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Greetings Whiskey Creek Community, Fall is here, and football season is in full swing. Some of you may be having a great season and hoping to make it to the college playoffs, while others are already looking forward to next year’s NFL draft in search of that special player. As Fall approaches, many part-time residents will be returning to SWFL, increasing traffic, pedestrians walking, and golf cart traffic in our neighborhood. Please be careful in your daily travels.
“Over the past few months, we have worked closely with members of the Sheriff’s Department to further strengthen our already strong partnership. The Sheriff’s Community Response Unit (CRU) will be increasing its presence in the community. Please be mindful of traffic rules, especially at stop signs, and ensure that your kids follow the age requirements for driving golf carts and for everyone to adhere to speed limits on the streets. The Sheriff’s Department will also continue to monitor overall safety in the community.”
WCCA hosted its second annual Battle at the Creek Golf Tournament, with proceeds going to support Captains For Clean
Water and the WCCA community. The event was a great success, with over 75 golfers and many more attendees at the reception and fundraiser. We want to extend a big thank you to all the generous business and community sponsors, the WCCA Board, and the volunteers who helped make this event possible. Thanks to everyone’s support, we were able to raise over $20,000 for this great cause and our community.
In the last few weeks, I’ve been contacted by both new and existing neighbors about the WCCA membership campaign. They want to know how to take part and understand how the funds will be used. Some were surprised by the affordable membership charges that will help improve our community. Many of you may have seen the campaign announcement in the newspaper last month and again this month. We will provide regular updates as we work toward our goal of achieving 100 percent participation. Currently, we are at around 25 percent and are making progress every day. To our new and returning members, we want to express our gratitude for your membership and dedication to our community. Your $125 yearly membership fee will contribute to various community needs, including funding for community events, maintaining medians and entrances, landscaping, legal fees related to deed restrictions, general community protection, and community enhancements. To find out more about how the funds will be utilized and to
Message on page 5
Whiskey Creek Civic Association
By Sally Gins
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! Whiskey Creek continues to be one of the most desired places to live in Southwest Florida. Our goal is to maintain this reputation by bettering our appearance, functionality and camaraderie as a whole. There is no doubt these enhancements will continue to increase your property value!
By becoming a member of the WCCA, you are at no obligation other than your financial contribution. We
are requesting $125 per household membership. If a full membership is not possible or if more meets your capacity, please give what you can. Our goal is 100 percent community involvement.
As of August 31, 26 percent of homes have joined as members of the Whiskey Creek Civic Association for the year 2024. Thank you to our newest members!
Brian and Sarah Angelson
Dr. Craig and Patricia Mayer
David and Marilyn Myli
Bonita Lewis Soliday
Visit www.
WhiskeyCreekNews.net to become a member today. If you have questions regarding your membership status, please email wccaacct@ gmail.com.
By Michael Kuehn Visibility! Is it good in Whiskey Creek or poor? In the evening hours it is extremely poor. There is only one street light at each intersection on Whiskey Creek Drive. The MSTBU installed these lights and pays all maintenance and operation costs for the lights. The MSTBU does not intend to install any lights on neighborhood streets. Installation is expensive and site selection rules are stringent. Whiskey Creek Drive is dark, with many overhanging trees which make it difficult to see walkers and cyclists. They should wear light colored clothing, reflective vests and use lights to make themselves visible. Bicycles are required by law to display a white light on the front and a red light on the rear. A more concerning problem is the electric bicycles. Some people are buying and using them or turning them over to their children to ride. A lot of them are painted a matte charcoal gray and difficult to see. In addition many of these bikes are capable of speeds in excess of 30 miles per hour. Since we are not accustomed to bicycles moving at these speeds we may pull out in front of it, turn in front of it, or stop short in front of it causing an accident. Be extra careful and watch for these bicycles.
This month was slower than recent months. We had 16 traffic stops with 15 warnings with 1 citation. The citation was issued for driving and never having had a drivers’ license issued. The deputy was dispatched for a well-being check on an elderly couple who were found to be okay. A different deputy was dispatched to do a well-being check and advised the homeowners how to conduct an eviction. The deputy assisted the zone deputy in taking multiple reports about mailbox damage on Reynard Drive. A deputy responded to an automobile accident at College Parkway and Whiskey Creek Drive. The deputy handled a crash that he drove up on while patrolling Whiskey Creek. 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.
