(WCCA) Board has several new members, and we wanted to introduce ourselves to the community. Over the next few months, you will have an opportunity to meet your new board members and learn about some of the exciting improvements we hope to bring to the neighborhood. My name is Amy Pappas. My family and I moved from Maryland to Fort Myers in 2017, and we are so glad to have landed in Whiskey Creek! We love the family-friendly feel of this community, and it is a joy to raise our two children (now ages 9 and 12) here. We love our neighbors, the convenient location, and all the fun events Whiskey Creek has to offer. You can usually find me in front of our house on Montilla Drive chatting with neighbors, walking our goldendoodle Boomer, or trying to keep up with
Yard Of The Month
By Mark Franzer
Residing at 1443 Claret Court is a well engrained staple to our Whiskey Creek community of a long-term golf professional and dedicated Dunbar teacher (of 42 years I might add). Twentynine years of planting roots were precipitated by Gayle Baisch’s sister and brother-in-law as Steve Baisch enjoyed sharing the memory of bringing their two sons on the annual Whiskey Creek Trick or Treat candy quest. Steve doesn’t reflect deeply upon his Philadelphia tenure especially when referring to his fourth-generation Floridian spouse and greatly relates to their affection of their wonderful friendly neighbors that, in essence, expands their sense of “home.” And home is where you’ll find another wonderful couple toiling to create a wonderful appeal to our beloved community worthy of our collective recognition. Stop by and meet a couple that if she can’t “teach” you something interesting about their home, certainly an example of a tweaked golf swing will ensue! If you have family or friends with whom 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.
a bunch of kids on scooters and go-carts. We don’t miss those northern winters one bit!
I joined the WCCA Board in October 2023 because I wanted to offer my time and ideas to help our neighborhood continue to be one of the best in Fort Myers. Did you come out to the Fall Festival this year, or participate in the Christmas golf cart parade? These have become amazing neighborhood events that bring the community together, and they continue to grow and improve every year. Last month we hosted the first annual Chili Cook-Off. These events embody the spirit of Whiskey Creek!
We continue to rely on your voluntary membership to the WCCA to host these community events and improve Whiskey Creek for all residents. Your membership dollars are vital to the health of our community! I am excited about the upcoming project to enhance our medians and landscaping and improve the neighborhood entrances. I would like to encourage all Whiskey Creek residents to renew your Civic Association memberships or become members this month. Please see the newsletter insert for full details or visit www. whiskeycreeknews.net. The board holds monthly meetings
1443 Claret Court
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! Go to https://www. facebook.com/groups/1430022127286192. For those that would like to nominate other homes in our lovely Whiskey Creek, please send your nominations to WC.yardofthemonth@ yahoo.com.
at the Whiskey Creek Country Club from September through May on the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. These meetings are open to all residents, and we would love to see you there! The website also contains minutes from previous board meetings and information about deed restrictions, upcoming events and more.
It is an honor to serve this community, and I look forward to meeting you in person. Let’s hear it for Whiskey
By Michael Kuehn
There have been reports of front doors in the 1400 block of Whiskey Creek Drive being banged on and there being no one there when the owner goes to the door. It was also reported that a white pickup truck was seen driving away at these times. My advice is to not open the door unless you are absolutely positive that it is safe, and to call the sheriff if needed. A Ring doorbell or similar device may help if these problems persist. We had a calm January which I think can be attributed to the cool damp weather. As you read this month’s incidents I hope you realize that we are starting to use the deputies as a resource.
This month we had 12 traffic stops that were given warnings. We also had three other traffic stops that the deputy judged serious enough to be given citations. The deputy was stopped and questioned about a refrigerator left at the curb for pickup with the doors intact. The deputy contacted the owner and educated him about the laws and the situation was corrected. A homeowner on Sautern flagged the deputy down and requested information on the speed limit on Sautern. A suspicious vehicle was called in at
Creek!
Your neighbor, Amy Pappas, WCCA Board Member
Crossword Puzzle
45. A type of writing tablet 47. Blip 48. Norse god 49. Multiplicative inverse 56. Dispatch
False god 58. Love intensely 59. Longitudinal ship beam 60. Captain of the Nautilus
Agile
Pesky
Word Scramble
By Ellie Neal
Tuailarsa
Ltyai Asinp Raeok
Sudoku Puzzle
42. Female singing
44. Tear
45. Rams and ewes
46. Hermit
47. Plane driver
48. Sounds of disapproval
50. Biblical garden
51. Deep sleep
52. Scent
53. 128 cubic feet
54. Rear end
55. Lascivious look
Crossword Solution on page 7
Hawk Winery & Restaurant 13671 Olympic Ct., Fort Myers, Fl 33912 for a discussion of Florida Residency Basics that new residents should know and understand
If you would like to attend, Call (239) 344-7575 or email Marketing Coordinator, Tara Lowman at tara.lowman@lwm-llc.com and we will reserve your spot. Seating is limited.
