Stoneybrook Happenings
By Melissa Mahmoud, Vice President HOA
With a new year brings a new election. The 2024 annual members meeting is Tuesday, March 26. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Estero Recreation Center. Please be on the lookout for your proxy vote and ballots. Like last year, voting will be available online. There are three open seats for the Master HOA board.
The Miromar wall repair has been completed and the walking path is almost finished. The CDD has started the street replacements and updates will continue to be
e-blasted as needed. The two pickleball courts closest to bocce will begin repair soon. Stoneybrook Day is Saturday, Feb. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please remember food is first-come, first-served and we look forward to seeing you there. Please continue to refer to the activities schedule that is posted at the Community Center for upcoming events such as bingo, trivia, coffee tea and chat and more.
It seems the cold weather may be past us, so enjoy the sunshine, stay safe and have a Happy Valentine’s Day.
Winter Wonderland Coffee, Tea And Chat
It was a winter wonderland inside and outside for our Coffee, Tea and Chat this month. Many came and warmed up with our coffee or hot cocoa and had wonderful bites to
eat. It was nice to hear how everyone’s holidays were and we look forward to seeing everyone next month.
Johnny Rogers Band
On Wednesday, Jan. 17 the residents of Stoneybrook were treated to a repeat performance by the Johnny Rogers Band. They appeared here last year, and the response was overwhelming to have them back. Almost 100 people sang, danced, and had a great time in our tent. The evening went so quickly that 7 to 9:30 p.m. seemed to go by too fast. Of course, everyone that was asked wants them back next year. Johnny, his wife, Debbie, and the rest of the band really make the “History of Rock and Roll” come alive. Jewel Faerber, Adult Activities Committee
Bingo Record
Attendance
On Thursday, Jan. 11, Stoneybrook residents attended Bingo. After four years of games, we scored a record. There were 50, yes 50, people in attendance. Every seat was taken, and extras had to be added. The participants had fun, as usual. The next Bingo will be Feb. 8 and Feb. 22 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Feel free to bring your own snacks and beverages. Homemade cakes and cookies seem to be the most popular.
See you then. In the meantime, practice yelling Bingo!
Stoneybrook Master Association Board Of Directors
Directors: Darrell Grigg, Kelly Moretti
The Board of Directors meets on the third Tuesday of the month in the Community Center. Meetings are open to all community members. Residents may address the Board during Residents’ Open Forum which begins at 6:30 p.m. At the end of the Residents’ Forum the general meeting begins.
Stoneybrook Community Development District (CDD) Board of Supervisors
Eileen Huff - Chairperson, Chris Brady - Vice Chairperson, Phil Olive - Assistant Secretary, Phil Simonsen - Assistant Secretary, Adam Dalton - Assistant Secretary
The Board of Supervisors meets at 9 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month in the Community Center. Exceptions are: November and December held on the second Tuesday because of holidays, and February, May, June and August held at 6 p.m. Meetings are open to all community members. Agendas, minutes and other information can be found on the CDD website: www.stoneybrookesterocdd.com.
Stoneybrook – A Golf Community
Front Gate 949-4965
DwellingLIVE Guest Registration (888) 994-4117
Community Center 948-1787
Community Center Fax 948-1786
Pro Shop 948-3933
Golf Course Superintendent 948-9057
Main Line Irrigation Problems
– during normal golfing hours 948-9057
Alliant Property Management LLC 454-1101
Alliant Property Management Fax 454-1147
Lennar (formerly US Home) 278-1177
Lee County Sheriff’s Office 477-1200
Poison Control (800) 222-1222
Alligator Hotline (866) 392-4286
Animal Control 432-2083
Mosquito Control 694-2174
Comcast 432-9277
Florida Power & Light 334-7754
Lee County Utilities 936-0247
– to report “Lift Station” alarm 479-8700
Sunshine Before You Dig (800) 432-4770
(Underground Cable Locating Service)
Waste Services of Florida 332-8500
Free Residential Appliance Pickup 337-0800
– please do not dispose in community Dumpsters
Master Board
Contact us on the Home page on the Website: www.stoneybrookestero.org
Alliant Property Management LLC
Emergency (24-hour) Number: (239) 454-1101 www.alliantproperty.com
13831 Vector Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33907 Community Center
E-mail: stoneybrook.office@alliantproperty.com
Stoneybrook Ladies’ Luncheons
The following Stoneybrook Ladies’ Luncheons have been scheduled.
Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 11:30 a.m.
Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant 14301 Port Comfort Road, Fort Myers (Just before Sanibel Causeway, next to Port Sanibel Marina)
Tuesday, March 12 at 11:30 a.m.
Carrabbas Gulf Coast Town Center
Tuesday, April 9 at 11:30 a.m.
TBD
You may sign up for all luncheons at the community center or call to have your name placed on the list. Carpooling is encouraged. If you have any questions or need a ride match please contact Chris Costello, (239) 301-4510, chrispea46@hotmail.com or Helen Ruocco, (239) 992-0616, paradise11@comcast.net. See you there!
Monthly Motivation
Remember What Is Most Important
By Joshua A. Sky, Career Coach and Leadership Trainer
Remember What Is Most Important by
Vickie M. Worsham
It’s not having everything go right; it’s facing whatever goes wrong.
It’s not being without fear; It’s having determination to go on in spite of it.
What is most important is not where you stand, but the direction you’re going in.
It’s more than never having bad moments; It’s knowing you are always bigger than the moment.
It’s believing you have already been given everything you need to handle life.
It’s not being able to rid the world of all its injustices; It’s being able to rise above them.
It’s the belief in your heart that there will always be more good than bad in the world.
Remember to live just this one day and not add tomorrow’s troubles to today’s load.
Remember that every day ends and brings a new tomorrow full of exciting new things.
Love what you do, do the best you can, and always remember how much you are loved.
“The miracle of gratitude is that it shifts your perception to such an extent that it changes the world you see.” – Dr. Robert Holden
Daniel “Todd” Madden, Secretary John Detterbeck, Treasurer
Denis Oldani, President Melissa Mahmoud, Vice President
By Jewel Faerber
We meet in our library. As always, all are welcome to participate in the discussion. If you did not read the book, a printed summary of the book is given out before our discussions. If you have read a book that you think we would enjoy reading, please bring the title and the author’s name. We are always looking for new novels to read.
Please email Jewel at jcf0519@comcast.net so we will know how many people plan to attend. Our book club will meet the third Monday of every month from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Schedule For 2024
Feb. 19 – The Lie Maker by Linwood Barclay
March 18 – The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende
April 15 – Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See May 20 – The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
Update On The Golf Course
By Eileen Huff, CDD Board Chairperson
For the month of December, the actual rounds of golf were 4,461 to a budget of $5,285. The weather has been hurting the course and we are below budget so far for January but still in good financial condition. The staff is working hard to keep everything running smoothly.
The roadway/pathway project began in January. The walking path was completely torn up. The tree roots that were compromising the path have been cut and the tree roots sealed off so as to not compromise the new path. The concrete work on the road where the repair was needed has started. Once this has been completed the company will begin with the roads. The schedule will be finalized within the next week and will be posted at the community center and via email blasts and the newsletter as time allows. But please read the paper and the email blasts for all updates on this project. Times may change due to weather so let’s keep up to date and keep your neighbors informed as not all residents receive the email blasts.