Crossword Puzzle
47. Evening (poetic) 48. On top of
African sheep
Illicit sexual relationship
Found on rotary phones
After-bath powder
Assumed as
Inclinations 10. Inadvertent
Support 12. Adored
Word Scramble
Sudoku Puzzle
13. Flock members 21. Poetic contraction 25. Frozen water 26. Stair
Father
Similar
29. In a self-indulgent manner 30. Frigid 31. Ticks off
Barbershop emblem
Fool
35. Anagram of “Bone” 36. Blowgun missile
38. Have a bowel movement 41. 5 plus 5 42. Time of origin 44. Observe 45. Iberian country
46. Reef material
47. Long stories
48. Style of hairdo
50. By mouth 51. Ponder
52. Arab ruler
53. Exploded star 54. Hints
55. Sea eagle
Crossword Solution on page 6
Catch The Action
October On The Water
By Capt. Bill Russell
As water temperatures begin to drop off our coast, schools of baitfish make their migration south through area waters. Many game or predator fish are on the move south as well. Combined with our resident fish, October presents good fishing for a variety of species. You can fish for a specific species or just in the mix of a feeding frenzy where you might be surprised what you hook into. At times, a host of fish are ganged up on the same bait pod, it’s common to catch a half dozen or more different species from one area. It’s likely that larger fish are lurking as well, keep a heavy rod rigged and ready for that cobia, tarpon, shark, or whatever else might make a presence. While targeting a specific species of fish can become challenging and often frustrating, taking advantage of whatever might be feeding will give you
plenty of action and fun. Plus, that elusive fish that you were targeting might just show up when least expected.
Offshore, look for bait balls from just off the beaches, out into the gulf about as far as you dare to travel. Birds are the best indicator to locate the schools; watch for terns, gulls, or other birds grouped up and dipping into the water. Look for what appears as rain (baitfish) on the water, watch for feeding activity and the torpedo shapes of mackerel skyrocketing from the water. Artificial reefs are some of the best areas to concentrate your efforts. It’s common to catch king and Spanish mackerel near the surface or drop a bait to the bottom for snapper and grouper. If you’re running further offshore for grouper or snapper, check, and double check regulations. They are constantly changing when seasons are open and closed.
Inshore, watch for the same key signs when over open water or grass flats. Also, a pod of dolphin hanging around an area is a great indicator of fish. Along shorelines and
areas of shallower water you will also notice schools of nervous bait and possibly fish busting them at the surface. This is where you can expect to catch snook, redfish, snapper, and some big trout. Don’t ignore mullet schools, there is almost always something hungry and often big, either mixed in or hanging around the perimeter of the schools. Large trout and redfish look for food flushed out from the schooling mullet, and there is the possibility of a large shark cruising around the perimeter of the schools, often in only a few feet of water. If you are a wade fisherman, take note and keep your eyes open. As inshore water temperatures drop, big redfish will devour anything in their path. Often there may be several hundred or more working across the shallows on an eating mission. Fishing for big reds will peak in October as they begin their migration offshore once the first strong cold front of the season drops down from the north. Exactly when that will be only time will tell, if the weather remains mild the big fish can entertain us throughout the entire month.
This is a good time for catching snook across the inshore waters. Fish for them around structure, shorelines, island points, and oyster bars with good tide movement. Often many are schooled together where it’s possible to hook a dozen or more from the same spot.
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Inshore mangrove snapper fishing was good through the summer and tapered off through September. Most make their way offshore as waters cool down. Artificial reefs and ledges or hard bottom in depths from 30 to 50 feet are prime snapper habitat. Also, fishing in and around the gulf passes is always a good bet for snapper. Live shrimp with light tackle is the best way to go, and if you are anchored, a chum block is a great idea. Snapper are school fish, if you catch one expect more. Always have a heavier rig in the rod holder with a live flatlined bait. You never know when a big cobia or some other species might come into play.
Last year was a good one for sheepsheads and we should begin to see them later in the month. As they move in there could be some big ones mixed in with the snapper offshore and around the passes. Sheepsheads will not eat any type of fish, live or dead, shrimp is the go-to bait for most anglers.
Stay up to date with fishing regulations for areas you fish 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.
October is one of the best months to fish. With great weather and not a lot of fishing pressure, we can expect days where fish are hungry and aggressive. If you are fishing or just spending time on the water this is a great month.
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.”
Real Estate Round-Up
By Bob Oxnard, REALTOR®
Would You Pay Someone
$15,000 To Help You
Buy A House?
