November 16-30 2012 Southwest Spotlight Newspaper

S O U T H W E S T

NOVEMBER 16-30, 2012Vol.3, No.12 FREE

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Events, things to do and opportunities to give back to our community in and around Bonita SpringsPRSRT STD

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Groundhog Day at the Library 11

Rebuilding Haiti 16

Restaurants 34 to 36

Michael Celebrado performs at the Fifth Annual Bach Festival at First Presbyterian Church in BonitaSprings. Turn to page 10.

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Page 6 November 16-30, 2012Southwest Spotlight

8 See How Your Neighbors VotedNational and local election results

10 Music Filled the Air at the Bach FestivalYoung musicians flock to Bonita toshowcase their talents

11 Groundhog Day at the LibraryLibrary expansion funding frustration

11 Volunteer Effort BringsMemorial to BonitaGround roots fundraising builds amemorial to armed forces

12 Whooping CoughHas Surprise Carriers County Health Departments recom-mend vaccine for adults

14 Bernwood Shelter UpdateBernwood property owner’s lawyersays application is exempt

14 Bonita Election PotpourriAll politics is local

16 Rebuilding Haiti Local resident committed to over-coming the challenges in Haiti

18 From Afghanistan to Bonita Reuters photographer recalls thephoto he shot in Afghanistan

Commentary20 Bonita’s Burgeoning

Businesses In the middle of an economicrebound

20 Councilwoman Simons The city with Small Town Charm

21 Chicken or EggJay Arend comments on hens inBonita’s backyards

Arts & Entertainment22 Jingle Bells on the Water

Annual Bonita boat parade will havecash prizes

22 CalendarWhat’s happening this month inBonita?

24 Illusionist with a StoryArtist Ted de Clercq tells stories ofthe past and present.

Business15 A Musical Feast

Miller’s Sheet Music offers instruction and more

Columns26 Bonita’s Best Friends

Bernese Mountain Dogs off-leash inthe pumpkin patch

28 Mega Mom Teaching little fingers to play thepiano

30 Mind and SoulExpressing our gratitude every day ofour lives

31 Goober’s Favorite JokesEven a tortoise enjoys a laugh

31 Why I Love BonitaMarc and Barbara Boocher are awedby one particular natural wonder

32 Boating Bonita To repower or not

Restaurants34 Restaurant Guide

News & Features

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Southwest Spotlight, LLC

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Advertising SalesTeri LamaineKathy O'FlinnOffice ManagerKatie O'FlinnContributing WritersCharles J. CavaliereD. K. ChristiMartha CriderMeghan EasterlyMark GeneralesMax Harris Dorota HarrisJoyce McDonaldJosh MusselmanBen Nelson Jr.Peter R. O'FlinnStan J. Strycharz, Psy.D.Contributing PhotographersDavid Michael

S O U T H W E S T™

Publisher & EditorPeter A. O'Flinn

[email protected]

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www.swspotlight.com Page 7Southwest Spotlight

TOWN TALK

Maryle Barbe | Special to the SpotlightThis pair of eagles was seen from the ladies tee box at the edge of Spring Creek inBonita Bay on the Creekside golf course.

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By Peter R. O’[email protected]

Bonita Springs –More than75% of Bonita Springs reg-istered voters cast ballots inthe November election. Theturnout in every precinctexceeded 60%, with BonitaBay the highest at 89%.Those are remarkable num-bers considering what votershad to endure to make itinto a voting booth.

The number of early vot-ing days was reduced, aswere the number of votingprecincts. Optical scanners,allocated one to a precinct,were bottlenecks. And, par-ticularly for unprepared vot-ers, the eleven proposedconstitutional amendmentswere like a two page readingassignment in the middleof the ballot.

These factors resulted inregular waits of two to threehours at polling booths inBonita, and throughout LeeCounty, on Election Dayand early voting days.

They also resulted in apublic apology from SharonHarrington, Lee County’sSupervisor of Elections.

“They had poor oversightand bad planning,” saidMayor Ben Nelson. He,together with four other LeeCounty mayors, is planningto meet with Harrington.“The population centers arein the cities and we want tomake sure our citizens don’tgo through this again,” hesaid.

“We are approaching thisin a positive fashion,” hesaid. “If she requires morefacilities for voting, she needsto contact us and we willprovide them.”

Presidential RaceIn the presidential race,

Governor Romney won 66%of the vote in Bonita, andoutpolled President Obamain nine of Bonita’s tenprecincts. Only downtownPrecinct 61 cast more votesfor Obama. Romney’s highwater mark was in BonitaBay, where he gathered 83%of the votes. There are someRosanne fans left in Bonita.Barr picked up three voteseach at the Rec Center andthe Lion’s Club votingbooths.

BonitaFire Board Races

As in the past, BonitaFire Board races continuedto suffer from voter apathy.Of those Bonitians who castvotes in the general election,more than 6,000 (or 30%)did not cast a ballot in theFire Board races.

The closest local contestwas for Bonita Fire BoardSeat 4, won by incumbentSteve Lohan (39%). Lohanbested Bob Sharkey (38%)by 150 votes of 14,789 cast.Joe Zagursky received 23%.

Apparently to know themis to like them. Each candi-date had his best showingin his home district, Lohanin downtown Bonita,Sharkey on Little HickoryIsland and Zagursky in Wor-thington.

“I am glad it’s over,” saidLohan.” I think we ran agood campaign and theresults showed it.”

“I look forward to fin-ishing the project that isnear and dear to my heart,”he said, referring to the Boni-ta Fire ambulance transportinitiative. “If all the talkabout how much moremoney it was going to costwas accurate, I would nothave supported it. I thinkwith the new change of lead-ership at Lee County weshould be able to get itdone.”

In the election, Lohanmay have had a structuraladvantage beyond that typ-ical for an incumbent in athree-person race. While thecontest was non-partisan,Sharkey and Zagursky eachhad strong Republican sup-port, but from differentleaders around town. On atleast one occasion, at a meet-ing of the Bonita-EsteroRepublican Club at Mead-owbrook County Club,Sharkey tried to get Zagurskyto leave the race in order toavoid a split vote.

“I thought that was iron-ic,” Lohan said. “I have beena Republican in Lee Countyfor 28 years and nevermissed a vote.” Lohan hadstrong support from localfirefighters, including onElection Day when theyhanded out his literature atpolling places.

“I would have won,” ifless than one percent of thevote had switched, saidSharkey. Referring to localpolitical leaders, he said,“Apparently Mr. Lonkart,Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr.McCourt thought I wasunworthy of their support,so they dug up Mr. Zagurskyto run against me. He is anice man, but not the rightman for the job. But it alsogot me some support. It’smy opinion there are a lotof people who do not agreewith the politics of thatCouncilman (Lonkart) outin that east district.”

Zagursky also offered hisviews. “The difficulty I hadis that I came into the race

much later than Sharkey,and we both wanted to seeLohan out,” he said. “Myperspective is that Sharkeyhad a grip on votes beforepeople knew what Zagurskymeant.”

Zagursky is consideringforming a citizens group toaddress Bonita Fire issues,including functional con-solidation and ambulancetransport issues.

In the other Fire race,Fred Forbes (56%) beatWayne Edsall (44%), who

did not actively campaign.Forbes won all precincts,other than in the districtthat Edsall represented whenhe was a City Council mem-ber.

Regional RacesRepublican Trey Radel

received strong support inBonita in beating DemocratJim Roach in the 19th Con-gressional District. In Bonita,Radel received 70% of thevote, versus 62% districtwide.

Larry Hart took care ofbusiness in Bonita in hisrace for Lee County Tax Col-lector. He received 77% ofthe vote, versus 72% in LeeCounty. In Bonita Bay, hereceived 91% of the vote.

Sheriff Mike Scott andnew Lee County Commis-sioner Larry Kiker also faredbetter in Bonita than coun-tywide. Scott received 77%of the Bonita vote, defeatingLee Bushong. Kiker received72% of the Bonita vote,defeating Charlie Whitehead.

Other Ballot ItemsThe Bonita dog track slots

vote received a 65% ‘yes’ votein Bonita. But, like the FireBoard races, voter apathywas apparent. Of those Boni-tians who cast votes in thegeneral election, 54% votedfor this item and 30% votedagainst. The remainderskipped it.

As in Florida, Bonitiansapproved only the threeconstitutional ballot meas-ures benefiting veterans orlow-income seniors. A 60%vote was required forapproval.

Although not meetingthe 60% threshold, a major-ity of Bonitians voted forAmendment 1, a statementagainst penalties for not pur-chasing heath care coverage,for Amendments 4 and 10,which would have extendedproperty and personal prop-erty tax breaks and forAmendment 6, to prohibitpublic funding of abortions.

53% of Bonitians votedagainst Amendment 8, whichwould have repealed a banof public funds for religiousinstitutions. In precincts cov-ering Bonita Bay and PelicanLanding, 60% of the voterswere against public fund-ing.

Page 8 November 16-30, 2012

Spotlight News

How Your Neighbors Voted

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Trey Radel, our new District 19 Congressman, celebrated with wife Amy and sonJude at the Trianon Hotel in Bonita Springs on election night.

Staff | [email protected]

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Spotlight News

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By D.K. [email protected]

Bonita Springs –A younggirl, in pink organza withshiny patent leather MaryJanes, held her mother’s handand skipped to her car, grip-ping her precious certificatein her other hand to protectit from being snatched bythe wind. SUV’s and otherassorted family vans linedup at the Bonita Springs FirstPresbyterian Church entrancewhile their young occupantspulled out large and smallinstruments. Parents, siblingsand grandparents, all on edgewith excitement, accompa-nied young performers whowere dressed in their finestfor the 5th Annual Bach Fes-tival on this sunny OctoberSaturday.

A violin concerto, a pianosonata, a classical guitar anda haunting harp echoedthrough the halls as varioussanctuary doors opened andclosed, practice and per-formance melodies escapingbriefly from the tightlyorchestrated schedule. Littleclutches of parents and per-formers were seated near the

performance rooms. Sap-phire Gibson, 11, preparedfor her violin solo and hervoice solo with accompani-ment by her grandmother.

“I’m just a little nervous,”admitted Francisco Zabala,17, as he held his flute andawaited his turn. MichaelCelebrado has played pianosince he was four; he wasready. Kevin Dimaculangan,9, also prepared for a pianoperformance. Daniel Quin-tero, 16, a Naples HighSchool band member, startedwith flute and now playsboth the saxophone and thepiano.

Carol Hedman of BonitaSprings, Bach Ensemble Pres-ident, chaired the youth eventlast year. Hedman praisedthe students. “We select thetop eight from 70 performersas ‘Outstanding Perform-ances’ to join us at the BachEnsemble concert January12.” This year’s Bach FestivalChair, Jean Primus, main-tained a smooth schedule of“organized chaos.” A volun-teer piled colorful booksunder the small, swingingfeet of David Liu, 8, as heclimbed onto the adult seat,

disappeared behind thegrand piano and signaledwith his thumb, “A-OK”before he filled the emptysanctuary with powerfulmusic beyond his years. Withequal fervor, Hanna Diller,12, followed with a piecefrom Bach.

Isabelle LeVan, 17, talland slender with a beautifulsmile and equally beautifulsoprano, performed as herproud father waited. LeVan,one of eight part-time internsfor the Bach Ensemble, is adual enrollment studentattending Edison State Col-lege. “She started with hercoach, Ronald Doiron,D.M.A. at eleven,” said herfather.

“I had my doubts abouttaking on an eleven-year-old,” added Doiron, Con-ductor and Artistic Directorof The Bach Ensemble, “untilI heard her range.”

“I want to perform atlocal schools to encourageothers to find a place forclassical music in their lives,”said LeVan.

Participants at this event

shared the philosophy thata background in classicalmusic training was a soundfoundation to appreciate allother music and develop thecreative side of the brain forenhanced academic per-formance.

“It is important toencourage young classicalmusicians in SouthwestFlorida and provide themwith performance opportu-nities,” said Doiron.”We wantto foster in them an appre-ciation and excitement forclassical music from theBaroque era and beyond.”

The Bach Festival wasopen to young instrumen-talists and vocalists, ages 6-18. Students performedfrom memory a composi-tion by J. S. Bach or one ofhis Baroque contemporariesbefore a professional judge.Based on written adjudica-tions from Superior toNeeds Improvement, thejudges met to determinetwo Outstanding Performersfrom each of four age cate-gories and other performersfor Honorable Mention. The

final eight Outstanding Per-formers receive scholarshipsintended to assist with theircontinuing musical studies.They will be featured per-formers with the BachEnsemble, a 40-voice audi-

tioned chorus which per-forms with professionalinstrumentalists and vocalsoloists, in a public concertJanuary 12, 2013, at the FirstUnited Methodist Churchin Naples.