Sudoku Puzzle Solution on page 6
Dear friend,
“I Just Don’t Believe That…”
When I meet people in town, they usually say, “Oh, yeah, I know you, you’re that doctor with the beard on TV.” Well, perhaps I should tell you a little more about myself, the picture from television and why I use it in my ads.
Let’s start with me, the guy with the beard. Ten years ago I was living here in Florida. At that time my mother was down visiting from New Jersey for the season when she showed up in my clinic with a frozen shoulder. She was desperate and in pain having lost practically all use of her dominant arm. She could hardly fix her hair, reach for a coffee cup or even fasten her brassiere. Basic hygiene had become extremely difficult for her. She was afraid, because the two orthopedic surgeons that she had consulted told her, “Your only option is to have your shoulder replaced.” I remember saying to my mother, “I just don’t believe that.”
Now at that time I was a chiropractor who worked primarily on the spine. Frankly… I didn’t know how I was going to help her. I just knew there was a nonsurgical solution out there and I was going to find it.
And boy did I find it! I found the answer to my mother’s shoulder problem and much, much more. And where did I find it? Of all places, I found it at the birthplace of Elvis Presley, Tupelo, Mississippi. Immediately I hopped on a plane and flew into Memphis, rented a car and drove out to a chiropractic neurologist who was willing to teach me how to fix my mother’s frozen shoulder. I spent three days in his clinic shadowing him, learning a new technique I had never even heard about before. Eager to help my mother, I developed this new skill set quickly. When I returned to Florida I wanted to be able to immediately fix my mother’s shoulder.
And that’s exactly what happened. After I performed the first Non-Surgical Operation on her shoulder, her pain went away significantly and she recovered to nearly full range of motion. She was so happy that she avoided surgery and got her life back.
It’s strange how life is, because that same doctor who showed me how to fix my mother’s shoulder opened up his treasure chest of knowledge and showed me how to help people with chronic knee, neck, low back pain and those suffering with neuropathy in their hands and feet, all without the use of Drugs, Surgery or Injections.
I spent the next several months flying back and forth to Mississippi learning all that I could.
Many years later we now have over one thousand successful patient testimonials. Many of them were told by their doctors that their only option was to have their knee or shoulder replaced or to take toxic drugs for the rest of their lives to mask their neuropathy symptoms.
Al was one of those patients who was told he had ‘bone on bone’ degeneration. His knee stopped unlocking properly, similar to what I’m describing in the photo, and he was facing knee replacement surgery. He was suffering from chronic degenerative knee pain, couldn’t walk properly and was easily holding onto 60 pounds of excess body weight. His doctors would have eagerly scheduled him for a knee replacement surgery had he decided to go in that direction.
Immediately after the Non-Surgical Operation I performed on Al’s knee, he was squatting and walking up and down the stairs normally without pain.
Al is now in his early 70s touring Alaska in his RV. He has dropped over 60 pounds and is biking 15 - 20 miles per day and loving life. He regularly sends me great pictures from his adventures.
Joyce was told by her oncologist, “There’s nothing that can be done.” She would have to live with the chemo-induced neuropathy in her hands and feet. Hot and cold were indistinguishable and the numbness and tingling made it impossible for her to walk any distance.
Joyce was a cancer survivor only to have come out on the other side with another debilitating condition. She and her husband showed up in my clinic and told me what their medical doctor had said. I told her the same thing I told my mother, “I just don’t believe that.”
After a thorough neurological examination and report of findings she trusted me enough to follow my protocols. Within two weeks her numbness and tingling in her feet subsided and the feeling was coming back.. After 12 weeks she was feeling the sand between her toes as she walked along the beach again. At her one year checkup Joyce’s sensory loss had improved over 80% overall to within the normal range… She is all smiles these days!
