Stoneybrook Estero


Production

![]()


Production

DENIS OLDANI, HOA PRESIDENT
Greetings Neighbors!
As the humidity drops and the Gulf breezes turn refreshingly cool, we officially welcome our most wonderful time of the year in Southwest Florida. November brings a transition from fall fun to festive holiday cheer, and we have many activities planned to enjoy the season together!
This year, as we prepare for Thanksgiving, we encourage everyone to reflect on the things that make living in our community so special. While we often think of friends and family, let’s also be grateful for our beautiful weather, perfect for beach days and sunset walks while the rest of the country is bundling up; the dedication of our neighbors, those who volunteer their time and energy to keep our community beautiful and welcoming; a safe and friendly environment, the collective effort we all put into making our neighborhood a wonderful place to call home. From our board to your family, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
For community activities and local events, be sure and check the calendars in this issue for all upcoming community events including water aerobics, exercise, mah-jongg, hand and foot, men’s breakfast, knitting and more.
Special events for the season include Run, Go, Gobble! Stoneybrook Turkey Trot! Lace up your sneakers and join your neighbors for our annual fun run! It’s the perfect way to get moving before the holiday feasting begins.
When: Thursday, November 27
Time: Check-in at 8 a.m. (registrations accepted up until race time), trot starts at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Stoneybrook Community Center
Brews and Badges! Come have a cup of coffee and meet our LSCO liaison Lt. Pisano and a few of his fellow officers. This event is a unique chance to meet local law enforcement officers is a casual setting to discuss community issues, ask questions, and build positive relationships – all over a free cup of coffee.
When: Wednesday, December 3
Time: 6 p.m.
Where: Stoneybrook Community Center
Don’t forget for the little ones, Donuts with Santa.
When: Saturday, December 6
Time: 8 to 10 a.m.
Where: Stoneybrook Community Center

Event
Get in the festive spirit by visiting a major Southwest Florida tree lighting ceremony. These events are a great way to kick off the holiday season!

Location Date and Time (Tentative)
Third Street South Tree Lighting Naples (Fleischmann Plaza) Late November (Thanksgiving Week)
Eighth Annual Tree Lighting Gulf Coast Town Center (Fort Myers) Saturday, November 29 (5 to 8 p.m.)
Cape Coral Holiday Festival of Lights
Cape Coral Parkway Saturday, December 6 (4 to 10 p.m.)
5th Avenue South Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting Naples (Sugden Plaza) Friday, December 5 (Tree lighting around 6 p.m.)
Edison & Ford Holiday Nights Fort Myers Begins Friday, November 28

Friendly reminders for a festive holiday season. As we transform our neighborhood into a dazzling winter wonderland, please keep these community guidelines in mind:
Holiday Lights and Décor: You are welcome to begin putting up your outdoor holiday decorations now.
Off Time: To conserve energy and be considerate of our neighbors, all outdoor decorative lighting must be turned off at midnight.
Removal Deadline: All holiday décor, lighting, and festive items must be removed from the exterior of your home by January 30. We can’t wait to see your creative and festive displays!

Be safe!




Tuesday, November 11
11:30 a.m.
Happy Veterans Day! Clambake
16520 S. Tamiami Trail Island Park, Fort Myers
Tuesday, December 9
11:30 a.m.
Holiday Luncheon
Brio Italian Grille
5595 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 11 (Waterside Shoppes) Naples
We will again be collecting donations for the Immokalee/ Naples Shelter for abused Women and Children. Suggested items include, personal items, toys, etc. Best to place items in gift bags so they can be identified for the correct recipients, but they can still experience the magic of opening a gift.
You may sign up for all luncheons at the community center to have your name placed on the list. If you sign up and later cannot attend, please notify us at least 24 hours in advance. Carpooling
is encouraged. If you have any questions or need a ride match, please contact Chris Costello at (774) 5737064, chrispea46@hotmail.com .
We are soliciting for a volunteer or team to take over as coordinators/ hostesses for the luncheon events effective January 2026. Please contact Chris Costello; contact information noted above. Thank you.

