The Christmas tree, whether artificial or fresh, lightens up many a home during the holiday season.
The tradition of the Christmas tree started in Germany and was introduced to America by
German settlers in the 1800s. In the beginning, the Christmas tree was viewed as a pagan symbol in America and not readily accepted until the mid1800s. Since then, it has grown in popularity and tree choices have increased.
trees. Approximately 80% of homes now display artificial trees.
But are these trees the best choice? The obvious advantages are low maintenance, convenience, aesthetic appeal, cost efficiency, easy setup and less mess. However, they pose environmental concerns. These trees have a life span of 6-10 years and eventually end up in a landfill when discarded. Because they are made from petroleum derived plastic (PVC), which is not biodegradable, they will not decompose and will remain in the landfill indefinitely. Unfortunately, artificial trees are not recyclable. In addition, many of these trees are made in China where a great deal of carbon emission is created in their manufacturing, adding further to climate change concerns.
artificial trees. Unlike artificial, these trees are biodegradable and will decompose over time. Many communities have instituted recycling programs to repurpose Christmas trees after the holidays.
At first, freshly cut trees were the only Christmas tree available, until the introduction of the artificial tree in 1930 by the Addis Brush company. The tree, made from pine brush bristles dyed green, was the prototype for today’s artificial
Evergreen trees are a great way to bring natural beauty into your home. There is little that rivals the aroma of a real Christmas tree. Balsam Fir is the most fragrant and most popular Christmas tree choice. It is a durable tree and less likely to dry out. Other popular evergreen trees frequently purchased at Christmas time are Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Scotch Pine and Blue Spruce. Real trees do not have the same environmental impact as
If properly cared for, a real tree should last one month or more. Before placing your tree in a sturdy stand, give the trunk a fresh cut. This opens the pores and allows the tree to better absorb water. After cutting, immerse in water and continue regular watering. In your home, place the tree away from direct sunlight and any heat source. An important thing to note for warmer climates such as here – air conditioning can be just as harmful as heat. Therefore, the tree should be placed away from air conditioning ducts that blow direct air. Spritzing the tree occasionally with water will also help keep the needles moist.
Whatever you choose, real or artificial, have a very happy holiday season!
Remembering and Creating Holiday Traditions
It has been written that holiday traditions, such as Christmas and Hannukah celebrations, are deeply significant social customs. They are filled with meaning that engages not only the family but also friends within communities. Verandah has many such traditions that make it a special place to be.
What are some of these traditions? Let’s begin with The Visions of Sugar Plums which began nearly 20 years ago and today hundreds of Verandah
residents volunteer and raise money to provide presents and meals for over 100 local children and their families every year.
Our annual Winter Festival where Verandah residents come together for an evening of fun, but the fun also includes a Toys for Tots donation drive. Our annual Holiday Tour of Homes is always a big hit with usually over 500 residents touring Verandah homes that are all decked out for the season. Not only do we enjoy getting decorating ideas, but
we also know that the proceeds from the purchase of a ticket benefit nonprofits supported by Sew & Sews.
And what would Christmas be without Santa and caroling with The Swing Singers?
While this listing is not allinclusive, the point is that these shared experiences are fun while at the same time provide an opportunity to give back, and they bring us together in so many positive ways.
Production Directors
Stephen Miller
Elizabeth Miller
Sales Department
Margo Williams
Becky Pruitt
Miranda Ledbeter
Alyssa Debban
Accounting and Sales Support
Selina Koehler
Production Manager
Lee Nostrant
Production Department
Elaine Donholt
Ruth Nekoranec
Katie Heystek
Dianne Strout
Karen Kalisz
Michelle Feeney
Andie Reynolds www.seabreezecommunications.com
Writing and Photography by the VCA Communications Committee
Elizabeth Lynch, Editor
Alice Borowsky
Stephanie Levin
Susan Shamey
The
Norm Toback
David Keeley, Board Liaison
Linda Lach, Adviser and Board Member
Understanding Developer Settlement Litigation
This is the first article in a series about what Developer Settlement is, how it is unfolding in Verandah, and the implications for our homeowners. It is a common legal process that occurs when the developer of a community turns over governance to its residents.
