Stephen
Elizabeth
Sales
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
MICHAEL KUEHN
Just a quick reminder, school is in session. The students are back in school, and the buses are picking them up on the corners. Some of the students will actually sit on the pavement because it is dry and warm in the mornings. Be sure to check for them and not run over them. Slow down, obey the speed limits, and keep your eyes open, and you should do okay. September was a slow month. We had 15 traffic stops, 10 of which were at the stop signs and received warnings. The other five were for speeding and received warning. A deputy was flagged down on Whiskey Creek Drive by a resident of Tanglewood
with a question about something on Cumberland Court in Tanglewood.
After all, we do pay them to protect and serve, not just us, but everyone. A deputy was dispatched to answer a call that requested assistance. Another deputy investigated a hangup 911 call that proved to be accidental. As always, keep your outside lights on and overhead garage doors down. Lock all vehicles left in the driveway and remove all valuables and garage door openers from them.
The purpose of the Civic Association is to plan for the preservation of the neighborhood and to promote and enhance the general welfare, safety and civic spirit of the community! As of September 30, 27 percent of homes have joined as members of the Whiskey Creek Civic Association for the year 2024. Thank you to our newest members!
Dan and Kate Davis
Dominic and Morgan Engels
Brooke and Peter Fisher
Melissa and Jerry Hemmer
Marsha and Gary Green
Ronald and Martha Murabito
David and Karla Oliver
Tyler and Alyssa Sharpe
Andrew and Cristen Solon
Sharon C Sullivan
*Visit www.WhiskeyCreekNews. net to become a member today. If you have questions regarding your membership status, please email wccaacct@gmail.com.
2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Cole Peacock 462-5805
colepeacock@comcast.net
Vice President: Jim McCabe 313-1056
Secretary: Kyle DeCicco 810-3729
Treasurer: Melissa Metzger 851-1561
msmetzger1119@gmail.com
Treasurer: Wyler Gins 220-1036
Seth Hart
seth@boat-trailers.com
Jessica Nolan 462-6885
weathersnolan@gmail.com
Paul Copeland 464-8726 pcopeland@mcgriff.com
Deed Restrictions Chair
Seth Hartt seth@boat-trailers.com
Membership
Sally Gins 954-801-7914
Yard Committee Chair
Mark Franzer mfranzer@yahoo.com
WHISKEY CREEK NEWS
Editor Jan Kotcamp 482-7679 whiskeycreeknews@yahoo.com
WHISKEY CREEK CIVIC ASSOCIATION
WHISKEY CREEK SECURITY
The Lee County Sheriff’s Department 477-1000
WHISKEY CREEK MSTBU ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Robert E. Beville, Chairman Irrigation 454-1413
Peter J. Boldrin, Secretary Walls 275-0491
Roland T. Kotcamp, Lighting 482-7679
Fitzroy A. Alexander, Landscaping 433-1836
Articles for The Whiskey Creek News must be submitted to the editor by the fourth of the month.
Oversight
Smell 10. Egg-shaped 14. Extraterrestrial 15. No
Scarce
17. Looked amorously
18. Dross
19. Abbey area
20. It causes food poisoning
22. Swiped
23. Damp
24. Prickle
26. Shun
30. Bigot
32. Liquid
33. Sunrooms
37. Bother
38. Satisfies
39. Obscene term for feces
40. Groups of seven singers
Michael J. Kuehn, Sheriff Detail 454-6246
Josh Malo, MSTBU Coordinator 533-2308
42. Siberian antelope
43. Bay window
44. Cream-filled pastry
45. A group of concubines
47. Half of a pair
48. Indian dress
49. Nothing noteworthy
56. Millisecond
57. Prospector’s find
58. Josh
59. European volcano
BOB OXNARD, REALTOR
Last month we discussed a major change in the home-buying process: REALTORS® now must have a written agreement with buyers before showing homes. This is significant because 89% of buyers use an agent’s services. Brokers must clearly outline what they will do for their clients and what buyers are expected to pay if the efforts result in a closing.