Spooky sips, sweet treats, and lots of laughter! Residents gathered for a festive morning of fun and connection. The room buzzed with conversation and a festive spirit as everyone enjoyed each other’s company and a touch of spooky seasonal décor.
Special thanks to our sponsor, Dynamic Mobile Rehab for their informative


guest speaker who shared the company’s objective and what they can expect in the future.
Residents kicked off the fall season—full of community spirit!










JEWEL FAERBER
The Stoneybrook Book Club meets every month. Our next meeting will be on Monday, November 17.
We will be meeting in the community center from 11 a.m. to noon.
All are welcome to participate in our discussion.
The November book is The Caretaker by Ron Rash.
Please join us.



By Ron Rash
Told against the backdrop of the Korean War as a small Appalachian town sends its sons to battle, is a breathtaking love story and a searing examination of the acts we seek to justify in the name of duty, family, honor, and love.
It's 1951 in Blowing Rock, N.C. Blackburn Gant, his life irrevocably altered by a childhood case of polio, seems condemned to spend his life among the dead as the sole caretaker of a hilltop cemetery. It suits his withdrawn personality, and the inexplicable occurrences that happen from time to time rattle him less than interaction with the living. But when his best and only friend, the kind but impulsive Jacob Hampton, is conscripted to serve overseas, Blackburn is charged with caring for Jacob's wife, Naomi, as well.
Sixteen-year-old Naomi Clarke is an outcast in Blowing Rock, an outsider, poor and uneducated, who works as a seasonal maid in the town’s most elegant hotel. When Naomi eloped with Jacob a few months after her arrival, the marriage scandalized the community, most of all his wealthy parents who disinherited him. Shunned by the townsfolk for their differences and equally fearful that Jacob may never come home, Blackburn and Naomi grow closer and closer until a shattering development derails numerous lives.
A tender examination of male friendship and rivalry as well as a riveting, pageturning novel of familial devotion, The Caretaker brilliantly depicts the human capacity for delusion and destruction all too often justified as acts of love.

Hellen will teach mah-jongg. Anthony will teach pinochle. If interested, please call Hellen at (239) 247-0756 or Anthony at (239) 247-0736.
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY –
8 TO 8:30 A.M. AND 8:30 TO 9 A.M.
There are two, half-hour 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.


Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday because it’s not specific to any religion or culture, but it is something that is shared by all of us as Americans. In my family, we have a tradition, started by stepmother. We lost her several years ago, but we have never forgotten her legacy to us. As we prepare to enjoy our Thanksgiving Day meal, we go around the table like many families and friends across the USA. We state what we are grateful for on this day of giving thanks.
Each year when it’s my turn, I am humbled by the many things that I have been speaking about over the course of one year. In 2002, I had just finished five months of chemotherapy and three weeks of radiation treatment to beat cancer. That year, we were most thankful.
JOSHUA A. SKY, CAREER COACH AND LEADERSHIP TRAINER
In 2022, we survived the strongest hurricane to hit our area in the now 30 years we have been living here. We had many inconveniences, but nothing compared to so many who have been displaced or lost their homes or worse yet, loved ones.
Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to reflect on the year that is about to end and the moments of both joy (of which we had many) and sorrow that we endure. It can remind us to be grateful not just for one Thursday, but on every Thursday; and every day throughout the week. Happy Thanksgiving!
“Give thanks not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day of your life. Appreciate and never take for granted all that you have.” –Catherine Pulsifier



THOMAS L. PATRICCA, CFP ® , CEPS, AEP ®
Just when you thought Washington had run out of adjectives, along came the Big Beautiful Bill—and, surprisingly, this one might actually live up to its name—at least where your 2025 taxes are concerned.
One of the most talked-about features of this new legislation is its impact on itemized deductions—something many of my clients haven’t seen since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) nearly doubled the standard deduction and made itemizing a rare luxury. But 2025 could mark a turning point, especially if you live in a state that collects income tax, you pay property taxes, and you pay mortgage interest.
For the past several years, most taxpayers took the standard deduction because it simply offered a bigger break. Even homeowners in high-tax states found that the $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions limited their ability to itemize.
Under the Big Beautiful Bill, that cap is being loosened—or in some cases removed, making it far more likely that taxpayers in states like New York,