When Verandah was first established as a planned development our Governing Documents created a legal structure with two separate entities.
The Verandah Club is a For Profit Corporation with its own governance and finances. It operates and maintains the amenities inside Verandah, including the golf courses, restaurant, fitness center, pool
area, and racquet facilities with its own management and staff.
The Association is a Not For Profit Corporation with responsibility to govern and maintain the community’s infrastructure (e.g., common areas, roads, gatehouses, etc.) for the benefit of the homeowners.
The Developer had complete control of the Club and the Association from 2003 to October of 2021, when the assets and operation of the Association were turned over to homeowners. Over the past three years, the Association’s Board of Directors has conducted an extensive review of financial records, associated documents, and practices used by the Developer prior to
The Little Black Dress Event
turnover. This work raised many questions and concerns. The Board then engaged in discussions with the Developer. To protect our homeowners and to comply with Statute of Limitations the Association filed a legal claim in Lee County in June of 2024. The filing contains numerous components.
VCA – CLUB COST SHARE AGREEMENT
This article focuses on one particular claim – the VCA – Club Cost Share Agreement. Going back to 2003, the Club and the Association had a written Agreement that there would be a sharing of expenses for the maintenance of what are referred to as “Joint Property Expenses.” The Agreement defines “Joint Property” as “the real and personal property within the area of Verandah, that are owned and/or maintained for the common benefit of the Association and the Club....” The Agreement defines “Joint Property Expenses” as “the actual and estimated expenses incurred
Over 250 ladies attended The Little Black Dress cocktail party hosted by the Verandah Women’s Social Club on October 29th in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Over $5,000 was raised from the sale of raffle tickets and the money was sent to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. A pop-up fashion show also took place and 10 Verandah women modeled outfits from Dillard’s.
Why we share expenses -
There are several reasons that the Club and Association both contribute to Joint Property Expenses. Members of the Club and homeowners, vendors, guests (e.g., golf and functions in River Village such as weddings, etc.) and Club maintenance and amenity staff all use the roads and walkways in Verandah. The perimeter of Verandah is surrounded by walls, fences, and landscape buffers that separate and provide privacy from nonresidents, which benefits both the Club and the Association. The gatehouses control and track the passage of vehicles into the community. All of these assets incur wear and tear and will need replacement in the future, which is properly a shared expense of the Club and the Association.
Agreement the Club was primarily responsible for maintaining Joint Property and collected sixty percent (60%) of the costs from the Association. There was no cap or limit on the amount that the Association would have to pay from year to year.
In 2007 the Developer still controlled both the Club and the Association. It amended the Agreement to make the Association responsible for the maintenance of Joint Property and changed the formula for sharing expenses from sixty percent (60%) to eighty-five percent (85%). There was still no cap or limit on the amount that either party would pay as its share of the Joint Property Expenses. The impact of this amendment was to place on homeowners the lion’s share of the cost of maintaining Joint Property.
Property Expenses would have been approximately $116,000. The cap on the Club’s share caused the Association to pay approximately $66,000.00 more toward Joint Property Expenses.
Financial records show that in 2007 the Club was paying more than $100,000.00 annually towards Joint Property Expenses. The Association calculates that since the 2015 amendment it has paid more than $650,000 toward Joint Property Expenses, which, but for the cap, should have been paid by the Club.
Amendments to the Agreement – Before the Association was turned over to the homeowners in 2021, the original Developer and then the current Developer amended the so-called Cost Share Agreement. In the 2003
There is an additional aspect of the Cost Share Agreement that adds to its unfairness to the Association. Because the original Agreement predates the buildout of homes to the east of River Village Way, the cost of maintaining assets such as common areas, landscaping, roads and the Tropic gatehouse are not included in the calculation of Joint Property Expenses. The exclusion of these Joint Property Expenses from the Agreement unfairly reduces the Club’s annual or anticipated to be incurred by the Association or the Club to own, operate, maintain, improve, repair, replace, and/ or insure the Joint Property for the general benefit of the Association and the Club.”
