home online or playing in their northern communities while away from the heat of Fort Myers. I am happy to report that the Club’s share of the take from members’ online games has increased to over $50 per month during the summer.
Other members have played face-to-face on the high seas on bridge cruises, and some have been playing in regional
&
Green Book Changes: Happy Landings
August Issue, 2024 Clip & save these Up to date through: June 30, 2024
Deletions:
• Christine Cerva, 4761 Harbortown Lane
• Dennis & Maria Counihan, 4390 Foremast Court #2D
• James Johnson & Marjorie Hamm, 4811 S. Landings Drive #202
• Terrence LeRoy Kennedy, 4586 Trawler Court #403
• George & Georgine Larson, 4240 Steamboat Bend #201
• Margaret Palmer, 4585 Trawler Court #301
• Rodney & Sandra Winegardner, 9435 Sunset Harbor Lane #221
Additions:
• Bernard & Michelle Esch, 4585 Trawler Court #301, 608-206-2842 & 608-438-4791
• Guy & Donna Joy Hughes, 4811 S. Landings Drive #202, 513-383-6339 & 513-309-3802
• Mary Kelley, 4240 Steamboat Bend #201, 202-203-9173
• Michael & Linda Killackey, 4586 Trawler Court #403, 416-270-5936 & 416-725-4055
• Walter & Colleen Peterson, 4761 Harbortown Lane, 516-617-1700 & 631-603-2904
• Susan Marie Zamis, 9435 Sunset Harbor Lane #221
• Malva Ruthenberg, 4390 Foremast Court #2D
tournaments in various North American venues including Toronto, Canada. Jerry Poissant and Barb Coneys played in the District 9 Palm Beach Gardens Regional Tournament held May 26-June 1. On Thursday, May 30th, Jerry and Barb played with Swiss teams and finished third in Open Bracketed Teams 3, earning 4.97 gold Master points. Congratulations Jerry and Barb!
A team consisting of Barb Coneys, Bill Ferris, Jerry Poissant, and Pat Tylander traveled to Toronto, and for 4 days they played as a team at the annual ACBL National Conference held July 22-25. Among other LDBC members who have played worldwide are Kerstin Abrinder and Jackie Crump.
Speaking of tournaments, the Southwest Florida Regional will once again be held at the Sanibel Marriott in the fall, and the Board will be meeting about taking advantage of the event in planning the opening of the 2024-2025 season. Usually we start on the first Monday of October, but with the regional beginning on that day in our upcoming year, we
are considering opening the season this fall on the following Monday, October 14.
Not everyone from LDBC will be playing at the Tournament on October 7, but the Tournament has a special program with a free lesson from a bridge pro. There is also a special event focused specifically on players with 0-200 masterpoints aimed at encouraging some of those players to attend. Everyone can attend the lesson, and players with more than 200 masterpoints can play in other offered events following the lesson. As we always have trouble getting enough players to attend on the Monday of that tournament, shifting normal play back a week and going to the tournament that Monday will be a true win-win for us!
As most of us now know, our time slot for the coming year’s games will be on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Garden Room. After polling and discussion, the members decided that they want to start later than the 8 a.m. time last year, but not so late as to interfere with other afternoon activities.
a zip lock bag and put them into the freezer for 24-48 hours. But if that’s not quite your thing, it’s understandable. So, how about some methods to just keep them away? Here are a few ideas that have been tried and worked.
“PupDefense” is a granular product that will not harm plants or animals. It has an earthy peppermint scent that the toads really don’t like, so they stay away. Scatter it liberally around the perimeter of your outside area. You can find it on Amazon, or PupDefense. com, the company’s website. Supplies can run low during “toad season,” so stock up whenever you can get it. You may need a few applications around your outside areas during this time, at least once a month or maybe more.
Mothballs work too, but don’t just throw them outside. Put them into something that will allow the scent in the air to be concentrated, like an empty spice jar with holes in the lid. Make a few of these, place them around outside and refill them as needed.
The toads really don’t like the mothball smell either.
If you’re going outside after dark, take a bright beam flashlight along; and don’t let your pet go into the bushes or sniff at anything you can’t see. Try to temporarily eliminate outdoor hiding spaces they may like, such as underneath outside décor items or low to the ground furniture.