As of August 17 , all Realtors ® must have a written agreement with their buyer before they show them a home. This is a momentous change. Brokers must show what they will do for their customers. It lays out what the consumer (buyer) is expected to do and tells the compensation the broker can expect to receive if their efforts result in a closing. This is a result of a recent settlement by NAR (National Association of Realtors ®).
If you say you wouldn’t pay that much, consider this. Until now, most real estate buyer’s agents did not charge for their services to their buyer directly. The agent’s brokerage received a commission at closing, but it was usually paid by the seller to the buyer’s agent’s brokerage. The amount of compensation was sometimes unknown by the buyer until it appeared on the closing statement. The buying agent’s brokerage then paid the agent a percentage of that compensation as commission. The buyer received the services of their agent at little direct cost to the buyer.
Cook’s Corner
From Lincoln Heritage Trail Cookbook
Gingerbread Nuts
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 cups sifted flour
2 cups molasses
½ pound brown sugar
1 lemon, zest and juice separated
2 tablespoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoons warm water
Cut butter into flour. Mix in brown sugar. Add ginger, cloves and cinnamon. Stir in molasses and grated zest. Dissolve baking powder thoroughly (if not dissolved it destroys the lemon juice and any other acid) in warm water and add, mixing thoroughly. Add lemon juice. Bring dough together in a ball. Pinch a piece of dough with well-floured hands and roll into a ball. Place on buttered baking tins and flatten with the bottom of a cup or glass. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.
From Directions for Cookery that Mary Lincoln used.
White Chicken Fricassee
2 tablespoons butter
½ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons flour
½ teaspoon mace
1½ cups hot broth or hot water
1 tablespoon marjoram
3 pounds chicken parts or cutlets
2 egg yolks
1 large onion, sliced thinly (optional)
½ cup cream
1/3 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
Juice of lemon
Melt butter in a large skillet and add flour. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Add hot broth and stir until liquid thickens. Add chicken, onion (if using), salt, pepper, mace and marjoram. Cook for 30 to 45 minutes. Beat egg yolks and add the cream and nutmeg. Pour slowly into chicken sauce. Do not boil or cream will separate. Squeeze lemon juice over the chicken and sauce.
Let’s look at an example. The average sale price for a single-family home in Whiskey Creek during the past 12 months was $592,000 (median price was $554,000). The commission paid by the seller to their real estate brokerage might be 5 or 6 percent.
That commission was then typically shared with the buying agent’s brokerage, resulting in a commission of about $15K for each side. The buyer’s agent got a share of commission his brokerage earned.
Does an agent for a buyer earn or deserve that much commission? Consider that the buyer’s agent may have worked for the buyer for months without pay. According to surveys by the NAR 89 percent of buyers used the services of an agent or brokerage to buy their home. Their satisfaction is shown in the fact that 90 percent of them say they would use their agent again or recommend them to others. If this sounds like an easy way to make money, consider this; NAR says that 75 percent of Realtors fail within the first year of being in the industry and 87 percent after five years.
What will the future bring? Time will tell. Will some agents negotiate their commission lower? Will this weed out part-time agents? Will sellers still be willing to pay
Yard Of The Month
By Mark L. Franzer
The massive gumbo limbo tree captured the attention of Tom and Ruth Marquart to 1567 Reynard Drive, originally from Wisconsin, in 2018. Or was it from the preference of having residence in an established safe community with exceptional location and neighbors? Well, they got it all and their home is a fine tropical escape for their three northern sons and respected families. Their golden retriever, Tyler, bounded with excitement when the doorbell rang and a sense of pride was quite evident with this month’s recognition for a job well done. Exceptional attention to detail and such an effervescent attitude reside on Reynard Drive. Come take a look and get to know another wonderful and appreciative neighbor in our wonderful Whiskey Creek community that we collectively call “home”!
commission to an agent who brings the buyer? Will buyers still seek the help of an agent if they have to pay for some or all of their fee on top of the price of a home? What is the value of having a trusted, knowledgeable, caring, and skilled professional assist you through a major purchase process?
Change is always a certainty. Things will be different. All must work to make things better. I believe this change will end up being better for the consumer, the agent, and all of us.
The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is the most successful and valuable method of marketing homes. It is owned, supported and trusted by Realtors who cooperate with each other and operate their businesses according to a century old code of ethics based on the Golden Rule. That cooperation and trust is invaluable.
