TheVillager
SEPTEMBER 2025
CREEKERS HAVING FUN
FEATURE PHOTO: SUNSET AT COUNTRY CREEK
A Look Inside VILLAGE OF ESTERO CORNER FALL WII
From the Master Board
The Master Board wants to take this opportunity to thank and compliment our working committees. These volunteers have been incredibly diligent over these summer months, accomplishing more than we could have imagined. Not one committee took a “let’s slow down, it’s summer after all” approach to their commitment to serve VCC.
Additionally, we recognize our staff for their contributions. VCC is so fortunate to have the staff
that we do. They are all dedicated to providing services that constantly exceed our expectations, and we are grateful for them all.
As the Master Board continues to keep the VCC community informed about what’s happening, here is a list of current events:
1. All satellite pools are finished, and they look beautiful! Pools received much needed maintenance, repairs, and improvements. The new furniture has been
delivered and set at each pool, though we are awaiting a few side tables and chaise loungers. The old lounge chairs, still in good working order, will be stored in the event they are needed in the future. Please note these new chaise chairs are ADA compliant and are made with Sunbrella material. Please take a pool tour to see the results. Hats off to Juan and Manny who worked day after day in the sun and heat to see this project to completion. Thank you both.
When It’s More Than a Move…
Your home is more than just property — it’s your most valuable asset, your lifestyle, your story. Whether you’re seeking a breathtaking luxury estate, a sleek dream condo, or a serene family villa, make your move with global expertise by your side.
Trust Experience
Trust Expertise ✦ Trust Dee Dee
Your Global Luxury Specialist Realtor
Damita (Dee Dee) Kascsak, Global Luxury Specialist Realtor DeeDee.Kascsak@floridamoves.com
2. Being mindful of our financial resources and responsibilities, the initial plans for the main pool’s cabana have been significantly altered, as it seems in our best interest to take a minimalist approach. The cabana will only receive attention for maintenance, repair, and preservation needs, as well as a few minimal updates. This will include exterior and interior painting; replacement of inefficient and nonworking fixtures; removal of the
deteriorating kitchenette items; updates to the bathrooms, retractable screens; and the addition of a limited bar area. We are confident the results will be a terrific complement to the main pool.
Not one committee took a 'let’s slow down, it’s summer after all' approach to their commitment to serve VCC.
Owners will be able to order food from the clubhouse and have it delivered to the pool. Rafael and Chef Kwaze have created a special pool menu for that. All pool food orders can only be placed with your owner member number. (continued on page 4)
3. The General Manager is working with the project manager and all vendors to establish a schedule for the Town Hall Meetings. At these meetings, members
Production Directors
Stephen Miller
Elizabeth Miller
Sales Department
Tom English
Margo Williams
Laura Berrio
Bret McCormick
Miranda Ledbeter
Alyssa Debban
Justein Matthias
Anissa Stender
Webmaster
Selina Koehler
Production Manager
Lee Nostrant
Production Department
Elaine Donholt
Ruth Nekoranec
Katie Heystek
Dianne Strout
Karen Kalisz
Michelle Feeney
Andie Reynolds
of
Master Board, representatives for each vendor, and the General Manager will be present to answer questions posed
Common Grounds Committee
BJ SNYDER
HEAT IMPACT ON PLANTS
Few would argue that this summer has been hot and dry. While the effects of heat and drought on flowers are obvious, it’s harder to see how intense sun, humidity, and storms affect trees. As you water your flowers, remember to care for your trees as well.
Deep Watering – Once or twice a week, slowly water trees at the drip line of the leaves. Set hose to run as a trickle for about 15 minutes allowing moisture to reach deep roots.
Mulch Check – Having about 2–4” layer of mulch about 2 inches away from the tree trunk to retain moisture and protect roots from extreme heat.
Remove Dead or Weak Limbs – To help keep trees healthy and reduce storm damage, prune unhealthy limbs.