Another momentous change on the horizon is Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is poised to play a huge role across the economy, and real estate is no exception. AI has already begun to streamline the home-buying process, with apps now recommending homes based on buyer preferences such as location, style, and budget. This helps narrow down options and saves buyers’ time. Additionally, AI helps agents forecast market trends using predictive analytics, analyzing historical data and
market conditions to give clients accurate insights on when to buy or sell.
However, while AI offers valuable data, real estate transactions involve complexities that require more than just technology. This is where an experienced Realtor becomes indispensable. Realtors provide personalized insights, considering nuances like a home’s condition, market timing, and emotional factors that AI cannot capture. For instance, while AI may suggest comparable homes, a Realtor can provide a local perspective on key factors such as school districts, neighborhood culture, and future development plans.
true for real estate professionals as well.
In fast-moving markets, having a Realtor provides access to off-market properties, insider knowledge, and connections to trusted professionals like inspectors and lenders. While AI can assist with data, the negotiation and decision-making process still benefits greatly from the human touch.
Though national trends and AI are shaping the future of real estate, when it comes to finding the right home, nothing beats local expertise. Whether navigating Whiskey Creek’s sought-after housing options or finding the perfect home in a neighborhood elsewhere, a knowledgeable and trustworthy Realtor remains a buyer’s greatest asset. The combination of a well-informed buyer or seller with the guidance of a skilled Realtor is the best formula for a successful real estate transaction.
If you have any questions or comments about this article or other real estate issues, please contact Bob Oxnard at whiskeycreeknews@yahoo.com. A chicken crossing
Realtors also help navigate the legal side of transactions, from contracts to negotiating terms, ensuring every step meets legal and regulatory requirements. A seasoned Realtor offers crucial insights on pricing strategies, helping sellers set competitive prices and guiding buyers in making strong offers. As an attorney friend quipped, her value is, “Not just for time spent, but for the knowledge gained through years of experience.” This holds
MARY LOU WILLIAMS, M. ED.
In last month’s article we discussed the hypothesis that the obesity epidemic in this country might be due to the energy-dense, nutrientpoor diets that leave the consumer deficient in key micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and constantly hungry because of this lack of key nutrients. The hunger may be a biological strategy for obtaining missing nutrients.
One of the most energy-dense and nutrient-poor of all foods is sugar. Sugar is pervasive in the American diet. Because sugar activates the same areas in the brain that drugs of abuse do, researchers hypothesized that sugar can cause dependency (that is, addiction) just as these drugs do. To prove this hypothesis, researchers set out to show that sugar follows the same pattern of dependency that other addictive substances do.
That is, it followed the two stages of dependency. The first stage is expressed when animals escalate their intake of a substance and show underlying neurochemical changes that indicate sensitization or tolerance. The second stage is the emergence of withdrawal symptoms, both behavioral and neurochemical.
In a study published in Neuroreport on Nov. 16, 2001, designed to induce sugar dependency in rats, Colantuoni and other researchers deprived adult rats of food for 12 hours daily, then gave them access to chow with 25 percent glucose (sugar) for the next 12 hours for a period of one to four weeks. Their glucose intake doubled in 10 days, and they learned to drink large amounts of glucose in the first
ELLIE NEAL
WEATHER
Nithgginl Woonsstrm
Anir
Doonrat
hour of daily access. There were underlying neurochemical changes that indicated tolerance, as well.
After a month on this schedule, dopamine and opioid receptors were altered in several regions of the brain, including significantly increased binding in the nucleus accumbens. Thus, intermittent, excessive sugar intake sensitized dopamine and opioid receptors in the brain much like some drugs of abuse.
It is interesting to note that dependency was accelerated by first depriving the rats of food. Although rats will gradually escalate their intake of glucose regardless of whether it is given continuously or after food deprivation, deprivation promotes binge eating when food does become available. This might be because food deprivation itself alters the neurochemistry of the brain. It causes the release of opioids.
Etesl Obnriaw Ncrueirha Ccoyeln
Duhnret
Dcolyu
Liha
Wson
In another study published in Obesity Research in 2002, Colantuoni and other researchers sought to prove that sugar can cause addiction by showing it can cause both behavioral and neurochemical withdrawal symptoms. Spontaneous withdrawal caused by a 24-hour fast led to behavioral withdrawal symptoms in the form of teeth chatter, tremor and shakes.