Electric has been installed at the restrooms between the fifth and sixth holes. This was done so that an ice machine may be installed. This is for the use of the golfers. It will be
Tips From The Pro
Give It 100 Days
By Chase Marinell, Lead Instructor
for The Andy Scott School of Golf, The Executive Director of the SWFJGA
A mentor of mine said worthwhile change takes 100 days. This stuck with me so much so that I started sharing it with students of my own. Want results from your swing change? Give it 100 days of
TLP Tidbit$
Navigating The Financial Planning Landscape: Understanding Fee Structures
By Thomas L. Patricca, CFP®, CEPS
Financial planning is a crucial aspect of securing one’s financial future, and choosing the right fee structure is a key decision in this process. There are various fee structures, each with its own set of pros and cons. This article aims to explore the differences between commission-based, fee-based, and fee-only financial planning.
In a commission-based financial planning model, advisors earn money through the sale of financial products. This includes mutual funds, insurance policies, and other investment vehicles. While this structure might seem convenient for clients who don’t have to pay upfront fees, it introduces potential conflicts of interest. Advisors may be inclined to recommend products that offer higher commissions, even if they are not the best fit for the client. This raises questions about the objectivity and alignment of interests in commission-based financial planning.
Pros of the commission-based model include the following: no upfront fees for clients; and advisors are motivated to generate returns as their income is tied to product sales. Some cons include: potential conflicts of interest; and limited transparency in how advisors are compensated. Fee-based financial planning combines elements of both commission and fee-only structures. Advisors earn a fee for their services but can also receive commissions on product sales. This hybrid model attempts to strike a balance between earning through client fees and product sales. However, similar conflicts of interest may still arise, as advisors have dual incentives.
closed every evening. Depending on the cost we will be doing the same at the restrooms between the 14th and 15th holes.
For the month ending Dec. 31, 2023 total revenues were $323,220 which is $24,742 less than 2022 and $124,740 under the 2024 budget. Year-to-date revenues are $906,943 which is $464 over the 2023 budget, and $46,892 under the 2024 budget. The expenses for the month ending Dec. 31, 2023, were $287,141 which is $32,743 less than 2023 and $5,397 under the 2024 budget. Year-to-date expenses are $901,641 which is $5,502 under 2023 and $93,547 under the 2024 budget. The net position as of Dec. 31, 2023 is $22,855 under budget. The cash balance as of Jan. 19 was $484,032.62.
If you are interested in lessons or joining one of the women’s or men’s Stoneybrook golf leagues, please contact the Pro Shop at (239) 948-3933.
If you have any questions regarding these issues or any concerns, please email the CDD at cdd@ stoneybrookesterocdd.com, or attend the CDD meetings.
The September CDD meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. . It will be held at the Stoneybrook Community Center.
hard work. Want to improve your short game? Give it 100 days of hard work. Want to shoot lower scores? Give it 100 days of hard work. Changes happen in the macro not the micro. Measure your progress in windows of 100 days, not seven.
Too many of us want change and to shave strokes off of our game within a week. That is not how improvement in the game of golf works! It is a slow burn. A marathon not a sprint.
Remember to measure changes in 100-day windows of time, not seven days.
If you’re interested in lessons, please contact me at chasemarinell@yahoo.com or call (239) 848-2021.
Pros of this model include: clients pay for professional advice, encouraging a focus on service quality; and advisors have multiple revenue streams. Cons of the feebased model include: conflicts of interest may persist; and there is a potential lack of complete transparency regarding compensation.
Fee-only financial planning stands out as a model that aims to eliminate conflicts of interest by relying solely on client fees. Advisors charge clients directly for their services, and their compensation is not tied to the sale of financial products. This structure promotes objectivity, as advisors have no financial incentive to recommend specific products or services. Instead, advisors recommend products that truly are best suited to each client individually. Pros of this model include: objectivity in advice, as advisors are not influenced by commissions; and the transparent fee structure, allowing clients to understand the cost of services. Potential cons of the fee-only model include: upfront fees may deter some clients; and advisors may face pressure to generate returns as their income is directly tied to client fees.