Inspect After Storms – Check trees for cracks, low hanging/broken branches, or leaning ones and take care of these situations promptly to avoid long-term harm.
Name that Flower and Plant
LISA SPRINGER (VOLUNTEER DEADHEADER)
Florida is home to nearly 4,000 varieties of ferns, flowering and nonflowering plants, making it the third most diverse state ranked by plant flora. The abundance of plant life is the result of Florida’s ample sunlight, sandy soil, torrential rains (followed by long stretches with NO rain) and nearly a 12-month growing season.
As a newcomer to Villages at Country Creek, I remember falling in love with our community’s brilliantly colored hibiscus and bougainvillea. To
my Midwestern eyes, exotic crotons and ti plants resembled something from another planet.
I immersed myself in this brave new world of Florida flora by joining Deadheaders, one of our volunteer groups at Villages at Country Creek. Residents can see us Monday and Wednesday mornings, the ladies wearing pink shirts, pulling invasive vines and weeds, deadheading flowers, and replacing sick plants with healthy new ones on Common Grounds.
Volunteering with Deadheaders has been a great way to learn about Florida plant life and I encourage everyone who is interested in gardening to join us. Contact Barb McNally (5bjrmc@gmail.com) or Mary Marrone (marye44@roadrunner. com) if you wish to volunteer for Deadheaders.
The landscaped areas considered part of Common Grounds include both entrances, the clubhouse, parking lots, the fern garden, the pools, bocce and tennis courts, all cul-de-sacs and peninsulas, swales, and along Country Creek Drive. Approximately 40-50 different native plants are used in our landscaping; these plants were selected because they
are non-invasive, require little maintenance and are relatively drought and disease resistant.
We are putting together two plant guides that we hope to make available to our community’s residents as downloadable documents via the Villages at Country Creek website in the next few weeks. The first is a Guide to Common Grounds Plants that will picture, identify and describe 25 non-flowering plants found in various locations around Villages at Country Creek. The second is a Guide to Flowering Plants that will picture and identify 25 flowers and flowering shrubs frequently seen around our community. We also hope to publish a Guide to Invasive Vines and Plants on the website prior to the upcoming Community Service Day scheduled in early November and a Guide to Common Grounds Palms and Hardwood Trees later this year.
Creekers Having Fun
Member/Staff Golf Scramble Tuesday, August 12, 2025
VCC Showcase
LOIS CHRISTENSEN
AGNES STORY
Agnes Story is a former art teacher who worked with schools in Collier County Public Schools for 25 years. Now retired for the past three years, she works in her home studio on Country Creek Drive on her own artwork – Large Mandala Paintings.
Originally from Venezuela, Agnes earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA, 1979) degree from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Minnesota. She moved from Wisconsin to Florida in 1985 with her husband and kids. They later moved from Naples to the Villages at Country Creek six years ago, to retire.
She has always found enjoyment in art and has gone through a number of design stages over her career. Drawings were her first projects, some of them in graphite lithographic crayon and watercolors. Later, she moved into photography and created photo collages. Eventually this led her to experiment with collages using specialty papers. She has created a book of her work chronicling the various stages and development of artistic work throughout her career. This will be a prized keepsake for her children.
Now her work focuses on Acrylic paintings of art designs called “mandalas,” a geometric design or pattern, typically circular, that is a representation of the universe. In many cultures, mandalas are used in meditation. She is also inspired by old textile designs researched and put together in a book by Susan Meller. Those patterns as well as Quilting Designs are drawn and
painted into the circular mandala format, created in her home studio. Her goal is to develop a large inventory of her art along with a website and to exhibit her work in major galleries.
(VCC Showcase continued on page 12)
JIM LUZZI
Jim Luzzi is a semi-retired professional photographer. Originally from New Jersey, he has been a Florida resident for seven years and a VCC resident for four years. Though semi-retired, he likes to stay busy and takes his photography equipment everywhere, ready for whatever moment presents itself. You likely will have seen his work in many places, including Estero Life Magazine.
