Verandah View
Florida Department Of Transportation Explores Local Traffic Issues
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is in the early stages of exploring two highway projects that will impact Verandah residents.
State Routes 31 And 80 (Including The Bridge Over The Caloosahatchee)
At a November 2023 public hearing, FDOT reviewed and invited public comment on initial options for improvements to a portion of Route 31 from its intersection with Palm Beach Boulevard (Route 80) north to the intersection with Bayshore Road (approximately 1.4 miles long). One version of the project would include widening Route 31 to six vehicular lanes, three in each direction, plus protected pedestrian/bicycle lanes on each side. They are considering replacing the existing drawbridge over the Caloosahatchee River to a height almost 60 feet above water level to allow vessels to pass underneath.
The proposal is based on current conditions, projected population growth in the Fort Myers Shores area and Babcock Ranch, and the deterioration of the existing drawbridge. In the presentation, FDOT noted that Route 31 is an important link in regional freight hauling, with 25 percent of its traffic consisting of delivery trucks. They also noted that Route 31 is an important part of the area’s hurricane evacuation route.
FDOT officials emphasized the project is in its early planning stage. Comments can be provided through the project webpage www.swflroads.com/project/441942-1 or
by email to Patrick.Bateman@dot.state.fl.us or by mail to FDOT District One, Attn: Patrick Bateman, P.E., MS 1-40, 801 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830. Intersection Of Verandah Boulevard And Palm Beach Boulevard/Route 80
The Florida Department of Transportation has released a traffic analysis of the Palm Beach Boulevard/Verandah Boulevard intersection adjacent to Verandah’s main gate. The report, which is referred to as a Signal Warrant Analysis, is based on onsite observation and data collected by an independent engineering firm hired by FDOT between Jan. 1, 2018 and Dec. 31, 2022.
The September 2023 report reviews several criteria (e.g. traffic volume, delay times at the intersection, collision data, etc.) in reaching the conclusion that installation of a traffic signal at this intersection is the most likely viable option to improve safety in the area. It documents there had been 33 crashes reported in the study area during the 60-month study period. Although no fatalities had been reported, eight of these crashes resulted in 10 personal injuries. It was also noted that 24 of the crashes occurred during daylight hours and all but one crash occurred when road conditions were dry.
The Verandah Community Association’s (VCA) Traffic and Safety Committee continues to monitor this project and will report progress to the community as it unfolds.
Verandah Rings In The New Year
As 2023 came to an end, Verandah residents of all ages ushered in 2024 with celebrations of all kinds. It began with a Christmas Golf Cart Parade on the 23rd, that was followed by the New Year’s Eve celebration at the club.
110 Verandah residents enjoyed the celebration, reveling with friends and family as they looked back on 2023 and forward to 2024. The evening was a smashing success! The culinary team hand rolled sushi and there was a full cold bar of seafood. The band was incredible (Renata) and the crowd danced into the New Year. Even the children celebrated at a special noon New Year’s Eve get-together.
224 golfers, each fortified with a Bloody Mary, headed off to their tees on a beautiful New Year’s Day to take part in the annual Verandah Bloody Mary Open. And those who did not play in the Bloody Mary Open were able to follow along with live scoring via the Golf Genius App!
We live in a unique community, one where residents feel connected to the beauty of our natural environment and the people in it. Let’s continue by making the most of 2024 together.
All About Verandah
Verandah View is pleased to announce an upcoming threepart series entitled All Things Verandah that will begin in our March issue.
Part One – Our Natural Environment will explore the world of Verandah’s land and natural resources, which are home to many different plant and animal species.
Part Three – The People and Governance will describe who lives in Verandah and how we work together as a community.
Part Two – The Built Environment will describe the human made surroundings that provide the setting for our activities and how we work to preserve our natural heritage.
Golf cart parade
New Year’s Eve at the club
Annual Bloody Mary Open
Verandah Teen Places Second In World Champion Ballroom Dancing
Finley Severance (15) and her partner Jordan Palmer (14) take second place in the world championships in ballroom dance in Austria. The duo has been training and competing together for six years. They compete in Latin, Standard, among other dance categories.
Finley and Jordan train at Volga Dance Studio in Atlanta. She and her parents Rick and Gretchen Severance are residents of Oak Bend. Finley is homeschooled, so she has the flexibility to split time between Verandah, which she calls home, and Atlanta, where she trains.
Six-time U.S. National Champions Finley and Jordan have represented the United States in world championships in Germany, Portugal, Romania, Austria, and Bulgaria in the last two years.