The success of America is due in large part to the ownership of land and homes by a large portion of its citizens. The American dream continues to be home ownership. This writer is proud to be a real estate agent. As a profession, Realtors help make the American dream possible!
If you have any questions or comments about this article or other real estate issues, please contact Bob Oxnard at whiskeycreeknews@yahoo.com.
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.
Continental Women’s Club
The Continental Women’s Club will hold its monthly luncheon meeting on Thursday, November 7 at 11:30 a.m. at The Hideaway Country Club. Our November program will feature a performance of excerpts from The Nutcracker by dancers from the Gulfshore Ballet. Gulfshore Ballet is a Southwest Florida not-for-profit school of classical ballet. Iliana Lopez, the artistic director, will be presenting the performance.
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
Whiskey Creek Civic Association
2023 Board of Directors
President Cole Peacock 462-5805 colepeacock@comcast.net
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 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 November 7 is Tuesday, October 29. Please call Liz Paul at (239) 691-7561 for meal selection and to make a reservation.
Committees
Gwen M. Baker, Realtor® CMRS, CMHS, Veteran Certified
Yard Committee Chair Mark Franzer mfranzer@yahoo.com
Whiskey Creek News
Editor Jan Kotcamp 482-7679 whiskeycreeknews@yahoo.com
1567 Reynard Drive
Obesity: A Symptom Of Starvation
By Mary Lou Williams, M. Ed. Bruce N. Ames, a researcher
at the University of California, Berkeley, and Children’s Hospital and Research Center at Oakland, California, presented a paper at the 11th International Symposium on Trace Elements in Man and Animals. In this paper published in the Journal of Nutrition, May 2003, he hypothesized that micronutrient (vitamin and mineral) deficiency counteracts the normal feeling of satiety after sufficient calories have been eaten. He suggested that this may be a biological
strategy for obtaining missing nutrients and that part of the reason for the obesity epidemic in this country might be that energy-dense, nutrient-poor diets leave the consumer deficient in key micronutrients and thus constantly hungry.
He cited in support of his theory a study by Ashima K. Kant published in the October 2000 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The study was a survey of the effects on American adults of consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods (that is, foods high in calories and low in nutrients). The study concluded that with increasing consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, the levels of micronutrients in the blood decreased and the intake of calories increased.
Whiskey Creek Country Club News
Stop in Whiskey Creek Country Club and say “Hi” to our new clubhouse manager, Eric! Stay and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by Chef JTee. Enjoy a day with friends/neighbors playing golf and then finishing 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 Monday.
Dinner is served on 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!
Stop in and see the many items in the Whiskey Creek Pro Shop … there are gift certificates available just in case you don’t see want 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 also Mah Jongg games being played year-round.
Contact the club for more details at (239) 481-3021.
Book Discussion: The Art Thief by Michael Fink Thursday, 2 to 3 p.m., Oct. 3
Online Spanish Conversation Club
Download Drop-in
BARD Drop-in Session
Thursday, 6 to 7 p.m, Oct. 3, 10
Thursday, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Oct. 19
Thursday, 11 a.m., Oct. 19
Call the library for adult, teen and children online events.
Sugar As An Addictive Substance
One of the most energy-dense and nutrient-poor of all foods is sugar. It is a substance that is pervasive in the American diet. Americans consume about 130 pounds per person per year. Sugar comprises approximately 24 percent of the daily caloric intake of a typical American. In some people, especially children, it is 50 percent of their daily calories.
This high intake of sugar, which seems to be continually increasing, could explain the high and increasing incidence of overweight and obesity in this country.
There is evidence that sugar is an addictive substance. Researchers have discovered that sugar stimulates the same areas of the brain that morphine, heroin and cocaine do. When we eat sugar, dopamine (a pleasure-producing neurotransmitter) is released in a part of the brain called the nucleus accumbens.
A study reported in Brain Research, May 19, 2004, by Spangler and other researchers found that sugar-dependent rats show alterations in dopamine and opioid levels similar to morphine-dependent rats. The researchers concluded that their study provided an animal model for studying the common mechanisms of drug addiction and eating disorders.
The First Stages Of Addiction
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. There are 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 next month’s article, we will discuss these two stages of addiction and how sugar follows the same pattern of dependency that drugs of abuse do.
become a member or renew your membership, please visit https://whiskeycreeknews.net/membership/.