Spotlight News

Music Filled the Air at the Bach Festival

2012 Bach Festival Outstanding PerformersAGE NAME INSTRUMENTage 7 Tatiana Marcalli violinage 8 David Liu pianoage 9 Natalie Stewart harpage 10 Mandy Drake violinage 12 Aaron Stewart violaage 12 Noelle Torres violinage 16 Misty Drake violinage 17 Isabelle LeVan vocalEnsembles Chosenage 12/14 Grace Ann &

Lucca Delcompare violin duetage 17/17 Jose Codero &

Allison Kast flute duetHonorable Mentionage 12 Kyleigh Kimball pianoage 12 Hannah Diller piano

A full schedule of events is found at www.thebachensemble.org Francisco Zabala performing at First Presbyterian

Church in the Bach Festival. Natalie Stewart waiting for the judge’s signal to begin

Isabelle LeVan before her vocal performance

Fernando Zabala | Special to the SpotlightStaff | [email protected]


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Spotlight News

News and ViewsBy Peter R. O’[email protected]

Groundhog Day at the Library

If the saga of Bonita’s quest for a biggerLee County library were a movie, it mightresembleGroundhog Day, where Bill Murrayis trapped in a loop of repeating events.

About five years ago Bonitians were givenhope that Lee County might expand thePine Avenue library. A $4 million commit-ment was pledged by at least one Lee CountyCommissioner, but nothing came of it.

Next, eighteen months ago, the City’svolunteer Library Task Force recommendedthat the County triple the size of the Bonitalibrary. City Council met with Lee CountyCommissioners to push that recommenda-tion, and earlier this year three of the fiveCommissioners informally voiced support.

But when the County crunched numbersfor its 2013 budget, the dollar amount includ-ed for a larger Bonita library was, again,zero.

Now, the City has again asked the stalwartgroup of Library Task Force volunteers,headed by Jeffrey Brown, to convene. Attheir first meeting in late October, the groupreached an informal consensus. It was nosurprise.

Again, they said, the County should triplethe size of the current library.

“Until we get some kind of a commitmentfrom the County,” said task force memberKen Pennington, “I wonder if we are justspinning our wheels.”

Although the County has provided nofunding, some progress has been made.County staff, whom Assistant City ManagerJohn Gucciardo called “enthusiastic” aboutthe project, has developed preliminary plansfor a new facility at the current library site.They are also considering alternate sites.

At 25,000 square feet, the new facilitywould be smaller than the 36,000 squarefeet building proposed by the Library TaskForce. As reported last spring by the Spotlight,Lee Library director Sheldon Kaye has saidthat a larger facility would be “out of scale”in the current system, in which only sixregional libraries exceed 36,000 square feet.The nearest regional library to Bonita is theSouth County Library in Estero.

At the Library Task Force meeting, CityManager Carl Schwing reflected on progressmade and discussed conversations with LeeCounty Commissioners. “I do not see anypolitical opposition at the County Com-mission to a new Bonita facility,” he said.

The Lee County Commission is notopposed to a larger Bonita library, but theyhave been in no hurry to spend any moneyto build it.

As a result, how Bonita Springs turnsperennial promises into actual County fund-ing continues to be an unsolved question.Fort Myers has a $30 million county libraryunder construction. That new library willserve as a centerpiece of downtown revital-ization there. Before Fort Myers, the Countyfunded a new regional library on CapeCoral.

To many Bonita library advocates, thefrustration of the wait is compounded bylibrary tax math. In the last decade Bonitaproperty owners have paid about $25 millionin library tax dollars above the cost of oper-ating the Bonita branch. That is enough tohave paid for two new libraries in Bonita,

using County staff cost estimates. Currently,Bonita property owners pay about $2.5 mil-lion yearly, about $1 million more thanBonita branch expenses.

Lee County library reserves have beendepleted by the building projects, operatingdeficits and a reduced library tax rate. LeeLibrary Director Kaye wants a tax increasein 2014 to meet operating expenses andbuild reserves for construction projects.

Council member Bill Lonkart has a dif-ferent view of funding. He points to severalhundred million dollars of other Countyreserves as a source for Bonita library con-struction. If Lee County can find millionsof general fund dollars to support the Min-nesota Twins, it should try a lot harder tohelp Bonita, Lonkart told the Spotlight.

Among the issues City Council has askedthe Library Task Force to consider is whetherBonita should go its own way, and replacethe County library tax with a dedicatedBonita tax. That’s what Fort Myers Beachand Sanibel have done, and it would requireCounty approval to avoid double taxation.

From a Bonita perspective there is acertain appeal to going it alone, particularlywhen compared to Library Director Kaye’stax proposal that would have Bonitianspaying almost $4 million more than thecost of operating the Bonita branch. Moneylike that could quickly pay for a new library,whether on Pine Avenue or on Old 41 aspart of a redevelopment effort.

November elections have changed thecomposition of the five-member Lee CountyCommission, and the effect on Bonita librarydeliberations is unclear. Two of the threeLee County Commissioners who lent theirvoices, if not funding, to the Bonita projectare gone. That leaves John Manning as thesole continuing supporter. The two othercontinuing Commissioners, Frank Mannand Tammy Hall, have expressed reservationsabout Bonita library expansion.

Newly elected Commissioner Larry Kikertold the Spotlight, prior to the election, thathe supports Bonita library funding “in aprioritized process.” Cecil Pendergrass isthe fifth Commissioner, newly elected.

“The big thing is when are we going toget this done if the County is going to do it,”said Library Task Force member Fred Forbes.“It seems to me it’s going to be a while.”

Volunteer EffortBrings Memorial to Bonita

On Veterans Day Bonitians flocked toRiverside Park for the dedication of Bonita’snew Veterans Memorial monument. A fewdays earlier, Dave Grossi, head of the city’sVeterans Advisory Board, sat on a RiversidePark bench to talk about the volunteer effortthat brought the monument to Bonita.

The quest for a new veterans memorialin Bonita Springs began when an earliermemorial, located at the old cemetery onthe corner of Beach Road and Imperial, fellinto disrepair. It sat atop a grave, so it wasremoved.

“Our group wanted a new memorial thatwould honor all armed services,” said Grossi.“We wanted something that was not osten-tatious, but quiet and dignified.”

Several projects were considered, includinga fountain or a statue similar to the ThreeSoldiers Statue adjacent to the Vietnam Vet-erans Memorial in Washington. But the cost,

Up and Down the Trail

Continued on page 14

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Bonita Springs-Film starand singer Jennifer Lopezsurprised television audi-ences as a spokesperson forthe dangers of pertussis(whooping cough) in 2009.This highly communicable,bacterial infection causedas many as 5,000 to 10,000U.S. deaths per year ofmainly children and infantsbefore universal vaccina-tions reached their fullpotential by the 1940’s. Per-tussis was pretty much elim-inated and forgotten, onemore success for publichealth. Recent increases inreported cases, however, arebecoming more prevalentacross the country.

What happened? Waningvaccinations in the teenageand adult populations mayexplain the recent rise ofreported cases in the lastfew years. Infants in par-ticular, up to six monthsof age, are at risk beforetheir vaccination immunityis complete. Duration ofthe cough may be severalweeks. If Pertussis is in ahousehold, it is an 80%probability that it will

spread to every member.Whooping cough can

be prevented with the per-tussis vaccine, which is part of the DTaP (diphthe-ria, tetanus, acellular per-tussis) immunization. DTaP

immunizations are routine-ly given in five doses beforea child’s sixth birthday.There are important excep-tions and special circum-stances; pediatricians willhave the most current infor-mation.

Judith Hartner, MD,MPH, Director, Lee CountyHealth Department, advisesparents to get their baby’sshots on schedule. All Lee

County seventh graders hadbooster shots before startingschool this year, the rec-ommendation of the Amer-ican Pediatrics Society. Thesurprise group that may bethe primary carriers of thisrecent outbreak needs vac-cination: adults, parents inparticular.

Hartner suggests, “Adultslikely had no booster afterseventh grade. Their immu-nity is waning and con-tributes to the increase inpertussis, a reportable dis-ease. There were twice asmany reported cases in LeeCounty this year as lastyear. It is my opinion thatadults who care for andwork with infants and chil-dren need to have a per-tussis vaccination. Forconvenience, it may beadministered in combina-tion with a Tetanus boost-er.” One booster dose of aTdap (tetanus, diphtheria,pertussis) is recommendedfor adults. This is a shotthat is injected into thearm. Side effects are similarto most vaccines; there maybe localized redness,swelling, or soreness at theinjection site.

Adults with pertussis

might not present with thetypical whooping coughsymptoms. It may beginlike a cold or a bad coughand be diagnosed as bron-chitis or a lung infectionor remain undiagnosed.Pertussis is treated withantibiotics.

Joan Colfer, MD, MPH,Director, Collier CountyHealth Department states,“We are concerned aboutthe fact that pertussis casesare becoming more preva-

lent throughout the coun-try. Vaccination is the bestdefense against pertus-sis. However, because pro-tection from vaccine wearsoff over time, we recom-mend teens and adults,especially caregivers ofinfants under 6 months ofage, receive a booster vac-cination to continue to pro-tect their loved ones andthemselves.”

Colfer also adds “…Pregnant women may be

vaccinated against pertussisbefore pregnancy, duringpregnancy or after givingbirth. Fathers may be vac-cinated at any time, butpreferably before the birthof their baby.”

Children and adults mayreceive vaccinations fromtheir family physicians, atthe Lee County HealthDepartment or at EsteroUrgent Care. Consult yourfamily physician for medicaladvice.


Spotlight News

Whooping Cough Has Surprise Carriers

“It is my opinionthat adults who carefor and work with

infants and children need tohave a pertussis vaccination.”–Judith Hartner,

MD, MPH, Director,Lee County Health

Department

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Spotlight News

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Business

estimated up to $400,000, was prohibitive. Then one of the group’s members spotted a photo by

Bob Strong, a Reuters photographer. Taken in Afghanistanin 2010, it shows two soldiers helping an injured comradeto safety. (See interview with Bob Strong on page 18.)

Strong’s picture conveys an enduring ethos of the military.In the swirling turmoil of war, no one should be left behind.

After consulting with local sculptor Mike Morgan, thegroup decided on a monument, with the photo applied bylaser on a slab of granite. Morgan contacted Reuters, whichgave permission to use the photo.

“War is very violent,” said Grossi, and the original photo,with orange flames bursting from a burning truck, isgraphic. “We decided we should “G” rate it a little, andfocus on the soldiers.”

“We liked the idea of laser engraving the photo ratherthan acid etching it,” he said. “Acid cuts into the granite andcan lead to discoloration from water.”

The black granite, like that of the Vietnam memorial, isfrom an Indian quarry. Its deep black color provides thenecessary contrast for the photo, said Morgan. The basegrey granite is from the Rock of Ages quarry in Vermont.The installation weighs 26,000 pounds.

The memorial is named No One Left Behind, a militarymotto that transcends all armed services. The seals of theArmy, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and MerchantMarines are affixed to the base of the statue.

The words “No One Left Behind” have particularresonance to Grossi, who served in Vietnam.

“Up in New York State, when I was a cop, my friends andI wanted to join the American Legion. But there was a sensethat we were not really welcome,” he said. “It’s 180 degreesdifferent in Bonita. Here we are welcome with open arms.We are never going to allow these returning soldiers fromIraq and Afghanistan to feel they are not welcome.”

The memorial cost about $90,000. Before reaching outto individuals, the Veterans Board hoped to raise fundsthrough the sale of bricks honoring veterans along the

walkway in Riverside Park. The walkway program has beensuccessful, with over 200 bricks installed. But, Grossi said,the group quickly realized that, without more, “our grand-children might never see the memorial.”

Individual fundraising started with Bob Gillette, whosecontribution allowed the group to lock in the price of thegranite. More than one hundred Bonita residents contributed,including school children who contributed the few dollarsthey could afford. The back of the memorial recognizessubstantial contributions of thirty-three Bonitians.

Grossi had special praise for his volunteer group.“I was a cop for a long time, I commanded platoons as a

lieutenant, but I have never been associated with a grouplike this committee,” he said. “Everyone has their owncareers, but they have put in countless hours focused onveterans issues in Bonita Springs.”

Bernwood ShelterApplication Exempt,Says Attorney

According to a letter to the City from a Bernwoodproperty owner’s lawyer, her clients’ homeless shelter appli-cation is exempt from the City’s shelter moratorium becauseit relied on statements by City staff to that effect.

The November 5 letter from Neil Montgomery, attorneyfor the James A. Bernet Estate, conflicts with a July opinionof Beverly Grady, the City’s special outside lawyer. Gradystated that the plain language of the moratorium prohibitsapproval of the application.

The homeless shelter application was filed in April for aSt. Matthew’s House homeless shelter in the Bernwoodsection of Old 41. But in June St. Matthew’s House pulledout of the application process. At that time, Vann Ellison,chief executive of St. Matthew’s House, told the Spotlightthat he had “no plans at all to proceed.”