In 2015, the Developer amended the Cost Share Agreement again to impose a cap on the Club’s share of Joint Property Expenses as “the lesser of: (a) Fifteen percent (15%) of Joint Property Expenses; or (b) Fifty Thousand dollars ($50,000.00) per annum. As an example of the impact of this amendment on the Association, in 2021, without the cap, the Club’s fifteen percent (15%) share of Joint
contribution and is borne by homeowners.
...since the 2015 amendment it has paid more than $650,000 toward Joint Property Expenses, which, but for the cap, should have been paid by the Club.
Rationale for the claim – The legal basis for this claim is that the Agreement does not comply with Florida Statute section 720.309. This statute provides that any contract that has a term of greater than 10 years, which is made before control of the Association is turned over to the members other than the developer, and that provides for the operation, maintenance or management of the association or common areas, “must be fair and reasonable.”
In summary, the Cost Share Agreement and various amendments were executed by
the developer on behalf of both the Club and the Association. It allocates 85% of the cost of Joint Property Expenses to the Association, places a cap on the Club’s share of the Joint Expenses, and excludes costs associated with Joint Property located east of River Village Way. The Club has refused to negotiate a Cost Share Agreement with the Association that is fair and equitable for all concerned. This is just one of several reasons that the VCA is now pursuing litigation.
CELEBRATION OF LEGACY
Enjoy and purchase some of the best artwork exhibited anywhere in Florida!
200 nationally-known artists
Kid’s activities | Food & entertainment
FEBRUARY 1 & 2, 2025 | OPENING NIGHT JANUARY 31
Downtown Fort Myers Riverfront
Honoring 25 Years of Artistic Excellence: Southwest Florida's Premier Art Festival Join the Tradition This Year. Enjoyment For All Ages.
Artist: Christine Adele
Fruit, Florida and Felony
On January 6, 2025 the Verandah Community University (VCU) will host Annabelle Tometich. Annabelle went from medical-school reject, to line cook, to journalist, to author. She spent 18 years as a food writer, editor, and restaurant critic for The News-Press in her hometown of Fort Myers, Florida. Her first book is “The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony” published this year. The book has received rave reviews from the New York Times, Washington Post and countless media outlets. Following is a brief description of her book from her website:
“When journalist Annabelle Tometich picks up the phone one June morning, she isn’t expecting a collect call from an inmate at the Lee County Jail. And when she accepts, she certainly isn’t prepared to hear her mother’s voice on the other end of the line. However, explaining the situation to her younger siblings afterwards was easy: all she had to say was, “Mom shot at some guy. He was messing with her mangoes.” They immediately understood. Answering the questions of the breaking-news reporter— at the same newspaper
where Annabelle worked as a restaurant critic—proved more difficult. Annabelle decided to go with a variation of the truth – It was complicated.”
...she isn’t expecting a collect call from an inmate at the Lee County Jail. And when she accepts, she certainly isn’t prepared to hear her mother’s voice on the other end of the line.
So begins The Mango Tree, a poignant and deceptively entertaining memoir of growing up as a mixed-race Filipina “nobody” in suburban Florida as Annabelle traces the roots of her upbringing—all the while reckoning with her erratic father’s untimely death in a Fort Myers motel room, her fiery mother’s bitter yearning for the country she left behind, and her own journey in the pursuit of belonging.
With clear-eyed compassion and piercing honesty, The Mango Tree is a family saga that navigates the tangled branches of Annabelle’s life,
from her childhood days in an overflowing house flooded by balikbayan boxes, vegetation, and juicy mangoes, to her winding path from medicalschool hopeful to restaurant critic. It is a love letter to her fellow Filipino Americans, her lost younger self, and the beloved fruit tree at the heart of her family. But above all, it is an ode to Annabelle’s hot-blooded, whip-smart mother, Josefina, a woman who made a life and a home of her own, and without whom Annabelle would not have herself.”