Choosing the right financial planning fee structure is a critical decision that impacts the quality and objectivity of advice. While commission-based and fee-based models offer certain advantages, the potential for conflicts of interest raises concerns about the impartiality of advice. Fee-only financial planning, on the other hand, stands out as a model that prioritizes client interests by eliminating ties to product sales. Clients should carefully consider these factors when selecting a financial planning approach that aligns with their long-term goals and values. As always, be sure to work with a Certified Financial Planner™ to understand each of these fee structures on a deeper level and make the best decision that will allow you to reach your financial goals.
The Lie Maker By Linwood Barclay
Your dad’s not a good person. Your dad killed people, son. These are some of the last words Jack Givins’ father spoke to him before he was whisked away by witness protection, leaving Jack and his mother to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives as best they could.
Years later, Jack is a grown man with problems of his own. He’s a talented but struggling author, barely scraping by on the royalties from his moderately successful first book. So when the U.S. Marshals approach him with a lucrative opportunity, he’s in no position to turn them down. They’re recruiting writers like Jack to create false histories for people in witness protection – people like Jack’s father.
The coincidence is astonishing to Jack at first, but he soon realizes this may be a chance to find his dad. Only there’s one problem – Jack’s father hasn’t made contact with his handlers recently, and they have no idea where he is. He could be in serious danger, and Jack may be the only one who can find him.
But how will he find a man he’s never truly known? A man who has done terrible things in his lifetime and made some deadly enemies in the process – enemies who wouldn’t think twice about using his own son against him.
Bingo Nights
Bingo Is Back! Get Your Daubers Ready For The 2024 Season
Reminder: Please email Jewel if you are attending so we can distance the tables. If we do not get 10 people, bingo will be cancelled.
The 2024 dates are: Feb. 8 and 22, March 7 and 21, April 4 and 18, May 2 and 16 in the Stoneybrook Clubhouse from 7 to 9 p.m.
Please bring your masks (optional). Stay safe and take care of yourselves.
The cost will be $10 for three cards per game. We play 10 double games. Daubers available for purchase! BYOB and snacks. This is for 18-plus only (Florida state law). Jewel Faerber and the Activities Committee jcf0519@comcast.net
Spanning from his childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi to his triumphant 1968 “Comeback Special” and his ascent to be “The King.” You’ll hear iconic hits including All Shook Up, Heartbreak Hotel, Burning Love, Hound Dog, Don’t Be
February 23 – April 6
a Friend, One Fine Day, Up on the Roof, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling, Will You Love Me Tomorrow and Natural Woman, this crowd-pleasing phenomenon is filled with songs you remember and a story you’ll never forget.
Bonita Springs Concert Band With Guest Vocalist From Wicked
The Bonita Springs Concert Band will present its next concert Sunday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. at Riverside Park in Downtown Old Bonita Springs.
The band’s very special guest vocalist will be Ginna Claire … who played Glinda on Broadway in Wicked. Equally impressive will be guest trumpet player Vince DiMartino.
Ginna Claire is delighted to perform with the Bonita Springs Concert Band. She started in Hallmark Channel’s A Holiday Spectacular , featuring The Radio City Rockettes and Ann-Margret; and A Heidelberg Holiday , which aired this holiday season. She recently finished a multiyear run as Glinda in Wicked the musical on Broadway! She headlined in Theatre Orb’s New Year’s musical concert in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, and will star in South Pacific with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in May. She is a Nashville area native, from Brentwood, Tenn. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in music theatre at Elon University. Follow her on Instagram @ginnaclaire.
Treasurer’s Report
Ginna will sing a medley of songs from Wicked as well as They Can’t Take That Away from Me and Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Other songs the band will play include Miles Davis’ Man with the Horn performed by Vince DiMartino as well as Virgen de la Macarena
Vince DiMartino is one of our country’s most sought after trumpet performers and educators. Since graduating from The Eastman School of Music in 1972, Professor DiMartino has taught at the University of Kentucky until 1993. At that time, DiMartino began a new appointment as
distinguished artist in residence at Centre College in Danville, Ky. He has been the lead and solo trumpet in the Lionel Hampton Band, the Chuck Mangione Band, the Clark Terry Band and The Eastman Arranger’s Holiday Orchestra.