As noted on his website, jluzziphoto.com, Jim’s career in photography began in New York City working as a darkroom technician at the Time/Life photo lab. While there, he worked alongside some of the industry’s top photographers, photo editors and art directors for Life magazine, Time magazine, Sports Illustrated, and People magazine.
His work spans everything from quiet, respectful wildlife photography to polished magazine covers and professional portraits. Jim’s approach to nature is patient—he believes every animal encounter is a privilege, and always reminds himself, “This is their house.”
ROSEATE SPOONBILL
BLACK CROW
JIM LUZZI
Jim’s photos are copyrighted, but he has given us permission to publish a few. Check out his website for a broader display of his work. It’s truly amazing. Website: jluzziphoto.com
SIESTA BEACH
FLAMINGO
VCC History #11
BEGINNING THE NEXT TWENTY YEARS – 2009
The community, having turned 20 years old in 2008, continued to need improvements in 2009. Several projects were planned and completed.
The 484,000-gallon water tank project was completed in June 2009. Forty percent ($237,600) of the contract amount of $619,000 was covered by a grant from the South Florida Water Management Department. Residents, having been assessed for the project, were reimbursed with a credit to their quarterly master association fees.
Another project, golf course irrigation, began in July 2009 and was completed in October. Contractor Stallman England used new state-of-the-art technology designed by Rain Bird Corporation. The benefits were significant with operational cost-savings and a better conditioned golf course. The decoder system
enabled more efficient watering in less time, which conserved water and saved on electrical costs. The number of sprinkler heads on the course was increased from 434 to more than 750, watering areas not previously irrigated.
Condo and Villa pools were renovated; condo, villa, and main pools were patched and re-surfaced. Asphalt re-paving of several areas of the road was completed in July 2009. The addition of a new exit onto Country Creek Drive at the end of the lower parking lot helped
The benefits were significant with operational costsavings and a better conditioned golf course.
reduce the traffic congestion near the bag drop and the entrance/exit area.
Other changes took place in January 2009. The Villager, having been published inhouse by a paid professional since November 2006, was once again published by Seabreeze Communications under the direction of
Ellen Lockard, chair of the Communications Committee. In April 2009, Ellen and her husband Bob Lockard, who had given so much to this community as volunteers, moved back to Virginia, and Joan Meginniss was appointed chair of the Communications Committee and editor of The Villager. Dale Erickson continued to be the Web site administrator, frequently offering hints to the community to make it easier to access the site.
Country Creek Community Charities, Inc. (CCCC, Inc.) named Judy Kuglitsch the new chairperson. Over the years CCCC, Inc. had donated more than $300,000 to local charities. The 2009 Garage Sale raised over $8,700. They awarded $17,000 to eight local charities.
Board members elected at Country Creek’s 2009 annual March meeting were Joe Boro and Alice Rintamaa. Jackie Yndestad was reelected. Jerry Desmond was named president. Other members were Gary Miller, Dan Cermack and John Beleutz. Dave Immonen was appointed treasurer. Certificates of Appreciation were given to Bob Nelson, Pamela Jones-Morton, John Sackl, Ray Pothier, and Ron Reichert for service to the community. Dan Cermack, who resigned from the board in September while serving his second term, died November 7, 2009.
(continued on page 16)
In sports, golf’s Club Champions in 2009 were Debbie Verwey and Bob Bal. The Ladies’ Association Champion was Donna Starr; Men’s Association Champion was Carl Sandquist. Winners of the tennis men’s team competition were Yuergen Molsen and Dell Bedard, and an award was given to the oldest playing octogenarian, Nat Wesser. The ladies competed in the BonEro Women’s Tennis league (teams from Bonita and Estero) and took first place in Division One. The Bocce Association was revived with twelve teams and more than 250 players. 2009’s first place winners were the Goombas. The team with most room for improvement was the Bocce Boomers.