Tometich’s writing has appeared in The Washington Post, USA Today, Catapult, the Tampa Bay Times, and many more outlets. She has won more than a dozen awards for her stories, including first place for Food & Travel Writing at the 2022 Sunshine State Awards. Annabelle still lives in Fort Myers with her husband, two children, and her ever-fiery Filipina mother.
Annabelle will discuss her book, her life and the Fort Myers food scene. Please signup online via the Event Calendar: www.verandahlife.com.
Design Review Process – Part Two: The Design Guidelines
The Design Review Guidelines provide an overall framework and set of standards that govern changes in all exterior additions, removal or any type of exterior construction to any part of your property and include landscaping, painting and any accessory or other item on the lot. As discussed in Part One of this series, it is not the intent of the Guidelines to limit or restrict creativity in the design and implementation of improvements and work on homes within Verandah. Rather the goal is to coordinate the architecture and landscape within Verandah in order to create a consistent theme, quality, appearance and character throughout the community.
Whether you need approval for a change to your property is frequently discussed among residents. The simple answer is .... always ask before doing anything on the exterior of your home. While many people believe they would rather ask for forgiveness than permission to make a modification, this could be a very costly mistake. For information on where to begin, contact Trish Snook, our Assistant General Manager. She can be found at the VCA Office and she can help guide you through the process of obtaining a review of your desired modification.
It is also helpful to familiarize yourself with the Guidelines before submitting a modification form for change. The Design Review Committee has just completed the first comprehensive review of the Guidelines since they were written and established by Verandah’s original developer. The objective of this review was to update and remove ambiguities. In response to homeowner
questions, the review sought to clarify the meaning of guidelines, where necessary.
Whether you need approval for a change to your property is frequently discussed among residents. The simple answer is .... always ask before doing anything on the exterior of your home.
You will find the updated Guidelines, also called Standards, on the VCA website at https://www. vcalife.com/design-review-verandah/. On the left side of the page you will see the heading Design Standards Guidelines. In this column you will find a listing of the Standards Guidelines in an easy-to-use alphabetized format and somewhat abbreviated language. At the top of the right column, you will see a green box entitled Design Review Updated Guidelines. This provides a more comprehensive explanation of the purpose of the Guidelines and outlines the procedures involved in the Review process itself along with a listing of the new Guidelines, but organized topically.
The Design Review Guidelines are an evolving document and changes and deletions may be considered to keep up with the needs of our homeowners and the community.
Pet of the Month
This adorable Poodle puppy is Biscuit who is very cuddly, loving and knows no strangers. He loves to give kisses, so, if you see Biscuit around the neighborhood, be ready for some exuberant meetings! Biscuit owns Janet Pagano and Dennis Bowen.
A beloved pet’s photo, whether dog, cat, horse, bird, or fish will be featured in the Verandah View Pet of the Month.
Resident owners can send in a photo with pet’s name, owner’s name, type of pet, and one sentence or two about their pet by texting Susan Shamey at (724) 355-2478 or email: sshamey@ymail.com.
Pet photos will be randomly chosen from entries-big or small. All pets are beautiful to their owners.
Let’s Grow Verandah – Gardening Series
9 PRINCIPLES OF FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING
The VCA Landscape Committee will host its next seminar on December 12th at the VCA Offices. Sheryl Van der Heiden MS, Extension Agent II Residential Horticulture, UF/IFAS Extension Lee County will share her comprehensive knowledge of gardening in Florida and answer all of your gardening questions. What you do in your landscape matters. From the fertilizers you apply to the water you use, your gardening choices can have an impact on land, water, wildlife, and the overall well-being of Florida’s residents. By adhering to the “9 Principles” presented in the seminar, you will be able to design a healthy, beautiful landscape that protects Florida’s natural resources and unique fauna and flora.