However, the property owner apparently had a differentidea. It, not St. Matthew’s House, was the applicant ofrecord on the application to the City for approval of theshelter. Rather than withdraw the application when St.

Matthew’s withdrew, it proceeded to continue the applicationprocess.

A temporary halt, or moratorium, on homeless shelterapprovals was enacted by City Council effective May 18,shortly before St. Matthew’s withdrew from the applicationprocess. The moratorium is for one year, or less undercertain circumstances.

At a July City Council meeting, Grady, special outsidecounsel to the City, confirmed to City Council and staffthat the plain language of the moratorium prohibits approvalof the homeless shelter application. At that meeting, CityCouncil affirmed that, in passing the moratorium, it hadno intent to exempt the Bernwood application. Grady alsonoted that the applicant had notice that the moratoriumwas pending before its application was submitted.

Montgomery’s November 5 letter does not discuss thelanguage of the moratorium, or Special Counsel Grady’sstatement that its plain meaning prohibits the approval ofthe shelter application. Rather, it asserts that the moratoriumshould not apply because on several occasions City staffinformed her client and St. Matthew’s House that it wouldnot apply.

The shelter application was submitted the evening beforeCity Council adopted the moratorium. Under the Citycharter, all laws take effect one month after adoption.According to Montgomery’s letter, City Attorney AudreyVance confirmed the applicant’s understanding that if theapplication was submitted prior the effective date, themoratorium would not apply to it.

Montgomery’s letter states her client relied on theseassurances to its detriment, and that its shelter applicationshould be approved.

Bonita Election PotpourriDuring the election cycle, the Bonita Springs Area

Chamber of Commerce and its chief executive ChristineRoss once again produced informative local candidateforums at the Bonita Grande firehouse. Jim Dati, Kim

Hastings and Don Thomson served as moderators and

Up and Downfrom page 11

Continued on page 17

TOWN TALK

Contributed | [email protected] Sense Citizens The Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening and ribboncutting ceremony of First Citizens Bank earlier this month. Frank B. Holding, Jr.,Chairman & CEO of First Citizens Bank, says, “Our common-sense approach todoing business comes from our century of experience.” First Citizens Bank is locatedat 8891 Timberwilde Drive in Bonita Springs.

Contributed | [email protected]

400 Rackets and a RibbonTennis “R” Us celebrated its grand opening and ribboncutting ceremony earlier this month. Tennis “R” Us isthe largest specialty tennis store in Southwest Floridaand offers a variety of products and services including24-hour stringing, demonstration of any of the 400available racquets and an assortment of tennisfootwear and apparel. Tennis “R” Us is located inBonita Commons at 25987 South Tamiami Trail, Suite 97.

Bonita’s BurgeoningBusinessesTurn to page 20 to read Peter O’Flinn’s editorial onbusiness in Bonita.

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 2:59 PM Page 14


Business


Bonita Springs – A feast ofsheet music meets the eyeat Miller’s Sheet Music &Studios – piano music,method books, vocal, choral

and band music, to name afew. The gift selection formusicians is also extensivefrom band and orchestrainstrument accessories tomusical gifts and teachingactivities and aides. Millerand ten instructors offer

classes for students of wood-winds, brass, strings, guitar,vocal and piano. It’s a busyplace where no piece of sheetmusic in print escapes theirresearch capacity to find itfor a customer.

The instrument and voice

instructors are professionalsin their own right who per-form at the Philharmonic,the Sugden Theater andmany other musical venuesin Southwestern Florida. “Iam careful to select instruc-tors with excellent teachingand performance credentialsand a passion for music.Lessons are not just for theyoung; many of our studentsare older adults who maybe picking up an instrumentagain, or starting fresh as ahobby,” said Miller.

Don Smathers is themanager; he runs the storewhen Miller teaches. Pianois popular, a basic coreinstrument that can lead inmany directions. “Digitalkeyboards are close; butthere’s nothing as aestheti-cally and acoustically pleas-ing as a real piano,” shesmiles.

The studio has a familyatmosphere, full of studentsfrom 3:00 p.m. until 7:00p.m. during the week andSaturdays, 11:00 a.m. until3:00 p.m. The store is openweekdays at 11:00 a.m. but

closes at 6:00 p.m. on Fridays.It’s a treasure trove for musiclovers to browse. Musicalinstruments may also berented and repaired.

Music has been a consis-tent focus in Miller’s life thatotherwise took many paths.Born in New Orleans, sheended up in Minnesota untilshe decided that Florida wasmuch warmer, more likewhere she was born andhome to family members: abrother, nieces and nephews.

Her love of music led toa music major at College ofMt. St. Joseph in Cincinnatiwith emphasis on musictherapy. She lived in monas-teries in Cincinnati and Min-nesota as a Catholic Sisterand taught youth music inCatholic schools. No longera Sister, her training in musictherapy contributes tounique instruction in herBonita Springs studio. Shealso teaches students whomay be highly functionalbut have learning disabilities.

Liturgical Choral ReadingWorkshops for choir direc-

tors, music directors andchoir members are offeredtwice a year. The next one isscheduled for May 4th from9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Miller’s Sheet Music &Studios opened initiallybecause Miller was teachingmusic from her home andencountered a zoning prob-lem. The store at 10347Bonita Beach Road has beenopen three years. “A newbusiness is challenging, espe-cially in the summer. I have

high hopes for the future.I’d like to be in a positionto offer scholarships forfinancially disadvantagedstudents so music instructioncan be more affordable. Itry to keep costs reasonablebut always emphasize qualityas the primary goal, “saidMiller.

Miller offers SouthwestFlorida a complete selectionof music, instruments,instruction and her own pas-sion for the pure joy musicprovides. If the questionincludes, “music,” Miller hasthe answer.

Theresa Miller in her store Miller’s Sheet Music & Studios


The instrument and voice instructors areprofessionals in their own right who

perform at the Philharmonic, the SugdenTheater and many other musical venues in

Southwestern Florida.

Bonita Business Beat

A Musical Feast

Two condos in

popular Harbor Lakes with lake views. Reasonably priced from

$249,000 to $299,000. Newly listed villa in Cranbrook. Rare opportunity at

$519,000.Stunning custom built Frey & Son home in Riverwalk

with all the bells and whistles and priced below market at $1,390,000. (Below)

Downing-Frye Realty, Inc.

BONITA BAY

Joyce Maloney, CLHSjoycemaloney.com

[email protected] 273-5272

Million dollar views from this upscale hi-rise decorator-ready unit with 2-car garage included. A must see at $765,000

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 2:59 PM Page 15


Bonita Springs – On anisland nation plagued byserial natural disasters andthe man made kind offailed politics, how are theHaitians coping and whatprogress, if any, is beingmade?

“Haitians are optimisticpeople of faith who hopefor a better future and helpeach other,” accordingto local resident MichaelGay Sr.

A new era in Haiti’sbuilding constructionbegan twelve years agowhen he returned to theland of his idyllic childhoodwhen his mother was ateacher and his fatherworked in agriculture. Hespent summers fishing andenjoying the countryside.Roman Catholic school wasstrict; he was a disciplinedstudent. Like many in hisgeneration, he left Haiti tomake his fortune, first inMontreal and then NewYork City where he workedfull time by day and attend-ed City College by night.

Tall and slender today,with slightly graying shorthair and glasses, Gay doesn’teasily talk about his accom-plishments memorialized inphotographs, certificates,plaques and accolades dis-played in his comfortablehome office. He prefers to

talk about the importanceof education, hard workand a career “that youwould love to do even with-out pay.” He still exudesthe youthful enthusiasm heexpressed for his professionas a young civil engineeringgraduate when he first sawthe New York City under-ground subway construc-tion project, “I was in awe;I said out loud, ‘this is whatI want to do.’”

Gay directed projectsfrom the Eisenhower tunnelon I-70 outside Denver,Colorado to nine and a halfmiles of tunnel under theAtlantic off Boston harborand mammoth construc-

tion projects in Europe andPuerto Rico. His career withPKS, the largest construc-tion company in the U.S.,ended after 47 years ofaccomplishments with earlyretirement in Florida at age51. He continued consult-ing, but he had anotherplan. Florida was close toHaiti.

“Haitian constructionsites still mixed cement inwheelbarrows. A simpleidea could make a majordifference to strengthenHaitian building construc-tion,” said Gay. No onewould finance his businessplan for a Haitian ready-mix cement plant. So heself-financed what hethought was a win-win pro-posal. In partnership withhis brother and later theaddition of his youngestson, both of southwestFlorida, they built GDG,now employing 500 withprojects in four major Hait-ian cities.

“For every one of those500 employees, six to eightpeople earn a living sellingfood and services,” ex-plained Gay. Haitianwomen are a good exampleof the entrepreneurial spir-it, supporting a family witha small basket of goods thatexpands over time. If microloans for their small busi-nesses and guaranteedhome loans were available,they would encourage con-

struction industry growthand quality housing, build-ing a jobs base beyond gov-ernment.

People are quietlychanging the landscape ofHaiti for the future throughpersonal investment. “Asmall middle class of mid-dle managers and businesspeople in their 30’s and40’s does exist. They strug-

gle with government as themain employer,” said Gay.“When the ruling partychanges, so do all the gov-ernment bureaucrats, slow-ing progress.”

GDG construction proj-ects survived the 7.0 mag-nitude earthquake in 2010which killed more than200,000 people, injured300,000 and left 1.5 millionHaitian homeless. “Beforethe hurricane, I worked toconvince developers thatmore expensive, better con-struction would pay off.”GDG recent projectsinclude hurricane proofhousing financed by non-governmental organizations(NGOs) and the Oasiscruise ship port. Gay’s cur-rent projects in modern

school construction repre-sent Haiti’s future: freeyouth education for thefirst time, housing, andjobs.

“Many successful peoplewant to use their expertisein Haiti; they just wait forthings to get better. If every-one waits, it will never getbetter,” said Gay.

Lack of infrastructureand bureaucratic inconsis-tency challenge the smalleststreet vendor to the largestcorporation, explained Gay.“Investment opportunityexists in Haiti though busi-ness acumen alone is insuf-ficient to overcome majorhurdles; it takes a personalcommitment to surmountthe challenges working ina foreign country.”


Neighbors

Rebuilding Haiti

A simple idea could make a major difference to strengthen

Haitian building construction. – Michael Gay Sr.

Local resident Michael Gay Sr.’s company, GDG Beton et Construction, is building one of the biggest secondary schools in Haiti.

Michael Gay Sr., a profes-sional engineer and Presi-dent of GDG Beton etConstruction, is a localFloridian working to re-build Haiti.


Contributed | Special to the Spotlight

The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince is a GDG project.


SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 2:59 PM Page 16


Giving Back

Opportunitiesto give back

Toys for TotsMake a child’s holiday

season special, bring in anunwrapped toy to any EdibleArrangements store duringNovember until December15 and receive a free pineap-ple pop. The Bonita Springsstore is at 26381 S. TamiamiTrail, Suite 100.

Support Local Soldiers and Veterans

The Bonita Springs Vet-erans Advisory Board hascreated a special accountthrough the AmericanLegion Post 303 to supportrecently discharged local sol-diers and veterans in need.Donations will provide localdischarged soldiers and vet-erans with financial assis-tance, home modificationsand transportation. Pleasemake checks out to AmericanLegion Post 303 and mailto: American Legion Post303, 28678 Imperial ShoresBlvd., Bonita Springs, FL34134 Notation: “Bonita Vet-erans Assistance Fund”. Con-

tact Dave Grossi for moreinformation: 239 495-3018.

A Gift of Care to Veterans

Starting Veterans Day,returning veterans from theIraq or Afghan wars canreceive 6 months of care atno charge in the offices ofupper cervical chiropractorsDrs. Drew-Montez andKanema Clark. The onlything they ask is that veteranswear their uniforms on thefirst visit. Their offices areat 3920 Via Del Rey, Suite 1,Bonita Springs. Call 239 200-7248 for more information.

Blankets for BonitaThe Lighthouse Fellow-

ship Congregational Church,in conjunction with theBonita Springs AssistanceOffice, is holding its secondannual “Blankets for Bonita”,collecting new blankets tohelp the needy in BonitaSprings. Last year Bonitiansdonated over 200 new blan-kets. New blankets can be

dropped off at the BonitaSprings Assistance Office,25300 Bernwood Drive, Unit6 in Bonita Springs or thechurch will also arrange topick up your blanket dona-tion. Call 239-267-6661 toarrange for a pick up. Thefinal collection will take placeat 4:30 in Riverside Park atBonita’s “Holiday in the Park”on December 4.

Bonita Springs Assistance Office

For over 30 years theBonita Springs AssistanceOffice has served as a primarysocial service agency in Boni-ta Springs. Their objectiveis to provide emergency relieffor Bonita Springs residentsto lessen the impact of finan-cial and personal crises. Atthis time of year they are inneed of food donations fortheir food pantry. Fooddonations can be droppedoff at their offices at 25300Bernwood Drive #6, BonitaSprings. For more informa-tion call 239 992-3034.

peppered the candidates with insightfuland substantive questions. It would begreat to see more Bonitians avail themselvesof these opportunities to become betterinformed.