Country Creek residents were active and honored in associations beyond the VCC community. An honor was bestowed on Howard A. Seifer who received the Republic of France’s Legion of Honor medal. He was granted the rank of Chevalier at a ceremony in Naples.
The Estero Historical Society celebrated 10 years in 2009. Country Creek resident Mary Ann Weenen was the second president serving two terms from 2004 to 2008; Country Creek’s Georgia Nelson was vice president. Through the years they unearthed pictures and information and documented Estero’s history. Grants from the College of Life Foundation and the Lee County Preservation Board made it possible for the society to move two historical buildings, the HallHanson-Collier House and the Estero School House, to the Estero Community Park located on Corkscrew Road across from VCC. The restored buildings will house the headquarters for the Estero Historical Society and a museum.
Also in the greater Estero community, road construction and repair continued in 2009. In October, Lee County celebrated the opening of the Estero Parkway Flyover, a $35 million major bridge project over I-75 from Three Oaks Parkway to Ben
Hill Griffin Parkway. It was projected the Flyover would reduce Corkscrew Road Traffic by 10,000 vehicles per day.
Housing units permitted in Estero during 2009 were slightly less than in 2008 and far lower than all other years in the last decade. The number of housing units permitted in Estero remained at rock bottom with 164 in 2009 compared to 2833 in 2005. The value of commercial building permits totaled about $9.8 million compared to nearly $185 million in 2006. Although new home construction statistics were low for 2009, the story for overall home sales was promising. Compared with 2008 sales data, there was a 23% increase in the number of home sales and a 20% increase in the number of condominium sales. However, the average price for homes fell by 27% and the average price for condominiums dropped 37%. Residents were optimistic about an improved economy in the next decade.
Alligator or Crocodile?
LOIS CHRISTENSEN
The difference between alligators and crocodiles is often easy to spot once you get the hang of it. Alligators are dark colored with a broad, rounded snout and are usually found in fresh water. Crocodiles are grayishgreen and prefer coastal, brackish and saltwater habitats. They have a narrow, tapered, triangular snout. Also, the fourth tooth on either side of the lower jaw of an alligator fits into an internal socket in the upper jaw so that these teeth are hidden when the mouth is closed. In a crocodile, the fourth tooth is always exposed. South Florida is the only place in the world where both alligators and crocodiles exist in the same habitats. The American alligator is listed as a threatened species and the American crocodile as endangered.
ALLIGATORS
Never mind that the official state animal is the panther: If there’s one iconic Florida critter it’s the alligator, not to be confused with crocodiles. These ancient beasts are found in every Florida county. In backyard ponds, in canals lining the streets and even in the streets themselves. (The I-75 corridor between Naples and Miami is aptly called Alligator Alley.)
The American alligator is one of the largest reptiles in North America. The name alligator comes from early Spanish explorers who called them “el legarto” or “big lizard”
ALLIGATOR AND CROCODILE
when they first saw these giant reptiles. Males rarely exceed 13 feet in length and can weigh well over 500 pounds. The Florida state record for length is a 14-foot 3½inch length male from Lake Washington in Brevard County, and the record for weight is a 1,043-pound male from Orange Lake in Alachua County. It’s estimated that 1.25 million alligators lie in Florida’s fresh waters and estuaries.
Female alligators lay from 35 to 60 eggs in a nest usually near isolated ponds in interior marsh habitats. They build the nest by
pulling marsh vegetation into a mound that may be several feet high and up to 10 feet across. They cover the eggs with vegetation from the nest. As the vegetation decays, it creates heat to incubate the eggs—the temperature of the nest determines the sex of the hatchlings with warmer temperatures favoring males. Young hatchlings begin snapping up insects soon after birth, and as they grow, they include crawfish, small fish, frogs and eventually add larger animals such as crabs, larger fish, frogs and small birds to their diet. An adult’s diet includes muskrats, nutrias, beavers, raccoons, large birds, and fish, snakes, turtles, and deer—basically anything that can’t eat them first.
time, they can be found in burrows that they construct adjacent to an alligator hole or open water, but they occasionally emerge to bask in the sun during periods of warm weather. Alligators in the wild can live up to 70 years; some in captivity may live even longer.