Members are under the direction of Gary Smith who retired after 24 years as conductor of the University of Illinois Marching Illini Band and Symphonic Band. This is the 10th season that Gary has led the band. Gary says “the talent of these musicians is tremendous, ranging in age from 16 to 90.”
Become a “Friend of the Band.” Find out more at www.bonitaspringsconcertband.org. The concert will also be replayed later in the week on Facebook at bonitaspringsconcertband.
Bring your family and friends with a lawn chair Feb. 18 at 2 p.m., Riverside Park, Old Bonita.
EsteroFest Offers Family Fun And Ben Allen Band Concert
Mark your calendars and get ready for the ultimate family fun at EsteroFest 2024!
The Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the return of our beloved community event on Saturday, March 16 at Estero Community Park.
With free general admission for everyone in the family from 1 to 9 p.m., you won’t want to miss out on the food trucks, live music, Kids Zone, and Business Expo showcasing the unique products and services of local organizations. And that’s not all! You can also enjoy the beer and wine garden, learn from displays by Estero Fire Rescue and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and indulge in delicacies from a wide variety of food trucks.
If You Go
When : Saturday, March 16, 1 to 9 p.m.
Where : Estero Park & Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero, FL 33928
VIP Tickets : Visit the website at http://esterofest.org.
Morning Stretch
Monday, Wednesday And Friday – 8 To 8:30 a.m. And 8:30 To 9 a.m.
There are two, halfhour stretch segments. It’s an excellent way to work all the different parts of the body while improving your balance, coordination and strength. It uses your own resistance as we strive for total body toning and fitness. Each class is a cross between tai chi, yoga and Pilates. This is a great class to achieve a full stretch.
You can come to one session or both, depending on what works for you. Come and join us!
For any questions call: Linda Masters, (740) 361-4088.
J. Pavich Real Estate, the title sponsor for the event, is excited that the event is offered with free general admission. “Community is so important to growth and quality of life. We are proud of Estero’s sense of place and are excited to be a part of this free festival.” Join us at Estero Park and Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., and don’t worry about parking, it’s free!
Are you ready for an exciting day with your kids? We’ve got just the thing for you! The Kids Zone is back and it’s bigger and better than ever before! Sponsored in part by Carmen Litzler, PA of Concierge Pediatrics, this zone has everything your kids could want – bounce houses, games, crafts, a petting zoo, face-painting, storytelling, mini-relay races, magic shows, carnival games, and kid-friendly food trucks!
But that’s not all! Starting at 6 p.m., get ready for a live performance by the nationally acclaimed Ben Allen Band, a locally grown sensation! With VIP packages available
at EsteroFest.org for great seats, easy parking and a free drink, you can enjoy the show in style. Don’t worry if you don’t have a VIP package, just bring a chair or blanket and settle in for an unforgettable night of music and fun! If you’d like to showcase your business or organization to hundreds of attendees in the Business Expo, reserve a vendor table or sponsorship at EsteroFest.org. The Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce is particularly proud to host this event on the day prior to the 10th anniversary of the incorporation of the Village of Estero. We invite everyone to spend some time with your neighbors enjoying our wonderful community.
Updates on the event can be found at http://EsteroFest.org. For additional information, please contact Katy Errington at (239) 390-1137 or info@esterochamber.org. About The Greater Estero Chamber Of Commerce
The Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit association representing over 200 businesses, nonprofit organizations and individuals throughout the Southwest Florida area, providing many avenues where members can network and build relationships, learn how to grow their businesses, and market themselves to a wide range of other business professionals and residents. Explore their website at www.EsteroChamber.org.
Ginna Claire
Vince DiMartino