We will be making updates about the changes at Seabreeze Communications in the upcoming weeks and months. Our newsletter will be transitioning to digital with some print copies. This change by Seabreeze is aimed at better serving and engaging the residents and the community. Stay tuned for more information in the newsletter and on the Whiskey Creek Facebook page. Your opinion on this matter is important to us. Please feel free to share your thoughts in favor or opposition.
Our board meetings will resume in September, and we look forward to seeing you there. Your active participation and feedback are crucial to us. If you have any ideas or concerns, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We are here to serve you and the community.
Stay connected with us and keep informed about upcoming events like the Fall Festival on October 26 or the Holiday Golf Cart parade on December 21 by visiting the Whiskey Creek Civic Assoc Facebook page. Your input is valuable and drives our ongoing efforts to better serve you.
For those who are unable to attend the meetings, you can stay informed and engaged by using the resources available on our website. If you notice any concerns, such as a home not following the deed restrictions or a broken sprinkler in the medians, please feel free to contact one of the board members or send a note through the website https://whiskeycreeknews. net/. Thank you for your involvement and support!
The Whiskey Creek Country Club will continue to offer new menu items and food and drink specials, as well as golf specials and events. Whether it’s for a chill and affordable happy hour, tasty brunches and dinners, or social interaction and relaxation, the club is a great spot to hang out with friends and neighbors.
Whiskey Creek continues to be a popular destination for residents of all walks of life, each contributing to the rich tapestry of our community. Whether you’re here to settle down, unwind, or raise a family, your presence is vital to our collective vision.
Much respect, Cole Peacock, Board President, Whiskey Creek Civic Association President’s Message from page 1
From The Desk Of Sheriff Carmine Marceno
Improving Home Security
Home burglary results in losses exceeding $3 billion, in the United States, each year.
Based upon reports, a home burglary occurs every 15 seconds in the United States and that someone is at home 27.6 percent of the time. Despite images of burglars creeping through backyards in the middle of the night, statistics show that the majority of burglaries occur between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., when homes are often unoccupied.
Disconcerting?
While these crimes have decreased in Lee County, it is prudent to discuss proactive measures that can be taken to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of victimization.
Preventative measures worth considering:
The addition of security cameras goes a long way toward preventing criminal activity and assisting in the investigation and prosecution of criminal offenses. Video doorbell cameras and strategically placed external cameras often dissuade would-be criminals.
Exterior lighting is perhaps the easiest and most inexpensive way to discourage criminals. Well-lit areas increase visibility through windows, improve video surveillance quality and make your home a less desirable target.
Landscaping is a wonderful way to add “curb-appeal” to your home. Unfortunately, overgrown shrubs and trees that block windows and doorways or cast large shadows allow criminals to move about your property without being seen. Additionally, unmowed lawns often give the impression that the homeowner is away.
Upgrading door and window locks, as well as securing sliding glass doors, will prevent easy access to your home. Most sliding glass doors have poor quality locks. They are susceptible to pry bars, hammers and screwdrivers and can
Word Scramble Solution from page 2
Colorado Columbia Mississippi Missouri Hudson Nile Yukon Sacramento Amazon Volga
Sudoku Puzzle Solution from page 2
Crossword Solution from page 2
usually be opened rather easily. Secure these doors using security bars, pins or upgraded locks.
Whenever you leave your home … even if just to quickly visit a neighbor … lock your doors and take a key
Don’t leave valuables near windows where they can easily be seen and taken.
Floridians like to leave their garage doors open. Please reconsider this practice.
Hiding a spare key under a door mat or in a nearby planter makes for easy access to your home.
Leaving ladders around your home assists burglars intent
Saltwater Cowboy
Event Benefits The Programs Of The Heights Foundation And The Heights Center
Friday, Oct. 18 6 To 10 p.m.
MarineMax
14030 McGregor Boulevard
on entering second-story windows … yours or nearby homes. Secure ladders in a closed garage when not in use.
Too many Lee County residents leave their vehicles unlocked overnight. Many contain garage door openers. Lock your vehicles whenever you exit and take any and all valuables inside with you.
Break down cardboard boxes from expensive purchases such as large-screen televisions, computers, etc. When left curbside, they serve to advertise your new purchase.
Report suspicious activity to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office or to your local law enforcement agency.
About The Heights Foundation
The foundation was formed in response to a stunning realization during a church outreach on Thanksgiving in 1999.