CROCODILES
Florida is the northernmost range for the crocodile. According to the Florida Wildlife Service, crocodiles exist in Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Sarasota, and St. Lucie counties. They live in brackish or saltwater areas and can be found in ponds, coves, and creeks in mangrove swamps.
The American crocodile has 30–40 teeth in its upper jaw and 28–32 in its lower jaw. When the mouth is closed, several upper and lower teeth are visible outside the mouth, the most prominent commonly being the fourth tooth from the front in the lower jaw. Usually solitary, the reptiles bask in the sun for most of the day and then enter the water during the evening to hunt. During the warmest months, many crocodiles dig burrows to hide from the day’s heat. Adults have a broad diet that ranges from insects and small invertebrates, such as crabs, to fish, turtles, frogs, birds, and mammals (including dogs). Attacks on people are rare, and they are often provoked. Young
Alligators are ectothermic (cold blooded). They regulate their body temperature by basking in the sun or moving to areas with warmer or cooler air or water temperatures. They are most active when temperatures are between 82° to 92° F. They stop feeding when the ambient temperature drops below approximately 70° F, and they become dormant below 55° F. Alligators are dormant throughout much of the winter. During this (continued on page 20)
AMERICAN ALLIGATOR
crocodiles prey on smaller items, such as small fish and crustaceans. Adults have no natural enemies other than people who hunt them. However, the eggs are eaten by raccoons, skunks, and other small mammals, and juveniles sometimes fall prey to large fish, feral cats, and even adult crocodiles. Adult male crocodiles are larger than females and can reach lengths of nearly 20 feet and may weigh close to 2,000 pounds. The average lifespan is about 45 years.
AMERICAN CROCODILE
American crocodiles are ecologically important as predators. They help the environment by controlling some overpopulated fish species that may cause an imbalance in the aquatic ecosystem. Unfortunately, the American crocodile and other large carnivores that live in coastal zones are at risk because rapid development causes a domino effect for future imbalances in the ecosystem. Humans are a crocodile’s main threat, having hunted them for their skin since the 1930s. Today, the occurrence of crocodile hunting has decreased due to their protected status,
Cook’s Corner
JUDY LIESKE
OLD FASHIONED FUDGE
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups sugar
4 tablespoons Hershey’s cocoa
1 stick of salted butter
5-ounce can of Carnation Evaporated Milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla
Nuts are optional
DIRECTIONS:
Mix sugar and cocoa in a saucepan. Add a stick of butter and the can of evaporated milk.
Stir until the mixture starts boiling. Then stir continuously for 7 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla.
Stir the mix continuously for 3 minutes. Pour into a buttered baking dish to set.
Great fudge in less than 20 minutes!
but habitat loss and the increasing human population are an on-going struggle for American crocodiles.
Notes: United Parks and Resorts, Seaworld. org, Britannica.com, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Save The Date
The VCC Annual Holiday Boutique is scheduled for Monday, November 3, 2025 in the Clubhouse dining room. This spectacular event, sponsored by the KnitWits, features a broad array of handmade items created by talented VCC crafters. The dining room is transformed into a holiday marketplace that is filled
NOV. 3
with a plethora of Christmas ornaments, home goods, personal accessories, and so much more. It is a wonderful place in which to buy items for holiday gifts or for yourself. Put this date on your calendar –you won’t want to miss it!
Estero Historical Society
The Estero Historical Society is gearing up for a Fall full of fun and informative events.