The neurochemical changes that accompanied withdrawal from sugar were a rise in acetylcholine and a decline in dopamine. This dopamine/acetylcholine imbalance is characteristic of withdrawal from morphine and withdrawal from nicotine. This suggests that withdrawal from sugar shares features with withdrawal from morphine and nicotine, and in this respect, they all have a common basis: dependence on naturally activated endogenous opioids.
The authors go on to say that highly caloric foods and addictive drugs bear many interesting similarities. For example, food restriction triggers the reinforcing effect of both food and drugs (cocaine, alcohol or opiates). The authors also say, “The behavioral paradigm used in this study shares some aspects with a pattern of ingestive behavior self-imposed by people diagnosed with binge-eating disorder or bulimia nervosa. [They] often restrict intake early in the day and then binge later in the afternoon or evening.”
The behavioral and neurochemical patterns displayed in this study also provide scientific evidence that diets don’t work. After all, what is dieting but food restriction, and like the food restricted rats in this study, dieting leads to bingeing, food addiction and weight gain.
What is the alternative? Changing from an energydense, nutrient-poor processed food diet to a diet of fresh, natural unprocessed food.
The Craftie Ladies of St. John XXIII Catholic Church are once again having their Fall Craft Fair.
If you’ve been to one of our craft fairs before, you know we have a large variety of top quality, homemade items for sale. In addition to our well-known, exquisite quilts, afghans and handknit and crocheted items, there will be pillows, table runners, placemats/napkins, handmade rosaries, jewelry, mother/daughter aprons, tooth fairy pillows, novel baby items, lots of lovely holiday décor, including our fabulous wreaths, and so much more!
Some of our always fabulous raffle baskets include BBQ, Evening in Paris, Chocolate, Cat, Dog, and Layette baskets, plus more made by our wonderfully talented women. The drawing for each basket will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10. You don’t have to be present to win!
Come and join us on:
Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 10 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Craftie Ladies came together 15 years ago. The group has grown to nearly 40 talented and dedicated women. All proceeds go directly back into the community. Just a few causes we donate to:
A.C.T.
Blankets And Blessings
Eva’s Closet
St. John XXIII Villas
St. Martin De Porres
We hope to see you at our Fall Craft Fair at St. John XXIII Catholic Church Parish Life Center, located on Palomino Lane, just north of Daniels Parkway. Stop by, have a chat and maybe get some early shopping done.
MARY LOU WILLIAMS
The Tamiami Tale Tellers will present “Stories By Heart” at Tellabration 2024, a celebration of the art of storytelling for adults, teens and school age children. The Tamiami Tale Tellers, a local storytelling guild and member of the Florida Storytelling Association, has presented Tellabration locally for 30+ years. This year it will be held on Saturday, November 23, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Peace Community Church, 17671 Pine Ridge Road, Fort Myers Beach, 33931. Admission is free and open to the public, but donations will be accepted to support the use of the venue.
Tellabration is an annual event held the weekend prior to Thanksgiving in communities across the USA and in many other countries around the world. Our performance will feature eight storytellers who will perform a variety of stories, some funny, some poignant. Lisa Leonhardt will be our emcee and also a teller. The other tellers will be Mary Lou Williams, Joel Ying, Pamela Minton, Lynn Jaffe, Janice Beever, Mary Charles and Marilyn Graham.
Tellabration is the result of a dream of J. G. Pinkerton, who envisioned an international festival as a means of building community support for storytelling and of providing storytellers with a way of sharing their love of the art form with the community. The first event was launched in1988 by the Connecticut Storytelling Center. By 1997 there were Tellabration events on every continent except Antarctica. The tradition continues to the present day.
Storytelling is not reading aloud, but making the story come alive for the listener through verbal
imagery, vocal variety and all the tools of the actor’s trade.
The Tamiami Tale Tellers, an informal group of tale spinners, hold monthly meetings on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at All Faiths Church on McGregor Boulevard. The meetings are free and the public is welcome. Call (239) 849-7666 for more information.