You should know that I don’t heal anyone of anything. What I do is perform a specific non-surgical operation that resets the communication between the brain and knee or shoulder, instantly decreasing pain and inflammation, increasing strength and flexibility and helping with tissue healing. For our neuropathy patients we have a 4 step, proven approach that heals your nerves and reverses your symptoms. We get tremendous results. It’s as simple as that!We get tremendous results. It’s as simple as that!
Today in the United States medical doctors are prescribing more drugs than ever before. These drugs are designed to cover up symptoms as your condition gets worse underneath the surface. The toxicity from the daily use of these chemicals ultimately leads to nasty side-effects and more drugs to treat the new symptoms. The current “healthcare” system was built to maintain your condition, not fix it. It’s a brilliant business model for the pharmaceutical industry and the hospitals, but a horrible strategy to follow if one is looking to age gracefully.
That’s where my practice comes in. I have found a way so that more people are able to afford the treatment they need, even those on a fixed income with or without health insurance coverage. One Non-Surgical Operation in my clinic could cost what you’d pay for just the deductible of a joint replacement surgery.
You Benefit from a Unique Offer…When you bring in this article, you will receive a FREE CONSULTATION with me to determine whether you are a good candidate for our Non-Surgical Knee or Shoulder Operation. If you’re being seen for Neuropathy we will take a thermal image of your feet at no charge to you. This will give me enough information to know whether I can help you. Once we determine you’re a good candidate and you feel comfortable in my clinic the complete examination is only $197. That’s it, for the entire neurological examination & report of findings. This examination & report could cost you over $500 elsewhere. But, please
call right away because this offer expires on March 31, 2024, and I don’t want you to miss out. By the way, further care is very affordable and you’ll be happy to know that the non-surgical, drug free therapies and procedures performed in my clinic can cost as little as $300 per month. You see, I’m not trying to seduce you to come see me with this low start up fee, then to only make it up with high fees after that. Further care is very important to consider when making your choice of doctor because higher costs can add up very quickly.
“You shouldn’t be forced to choose drugs and surgery just because that’s the only treatment medicare and your insurance company will cover.”
You should know a little about my qualifications. That’s important so that there’s no misunderstanding about the quality of care. I’m the bestselling author of Breaking The Cycle - how to take control of your life when traditional medicine has failed. An amazon #1 new release in three categories. I’m a graduate of Life University School of Chiropractic practicing since 1998. I am a licensed chiropractic physician certified in functional neurology. I’ve been entrusted to take care of avid morning walkers, pro-athletes and business tycoons you may have heard of.
My office is called Active Health Brain & Body and it is located at 6710 Winkler Road, Suite #1. It’s the gray Key West-style building at the corner of Cypress Lake Drive and Winkler Road behind the Bank of America. The phone number is 239-482-8686. Please call my wonderful assistants Megan or Silvia today to make an appointment.
I wish you the Very Best in Health and Life!
Dr. Rob Davis, DC
P.S. When accompanied by the first, I am also offering the second family member this same examination for only $97.
P.P.S. Your time is as valuable to you as mine is to me. That’s why I have a “no wait” policy. It is highly unusual to wait more than a few minutes in my office.
on my TV program telling his story of how he avoided a total knee replacement surgery.
My mother and I featured in a local publication for nonsurgical shoulder solutions.
Joyce is all smiles at her one year checkup. No more neuropathy!
Real Estate Round-Up
By Bob Oxnard, REALTOR®
What Is The Real Value Of My Home?
The short answer is that your home is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. The real question is what is it worth to you?
As a Realtor, I see buyers who are willing to pay more for a home than it is “worth,” and sellers who are willing to take less than a home is worth for a wide variety of reasons. Real estate is not mobile. When you buy a home, you are buying the land upon which the home sits. This is why the first three rules in buying real estate are:
1. Location, 2. Location, and 3. Location.
Continental Women’s Club
The Continental Women’s Club will hold its monthly luncheon meeting on Thursday, April 4 at 11:30 a.m. at The Hideaway Country Club.
Our April program will feature Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno. Sheriff Marceno will speak about how we can take safety measures to protect ourselves daily. He will also tell us about some of the initiatives that are in place to keep our community safe. We are looking forward to a very interesting, informative program. We welcome you to join us.
Continental Women’s Club is a social, cultural and philanthropic organization established in 1975, with membership 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 year. Meetings are 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 $25. Reservation deadline for April 4 is Tuesday, March 26. Please call Liz Paul at (239) 691-7561 for additional information, meal selection and to make a reservation.