Massachusetts, Maine, and others will again find it worthwhile to itemize. Combine state income taxes, mortgage interest, charitable donations, and perhaps some medical expenses, and suddenly that old Schedule A starts looking attractive again.
In short: Itemizing might be back on the table—and that means more flexibility in
how you manage deductions and charitable giving strategies.
But What If You Don’t Pay State Income Tax Or Have Other Itemized Deductions?
Don’t worry—the Big Beautiful Bill didn’t forget you. For taxpayers in states like Florida, Texas, and Tennessee—where there’s no state income tax to deduct— itemizing will likely still be out of reach for most households. And even if you live in a state with an income tax, if you don’t have mortgage interest or other significant deductions, you may still find the standard deduction to be the better deal.
However, there’s a new consolation prize, but you do have to wait until 2026 to receive it: a “universal” charitable deduction of up to $1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for married couples filing jointly, even if you don’t itemize. That’s a nice incentive to keep giving to your favorite charities, and it’s a welcome acknowledgment that generosity shouldn’t depend on your ZIP code.
The Fine Print – Because There’s Always Fine Print
Of course, nothing in the tax code is ever simple. There are income limits, qualifying donation rules, and timing requirements that can affect whether these new
deductions apply to you—and how much you can actually claim. And that’s where professional guidance becomes crucial.
The difference between a well-planned tax strategy and a missed opportunity often comes down to a few key decisions made. Adjusting your charitable giving, revisiting your mortgage strategy, or even timing state tax payments could make a meaningful difference in what you owe—or what you save—next April.
Bottom Line
The Big Beautiful Bill may not make your tax return beautiful, but it could make it more interesting. If you’ve been defaulting to the standard deduction year after year, it’s time to take a fresh look at whether itemizing could save you money—or whether the new charitable deduction could enhance your giving in a tax-smart way.
Every taxpayer’s situation is unique, and the new rules add both opportunities and complexity. Before making any year-end tax moves, it is important to work with a Certified Financial Planner® who will help you keep more of your hard-earned money working for you and not just funding Congress’s next beautifully named bill.

President Allan Bowditch summarized several significant developments that have recently commenced, as well as one of the most important projects that will begin in a few years, located along U.S. 41 north of the Hertz Offices at Williams Road.

The meeting also covered the alarming issue of “Property Fraud.” Kevin Karnes, Lee County’s Clerk of the Court and Comptroller, explained how this process works and what steps are needed to combat this serious problem. Also called title fraud, it happens when someone uses a forged deed to sell or transfer property that isn’t theirs. Although a forged deed doesn’t actually transfer ownership, it misleads others into thinking that the property’s ownership has changed.
If you would like to view the summary report of the meeting or listen to the YouTube video, please visit www.esterotoday.com and click on the link on the first page.
Make a note of the Dec. 11 Community Meeting at the Estero Recreation Center at 10 a.m.
At this meeting, we will have several important updates from Village Management.
1. Final results of the Village of Estero’s 2024 Traffic Study
2. Update of the Septic to Sewer Program
3. Update of the Estero River Park Development
After careful deliberation, Engage Estero is pleased to announce that Dr. Larry Antonucci, president and chief executive officer of Lee Health, will receive this prestigious award.
We believe many Greater Estero residents share this view and that it is a very fitting and justified recognition for Dr. Antonucci. Under his leadership and dedication, Lee Health has provided Greater Estero with a broad range of healthcare services. In addition to the Health Center at Coconut Point, over the years, Lee Health has delivered the following health services:


