Month: August 2019

The Bubble Room Emporium now has a new home!

The restaurant’s beloved gift shop has reopened across Captiva Drive at the former site of Albert Meadow Antiques.

The site was actually part of the original Bubble Room properties.

Artist Katie Gardenia founded the restaurant in 1979, owning the main structure, the separate 200-square-foot building to the north –  » Read more

From our friends at Florida Weekly:

Ever since the advent of the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest in 2014, the annual festival has grown ever bigger and more celebrated. The sixth annual festival, Sept. 20 – 29, promises more high notes and impressive numbers than ever before:

• Three different venue destinations throughout the county: Captiva Island (Sept. 20 –

 » Read more

Found on Pinterest

Don’t forget that your favorite vacation spot offers some great deals throughout the year.  Make your reservation to visit us again soon!  » Read more

Boy Scouts can earn their fishing and other badges at Merit Badge University!

The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge will host its 2nd annual Merit Badge University for registered Boy Scouts of America on Saturday, October 26.

Scouts from around the nation will have the opportunity to earn up to two out of six badges being offered that day. They include Bird Study,  » Read more

Thanks to our friends at the Island Reporter for this update!

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife announced that two gopher tortoise eggs incubating since early June successfully hatched in the early morning Wednesday.

On May 26, an adult female gopher tortoise was admitted to CROW’s wildlife hospital. The tortoise was found in the center lane of McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers after it was presumably struck by a vehicle while crossing the road.  » Read more

“The things we truly love stay with us always,

locked in our hearts as long as life remains.”

– Josephine Baker

Will and Nicole M., longtime guests from Decator, Texas, shared a touching secret with us during their recent visit here.   » Read more

What can we say, Charlie’s our man!

   » Read more

Photo by Sabato Visconti

Calling all eco-conscious conservationists, wannabe fashion designers, and “trashionistas”!

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, March 10, 2020, and Project Refuge: A Couture Fashion Show Using Trash. The fashion show and “Twist Tie Optional Luncheon” will take place at The Sanctuary Clubhouse on Sanibel Island, part of the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.  » Read more

“You can’t leave footprints in the sands of time

while sitting down.” 

– Nelson Rockefeller

Should you have any photos you’d like to share, please email them to [email protected].

Today’s Guest Photographer:  Bruce Klink

   » Read more

The “Ding” Darling team celebrates victory on the steps of the old courthouse in downtown Fort Myers following the county commissioners’ unanimous vote in favor of supporting the Wulfert Bayous acquisition.

The Lee County Board of Commissioners recently voted in favor of supporting the acquisition of the 68-acre Wulfert Bayous parcel located on Sanibel Island. The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) and the JN “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge have been working with the county on the collaboration for more than a year to make the acquisition a reality.  » Read more