As we move into rainy season, these toads will be out and about. Let’s do everything we can to keep our pets safe and keep the invasive Cane Toads away from our doors!
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Toads Raising Cane! from page 1
LLGA-18 Ladies Golf Happenings!
By Mary Ann Spry
Rain, rain, go away...let our girls have fun on the golf course! Sounds like the course will be lush and green when the rainy season ever ends. Love the rain, but this season has been a challenge for Rocky and his crew.
The gals did get out this week and we had some winners for the Net play on Wednesday. Diane Giebner, Nancy Yavorsky, Phyllis Holley and Marty Roemer had some great games to be in the winners’ circle. Good going! There seems to be a dozen or so gals who are regulars on Wednesday mornings which is really nice. We welcome any new residents to check with the Pro-shop for League information and you can try out playing this summer. Our league begins the first of October and there
are great games, challenges, fun, and luncheons that are already planned for everyone. We do have a great time out there meeting new folks and building great relationships with so many of the members.
A reminder for LLGA-18, to get your dues in soon, as the months are slipping away and October will be here before we know it. Christy would like to have the directories done by then, and we know how important that little book is to all of us. Any changes with emails or phones would be appreciated also.
Can you believe it is August already? Where do the weeks and months go? I hope everyone is having a great summer and enjoying some great golf at home courses or courses across the great USA. Today is the Birthday of our grand USA, and I hope everyone is safe and having fun with family, friends, or enjoying some great travel experiences.
Don’t forget to practice those putts! If you saw the PGA
Village News
Ariel, Clipper Cove, Flagship, Harbortown, Lighthouse, Longboat, Mariner’s Cove,
Steamboat Bend, Steamboat Bend East, Sunset Cove, Sunset Harbor, Trawler,
Mariner’s Cove
Pat Benner patharben@aol.com
Carl and Patti McMackin recently returned from a European adventure that included a transatlantic cruise and a Douro River cruise in Portugal. The transatlantic Holland American cruise began in Ft. Lauderdale stopping in the Azores, Cork, Ireland, Falmouth, England, Cherbourg / Normandy, France, Bruges, Belgium, and Amsterdam. Three days in Lisbon were followed with boarding a Viking river boat in Porto for the round-trip cruise through five locks and viewing the beautiful Douro River Valley’s vineyards and olive groves. Tours included visits to quaint villages, wineries, Sandeman Port cellars and spectacular Salamanca, Spain. Post cruise they spent three nights in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Dawn & Denis Fourgeau-Ciers purchased their home in Mariner’s Cove in 2001, rented it out for three years, remodeled for one year and moved from New Jersey in 2005 when Dawn, born and raised in New York, left her job as president of an advertising agency. Denis, who had retired earlier, had a myriad of businesses throughout Europe and the US related to photo processing. He was born in Bordeaux and raised there and in Paris. After receiving his MBA, he worked and lived in France, Asia, and Spain before moving to the US in 1976. He met Dawn through work and they married in 1987. Their daughter, Morgan, recently moved from New York to Miami with her husband and their three-year old granddaughter. Denis’ son Frank lives in Fort Myers, is the Director of Tennis at Pelican Sound, and will be married next summer.
Several days were spent close to the Great Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world. In addition to spending their days in the water, they visited small islands every day. During afternoons, they enjoyed the captain’s cocktails, delicious beverages that changed daily. The vacationers played coconut bocce on one island, and some in the group went on an amazing night diving adventure where they spotted squid and octopus. Another evening, they enjoyed a bonfire on the beach.
The group ended the week in Belize where they spent two days before heading back to reality. Yes, the only way to describe this trip is, “What a Vacation!”
Manley and Dianne Feinstein once again hosted their annual Fourth of July party at their home on the river, a perfect location for viewing fireworks launched from the Cape Coral Bridge. Fifty guests attended the soirée, many accompanied by their pets, on the hot but beautiful evening. While enjoying hors d’oeuvres and appetizers, guests mixed and mingled before the stars appeared and it was time for the main event.
Those who stayed for the fireworks display viewed it poolside with the appropriate “oohs and aahs.” Many thanks to Dianne and Manley for again hosting the party. It’s always a highlight on the list of Riverside social events!