1205 Westfield is an attractive estate adorned with landscaping treasures and techniques affectionately passed on from grandmother to granddaughter. Elisabeth Drake and her husband, Dyer having been previous owners within Whiskey Creek (condo) acclimated to the wonders of safety, neighbors, and locale. It wasn’t much effort to deepen their roots when acquiring their home from Dyer’s parents. Much appreciation needs to be called out to Mark Sanders for the effort on his part in creating such an attractive home for the Drakes! Coupled with getting to know the Drakes through this interview were boundless antics of their adorable Lhasa Apso named Ruby Belle by their college-bound daughter Emily.
If you have family or friends that you’d like to share details of our beloved Whiskey Creek community (or show off your hard-earned recognition!), the web page for their review is http://www.whiskeycreeknews.net. Also, please check out Whiskey Creek’s very own private Facebook page for additional community information, involvement, and market areas! You’ll need to request membership to gain access! https://www.facebook.com/ groups/1430022127286192
For those who would like to nominate other homes in our lovely Whiskey Creek, please send your nominations to WC.yardofthemonth@ yahoo.com.
WHISKEY CREEK COUNTRY CLUB IS CELEBRATING ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR!
Stop in Whiskey Creek Country Club and say “Hi” to our new clubhouse manager, Joe! Be sure to stay and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by Chef JTee. Enjoy a day with friends/neighbors … play a round of golf and then finish with a cold, refreshing drink at the bar! Many days there are lunch specials to choose from. The only day that the kitchen is closed is on Monday, but the bar menu is available.
Dinner is served on Tuesday and Friday 5 to 8 p.m.
There is a planned entrée for Tuesday night dinner … call for details. The bar is open daily until the club is closed where you can meet with friends, family and
neighbors for that refreshing beverage!
Stop in and see the many new items in the Whiskey Creek Pro Shop … including the Whiskey Creek Country Club 50th Anniversary shirts and hats! There are gift certificates available just in case you don’t see what you want to purchase.
Pick up a brochure at the counter and see the many golf and social memberships that Whiskey Creek has to offer.
There are many card games and Mah Jongg games being played year-round.
Contact the club for more details at (239) 481-3021.
LENA PRYOR
The October meeting of the Whiskey Creek Ladies’ Club (WCLC) was held at the Whiskey Creek Country Club. The tables were decorated by Cathy Trent in Halloween decor. Guests were greeted by Lona Leugers.
President Mo Poirier opened the meeting with a welcome. Twentyseven members were present. She requested special thoughts for members who are ill or who have passed. Ellie Neal read the inspirational message, “Beautiful Assets.” The treasurer’s report was read. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved by Betsi Bastian and Rosalie Merola. A 50/50 was conducted by Sue Lynch.
President Poirier announced that the Board made donations to six charities located in Lee County. In February, a Nominating Committee will be formed to prepare a slate of officers to present at the March meeting and then hold elections in April. Anyone interested in serving on this committee, should contact the president. She also announced that, in the future, while the cost of lunch remains the same, tax and tip will be an additional cost. The president also discussed not having the regular Christmas Ornament Exchange this December.
Pam Lucas reported that the book club’s next selection is, The Women by Kristin Hannah. The WCLC Book Club meets the third Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. The next book club meeting is Oct. 17. There is a book discussion and lunch. New members are encouraged to attend.
The club welcomed The Cypress Lakes High School ROTC Robotics Team. The team consisted of four enthusiastic young women who, in response to a national challenge, problem solve and develop robots to meet that challenge. The team demonstrated their latest robot and drone. They have
successfully competed in numerous competitions. The team, while finding the challenges as fun and intellectually stimulating, view the activity as a springboard to future career development.
Next month’s meeting is Nov. 7. The program is THRIVE (lifeline family center). Lunch is a turkey dinner and pumpkin pie or Cobb salad and pie.
President Poirier announced that responses to next month’s attendance is due Wednesday, one week prior to the meeting. We encourage you to make your meal selection for the following month when you sign up for the meeting. If you need to cancel, please notify Linda Jones or the club at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Otherwise, you will be responsible for the cost of your meal.
The Whiskey Creek Ladies’ Club is a social and service organization. Membership is open to all women in Lee County. We meet on the first Thursday of each month at the Whiskey Creek Country Club at 11:30 a.m. Meetings are from October to May. An interesting and informative program is presented each month. New members and guests are always welcome. For information contact Linda Jones at wcladiesclub@aol.com or call (678) 744-5461.
