Month: September 2019

Know when the Sanibel lighthouse was built or when Bailey’s General Store first opened its doors?

If so, definitely plan to be part of this year’s Sanibel Sea School’s Flip Flop Family Scavenger Hunt. The family-friendly, all-ages event will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. All proceeds will support the nonprofit’s scholarship fund, which makes it possible for children and families in need to have meaningful ocean experiences.  » Read more

Photo by Amanda Inscore of the Fort Myers News-Press

There’s a scurry of activity with the squirrel population at C.R.O.W. these days.  In fact, late summer is often called “squirrel season” in wildlife rehabilitation circles.

Currently, there are over 40 squirrel patients residing at CROW.  The clinic has treated more than 240 squirrels so far this year.

One of four species of squirrels in Florida,  » Read more

“When the sun is setting,

leave whatever you are doing and watch it.” 

– Mehmet Murat Ildan

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

Today’s Guest Photographer:  Sid Ely  » Read more

Billy and Salli Kirkland are celebrating two decades of business on the islands this year!

The Sanibel and Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting at Billy’s Rentals on Periwinkle Way to mark the couple’s 20th anniversary in business. The Sanibel City Council also issued a proclamation at its monthly meeting in recognition of their milestone.

“I want to thank everybody who has helped us make it to where we are today,”  » Read more

Thanks to volunteers from around the globe, the International Coastal Cleanup has become a movement that spans across borders and inspires action in support of the world’s oceans.  Ocean Conservancy, the host of the global event, notes that nearly 800,000 volunteers collected more than 18 million pounds of trash from around the world during the International Coastal Cleanup last year.

This year,  » Read more

Get ready to celebrate the return of Offshore Powerboat Racing to Fort Myers Beach!

The American Power Boat Association National Championship wraps up in our area on October 10 – 12, the last stop for the inaugural season of this racing series.

Come out and see the Miss Geico offshore racing team compete against Australia, Norway, Sweden and other countries.

Spectators will have numerous up-close viewing opportunities to feel the roar of these amazing boats going by at 180mph.   » Read more

Clyde Butcher shoots with large-format cameras. Photo by Woody Walters.

Photo of the Florida Everglades by Clyde Butcher.

Often tagged “the Ansel Adams of Florida,” photographer Clyde Butcher has made a big reputation for himself based on big black-and-white nature images taken with big cameras.

Starting Nov. 13, 2019, the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) will be hosting a special Clyde Butcher exhibition as part of the 75th anniversary celebration of the J.N.  » Read more

An artist’s rendering of BIG ARTS’ new 2,500-foot performing arts hall, featuring a stage that’s 2 1/2 times bigger than the former Schein Hall. The new hall will also feature more comfortable seats, better sight lines, and high-tech lighting, sound and acoustics.

An excerpt from a recent article in the Fort Myers News-Press by Charles Runnells:

They’re calling it BIG ARTS’ “Dream Season”:  A 41st annual season packed with bigger shows,  » Read more

Thomas Edison stands next to a Detroit Electric car in 1913.

In celebration of National Drive Electric Week, Edison and Ford Winter Estates is hosting a free electric car show on Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the estates overflow parking lots on Larchmont Avenue. Owners of electric vehicles will be on hand to answer questions and give rides to visitors.  » Read more

The Tarpon House Inn in 1910; photo from Digital FGCU.

One of the last photos of the Tarpon House Inn in 1913; from Florida State Archives. 

More interesting info on Old Punta Rassa, this time from a 2016 News-Press article about “Pioneering Tourists” by Cynthia Williams:

On a blustery day in March of 1881,  » Read more