Schooner
Len served on three village boards and on the LYGTC Board of Directors during some of its most challenging years regarding the Helm. He was on the Board when the decision was made to hire a general manager, and fittingly, his last outing was to attend Doug Marcotte’s farewell party together with all Board Members who had served with him. Most significantly, Len was the earliest spokesperson advocating for the building of a Wheelhouse Restaurant on the Pointe.
Len and Susan were avid boaters, traveling thousands of miles together over the years up and down the coast. They sailed to the Bahamas, from St. Thomas to Virgin Gorda, and on many local and longer cruises with the LYC and at the Royal Palm Yacht Club, receiving recognition for organizing a dozen extensive cruises. The couple moved through a series of boats, including a 40-foot sailboat, and ending with a 42-ft. Chris-Craft, HOBO VI, a virtual condominium on the water!
Len also served on the Lee County Community Development Commission Planning and Zoning Section. He was a generous supporter of the arts, including the Gulf Coast Symphony, whose performances he and Susan enjoyed with several Schooner couples. I must confess that my favorite personal memory of Len was in 2012 when he chauffeured me and my nephew, Bob Wilson, in his classic red mustang to Picnic Pointe to wed my husband!
Besides traveling, Denis & Dawn enjoy sailing and pickleball. Dawn also enjoys Pilates and volunteers with Hope Hospice. Denis, who was in the real estate business for a few years, is a handyman and enjoys taking care of his lanai fishpond. We were fortunate to have Denis as our board representative for seven years where he served as treasurer. Dawn served on the Wellness Committee and was instrumental in getting a fitness center and walking trail maps for the Landings. We are grateful for their service to our community.
Riverside
Traveling is the name of the game for Riversiders this summer, and residents have been visiting all parts of the globe by all modes of transportation.
“What a vacation! Sailing Belize with friends and family!” That sums up the trip taken by Don and Marilee Simon, Kevin and Kathleen Krum, Rosann and Jerry Lamore, and Jerry’s son and daughter, who was accompanied by her boyfriend.
Booked through Trade Winds Luxury Vacations, the group enjoyed a week in Belize on a 59-ft.
catamaran with 6 staterooms. The boat also had Captain Dale, and First Mate/Cook Cassidy. The group was served 3 meals daily, so they didn’t go hungry, and they enjoyed cocktails in the water, boating, amazing snorkeling, scuba diving in the crystal blue waters, and swimming with dolphins.
Kathleen Striggow kathleensstriggow@gmail.com
We normally don’t include obituaries in this paper, but we often celebrate the lives of folks who have lived in Schooner for many years, and especially those who have made major contributions to The Landings and the community. One such individual is Leonard “Len” Howell who passed on Thursday, June 20th, at nearly 97 years old.
Len and his wife and partner in all things, Susan, met in The Landings and were about to celebrate their 44th wedding anniversary on July 11. They have been part of the fabric of The Landings since its origins. At different points, they lived in Trawler, Longboat, Ariel, Mariner’s Cove, and for the longest period in Schooner in multiple units.
In the summer season Len and Susan retreated to their “cabin” in the woodlands on Sheepscot Pond (Lake) in Palermo, Maine. Ric and I enjoyed visits with them there, most recently with Bill and Donna Riggs. I like to think of him there with “Pumpkin,” the cat. We will miss you, Len. Our sincere sympathies to Susan and Len’s family.
In other Schooner news, a reunion of the Dorval family celebrating Jackie Dorval’s 90th birthday took place on June 15th. All 5 of her children, together with spouses and 4 out of 6 of her grandchildren, attended the celebration at Picnic Pointe. Jackie’s daughter, Joanne, of Washington, D.C., and The Landings, served as party coordinator, and together with the Landings’ Grace
Ric & Mary Wilson-Tauson rooesq@juno.com
Villages on page 7
Patti & Carol McMackin
Dawn & Denis Fourgeau-Ciers
The Crew
Captain’s cocktails on the beach
Guests at the Feinberg Party Mixing and Mingling Before the Big Booming Event
Len Howell
Villages from page 6
Stewart, coordinated the menu. The banquet staff provided food and beverage service.
Jackie Dorval with her 5 Children, Spouses, and Grandchildren
Jackie’s son Scott, a meteorologist from Boise, Idaho, served as emcee, while her other sons, Guy, Glenn, and Brian, performed additional functions for keeping the party lively for guests. Entertainment, provided by Double Dare, played throughout the party, and it was heartwarming to watch the entire family, including Jackie, dancing together the entire evening. The event will provide wonderful family memories for years to come.