******************Readers may recall that, in an interview

published in the last issue of the Spotlight,then Lee County Commissioner candidateLarry Kiker stated he planned to open alocal Bonita office. It looks like promisekept, and quickly. The day after Kiker’svictory, Mayor Ben Nelson told City Councilthat Kiker had asked him to help find officespace in Bonita. Kiker told the Spotlight heplans to visit frequently.

******************Bonita Councilman Peter Simmons

wore a big smile at newly elected Con-gressman Trey Radel’s election night party,held at Bonita’s Trianon Hotel. Simmonswas an early supporter and heavily involvedin the campaign.

Radel’s short victory speech struck aconciliatory tone. While he emphasized his conservative values, Radel also talked ofthe need to “cross the aisle to work together.”It’s important to come together, he said, toget the country back on track.

******************In the weeks before the election, it was

hard to miss an old Cadillac jalopy trolling

slowly around town. Every inch of it, andthe cockeyed trailer behind it, was festoonedwith overlapping placards for Democratand other candidates, from Obama/Bidento the Lee Hospital Board.

This was the political performance artof J.W. Adams, who drove just fast enoughto make the large roof mounted Americanflag flutter.

We caught up with Adams in the libraryparking lot. He is a retired electrician andVietnam veteran who moved to Bonitatwo years ago. The election rig was hisidea, at his expense.

”I am not much of a talker,” he said. “SoI thought this would be a good way topresent things to people. 95% of the responsehas been positive.”

If Adams sightings seemed like a dailyoccurrence in Bonita, they were. Adamssaid he had been driving around the countyten to eleven hours a day for a month. “ Ijust get up in the morning and drive,” hesaid.

How much gas did Adams use? “I amscared to add it up,” he said. “ All I know isthat if I had a wife, she would have stoppedme a long time ago.”

Meanderings…Recently, two hundredBonitians contributed to a Luau themedparty to celebrate six successful months ofthe reopened Bonita YMCA. Russell’s Clam-bakes catered the dinner gratis. FormerCity Manager Gary Price won a two-seaterkayak, and promptly launched it on itsmaiden voyage—right into the Y’s supersizedswimming pool.

Up and Downfrom page 14

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 2:59 PM Page 17

By Peter R. O’[email protected]

Bonita Springs- On July23, 2010, amidst a burningconvoy in Afghanistan’sArghandab Valley, an injuredsoldier wrapped his armsaround the shoulders of twocomrades, who helped himto safety. A few feet awayBob Strong, a veteran Reutersphotographer embeddedwith the troops, clicked away.

Today Strong’s picture ofthat moment is the center-piece of No One Left Behind,Bonita Springs new VeteransMemorial in Riverside Park.

In a telephone interviewwith the Spotlight, Strongoffered a first person accountof events that day inAfghanistan when he tookthe picture.

A Day in theArghandab Valley

During a forty-year career

as a photographer, Stronghas covered conflicts inColumbia, Nicaragua and ElSalvador. He spent two yearsin Baghdad as Reuters’ chiefphotographer.

In 2010, he was anembedded journalist inAfghanistan, living andworking with a Field ArtilleryRegiment of the Army’s 101stAirborne Division. “It’s reallythe only way to cover thatconflict,” he said. “You can’twork by yourself as a west-erner because you will getkidnapped. It is just too dan-gerous.”

Strong was stationed atCombat Outpost Nolen, asmall base with about 50soldiers located 30 milesnorth of the Kandahar Valley.

“There were a long stringof casualties at that base,”he said. “The Taliban hadcontrolled the area forever,and they planted mineseverywhere. By the time we

got there three or four sol-diers had been killed, andseven or eight had lost limbsin explosions.”

A dirt road connectedthe outpost with a largerForward Operating Base.Bombings along that roadwere frequent, with sophis-ticated detonation systems.“They used to use pressureplates for mines,” said Strong.“But then they began to hardwire mines to telephoneslocated about a hundredyards away. A guy a mileaway can watch for a convoy.When he calls the telephone,it detonates the bomb.”

In mid afternoon on thatJuly day in 2010, Strong wastravelling to the main basealong the dirt road fromCombat Outpost Nolen.

“We were in the secondvehicle in an eight-vehicleconvoy,” he said. “We werecrossing a culvert. All of sud-den we heard ‘boom.’ The

first vehicle had hit a mine.These are big, big vehicles,and the whole thing liftedup in the air. It came backdown, and amazingly, noone was killed.” The vehicle,an M-ATV, had a V shapedbottom designed to deflectblasts.

After the explosion theconvoy stopped, and at firsteveryone stayed put to guardagainst small arms fire. Thena team from the main basearrived, and evacuated thesoldiers in the struck vehicleto safety.

When support arrived,Strong began taking pictures.In one shot, two soldierssupport a comrade who hadbeen removed from the leadvehicle. That picture nowappears on the Bonita Vet-erans Memorial.

Strong’s original pictureof that scene also shows thelead vehicle in conflagration.“After they pulled the guysout, it started burning,” saidStrong. ‘It basically burnedto the ground. There wasnothing left of it.”

Strong returned to Com-bat Outpost Nolen a yearlater, and met one of thesoldiers from the lead truck.“He still had serious backproblems, though not debil-itating,” said Strong. ”Eventhough soldiers may not getinjured by shrapnel, they getconcussions and other seri-ous injuries.”

Commitment of Soldiers

“As a journalist, you areneutral,” said Strong whenasked to reflect on the wareffort in Afghanistan. “Butit is hard when you live withthe soldiers and see whatthey go through. They weremaking difficult decisionsevery day, and they werefirmly committed to theirtask. If you asked them ifthey wanted to go hometomorrow, everyone wouldsay, ‘Yes’. That’s just the wayit is. Who would want tolive in 130 degrees withoutelectricity? It’s just not a verypleasant place. But they wereall incredibly committed totheir job, to do what they

were there to do.”When Strong returned to

the area in 2011, he found“staggering” progress. “Roadswere put in, they had builtinfrastructure and they hadrebuilt mosques. They hadstabilized the area,” he said.

“As an American,” he said,“you can see the need to ridthe world of people who aregoing to attack our way oflife. At the same time it isvery difficult when you gointo a culture that is soextremely different.”

“Afghanistan has been atwar for almost 500 years. Itis a tribal country that doesnot operate on democraticprinciples. On the one handyou want to stabilize coun-tries like that; on the otheryou have to be very carefulhow you go about it.”

No One Left BehindStrong’s father was a

career Air Force officer.“Coming from a militaryfamily, I feel very close tothe U.S. military,” he said.

“I am grateful that theychose that picture,” he said,when asked about the NoOne Left Behind memorialin Riverside Park.

“People can look at it andreflect on the sacrifices ourtroops make, and their cama-raderie,” Strong said. “It isan honor to be included.”


Community

From Afghanistan to Bonita

An injured soldier with the US Army’s 1-320 Field Artillery Regiment, 101st AirborneDivision is assisted past his burning M-ATV armored vehicle after it struck an Impro-vised Explosive Device (IED) on a road near Combat Outpost Nolen in the ArghandabValley in this picture taken July 23, 2010. REUTERS/Bob Strong

Photo courtesy of REUTERS/Bob Strong

Staff | [email protected] One Left Behind was unveiled during Veterans Day ceremonies.

Staff | [email protected] Veterans Day hundreds of Bonitians gathered at Riverside Park for the dedicationof Bonita’s new Veterans Memorial.

We were in the second vehicle in an eight-vehicleconvoy. We werecrossing a culvert.All of sudden weheard ‘boom.’ Thefirst vehicle had hit a mine.

– Bob Strong

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 2:59 PM Page 18


Town Talk

TOWN TALKImperial River Challenge ResultsSingle Kayak Men 1. Brint Adams 29:43 2. Doug Lindsey 32:01 3. Kees Pot 32:12

Single Kayak Women 1. Brenda McCann 38:29 2. Jan Taylor 39:12 3. Mary Jo Seldon 39:59

Tanden Kayak1. Erin Marshall &

Gina Hein 46:35

Surf-Ski 1. Mr. Kim Kelsey 29:26 2. Arnaldo Figueredo 39:34

Stand Up Paddle Board 1. Mark Anthanacio 31:27 2. Ms. Mindy Quinsey 36:15 3. Ms. Chris Griffith 46:17

Mayor’s Cup - Canoe 1. Lieutenant Paul Canning

& Earnie Williams 58:38Bonita Springs Fire District

2. Major Kathy Rairden & Ms. Kelsey Rairden 1:15:00Lee County Sheriff Office

Mr. Kim Kelsey won the MarthaSimons Award for fastest overall time.

Plant Sale Returns to Riverside ParkThe Bonita Springs Tropical Fruit Club and the Gulf Coast Garden Club are promoting a fruit tree and ornamental plant sale setfor November 17 in Downtown Bonita Springs. The Tropical Fruit Club’s semi-annual fruit tree and plant sale is held at the southend of Riverside Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A short block away and immediately across the street at the Bonita Springs HistoricalSociety’s McSwain House, the Gulf Coast Garden Club will hold its ornamental plant sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The funds raisedare used to bring educational programs to the public and to benefit the restoration of the gardens at the McSwain House.

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 2:59 PM Page 19

A week or so ago, Naplesand Fort Myers newspapersreported that Lowe’s hadabandoned plans to build ahome improvement store onBonita Beach Road.

These articles broughtback a distant memory. TheSpotlight reported this storyseven months ago, under theheadline “Lowe’s Drops Planfor Beach Road Store.”

I point this out not somuch to crow about beatingour competition to thepunch although, of course,we always feel pretty goodwhen we do it.

There is a much moreimportant point to be made,about Bonita Springs prom-ising economic future.

Lowe’s made its decisionin 2011. Since that time, Boni-ta has been in the middle ofa burgeoning economicrebound. There’s more to bedone, but just look around.

Projects costing tens of mil-lions of dollars are underway.They include Toll Brothers’Bonita Lakes on Imperial,Bonita Isles on Old 41 andTerraces on U.S. 41. Newhomes are being built in Vil-lage Walk, Hawthorne andD.R. Horton plans a devel-opment near Palmira.

Local businesses, like John-ny Molloy’s, are expanding.New companies, like theGrowing Room Child Devel-opment Center, have beenattracted here thanks to theefforts of the EconomicDevelopment Council. The

City has streamlined theprocess for permit approvals.

N ew stores have openedselling everything from bicy-cles to tennis rackets. And,of course, necessities like icecream, cupcakes and pizza.

Who knows? By the timewe are through we may needanother hardware store.

As we reported last spring,Lowe’s decision was muchless about Bonita Springsthan its own fortunes. It can-celled plans for 25 new storesnationwide. At the same time,it closed 20 stores, laid off2,000 workers, and suffered

a rating agency downgrade. Thank you for reading

the Spotlight, Bonita’s go-tosource for in-depth coverageof area news, on everythingfrom homeless shelters tohurricane shelters, from CityCouncil issues to charitablegiving. We take great pridein informing you of localissues that matter, and inbe-ing part of a growing andvibrant community.

Peter O’Flinn is the Publisherof the Southwest SpotlightNews Magazine. Contactedat [email protected].


Commentary

CommentaryE D I T O R I A L

Bonita’s Burgeoning Businesses

By Martha Simons

For many years, BonitaSprings was known as the“Gateway to the Gulf”. It wasour City moniker. A few yearsago, City Council adopted,“Small Town Charm, BigBright Future” as our newcity motto. Both slogansdescribe Bonita Springs well.

It’s obvious why we arecalled the Gateway to theGulf. It’s not only BonitaBeach Road that leads to thecleanest beaches and mostbeautiful sunsets on the Gulfof Mexico. One can also getthere by boat on the Imperial

River, Spring Creek, or thruEstero Bay. These are tangibleassets. Our City Council hasjoined our citizens in pro-tecting and celebrating thesenatural treasures. In earlierdays, our economic develop-ment depended heavily onthe Gulf.

What is this SmallTown Charm?

Today, our economy ismore diverse and our eco-nomic development is hing-ing, in part, on Small TownCharm. But what is this intan-gible and desirable thing wecall Small Town Charm?

Some have described it as awholesome place withfriendly residents a la a Cur-rier and Ives print, a home-town where civic pride ishigh and everyone can giveyou good directions to thebest home style eats. Thereis a sense of history that isrecanted with wonder thatindigenous people and pio-neers could bear such hard-ships. There are small streetswhose houses are circledwith picket fences, and prettygardens, a river or lake tofish, and a band shell wherethe town celebrates theFourth of July. With thatcivic pride, citizens investin public art, libraries, foun-tains, benches on MainStreet, parks for Little Leagueand historic memorials.Small business is the normand everybody knows yourname, well, not quite every-body, thank goodness. Westill hold privacy as dear.