The Society’s Speaker Series starts with Tanda Hogg, Vice President at Tri-Town Construction and project manager for the relocation of the historic Alvarez/Smith House. She will walk attendees through the intricate process of moving the house and the careful rehabilitation that will preserve its historic charm for generations to come. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 13, 2025 at Villages of Country Creek, 21180 Country Creek Blvd., Estero, and includes a delicious continental breakfast. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for future members.
October’s Speaker is Melissa Mari, Professor and Complete Student Navigator at Florida Gulf Coast University, for a spellbinding talk on witches and witchcraft through the ages. From myth and folklore to historical fact, Melissa will explore the cultural, social, and even political forces that shaped these enduring legends. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. on October 18, 2025 at Villages of Country Creek, 21180 Country Creek Blvd., Estero, and includes a delicious continental breakfast. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for future members.
Future members are welcome to join online at https://esterohistoricalsociety. com/membership. All events require reservations, which can be made at https:// esterohistoricalsociety.com/events/
The Estero Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of our unique greater Estero area and depends on volunteers and donations for projects such as the relocation and restoration of the Alvarez/Smith Home.
For more information, visit esterohistoricalsociety.com.
Contact:
Estero Historical Society esterohistoricalsociety@gmail.com
About the Estero Historical Society:
The Estero Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of Estero, Florida. Through events, exhibits, and educational programs, the Society connects the community to its unique past.
Healthy Corner
Fall Wii Bowling
The 2025 Fall Wii Bowling will start October 19 on every Monday and will continue through Monday, November 17. Wii Bowling times are 5:00, 5:30, and 6:00. The sign-up sheets are in the Clubhouse Lobby. The cost is $2 per person per game.
Our summer bowling was very successful with many residents enjoying some great summer fun! There were several residents new to Wii Bowling that came to try their skills.
Join in the fun and stay for a delicious dinner special!
JUST FOR LAUGHS...
After a meeting several days ago, I couldn’t find my keys. I quickly gave myself a personal “TSA Pat Down.”
They weren’t in my pockets. Suddenly I realized I must have left them in the car. Frantically, I headed for the parking lot. My husband has scolded me many times for leaving my keys in the car’s ignition. He’s afraid that the car could be stolen. As I looked around the parking lot, I realized he was right. The parking lot was empty. I immediately called the police. I gave them my location, confessed that I had left my keys in the car, and that it had been stolen.
Then I made the most difficult call of all to my husband: “I left my keys in the car and it’s been stolen.”
There was a moment of silence. I thought the call had been disconnected, but then I heard his voice. “Are you kidding me?” he barked, “I dropped you off!”
Now it was my turn to be silent. Embarrassed, I said, “Well, can you come and get me?”
He retorted, “I will, as soon as I convince this cop that I didn’t steal your car!”
Welcome to the golden years. …
Village of Estero Corner
THE URBANIZATION OF GREATER ESTERO
Engage Estero releases its 6-monthly update of the commercial and residential developments taking place across Greater Estero. This comprehensive report is one of the most read documents Engage Estero Releases. It is sent to over 14,000 residents who have signed up on our website www.esterotoday.com to receive our communications, and the posted document on our website receives over 4,000 hits per month.
Population growth rates will continue, especially in East Corkscrew. Estero’s population is projected to grow by over 8,000 within the next 2-3 years, while East Corkscrew is expected to reach approximately 60,000 residents within a decade. The September Greater Estero Community Report (GECR) report’s introduction covers these trends.
In an earlier GECR report titled “Adapt or Perish,” we also made the point that municipalities must adapt what they
(continued on page 26)
offer to the public, much like companies do, because they operate in a competitive environment, even if their primary goal isn’t profit. Just like companies need customers, municipalities need residents and businesses to thrive.
Most people tend to become worried and uncomfortable when faced with change. Most prefer the status quo. But, if a city fails to evolve and offer good services, infrastructure, and quality of life, people and companies may leave or choose not to settle there. The result is economic stagnation or even decline, with a resulting drop in home values because people will be less inclined to make Estero their home.