Security Report from page 1
the clubhouse and the deputy was able to locate the owner and have the vehicle removed. In the same shift the deputy assisted the paramedics with a medical issue and was later dispatched to assist in a court ordered eviction. The deputy supported a probation officer with a probation check. The deputy performed a wellness check and was then dispatched to take a report from a resident about being scammed. While on a late shift he was requested to back up a West District car with a traffic stop. Finally, a resident flagged down the deputy and requested help with his vehicle. 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.
Really?
I love you from my head tomatoes!
For Lexophiles
We’ll never run out of math teachers because they always multiply!
Dog Sitting and Walking by Amy
Whiskey Creek resident with a deep love of dogs and years of experience.
* Daily visits, feeding, playtime and walking
* Experience with large and small breeds of all ages
There are many ways to determine the value of a home. You can get an estimate of the approximate value online. These can be quite accurate but are occasionally off the mark. They provide an estimate of the value of nearly every home in the country. They obviously use advanced algorithms to crunch numbers. How easy is it to access this information? Easy-peasy. Simply type in the home’s address in your browser and you will get an estimate from several home valuation sites.
It is important to consider the condition and upgrades the home may have. One way to get this information is to request a home valuation from a local Realtor. Although some real estate agents may charge for this, the majority are happy to provide their CMA (Comparable Market Analysis) free of charge. Most would also be willing to share tips for increasing the value of your home with cost-effective ideas for improvement. A little elbow grease and paint can do wonders to increase the appeal and therefore what someone may be willing to pay. Reducing clutter in and around your home and increasing the curb appeal with a little mulch and landscaping are also easy decisions.
Timing your sale to take advantage of increased buyer activity can help increase a home’s value. You are reading this in March. In this part of the country, March is the peak of our market. Snowbirds are here and wanting to own their own slice of paradise, but even the locals are more active when the weather is good. This is Chamber of Commerce weather we are enjoying. I once heard a Realtor tell his customer that March can be a tough time to buy a home. Why? Because they all look good!
Getting an appraisal can sometimes be the most accurate way to determine value. Lenders usually require an appraisal to make sure they are not lending more than a home is worth. The appraiser is a third-party entity that is not permitted to favor a lender, buyer or seller. Appraisers are hired by the
lender who goes through a blind selection process. Appraisers must charge for their valuation and the buyer then pays for the cost of the appraisal as part of their financing closing costs. An appraisal is a legal document that provides a valuation as of a certain date. This can be important in the case of a death, divorce or inheritance. Appraisals can also value the replacement cost of a home for insurance purposes or business partnerships.
The Supreme Court rendered a decision (U.S. vs. Cartwright) that “fair market value” is the price at which a property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller with neither being under any compulsion to buy or sell and both having reasonable knowledgeable about relevant facts. This “willing buyer, willing seller” principle can be distorted by pressure on either side. Sometimes a seller has the good fortune to find a buyer that simply must have that home. In that case, they can negotiate harder and still get a deal. Likewise, a buyer may have little pressure to buy and is only willing to deal if they get a bargain.
So, what is the real value of your home? How badly do you want to sell it? How badly does a buyer want it? How much does it mean to you? I know a retiring businessperson who saw the perfect house in the perfect neighborhood. However, it was not on the market. He instructed his Realtor to approach the owner to find out what it would take to buy that home. Did the buyer pay too much? Perhaps. But I think both buyer and seller ended up happy.
Whiskey Creek is a good example of a neighborhood where a similar home is worth more than it would be in a less desirable neighborhood. We get to live here. How do you put a value on that?
If you have any questions or comments about real estate, please contact Bob Oxnard at whiskeycreeknews@yahoo.com.
Whiskey Creek Ladies’ Club
By Lena Pryor
The February meeting of the Whiskey Creek Ladies’ Club (WCLC) was held at the Whiskey Creek Country Club. The room was decorated by Cathy Trent in a Valentine’s Day theme. Guests were greeted by Lona Lugers and Susan Thompson. President Mo Poirier opened the meeting with a flag salute and a welcome. Thirty-six members and four guests were present. President Poirier requested special thoughts for members who are ill. Cathy Trent read the inspirational message, “Principles for a Happy Life.” The treasurer’s report was read and approved. The minutes were read and approved. A 50/50 was conducted by Sue Lynch.
Pam Lucas reported that the book club’s next selection is Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Beth Netch will lead the discussion. The WCLC Book Club meets the third Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. The next meeting is Feb. 15. There is a book discussion and lunch. New members are welcome.