Turning Points for Our Future

Raising Small TownCharm as our city slogan cel-ebrates our hopeful city cul-ture but is our Small TownCharm linked to our BigBright Future or simply anovelty pass through to getthere, to be forgotten? Recentlyone of our local homegrownhistorians described whathappened to the original localsettlement named Survey thatwas centered near BonitaBeach Road and ImperialParkway. “It disappeared”, hesaid, when development alongOld 41 and Pennsylvania Ave-nue began. A pioneer way oflife turned to a focus ontourism. Before I joined ourCity Council, a man fromNaples told me of how heand others, called theClamshell Alliance, foughtthe siting of a nuclear powerplant in the early 1970’s atwhat is now known as Bonita

Bay. It could be arguedwhether either were good orbad but all, including the build-ing of Bonita Bay, were turningpoints for our future, a futureat the time that was plannedby forces outside of our com-munity, before we re-incorpo-rated as a city in 2000.

It’s a Tricky Balancing Act

Is it possible for local gov-ernment to legislate, preserveand enhance Small TownCharm in a growing city?While it may not be a burningquestion now, it is somethingwe should plan for when theeconomy becomes more vig-orous. We need to be balancedand not let loose all planningin the name of economicdevelopment though we dowant to be friendly to attractand maintain business.Could our Small TownCharm disappear in our BigBright Future? It doesn’t have

to but it could.We need to enhance those

small charming thingsthrough investment and ourcity planning code. We needto bring together those wholive on public streets withthose in gated subdivisionsto foster a sense of sharedcommunity. We need to con-tinue to keep our waterwaysclean and fishable, help ourmom and pop businesses,support our parks, and exist-ing neighborhoods andproactively protect our cityfrom the encroachment ofbig city problems. I don’tthink we want a city of over-passes, like the one severaltimes and recently proposedat Bonita Beach Road andour small neighborhoods byusing them simply as a passthrough to accommodategrowth. We need to ask if wegrow for growth’s sake or useit to preserve what we have.

City Council Corner

Who knows?We may need another

hardware store.

A Moniker withMeaning

Continued on next page

By Peter A. O’FlinnPublisher

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 2:59 PM Page 20

By Jay Arend

That old adage of “whichcame first the chicken orthe egg” may soon beanswered in Bonita Springs.It appears that the CityCouncil is going to try andhelp people solve that mys-tery. Now don’t get mewrong, I appreciate all thehard work our Council doesbut I find a bit of humor inthis particular case.

My understanding is thatwe will have a process allow-ing 24 residents to raise upto four hens for the purposeof producing eggs for theirown use. Then after twoyears, if there are no prob-lems, other people mayapply for the same privilege.

This action has createda lot of discussion aroundthe water coolers and in alot of watering holes, (bothcoffee and other types).Comments such as: willthere be a lottery to be cho-sen as one of the 24, or if itgoes city wide will we needa chicken cop to make surethere are only four in a coup?Sometimes it gets more seri-ous like: does the high nitro-gen of the body waste wash

down into our rivers andstreams? Or what does it doto the value of my propertyif all my neighbors eventu-ally get chickens? (Some-thing to think about).

Then statistical and sci-entific minds get involvedand comments like: if achicken lays an egg everyother day, then I would get14 eggs a week and that’smore than we eat so whatcan I do with them? Or arebrown eggs more nutritionalthan white eggs? (There isvery little difference). Willfour hens who cackle whenthey lay an egg make morenoise than a rooster crow-ing? Are they organic eggsif you let them drink citywater or do you need rain

water to drink?A lot of this stems from

the city’s Sustainability Strat-egy Study, A Vision for 2046.In this study under LandUse is The Implementationof a Local Food System Planwhich includes “urban com-munity and private residen-tial gardens”. Somehowgrowing a garden does notinclude planting chickens.(I think there used to be ajoke about that).

Then of course at onewater hole where the drinksare a little stronger thanwater, the subject got aroundto the sex life of the hens ifthere are no roosters. Twoguys came up with the ideathat they could raise roostersand perhaps start a studservice business. However,they realized that it wouldbe a violation of the ordi-nance to let the roosters stayovernight in the city, so theydecided they would have to

set up a chicken coup out-side the city limits with indi-vidual rooms so the henscould have conjugal visits.

The last comment I heardbefore leaving was thiswould be quite an invest-

ment and who was goingto go before the EconomicDevelopment Committeeand ask for a grant.

What came first the“Chicken or the Egg”? InBonita Springs I would say

the egg, but the chickensare coming up fast.

Jay Arend served as Mayor ofBonita Springs from 2004 to2008.


Commentary

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Spotlight Sunset

Peggy Grajek | [email protected] Grajek took this sunset photo at Bonita Beach. Send your best sunset photos to [email protected] and your photo could be the next Spotlight Sunset.

Chicken or the Egg

Jay Arend

Somehow growinga garden does not include

planting chickens.

It’s a tricky balancing act.

Preservation will beSuccess

City planning must notonly include uses desirablein one area, such as dining,

retail and arts in our historicdowntown, but it mustexclude those uses elsewhereto drive supply and demandto downtown, preserve greenspace and foster tranquil andsafe neighborhoods. It’s ourcity and our future to create.Overwhelmingly, our citizenshave said they like our SmallTown Charm and hope we

give it the Big Bright Futureit deserves. Preserving SmallTown Charm will not onlybe our Gateway to Successbut for Bonitians will beSuccess itself.

Martha Simons is a Coun-cilmember from District 5 inBonita Springs.

City Council Cornerfrom page 20

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 2:59 PM Page 21

B: Bonita Springs E: EsteroFM: Fort Myers N: Naples

The Farm FreshMarketSat., Nov.17 & 24, 7:30a.m.-noonCome to one of the mostpopular markets in theregion. Fully stocked farm-fresh vegetable vendors plusvendors selling frozen fish,baked goods, cut flowers,orchids, cosmetics, antiques,fashions, jewelry, books, andmore. Where: Promenade atBonita Bay B. For more infor-mation, visit bonitalions.org.

Fruit Tree & Plant SaleSat., Nov.17, 9a.m.-3p.m.Purchase fruit trees, plants,local honey, homemadesoaps, plant soap, pottedherbs, jams and jellies. Localexperts will answer your gar-dening questions. Where:Riverside Park, Old 41 Rd.,just south of the band shellB.

Taste of BonitaSat., Nov.17, 5:30-9p.m.A kick-off concert will beperformed by the CaribbeanChillers. Bring your lawnchairs. Refreshments will besold. Where: Riverside Park,Old 41 Rd. B. FREE.´4

Sun., Nov.18, 11a.m.-5p.m.There will be tasty food pro-vided by local restaurantsand fun for the whole familyat this annual event sponsoredby The Rotary Club of BonitaSprings, to benefit local char-ities. Where: Riverside Park,Old 41 Rd. B. For more infor-

mation, visit tasteofbonita.com. Cost: Admission isFREE. Prices for food willvary.

Farm Growers MarketWed., Nov. 21 & 28, 8a.m.-1p.m.If you can eat it and watch itgrow, it’s here! Where: Old41 and Childers St. B. Formore information, visit boni-talions.org.

Corkscrew After HoursWed., Nov.28, 5:30 – 9p.m.and one night monthlythrough JulyHere is your opportunity toexperience Corkscrew SwampSanctuary at night with walks,talks, music, and more.Where: 375 Sanctuary RoadWest, off Immokalee Rd., 15miles east of I-75 N. Formore information on datesand topics, visit Corkscrew.Audubon.org, or call 239-348-9159. Cost: adults $12,college students andAudubon Society memberswith ID cards $6, children6-18 $4.

Tea at the RitzSat., Dec.1, 2-4p.m.Enjoy tea in a luxurious hotelsetting as you make a gener-ous contribution to Make-A-Wish Southern Florida.Where: The Ritz-Carlton, 280Vanderbilt Beach Rd. N.RSVP by Nov.28 to LesleyColantonio at 239-992-9474or visit [email protected]. Cost: $100

Sports

Florida EverbladesHockeyFri., Nov.30Hockey fans, here is yourchance to come out to sup-port the local team! Where:Germaine Arena, 11000 Ever-glades Parkway E. For moreinformation, visit germain-earena.com. For tickets, call866-459-2035.

Great Outdoor Adventure Day-Lovers KeySat., Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Food, music, touch tanks,children’s activities as well asguided kayak tours, walkingnature tours, Black Islandbike tours, geocaching andfishing clinics. Where: LoversKey State Park, 8700 EsteroBlvd., B. Cost: FREE withregular park entrance of $8per vehicle of up to 8 people.Guided kayak tours will be$10/per person, kayak rentalincluded.

Arts & Entertainment

Openings & EventsAward Winning Plays:Art and God of Carnage.Through Sun., Nov. 18, matinee and evening performances.Enjoy 2 Tony Award winningplays by Yasmina Reza.Where: Gulfshore Playhouseat The Norris Center, 7558th Ave. N. For more infor-mation, visit gulfshoreplay-house.org. For tickets, startingat $33, call 1-866-811-4111.



CALENDAR


Staff [email protected]

Bonita Springs – If you area Bonita area boater, AdamBotana wants to hear fromyou and, frankly, you oughtto give him a ring.

Botana is leading the vol-unteer effort for one of Boni-ta’s signature holiday events,the annual Christmas BoatParade on the Imperial River.Always held the second Sat-urday in December, this year’sparade date is December 8,at 6 p.m.

Admission is free, and

$1000 in prizes are beinggiven away, and awards rangefrom the “Best of Show” tothe “Broken Anchor Award,”for the “boat that really looksthat bad.”

Wait, there’s more! A Cap-tain’s Party for captains andfirst mates, sponsored by theFish House will be held onNovember 29 at 6 p.m. TheRotary Club Bonita SpringsNoon Foundation and TheBay Water Boat Club alsoare sponsors.

“This is the highlight ofmy Christmas season,” saidBotana, who remembers the

boat parade from when hewas a boy. Last year’s boatparade was the most impres-sive in recent years, withtwenty-five boats participat-ing.

This year, Botana is work-ing to make things bigger,and even better. The leadboat will have a tee shirtlauncher. “We are workingon lasers,” he said. “Hopefully,we will be at forty boats.”

“The parade makes nomoney, so any type of sup-port from the communitywould be great. We wouldlike to get the houses on theriver more involved.”

“It is a lot of work forus,” said Botana, “but it is alot of fun.”

Jingle Bells on the Water

If you go…Captain’s Party: Thur.

Nov. 29, 6 p.m. The FishHouse.

To register for the boatparade: Call Adam Botana495-0455

This is the highlight of my Christmas season.

– Adam Botana


This year’s boat parade is December 8 at 6 p.m.

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 2:59 PM Page 22



The NutcrackerFri., Nov. 23, 8p.m. & Sat.,Nov. 24, 2p.m.The Miami City Ballet,accompanied by the NaplesPhilharmonic Orchestra, willperform this holiday favorite.Where: Philharmonic Centerfor the Arts, 5833 Pelican BayBlvd. N. For tickets call 239-597-1900 or visit thephil.org.Cost: Adults $47-$69, Stu-dents $15.

Films for Film LoversMon., Nov. 26, 7p.m.Central Station, Nov. 26,recounts the emotional jour-ney of a former school teacherand a young boy in search ofhis father. Where: Center forthe Arts of Bonita Springs,26100 Old 41 Rd. B. Cost: $8

Art after HoursWed., Nov.28, 6-9p.m. and thelast Wed. of each monthCome for a guided tour ofthe museum and live enter-tainment. The Phil Café willbe open and cocktails will beavailable. Where: Philhar-monic Center for the Arts,5833 Pelican Bay Bay Blvd.N. For more information call239-597-1900. Admission tothe museum is FREE.

Youth Art Competition –Call for EntriesSat., Dec. 15 deadlineThe 11th Bi-Annual EsteroFine Art Show invites young

artists in grades K-8 or ages5 to 12 to submit their originalart for entry with a chance towin a cash prize in the YouthArt Competition being heldon Jan. 5 & 6, 2013. Where:Application at www.hot-works.org Cost: There is a $3fee for each entry.

Galleries

Center for the Arts of Bonita SpringsPop Art with Andy WarholThrough Jan. 5, 2013This is a unique and interac-tive exhibit featuring thewhimsical spirit of the art ofAndy Warhol and the PopArt Movement. Where: Cen-ter for the Arts of BonitaSprings, 26100 Old 41 Rd.B. For more information, call239-495-8989. Cost: a $3donation is requested.Through December, the Cen-ter is offering a FREE familyactivity on Saturdays from1-3p.m. Parents and childrenwill learn about Warhol’s pio-neering techniques and havean opportunity to createworks of their own.