Link: Florida Friendly Landscape Program
Please join us on Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the VCA Offices at 11390 Palm Beach Boulevard.
The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session where our experts will answer your landscape concerns.
Two additional seminars are planned for early 2025, including Container Gardening with Horticulture Specialist Karen Maxwell and a second topic yet to be decided.
Sip, Shop & Socialize VWSC HOLIDAY
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9
5 - 7:30 PM | AT THE RIVER HOUSE
What could be better than sipping and shopping?
Sip, shop, and socialize while checking off a few items on your holiday shopping list. We have an awesome lineup of vendors; some favorites will return, and new, exciting vendors will join us. It’s a great way to find some unique gifts.
Dinner Features
Asian Noodle Salad | Potstickers | Spring Rolls | Wontons
Asian Meatballs | Lettuce Wraps | Shrimp Toast | Dessert
$30 PER VWSC MEMBER
$40 PER GUEST
Charged to Member’s account. Plus tax and gratuity.
Open seating. No walk-ins. If space is available, non- VWSC Guests may attend for an additional fee. To register, visit the event calendar on the club’s website: verandahlife.com For more information, contact the club: (239) 694-7229
12201 River Village Way | Fort Myers, FL 33905
The VCA is Looking for Volunteers
VCA COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE SEEKS NEW MEMBERS
The VCA Communications Committee is recruiting homeowners willing to share their talents, expertise, and time for the betterment of our Community. The homeowner led Communications Committee works closely with the Board, VCA Staff and the other VCA committees to develop and implement effective communications. These communications vehicles include the VCA website VCALife. com; the monthly newspaper Verandah View; the monthly newsletter News You Can Use and specific eBlasts as they arise. Candidates should be willing to devote their time to meetings and work, have creative writing and proofreading skills and an interest in the activities and happenings in our community. Highly desired, but not required, are technical skills including a working knowledge of MS Word and WordPress.
Anyone who is interested in serving on the Communications Committee should fill out a VCA Board Committee Volunteer Application here and email the completed form to Office@vcalife.com.
Please view the Communications Committee Charter here. Thank you for your interest.
VCA GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE SEEKS MEMBERS
The Verandah Community Association (VCA) Board of Directors is seeking volunteers from the community to serve on the Governance Committee. The Committee will be composed of two VCA Board members and three Verandah homeowners.
Earlier this year, the Verandah Community Association established the Governance Committee, which will
undertake the revision of the community’s Governing Documents. These documents include the Declarations of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (DCCR), Bylaws, Rules and Regulations and various amendments which have been approved over the past twenty-plus years. (The Governance Committee is separate and apart from the Verandah Club, which is a Florida corporation and has its own operating documents.)
The purpose of the Committee is to review and recommend revisions that comply with current statutes, rules and regulations at the local, State and Federal levels. It will also ensure our documents conform to changes which have occurred in the community over the past twenty years. This is an important undertaking, and we expect it will take 18 months to 2 years to complete. The Committee will work closely with the Association’s legal counsel. These revised documents will ultimately
require approval by a large percentage of Verandah residents.
In addition to revising Governing Documents, the Committee will also serve as a resource to the Board of Directors, staff and other Board Committees when guidance on a governance issue or future documents is needed. It is expected that once the revision of Governing Documents is completed, the time commitment will be substantially reduced.
Although the qualifications to serve on the Committee are flexible, it is important that
anyone interested in serving be prepared to devote considerable time to regular meetings, be comfortable working as part of a group, have life experiences which exposed them to detailed writing and analysis, and have some experience with living in a community which has a Homeowners Association.
Anyone who is interested in serving on the Governance Committee should contact VCA General Manager Michele Boose by calling (239) 6946358 or sending an email to her at Office@vcalife.com.
VERANDAH VOLUNTEERS OPPORTUNITIES FAIR
January 24, 2025 Noon to 2:30 PM Oak Park
Verandah Residents,
A new year, a new opportunity to volunteer for a nonprofit who needs you. Please plan to attend the fair 1/24/25 in Oak Park. Last year we had 22 organizations who attended and they still need and appreciate your help. Volunteering is a gift you give to yourself!