The guest speaker was Whiskey Creek resident, Mark Franzer. He dazzled the group with a slide presentation of the amazing wildlife photographs he has taken in the Whiskey Creek community. He introduced members to the beauty of the species residing side by side with us, while offering much information about each subject. Members and residents are urged to view his photographs on Facebook by joining the Whiskey Creek and Tanglewood Wildlife & Specialties group. President Poirier announced that responses to new month’s attendance is due Wednesday, one week prior to the meeting. We encourage you to make your meal selection
Whiskey Creek Civic Association
2023 Board of Directors
President Cole Peacock
462-5805
colepeacock@comcast.net
Vice President Jim McCabe 313-1056
Secretary Kyle DeCicco 810-3729
Treasurer Karen Tice 936-1475 Wyler Gins 220-1036
Seth Hartt seth@boat-trailers.com
Jessica Nolan 462-6885 weathersnolan@gmail.com
Paul Copeland 464-8726 pcopeland@mcgriff.com
Melissa Metzger 851-1561 msmetzger1119@gmail.com
* Please call or text for rates Call or text: 704-502-7100
for the following month when you sign in at 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.
Next month’s meeting, March 7, will offer a luncheon of vegetable soup, corned beef and cabbage, vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce or soup, Oriental salad and dessert.
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.
The Last Three Habits Of Successful Losers
By Mary Lou Williams, M. Ed.
The three previous articles in this series discussed the first seven habits of successful losers. These were: eating consciously, eating at regular intervals, not eating between meals, having variety in meals throughout the week but not at any one meal, having meals that are delicious, eating slowly, and eating early in the day finishing dinner by 7 p.m.
The Eighth Habit
The eighth habit of successful losers is so obvious that is would seem to go without saying: successful losers do not overeat. This is not a matter of will power. It is something that must be learned. It is a matter of learned habits. Habits 1 through 7 will prevent overeating. Signals of satiation occur that tell you when you’ve had enough. If eating consciously, you will become aware of these signals: feelings of warmth; feelings of fullness; loss of intensity of taste and flavor; feelings of discomfort after a meal if overeating has occurred.
Eating at regular intervals prevents excessive hunger, which leads to overeating. Not eating between meals prevents eating when not hungry, which is, by definition, overeating. Having variety in meals throughout the week prevents feelings of deprivation, which leads to overeating. Having little variety at any one meal prevents over stimulation of the taste buds, which leads to overeating.
Having meals that are delicious leads to a sense of satisfaction, which prevents overeating. We do not continue eating after we are full, seeking the pleasure we have missed. Eating slowly gives the food time to be assimilated so that signals of satiation can be sensed before overeating occurs. We have time to savor the food, which contributes to the enjoyment of eating and leads to the satisfaction that prevents overeating. And the seventh habit, eating early in the day finishing dinner by 7 p.m., prevents the overeating that comes later in the day probably as a result of becoming overly hungry due to daytime fasting.
The Ninth Habit
The ninth habit seems paradoxical. Successful losers do not undereat. Undereating leads to the rebound effect of overeating. Successful losers do not leave the table hungry.
They eat to the point of satisfaction, but not beyond. This means going by internal cues as listed in habit No. 8 and not external cues such as a superimposed diet regimen or preordained number of calories.
The Habit That Makes All The Other Habits Possible The 10th habit is the one that makes all the other habits possible. It is planning – planning meals for each day and/ or each week. This is the habit that makes all the other habits possible because you need planning to set aside uninterrupted eating time so that you can eat consciously and slowly. You need planning to have a variety of menus for the week. You need planning to prepare delicious meals. You need planning to have three meals a day at regular four or five hour intervals, ending by 7 p.m. And knowing that you will be eating delicious meals at regular intervals helps prevent eating between meals. It takes 30 to 90 days to break an old habit and replace it with a new one. New habits take a year or longer to become second nature. The development of new habits is a learning process. Don’t expect to be able to practice them perfectly overnight. You will revert to old habits along the way. These are not failures but learning experiences. You learn how to avoid those mistakes next time. Bon appetit.
What’s Blooming At Edison And Ford Winter Estates?