Steamboat Bend East
”August is the slow, gentle month that stretches out the longest across the span of a year. It yawns and lingers on with the light in its palms.” ~Victoria Erickson
Carol Cummins callifleur1955@gmail.com
The Fourth of July was celebrated by SBBE residents, with a picnic lunch and ice cream sundaes. Joining in the fun was Annie and Frank Farrell, Mary and Walter Rea and Heidi and Jane Johnson.
Plans are being finalized for several Steamboat Bend East couples that will be flying to Hawaii in August, and then boarding a cruise ship to visit three of the Islands. Kayaking, Hiking, Visiting Pearl Harbor and of course dining. Hoping to have some pictures to share in the September column.
Ariel
Ariel is glowing.
The original magazine produced in 1984 to market The Landings at Fort Myers states: “Ariel is the crowning achievement of an exceptional community. An architectural masterpiece, Ariel stands 18 stories high. With only 135 residences, each owner is assured maximum space and privacy.”
Nearly 40 years later, Ariel sustained significant damage during Hurricane Ian’s ferocious fury. The saving grace was that Ariel’s Board was prescient enough to hire a public adjuster who interceded with the insurance companies. He was able to secure the funds necessary to bring Ariel back to its former glory.
When all the work is completed, Ariel will have all new sliders and windows, hurricane rated for winds of 175 miles per hour, a new roof and fire pump plus many other renovations. After all those repairs are made, the building will be repainted inside and out.
Hazel Jones hazelwhitejones@ gmail.com
is starting to glow again.
The best news is owners will see their monthly fees decrease by almost 16 percent beginning in August. Even with that decrease, reserves will be fully funded for the first time in Ariel’s history.
the confluence
the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The Hahns took a gondola up a hill to get to the restaurant for lunch. Dennis and Dana Hahn have since navigated over 200 miles on the Mississippi. Bill and Donna Dowdney traveled to Amsterdam, Arusha in Africa, the Serengeti and the Island of Zanzibar on a 21-day trip with the Cincinnati Zoo. On the safari, the animals
One of the volunteer activities in which Greg and I participate is being a docent at our local Butterfly House in Geneva, Illinois during the summer. We love seeing the families come in for the pure delight and joy of watching the butterflies dance and sometimes even land on people. This is our tenth year, and we had a new experience! We actually had a butterfly lay eggs on a visitor’s headband. She was very cool about it and felt like a “Butterfly Doula,” which enabled me to snap a picture so I could share with you. Last year I was able to get a magnified pictures of eggs that had been laid on the door frame. They are quite beautiful.
Ariel owners are grateful that our Boards have made this result possible. John Berkaw, Ariel Board president who was serving when Hurricane Ian struck, and our current president, Chris Duca, deserve our thanks, as does our talented and tireless general manager, John Trimarche, who has shepherded all of these projects through.
Clipper Cove
Holly Morris and Tyler Bumsted spent a week in June at Disney World with their children and grandchildren. After visiting four theme parks in four days, the Bumsteds were hot and extremely tired. Nonetheless, they would not have missed it for the world. While there, they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.
Maisie Seiverling maisieseiverling@yahoo.com
of life for our residents while ensuring their safety and well-being. From engaging activities tailored to stimulate cognitive abilities to personalized care plans that address each individual’s unique needs, our memory care aims to foster a sense of belonging and purpose. We strive to create moments of joy and connection, empowering our residents to embrace life’s precious memories.
Schedule a tour today by calling 239-374-1115 and learn more about our comprehensive memory care.
were up close. They drove among animals on their great migration north. They saw the big five —elephants, leopards, rhinos, cape buffalo and lions. The predominant tribe was the Maasai with whom they conversed. The tribe was very happy despite its extreme poverty.
Angie and Jeff Leonard’s granddaughter princess, Evelyn, turned three.
Longboat
Golf News Highlight
Ann Power annpower103@gmail.com
Ann Spang scored a hole-in-one on hole #3 on Saturday June 1st. How did she get started, you may ask? Lindy Worrall encouraged her to join the league, and after much angst and soul searching, she took the leap into golf in 2017. Ann heard that the LLGA-18 was a tough group, so she figured it would not take long for them to kick her out. She could not have been more wrong! They were the most gracious, kind, and patient group of ladies, and they helped her find her passion for the game of golf.