Verandah Volunteers ... Manatee Park
Do you love being outdoors, meeting people from around the country and the world, and sharing your knowledge of nature? Then volunteering at Manatee Park might be perfect for you!
Concerned you don’t know much about Florida plants and animals? Manatee Park volunteers attend training sessions to learn the information needed to share with visitors. Potluck dinners with knowledgeable speakers and field trips to relevant and interesting nature areas, help educate volunteers.
Manatee Park is part of Lee County Parks and Recreation. Located just one mile from Verandah’s front gate, it abuts the Florida Power and Light Discharge Canal that attracts hundreds of manatees every year when water temperatures drop.
Manatees are marine mammals that are temperature sensitive, just like humans. When water temps in the Gulf of Mexico and rivers drop below 68 degrees F, manatees swim upstream looking for warm water sources.
The FPL discharge canal provides a warm water haven for manatees that return every year between November and March. Although the discharge canal contains water to keep them warm, there is no food for manatees to eat while there. Some become very emaciated and need to be rescued by FL Fish and Wildlife and transported to a facility for rehabilitation. Volunteers help by reporting manatees that are showing signs of distress.
Manatee Park volunteers can choose from a variety of volunteer options including:
• Rover (walking around the park sharing information with individual visitors)
• Ambassador (answering questions about the park and local area at an outdoor welcome desk)
• Presenter (presenting the All About Manatees Program to groups of people in the outdoor amphitheater)
• Environmental Education (presenting programs to local school groups who visit the park)
• Master Gardener (caring for and sharing information about plants)
Volunteer and Master Gardener, Barb Watson, has been volunteering at Manatee Park for 13 years. She was a Rover and still answers questions about manatees, plants and butterflies. When asked what she likes most about volunteering, Barb said, “Working in the park, surrounded by nature. A great place for nature lovers! There is always something interesting to see. Potlucks and field trips are fun too and the other volunteers are great to work with.”
Dee Levenson said, “I spent most of my time Roving. I loved talking with people in small groups and especially giving the children manatee coloring books. I would certainly recommend volunteering at Manatee Park.”
Diane Doster added, “I learned about Manatee Park while attending the Verandah Volunteer Fair held in Oak Park two years ago. I mostly volunteer as a Park Ambassador manning the welcome desk at the park entrance and answering visitors’ questions. The schedule is extremely flexible. You can sign for as many or as few as 11/2-hour shifts as you choose.”
“I do whatever is needed,” Bernadine Bonessa said. “I do school presentations, work on gardening days, but my favorites are to be a Rover or to man the welcome desk as an Ambassador. You meet so many interesting people from all over the US and world. Everyone wants to see a manatee!”
“I’ve been a volunteer at Manatee Park for ten years,” said Ann Ellinwood. “I love educating people about these wonderful mammals. I rove the park pointing out manatees and answering questions. Sometimes we’re lucky and have a mommy and baby manatee to talk about. I get exercise outdoors and meet people from all over the world.”
Deloris Donnelly, Annette Lohr, Laurie SimpsonPlouffe and Stephanie Levin are also Verandah residents volunteering at Manatee Park.
For more information on volunteer opportunities at Manatee Park, contact Zuliana Salerno, Program Specialist, at zsalerno@leegov.com.
Verandah’s Weatherman: Ted Shapiro
THANKS FROM A GRATEFUL COMMUNITY
When local weather sources announce a hurricane brewing in the Atlantic, Verandah neighbors turn to Verandah Facebook for answers from our resident meteorologist, Ted Shapiro.
Verandah is located in Flood Zone A, which is always the first zone recommended for evacuation. However, our community is built on higher ground than most of Fort Myers Shores, which is located closer to the Caloosahatchee River, tending to flood with every storm. Other than the River House area and garages on Hammock Creek, Verandah has not dealt with flooding.