By Karen Maxwell, Horticulture Specialist
It only happens once every two years. On March 3, from noon to 4 p.m., Edison Ford Winter Estates will host Art in Bloom – Fort Myers, a floral interpretation of the new art exhibit “Rebirth and Renewal,” showcased in the oldest home in Fort Myers, Edison’s Caretaker’s Cottage. Dating to approximately 1847, it is said that the old cottage was built with repurposed wood from the original downtown fort. Over the years, Art in Bloom – Fort Myers has produced stunning arrangements for themes such as Ford’s Garage, Edison’s Jungle and Berne Davis’ 100th birthday. According to Megan Kissinger, Edison Ford’s resident artist and show curator, “Rebirth and Renewal” provides artists a chance to celebrate recovery – whether from Hurricane Ian , a personal struggle, or from the pandemic – in any medium, including paint, sculpture or wall hanging.
Partnering with the Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council (the local umbrella organization for 14 garden clubs and eight garden groups), this year’s event will also serve as a tribute honoring two floral designers who participated in every Art in Bloom – Fort Myers event since its inception, and sadly both passed away in September of 2023.
These eclectic designers were frequent winners, acknowledged for extraordinary talent with seemingly uncomplicated executions of arrangements that belied the novelty and complex use of pedestrian materials in their floral interpretations.
The concept of Art in Bloom originated at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and it has become a ritual of spring throughout the country. Unlike other locations, Art in Bloom – Fort Myers is open to any member of a garden club associated with the Garden Council, with or without formal training, and the winner is determined by People’s Choice voting. The show does not require conformance to National Garden Club (NGC) standards – i.e., the dying of flowers is permitted in this show.
In September of 2023, Winnie Stone, just two weeks shy of her 101st birthday and Suzy Valentine, who would have probably declined sharing her age, both passed away. Stone, originally from Boca Raton, moved to Fort Myers after Hurricane Andrew and was a longtime member of the Royal Palm Garden Club and a mentor to Fort Myer’s floral design group known as Potpourri. She inspired many with an attitude that anyone can design, make it fun, do what you like, and then she would apply her critical eye and demonstrate how to make it better, often employing
the “Winnie Twist” to a flower or element in the design. Stone, a national judge, was a great friend of Marty Ward who started the Cape Coral Garden Club and together they tutored many to become sanctioned National Garden Club judges, including Paula Novander, one of this year’s designers.
As bold as her beloved Stifftia chrysantha blooms, Suzy Valentine never shied away from choosing the biggest or brightest art pieces, and she tutored students to choose materials from their own garden or borrow from a friend’s garden. Also an NGC judge and a member of Gulf Coast Garden Club in Bonita Springs, Valentine spent many years in South America and with her late husband David Southall (a noted botanist and nurseryman), she never tired of sharing her horticultural expertise with any willing learner.
Valentine believed that good floral design must reflect good horticulture – the understanding of how plants grow, and a Valentine design celebrated good horticulture with the economy of readily sourced garden materials, both alive and dried, in a vibrant manner. This year, all designers are encouraged to incorporate the style and essence of Winnie and Suzy in their floral arrangements.
The public is invited to visit the Art in Bloom – Fort Myers floral and art show on March 3, at Edison Ford Winter Estates from noon to 4 p.m. The show is included with admission and free for Edison Ford members.
Actual Signs
Please pay your parking fee before existing!
Suzy Valentine enjoyed using large, bright flowers in her floral designs. She’s pictured here with Stifftia chrysantha blooms.
Winnie Stone with her floral creation at the Art in Bloom event at Edison and Ford Winter Estates in 2014
Winnie Stone with her floral design at an Art in Bloom event at Edison and Ford Winter Estates – floral designers created centerpieces that captured the essence of a paired painting.
Suzy Valentine poses with her floral creation at the 2012 Art in Bloom event at Edison and Ford Winter Estates.
From The Desk Of Sheriff Carmine Marceno
Montage Women’s Club
The Montage Women’s Club is a social and philanthropic club open to all women residing in Lee County. We meet on the fourth Thursday of each month at The Club at Pelican Preserve, 9802 Pelican Preserve Blvd., Fort Myers 33913.
has more than 18 years of public housing experience and currently serves as the executive director for the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers. During the years of 2006 to 2013, she also served as the director of real estate development for the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers. Davis will be discussing the Dunbar Initiative. Luncheon fee is $28 and the planned regular menu
Catch The Action
March On The Water
By Capt. Bill Russell
It’s been a wet, windy, and cold winter for Southwest Florida standards. With luck, March will kick the pattern as we exit winter and move into spring. Spring fishing is looked upon as some of the best of the year with a wide variety of species willing to bend a rod. As days get longer and warmer, the water temperature will rise. Schooling baitfish return to local waters after vacating over the winter. This is a combination that rings the dinner bell for fish along our coastal waters.