Every Wednesday morning Ann found herself looking forward to playing, even when she had to rise early for the 8 a.m. tee times. She began making new friends and enjoying their comradery following the game at the Wheelhouse or the Helm Club for lunch, recounting the highs and lows of that day’s game. As Ann worked to improve her handicap, playing twice a week and in tournaments, Lindy would say, “We all had to start somewhere.”
Ann watched her scores slowly fall from the 100s, to the 90s, and most consistently, 80s, with a few 70s here and there. Then, on Saturday, June 1st, she was supposed to play with her tennis group, and she overslept for the first time in years. It must have been fate because as it happened, she hooked up with Jeannie Parks for a round of golf.
They began on hole #1 and Ann parred it. On hole #2, she scored a bogie. She stepped up to # 3 with her lucky 7-iron and the miracle happened. She hit the ball beautifully high in the air. It landed on the green and rolled right into the cup! Jeannie started screaming and Ann could not believe it!
Jeannie called the Club House to tell them of Ann’s hole-inone good news and the notice went out to all Landings’ golfers. Of course, she was immediately showered with congratulatory texts and emails. She does not know who that lady is that made the hole-in-one, but she certainly hopes that she continues to show up game after game. If you happen to see Ann around the village, please be sure to congratulate her on her first of what will be many future holes-in-one!
Many thanks to Ann for her contribution to this article.
July 4th at Helm Club: Annie & Frank Farrell, Mary & Walter Rea, Heidi Helm, and Jane Johnson.
(Left) Butterfly laying eggs on visitor’s headband. (Right) Butterfly eggs magnified.
Ariel
Photo by Louis Kapp
The Aries Winery and Terrace restaurant is at
of
Bumsted Family at Disney
Dana Hahn at Aries Winery
Donna and Bill Dowdney
Evelyn’s birthday Giraffes
Ann Spang
Mary & Scott Blais
603-345-0119
603-533-1986 sales@landingsproperties.com
Aimee & Roger Bireley 239-201-9091 239-703-6608
David Marini 508-328-1393 DPMarini@aol.com Mon - Fri: 9 to 5 ~ Sat: 1 to 4 ~ Sun: 1 to 4 Visit us in the Helm Club building, next to the Golf Shop. (239) 443-1313
Aimee@TeamBireley.com Roger@TeamBireley.com
Bill Simmons 239-565-4343 BillsAtWork@aol.com
Andrea (Andi) Polley 239-443-1313 Andi@RossmanRealty.com
Ariel - Membership has its privileges, and you get it all with this property. Top it off with lots of social activities and great dining venues. This spectacular 3-bedroom 15th floor corner ‘sky home’ with incredible views has been upgraded to the fullest! Over 2,500 sqft of luxurious elegance, this coastal-themed property with designer details has plank tile flooring throughout, a completely renovated kitchen with gorgeous quartz, custom cabinetry and upscale appliances. Fully renovated 2-1/2 baths with amazing tile, glass and wood. The large primary suite with balcony on the southwest side of the home provides views all the way to Sanibel and the barrier islands. The expansive main balcony provides outdoor enjoyment and entertainment space with river views all the way to downtown Fort Myers. Storm Smart protection all around provides peace of mind. $898,000
Mariners Cove - This beautifully manicured community setting awaits you in this gorgeous 2 bed + den, 2 bath, just under 2,000-sq/ft single-family home. It features amazing renovations that have transformed this home in the last few years, leaving nothing to do but enjoy and relax. Large porcelain tiles, hardwood floors and comfortable carpeted bedrooms. It comes equipped with stainless appliances and front-load washer & dryer. The kitchen and both baths have been remodeled and the closets have built-ins for you folks that have the need to be organized. No worries about the concrete tile roof, it was replaced in 2022. All windows and doors come fully equipped with hurricane protection. The two-car garage gives you plenty of room for your toys. The lanai overlooks the first golf course hole. There is room for a pool, which has been approved by the association. Move-in ready! $699,900
Schooner - Centered in beautiful Schooner Village, your morning coffee will be a daily treat with the view of sunrises and early bird tennis matches. When your tee time, court time or card game is about to start, it’s just a short walk across the 10th fairway to the Helm Club, with its 2 pro shops, Compass Rose Tavern & Main Deck event venue. This two-story townhome boasts over 3,000 total sq/ft. Includes all day light & bright views from a 27’x8’ screened & enclosed porch/lanai, 3 bedrooms & 3-1/2 baths. Each bedroom, two being on the 1st floor, have their own ensuite baths. The upper-level w/stairs & floors of hardwood holds a large master suite w/extra closet & attic storage, a gorgeous walk-in shower, separate soaking jetted tub and bonus den/office space, all freshly painted. Private garage. $650,000