Congratulations Finley and Jordan. Verandah is very proud of you!
Verandah Community Association To Update 2022 Reserve Study
The Verandah Community Association (VCA) is responsible for a wide range of community assets that comprise our infrastructure. Examples of these include our VCA-owned roads, curbs, gutters, and catch basins; boardwalks, bridges, and walking paths; VCA common area landscaping; perimeter walls and fences; gatehouses; recreational assets like Oak Park, the Kayak Livery, and the dog park; and assets used for maintenance and community patrol. As these assets age, they need to be maintained and repaired to extend their useful life. Eventually they will require replacement.
In September 2022 the Verandah Community Association completed its first post-turnover reserve study. This study is a planning tool that prepares the community for the major repair and replacement of its common assets. It charts a path to ensure the key components of our community’s infrastructure are properly maintained and supported by the necessary funding. In 2024 the VCA’s Property and Infrastructure
VCA Seminars
Committee will begin the process of preparing an updated reserve study with recommendations for our reserve fund. The process will be in partnership with a professional firm who has worked with Verandah’s reserve funding since 2010. By making regular investments in our infrastructure, the Verandah community and individual homes will continue to hold their value, beauty, and overall appeal. Monies in the fund come from homebuyer contributions when they purchase a new or existing home. The current contribution amount is $3,000. As the community continues its buildout, new home sales will decline and disappear over the next few years. To supplement these homebuyer contributions, a reserve line item has been added to the operating budget to assure we continue accumulating the funds we will need in the future.
If you would like to learn more about Verandah’s reserve study and its reserve fund please visit https://www.vcalife. com/folder/reserve-study-reports/
You Won’t Want To Miss
The Verandah Community Association (VCA) will be hosting three seminars in February. These seminars are part of the VCA’s ongoing efforts to increase resident participation within our community and make Verandah the best living experience possible.
Ask An Adjuster
Feb. 8, 2 to 4 p.m. in the VCA office lobby
• Information on how to file a claim with or without an adjuster;
• Information on hurricanes and how hurricane coverage works;
• Steps owners can take now before filing a claim such as knowing what is covered, what is not, and how to make the most of your policy;
• Learn about VCA’s certificate of good condition program that is free for residents, and more information on how to identify different claims.
Estero River Outfitters
Feb. 15, 2 to 4 p.m. in the grassy area by the kayaks
• Estero River Outfitters will be going over kayak and fishing safety, tips for fishing off the kayak, and kayaking techniques.
WINK News
Feb. 29, 9:30 a.m. in the VCA office lobby
• Meteorologist, Juliana Mejia, will be going over hurricane preparation.
Verandah resident, Norm Toback, spoke about his life in local theater in Southwest Florida at a Verandah Community University event in December.
Norm described an actor’s life as one filled with joy and gratification yet with terror and chaos. Will I remember my lines …my cues? Will I trip and fall? The audience was thrilled with his performance and asked many questions.
Verandah Community University
Verandah Community University welcomes Lyn Millner, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) professor of communications, philosophy and journalism on Monday, Feb. 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Fitness Center Activity Room. Millner is an expert in news literacy, journalism, writing, Florida history and cults and particularly of the former cult, the Koreshan Unity, in nearby Estero. Millner is the author of The Allure of Immortality, An American Cult, A Florida Swamp, and a Renegade Profit
The Wall Street Journal calls it one of the “five best books about cults.”
It is the true story of cult leader of the Koreshan Unity Cyrus Teed and his hollow earth theory. Millner will present the “stranger than fiction” Koreshans, one of the most unusual pioneer groups to settle in South
Florida. In the early 20th century the celibate community was formed by Dr. Cyrus Teed, whom his followers believed to be the new Messiah and immortal. Teed’s followers also believed the universe existed in a giant, hollow sphere which contained the earth, the sun and stars. In spite of these somewhat unusual ideas, the cult attracted many intelligent and innovative thinkers.
Millner will discuss this cult and her book with us on Feb. 12. You can sign up anytime for this interesting event at verunifm1@yahoo.com or on the club’s event calendar. See you there to receive your diploma and the schedule for the rest of the year. Tuition for this presentation is $10 per person, payable in cash at the door.
15th Annual Verandah Garage Sale
Friday, March 15, 8 a.m. To
2 p.m. And Saturday, March 16, 8 a.m. To 12 p.m.
At St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church Social Center, 13031 Palm Beach Blvd.