The winter sheepsheads run should come to a close over the the month. As they complete their spawning duties, they disperse to who knows where. There’s still a good chance to hook big ones around inshore structure and nearshore reefs. Inshore, pompano are a possibility if fishing with shrimp or small pompano jigs.
Spanish mackerel are a great target as they are ferocious feeders, lightning fast, and offer a good fight. Plus, prepared fresh, they offer excellent table fare that
is often overlooked. To me they are the perfect fish when looking for fun and action. When mackerel are present odds are good that sharks are nearby, sharks love snacking on mackerel.
This month kicks off good snook fishing along our coastal waters. Water temperature is critical for snook, too cold and they are often dormant. As the water rises to 70 degrees or above and holds, we can look for snook to become active, on the move, and hungry. Like many of our game fish their primary diet will become oily baitfish. With the invasion of baitfish and warming water, big trout become common catches. Many of our largest sea trout of the year are caught this month. Trout are in their first and largest spawn cycle of the year, look for the bigger fish to get aggressive and hungry.
Following months of daytime low tides and often not much water to navigate, our first spring high tides begin. Higher tides allow for good opportunities to target redfish along mangrove shorelines and over oyster bars. Early morning low tides also allow anglers great shots at tailing redfish over the shallow flats.
Offshore, on days the weather allows there are good opportunities for a variety of fish including reef dwellers like snapper, grouper, grunts, porgies, sheepsheads, and others. As the water warms, schools of fast-moving Spanish and king mackerel, plus false albacore, or bonito and even some blackfin tuna are making their way up the coast and busting up any schooling baitfish they encounter within sight of land. Keep an eye out for tripletail around buoys or floating debris and don’t be surprised if a big cobia makes his presence around your boat while bottom fishing. Fishing around one of the public artificial reefs is always a good choice for a variety of fish.
Early season tarpon begin to show a few miles off the beaches, to the southern part of our region slowly making their way up the coast. Tarpon hookups are possible inshore as the waters warm over the month.
March is a month where anything is possible, and you should always expect the unexpected. We generally have some cool and windy days, but they will be offset with great weather as we break into the spring season. If you have company down from the north, it’s a great time to get them on the water. Nothing better than a day with nature, away from the congested roads and crowds to show them what a good time in Florida is all about.
THE DIAMOND EVENT
Friday and Saturday, March 15 & 16
Featuring, Anne Storm of Peter Storm
and
Extraordinary selection of loose natural diamonds, uniquely exquisite engagement rings and eternity
Stay up to date with fishing regulations by visiting www.myfwc.com. Also, upload the Fish Rules app on your phone. It has current regulations and seasons with pictures to help identify fish.
For charter information, please contact us at Gulf Coast Guide Service and “Catch the Action” with Capt. Bill Russell, call or text (239) 410-8576, website: www. fishpineisland.com, email: gcl2fish@live.com.
Capt. Bill Russell is a native and lifelong resident of Pine Island who has spent his entire life fishing the waters surrounding Pine Island and Southwest Florida. For the past 28 years, Bill has been a professional fishing guide who takes pride in customizing each trip to ensure everyone on board has a great time and will return again. Come join us and “Catch the Action.”
Storytelling Showcase: The Tamiami Tale Tellers
By Mary Lou Williams
The Tamiami Tale Tellers, Fort Myers’ local storytelling guild, will take the stage at the Alliance for the Arts on Thursday, March 21, from 7 to 9 p.m. Join them for a night of captivating and heartfelt humorous personal stories, folktales, and tall tales.
Cook’s Corner
From Lincoln Heritage Trail Cookbook
Chicken Chipped Beef
6 slices chipped beef
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, unseasoned
1 (10 3/4-ounce can) cream of mushroom soup
1/2 pint sour cream
Paprika
In a greased casserole, line dish with chipped beef. Lay each chicken breast on a slice of chipped beef. Mix the soup and sour cream together and pour over the chicken. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit, covered, for 1 1/2 hours. Remove cover and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
Pistachio Cake
1 white cake mix
1 small package instant pistachio pudding mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup water
Green food coloring
1/4 cup chocolate syrup
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, oil and water. Set aside 1 1/2 cups of the batter in a separate bowl. Add food coloring (2 to 3 drops) to the remaining batter and pour into a greased Bundt pan. Add chocolate syrup to the set-aside batter and mix. Layer on top of batter in pan, swirl together. Bake for 50 minutes.