Art Workshopsfor KidsSingle Session Art ClassesSaturdays through Dec. 22, 9-11a.m. and 11a.m.-1p.m.These will be 2 hour art classesfor children that range fromduct tape crafts to painting.Where: Center for the Artsof Bonita Springs, 26100 Old41 Rd. B. For more infor-mation, call 239-495-8989,or visit artcenterbonita.org.Cost: $20 per class.

Naples Museum of ArtOut of This World: Extraor-dinary Costumes from Film& TelevisionTues.-Sat., 10a.m.-4p.m. &Sun., noon-4p.m., throughDec. 30Where: Philharmonic Centerfor the Arts, 5833 Pelican Bay

Blvd. N. For more informa-tion call 239-597-1900. Cost:Adults $10, Students $5.

Meetings

Bonita SpringsCity CouncilWed., Nov 21, 9a.m. cancelledWed. Dec. 5, 9 a.m.Come watch local govern-ment in action. Where: CityCouncil Chambers, 9101Bonita Beach Rd. B.

Democratic Club ofBonita Springs andSouth Lee CountyTues, Nov. 20, 7p.m.Where: Center for the Art ofBonita Springs B. For moreinformation call Larry Byrnes239-634-6469.

Bonita Springs New-comers Club Lunch-eon MeetingThur., Dec. 20, noon and the3rd Thur. of each monthMembership is open towomen who reside in BonitaSprings and surroundingcommunities. The club offersan opportunity to meet otherwomen, develop friendships,share common interests, andparticipate in a variety ofother activities organized byclub members. Where: com-munity clubhouses is the localarea B. For more informa-tion, visit bonitaspringsnew-comersclub.com. To attenda luncheon, e-mail [email protected] orcall Joan at 239-947-2944.

All dates, times and prices aresubject to change.

Calendarfrom page 22

Small Town Charm.Big Bright Future.

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 2:59 PM Page 23



By Kathy O’[email protected]

Naples – The instructionswere to take the path thatruns alongside the housethen turn following the paththrough a lush garden. Justbeyond the garden table andchairs, the bright yellowentrance door, graced with

a large metal knocker, beck-oned. Inside the smell of wetoils permeated a large studiocluttered with easels, still lifeprops, stools, a ladder andpaintings huge and small invarious stages of completion.This is where Ted de Clercqcreates his art.

Two students paintednudes, a model seated under

the lights, as de Clercqexplained his paintingprocess. He works from mod-els. “I start off with drawingson tracing paper, usuallypencil rather than charcoal.They may be weeks of work.”He is currently working onabout nine paintings. “Usu-ally I start with models thatare nude, then with fabric,then apply the color.”

In his paintings he takesa theme. He likes mythology,history and science. InSearching for Truth, themodels depict Voltaire, theFrench philosopher and hislover Emilie du Chatelet.

“I chose these people ofthe 18th century becausethey were very interested inscience and interested in pro-moting the sciences at thattime,” he explains. “They arediscussing rotational motion.Why does the earth spin?

Why does the sun rotate?Basically the structure of ouruniverse is based on spin-ning,” he adds.

Moving over to two deskglobes, de Clercq shows amodel globe he created. Aftertracing all the continents,including most of the con-tinental shelves, giving themeach their own color, he cutthem out and put them onthe smaller globe. He startedwith a Styrofoam core andbuilt it up with plasticineuntil it took the continentsand they all fit together with-out any overlapping.

“So what this means isthat at one time the earthhad this configuration, chang-ing in size as the universeexpanded but basically keep-ing their same shape so thatthey fit well together. It meansthat at one time they all fittogether,” said de Clercq.

Following through withthis idea, he is now workingon paintings for each of thecontinents. The work, whichis mostly figurative, can besurrealistic. “I hope in mypainting people will wonderwhy this woman is pouringglobes out of this vase. Whenthey read the write up aboutthe painting, they may startto understand some of thethings I am talking about.”

His home, across the streetfrom the studio, is filled withhis own art. “ My paintingshave a realistic European flair

that alludes to the past whiletelling a story of the presentand the future,” he explains.Earlier paintings had a socialcommentary or a biblicalreference. He admits to hisstyle changing depending onwhat he is doing but theconstant is the desire to tella story.

De Clercq credits figura-tive painters Lucian Freud

and Odd Nerdrom withinspiring him. “Their tech-nique and beauty of paintapplication is magical. Theymake the flesh look alive indifferent ways,” he says.

Today he teaches classicaldrawing and painting at theCenter for the Arts but mostof his time is spent doingwhat he loves best –paint-ing.

Artist Spotlight

Illusionist with a Story

Ted de Clercq in his studio

My paintings have arealistic Europeanflair that alludes tothe past while tellinga story of the presentand the future.

– Ted de Clercq

Searching for Truth by Ted de Clercq

Brahma – the Hindu God of Creation by Ted de Clercq

Staff | [email protected] Staff | [email protected]


SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 3:00 PM Page 24



TOWN TALKThe Taste Returns to RiversideThe Taste of Bonita returns to Riverside Park Nov. 17 and 18.The Caribbean Chillers kick-off the taste at 5:30 pm Nov 17with a free concert. Tasty food prepared by local restaurants isserved Nov. 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Taste of Bonita ispresented by the Bonita Springs Noon Rotary Club and pro-ceeds benefit local charities. For more information, go to taste-ofbonita.com.

Get Outside and Play!At the Great Outdoor Adventure Day, Saturday December 8th, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors can experi-ence all the recreational opportunities that Lovers Key offers. Guided adventures will be runningthroughout the day (the bulk of which are FREE OF CHARGE!) Children’s Activities, Geocaching, Fish-ing, Castnetting and Nature Walks all FREE! Try a variety of paddleboards and kayaks FREE! FREE bi-cycle tours! Bikes and helmets provided at NO CHARGE. Lovers Key State Park is located at 8700Estero Blvd. north of Bonita Beach.

Naples Outguns Fort Myers in Tennis ChallengeThis year victory hung in the balance for most of the after-noon of high level tennis as teams battled it out at BonitaBay’s Tennis Center. An incredible nine of the 21 matches be-tween the teams were decided by anything-can- happenthird set tiebreakers. Naples pulled it off winning seven of thenine final tiebreaks. The final score on November 10th wasNaples 13, Fort Myers 8.

Van forVeteransThe Bonita Veter-ans Assistance Organization haspurchased a lift-equipped van totransport local vet-erans in need. Formore information, call 239-495-3018.

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 3:00 PM Page 25


Community

By Max and Dorota [email protected]

Bonita Springs – We returnto this column fresh from atrip to visit our daughterand her three children (fiveand under) in California.There we found ourselvessetting out in search of apumpkin patch. We locateda magnificent one south ofSan Francisco, close to HalfMoon Bay. A huge area ofpumpkins, carefully organ-ized by size, shape and color,with children’s entertain-ments including straw balemountains, old farm equip-ment to climb on, a tepeetent . . . and dozens of BerneseMountain Dogs! Large,handsome dogs, with longfur and striking black, tan,and white markings – mov-ing with characteristically-determined tail-down gaitwherever one looked.

It turned out that thepumpkin patch owner is afarmer who keeps BerneseMountain Dogs, and each

year, when his pumpkinpatch is established, heincludes one Open Day forthe breed. We were fortunateenough to arrive on that day.Last year, he told us, onehundred and ten BerneseMountain Dogs turned up,fortunately not all at thesame time. Many of the dogswere off-leash, and behavingremarkably well. Mind you,I am not sure that I wouldtake home a pumpkin thathad been on the ground fora day in a field roamed by110 large dogs! I think Iwould wait until after itrained . . .

That the Bernese can beoff-leash in a field full ofstrangers is a tribute to thebreed’s well-known stability.The American Kennel Club’sbreed standard requires thatthe dogs be “self-confident,alert, and good-natured”, andcombined with their strongneed for closeness with peo-ple, this makes them excellentfamily dogs. They are also aperfect children’s dog, andwill happily tolerate children

climbing all over them. How-ever . . . they are big andthey are shaggy. Even femalescan weigh in at more than100 pounds. And their thickdouble coat means that even

constant brushing will notavoid heavy shedding of furonto carpets and furniture.But all-in-all, people likethem. Kennel Club statisticsshow that over the ten years

to 2011, the Bernese hasclimbed from 54th to 34thon the popularity charts.

The breed’s new role as afamily dog is a far cry fromits origins in Switzerland.

There it was originally anall-purpose farm dog, usedto guard property, and toherd cattle long distancesfrom the farm to alpine pas-tures. The larger dogs wereeven used to pull small carts.

Our pumpkin patchfarmer told us that ownerswere encouraged to bringtheir dogs in fancy dress. Buteither the owners are anunimaginative bunch, or thebreed is resistant to dress-ing-up . . . the dog in ourpicture was the most deco-rated example we could find.But this was California, andI am sure Florida would puttheir costume-making skillsto shame. When our stan-dard poodle Blue has had acostume party, his canineguests are typically resplen-dent, as Harley bikers, Yan-kees fans, whatever!

Bonita’sBest Friends

DOROTA AND MAX HARRIS

Dogs in the Pumpkin Patch

One of many Bernese Mountain Dogs enjoying a romp in the pumpkin patch


Bonita’s Best Friends

If you have a dog thatyou think is particularlywonderful, contact us at

[email protected], andhe or she could be

the next dog featuredin this column.

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 3:00 PM Page 26


Community

Spotlight Dog

Mickey Joe likes to cool off in the freezer after walks! What a life! Mickey Joe is theSpotlight Dog and the winner of a $25 gift certificate to Pet Paradise in BonitaSprings. Email your favorite photos of your best friend to [email protected] andyour dog could be the next Spotlight Dog.

Cheryl Reed | [email protected]

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 3:00 PM Page 27


Community

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By Meghan [email protected]

Bonita Springs – Mondaymy daughter wants to learnhow to the play the piano.Tuesday she wants to knowhow to read. Wednesday shewants to cook dinner. Thurs-day she wants to be in gym-nastics... she is four andeveryday is a new adventure.I love her endless curiosity,but sometimes it leaves meexhausted for ideas, and time.

We have mastered cook-ing together (which I havecovered in a previous col-umn) so this month we havemoved on to playing thepiano. I am taking all of thewishes on one at a time.

In the car during our

morning school commuteshe wants to hear “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” by The Bea-tles over and over. As soonas our 8-hour-day is over,she wants to hear it all theway home (our commute is30 minutes and the song isonly 2 minutes, so we know

it very well by now). Oneevening we decided to sitdown and learn to play andsing it at our piano. I played,and she sang. Then she decid-ed we should do “Do-Re-Mi” from The Sound ofMusic.

Of course she said, “I can

play it,” and proceeded to sitat the keys and tap and bangand sing loudly. I don’t carehow much patience you have,banging on the piano is cutefor two minutes, tops.

“Do-Re-Mi” is one of thefirst songs I learned to playon the piano when I was

about 7, so I thought, perhapsI could teach it to my daugh-ter. I remember teachingmyself to play the piano withmy mom taping the noteson the keys and buying mea beginner piano book.

Since my daughter can’tread yet, I thought perhapssticking colored tape to thekeys might work. It worksfor kids’ xylophones, so why

not the piano? I wrote outthe colored notes for “Do-Re-Mi” on a piece of paper,giving her only a couple oflines at a time. To my sur-prise, she had the first partdown after only a few times.

I added a couple of lines tothe song as soon as she hadit. Soon, I gave her the entiresong and went to the kitchento start dinner.

She kept practicing andsoon played the entire song!She was so proud and I waspretty impressed. Of courseshe said, “Mommy, you knowyou could just write downthe colors for all of the songsand then I would know themall.”

I think now would be agood time to buy a pianobook.

Meg-a-mom is the secret iden-tity of Meghan Easterly, awriter, photographer, editorand all around supermomliving in Bonita Springs.

MEGAMOM

MEGHAN EASTERLY

Rainbow Scales

“Do-Re-Mi” is oneof the first songs Ilearned to play onthe piano when Iwas about 7, so Ithought, perhaps Icould teach it to my

daughter.

Mega MomIf you have any suggestions forstories from a parent’s or grand-parent’s perspective for this column,please contact Meghan [email protected]

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 3:00 PM Page 28


Community

Spotlight Catch

Contributed | [email protected] Baird of Bonita Springs, caught this 38 1/2 pound Cobia earlier this month on apin fish while fishing 28 miles offshore from Bonita Beach with recreational fishermanGregg Bedell. Email your photos to [email protected] and your photo could bethe next Spotlight Catch.

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 3:00 PM Page 29


Community

Bonita Springs – Coolerweather, pumpkin pies,turkey with stuffing and freshcranberries are just a few ofthe things we think aboutwhen November pops up onour calendar. Thanksgivingis a favorite holiday for manypeople because it is the dayto celebrate all of the thingswe are thankful for in ourlives. We count our blessings,share a meal with friendsand family and truly recog-nize and acknowledge all ourreasons for gratefulness.However, why stop there?Why capitalize on one specialday of the year rather thanexpressing our gratitudeevery day of our lives.