In many ways, the fact that developers have a considerable interest and desire to build in Greater Estero is a positive sign, given the recent decline in property prices. The recent decision by Curadel Pharma, a start-up pharmaceutical company, to construct a 43,000-square-foot medical office and supporting infrastructure at 9600 Corkscrew Road is another positive outcome.
THE
SEPTEMBER 26 COMMUNITY & MEMBER MEETING YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS!
The location is 9285 Corkscrew Palms Blvd (inside the Estero Community Park), Estero, FL 33928, on Friday, September 26 at 10 a.m.
Mary Gibbs, the Community Development Director for the Village, will discuss the difficulties that the Village’s Planning, Zoning & Design Board (PZDB) has to face when balancing the demands of developers and, on occasion, their legal threats with those of the Village code and the residents’ concerns. She will also explain what some of the larger developments underway or about to start will look like.
In addition, Clerk Karnes, Lee County’s Clerk of the Court & Comptroller, will discuss the issue of Title fraud.
GUIDANCE FOR THOSE WHO ARE CARING FOR A LOVED ONE WITH DEMENTIA
Engage Estero recently provided a two-part article that was designed to help those who struggle to take care of a family member or friend with dementia. This situation is undoubtedly one of the most heartbreaking ones anyone can face. Dealing with a family member who has dementia—whether mild, moderate, or severe—can be incredibly challenging, both emotionally and practically. Dementia often affects memory, behavior, communication, and independence, and the progression varies from person to person.
Family members and caregivers often experience emotional stress, confusion, and frustration as they try to navigate
the situation. Most people facing these challenges are unsure about how to act or what steps to take in this demanding situation.
If you believe a friend or colleague could benefit from the 2-part article, which has been highly praised by several primary care doctors, the articles can be viewed on our website:
https://esterotoday.com/how-to-handle-afamily-member-with-dementia-part-1/ https://esterotoday.com/continuing-thejourney-through-dementia-care-part-2/
RIVER OAKS PRESERVE
A 10 acre Natural Habitat in the Center of Estero
Development and construction seem everywhere in Estero these days. But the Village of Estero has invested to keep a natural 10-acre preserve right in the center of our community.
It’s Tuesday morning and Florida Gulf Coast University students are arriving at River Oaks Preserve to earn required Service-Learning hours. They are greeted
by a volunteer who quickly puts them to work. Today, the ground is moist from a soaking rain, so students will be installing native plants in selected areas. They pull exotic weeds first, observe a planting demonstration, and then plant pineland heliotrope, Keys blackbead, limber caper, teabush, firebush and more.
River Oaks Preserve is located at the far end of East Broadway. It is located east of Tamiami Trail (Route 41) and east past Sandy Lane. After the Village of Estero purchased the 10-acre parcel in May 2022, it selected The Coccoloba Chapter of the statewide Florida Native Plant Society to manage it and an adjacent two-acre right-of-way. One goal of the project is to restore and maintain valuable native Florida habitat for the enjoyment of residents.
Additionally, a native plant nursery on site offers exciting new landscaping options for homeowners and community landscape committees. The parcel, which is bisected by the north branch of the Estero River, also allows for better stormwater management and helps to prevent flooding.
Over the past three years, the all-volunteer, nonprofit chapter has supervised the removal of invasive and exotic plants, established electrical service and a solarpowered irrigation system, set up retail and propagation nurseries, started a (continued on page 28)
long-term planting program to restore natural habitats, mapped gopher tortoise burrows, and secured nearly $27,000 in USDA government funding. Hundreds of volunteers made this happen. Many of those volunteers were university students.
Why is this important?