(Between Verandah’s Two Gates)
We cannot accept armoires, phones, tube-type TVs, custom draperies, light fixtures, paint, or paperback books.
Electronics must be current, power on, and attach remote if applicable.
Volunteer to help sort, price, and sell. The sale requires many hands. Men and women are needed. It is a great way to meet people and contribute to a great cause. If you can help on either or both days of the sale, or if you have a couple hours to give any Monday to Friday before the sale, we need your help.
Donated items accepted March 5 to March 13, Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Social Center. We accept clean and marketable items that will sell, such as: furniture, rugs, toys, clothes, bikes, kitchen supplies, tools, linens and bedding, lawn care items, dishes, golf equipment and shoes, etc. Only collectible books such as coffee-table books or cookbooks can be accepted. Mattresses may be given away with donated beds if they are like new.
Furniture pickup will be available. We appreciate donations of gently used furniture. We will have a truck in Verandah for pickup in early March, date TBD. Please send a photo of the item(s) you are donating to pivad58@ yahoo.com so we can rent an appropriate truck. All proceeds go to charity. This event is co-sponsored with St. Vincent de Paul, who share the proceeds with our designated charities, including local food pantries, and Blessings in a Backpack (who provide food for neighboring elementary school children on the weekends when they might otherwise go hungry). Any donated items that do not sell are given to St. Matthew’s House, Florida Breast Cancer Foundation, Immokalee Pregnancy Center, Labelle Kiwanas, and others.
Come and shop! Mark your calendar to shop for bargains at the sale. We price to sell!
Thank you in advance for your support!
Verandah Fitness And Court Sports News February
By Leslie Larson, Director of Wellness and Lifestyle
Hours Of Operation: Season Hours through April
Monday To Friday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday And Sunday: 7
a.m. to 4 p.m.
Key Card Access: 5 to 8 p.m. daily
Tips From Fred Hindle, Director Of Court Sports
Pickleball Tip: Want To Take Your Pickleball Game To The Next Level?
Here is a quick and easy tip that should get you on the right track. Think of a seesaw when you are playing or practicing pickleball next time. Say I hit the ball high to another player. That player can hit down on the ball towards my feet or my partner’s feet. If I hit the ball at the hips or lower, then the other players must hit up on the ball. This should give me back the advantage on the court or force them to keep the dink game going. Thinking of pickleball like a seesaw will also help you learn how to anticipate your opponent’s shot
better and in return will quicken your reflexes. If you are looking to work on your game or even work on a drill keep this topic in mind.
Tennis Tip: Practice Pressure Situations
Sometimes we need to put ourselves in a bad situation on the court and practice it. One game that I love to play with students is having them play a complete set with just one serve. This really helps simulate the pressure of a close match where we can get tight serving. Another game is playing a complete set while committing an enforced error gives your opponent two points. This one really helps you learn how to deal with pressure and better shot selection. If you are looking to work on your game or even work on a drill keep this topic in mind.
Upcoming Events
2024 Verandah Tennis And Pickleball Doubles Club
Championship Tournament
Thursday, Feb. 15 to Sunday, Feb. 18
Doubles Tennis And Pickleball Club Championship
Tournament
Men and women knockout tournament with a consolation draw.
Flighted: A (4.0 and up), B (4.0 – 3.5), C (3.0 and down)
Minimum of four players in each division
$15 per person, free for spectators
Registration ends Sunday, Feb. 13.
Verandah Volunteer Fair A Big Success
On Jan. 8 the Verandah Community Association (VCA) sponsored its second annual volunteer fair for Verandah residents! Once again, local nonprofits set up tables in Oak Park, near the playground, with representatives and volunteers
from 24 local nonprofits who explained what’s involved in being a volunteer for their organizations.
Representatives from business organizations, animal rescue, food pantries, and children’s advocacy nonprofits were in attendance sharing information.
VCA staff members greeted residents and answered questions. Refreshments were provided for presenters.
The day was a win-win for volunteers and nonprofits!
Ginger Snap’s Slow Cooker Beef Chili
While I must have 50 recipes for chicken breasts, I only have one for chili. I’d like to share it with you –it’s perfect for cooler days and football watching. This serves a crowd.
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1/ cup chopped onion
4 minced garlic cloves
2 cans (16-ounce) beans – drained and rinsed
2 cans (15-ounce) tomato sauce
2 cans (14 1/2-ounce) stewed tomatoes – cut up
1 cup water
2 bay leaves
1/4 cup chili powder
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon thyme
1 tablespoon pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon marjoram
Saute beef and onion until it is no longer pink. Put all ingredients into a slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.