The question always becomes, do we evacuate or do we stay. Thanks to Ted’s calculations and “meteorological magic,” we are given vital information to make informed decisions.
So who is Ted Shapiro? Born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia, Ted was Chief Meteorologist for WAGM-TV in Presque Isle, Maine, from 2006 until his retirement. He earned a Master’s Degree, and Seals of Approval from the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association.
Ted can be seen riding his bike throughout Verandah, checking rain gauges, Orange River levels during storms, and passing
along his findings to residents.
Thanks to Ted’s invaluable weather forecasting, Verandah residents have been able to make informed decisions whether to remain in their homes or evacuate, and has brought piece of mind to residents up north awaiting word on potential damage to their homes.
Verandah has been so fortunate to have Ted’s expertise as our community weatherman. When told of Verandah’s appreciation for his valuable information that helped keep us safe and sane, Ted replied, “It was an honor, privilege, and great pleasure to serve the Verandah community.”
Let’s Go to Dinner
CHOPS CITY GRILL
Chops features an excellent selection of American, Japanese and Australian “butcher shop” cuts.
For starters I can recommend the Big Bacon. This appetizer features chunks of cherrywood smoked pork belly in a champagne vinaigrette and garnished with candied jalapeños.
Where salads are concerned try the stacked heirloom tomatoes. This dish includes roasted red onions,
arugula, thick cut bacon, blue cheese, topped with a chocolate balsamic vinaigrette. This is a chef’s favorite menu item. If oysters are on your mind, try the Oysters on Ice. This is a flight of mixed coast oysters with a house made cocktail sauce, citrus and Tabasco, shaved ice and a cucumber vodka mignonette.
This is the restaurant where you want to order beef and you can’t go wrong with their Wagyu. They offer both domestic and imported Wagyu from Japan and Australia. If you want a sauce for your entree I can recommend two – the white truffle bearnaise and the top shelf Au Poivre. If you are having a great steak my choice of a side would be their creamed spinach –Delicious.
I love “a deal” and Chops has nightly specials. Every night, from a pre-selected menu, you can experience a 2-course meal, (appetizer and entree) for $50 per person along with 30% off all bottles of wine. The other “deal” that I am crazy about is Shellfish Monday. Chops serves fresh plump oysters and cocktail shrimp for $2 each.
In writing this review I am convinced where I want to go to dinner tonight – Chops.
The Chops City Grill is located at 8200 Health Center Blvd., Bonita Springs, FL 34135, (239) 992-4677.
Bon Appetit, Ginger Snap
Sew & Sews’ Charity Begins at Home: Verandah Cares
Sew & Sews supports local nonprofits by providing handmade items to help improve the lives of the men, women and children they serve. illnesses. We’ve been told our fleece blankets are like receiving a “warm hug.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that we also care for our own Verandah neighbors with health issues by delivering handmade blankets, pillows and seat belt protectors?
The process starts when someone emails verandahcares@gmail.com with the name and address of a Verandah resident with health issues who could benefit from receiving one of our gifts.
However, we aren’t mindreaders and need help from the community to let us know when someone would benefit from one of our gifts.
So far this year, Verandah Cares has distributed 24 blankets, 30 pillows, and three seat belt protectors.
Most funds supporting Verandah Cares and Sew & Sews come from resident support through our Holiday Tour of Homes and Sip and Shop. Attending one of our community events provides funds needed to purchase fabric and sewing essentials. The labor involved is free and provided by our Sew & Sews volunteers!
Seat belt protectors work well for people with a port, sling, or chest injuries. Pillows are usually given for hip, knee, shoulder and orthopedic issues. Fleece blankets work well for people with other
Thanks Verandah Cares! The pillow is perfect! – VICKI PATRICK
If you’d like to request a Verandah Cares gift for a resident, email: verandahcares@gmail.com.