Wildlife
Little Blue Heron
By Mark L. Franzer
Despite its different last name, the little blue heron is more related to the snowy egret. When it’s young, this heron is white but molts to a dark slateblue plumage as an adult. These herons are generally wary and hard to approach. The nest in colonies typically associates itself with various other heron species. Their feeding habits are a bit slower than that of their snowy egret cousin with their diet consisting of small fish and crustaceans. Life expectancy of the little blue is seven to eight years however, the oldest known little blue heron had lived for almost 12 years. All photos that appear in the Whiskey Creek News are captured only within our favored community. Should you like to follow the exploits of what this camera bug captures, follow the journey here. You’ll need to request membership to gain access! Go to https://www.facebook. com/groups/1430022127286192.
Something To Think About!
I remember being able to
The featured tellers are Mary Lou Williams, Lisa Leonhardt, Pam Minton, Marilyn Graham and Dr. Joel Ying. Dr. Joel will be the emcee. Mary Lou will tell two tall tales. One of them is actually a fish story, and it is called “Rover, a Fish Story.” Her second is called “Lolita, My Teenage Car.” Lisa Leonhardt will tell two personal stories, “The Enchanted Cottage” and “Lice at Tice.” They sound like tall tales. They are very funny and prove the adage, “Truth is stranger than fiction.” Pam Minton will also tell two personal stories that are very funny, “Squeezing Out the Good Stuff” and “The Last Tango.” Pam uses not only words in telling her stories, but her whole body. She is fluent in body language. Marilyn Graham will tell two personal stories, one about a ring and one about baseball. These are heartwarming and nostalgic stories. They are love stories, but not romantic love stories. They are about two other kinds of love. Lest you think that all the stories will be personal, Joel will tell two folk tales, “The Search for Truth” and “The Tale Teller.”
Experience the power of the spoken word – captivating, spellbinding, and entertaining. The stories will be followed by a Talk Back, which is a Q&A session with the audience. Meet the storytellers. Discover the stories behind the stories. The Talk Back has become a popular feature of our storytelling events.
The Alliance for the Arts is located at 10091 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers. The ticket price is $15 for members and $18 for nonmembers. To purchase tickets visit www.artinlee. org or call (239) 939-2787.
Whiskey Creek Country Club News
Make sure to take time to stop by Whiskey Creek Country Club to pick up a brochure and become a golfing or social member or both! While you are there be sure to stop by the Pro Shop and see all of the new merchandise that has arrived. Make new friends, meet your neighbors and have lunch, dinner or just have a drink. Come and enjoy the new bar menu.
Dinner is served Tuesday and Friday 5 to 8 p.m. The bar is open daily until the club is closed where you can meet with friends, family and neighbors for that refreshing beverage! There are so many new fun things to participate in at Whiskey Creek Country Club.
Become a social member and enjoy the many card games, mah-jongg, and events.
Become a golfing member and enjoy the golf shootouts, the 27-hole golf tournaments and the 54-hole golf tournaments. There is league play for men and ladies. Ladies’ 18 Hole Golf League plays on Tuesday morning. The Ladies’ Nine Hole Golf League plays on Friday morning. The Men’s 18 Hole Golf League plays on Wednesday morning and the Men’s Nine Hole Golf League plays on Friday morning. Contact the club for more details at (239) 481-3021.
Whiskey Creek Civic Association Membership
By Sally Gins
By becoming a member of the Whiskey Creek Civic Association, you are at no obligation other than your financial contribution which goes directly into the betterment of our community. 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. Your membership donation helps maintain all the great things that encompass our community.
The funds collected are used to pay for the following items: community newsletter and its postage, website, social and holiday events, maintenance of damage and/or upkeep not covered by the MSTBU, membership mailings and its directory, holiday lights/decor, storage rental, and more. All remaining funds thereafter are being allotted toward our fundraising goal to upgrade both entrances and the landscape along Whiskey Creek Drive.
How do I become a member? You can sign up and pay on our website (www.whiskeycreeknews.net) or you can
request a copy of the form by emailing wccaacct@gmail. com. At this time, we are requesting $125 per household membership. If a full membership is not financially possible or if a larger donation meets your capacity, please give what you can. Our goal is 100 percent community involvement.
If you have questions regarding your membership status or if you did not receive a formal letter in February, please email wccaacct@ gmail.com. We would love to hear from you! Thank you to the following neighbors for becoming members in January for the 2024 year!