Studies prove that beinggrateful on a daily basis cancreate inner reservoirs of loveand joy that can help carryus through challenging andburdensome times. Grate-fulness, positive thoughtsand actions are like greatsavings in the bank of good-ness. The more savings wehave increases our ability toborrow in times of difficultiesin our lives. Gratitude canalso have a healing effect onour life relationships andimprove our health by low-ering our blood pressure andstrengthening our immunesystem. When we are gratefulwe experience more opti-mism and happiness, joy andpleasure.

Practicing gratitude, ofcourse, is not as easy as it

sounds; sometimes it is easierto focus on the deficienciesin our lives than it is to seethe good that counterbal-ances them. Often times itis our human nature to rec-ognize that there are manythings that we “want” or feelthat we “need.” This is thenreinforced through the mediawhen we hear or see com-mercials encouraging us tobuy new products or wantnew toys. What would mar-keting firms and advertisersdo if we said we are happywith what we have and thatwe have all that we need? Ofcourse, it’s not wrong to strivefor more but it is importantto recognize the wonderful-ness of what you currentlyhave – and then share it withothers.

Don’t wait until Thanks-giving dinner to express yourgratitude. Take a momenttoday to meditate on all thegood in your life: the peopleand their actions, your healthand a positive state of mind,your job and your home. Nomatter how great or small –truly they are blessings forus all. Then, offer a trueexpression of thanksgivingfor those blessings which you

have.Helpful tips:

Keep a gratitude journal.List 5 things each week thatyou are grateful for. Doing

this will help you focus onall the positives in your lifeand keep you away fromhaving a negative mindset.

Be aware of the languageyou use. Cultivate a linguisticstyle that reflects your grati-tude, praises others and offersencouragement.

And, don’t stress too muchabout the moistness of theturkey or the place settingsat the table. Take that momentof worry and turn it into amoment of gratitude andcount your blessings. Life isbeautiful!

Dr. Stan J. Strycharz is alicensed, clinical psychologistpracticing in Bonita Springs.He can be contacted atwww.drstan.net.

MIND SOUL

STAN J. STRYCHARZ, Psy.D.

An Attitudeof Gratitude

Who is the happyman? He is the onewho is satisfied withwhat he has today.

Then and Now

Readin’,Writin’& RithmeticBy Ronda LawhonSpecial to the Spotlight

Bonita Springs – The BonitaSprings Elementary School,located at 10701 Dean Street,is the only property in BonitaSprings currently listed onthe National Registry of His-toric Places and a State His-toric marker is proudlydisplayed in front of thebuilding.

Built at the site of a pre-vious wooden structure usedfor education, the one-storyportion of this brick schoolwas built in 1921 as a three-room schoolhouse. The firstprincipal was Alma McDon-ald. The school originally,but very briefly, accommo-dated all 12 grades with onlytwo students to graduatefrom all twelve- Mary LauraGalloway (Lyles) and ClaraBarnes- the Class of 1933.Shortly thereafter, highschool aged students werebussed to Ft. Myers HighSchool.

Life at the young schoolwas quaint and fairlyrural. Fencing was placedaround the premises to keepout the free ranging cattlethat roamed the area. Initially,the school had no electricity,but to the delight of the stu-dents, it did have indoorplumbing. Mothers preparedsoup and other single dishlunches and the local dairy,operated by the McCormickfamily, furnished the school-children with freshmilk. Families from aroundthe area could set their dailyschedule to the ringing ofthe school bell which hungoutside the main entrance.

In 1927, the schoolexpanded with the additionof a two-story building andauditorium. The separatestructures were united in theearly 1940s and as early as1948 the school had a lunch-room with a kitchen. Thecurrent cafeteria/ auditoriumwas added, years later, butprior to 1960. The originalbrick structure is the onlyhistoric example of theMediterranean Revival archi-tectural style in Bonita

Springs.Early Mediterranean

Revival buildings were builtthroughout Florida between1915 and around 1930. Thestyle referenced the historyand romance of Florida’sSpanish heritage and, at thesame time, could be modifiedto suit Florida’s hot andhumid climate. Another rea-son for its popularity wasthat it could be stylized tosuit the picturesque resortimage that the state was pro-moting to its winter visi-

tors. The popularity of theornate style graduallydecreased, however, with thecoming of the Great Depres-sion in the 1930s.

Still serving as a publicElementary school, it is arare example of an historicschool continuing to be usedfor its original function.

This article was adapted fromthe script written by RondaLawhon for the Bonita SpringsHistorical Society’s DVD His-torical Walking Tour.

Bonita Springs Historical Society | Special to the SpotlightIn this early photo of the Bonita Springs ElementarySchool, fencing was meant to keep out the free rangingcattle.

Staff | [email protected] the original façade can still be seen at the BonitaSprings Elementary School.

THIS SPACE IS FOR SALEDo you want to sell it?

The Southwest Spotlight News Magazine is lookingfor independent sales representatives

to sell display advertising in theNaples, Bonita Springs, Estero, and Fort Myers markets.

Email resume and cover letter to [email protected] phone calls please.

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 3:00 PM Page 30


Community

Bonita Springs – No onelikes a good laugh as muchas us Gopher Tortoises; afterall we live to be 90 years old.We have seen it all. I thoughtI would share with you someof my favorite jokes.

The first one is : Whatkind of jokes do GopherTortoises tell?

Are you ready for theanswer? Shell – arious ones!

Next, What did the tor-toise wear to keep warm?

A turtleneck.Are you getting where I

am going now? Drum rollplease.

What kind of a phonedoes a Gopher Tortoise use?

A shell phone!What is the speed of a

Gopher Tortoise breakingthe sound barrier? (like thatwould ever happen) - MachTurtle

What happened when atruck full of Gopher Tor-

toises crashed into a ditch ?It was a turtle disaster.You can have a lot of fun

with these.A wise man once said,

“Behold the Tortoise. Heonly makes progress whenhe sticks his neck out.”

Now this one can be toldmany different ways, but myfavorite one is: Why did theTortoise cross the road?

To get to the Shell Station!Or you can ask where doesa Tortoise go for gas?

The Shell Station!Another oldie, but goodie:

Why is Turtle wax so expen-sive?

Because we have such tinyears!

What do you get whenyou cross a Tortoise with aporcupine?

Ready for it? A slow poke!A policeman in the big

city stops a man in a carwith a large tortoise in the

front seat.“What are you doing with

that turtle?” He exclaimed,“You should take it to thezoo.”

The following week, thesame policeman sees thesame man with the turtleagain in the front seat, withboth of them wearing sun-glasses. The policeman pullshim over.

“I thought you were goingto take that turtle to thezoo!”

The man replied, “I did.We had such a good timewe are going to the beachthis weekend!”

Two Tortoises hit headon. The police officer inves-tigating the accident asks thesnail witness “can you tellme what happened here?”He answers, “I saw it but itall happened so fast.”

And for my last one, if aGopher Tortoise doesn’thave a shell, is he consid-ered naked or homeless?Think about that one.

In all seriousness, weGopher Tortoises needeveryone’s help to survive,so our young ones can liveout their lives to the ripeold age of 90 too. If yousee one of us in the road,please give us a break. Ifyou can safely remove usfrom harms way, we wouldgreatly appreciate it.

Goober is a gopher tortoiseliving at the Bonita NaturePlace.

Goober’sFavoriteJokes

Bonita Springs – We choseBonita Springs because ofa job opportunity in the‘80’s. We stayed because ourlife’s fabric is being wovenby our endearing friend-ships, the opportunity toserve our communitythrough our church and theenjoyment we receive fromthe pristine parks and nat-ural settings, preserved byour city leaders who have avision we agree with.

We love that our fellowBonitians are still so con-nected to their families, andthe visiting never stops. Wefeel family is number one,no matter what. But wealso feel we live in the Unit-ed Nations of drivinghabits, as you never knowwhat to expect on the roads.We are constantly trying to

be safe and smart.We are so very proud

that we have such a greatquality of doctors and pro-fessionals. That was juststarting to grow in the ‘80’s,when a trip to a reputabledoctor or to give a blooddraw was a 45 minute drivein either direction.

But the one thing thatstill makes us stop in awe,is when it is raining on one

side of the road but not theother. Amazing.

Why I Love Living inBonita Springs

Do you love living in Bonita Springs?

Let us know why in 600 words orless and your article could appearin the next issue as part of the“Why I Love Living in BonitaSprings” series. Contact us [email protected]

By Marc and BarbaraBoocher

Marc and Barbara Boocher

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 3:00 PM Page 31


Community

By Mark [email protected]

Bonita Springs – I’ve alwaysbought quality equipmentanticipating keeping it foryears. In our family thatincludes our boats andcars. And while hulls don’twear out, changes in tech-nology and time and usecause the need – or desirefor repowering. Our oldbut extremely reliable 1987140hp Johnson 2 cycle thatgets poor mileage wouldcost between $13k to $15Kto replace. A new enginewould burn so much lessfuel and be so quiet. Yetthe new engine wouldn’tbe much more reliable thanour old engine – so howmuch gas can I buy for

$13K? But then again, therange for the boat, the noisereduction and the less can-tankerous operation of anew motor is soooo seduc-tive. And then there is theenvironment. Back andforth I go.

So I took the time tolook at four cycle and 2cycle replacements. Today’sstandard of Yamaha, Suzuki,Honda or Merc four cycle150 hp engines is reallysweet. My Johnson is onour 1987 19ft Grady Whitedual console. She fishes okand does a great job withthe family on picnics, tub-ing and water skiing. A runup and down the coast ispretty comfortable for mywife and kids.

The folks at Grady Whitetell me the 150 four cyclewill give me about 5 mpgrunning between 25 and30 mph. Sure beats the 2.5

mpg the old motor pro-vides. Servicing that new150 every 100 hours wouldaverage $600 unless I dothe work myself. I’ve gotfriends that’ve damagedtheir starters because theyforgot their engine was run-ning and repeatedly triedto restart the runningengine – they really are thatquiet. As for reliability, our1993 13ft Boston Whalerhas a 35hp 4 cycle Hondathat runs as smooth today

as when we bought her.Then there’s the new

generation 2 cycle. Theincredible advances of theE-Tec© Envinrude 2 cyclecaught my attention.Advertised as less pollutingwith similar fuel mileageto today’s 4 cycle engines,it doesn’t require its firstservicing until the end ofits 3rd year. That cost isabout $900. And mostamazing, this 2 cycleengine is almost as quiet

as the four cycle. But themajor selling point of thetwo cycle to me is theamount of moving parts– 189 for the 2 cycle vs.over 400 for the fourstroke. While it’s too earlyin the life cycles of theseengines to know if thismakes a difference or not,on the surface, the statsare intriguing.

I’ve concluded that bothengine types and their war-ranties are super – look

around you and ask thepeople you know and see. Ihear almost no complaintsfrom just about everyoneon the water today withone of the current breedof new engines.

So – do I replace a reli-able old workhorse? Andif so, is it a four cycle ortwo cycle?

The local experts I spokewith were terrific. Sure, they’dlove to sell me a newengine. But their honestywas right out front. “Howmuch do you use theboat?” “Are you taking longor short trips?” “Do you trolla lot?” “Do you intend tokeep her long?” “Do you doyour own maintenance?”“When you use your boat,is there a lot of stop and golike in water skiing?” “Or doyou generally go for longrides without varying speed?”Every one of these is a solidand great question.

Well, our current use isnot great and I just can’tpencil out the fuel mileageand maintenance on theold engine vs. the initialcost and maintenance of anew engine. But I say thiswith one caveat. With $4plus/ gallon gasoline poten-tially heading higher – theexcuse to enjoy less noise,smoke and increased rangewill win. I know it is just amatter of time.

BOATINGBONITA

MARK GENERALES

Do I replace a reliable old work-horse? And if so,is it a four cycle or a two cycle?

To Repower or Not

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 3:00 PM Page 32


Community

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 3:00 PM Page 33


Restaurants

A Table ApartChef Jeff Acol’s profound love forthe ocean is rooted in his early child-hood years growing up in Hawaiiand helps explain his commitment toserving sustainable seafood and sea-sonal ingredients. This talented chefoffers a limited but diverse menu.Dishes offer global fair with Asianand French influence. Open for dinnerMonday thru Saturday 5 p.m. to 9p.m. 4295 Bonita Beach Road, BonitaSprings 239-221-8540 www.atablea-part.com

Bellissimo RistoranteChef Jose Benavides and partner EdFalcone are looking forward to theirfirst season together in Bonita Springs.Chef Benavides has fine-tuned hisculinary skills in area restaurants foryears. Together he and Ed Falcone, aformer restauranteur, will be offeringspecialties like Bellissimo Paella andVeal Scallopini Di Vitello Alla Pizzaiola. Open for lunch Mon thru Sat and dinner 7 days a week.26251 S. Tamiami Trail Suite 9 Bonita Springs. 239-405-8957www.bellissimobonita.com

Buffalo ChipsAl, Chip and JC Greenwood’s Old 41original for 30 years strong. It’s“where locals go.” 1st place winner,Florida State chicken wing and chilicook-offs. Full menu including burg-ers, fish and steak and spuds. BoarsHead premium deli sandwiches. Fea-turing Bonita’s Hall of Fame. “If itlooks good, we’ll find a place for iton the walls or ceiling,” says Al.Lunch and dinner daily. 26620 Old41 Rd. 239-947-1000. www.buf-falochipsrestaurant.com.