University Highlands
• Primary care services
• Rehabilitation
• X-ray and other imaging
• Mammograms and breast health
Bonita Health Center
• Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Cancer Clinic – hematology and infusion
• Pain management
• Pulmonology
• General vascular surgery clinic
• Adult behavioral health
• Expansion of rheumatology
• Specialty gynecology
• Pediatric behavioral health
• Allergy
• Urology
• Gastroenterology
• Cancer rehab and Cookies Place for prosthetics, etc.
SWFL Proton Center
• Imaging provided by Lee Health
• Radiation therapy
• Proton therapy – the only center between Tampa and Miami
In thanking Engage Estero’s President, Allan Bowditch, for the award, Antonucci said, “The mission of Lee Health is to be a ‘trusted partner,’ and our relationship with Estero is proof that we continue to invest to keep Estero a great place to live, work, play, and retire. As citizens of Estero ourselves, we remain committed to growing with the community.”
A special dinner honoring Antonucci will be held at the Estero Country Club at the Vines on the evening of February 26, 2026. If you’re interested in attending to congratulate Antonucci, please mark your calendar. More details about the event will be shared in the coming weeks.
Engage Estero has significantly contributed to improving our community’s quality of life for over two decades. But to be effective, we need to secure funding and resources and have them available when the need arises. Given the pace of change in Greater Estero, residents are relying more and more on Engage Estero to keep them apprised and determine what action is needed and to help implement it.
We receive membership fees from many HOAs and gated communities, but this only generates about $11,250 in annual revenue. Our break-even budget is $75,000. Out of our team of 26 volunteers (excluding those who help keep our roads clear of rubbish and volunteers helping with Junior Achievement courses), only our Webmaster and Communications Coordinator, who runs her business, gets paid!
Engage Estero is an IRS-registered 501(c) (3) organization, so all donations are taxdeductible.
PICTURED ARE STUDENTS AT THREE OAKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AFTER ENGAGE ESTERO DONATED $2,500 TO PURCHASE AIDS FOR THEIR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MATH LAB.

There are many important examples of our recent work and why Engage Estero urgently requires your financial support to Make Certain our Future.
To Donate, please click here! https://esterotoday.app. neoncrm.com/forms/makecertain-our-future.




It’s that time of year! Lee County population swells with guests and tourists. Our restaurants and retail stores are brimming with activity, with shoppers and long lines.
While many of us have visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads, there are others with less pleasant thoughts … criminals and thieves.
When out dining or shopping … please avoid complacency.
While we are out and about enjoying the season and each other’s company, less scrupulous individuals are watching and waiting for their victims to become inattentive and vulnerable.
Thieves make their moves when you are not focused on your purse, your wallet, your shopping bags, your cell phone. Their criminal partners may even cause a distraction … bumping into you, asking directions or posing a question, making a loud noise that attracts your immediate attention. When occupied or looking in another direction, one is additionally vulnerable.
Purses left hanging from the back of restaurant seats or left in unattended shopping carts are extremely susceptible to theft. Place handbags on your lap or between your feet while dining. Never leave your bag open or in the shopping cart child seat. Inevitably, you will reach for an item on a shelf, compare prices or search for a particular product. In those brief moments, your purse is accessible to thieves.
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or utilizing ATMs alone during the evening hours and/or in poorly lit areas. Be certain that you are not being followed when departing from ATMs.
Lastly, do not leave purchases, firearms or other valuables unattended or in plain sight in parked vehicles. Thieves scour parking lots looking for valuables and removing them takes mere seconds.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has increased patrols and added significant resources throughout the county for the holiday season.
Let us all be careful and aware and have a wonderful holiday season!



Seabreeze Communications is excited to announce the upcoming launch of WestonTogether.com , created in partnership with the Weston Chamber of Commerce, and SouthDadeSpotlight.com , developed in collaboration with the South Dade Chamber of Commerce.
Both platforms are designed to bring local news, events, and stories directly to residents, businesses, and visitors. Each site will feature a monthly digital magazine, event calendar, and neighborhood stories
that highlight the people and places that make each area unique.
“These new sites reflect our mission to connect communities through accessible, high-quality local media,” said Stephen Miller, president of Seabreeze Communications. “We’re proud to work alongside both Chambers of Commerce to celebrate their cities and support local businesses.”
Both Weston Together and South Dade Spotlight are set to go live January 2026.
To subscribe for updates and digital magazine releases from Weston Together or South Dade Spotlight, visit SeabreezeCommunications.com .
For advertising, partnership, or community story inquiries, contact Sales@ seabreezecommunications.com .
INVITES YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS TO OUR CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON!
Friday, December 12
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Club at Grandezza, 11481 Grande Oak Blvd., Estero, FL Seating at 11 a.m.
Luncheon cost: $37 per person, inclusive
*Reservations and Cancellations must be received by Wednesday, December 3. Sorry, reservations after the deadline cannot be accepted.
*Tables will be assigned for all guests. To be seated with friends, submit all names and checks together, plus contact name, phone number, and any food allergies.
*Mail checks payable to BSECWC: BSECWC, 20071 Seagrove St., #1003, Estero, FL 33928.
*Call Nancy with questions at (520) 904-2913. Checks must be received by the deadline!
Special Feature
“Come for a Holiday H.u.g.” as the HAPPY UKELELE GROUP entertains with songs of the season!
Guest Speaker
Ruth Brewer shares her message, “Wings I didn’t know I had –from hidden pain to powerful purpose – discovering freedom and hope.”
Stonecroft Bible Study
Form new and meaningful friendships in an informal small group to learn how the Bible applies to real life. Call Sharon at (239) 410-9945 for information and locations.
Prayer And Fellowship Connection
Join us the third Wednesday of each month from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for fellowship, a short topical lesson, and prayer. Call Nancy at (908) 581-5623 for location.
Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries Facebook.com/BSECWC Website: cwcflorida.org
CAPT. BILL RUSSELL
This month we have days with pleasant weather and often combine summer and winter fishing conditions from week to week. As cool fronts drop down the state our coastal waters are cooling down. With the change, fish are transitioning from summer to winter patterns. November brings a mix of warm and cool weather.
Fishing for sea trout is a great option as the weather cools as they’re often plentiful and feeding on small baitfish. As we near the end of the month