Bring your salty attitude and join your boat-running, fish-wrangling, briny friends for a fun night featuring the popular Raw Bar by Matt Asen from Timbers Restaurant, a Surf-n-Turf buffet dinner by Chef Jay Johnson of Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon, drinks, live music, and dancing.
For sponsorship details, visit www.heightsfoundation. org/saltwatercowboy, email annie@heightsfoundation.org, or call Annie Campbell at (239) 482-7706.
While delivering a simple Thanksgiving dinner, volunteers found a family of eight living in abject poverty and substandard conditions. The parents and their six children, ages 3 to 10, lived in a rented, concrete block duplex with no hope of change. They were paying their rent in cash to a neighbor, who was later discovered to be in jail. Through seed money from private individuals, the foundation began developing projects to meet the specific needs of families living in the Heights community, starting with the purchase and renovation of a home dubbed the “House of Hope.” The years since the formation of the foundation have seen great improvements in living conditions, infrastructure, and access to needed services. The foundation also acts as a resource and referral service and is a safety net of last resort.
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 Landings Yacht, Golf, and Tennis Club (community entry off McGregor Boulevard between Cypress Lake Drive and College Parkway). Meetings begin at 11:30 a.m. with a short social period followed by lunch at noon followed by an informative speaker program and a short business meeting. Within the organization are various interest groups for members’ participation. Membership is open to both year-round and seasonal residents. We welcome you to visit Montage for a luncheon.
Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct. 24. Our speaker will be Robert Cacioppi, artistic director of the Players Circle Theater in Fort Myers. In the spirit of the
season, we are also planning a Halloween costume contest and will be awarding prizes for the best, worse and most unique costumes. If you prefer not to participate in the contest, we are still asking you to wear a Halloween themed shirt or orange and black clothing!
Luncheon fee is being increased to $34, and you always have a choice between either a regular menu entree and/or a vegan/plant-based entree.
If you would like to attend a Montage meeting, need further information, or would like to make a reservation, please call Rita Artwohl at (239) 703-7787. Reservations cutoff to attend this meeting is noon, Thursday, Oct. 17.
The Wood Duck
By Mark L. Franzer
Of all waterfowl, the wood duck reigns supreme! The males have ornate patterns on nearly every feather and are iridescent chestnut and green. The females are equally distinct with their unique profile and white patterns around the eyes. Their habitat is primarily wooded swamps with nesting in naturally occurring holes in trees. When these nesting locations are scarce, man-made nesting boxes installed around lake margins can aid in additional nesting
Poetry Corner
Hurricane Shelters???
I’ve made it through Charlie Wilma, Irma and such
Even made it through Ian
With the damage so much.
Only once in my life
When we felt we should stay
In a hurricane shelter
Where we lived for a day.
Not what I envisioned
No cots in a line
Just lots of tile floor
So I had to pick mine.
No sooner had I plopped
When I came nose to nose
With a friendly pit bull
In a cage by my toes.
We found a good spot
In a very short hall
With much less foot traffic
But they thought glass might fall.
Back to General Population
Staked another tile spot
With our thin airline blankets For our non-existent cot.
There were repeat offenders
Who brought big blow-up beds But dogs still jumped over Their comfortable heads.
One of the problems
In addition to the pups
Was the small amount of coffee 300 people – 20 cups.
I suppose I’d go again
But I’d pack to be fed
With some coffee in a thermos And a huge blow-up bed!
Puns
Judith Foley
Pilates? I thought you said Pie and Lattes!
habitat. The females have been known to lay their eggs in other nests should the nesting habitat be too congested. The wood duck is the only North American duck that regularly produces two broods in one year. These ducks pair up in January and arrive at their breeding grounds in spring. Once their brood is hatched and capable of leaving the nest, the ducklings are coaxed to the water by their mother. Once they’re in the habitat, the ducklings are not assisted by their mother to forage for sustenance. The wood duck is a long-lived waterfowl with the oldest recorded male over 22 years, being banded in Oregon and found in California.
WHISKEY CREEK WHISKEY CREEK
FALL FALL festival festival
SATURDAY, OCT. 26TH 3-6 PM
WHISKEY CREEK COUNTRY CLUB
I just saw a car being driven by a sheep in a swimsuit; it was a Lamb Bikini!
Signs
Supermarket:
“Accidentally” buy the potato chips your spouse doesn’t like so you don’t have to share!
For Lexophiles
In a democracy it’s your vote that counts; in feudalism, it’s your Count that votes.