Serve with your favorite toppings like sour cream, tortilla chips, rice, grated cheese, or avocado.
Touch
Of Spring Bazaar
Come and see the Sew & Sews’ Spring and Easter collection of home decor items, beautiful hostess gifts, children’s gifts, embroidered towels, and so much more.
You know the quality workmanship of the stylish items we create!
Funds raised from the sale of our handcrafted products allow us to buy fabric and sewing essentials to benefit the nonprofits the Sew & Sews support.
Sew & Sews doesn’t rebuild houses, provide counseling, or medical care. We quilt, sew, crochet/ knit, and knot blankets and items that promote feelings of being cared for and about, through the nonprofits we serve.
Some of our nonprofit partners: Golisano Children’s Hospital and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Mom and Baby Department at Health Park Hospital, Lee Health Regional Cancer Center, Valerie’s House, Children’s Network of Southwest Florida, Tiny Showers, ACT Women and Children’s Shelters, Visions of Sugar Plums, and Orange River Elementary School.
Pet Of The Month
Meet the handsome Emerdel owned by Sandy La Roche. Emerdel is a 10-year-old Arabian gelding. A gelding is a castrated male horse.
Arabians are one of the oldest breeds in the world and are known for their beauty, intelligence, and good temperaments. They excel at endurance races and are highly valued by sheiks in the Middle East.
Emerdel, or Dell as Sandy calls him is very sweet and a bit of a busy body. He always has his head sticking out of his stall, hoping for pets – or even better, treats from people passing by.
When Sandy is grooming him, he likes to knock all his brushes off the ledge with his nose. It is kind of a game with him. Sandy feels she is very lucky to have such a sensitive, well-behaved horse to take care of her in her old age!
IMAG History & Science Center
2000 Cranford Avenue
Fort Myers, FL 33916
Monday To Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Tuesday
Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m.
Located near to Fort Myers’ historic river district, the IMAG History & Science Center is an extraordinary, unique family-friendly destination featuring aquariums and animal exhibits; interactive displays, exhibits, and activities; presentations, and innovative programs all to inspire the imagination in you, your family, and friends.
The interactive Weather Hall, 3-D movies, as well as aquariums and reptiles in the Living Lab are all especially suitable for younger children. Older children who like to build will have fun in the Hands-On Hall, animal lovers will have a chance to touch and feed stingrays in the SEA-TOSEE Touch Tank. In the history and science arena, IMAG offers presentations and programs that advance STEM
education (science, technology, engineering, and math) and our appreciation for the arts, culture, and rich history of Southwest Florida.
Backyard Nature, an outdoor garden at IMAG, focuses on sustainable gardening through the use of Florida-friendly plants and practices. It provides a valuable learning experience for
Mulch In The Landscape
By Barbara Watson, Master Gardener
Mulch is an important component of any garden or landscaped area. In addition to creating visually appealing landscaping, it provides many benefits to both plants and soil. Applied properly, mulch inhibits weed growth, limits water loss, helps regulate soil temperature, prevents erosion, and enriches the soil. In choosing mulch, consider cost, color, origin, durability, texture and appearance. Mulch falls into two categories: organic and inorganic. Commonly used organic mulches in the Florida landscape are sourced from hardwood trees, including pine, cypress, melaleuca, eucalyptus and mixed wood.
Organic Mulch Choices
• Pine Bark is a byproduct of the forest industry. It is a rich, dark brown color and comes in nugget and ground form. It settles slowly and is easy to maintain.
• Pine Straw (needles) is harvested from pine plantations. It provides a natural look to the landscape, is less likely to wash away and with continued use will acidify the soil. It does need to be applied more frequently than other mulches.
• Cypress mulch is available in shredded form and is composed of both bark and wood of the cypress tree. It has good moisture retention and natural resistance to diseases.
Pet Of The Month Information
A beloved pet’s photo, whether dog, cat, horse, bird or fish, will be featured here every month. Resident owners can send in a photo of their pet with the pet’s name, owner’s name, type or breed of pet, and a sentence or two about their pet by texting Susan Shamey at (724) 355-2478 or emailing sshamey@ymail.com . Pet photos will be randomly chosen from all entries – big or small. All our pets are beautiful and loved.
adults and children. Some examples of sustainable gardening include the use of rain barrels for water conservation, butterfly and pollinator cycle, and mushroom growing.