and water temperature continues to drop, shrimp and shrimp-type artificial lures become the top baits as smaller baitfish become scarce. As we switch to shrimp, pompano catches increase as they feed on crustaceans and mollusks. Small bucktail and pompano-style jigs work great when slowly bounced across a sandy bottom. When under power, if you notice one or several silver fish skip off your wake, it is most likely pompano. Not sure why they do it, but it’s a great way to locate them, and they run in schools. Circle back around and fish the area and you’re often rewarded.
It can be a great time for targeting redfish and snook if it doesn’t get too cold too quick. Redfish can tolerate a sudden drop in temperature, but snook not so much. Snook are on the move from their summer homes around the beaches and relocating throughout the inshore waters. If it remains relatively warm, they are feeding over inshore flats, oyster bars, shorelines, and sand holes. If it turns cold quickly, they will seek shelter from the cold in protected areas like canals, rivers, and shorelines with deep water. It’s still a little early in the season for hard cold fronts but they are possible. Schools of redfish that prowled the inshore waters over the last few months move offshore or break up. It’s possible to run into a
school, but most reds will be in pairs or small bunches. Look for reds tailing over shallow flats on the lowest tides and in the same areas as previously mentioned for snook. Snook, redfish, and large sea trout are often caught together.
Spanish mackerel, bluefish, small sharks, ladyfish, and jack crevalle are foraging on bait schools inshore and off the beaches. A short distance offshore bait pods get harassed by both Spanish and king mackerel, plus bonito, and an occasional blackfin tuna. Expect some big sharks and possibly tarpon and cobia hanging around the feeding activity as well.
As the month wears on and the water gets cooler, sheepsheads are on the move and hold up around structure in nearshore gulf waters and inshore. Fish them inshore along the beaches and passes, and around deeper oyster bars, creeks, and docks or bridges.
The first run of sheepsheads generally shows on nearshore reefs and hard bottom or ledges. Nearshore reefs are a good place to run into everything from tasty snapper to giant goliath grouper. Coordinates for all man-made artificial reefs are available to the public and make a great day trip on a calm day. Some of the most productive reefs are well within sight of land in 30- to 50-foot depths. Also, keep an eye out for tripletail hanging just under the surface around floating debris and buoys.

As the busy season kicks in, our weather is often great. On the water is a great way to spend time away from the crowds and catch a fish or two.

Keep up to date with fishing regulations by visiting Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission at www.myfwc.com. Also, upload the Fish Rules app on your phone. It has current regulations with pictures to help identify fish.
For charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service and “Catch the Action” with Capt. Bill Russell, call or text (239) 4108576, website: www.fishpineisland.com, email: gcl2fish@live.com.
Capt. Bill Russell is a native and lifelong resident of Pine Island who has spent his entire life fishing the waters surrounding Pine Island and Southwest Florida. For the past 29 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.”

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President:
Denis Oldani
Vice President:
Melissa Mahmoud
Secretary:
Daniel “Todd” Madden
Treasurer:
John Detterbeck
Directors:
Darrell Grigg
Matthew Reed
Elizabeth Hanson
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.
Front Gate
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.
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
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