Gatsby’s PizzaOwners Greg and Jackie Chapin arereopening in a new Bonita location.Gatsby’s, making pizza since 1977,is famous as the home of the Buckeyes.Plenty of TV’s for all those Buckeyefans and a piano. Open Mon. thruThur. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sat. 11a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed Sun. 4450Bonita Beach Road in Liberty BankPlaza. 239-676-5011.Hemingways Island GrillExperience a taste of the islands withCaribbean inspired dishes. The tropicalflavors will take you on a sea cruisewith seafood, chicken and steaksinfused with coconut, key lime, rum

sauce, cilantro or jerk barbecue sauce.Make your selections from an extensivemenu. There’s even a kid’s menu.Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.The Shops at Coconut Point 8001Plaza Del Lago #113 Estero. www.hem-ingwaysislandgrill.comHungry HoundDawgsOutdoor picnic tables invite Bonitiansto enjoy locally made frankfurtersand sausages with only the freshestingredients. Owner Rick Price, a 30year Air Force veteran, dreamt foryears of owning a hot dog vendingcompany. He developed his passionfor German sausages while stationedin Europe and now offers a full menuof dawgs and sausages. Pick one ofhis specialties or create your own!Open Mon-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat until2pm, closed Sun. Corner of Old 41 &Abernathy Street. 239-877-6501.www.hungryhounddawgs.com. Johnny Malloy’sThey say it’s game day everyday atJohnny Malloy’s. Come for the gamebut stay for the food. Try the ShreddedPork or Classic Rib Eye Steak Sandwich,Specialty pizzas, the Malloy ClassicBurger, or a fresh tortilla wrap. Watch

RESTAURANT GUIDEB O N I T A S P R I N G S


SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 3:00 PM Page 34


Restaurants

Shoppes at Pelican Landing24600 Tamiami Trail S#204Bonita Springs, FL 34134

(239) 498-6808Open Daily 5 - 10 pm

For menu & wine list visit us at lafontanellarestaurant.net

We specialize in Pasta, Veal, Chicken, Seafood & Steak

(Up to $18 value per couple)18% gratuity added before

discount. Dine in Only Exp. 11/30/12

Buy OneEntrée and2 beveragesGet second

EntréeFREE!

the game on the new outdoor patiowith TVs everywhere. 10347 BonitaBeach Rd. #101 (corner of Old 41)239-992-5000La Fontanella RistoranteOwner Moe has over 35 years inthe business, and the experienceshows. He and his staff assure cus-tomers the finest dining experience.Serving gourmet Italian cuisine, spe-cializing in pasta, veal, chicken,seafood and steak. “If you can’t cutthe veal with a fork, the meal isfree.” Specials daily. Open daily 5p.m. to 10 p.m. 24600 S. TamiamiTrail at the Shoppes at Pelican Land-ing. 239-498-6808. www.lafontanel-larestaurant.net.Lake House Bar and GrillAn open air café with one of Bonita’sfinest water views. A hot spot forlunch and dinner, popular amongboth locals and tourists. Featuringthe Bonita Burger, veggie rollup,tuna salad and sandwiches and moresandwiches. Plus tacos, fish andchicken dinners. Open daily 11:30a.m. to 10:30 p.m., happy hour11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Locatednext to the Trianon Hotel. 3401 BayCommons Dr. 239-948-4400.www.lakehousebarandgrill.net. Manhattan SteakhouseSpecializing in USDA Prime Dry Agedsteaks and sizzling platters up to1800 degrees. Enjoying its secondseason, Bella Purisic oversees thisrelative newcomer to the BonitaSprings restaurant scene. The extensivemenu includes fresh catches such asgrouper, tuna and jumbo Mainelobster. Ask about their extensivewine list. Open daily for dinner 4:30

to 9:30 p.m. 24940 S. Tamiami Trail#103 (Behind Zazou in Bonita) Reser-vations are required. 239-676-8687www.manhattan1steakhouse.comMolino’s RistoranteClassic Italian in a beautiful indoorroom and an al fresco patio setting,featuring pasta, meat and fish dinners.Family owned since 2003. Try theVitello alla Saltimboca or one of themany other specialties of the house.Full bar and wine cellar. Summerhours, serving dinner only. Smokingsection available. Open daily 5 p.m.to 9 pm. 26841 South Bay Dr. at theBonita Bay Promenade. 239-992-7025. www.molinosristorante.com.Old 41 RestaurantA sure bet since the day it opened inBernwood. Specialties include eggs,omelets, pancakes, waffles, homemadesoups, salads, sandwiches, Angusburgers, chili, Taylor pork roll, sausagegravy, creamed chipped beef, homecooked roast beef and turkey and“real” Philly cheese steaks. Opendaily 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Corner of Old41 and Bernwood Parkway. 239-948-4123. www.old41.com.Pino’s PizzeriaJoe and Linda Russo, are the ownersand operators of Pino’s where, “It’sall about the taste.” They offer thekind of Brooklyn family owned andoperated business you don’t oftenfind these days. Their big portions,low prices - and friendly attitude willhave you coming back for more...and more… and still more! OpenMon. thru Fri. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. andSat. & Sun 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. PelicanLanding Publix Plaza, 24600 S. Tami-ami Trail. 239-676-5332. www.pinospizzeria.net.

Ristorante EnricoOwner Enrico Costagliola was born inhis mother’s restaurant in Torregaveta,Italy, south of Naples. “I still cooklike my mother, with only the freshestingredients.” Fresh pasta, seafoodand Italian specialties. Antipasto salad,penne, lasagna, lobster ravioli, linguiniwith white clam sauce, zuppa di pesce,veal, chicken and shrimp. 18 pizzaand calzone creations. Lunch anddinner specials. Open daily Mon-Sat10am to 10 pm; Sun 11am to 10pm;26831 S. Tamiami Trail near Publixacross from Bonita Bay. 239-949-2204.Royal ScoopLife’s short…eat dessert first! Theoldest homemade ice cream store inBonita. 35 ice cream flavors, 12 low-fat and sugar-free choices. Theirscoopologists make the thickest shakes,biggest sundaes and best cones. Deli-cious lunches featuring Boar’s Headmeats and cheeses and fantasticfamily recipes for chicken, egg andtuna salad. Kids menu. Open til 10p.m. at Vanderbilt Dr. & 8th Street inBonita Springs 992-2000; open til9:30 at Pavillion Shoppes (VanderbiltBeach Road & 41) 239-597-4043.www.royalscoop.com

The Survey CaféLori Nelson’s tribute to old Florida,oozing with southern charm andupdated with an organic sensibility.Fresh ingredients, wraps, salads,panini, flatbreads and the house spe-cialty…Grandpa’s Gator gumbo. Trythe Chokoloskee Chicken sandwich.Shade grown coffee from Groundsfor Change. Dine inside or out. Summerhours, open Wednesday thru Sunday,8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 10530 Wilson Ave.off Old 41. 239-992-2233. www.thesurveycafe.com.

Your Favorite Columnsin the next issue of

Southwest Spotlight News Magazine

The Other Ben • NeighborBonita’s Best Friends • Tee Box Tips

Real Estate Watch

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 3:00 PM Page 35


Restaurants

10530 Wilson St • Downtown Bonita • 992-2233thesurveycafe.com • Facebook/surveycafe

Across from Riverside Park one block east of Old 41

SIMPLE FLORIDA CHARM... CASUAL... LAID BACK... DELICIOUS!

Free Wi-Fi!

Dog friendly!

“A hidden gem in Bonita Springs. The food is just fantastic. Lots of great fl avours... BLT great, French

toast great, Sandwich Cubano great.” Trip Advisor Aug. 2012

“The ambience was so quaint and friendly it made us want to move in... a delicious omelette with bacon & mushrooms covered in gravy & the best French toast

ever with a homemade sauce.” Trip Advisor Oct. 2012

Come see what everyone’s talking about!

Open Tues-Sun 8:00 am - 2:30 pm Breakfast available all day and Brunch all day on Sunday!

SS_NOV 2012(2) 11/14/12 3:00 PM Page 36

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IT’S EVERYWHERE!Capital Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8100 Health Center Boulevard Finemark Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10010 Coconut RoadFlorida Gulf Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23250 Via VillagioBonita Community Health Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3501 Health Center BoulevardJoint Replacement Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3501 Healthpark BoulevardDowning-Frye Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27180 Bay Landing DriveGulf Coast Coin & Jewelry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25987 S Tamiami TrailRapallo Community Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8551 Via Rapallo DriveHampton Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27900 Crown Lake BoulevardHoliday Inn Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27891 Crown Lake BoulevardHomewood Suites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8901 Highland Woods BoulevardHabitat for Humanity ReStore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27821 S. Tamiami TrailBonita Springs Chamber & Visitors Center . . . . . . . .25071 Chamber of Commerce DriveAgostinos Fine Furnishings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24971 S Tamiami TrailColdwell Banker Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8200 Health Center Boulevard, Ste. 101Extra Space Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8420 Murano Del Lago DriveExit Platinum Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26381 S Tamiami TrailJohn R. Wood Realtors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26269 S Tamiami TrailKeller Williams Elite Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24851 S Tamiami TrailThe Salon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26831 Tamiami TrailLiving Well Chiropractic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10020 Coconut RoadKitchens by Ambiance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8871 Brighton Lane Royal Shell Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26811 S Tamiami TrailHurricane Grill & Wings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8017 Plaza Del Lago Drive, Ste. 107IHOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27240 Bay Landing DriveLansdowne Street . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24851 S Tamiami TrailPerkins Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27941 Crown Lake BoulevardBank United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3300 Bonita Beach Road, Ste. 115Amore Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24600 S Tamiami TrailFrame It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24600 S Tamiami Trail, Ste. 216Bonita Estero Dental Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24940 S Tamiami Trail, Ste. 202Bonita Bubbles Car Wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24296 S Tamiami TrailTuffy Auto Service Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27790 S Tamiami TrailBay Presbyterian Chruch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26911 South Bay DrTrianon Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3401 Bay Commons DriveThe Promenade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26841 South Bay DrivePrudential Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24880 S Tamiami TrailPino’s Pizzeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24600 S Tamiami TrailCNL Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9160 Bonita Beach Road SEAnimal Wellness Center of Bonita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10347 Bonita Beach Road SESWFL Veterinary Specialists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28400 Old US 41 Road

Walgreens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11494 Bonita Beach RoadCity Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9101 Bonita Beach Road SELee County Sheriff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8951 Bonita Beach Rd SE Dolly’s Produce Patch & Eatery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9930 Bonita Beach Road SEJohnny Malloy’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10347 Bonita Beach Rd SESkillets Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9174 Bonita Beach Road SEFlorida Community Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3360 Bonita Beach RoadBay Water Boat Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5124 Bonita Beach RoadWalgreens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28100 S Tamiami TrlNu U Salon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4450 Bonita Beach RoadAcodi Realty Welcome Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3570 Bonita Beach RoadDoc’s Beach House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27908 Hickory BoulevardThe Fish House Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4685 Bonita Beach RoadRoyal Scoop Homemade Ice Cream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 8th StreetSneaky Pete’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3465 Bonita Beach RoadNGX Jewelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3725 Bonita Beach Road, Unit 5Citrus Park Community Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25501 Trost Boulevard Southern Pines Community Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26300 Southern Pines DriveBonita Grande Fire Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27701 Bonita Grande DriveEstero Executive Center, 2nd Floor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10600 Chevrolet WayFGCU Business School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10501 FGCU BoulevardLee County Sheriff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10520 Reynolds StreetB.E.A.R./Lee County Tax Collector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25300 Bernwood DriveLions Club Thrift Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10346 Pennsylvania AvenueLions Club Clubhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10346 Pennsylvania AvenueCenter for the Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26100 Old US 41 RoadLiteracy Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26820 Old US 41 Road Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26876 Pine AvenueOld 41 Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25091 Bernwood DriveLiles Hotel - Historical Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27300 Old US 41 RoadRecreation Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26740 Pine AvenueFirst Community Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28235 S. Tamiami Tr.Buffalo Chips Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26620 Old US 41 Road Trackside Donuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2800 Old US 41 RoadStan’s Super Subs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26880 Old US 41 RoadThe Survey Café . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10530 Wilson Street Your Garden Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27746 Felts AvenueCorner Produce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26752 Old US 41 RoadBonita Springs Assistance Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25300 Bernwood DrivePewter Mug Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12300 Tamiami Trail N.

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November 16-30 2012 Southwest Spotlight Newspaper