Plan a visit, it’s certainly worth the short drive in, then stop for lunch at one of the many good restaurants in historic downtown Fort Myers.
Florida. During processing, the wood is treated at a high temperature to kill any existing seeds. Melaleuca is long lasting, durable and termite resistant. This mulch is a good substitute for cypress mulch and is recommended by FFL.
• Eucalyptus mulch is harvested on managed plantations. This mulch is aromatic and comes in shredded form. It has the added benefit of repelling insects and has a natural resistance to decay.
• Mixed hardwood is produced from scrap lumber that may include chemically pressure treated lumber. It is purchased in shredded form and is frequently dyed, red, brown or gray. Dark brown is the recommended color in the Verandah.
In the Verandah, inorganic mulches cannot be used as a substitute for organic mulch. Inorganic mulch such as pebbles, gravel, stone and rubber do not provide the advantages of organic mulch. They retain heat for long periods of time that can be damaging to plants, particularly during our hot summer months.
To be effective, mulches should be 2 to 3 inches deep. To prevent excess moisture from accumulating, pull mulch away from the base of trees, shrubs and plants. Avoid over mulching as this can suffocate plants. To refresh gardens, old, compacted mulch can be raked out before applying new. Selecting the correct mulch and applying it correctly will ensure a healthy and attractive landscape. The following website will provide more information https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/
Leslie’s Valentine’s Day Keto
(Low Carb) Brownies
Ingredients
1 cup fine almond flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tablespoons Dutch cocoa or additional regular
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup melted coconut oil or butter
3 tablespoons water or additional oil
2 eggs
2/3 cup granulated erythritol
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Keto Chocolate Frosting
Ingredients 1/2 cup cocoa powder
8 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 to 3 cups confectioners’ erythritol (powdered)
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 to 4 tablespoons milk of choice (I use unsweetened cashew milk.)
Instructions
Verandah Music Group Presents: Five Decades Of Rock & Roll Live At Oak Park
Moody Blues, Rolling Stones, Beatles, Coldplay, Lady A, Linda Ronstadt, Journey, and more… Help Celebrate VMG’s 10th Anniversary Sunday, Feb. 25 3 To 5 p.m.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8-inch pan, or line with parchment. Mix all ingredients well. Spread evenly into the pan. Smooth down, using a second sheet of parchment if needed. Bake 20 minutes on the center rack, then let cool completely and the brownies will continue to firm up. (They also firm up even more if you refrigerate very loosely covered overnight.)
Let cream cheese and butter come to room temperature. Beat all ingredients with an electric mixer or stand mixer (or by hand, which won’t be as whipped and fluffy but still works).
If too thick, very slowly add more milk of choice. If too thin, add additional erythritol.
Cover and refrigerate leftover frosting for up to a week.
From The Desk Of Sheriff Carmine Marceno
Seating Is Limited … Enroll Now!
Annual Homeowners Association Presidents Council Presentation
Working cohesively with our county homeowners’ associations requires the appropriation of an array of resources and my commitment to continue ongoing communication with our residents.
While our efforts have produced extraordinary results, I am of the mindset that the application of the newest technologies and enhanced community policing strategies will assist us in our efforts to keep Lee County among the safest counties in the nation.
On Feb. 6, I will be hosting my “Annual Homeowners Association Presidents Council” at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall from 9:30 a.m. until noon.
Cash Bar – BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair.)
Bring your dancing shoes or just enjoy the walk down memory lane. Join us for an afternoon of music, dancing, and fun!
The event will include a display of Lee County Sheriff’s Office assets as well as include a presentation of the innovative technologies that the Lee County Sheriff’s Office are using to protect our communities.
Additionally, I will participate in a “question and answer” segment at the conclusion of the forum.
Please be advised that seating is limited and your prompt registration is requested.
The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall is located at 13350 FSW Parkway in Fort Myers. Complimentary food and beverages will be provided. I encourage interested HOA presidents, HOA Board members and community residents to attend. As seating is limited, please register as soon as possible by calling (239) 477-1CRU (1278) or by visiting www.sheriffleefl. org/hoapresidentscouncil.
BUY BEFORE BYE!
Heading back north for the summer? Well, tour Neal's model homes now, choose a new home and we'll have it ready when you come back next season! That's right, work with our expert team of Verandah Sales Associates now to choose your homesite, floorplan & options and we'll keep you updated on the progress of your home along the way. Come back next season to a fresh new home in the same community you love, Verandah!