Had this parcel been paved over and developed, Estero residents, along with all the other native creatures here, would have lost a sliver of the real Florida habitat. This is especially true because so many of our developments use non-native plantings that do not support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife that once were abundant in south Florida. Natural areas are also essential for human beings. Spending time in them has been linked to a host of psychological and social benefits including improved cognition, better mental health, increased empathy, and cooperation. And who doesn’t need more of that!
So, what can you do?
Well, you can sit by and complain about overdevelopment, or you can make a difference. Get outside and discover the real Florida. The real Florida has mature pines and massive live oak trees populated with resurrection fern and air plants. The real Florida also has small trees, shrubs, and ground covers that provide nesting sites, berries, seeds, and nectar for birds, butterflies and other wildlife.
Why not make space in your own yard for a bit of real Florida? Bring pictures of your yard or common space to the nursery at River Oaks Preserve and talk to the volunteers. They will provide free landscaping assistance and help you select plants to create the look and features you want. They will also refer you to other native plant nurseries in our area for a wider selection of plants. While you are at it, encourage your HOA to set aside or create natural areas.
Better yet, join the group of volunteers at the Preserve. Or even better, bring your volunteer organization out for a workday in our amazing location. There is so much to do, and you will make lots of new friends.
What does the future hold for River Oaks Preserve?
The development of River Oaks Preserve is at an early stage. Although the site is currently home to gopher tortoises, eastern cottontail rabbits, squirrels, many bird species, and bobcats, it has the potential to bring in additional species as more native plants are installed. As the natural landscape and restoration areas mature, you will experience the amazing aromas of fiddlewood trees, sweet acacias, Simpson’s stoppers, snowberry, and little strongbacks. Come see an abundance of southwest Florida birds and butterflies delighting in the Jamaica caper tree and scarlet hibiscus blooms. Where can you go to see that?
As planning begins for classroom space and necessary storage sheds, equipment, and supplies, slip on over for a peek. Want to explore like Ponce de Leon? Teach a class? Brainstorm with other volunteers? Take your youth group on a field trip? All of this is possible.
Preserving this sliver of land benefits area residents and the environment. The Preserve is a priceless resource right in the center of Estero. Kudos to the Village of Estero leadership for preserving this pristine land and for engaging an all-volunteer organization like the Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society to manage it in the best way possible.
River Oaks Preserve is located at 9541 Broadway Ave E., that’s the east end of Broadway Avenue. It is open to the public on Sundays and Tuesdays from 9-1 or by appointment. The preserve is closed to the public other times. The Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society is a 501(c) (3) organization established in 2001. Their mission is to preserve, conserve, and restore native plants and native plant communities of Florida. Visit www.FNPSCoccoloba.org for more information.
At Engage Estero, we believe in the strength of the community. As a nonpartisan, nonpolitical nonprofit, we utilize evidence-based research to provide impartial facts and information about community issues that can improve your quality of life.
“Be Informed, Get Engaged, and Make an Impact!”
VCC Hours of Operation
Full Service will not be available on the Patio this summer. To place a food or drink order between the hours above, Wednesday – Saturday, please call (239) 947-4488, and we will gladly bring your order down to you!
Villager Staff
Editorial Staff: Lois Christensen, Susan D’Alessandro, Margaret Farmar, Jude Knisely, Judy Lieske
Contact/Submissions: VCCVillager@gmail.com
The Villager welcomes resident memoriams and article submissions describing Country Creek life. News of social and sporting activities are welcome, and accompanying photos are encouraged. The Villager does not publish articles with a religious or political theme or opinion pieces that demonstrate a particular bias.
Contacting
the
VCC Staff
Sharon Pisanchyn - gm@vccgolfclub.com
Sarah Goffar - om@vccgolfclub.com
Nichelle Siewertsen - (Interim) mrc@vccgolfclub.com
Rafael Bonilla - fbmanager@vccgolfclub.com
John Alfuth - johna@vccgolfclub.com
Kwazadine Britton - chef@vccgolfclub.com
Contacting the Master Board
vccmasterboard@vccgolfclub.com