INGREDIENTS
1 bag cranberries
½ cup walnuts or pecans
2 stalks celery
2 ½ cups water
2 apples
2 (3-ounce) packages strawberry Jello
2 oranges with peels
½ cup sugar
DIRECTIONS
Process cranberries, celery, apples, oranges and nuts into small pieces. Place in a large bowl. Boil water and add Jello and sugar. Mix until dissolved. Pour Jello mixture over processed fruit and nuts. Stir to combine. Pour into a serving bowl, cover and refrigerate until set. Can be made several days before serving.
2 (10-ounce) packages frozen chopped
broccoli, cooked and drained
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup Pepperidge Farm prepared stuffing mix, crushed
½ cup mayonnaise
1 egg, slightly beaten
¼ cup melted butter
DIRECTIONS
Combine broccoli, soup, mayonnaise, egg, onion and cheese in a large bowl and pour into a casserole dish. In a separate bowl combine crushed stuffing mix and butter to make topping. Sprinkle over broccoli mixture. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.
15290 BASS ROAD
FORT MYERS, FL 33919
TELEPHONE: (239) 533-4000
CHILDREN
Baby Rhyme Time Monday, 10 to 10:30 a.m., Nov. 4
Toddler Tales Monday, 11 to 11:30 a.m., Nov. 4
Family Storytime Wednesday, 10 to 10:30 a.m., Nov. 6 and 13
Preschool Storytime Wednesday, 11 to 11:30 a.m., Nov. 6 and 13
Preschool Sesame Playdate Thursday, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Nov. 14
Kids Read Down Fines Saturday, 2 p.m., Nov. 2
Family Game Time Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Nov. 2
ADULTS
English Café Monday, 6 p.m., Nov. 4 CALL
LIZ PAUL
The Continental Women’s Club will hold its monthly luncheon meeting on Thursday, December 12 at 11:30 a.m. at The Hideaway Country Club. Our December program will feature Holiday Tunes from TAG – The A Cappella Group – the award-winning vocal group from Cypress Lake High School, Center for the Arts. Please join us to listen to this amazing group of young people provide an entertaining start to the holiday season.
Continental Women’s Club is a social, cultural, and philanthropic organization established in 1975, and membership is open to women living in Lee County. We have many special events and interest groups within our club that you can participate in for social and educational purposes throughout the month and the year. In addition, we contribute to many local charities and award two scholarships each year to senior high school girls who plan on furthering their education.
Meetings are usually held on the first Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at The Hideaway Country Club, 5670 Trailwinds Drive, Fort Myers 33907. The cost to attend the luncheon is $26. Reservation deadline for December 12 is Tuesday, December 3. Please call Liz Paul at (239) 691-7561 for meal selection and to make a reservation.
MARK L. FRANZER
The amazing common grackle is long-lived, reaching upwards of 24 years, and is extremely resourceful. In a more agricultural setting, the communal bird, sometimes flocks can be numbered in the millions, is the number one threat to corn! They eat ripening corn and corn sprouts and their big flock foragings can decimate crops. They are also resourceful foragers, sometimes following agricultural “plows” to catch invertebrates and mice, wade into water for small fish, raid nests, and even kill (and eat) adult birds. Their unique adaptation of their
upper mandible allows them to saw open acorns. Definitely a nondiscriminating pallet!
You might see a common grackle with wings spread, letting ants crawl into its feathers. This practice, called “anting,” allows the ants to secrete formic acid (the chemical that stings) to help aid in ridding the bird of parasites. In addition to the ants, grackles have been noted using walnut juice, lemons, and limes in a similar fashion.
Common grackles are familiar inhabitants of wet, open woodland and marshes as well as in suburbs, parks, and agricultural fields. A good
way to find them is to scan large flocks of blackbirds and starlings. The tallest, longest-tailed blackbirds you see will most likely be common grackles. Sweet Dreams are made of Cheese …
Who am I to Dis A Brie?
What is the longest word in the dictionary?
SMILES because there’s a mile between the two s’s!
Holiday Golf Cart Parade: Saturday, December 21st