INGREDIENTS
Peppercorns
• 2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns
• 2 teaspoons whole white peppercorns
• 2 teaspoons whole green peppercorns
2 teaspoons coarse salt
3 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
2 Tablespoons butter-at room temperature
1 cup loosely packed fresh Italian parsley- chopped
1 2-pound beef tenderloin, trimmed
Recipe Corner
BEEF TENDERLOIN WITH CRACKED PEPPER AND DIJON MUSTARD
This is a great holiday recipe that I made for many years.
INSTRUCTIONS
Coarsely grind all peppercorns in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Transfer peppercorns to a bowl. Mix in salt.
Whisk mustard, butter and chopped parsley in a medium bowl to blend. Rub mustard mixture all over the tenderloin. Roll tenderloin in peppercorn mixture, coating completely. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead, cover and refrigerate.)
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place tenderloin on a rack set in a shallow baking pan.
Roast until meat thermometer registers 130 degrees for rare.
Transfer tenderloin to platter. Let stand 10 minutes. Cut roast into slices. Arrange on platter or board.
Strictly Beesness
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that Verandah has twelve bee hives which produce our very own special signature honey?
Paul Shannon, our apiarist, has a twenty-year career in beekeeping, and what started out as a hobby became his passion. That passion encouraged him to start his own company, Strictly Beesness, and he’s been working with bees ever since.
Although golf course communities use fertilizers and sprays, they have course managers who are concerned about the natural wildlife in their areas. Most developments like Verandah
have large open spaces and safe environments that make perfect places for beekeeping.
Verandah presently has 12 working bee hives which Mr. Shannon maintains for us and bee hives in over twenty other communities in the area. He visits each community’s hives every 10-14 days to ascertain if the bees are happy, safe and producing honey. There are 20,000-40,000 bees in each hive with one queen bee, 300-600 drones and the rest worker bees. The drones mate with the queen, who produces 2,000 eggs every 20 seconds! It’s a cruel world for the drones, because after mating eight to ten times, they either die or are kicked out of the hive. Meanwhile, the queen keeps mating with the other drones, and the workers, all females,
continue to gather pollen from flowers and clover, make wax in the honeycombs, housekeep the hives, and tend to the queen. The queen fertilizes the eggs of the bees who will be the workers, but the eggs of the drones will not be fertilized. The drones have no stingers and just mate and die.
Honey is harvested four to five times per year, and since bees love hot weather, the honey flows more abundantly in the spring and summer. Depending on the season, worker bees gather pollen from the flowers blooming at those times. Honey is always being produced, but the honey has very different, subtle flavors due to the different flowers from season to season. Even though most bees prefer warm temperatures, surprisingly, the largest
percentage of honey comes from North and South Dakota due to the abundance of clover growing in their wide expanses of land.
Paul has been stung many times but has never experienced a swarm. He says that a swarm mostly happens in the movies!
Wearing his bee suit, of course, Paul knows when to smoke the bees from a smoker which calms them when he takes care of their hives. Honeycombs are rarely removed from the drawers in the boxes, since removal of too many reduces the production of honey by 30%. That explains why you don’t often see honeycomb being served in breakfast buffets.
Bees don’t really sleep at night, but are more calm and relaxed. Since they can’t see at night, no pollination occurs.
To say someone is as busy as a bee means that those folks are very busy indeed!
Also, it is said that bears like honey and it follows that bears are one of the worst enemies of beehives.
Paul owns Shannon Farms on Buckingham Road, where he has 20 bee yards with 100 boxes in each yard. However, he assures us that Verandah honey is bottled only from Verandah bees. You can see our beehives if you walk to the end of the “Electric Highway” toward Buckingham Road and look to the right. Don’t get too close without wearing your bee suit!
Our Verandah Honey is for sale in the pro shop for $10 a jar. The best honey you can have is honey locally grown from the bees closest to you. Make yourself and someone else happy by buying a few jars for family and friends. They’ll love you for it and be healthier for using it!
Honeycombs are rarely removed from the drawers in the boxes, since removal of too many reduces the production of honey by 30%. That explains why you don’t often see honeycomb being served in breakfast buffets.