Longboat - Excellent value for this terrific 3 bedroom, 2-1/2 bath detached villa that boasts lots of amazing space and upgrades. The open island kitchen/family room features quartz counters, updated cabinets, stainless appliances including a double oven, and pantry. Vaulted ceilings in the living & dining area make this home feel even larger than the 2000+ sq/ft of cooled space. Impact skylights in the hall let in natural light all day. Newly screened lanai has new hurricane shutters. Beautiful impact-rated front entry door and side-lights and smooth sliding doors throughout thanks to “Slider Man”. Expanded primary bedroom. Beautifully tiled master shower, plus a powder room for guests. Newer washer & dryer in spacious laundry room with sink & extra storage. Tons of cabinet storage in the over-sized 2-car garage. $444,900
Windjammer - Ground floor convenience in pet-friendly Windjammer Village, this fantastic 2 bed/2 bath condo that has updates throughout. Tile laid diagonally throughout the unit, new white shaker cabinets with granite counters, glass tile backsplash, and newer stainless appliances including a wine fridge. The living area is expanded to the walk-out lanai and heavy duty sliders. French doors to the bedroom. Upgraded fans and doors. Nicely tiled baths, granitetopped vanities and a walk-in frameless-glass master shower. Newer washer & dryer. Bright morning eastern light in your kitchen, and a lake and fountain view from the western living area with sunset color in the evening. Common gas grill close by for easy bar-b-q’s. Carport included just a few steps from the door. $339,900
Trawler - You will never get tired of the beautiful southern view of the lake, fountain and golf course from this third floor 2 bedroom condo. Wonderful daylight throughout the day makes this unit so bright! Very clean and neat as a pin, the owner has lovingly cared for this property. White cabinets and tile backsplash in the kitchen and upgrades in both baths. Being sold turnkey, move right in or take some time and give it your vision. Newer electrical panel and AC. Additional impact-rated sliding doors on lanai, extending your cooled living space whenever you desire. Low dues! Carport included. $320,000
Steamboat Bend East - First floor corner/end unit, this 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo has a terrific lake and golf view. Very light and bright floorplan with larger dining room with impact window. An over-sized, acrylic-enclosed lanai and a bonus plaza-level private patio off the kitchen add to the feature list. Plus, a new A/C, and new impact bedroom windows. Take the elevator or walk up one flight from your covered garage parking spot. Priced to move! Indulge yourself in the amazing energetic lifestyle that The Landings has to offer. Being sold turnkey. $285,000
Trawler - Welcome to your slice of paradise in this charming first floor condo boasting picturesque views of a lake and lush golf course. Step inside and be greeted by the warm and inviting atmosphere. The living area seamlessly flows into the dining area and kitchen, creating an ideal space for entertaining guests or simply enjoying quiet evenings at home. The lanai offers a feel of privacy where you can start your day while taking in the peaceful lake as the sun greats the day. Trawler Village boasts brand new composite tile roofs & paint, fresh and sound. Whether you're a full-time resident or seeking a seasonal escape, this is your opportunity to experience the best of Florida living in an amenity-rich community. Don't miss out on making this condo your own. Schedule your private showing today and start living the lifestyle you've always dreamed of. $275,000
Steamboat Bend - This top (5th) floor corner unit is very light and bright and has a serene view of a lake and fountain. Light colored laminate and tile flooring throughout. The cabinets have been updated, along with the counter tops and backsplash. Electric storm shutter on tiled lanai. Mostly furnished. Extra privacy as no one can see in your kitchen window! A covered parking spot is included. Great village pool with fun gatherings, plus all the terrific amenities and social events The Landings has to offer. $270,000